Text-Based Exercises

Ex. 10. Say which of the following issues are considered in the text. If they are, say to which paragraphs they belong.

• types of buildings,

• differences in building traditions,

• building houses from steel and other metals,

• wooden frame constructions,

• residential buildings,

• the role of knowledge and technological development,

• building as a place of comfort and safety,

• the use of plastics for construction,

• internal infrastructures of modern buildings,

• the basic functions of a good house,

• social needs for buildings (shelter, privacy, comfort, etc.),

• buildings of the future.

Ex. 11. Arrange the sentences in the logical sequence of the text above.

1. The buildings all differ in the manner of their construction, use or occupancy.

2. The building protects a human being from harsh effect of weather like rain, wind, sun.

3. Increasing settlement density in buildings is usually a response to high ground prices.

4. Many types of houses are difficult to build as they require a lot of knowledge and work to create them.

5. Types of buildings depend upon social functions and may be classified according to the role in the community.

6. In areas where there is seismic activity it is important to consider this when designing the house.

7. The house is a place to live in, so it must be comfortable and healthy.

8. The word ‘building’ may refer to any human-made structure used for sheltering any use or for continuous residence.

9. Houses vary due to cultural differences and also due to the local resources available to create them.

10. Frame construction embraces all buildings with exterior walls of wooden framework.

11. Industrial buildings comprise factories, laboratories, office buildings, stores, garages, etc.

Ex. 12. Find the key sentences in all the passages of the text:

1.

2.

3.

4. …

Ex.13. Choose a sentence (two or three?) to elicit the main idea for each of the three parts of the text.

Ex. 14. Summarise the text. For each of the parts give the key statement and support it with the chosen additional information.

Grammar Consolidation Exercises

Ex. 15. Find in Text 1 sentence with modal verbs may, can, must, should. Translate them into Russian.

Ex. 16. Translate the sentences with modal verbs may, can, must, should and their equivalents. Pay attention to the form of the accompanying infinitive.

1. Homes can be build from rough lumber (or even logs), compressed earth blocks, or modern materials like aluminum, glass, and vinyl. 2. We are required to spend a great deal of time indoors. Accordingly, it is important that our houses should be a place where we can feel at home. 3. Beams generally carry vertical gravitational forces but can also be used to carry horizontal loads. 4. Many of the stone-built structures can still be seen today in the old town of Edinburgh. 5. You must have a piece of land on which your house can be built, then you should ask an architect or builder to find out if there are any restrictions or limitations on building in the area. 6. It should be taken into account that usually plywood sidings must be painted in order to save them from decay. 7. Domestic timber stairs must be designed for safe and comfortable use by people of different ages. 8. Houses can be classified on the basis of the style of architecture or construction designs. 9. Materials for interior decoration of residential and public buildings, gardens and parks, etc. should be durable and strong. 10. After the plot of land has been chosen, and it is then time to decide what kind of house is to be built. 11. The structural engineer must design structures to be safe for their users and to successfully fulfill the function they are designed for. 12. Care should be taken to select bricks suitable for the climate in question. 13. If the mixing is to be done by hand the materials must be screened to remove any lumps of lime. 14. The structural design of a modern building can be extremely complex, and requires a large team to complete. 15. The painting is usually finished in the rooms where the cabinets are to be installed first; when the painting is finished the flooring should be done.

Ex. !7. A) Study the meanings and use of some conversion words:

Shelter (кров, приют || укрывать, служить убежищем);

house (дом, жилище || вмещать, предоставлять жилище);

function (назначение, функция || функционировать, действовать),

effect (результат, следствие; воздействие || воздействовать ),

veneer (шпон || облицовывать (шпоном, кирпичом),

cover (крышка; колпачок || закрывать крышкой),

need (необходимость, нужда || нуждаться),

store (запас, резерв || хранить, сохранять; запасать), etc.

B) Translate the sentences

A) The word building refers to any human-made structure used for sheltering any use. Buildings serve as shelter from weather and as general living space, to provide privacy,

Many types of houses are difficult to build as they require a lot of knowledge and work to create them. Building types may range from one-room dwellings to high-rise buildings able to house thousands of people.

Types of buildings depend upon social functions and are classified according to the role in the community. Any building requires a certain amount of internal infrastructure to function.

B) The building protects from direct harsh effect of weather. Frame construction embraces all buildings with exterior walls of wooden framework veneered with brick, stone, or terra cotta; or covered with stucco or sheet metal. Buildings serve to store belongings and to comfortably live and work.

Ex. 18. Prepositions and the verbs (which they accompany) are closely linked semantically, so it is very important to memorise such verbs with the prepositions they take. Write out these verbs from the exercise. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. To be a good house it must comply with a few basic functions. 2. Increasing settlement density in buildings is usually a response to high ground prices resulting from many people wanting to live close to work. 3. Types of buildings depend upon social functions and may be classified according to the role in the community. 4. The word ‘building’ may refer to any human-made structure used for sheltering. 5. The buildings differ in the manner of their construction, use, or occupancy. 6. It is a big job in itself just to do the new home plans, oversee construction and deal with the numerous, sometimes complex, situations involved in home designs and house building. 7. A building permit is a basic requirement in many areas, particularly for permanent construction, which is to comply with local codes and zoning requirements. 8. The book will help you through the building process and provide you with the information you need to make decisions. 10. In some sites you will find many tips and plans on dealing with construction problems.

Scan text 2 ‘Building Houses’ and find the paragraph which describes:

• the bricklayer’s work and responsibilities,

• the plumber’s work and responsibilities,

• the preparations for building a house, surveying and planning,

• the joiner’s work,

• digging trenches and laying the foundation,

• the carpenter’s work,

• the finishing stages in construction,

• building the roof.

Read text 2 more thoroughly. Consult the list of additional vocabulary. Be ready to do the assignments after the text.