III. Comprehension and Word Study.

1. Ask questions to all points of the following sentence:

Mortar for masonry should be fairly plastic, for this enables the bricklayer to spread out a longer bed and to “butter” the brick more easily.

2. Ask questions to the following sentences in pairs. Use the expressions: I wonder, I want to know, as far as I know, in fact, it’s hard to say, to my mind, in my opinion, I believe, I suppose.

A. He described the method used by this engineer. B. The engineer used the method described by this journal. C. They published the results of the experiments completed. D. Great plants equipped with modern machinery produce cement. E. Super cement discovered by English investigator in 1914 is widely used in our days. F. The program being discussed now was written by our students. G. It can be seen that the particular test chosen will depend entirely upon the type of welded join. H. When driven to solid bottom, reinforced-concrete piles act as struts. I. Mounted on crawler tracks this excavator can be used under very adverse site conditions.

2. Make the sentences interrogative and give short answers:

1) Mortars consist of four ingredients. 2) The proportions of cement, lime and sand are variable. 3) The percentage of water is fixed by narrow limits. 4) A mortar having a high content of cement is characterized by high strength and a short time of set. 5) Too much water may permit easier application. 6) The evaporation of water may be accompanied by considerable shrinkage. 7) Mortar for masonry should be fairly plastic.

3. Translate into Russian paying attention to the Nominative absolute Participial Constructions:

1) Stones differ greatly in texture, some being coarse-grained and other fine- grained. 2) We widely use granite as supports, it being capable to withstand great pressure. 3) Granite is strong, much being used in building large engineering works where great strength is required. 4) Granites differ in durability, it depending upon the quantity of quartz and the nature of feldspar. 5) Various classes of stone are employed in building, the chief of them being granite, sandstone and limestone.

4. Find in the text all sentences with Participles and translate them.

IV. Post-reading activities:

1. Read the text once again and divide it into logical units.

2. Find the sentences expressing the main ideas of each logical unit in the text.

3. Combine the topic sentences using the following connectives:

Thus (таким образом), first of all (прежде всего), besides (кроме того), nevertheless (тем не менее), therefore (поэтому), moreover (более того), hence (отсюда), according to (согласно), etc.

REMEMBER THAT:

1. The idea of addition may be expressed by conjunctions and (и, а), both … and (и …и, как …так и), not only … but (не только … но и), as well as (также… как и), etc.

2. The idea of contrast may be expressed by but (но), yet (тем не менее), only (только), however (однако), etc.

3. The idea of alteration may be expressed by or (или), either…or (или …или), neither… nor (ни …ни), otherwise (иначе), etc.

4. Give a summary of the text. Make use of the following phrases:

The title of the text is …, the author starts with …, according to the text …, as far as I can understand …, I find the text rather interesting (important, informative, etc.) because …, I agree (disagree) with the author that …, the text will be useful for those who take interest in … .

5. Make up a dialogue using the text “Properties of Mortar” according to the following steps:

1. Definitions;

2. Ingredients;

3. Instruments;

4. Characteristics: a) content, b) adhesiveness, c) strength, d) cohesiveness;

5. Kinds of mortar, its usage.

6. Be ready to speak about “Properties of Mortar”.

V. Supplementary reading.

1. Read and translate the text: