I. Decide whether the following statements are true or false according to the text:
1. Bridge is a structure used by people and vehicles to facilitate traveling.
2. To build a long bridge is very difficult and expensive, so a majority of bridges nowadays don’t range in length more than some hundred meters.
3. Single-span bridges are supported only by two abutments.
4. The main span in the multi-span bridge is the shortest one carrying the main load.
5. Aqueducts were used to provide people with drinking water.
6. Efficiency of a bridge is a scientific principle that takes into account the quantity of people and vehicles passing along the bridge.
7. The definition of elegance is not disputable.
II. Answer the questions:
1. What is a purpose of a bridge?
2. What is the difference between abutments and piers?
3. Why are spans made as short as possible?
4. What types of bridges according to their function can you name?
5. What do you know about a threefold goal of bridge design?
6. Describe three positions in bridge building taken by professionals.
LANGUAGE FOCUS
III. What definition of a bridge is correct?
1. a way with a prepared surface, for vehicles, pedestrians, etc.
2. place for crossing a street, water etc.
3. a structure providing a way across a river, road, railway, etc.
4. underground passage dug through a hill or under a road, river, etc.
IV. Make the collocations with the word bridge using the words in ovals and put them into the sentences below. With the rest not used make your own sentences:
1. Bridge is a structure to …
2. A part of a bridge intended to vehicles and pedestrians is called…
3. We can describe … as an each part of a bridge between supports (that are also called as …)
4. According to the quantity of abutments and piers bridges can be … and …
5. A bridge without any abutments or piers is called …
6. A threefold goal to be taken into account while building a bridge is …
7. The road goes … the old railway bridge.
8. The new bridge will … the Thames at this point.
9. Can you see that pontoon bridge … the river?
10. Three positions taken by professionals in bridge building are …
11. The types of the bridge are …, …, … .
12. … means reducing the costs of construction and maintenance.
13. … is putting a value on reducing materials
V. Make the following sentences shorter replacing a set of words with one:
Bridges have always been used by people. They have to be strong and long enough. They also must withstand the action or effect of natural occurrences. Most bridges are held up by supports at each end of the bridge set in the ground. Some bridges have also the supports that stand between the abutments. We can say that there are bridges supported only by abutments (most short bridges) and bridges having one or more piers in addition to the abutments (the longest span of such bridges can be quite long). There is also a bridge with no piers or abutments. While building a bridge engineers discuss the principle that puts a value on reducing materials and the principle that puts value on reducing the costs of construction and maintenance. The principle that puts value on the personal expression of the designer is indisputable.