2. Express the main idea of each part. Use the following phrases:
– The first (second, third …) part of the text is about …
– It describes (considers, deals with, informs) …
– The author stresses (points out) that …
3. Ask your friend some questions in English about their content. Summarize his/her answers:
– Що таке бетон?
– Які основні характеристики бетону?
– Які методи виробництва бетону ви знаєте?
– В яких випадках бетон може руйнуватися?
– Як зміцнюють бетон?
– Які переваги та недоліки залізобетону?
– Де використовуються збірні залізобетонні елементи?
4. Tell your friends about the ways of concrete production. Use the key words:
concrete; important; artificial conglomerate; crushed stone; gravel; mortar; production; selection; accurate method; volume; to weigh.
5. Give a detailed description of reinforced concrete production. Use the key words:
concrete, reinforced concrete, to be reinforced with …, iron and steel bars, elasticity, initial plasticity, final rigidity, resistance to …, low thermal insulating value, to require forms, to be kept warm, preferred material.
6. Compare concrete and reinforced concrete with other building materials. Discuss the problem with your friends, give your opinion:
– As far as I know … ;
– I suppose … ;
– The fact is … ;
– To start with … ;
– They say … ;
– If I am not mistaken … .
Give a short summary of the text.
VI. Listening Comprehension
1. Translate the following words and word-combinations into Ukrainian:
prestressed concrete, tendons, high-tensile steel, pretensioning, posttensioning, anchore, to release, to induce, to annul, wire, hole, grout, creep, shrinkage, span.
2. Mask the text “Prestressed concrete” and listen to it attentively: