Материал: 2076

4) The main idea of the text is …

a) Early Russian architecture is characterized by carved decorations above windows and porches which were placed by Russian masters on log-cabins, fortress towers, huge cathedrals, churches and monasteries.

b) Wooden and masonry architecture developed side by side in medieval Russia, complimenting each other in stimulating the love for slenderness, Сsatisfying a yearning for monumentality and lavish decoration and splendour. c) The finest examples of traditional architecture of the eleventh – thirteenth centuries with white walled towers, churches, bell towers can be seen in the towns of Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Suzdal, Bogolyubovo and Sergiev

иPosad.

d) Derived from Byzantium early Russian architecture created its unique style characterized by the harmonious combination of buildings and nature, of masonry and wooden architecture the remnants of which can still be found in Northern Russian.

EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDS

1.There have been many different styles or kinds of architecture in the past and there are many different styles today in different parts of the world. The oldest monuments which are met within architecture are the colossal pyramids of Egypt most of which were constructed about 6,000 years ago.

2.The pyramids are large triangular buildings which were placed over the tombs of Egyptian kings. The best known of the pyramids are a group of three built at Giza south of Cairo. The largest of these is 482 feet high. They tell us of the advanced civilization of ancient Egypt which is much spoken about even in our days. It was a country which had expert mathematicians and engineers where astronomy and philosophy were known and studied. The country was rich in hard and durable stone, but poor in timber and metal, so the main material used for construction was granite, and this was the reason for the durability of the pyramids.

3.Large blocks of stone were transported over long distances by land and water, and placed into position with the help of the most primitive equipment. That was done by slaves working for thirty or forty years. All this great amount of work was done, masses of material and a large territory sometimes of about 52,000 square meters were used, only for protecting the body of a dead king and constructing a dwelling place for his happy life in the «other world».

1)The following statement conforms to the text content.бАИ

a)Blocks of stones for the construction of the pyramids were transported by water and air.

b)The best known pyramids in the world are a group of four built at Giza.

211

c)Ancient Egypt was a religious country where science was oppressed and persecuted.

d)Egyptian Pyramids had been constructed by slaves for nearly thirty or forty years.

2) Answer the question:

Why did Egyptian architects use mainly granite for the construction of the Сpyramids?

a) Because it was easier to transport.

b) Because it was the favourite material of the pharaohs. c) Because this stone was cheap.

иd) Because Egypt was rich in this hard stone.

3) Complete the statement according to the text.

The Egyptian pyramids are basically…

a) large triangular buildings used as museums by pharaohs; b) largeбАtriangular constructions used for scientific purposes;

c) large triangular buildings symbolizing some ancient Egyptian religion; d) large triangular constructions placed over the pharaohs’ graves for

protection.

4) The main idea of the text is …

a) The Egyptian pyramids were designed by expert engineers and constructed by thousands of slaves to protect the body of the dead pharaoh and to provide him with the dwelling in his afterlife.

b) The best known and the largest of the pyramids are situated in Giza south of Cairo which symbolizesДthe advanced civilization of ancient Egypt with expert engineers, astronomers and philosophers.

c) The Egyptian pyramids, the colossal triangle constructions protecting pharaohs’ tombs are the oldest monuments which still exist due to the expertise of ancient engineers and durability of granite.

d) The Egyptian pyramids are the oldest architecturalИmonuments on the earth most of which were constructed about 6,000 years ago and still attract thousands admirers from different parts of the world.

JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE

1. Japanese architecture has a long history similar to that of other aspects of Japanese culture, characterized by periods of interaction with foreign influences interspersed with long periods of isolation during which unique traits developed. Buildings of the Yayoi periods were mostly agricultural residences, with larger buildings and tombs appearing as an aristocracy developed. Wooden buildings from the Asuka period, preserved in Horyuji Temple, were built in the style of Chinese worship halls. Japanese buildings continued to follow the Chinese style of horizontal buildings with heavy tile

212

roofs supported by timber frames, but developed unique characteristics reflecting Buddhist values.

2. During the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, the samurai expanded the compounds of the aristocracy to include living quarters for military

personnel. Eventually, (daimyo) warlords built castles from which to defend their domains. During the Tokugawa era, when there were no military Сconflicts, many daimyo built large residences and parks in the city of Edo for

their families.

3. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan began to build Europeanstyle buildings. The widespread destruction of Japanese cities during World War II cleared the way for the construction of large numbers of steel-framed, box-shaped utilitarian buildings, which provoked an adverse reaction during the 1970s, leading to a variety of new styles and architectural treatments incorporating traditional elements into modern designs. Japan’s best-known

и modern architectsбАinclude Kenzo Tange, Maekawa Kunio, Fumihiko Maki,

Isozaki Arata, and Tadao Ando.

