III. Reading Comprehension

1. Skim the text. Define its general subject and the subject of each paragraph. Use the following phrases:

The text is about…

The subject of the text is…

There are…paragraphs in it.

The first (second, third, etc.) paragraph deals with (considers…, describes…, informs…).

2. Skim the text and answer the following questions:

1. What branch of industry does the text deal with?

2. Does the text consider what civil engineering deal with?

3. Is the classification of structures presented?

4. Are modern industrial methods mentioned?

3. Read the text:

Text a. Construction Industry

1. Construction industry is an important branch of the economy that involves the construction of new and the maintenance of existing buildings and permanent structures such as highways, bridges, canals, and water-supply systems. Civil engineering deals with the technical aspects of designing and constructing various kinds of buildings and structures. Architecture is closely related to construction and occupies a position halfway between civil engineering and art.

2. Structures can be classified according to the materials used into wooden, stone, concrete, reinforced-concrete, steel, block structures, and so on. According to use, permanent structures can be divided into residential and public buildings (including houses, apartment buildings, government buildings, school buildings, community buildings), rural buildings (houses, barns, community buildings in villages), industrial buildings (factories, plants, electric stations), hydro technical structures (hydroelectric stations, dams, locks, canals, reservoirs, irrigation systems, drainage systems, fish ponds), and transport structures (railroads, highways, airports, pipelines, bridges, tunnels).

3. Today industrial methods are used extensively in construction operations: the work is organized according to the assembly-line principle and is highly mechanized. The production cycle in the construction industry lasts from a few months to a few years. Work is carried out by construction and assembly organizations that have at their command qualified workers and the support of design and research institutions.

4. Are these statements true or false? If they are false, say why. Use the following phrases:

I can’t agree to this statement because … .

Just the contrary … .

I think … .

To my mind … .

1. Construction industry involves the construction of new buildings.

2. Civil engineering deals with the technical aspects of designing and constructing various kinds of building and structures.

3. Architecture has nothing in common with civil engineering.

4. Structures can be classified according to the materials and to use.

5. Today construction industry uses extensively industrial methods.

5. Study the text and answer the following questions:

1. What does construction industry involve?

2. What does civil engineering deal with?

3. What position does architecture occupy in construction industry?

4. How are structures classified?

5. How are structures classified according to the materials used?

6. How are structures classified according to use?

7. What structures do residential and public (rural, industrial, hydrotechnical, transport) buildings include?

8. What industrial methods are used in construction operations today?