Page 33 - English for Construction 2

Vocabulary 7 Match he ouns 1-6 with the orrect adjectives a-f.
n
t
c
1 strength a) elastic
2 toughness b) strong
3 hardness c) brittle
4 elasticity d) porous
5 brittleness e) hard
6 porosity 0 tough
8 Complete these sentences by hoosing the orrect words in italics.
c
c
1 Asphalt is used n road construction because it is strength / strong.
i
2 Hardness / Hard asphalt is often very brittleness / brittle.
t
r
f
3 Porosity / Porous asphalt mproves safety by emoving water rom he
i
t
surface of he road.
t
4 Toughness / Tough is a measure of he energy y o u need to break something.
t
t
i
5 It is mportant hat roads have enough elasticity / elastic to eturn to heir
r
original shape after loading.
Language
Comparatives
We use adjectives to describe nouns. a loose/firm surface
an original shape
a strong material
We make comparisons by changing Short adjectives: hard - harder, strong - stronger
the adjective. Adjectives ending in -y: heavy - heavier, easy - easier
Long adjectives: brittle - more/less brittle, porous - more/less porous
Complete these sentences with materials of your choice.
r
t
1 A ubber band is more elastic han
A ceramic tile is more brittle han
t
t
A piece of steel is harder han
t
Soil is more porous han
A slab of concrete is stronger than
t
A piece of Kevlar® is ougher han _
t
10 What building material(s) can be used to omplete all of the sentences in 9?
c
Speaking 11 Scaffolding can be constructed using different materials, uch as metal pipes or
s
t
p
bamboo. With a partner, list he roperties of these t w o materials and discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Materials 4 31