From the history of architecture.

I. Read the text and retell it.

When our ancestors emerged from caves their first efforts at obtaining man-made shelters were probably devoted to supporting branches against trees and rocks and covering them with large leaves. From these beginnings was developed the column and beam system of construction.

For many centuries the column and beam was the only generally employed method of stone construction; according to this method were produced the beautiful impressive monuments of Egypt and Persia, which reacted their highest point of beauty in Greece. In Mesopotamia the presence of excellent clay and the scarcity of atone and timber led in the very early days to the introduction of brick construction and the development of the vault and dome as a means of covering spans and areas.

During the Roman Empire round arches, vaults and domes were perfected, as never before in stone, brick and concrete , this development being made possible by the abudance in Italy of good limestone, a volcanic material, which when mixed with lime produced an excellent cement. The pointed arch was an inherent feature of the Gothic style, but it was not the only element in this remarkable architecture.

The awakening of classical culture in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries brought with it the Renaissance of Roman architecture. The Renaissance, which was a European movement lasted roughly from the 14^th to the 17^th century. During this period, arts and sciences underwent great changes. In architecture these changes were marked by a return to classical forms and proportions of ancient Roman buildings.

Buildings of the 19^th century are characterized by the use of new materials and by a great diversity of architectural style. From the end of the 18^th century iron and steel became widely used as alternatives to wood, for by that time many countries experienced shortage of this material. Later the Industrial revolution brought mass-production of building parts which were manufactured at a factory and then simply assembled at a site.

The 20^th century is notable for widespread use of steel-reinforced concrete. Huge reinforced concrete units manufactured in heated factory premises are brought to the site becomes something like an assembly shop. Architecture of the 20^th century is characterized by very high buildings – particularly skyscraper – and by great diversity of styles which completely differ from those of the past.

II. Active vocabulary

to support – поддерживать

brick –кирпич

shortage – нехватка

to extend – удлинять

to cover – покрывать

effort – усилие

value – ценность

remarkable – замечательный

modern – современный

recent – недавний

column – колонна

arch – арка

span – короткое расстояние

beam – балка

III. Answer the following questions

1. What did the first man-made shelters look like?

2. What method of stone construction was used for many centuries?

3. What were the means of covering spans and areas developed in Mesopotamia?

4. When and where were round arches, vaults and domes perfected?

5. What is the architecture of 20^th century characterized by?

IV. Complete the following sentences using English equivalents instead of Russian words and word combinations.

For many centuries (колонна) and (балка) was the only generally employed method of stone construction.

During the Roman Empire round (арки). (своды) and (купола) were perfected, as never before, in (камень), (кирпич), and (бетон), this development being made possible by the abundance in Italy of good (известняк).

Lesson 4