4. Japanese architecture has influenced Western architecture with its

emphasis on simplicity, horizontal lines, and flexible spaces. Frank Lloyd Wright was strongly influenced by Japanese spatial arrangements and the concept of interpenetrating exterior and interior space, long achieved in Japan by using walls made of sliding doors that opened onto covered verandas and gardens.

1) Define, which statement conforms to the text content.

a)Japanese architecture never experienced any influence from the outside.

b)The Japanese started building in a European style in the 18th century.

c)Japanese architecture blindly followed Chinese style, which is seen in Horyuji Temple.

d)Japanese architecture had a considerable influence on European architecture. Д

2) Answer the question:

What is characteristic of Japanese architecture nowadays? a) It’s a return to old traditions and customs.

b) It’s a combination of traditional elements and modern technology. c) It’s a combination of modern technology and modern design.

И

d) It’s an adoption of Western architectural patterns.

3) Complete the statement according to the text.

Japanese warlords built castles to…

a)protect their lands;

b)to compete with the neighbours;

c)to be different from the neighbours;

d)make their families happy.

213

4) Identify the main idea of the text.

a) Japanese architecture influenced Western architecture with its emphasis on simplicity, horizontal lines, and its concept of interpenetrating exterior and interior space.

b) Historical changes in Japan such as Meiji Restoration in the 19th century, World War II in the 20th century reflected in Japanese architecture as

Сwell.

c) Though Japanese architecture followed the Chinese style of horizontal buildings with heavy tile roof it developed unique characteristics reflecting Buddhist values.

иd) Japanese architecture though affected by foreign cultures could preserve its unique traditional features which influence the architectural styles of other countries.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

1.For the period before 1800, the history of landscape gardening (later called landscape architecture) is largely that of master planning and garden design for manor houses, palaces and royal properties, religious complexes,

and centers of government. The first person to write of “making” a landscape was Joseph Addison in 1712. The term “landscape architecture” was invented

by Gilbert Laing Meason in 1828 and was first used as a professional title by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1863. During the later 19th century, the term “landscape architect” became used by professional people who designed landscapes.

2.Through the 19th century, urban planning became a more important need. The combination of the tradition of landscape gardening and emerging city planning gave landscape architecture its unique focus to serve these needs. In the second half of the century, Frederick Law Olmsted completed a series of parks which continue to have a huge influence on the practices of landscape architecture today. Among these were Central Park in New York City, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York and Boston's Emerald Necklace park system.

3.Landscape architecture continues to develop as a design discipline, and

to respond to the various movements in architecture and design throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Such prominent landscape architects as Roberto Burle Marx, Ian McHarg continue today solving challenging problems with contemporary design solutions for master planning, landscapes and gardens.

1)The following statement conforms to the text content.бАИ

a)Urban planning came to the fore in the 19th century.

b)The term «landscape architecture» was invented by Joseph Addison.

214

c)Landscape architecture developed throughout centuries without changes.

d)Joseph Addison was called a landscape architect in his lifetime.

2) Answer the question:

What contribution did Frederick Law Olmsted make to the landscape architecture?

Сa) He designed a number of gardens for the royal family and government buildings.

b) He created the term «landscape architecture» which later was included into the books on design.

иc) He designed a number of parks which greatly affected the standards of landscape architecture.

d) He wrote a book on architecture design where he expressed his ideas on its standards.

3) Complete the statement according to the text.

The landscape architecture of the 19th century is characterized by…

a)master planning and landscape gardening of religious complexes;

b)the combination of landscape gardening and urban planning;

c)the garden design for manor houses, palaces and royal properties;

d)the unique design solutions in landscape gardening.

4)The main idea of the text is …

a)Modern landscape architects among them Roberto Burle Marx, Ian McHarg continue solving challenging problems with contemporary design solutions for master planning, landscapes and gardens.

b)One of the best known landscape designers Frederick Law Olmsted created a number of parks in the USA which continue to have a huge influence on the standards of landscape architecture today.

c)Though the notion of landscape design existed before 1800 the term

«landscape architecture», the first mention of it in special literature and the usage of the professional title «landscape architect» occurred in the 19th century.

d)Landscape architecture originated at the interfaces of landscape gardening and urban planning in the 19th century when there were created its

main standards which are developed under the influence of today’s architecture.бАИ

MANUFACTURED BUILDING MATERIALS

1. One of the building materials used in a construction is a brick. The production of a brick was industrialized in the 19th century. Earlier it was a process of hand-molding. Later it was superseded by «pressed» bricks. It was a mass production by a mechanical extrusion process. In this way clay was

215