Unit 1 HOUSING IN BRITAIN

In the past few years housing in Britain has been a problem with many aspects.
One is the supply of houses. Due to the expanding population, to the low rate of building
new houses and to the age of many existing houses, there have not been enough houses
to go around. Not only have many people been homeless but also many others have
been living in overcrowded buildings of a low standard. Though the government and
charities such as Shelter have been trying hard to remedy this situation, there are still
immense problems, particularly around the centers of the large cities.
There are three basic forms of accommodation. In the first place, some own their
own houses or flats, often the money for this is borrowed from the building society on a
"mortgage" and is paid back over twenty or thirty years. Secondly, many people live in
council flats or houses, these are owned by the local council and rented out. Council
housing has aroused controversial political issues about whether council tenants should
pay the full rent or should be subsidized and whether they should have the opportunity
to buy their houses if they like. Thirdly, some people rent accommodation from private
landlords, either furnished or unfurnished. A complicated set of laws and regulations
defines the right of landlords and tenants, governing, for instance, when landlords can
force tenants to leave and how much rent they can charge.
A further problem since about 1970 has been the tremendous rise in the price of
housing. In the London area the value of houses doubled in about two years, although
prices have levelled off, they are unlikely to return to their earlier levels. People who
already own houses have not been too badly affected, since the rise in the value of the
house they are selling to some extent cancels out the rise in the price of a house they
wish to move to. However, it has made house-buying extremely difficult for those who
are buying a house for the first time such as young married couples.
(Source: V.J.COOK, English Topics, Oxford University Press, 1974)

VOCABULARY
commission (n) : nhiệm vụ
aspect (n) : mặt, khía cạnh
expanding population (n) : dân số gia tăng
rate (n) : tốc độ, mức
existing (adj) : hiện có, đang tồn tại

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 1

 go around/round (v) : cung cấp cho mọi người
arouse (v) : khơi gợi, làm xuất hiện
controversial (adj) : có khả năng gây ra tranh luận, bàn cãi
define (v) : nói rõ, định rõ
political issue : vấn đề chính trị
rent (n) : tiền thuê nhà, giá thuê nhà
rent (v) : thuê
furnished (adj) : có đồ đạc
unfurnished (adj) : không có đồ đạc
govern (v) : cai quản
level ( ~ off/out) (v) : đứng lại, chững lại
cancel (~ out) (v) : làm cân bằng với
charity (n) : tổ chức từ thiện
tenant (n) : người thuê
subsidize (v) : trợ cấp
a complicated set of laws : một bộ luật phức tạp
affect (v) : làm ảnh hưởng
remedy (v) : khắc phục
immense (adj) : mênh mông, to lớn
mortgage (n) : sự thế chấp
regulation (n) : qui tắc, qui định

COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. What has happened to housing in the past few years in Britain?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
2. Have there been enough houses to go around? Why?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. Where have people lived?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
4. What have the government and charities been trying to do?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. How many basic forms of accommodation are there?
……………………………………………………………………………………
Centre of Foreign Languages Page 2
 ……………………………………………………………………………………
6. What is the first form?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. What is the second form? What has council housing aroused?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. What is the third form?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
9. What does the set of laws and regulations define?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
10. What has happened to the price of housing since about 1970?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
11. Have people who already own houses been too badly affected? Why?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Exercise 1: Read the text again. Write T (true), F (false), or NG (not given).
1. There have been enough houses to supply to people in Britain because of the age
of many existing houses.
2. People can borrow the money from the building society to buy houses or flats.
3. The price of housing has risen dramatically since about 1970.
4. The housing shortage makes many people become homeless.
5. People who already own houses have not been too badly affected due to the rise in
the price of housing.
6. The local council own council flats or houses and rent them to people.
7. Tenants in Britain come from all over the world.

Exercise 2: Choose the best answer to complete each of the following sentences.
1. Due to the low rate of ………..…. new houses, there have not been enough houses
to go around.
A. build B. building C. to build D. builds

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 3

2. Tenants should be given the …..……….. to buy their houses if they like.
A. time B. occasion C. condition D. opportunity
3. Council housing……..…….. controversial political issues.
A. have risen B. have aroused C. has aroused D. has risen
4. The rise in the price of housing has made ……..…….. extremely difficult for young
married couples.
A. house-buying C. houses-buying
B. buying-house D. buying-houses
5. A ………..… set of laws and regulations defines the right of landlords and tenants.
A. complication B. complicated C. complicate D. complicating
6. Some people own their own houses or flats, often the money for this …..……….
from the building society.
A. are borrowing B. borrows C. is borrowed D. are borrowed
7. In the London area the ……………of houses doubled in about two years.
A. estimated B. amount C. charge D. value
8. People who already own houses have not been too …………….. affected.
A. hard B. hardly C. bad D. badly
9. Many people live in council flats or houses, these are ……………… by the local
council and rented out.
A. taken B. owned C. made D. put
10. .……………. prices have levelled off, they are unlikely to return to their earlier
levels.
A. Despite B. Because C. Although D. In spite of

Exercise 3: Fill in the gap with the correct form of the given word to complete the
sentences.
1. People who already own houses have not been too (BAD)
……………….. affected.
2. The money for houses is borrowed from the building society (PAY)
and is ……..………. back over twenty or thirty years.
3. Some people rent accommodation from private landlords, (FURNISH)
either furnished or ……………… .
4. Though the government and charities have been trying hard (REMEDIAL)
to ………………. this situation, there are still immense
problems.
Centre of Foreign Languages Page 4
5. Many people have been living in ………………. buildings (OVERCROWD)
of a low standard.
6. There are three basic forms of ……………………. . (ACCOMMODATE)

7. Due to the ………………… population, there have not been (EXPAND)

enough houses to go around.
8. Council housing has aroused controversial …….................. (POLITICS)
issues.
9. There are still immense housing problems, ……………….... (PARTICULAR)
around the centers of the large cities.
10. A factory has the ….…………….. to store materials. (CAPABLE)

Exercise 4: Use the following sets of words and phrases below to write complete
sentences.
1. Due / age / many / existing house/, there / be / not / enough houses / go around / two
years.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
2. Some people / own / house / or / flat/, often / money / this / be / borrow / building
society.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
3. past few years/ housing / Britain / be / problem / many aspect.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
4. Other people / rent accommodation / private landlord/, either furnished /
unfurnished.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
5. Although / prices / level off/ several years/, they / unlikely / return / earlier levels.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
6. Many people / live / council flat/ or / house/, these / owned / by / local council.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 5

7. further problem / since / about 1970 / be / tremendous rise / the / price / housing.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
8. People / have / live / overcrowded building / low standard / 10 / year / ago.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
9. There / many / form / accommodation / Britain / nowadays.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
10. The university / serve / place / for / educate / 800 / student / a year.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..
…………………………………………………………………………….…………..

