Language focus

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

suspension bridge, anchor arm, cable, cantilever bridge, suspender, anchorage

1. A bridge made of two cantilevers whose projecting ends meet but do not support each other.

2. A bridge that has its roadway hung on cables and chains between towers.

3. A part of a cantilever bridge between the shore and the pier.

4. A place to anchore.

5. A strong thick rope, now usually made of wires twisted together.

6. A thing that suspends

IV. Translate:

A refinement of the beam, called a cantilever, is used to construct bridges with even longer spans. In simple cantilever bridges, such as those that are found in many parts of Asia, the structure rests on crisscrossed log foundations with narrow bases that flare outward as they rise to support the roadway. A modern cantilever bridge may use only two intermediate piers set a short distance from either bank. The main support members of a suspension bridge are parallel cables composed of thousands of individual strands of wire. These run, supported by each tower and curving at the middle, the entire length of the bridge and are anchored on either end.

V Insert the words from the list:

cables, roadway, diagonal, railroad, tower,

cantilevered, load, beam-bridge, outward,

self-supporting, suspended span, scaffolding, rigidity, trains

1. Cantilever bridges are a more complex version of a design. In a cantilever design, a … is built on each side of the obstacle to be crossed and the bridge is built … or … from each tower. The towers support the entire … of the cantilevered arms. The arms are spaced so that a small: can be inserted between them. Cantilever bridges are … during construction. They are used in situations in which the use of … or other temporary supports would be difficult.

2. Suspension bridges consist of two large or main … that are hung from towers. The … is suspended from smaller vertical cables that hang down from the main cables. In some cases … cables run from the towers to the roadway and add … to the structure. Suspension design is rarely used for … bridges, because … are heavier and can travel faster than highway traffic.

VI. Make the precis of the text