11. Insert the right words.

a) caterpillar b) scraper c) bridges d) graders e) bulldozers

1. Earth-moving machines clear the way for the construction of …, buildings, and roads.

2. … are used on soft ground and steep slopes and can move heavy loads.

3. Tractors that have heavy steel blades mounted in front are called …

4. Machines called … have a long, horizontal blade underneath.

5. A blade under the … digs up soil, which is loaded directly into the wagonlike part of the scraper for hauling.

12. Make a short summary of the text. Do it according to the following plan.

1. The title of the text is…2. The text is devoted to …3. It consists of …4. The first passage deals with…5. The second (third, forth, etc.) passage deals with…6.The main idea of the text is…

Text b. Construction Machinery ( Part II )

1. Skim the text and answer the questions below.

Hoisting and material-handling machinery is used to transfer construction materials from place to place. Construction crews working on tall structures use hoisting machines called cranes and derricks to lift steel beams and other parts.

Companies working on tall buildings use material lifts to raise crews, masonry, and various construction materials. The lifts consist of steel towers with hoist-operated platforms that travel up and down the side of a building.

Dumpers or dump trucks haul heavy loads of earth gravel, and sand over unpaved roads.

Other material-handling machines include mobile cement mixers and conveyor belts. Companies use mobile cement mixers to mix concrete while hauling it to work sites. Materials move on conveyor belts inside buildings or over rough ground.

Pumping machines are used in construction work to move water and other substances from one place to another. Pumps move clean water to mix with cement and remove dirty water from excavation pits.

Construction workers often use centrifugal pumps, which have blades that rotate at high speeds. The blades create suction that pulls water into the pump through an intake pipe. The water rotates with the blades and is forced out through an exit pipe.

Water that contains large amounts of solid waste is called slurry and can be moved by diaphragm pumps. Such pumps have a flexible plate called a diaphragm that moves back and forth, forcing the slurry through the pipes.

Another kind of water pump is the submersible pump. This pump operates under water. It is driven by an electric motor that has a waterproof covering.

Wet concrete is moved by concrete pumps to areas of a construction site where it is needed. These pumps have a piston that moves back and forth. The motion of the piston opens valves that allow concrete to pass through pipes to the site.

Other construction machinery prepares land and materials for construction. Self-propelled or tractor-drawn rollers press down ground to make it more compact and stable before paving. The various types of rollers include smooth, steel drums; multityred wheels; and drum rollers.

Machines called crushers break large rocks into sand or gravel used to make paving material. Asphalt mixers and cement mixers combine sand and gravel with cement to make paving or building materials.

Devices called piledrivers drive piles (posts that support buildings and other structures) into the ground.

Demolition machinery is used to demolish structures and pavement. Construction crews often use a steel demolition ball to smash walls.

Notes:

masonry - каменная кладка

rotate - вращать(ся)

self-propelled - самоходный, самодвижущийся

1. What is hoisting and material-handling machinery used to?

2. What do dumpers or dump trucks haul?

3. Where are pumping machines used?

4. What are the main types of pumps?

5. What other construction machinery prepares land and materials for construction?

6. Demolition machinery is used to demolish structures and pavement, isn`t it?