Exercise 5: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means
exactly the same as the sentence printed before it.
1. The local council should subsidize tenants to buy houses.
Tenants …………………………………………..…………………………………..
2. Young married couples find it difficult to buy houses because of the rise in the price
of housing.
The rise in the price of housing…..…………………………………………….……
3. The prices of houses have levelled off, but they are unlikely to return to their
earlier levels.
Although ……………………………………………………………………….…..
4. People will pay back the money for houses over years.
The money …………………………………………………………………….….….
5. There are three basic forms of accommodation in Britain.
Britain …………………………………………………………………………….…
6. A complicated set of laws and regulations defines the right of landlords and tenants.
The right of ………………………………………………………………………….
7. Due to the low rate of building new houses, there have not been enough houses to
go around.
Because the …………………………………………………………………………

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 6

Exercise 6: Look at this table and complete the examples.

Building Purpose of
Examples of activities Spaces provided
type building

University educating 200 giving lectures lecture room

students per year a. ………………………… laboratory
storing and reading books b …………………

House accommodating a preparing and cooking food e. ………………...

family of 5 persons c. ………………………… dining room
d. ………………………… bedroom

Hospital treating 150 f. ………………………… treatment room

patients per day examining patients h. ………………..
g. ………………………… dispensary

Factory making 400 storing materials j. …………………

precast concrete i. …………………………. mixing space
panels per week casting concrete panels k. ………………...

Exercise 7: Make sentences using the information from the table above.
Structures:
• To function as
• To serve as
• To have the capacity to do smth
• To be capable of doing smth
Example:
- A university functions / serves as a place for educating students.
- The university has the capacity to educate / is capable of educating 200 students
a year.
- Spaces provided in the building include a lecture room, laboratories and a library.
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………...
…………………………………………………………………………………………...

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 7

 FURTHER READING
DECLINE OF LOW-QUALITY HOUSING

Housing quality levels have improved dramatically in the United States in

recent decades. Poor-quality housing is primarily a rural phenomenon today, unlike the
situation two generations ago. The rural substandard housing rate is more than three
times that in urban areas. One reason that quality levels have increased proportionately
in urban areas is related to the tremendous increase in the construction of new units,
primarily in the suburbs, making poorer housing a smaller share of the total inventory.
Second, the tremendous demolition rate of central city units in the 1960s eliminated
many thousands of poor units. A survey of the central city of 50 SMSAs of the United
States noted a 57 to 70 percent reduction of low quality housing in the 1960s,
depending on the definition used. Cities with the largest shares of low quality housing
in 1960 had the largest reduction by 1970, showing the strength of this upgrading
process.

VOCABULARY
decline (n) : sự sút giảm
dramatically (adv) : một cách đáng kể
primarily (adv) : chủ yếu
phenomenon (n) : hiện tượng
substandard (adj) : không đủ tiêu chuẩn
proportionately (adv) : một cách tương ứng, tương xứng
inventory (n) : bảng kiểm kê
demolition (n) : sự phá hủy, phá đổ
eliminate (v) : loại ra, loại bỏ
upgrade (v) : nâng cấp

COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. Have there been any changes in housing quality levels in the united State in
recent decades?
2. Does low quality housing mainly exist in urban areas today?
3. Make a comparison of housing quality between rural and urban areas.
4. What are the reasons that have affected the development of housing quality
levels?

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 8

Unit 2 THE PROCEDURE OF BUILDING CONSRUCTION

When an architect receives a commission for a building, he meets the client and
discusses his requirements. After visiting the site, the architect draws up preliminary
plans and, together with a rough estimate of the cost, submits them to the client for his
approval. If the client suggests changes, the architect incorporates them into the final
design which shows the exact dimension of every part of the building. At this stage,
several building contractors are invited to bid for the job of constructing the building.
When they submit their tenders or prices, the architect assists his client in selecting the
best one and helps him to draw up a contract between the client and the contractor.
Work now starts on the building. As construction proceeds, the architect makes
periodic inspections to make sure that the building is being constructed according to
his plans and that the materials specified in the contract are being used. During the
building period, the client pays the bills from the contractor. Subsequently, the
contractor completes the building and the client occupies it. For six months after
completion there is a period known as the "defect liability period". During this period,
the contractor must correct any defects that appear in the fabric of the building.
Finally, when all the defects have been corrected, the client takes full possession of the
building.
(Source: JAMES CUMMING, English for Science and Technology- Architecture
and Building Construction, Longman, 1985.)

VOCABULARY
procedure (n) : thủ tục, quy trình
proceed (v) : tiến hành, tiến triển
commission (n) : nhiệm vụ
client (n) : chủ đầu tư, bên A, khách hàng
site (n) : mặt bằng, khu đất để xây dựng
preliminary plan (n) : bản thiết kế sơ bộ
approval (n) : sự đồng ý, chấp thuận
approve (v) : đồng ý, chấp thuận
dimension (n) : kích thước

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 9

 incorporate (v) : kết hợp
stage, period (n) : giai đoạn
contractor (n) : nhà thầu, bên thi công
contract (n) : hợp đồng, giao kèo.
assist (v) = help (v) : hỗ trợ, giúp đỡ
draw up (v) : soạn thảo, phác thảo
bid for (v) : bỏ thầu
tender(n) : hồ sơ thầu
inspect (v) / inspection (n) : kiểm tra, giám sát
periodic (adj) : chu kỳ, định kỳ
specify (v) : chỉ rõ, chỉ định
occupy (v) : sử dụng, ở
complete (v) /completion (n) : hoàn thành, xong
defect (n) : sai sót, nhược điểm
defect liability period (n) : giai đoạn bảo hành
possess (v) - possession (n) : sở hữu
fabric (n) : công trình xây dựng, kết cấu

COMPREHENSION CHECK
A. Now find a word or an expression in the passage which means:
a. to be given the job of designing a building
receives a commission
………………………………………………………………………………………..
b. to offer to a client for his consideration
………………………………………………………………………………………..
submits them to the client for his approval

c. to combine into a whole

………………………………………………………………………………………..
incorporates them into the final
design
d. to offer to do some work at a certain price
………………………………………………………………………………………..
tenders or prices

e. to look at the building work in detail at regular intervals

………………………………………………………………………………………..
makes
periodic inspections
f. named or described exactly.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
the materials specified

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 10

g. an interval of time after the building has been finished during which the contractor
is responsible for correcting any faults in it.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
defect liability period

h. to have complete ownership of the building

……………………………………………………………………………….……….
full possession of the
building.

B. Answer the following questions:

1. What does an architect do to have the final design for a building?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Who are invited to bid for the job of constructing the building?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Who helps the client to choose the best contractor?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What does the architect do when the construction proceeds?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. What is the client’s task during the building period?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. What does the contractor do during the “defect liability period”?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. How long does the “defect liability period” last?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. When does the client take full possession of the building?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………..

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 11

 SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Exercise 1: Complete this flow diagram. Use the information from the text.

the site

preliminary preliminary
plans plans

Incopr...

best contract

draw up the
contractor client
contract

the building

bills bills pridod in...

opcuppite complete the buiding

take the full possession

defect liability period

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 12

Exercise 2: Choose the best answer to complete the following sentences.
1. If the client suggests changes, the architect incorporates them…..…….. the final
design.
A. onto B. on C. in D. into
2. During the building period, the client pays the …………. from the contractor.
A. payment B. bills C. cost D. price
3. The architect makes periodic inspections to make sure that the materials specified
in the contract …………….. .
A. being used B. be used C. are being used D. is being used
4. The contractor must correct any defects ………… appear in the fabric of the
building.
A. that B. what C. who D. where
5. After visiting the site, the architect gives a ………….. estimate of the cost to the
client for his approval.
A. exact B. rough C. simple D. basic
6. When the contractor completes the building, the client will …………. it.
A. live B. possess C. occupy D. use
7. The architect helps the client to ………….. a contract between the client and the
contractor.
A. bring up B. look up C. make up D. draw up
8. When all the defects have been corrected, the client …………… full possession of
the building.
A. take B. takes C. put D. puts
9. The …………….. shows the exact dimension of every part of the building.
A. contract B. final design C. preliminary plan D. A&B
10. The entrance which is ………………. on the south side leads into a hall.
A. located B. be located C. locates D. to locate

Exercise 3: Fill in the gap with the correct form of the given word to complete the
sentences.
1. Several building …………………..
Contractor are invited to bid for the (CONTRACT)
job of constructing the building.
2. ………………,
Finally when all the defects have been corrected, the (FINAL)
client takes full possession of the building.
periodic
3. The architect makes……..………….inspections to make sure (PERIOD)
that the building is being constructed according to his plans.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 13

 4. When an architect receives a commission for a building, he (REQUIRE)
meets the client and discusses his …………………..
requirements .
5. The architect assists his client in ………………..
selecting the best (SELECTION)
contractor.
6. For six months after …………………,
completion there is a period (COMPLETE)
known as the "defect liability period".
7. The architect submits preliminary plans and a rough estimate (APPROVE)
of the cost to the client for his ……………...
aprroval .
8. The contractor is ………………………..
responable for correcting any (RESPONSIBILITY)
faults in the "defect liability period".
9. A terrace is ……………………
situation outside the living room. (SITUATE)
10. Bedrooms …………………….
occupy most of the ground floor. (OCCUPATION)

Exercise 4: Read the following description of the House. Match the letters (a-i)
with names of the areas.
hall (Sảnh) living room (P, Khách) dining area (Kv ăn) toilet (Toilet)

bedroom (P. Ngủ) kitchen (Nhà bếp) bathroom (Phòng tắm) terrace (Sân thg)

The house is a single-story building with a square-shaped plan. It contains

seven rooms. The entrance which is located on the south side leads into a hall. On the
left of the hall is the living room and beyond that in the north-west corner is the dining
area. The kitchen is adjacent to the dining area.
A terrace is situated outside the living room on the west side. A toilet is located
in the centre of the house. Access to the toilet is from the hall. The two bedrooms are
located on the east side with a bathroom between them. There is also an entrance to the
kitchen on the north side.

Kitchen Bedroom
Dining
room

Terrace
Toilet
Bathroom

Lliving Hall
room
Bedroom

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 14

Exercise 5:
a. Study these plans of a two-storey house.

b. Say whether these statements are true or false. Correct the false statements.
T/F
a. The dining room is located under the main bedroom. T

b. A hall is located in the centre of the first floor. T

c. There are three adjacent bathrooms on the first floor. F

d. There is a toilet between the kitchen and the dining room. F

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 15

e. Bedroom 2 is situated over the family room.
f. There is a cupboard under the stairs.
g. Bedrooms occupy most of the ground floor.
h. Viewed from the front, the dining room is on the left of the entrance.
i. Viewed from the rear, the living room is behind the family room.
j. Entering the house from the garage, you pass through the living room to
enter the family room.
k. The entrance is situated at the bottom of the stairs.
l. The kitchen and family room are located on either side of the toilet.
m. A door in the garage leads to the kitchen.

Exercise 6: Read the following work activities and decide which are of Client /
Architect / Contractor.
1._______ Make sure the building is being built according to schedule and budget.
2._______ Ensure that the building is completed on time and within budget.
3._______ Select & appoint a competent contractor.
4._______ Comply with legal requirements, building and safety codes, and other
regulations.
5._______ Schedule and coordinate all construction processes so that the building
meets design specifications.
6._______ Be the financier and eventual owner of the building
7._______ Provide the Pre-Construction Information (PCI) to the designers and
contractors.
8._______ Create building designs and highly detailed drawings both by hand and by
using specialist Computer-Aided Design (CAD) applications.
9._______ Choose the materials to be used and specify the requirements for the
building.
10. _______ Report work progress and budget matters to the client.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 16

 FURTHER READING
PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry is composed of at least five participants: the clients,

the designers, the contractors, the construction material suppliers, and the government
of all levels, central as well as local. Economic and institutional environment also
affects the industry in many ways.
Demand for building space arises from those who want to use it, and they are
clients. The efficiency of the building construction enhances when the clients specify
their needs in detail prior to preparation of specific design. The designers are basically
either architects or engineers who design to the needs of the building owners and often
act as construction manager on the owner’s behalf. They define the overall structure
and form of the building, and the design team prepares the drawings and the
specifications which determine the construction costs.
The contractors are directly responsible for assembling and erecting the
building. They organize and manage construction labor, both skilled and semi-skilled.
Material suppliers are either producers of construction materials or wholesalers/
retailers who sell them to the builders or consumers directly.
Government, whether local or central, is both a major user of construction
resources and the primary determinant of the extent for private demand and the
environment in which the industry operates. The economic and institutional setting
also affects the design and construction process either positively or negatively through
the restriction it imposes upon the industry.

VOCABULARY
participant (n) : các bên tham gia, người tham gia
be composed of : bao gồm
process (n) : quá trình, công đoạn
supplier (n) : nhà thầu cung ứng, cung cấp.
institutional environment (n) : tình trạng thể chế
enhance (v) : tăng, tăng cường, nâng cao
prior to something (v) : trước khi
on one’s behalf : đại diện cho
specification (n) : chi tiết kĩ thuật
define (v) : làm rõ, xác định
assemble (v) : lắp
Centre of Foreign Languages Page 17
 erect (v) : dựng
skilled (adj) : lành nghề
wholesaler : người bán sỉ
retailer (n) : người bán lẻ
determine (v) : xác định, định rõ
determinant (n) : nhân tố quyết định
restriction (n) : hạn chế
impose on/upon (v) : tác động

COMPREHENSION CHECK
a. Answer the following questions
1. Who is the construction industry composed of?
2. What also has effects on the industry?
3. What should the clients do to enhance the efficiency of the building construction?
4. What are the functions of the designers?
5. What do the contractors do?
6. What are the two functions of the Government?
7. How does the economic and institutional setting affect the design and
construction process?

b. Read the text again. Say whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).
1. The construction industry is composed of only five participants.
2. Economic and institutional setting affects the construction industry.
3. Government is the primary determinant of the environment in which the
industry operates.
4. The clients are those who want to use building space.
5. The designers are the owners of the construction contract.
6. The contractors are mostly responsible for the building.
7. Material suppliers must be the producers of construction materials.
8. The designers always work in a team.
9. Wholesalers sell construction materials to the consumers through the material
suppliers.
10. The clients define the overall structure and form of the building.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 18

Unit 3 DESIGN OF HOUSES FOR TROPICAL CLIMATES

The tropical regions of the earth can be divided into three major climatic zones:
1. Warm-humid climates are found in a belt near the Equator extending to about
15° north and south. There is very little seasonal variation throughout the year. The air
temperature is never excessive, but there is considerable rainfall during most of the
year. Relative humidity (RH) is excessively high - at about 75% for most of the time,
but it may vary from 55% to almost 100% (RH should not exceed 70% for human
comfort).

In this climate the rooms of houses must have adequate shade and ventilation.
Usually houses have an open layout so they can gain maximum benefit from the
prevailing wind. Walls have less importance here than in other climates. They are used
primarily for screening from insects and for their wind penetration qualities.

2. Hot-dry climates are found in two belts of latitude between approximately 15°
and 30° north and south of the equator. Two marked seasons occur: a hot and a slightly
cooler period. Day-time air temperatures are excessively hot (normally higher than the
31°C to 34°C skin temperature), but at night it may fall as much as 25°C. During the
day, there is too little cloud cover to reduce the high intensity of direct solar radiation.
However, at night the clear skies permit a considerable amount of heat to be reradiated
to outer space.

In this climate houses must give adequate protection against the excessive heat of the
sun. Usually they have compact layouts so that surfaces exposed to the sun are reduced as
much as possible. Walls should be very thick and made of heat storing materials so they
hold the heat of the day and give it back to the interior of the house at night.

3. Composite or monsoon climates are found in large land masses near the
tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Two seasons occur normally. Approximately two-
thirds of the year is hot-dry and the other third is warm-humid. Consequently, houses
designed to be suitable for one season may be unsuitable for the other.
(Source: JAMES CUMMING, English for Science and Technology- Architecture
and Building Construction, Longman, 1985.)

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 19

VOCABULARY
tropical (adj) : nhiệt đới
climate (n) : khí hậu
region (n) : vùng
regional (adj) : theo vùng, thuộc vùng
regional planning : quy hoạch vùng
zone (n) : vùng
divide (v) : chia, phân chia
belt (n) : vành đai
equator (n) : xích đạo
extend (v) : mở rộng
seasonal (adj) : theo mùa
season (n) : mùa
vary (v) : thay đổi, biến đổi, khác nhau
variation (n) : sự thay đổi, sự biến đổi, sự khác nhau
excessive (adj) : quá mức, thừa
exceed (v) : vượt quá
excessively (adv) : một cách quá mức
adequate (adj) : đủ
ventilation (n) : sự thông gió
open layout : sự bố trí không gian thoáng, mở
benefit (n) : lợi ích
penetrate (v) : thấm qua
penetration (n) : sự thấm qua
latitude (n) : vĩ độ
reduce (v) : làm giảm
intensity (n) : cường độ
considerable (adj) : đáng kể
amount (n) : lượng, tổng số, khối lượng
permit (v) : cho phép
compact layout (n) : sự bố trí dày đặc, chen chúc, sơ đồ khép kí
surface (n) : bề mặt
composite (adj) : hỗn hợp
monsoon (n) : gió mùa
interior (n) : bên trong

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 20

COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. How many major climatic zones are there in the tropical regions? What are they?
………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………...
2. Where are Warm-humid climates, Hot-dry climates and Composite or monsoon
climates found?
………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………...
3. What are the characteristics of Warm-humid climates?
………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………...
4. What are the characteristics of Hot-dry climates?
………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………...
5. What are the characteristics of Composite or monsoon climates?
………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………...
6. What are the design requirements for houses in these climates?
………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………...
7. What are the architectural solutions to houses in these climates?
………………………………………………………………………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………...

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Exercise 1: Choose the best answer to complete the following sentences.
1. The air temperature is never ………………
A. excessive B. excessively C. excess D. exceed
2. Usually houses have an open layout so they can gain ……….…… benefit from the
prevailing wind
A. maximal B. maximum C. minimum D. little
3. Consequently, houses ……………. to be suitable for one season may be unsuitable
for the other.
A. designing B. design C. designed D. are designed
4. Walls should be very thick and made of heat …..…………. materials
A. storing B. store C. stored D. to store

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 21

5. In this climate the rooms of houses must have ………….…. shade and ventilation.
A. inadequate B. adequate C. much D. many
6. However, at night the clear skies permit a …………… amount of heat to be
reradiated to outer space.
A. considering B. considerable C. consider D. considered
7. They are used primarily for screening …………… insects and for their wind
penetration qualities.
A. to B. in C. from D. of
8. There is very little seasonal variation …………… the year.
A. throughout B. on C. in D. of
9. Two marked seasons …………..: a hot and a slightly cooler period.
A. will occur B. will be occurred C. occurred D. occur
10. The tropical regions of the earth can ………….. into three major climatic zones.
A. divide B. be divided C. divider D. dividing

Exercise 2: Complete the sentence by forming a suitable new word form the
provided word in bracket.
1. . …………….. humidity (RH) is excessively high. (RELATION)
2. Hot-dry climates are found in two belts of latitude (APPROXIMATE)
between ……………………….. 15° and 30° north and
south of the equator.
3. Day-time air temperatures are …………………... hot. (EXCEED)
4. Usually they have compact layouts so that surfaces (POSSIBILITY)
exposed to the sun are reduced as much as
……………………… .
5. Composite or monsoon climates are found in large land (TROPICAL)
masses near the ………………of Cancer and Capricorn.
6. During the day there is too little cloud cover to reduce the (INTENSIVE)
high ……………….. of direct solar radiation.
7. At night the clear skies permit a …………............. amount (CONSIDER)
of heat to be reradiated to outer space.
8. RH should not exceed 70% for human ……………..… . (COMFORTABLE)
9. Approximately two-thirds of the year is hot-dry and the (HUMIDITY)
other third is warm- ………………… .
10. RH may ………………..… from 55% to almost 100%. (VARIATION)

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 22

Exercise 3: Use the following sets of words and phrases below to write complete
sentences.
1. tropical / region/ earth/ can/ divide/ three/major / climatic zone.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
2. House /designed/ be suitable/ one season/ may/ unsuitable/the other.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
3. Usually house/ have / open layout /so/ they /can /gain /maximum benefit/ prevailing
wind.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
4. Walls / here / used /primarily /screening /insects /and / wind penetration qualities.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
5. hot-dry climates/ houses /must /give/ adequate protection /excessive heat /sun.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
6. Relative humidity /should /not exceed 70% / human comfort.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
7. night /clear skies /permit / considerable amount/ heat / be reradiated /outer space.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
8. Wall/ have /less importance /here than/ other climates.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
9. this climate/wall/ should /very thick/ and/ make / heat storing materials.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
10. external wall/ act/ as/ thermal insulator.
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
…………………………………………………………………………….…………….
Centre of Foreign Languages Page 23
Exercise 4: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means
exactly the same as the sentence printed before it.
1. The tropical regions of the earth can be divided into three major climatic zones.
We can………...……………………………………………………………………
2. In warm- humid climates, walls are not as important as ones in hot-dry climates.
In warm- humid climates, walls……………..……………………………………….
3. Two seasons occur normally in monsoon climates.
There are…………..………………………………………………………………….
4. The functions of the lowest floor include providing surfaces for activities and
modifying the passage of heat.
The lowest floor is ……………………………………………………………..…….
5. The roof and external walls are designed to resist loads
The function of the roof and external walls is………………………………………

Exercise 5: Look and read.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 24

Buildings are designed so they are capable of performing the design requirements.
The most important design requirements include the following:

A. Weather resistance keep out wind, dust and precipitation

B. Privacy provide visual screening
C. Surfaces provide surfaces for activities
D. Security keep out intruders
E. Fire resistance prevent fire from spreading
F. Structure ` resist loads
G. Ventilation provide fresh air
H. Thermal insulation modify the passage of heat
I. Sound insulation control sound transmission
J. Moisture control the passage of moisture
K. Light provide natural and artificial light

Now complete this table:

Element Main functions
Lowest floor C, H, etc…
External envelope External wall
Roof
Suspended floor
Internal division Partitions
Suspended ceiling

Exercise 6: Use the table to write as many sentences as possible using "include",
"act as'; "is designed to” ,”enable” like the following examples:
• The functions of the lowest floor include providing surfaces for activities and
modifying the passage of heat.
• The external wall acts as a thermal insulator.
• The roof and the external walls are designed to resist loads.
• The partition enables the building to provide visual screening.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 25

…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Exercise 7: Complete this passage using these words.

hottest, coolest, cool enough, warm enough, excessively, much lighter,
inadequately, adequately

In composite climates, houses designed to perform (1)…………………… for one

season will perform (2)………………..…… for the other. To solve this problem
houses are sometimes built two storeys high. The ground floor is built with
(3)………………….. thick walls. They retain the heat so that it is (4)….…………….
to sleep comfortably on the ground floor during the (5)……………….. part of the
year. The first floor structure is built with (6)………………….. materials. This
structure cools quickly at night so that it is (7)………………….. to sleep comfortably
on the first floor during the (8) ……………….. part of the year.

FURTHER READING

Read this passage quickly to find the answers to these questions:

What causes glare in:
a. hot-dry regions?
b. warm-humid regions?

One of the problems in hot climates is to exclude not only radiant heat but also
glare, while at the same time admitting sufficient daylight. There is a fundamental
difference between the problem in the arid and humid regions. In the arid regions,
glare is caused by sunlight being reflected from the surface of the ground and light
colored walls of other buildings. A traditional way of overcoming this problem is by
keeping windows on the external elevations small and few in number, with the larger,
low level windows overlooking the shaded internal courtyard. Too sharp a contrast
between a bright opening and the surrounding inside wall surface results in glare. For
this reason, when small windows are used on the external walls, they must be designed
with care. One traditional method of overcoming this problem is to use vertical slit
windows which are usually located in the corners of rooms. Another method is to
Centre of Foreign Languages Page 26
locate the windows between the ceiling and eye level, or alternatively filters can be
used in the form of lattices, screens or shutters.

High humidity and typically overcast conditions in the warm-humid regions

result in a high proportion of the radiation being diffused so that the sky is the main
source of glare. Because large openings are needed for cross ventilation, low
overhanging eaves or wide verandahs are used to obstruct the view of most of the sky.
In traditional houses thin external walls of coarsely woven mats, which in some cases
can be rolled up, allow full advantage to be taken of every breeze.

VOCABULARY
radiant heat : bức xạ nhiệt
glare (n) : sự chói nắng, chói mắt
fundamental (adj) : cơ bản
arid region : vùng khô
reflect (v) : phản xạ, phản chiếu
shaded (adj) : có bóng râm
contrast (n) : sự tương phản
eye level : tầm mắt, độ cao ngang mắt
filter (n) : cửa lọc
shutter (n) : cửa chớp
diffuse (v) : khuếch tán

COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. What is one of the problems in hot climates?
2. What causes glare in the arid regions?
3. What is the traditional way of overcoming this problem?
4. What also results in glare?
5. What are the advantages of thin external walls of coarsely woven mats in
traditional houses?

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 27

Unit 4 BUILDING MATERIALS

Building materials are used in two basic ways. In the first way they are used to
support the loads on a building. In the second way they are used to divide the space in
a building. Building components are made from building materials and the form of a
component is related to the way in which it is used. We can see how this works by
considering the different types of construction

In one kind of construction, blocks of materials such as brick, stone, or concrete

are put together to form solid walls. These materials are heavy, however, they can
support the structural loads because they have the property of high compressive
strength. Walls made up of blocks both support the building and divide the space in the
building.

In another type of construction, sheet materials are used to form walls, which act
as both space dividers and structural support. Timber, concrete and some plastics can
be made into large rigid sheets and fixed together to form a building. These buildings
are lighter and faster to construct than buildings made up of blocks

Rod materials can be used for structural support but not for dividing spaces.
Timber, steel and concrete can be formed into rods and used as columns. Rod
materials with high tensile and compressive strength can be fixed together to form
framed structures. The spaces between the rods can be filled with light sheet materials
which act as space dividers but do not support structural loads.
(Source: JAMES CUMMING, English for Science and Technology Architecture
and Building Construction, Longman, 1985)

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 28

VOCABULARY
support (v) : hỗ trợ
to be related to ST : liên quan đến cái gì
space (n) : không gian
consider (v) : cân nhắc, xem xét
building component (n) : cấu kiện công trình
blocks of materials (n) : vật liệu dạng khối
solid (a) : đặc, cứng
property (n) : đặc tính
compressive strength : cường độ chịu nén
make up (v) : tạo nên
mass construction (n) : xây dựng khối
structural loads (n) : tải trọng công trình
sheet materials (n) : vật liệu dạng tấm
space divider (n) : vách ngăn/vật chia không gian
structural support (n) : đỡ kết cấu
timber (n) : gỗ thanh
plastic (n) : chất dẻo
rigid (adj) : cứng
planar construction (n) : xây dựng tấm phẳng
rod (n) : thanh
tensile strength (n) : cường độ chịu kéo
framed structure (n) : kết cấu dạng khung
frame construction (n) : xây dựng khung
fill with (v) : lấp kín

COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. Which paragraph discusses:
a. planar construction
b. frame construction
c. mass construction

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 29

 2. How are building materials used?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
3. What are building component made from?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
4. What is the form of a component related to?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
5. How many forms of building components are there? What are they?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
6. How many types of construction are there? What are they?
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Exercise 1:
a. Read the text again and complete this table by putting ticks in the boxes
to show the functions of the components:

Function of components
Structural support Space dividing Both structural support
Form of material
only only and space dividing
Blocks
Sheets

Rods

b. Now say whether these statements are true or false. Correct the false ones.

1. Rod materials can be used for both dividing space and supporting the building.
2. Concrete can be used as a block material, a sheet material and a rod material.
3. Steel is used for frame construction because it has high tensile strength and
low compressive strength.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 30

 4. The sheet materials, which act as space dividers in a frame construction
building, can be very light because they do not support structural loads.
5. Mass construction buildings are light whereas planar construction buildings
are heavy.

c. Now complete the sentences using the following structures:

1. Walls made up of blocks are used to………………………………………….

2. Sheet materials used in planar construction function…………………………
3. Rod materials used in frame construction are not used for…………………….

Exercise 2:
a. Look at the following drawings and examples.

A man can bend a rubber tile but not a

concrete tile.
Rubber is flexible but concrete is rigid.

Wood can burn but concrete cannot burn.

Wood is combustible but concrete is non-
combustible.

Water vapour can pass through stone but not

through bitumen.

Stone is permeable but bitumen is

impermeable.

You can see through glass but not through

wood.
Glass is transparent but wood is opaque.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 31

 Stainless steel can resist corrosion but mild
steel cannot.
Stainless steel is corrosion resistant but mild
steel is not corrosion resistant.

Heat can be easily transferred through copper

but not through wood.
Copper is a good conductor of heat but wood
is a poor conductor of heat.

Rubber can be stretched or compressed and

will then return to its original shape but clay
cannot.
Rubber is elastic but clay is plastic.

Bitumen can be dented or scratched easily but

glass cannot.
Bitumen is soft but glass is hard.

VOCABULARY
flexible (adj) : dễ uốn
combustible (adj) : bắt lửa
non-combustible (adj) : không bắt lửa
water-vapour (n) : hơi nước
permeable (adj) : thấm nước
impermeable (adj) : không thấm nước
transparent (adj) : trong suốt
opaque (adj) : mờ đục
stainless steel (n) : thép không gỉ
corrosion resistant (adj) : chống ăn mòn
mild steel (n) : thép thường
transfer (v) : truyền, dẫn
a good conductor of heat : chất dẫn nhiệt tốt
a poor conductor of heat : chất dẫn nhiệt kém

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 32

 stretch (v) : kéo dãn ra
compress (v) : ép lại, co lại
original shape (n) : hình dạng ban đầu
elastic (adj) : có tính đàn hồi
dent (v) : dập nổi
scratch (v) : cà xước, làm xước
rubber (n) : cao su
tile (n) : ngói, gạch lát
bitumen (n) : nhựa đường
copper (n) : đồng
clay ( n) : đất sét
polythene membrane( n) : màng politen
aluminium ( n) : nhôm
chemical action ( n) : phản ứng hoá học
crane ( n) : cần trục, cẩu
corrugated iron ( n) : mái sắt lượn
glass wool ( n) : bông thuỷ tinh
ceramic tiles ( n) : gạch gốm
asbestos ( n) : tấm amiăng
fireproof door ( n) : cửa chống cháy
blind ( n) : bức rèm che cửa

b. Now complete these sentences with properties:

1. The polythene membrane can prevent moisture from rising into the concrete
floor. This means that polythene is…………………………………………..
2. The T-shaped aluminium section can resist chemical action, i.e. aluminium
is…………………………………………………………………………………
3. The stone block cannot be lifted without using a crane. This means that stone
is………………………………………………………………………………….
4. The corrugated iron roof cannot prevent the sun from heating up the house, i.e.
iron is……………………………………………………………………………
5. Glass wool can help to keep a house warm in the winter and cool in the
summer, i.e. glass wool is……………………………………………………….
6. The ceramic tiles on the floor cannot be scratched easily by people walking on
them. This means that ceramic tiles are………………………………………….

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 33

 7. Asbestos sheeting can be used for fireproof doors. In other words asbestos
is………………………………………………………………………………….
8. Black cloth blinds can be used to keep the light out of a room. i.e. cloth
is……………………………………………………….……………………….

c. Look at these diagrams. Match the letters A-H in the diagrams with the
sentences in part b:

Exercise 3: Choose the best answer to complete the following sentences.

1. Building components are made ………………. building materials.
A. of B. from C. on D. in
2. We can see how this works by ……………… three different types of construction.
A. considering B. consider C. considerable D. considerate
3. In one kind of construction, blocks of materials such as brick, stone, or concrete are
put together …………………. solid walls.
A. form B. to form C. forming D. formed

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 34

4. Sheet materials are used to form walls, ………….…. act as both space dividers and
structural support.
A. whom B. which C. who D. whose
5. In the first way they are used to ………………… the loads on a building.
A. support B. divide C. supporting D. dividing
6. Rod materials with high tensile and compressive strength can be fixed together to
form framed ……………… .
A. structural B. structure C. structuring D. structures
7. The buildings made of sheet materials are ……………..and faster to construct than
buildings made up of blocks.
A. heavy B. light C. lighter D. heavier
8. Block and ……………… materials can be used for building components which
have the function of supporting structures and dividing spaces.
A. rod B. sheet C. light D. hard
9. Building components are made from building materials and the form of a
component is related to the way ………………. which it is used.
A. by B. to C. in D. by
10. In the second way they are used as ………………… in a building.
A. space-dividers B. dividing-space C. space-dividing D. divider-spaces

Exercise 4: Complete the sentence by forming a suitable new word form the
provided word in bracket.

1. Rod materials can be used for ……………….…support. (STRUCTURE)

2. These materials are heavy, however, they can support the (STRONG)
structural loads because they have the property of high
compressive…………………. .
3. Building materials are used in two ………………. ways. (BASE)
4. We can see how this works by considering (DIFFER)
…………………… types of construction.
5. Sheet materials are used to form walls, which act as both (DIVIDE)
space ………………. and structural support.
6. These buildings are lighter and faster to………..………. (CONSTRUCTION)
than buildings made up of blocks.
7. Timber, concrete and some plastics can be made into (FIX)
large rigid sheets and …………….....together to form a
building.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 35

8. Rod materials with high tensile and……..………… (COMPRESS)
strength.
9. Building components are made from building materials (RELATION)
and the form of a component is……………….. to the
way in which it is used.
10. Sand is also used as a part of the concrete…………..… . (MIX)

Exercise 5: Use the following sets of words and phrases below to write complete
sentences.
1. Building material / used/ two basic /way.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
2. Building component/ make/ from /building material.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
3. first way /building material/ used / support / load/ building.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
4. second way /building material/ used / divide/space / building.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
5. External wall/act/as/ thermal insulator.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
6. one kind /construction,/ blocks / material/put/ together /form /solid /wall.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
7. sheet materials /used / form /wall/ act / space divider/ structural support.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
8. Rod material/can /use/ structural support /not /divide/ space.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
Centre of Foreign Languages Page 36
9. These materials/ have / property / high compressive strength.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..
10. Imperious material/ be able/ keep out/ water.
…..…………………………………………………………………….………………
………………………………………………………………………….……………..

Exercise 6: Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means
exactly the same as the sentence printed before it.
1. Building materials are used in two basic ways.
They use………………………………………………………………………..………
2. They frequently use light materials for making roofs.
Light materials……………………………………………………………..…………..
3. These materials can support the structural loads because they have the property of
high compressive strength.
The property …………………………………………………………….……………..
4. The ceramic tiles on the floor cannot be scratched easily by people walking on
them.
This means that ceramic tiles…………………………………………………………
5. Rod materials can be used for supporting structural load but not for dividing spaces.
Rod materials can be used to………………………………………………………..
6. Workers can’t lift the stone block because it is heavy.
The stone block………………………………………………………………………
7. Sand is used with cement, and sometimes lime to make plaster.
Plaster……………………………………………………………………………….
8. They have spent 2 months manufacturing and transporting building materials.
It………………………………………………………………………………………
9. They discussed the effect of material choice. Then they evaluated the process of
construction in the meeting.
After …………………………………………………………………..………………
10. The design, construction deficiencies resulted in the degradation of building materials.
The building materials.……………………………………………………………….

