IV. Reading.

Exercise 6. a) Read text and translate it with a dictionary.

b) Find Gerund in the text, set the functions. Translate the sentences:

• in the paragraph 1;

• in the paragraph 3;

• in the paragraph 4.

Plant fibres

1. Plant fibres include seed hairs, such as cotton; stem (or bast) fibres, such as flax and hemp; leaf fibres, such as sisal; and husk fibres, such as coconut, that can be spun into filaments, thread or rope. By weaving, knitting, matting or bonding, they form fabrics that are essential to society.

2. Hemp fibre is obtained from the bast of the plant Cannabis sativa. Long, strong and durable, hemp fibres are about 70% cellulose and contain low levels of lignin (around 8-10%). Hemp fibre possesses different properties: the property of conducting heat, dyeing well, resisting mildew, providing natural anti-bacterial properties. During many centuries hemp has been used for making rope, canvas and paper, home furnishing textiles and floor coverings. Blending with cotton, linen, silk and wool gives hemp a softer feel. In Europe, hemp fibres are used mainly in the special paper industry. Reinforcing moulded thermoplastics in the automobile industry is other field of hemp application. The world's leading producer of hemp is China, in the European Union major producers are France, Germany and the UK.

3. Jute is extracted from the bark of the white jute plant. It flourishes in tropical lowland areas. Jute or "the golden fibre" is long, soft and shiny, with a diameter of from 17 to 20 microns. Jute has high insulating and anti-static properties, moderate moisture regain and low thermal conductivity. Production of jute fabrics is weaving curtains, chair coverings, carpets, rugs, and providing the backs for linoleum. On blending with other fibres, it is used in cushion covers, toys, wall hangings, lamp shades and shoes. Very fine threads can be separated out and made into imitation silk. Geotextiles made from jute are flexible, absorb moisture and drain well. Preventing soil erosion and landslides are the main reasons of the application of geotextiles. Bangladesh, West Bengal in India and Nepal are the world's main jute producers.

4. Ramie, known as China grass, is a flowering plant of the nettle family. Its bark has been used in making twine and thread, and spun as grass-cloth (or "Chinese linen"). Ramie fibre is white with a silky lustre, it has low elasticity and dyes easily. The purpose of ramie production is supplying people with lightweight and silky fabrics from dresses to jeans, similar in appearance to linen. The Korean traditional costume, the ramie hanbok, is renowned for its fineness. Ramie is usually blended with other textile fibres. It possesses the property of increasing the lustre and strength of cotton fabrics as well as it reduces shrinkage in wool blends. Sometimes ramie is also blended with silk. The ramie plant is grown mainly in China, Brazil and the Philippines, but the fibre extraction and cleaning are difficult for workers.

5. Sisal fibre is obtained from Agave sisalana, a native of Mexico. The hardy plant grows well in a variety of hot climates. After harvesting, its leaves are cut and crushed in order to separate the pulp from the fibres. Lustrous and creamy white, sisal fibre is coarse, strong, durable and stretchable, does not absorb moisture easily, resists saltwater deterioration, and has a fine surface texture that gives a possibility of accepting a wide range of dyes. Sisal is used in twine and ropes. After emerging of new markets, sisal can be found in special paper, filters, geotextiles, mattresses, carpets, wall coverings, as reinforcement in plastic composite materials, in automotive components, and also in furniture. Other important point scientists see in using sisal fibre as a substitute for asbestos in brake pads. Sisal is cultivated for fibre in Brazil, China, Cuba, Kenya, Haiti, Madagascar and Mexico.