Language focus

III. Choose the contextual meaning of the word:

load 1)груз 2) вагон 3) нагрузка 4) бремя

stress 1) нажим2) напряжение3) давление4) ударение

span 1) период времени 2) длина моста 3)перегон 4) пролет

rigid 1) жесткий 2) твердый 3) неподвижный 4) стойкий

abutment 1) межа 2) береговой устой 3) контрфорс 4) опора

IV. Match the meanings of these terms with their definition:

span, design, girder, load, pier, roadway;

1. The weight or force supported by a structure or any part of it.

2. Each arch or part of a bridge between piers or supports.

3. A drawing, plan or sketch made to serve as a pattern from which to work.

4. One of the solid supports on which the arch of a bridge rest.

5. A main supporting beam made of steel, concrete or wood.

6. The part of a road used by wheeled vehicles.

V. Fill in the correct prepositions:

to be made…, to vary…sth, to be better…sth, to consist…,

to be supported… sth, to be used…sth, to differ…sth

VI. Fill in the missing words from the list:

bridge design, supports, to carry, short, loads, to hold, long, public’s, spans, goal

A bridge is a structure that … horizontally between supports and its function is to carry vertical ….The prototypical bridge is quite simple – two … holding up a beam. The supports must be strong enough … the structure up and the span must be strong enough … loads. Spans are generally made as … as possible; … spans are justified where good foundations are limited. All major bridges are build with the … money. Therefore … that best serves the public interest has a threefold … efficiency, economy, elegance.

VII. Make the precis of the text