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 37

 FURTHER READING
MODERN BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURAL MATERIALS

The principal construction materials of earlier times were wood and masonry –
brick, stone, or tiles, and similar materials. The courses or layers were bound together
with mortar or bitumen, a tarlike substance, or some other binding agent.
Both steel and cement, the two most important construction materials of
modern times, were introduced in the nineteenth century. The enormous advantage of
steel is its tensile strength; that is, it does not lose its strength when it is under a
calculated degree of tension, a force which, as we have seen, tends to pull apart many
materials. New alloys have further increased the strength of steel and eliminated some
of its problems, such as fatigue, which is a tendency for it to weaken as a result of
continual changes in stress.
Modern cement, called Portland cement, was invented in 1824. It is a mixture
of limestone and clay, which is heated and then ground into a powder. It is mixed at or
near the construction site with sand, aggregate (small stones, crushed rock, or gravel),
and water to make concrete. Different proportions of the ingredients produce concrete
with different strength and weight. Concrete is very versatile; it can be poured,
pumped, or even sprayed into all kinds of shapes. And whereas steel has great tensile
strength, concrete has great strength under compression. Thus, the two substances
complement each other.
The availability of steel and concrete, together with the elevator, which was also
developed in the nineteenth century, has made possible the most characteristic kind of
modern structure: the steel or concrete frame building. Not only towering modern
skyscrapers, but also many less gigantic and spectacular buildings have a skeleton of
steel or concrete that bears the weight of the structure. Until this type of construction
became possible, the exterior walls – called bearing walls – had to carry the weight of
the building. This meant that the walls on the lower floors of a tall building had to be
tremendously thick.

VOCABULARY
compression (n) : sự nén, lực nén
tension (n) : sự kéo, lực kéo
principal (adj) : chính
bind-bound-bound (v) : liên kết
mortar (n) : vữa

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 38

 tarlike (adj) : giống như nhựa đường
substance (n) : chất
Portland cement (n) : xi măng Pooclăng
limestone (n) : đá vôi
grind-ground-ground (v) : nghiền, tán
aggregate (n) : cốt liệu bê tông (đá vụn để làm bê tông)
crushed rock (n) : đá dăm
versatile (adj) : có nhiều công dụng
spray (v) : phun, xịt
eliminate (v) : xoá bỏ, loại bỏ
gigantic (adj) : khổng lồ

COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. What is masonry made of?
2. What is Portland cement?
3. When was Portland cement invented?
4. What is the advantage of concrete?
5. When were steel and cement introduced?
6. What is the enormous advantage of steel?
7. What is the function of exterior walls?

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 39

Unit 5 WATER SUPPLY

A water supply for a town usually includes a storage reservoir at the source of
the supply, a pipeline from the storage reservoir to the distribution reservoir near the
town, and finally the distribution pipes buried in the streets, taking the water to the
houses, shops, factories, and offices. The main equipment is thus the two reservoirs
and the pipeline between them. The function of the storage reservoir is to keep enough
water over one or several years to provide for all high demands in dry periods, and the
distribution reservoir has the same function for the day or the week. The storage
reservoir by its existence allows the supply sources to be smaller and less expensive,
and the distribution reservoir similarly allows the pipeline and pumps to be smaller
and cheaper than they would be if it did not exist.

In the United States, some of whose cities have the largest water use in the world per
person, the average use per person varies from 200 to 5,000 litres per day, averaging some
500 litres/day/person. But it must not be assumed that colder countries will eventually
reach the same level of use, because much of the highest US demand comes from the
water spent in summer on air conditioning equipment and the watering of gardens.

Water engineers must therefore study the water use per person (consumption per
head) in their own country and choose a figure based on the most advanced
community there. The chosen consumption per head must be multiplied by the
estimated population at the date for which the supply is being planned, some thirty
years ahead or more. The supply and the storage equipment must be designed to be
large enough for this period since neither of them is so easily extended as the
distribution system. This can be extended as the need arises and as the houses are built.

( Sourse: JOHN. S. COTT, Civil Engineering, Longman, 1975)

VOCABULARY
air conditioning equipment : thiết bị điều hoà
advanced community : cộng đồng tiên tiến
arise (v) : phát sinh, nảy sinh
assume (v) : giả sử, cho rằng
assumption (n) : giả thuyết

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 40

 average use (n) : mức sử dụng trung bình
bury (v) : chôn
consume (v) : tiêu thụ
consumption (n) : sự thiêu thụ
consumer (n) : sự tiêu thụ
demand (n) : nhu cầu
distribution reservoir (n) : bể phân phối
distribution pipe (n) : ống phân phối
distribution system (n) : hệ thống phân phối
extend (v) : mở rộng, kéo dài
existence (n) : sự tồn tại
estimated population (n) : dân số ước tính
figure (n) : số liệu, con số
multiply (v) : nhân
provide (v) : cung cấp
pipeline (n) : đường ống
storage reservoir (n) : bể chứa / bể dự trữ
supply pipe (n) : ống cấp
supply source (n) : nguồn cấp
vary (v) : dao động, thay đổi
water supply (n) : nguồn cấp nước

COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. What does a water supply for a town usually consist of?
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
2. What is the function of the storage reservoir?
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
3. Does the distribution reservoir have the same function as the storage reservoir?
Why?
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 41

 4. What is the pipe that carries clean water to factories, hospitals and offices called?
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
5. Is the water used in cold countries less than in the hot ones? why?
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
6. Why do water engineers have to study water consumption per head?
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Exercise 1: Use the following words to label the drawing of the Water Supply System:

corporation stop, shutoff valve, curb box, raw water, water tower,
service pipe, water meter, curb cock, water main, reservoir, potable water.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 42

Exercise 2: Match a line in A with a line in B.

A B
a . waterworks 1. a valve controlling the flow of water from a main to a
service pipe.
b. water treatment 2. water that requires treatment before it can be used for
drinking.
c. water tower 3. a valve for shutting off the water flow from a supply
pipe.
d. water main 4. a pipe that allows water to escape from overflowing
cisterns, basins, baths and sinks.
e. water meter 5. a main pipe that carries water from water works to
different districts.
f. raw water 6. a natural or artificial place where water is collected
and stored for use.
g. potable water 7. a device for measuring and recording the quantity of
water passing through a pipe.
h. corporation stop 8. place where water is taken from rivers and purified.
i. curb cork 9. water fit for human consumption.
j. shutoff valve 10. a process of purifying and clarifying raw water for
drinking.
k. service pipe 11. a control valve for shutting off the water supply to a
building in case of an emergency.
1. overflowing pipe 12. a pipe connecting a building to a water main.
m. reservoir 13. a tower into which water is pumped to a height
sufficient to maintain a desired pressure for
distribution to customers.

Exercise 3: Use the following words to fill in the blanks.

chlorination, dirt, filtration, aeration, air, water, filter, treatment.

There are different ways of purifying water for use such as filtration, aeration
and chlorination. The first method is (1) ………………. . It is the way in which dirty
water is passed through a (2) ………………. . It consists of a bed of sand or gravel
which removes (3) ………………. that might otherwise contaminates the supply.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 43

The second method is (4) ………………... in which sprays of water are shot into the
(5) …………….…. where sunshine and oxygen help to kill bacteria and also
remove gases with unpleasant odor or taste; or air is bubbled into or through the
(6) ………………. . And the final method is chlorination. This method involves
(7) ………….……. with chemical, usually chlorine, to kill harmful bacteria.

Exercise 4: Complete the sentence in the text by forming a suitable new word
form from the provided word in bracket.

1. Distribution pipes which are ..................... in the streets take (BURY)

the water to the houses, factories, and offices.
2. The storage reservoir by its .................... allows the supply (EXIST)
sources to be smaller and less expensive.
3. The chosen consumption per head must be multiplied by the (ESTIMATE)
........................ population.
4. A water supply for a town usually includes a ...................... (STORE)
reservoir at the source of the supply.
5. The distribution reservoir ............................ allows the (SIMILAR)
pipeline and pumps to be smaller and cheaper.
6. Water engineers must study the water........................... per (CONSUME)
person in their own country.
7. The .......................... water use per head must be multiplied by (CHOOSE)
the estimated population.
8. Raw water is water that requires .......................... before it can (TREAT)
be used for drinking.
9. Service pipe is a pipe ......................... a building to a water (CONNECT)
main.
10. Water tower is a tower into which water is pumped to a (HIGH)
sufficient ......................... .
11. One modern method of disposing of trash and domestic (RECYCLE)
wastes is .............................. .
12. Some kinds of trash can be collected .................... such as: (SEPARATE)
glass, newspapers, and aluminum cans.

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 44

Exercise 5: Use the following sets of words and phrases to write complete sentences.
1. distribution reservoir / have / same / function / keep / enough water / day / week.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
2. function / storage reservoir / be / keep / enough water / several / year .
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
3. distribution system / can / extended / as / need / arise / as / houses / be built.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
4. United States, / some / whose / cities / have / largest / water use / world / per person.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
5. supply / storage equipment / must / designed / be / large enough / this period.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
6. Much/ highest / US demand / come / water /spend / summer /air conditioning
equipment.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
7. water engineers / spend / two / months / design / distribution system / this residential
area / last year.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
8. report / shortage / water / some residential areas / have / be / submit / the director /
water engineer.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
9. After water engineer / study / water use / person, he / have / multiply / it /
estimated population.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
10. It / important / save / water resource / natural mineral.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 45

11. Water engineers / have / study / water use / person / year / before / plan / water
supply / residential area.
.......................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................

Exercise 6: Rewrite each of these sentences in such a way that it has the same
meaning as the given one.
1. A construction site is an area. The building is built in this area.
A construction .............................................................................................................
2. The water engineer handed in his record. His record was about the water
consumption in ten years.
The water engineer ......................................................................................................
3. Water engineers have to study water use per person per year. They base on this
water use per person to make plan of water supply.
Water engineers............................................................................................................
4. A storage reservoir is a very large tank or an artificial place. This storage
reservoir stores water for future use.
A storage reservoir ......................................................................................................
5. It's necessary to save water resources and natural minerals.
Saving...........................................................................................................................
6. Water engineers have to study water use per person per year before planning the
water supply for a residential area.
Water use......................................................................................................................
7. The water engineer has just handed his report on the shortage of water in some
residential areas to the director.
The director .................................................................................................................
8. The supply pipe to that 8-story building was repaired for 5 days.
It ................................................................................................................................
9. "Have you checked the drain in the kitchen yet?" The foreman plumber asked his
man.
The foreman plumber asked his man..........................................................................
10. Waste water can be treated for watering trees.
We ................................................................................................................................
11. "How many ways of purifying water are there?" He asked the water engineer.
He asked ......................................................................................................................

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 46

 FURTHER READING
THE ROLE OF THE ENGINEER

Practicing wastewater engineers are involved in the conception, planning,

evaluation, design, construction, and operation of the systems that are needed to meet
wastewater management objectives. The major elements of wastewater systems and
the associated engineering tasks are identified in Table 1.
Knowledge of the methods used for the determination of wastewater flow rates
and characteristics is essential to an understanding of all aspects of wastewater
engineering. The subjects of source control, collection, and transmission and
pumping. Must also be studied by the engineer if truly integrated wastewater systems
are to be designed.
The primary focus is on two elements listed in Table 1: treatment, and disposal
and reuse. These areas of wastewater engineering, like the others, have been and
continue to be in a dynamic period of development. Old ideas are being reevaluated,
and new concepts are being formulated. To play an active role in the development of
this field, the engineer must know the fundamentals on which it is based.

Table1. Major elements of wastewater management systems and associated

engineering tasks.

Element Engineering task

Estimation of the quantities of wastewater;
Wastewater generation evaluation of techniques for the reduction of
wastewater, and determination of wastewater
characteristics.
Design of systems to provide partial treatment of
Source control (pretreatment) wastewater before it is discharged to collection
systems (principally involves industrial
dischargers).
Design of sewers used to remove wastewater
Collection system from the various sources of wastewater
generation.
Design of large sewers (often called trunk and
Transmission and pumping interceptor sewers), pumping stations, and force
mains for transporting wastewater to treatment
facilities or to other locations for processing.
Centre of Foreign Languages Page 47
 Treatment (wastewater and Selection, analysis, and design of treatment
sludge) operation and processes to meet specified
treatment objectives related to the removal of
wastewater contaminants of concern.
Disposal and reuse Concern Design of facilities used for the disposal
(wastewater and sludge) and reuse of treated effluent in the aquatic and
land environment, and the disposal and reuse of
sludge.
Design of facilities for the collection, treatment
Small systems and disposal and reuse of wastewater from
individual residences and small communities

VOCABULARY
role (n) : vai trò
be involved in (v) : tham gia vào
conception (n) : nhận thức, quan niệm
planning (n) : qui hoạch
evaluation (n) : đánh giá
operation (n) : vận hành
maintenance (n) : bảo dưỡng
objective (n) : mục đích
determination (n) : xác định
flowrates (n) : lưu lượng định mức
characteristic (n) : đặc tính
essential (adj) : cần thiết, thiết yếu, cơ bản
aspect (n) : khía cạnh, mặt, vấn đề
subject (n) : môn học, đối tượng nghiên cứu, chủ đề
control (n) : kiểm soát
collection (n) : thu thập, thu
transmission (n) : truyền tải
integrated (adj) : hợp nhất
area (n) : lĩnh vực
dynamic (adj) : sôi động
generation (n) : sự phát sinh
estimation (n) : sự ước lượng, sự đánh giá, dự toán
partial (adj) : từng phần
discharger (n) : cơ sở xả (nước thải), nguồn xả nước thải
Centre of Foreign Languages Page 48
 sewer (n) : cống, ống thải lớn
pumping station (n) : trạm bơm
effluent (n) : chất thải
aquatic (adj) : nước
individual (adj) : tư nhân
facility (n) : công trình
sludge (n) : bùn, bùn đặc

COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. What are practicing wastewater engineers involved in?
2. What must the engineer study if truly integrated wastewater systems are to be
designed?
3. What areas of wastewater engineering have been and continue to be in a
dynamic period of development?
4. What does the engineer have to know to play an active role in the development
of wastewater engineering?

Centre of Foreign Languages Page 49