Unit 6 – Laying the foundation (s)
Grammar – Countable x UNcountable
Countable nouns are nouns that can be counted. Most nouns in English are countable.
Examples:
- Marek’s house has A sturdy foundation.
- I have two reinforcement barS.
- There are 3 deep trencheS.
Uncountable nouns are NOT counted in English. We often picture these nouns as a single concept or one big thing which is hard to divide. Generally, we do not use plural forms of these words; however some of these words do end in "s", so don't get confused.
Examples:
- Foundations often consist of poured concrete with steel rods.
- It protects the drains from damage.
- Warranty inspectors give great advice.
- Paul enjoys politics. Ends with "s" but uncountable.
Uncountable nouns tend to belong to one of the following categories:
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Liquids and Gases
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Solid and Granular Substances
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Energy Words and Forces
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Subjects
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Grouped Concepts
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Abstract Concepts
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Vocabulary
základy stavby
výztuž
příkop, výkop, rýha
ocelové pruty
beton
kanalizace
poškození
robustní, pevný
Exercise
1. Choose whether the noun is countable [C] or UNcountable [UN]:
UNIT 6 – Choose whether the noun is countable [C] or UNcountable [UN]:
1. rock
2. clay
3. grain
4. soil
5. mortar
6. root
7. beam
8. plank
9. gravel
10. building
11. excavator
12. dirt
13. mud
14. wrecking ball
15. timber
Vyhodnocení
chyb
Vaše odpovědi
1. rock
2. clay
3. grain
4. soil
5. mortar
6. root
7. beam
8. plank
9. gravel
10. building
11. excavator
12. dirt
13. mud
14. wrecking ball
15. timber
2. Reading text:
proto, tudíž
několik týdnů
tuhost, neohebnost
přísady
nicméně
zvýšit, zlepšit, obohatit
countable x UNcountable
Building the Foundations for a House
Dig the trenches for the concrete foundation, A brick house needs a sturdy foundation, therefore you have to dig deep trenches and install a rigid structure of reinforcing bars. Consult a qualified structural engineer to determine the depth of the footings and the needed amount of rebars.
Build the wooden form for the concrete foundation. Before pouring the concrete you have to use 2x10 wooden boards to build the form and secure it with 2x4 braces.
Pour the concrete foundation. If you want to keep costs as low as possible, you could mix the concrete by yourself with a power mixer. Nevertheless, it will take longer and the concrete will not have the same quality as the one from your local company (they add special additives to enhance the concrete rigidity).
The foundation will dry out in several weeks.
DIY vs. Professional
Laying your own foundation is possible but risky, especially if you’ve never done it before. Consider the job’s difficulty level, too. Laying the foundation for a small shed may be easy for you to DIY, but laying the foundation for an entire home is a complex project with much higher stakes.
2.1 Answer some questions:
- How long does it take for the foundation to dry out?
- What do you have to do before pouring the concrete?
- Who can help you to determine the depth of the footings and the needed amount of rebars?
2.2 Translate some sentences:
- Přidejte speciální přísady, aby se zvýšila tuhost betonu.
- Před nalitím betonu musíte postavit dřevěnou formu.
- Vykopejte hluboké výkopy.
3. Connect words with their definitions:
UNIT 6 – Connect words with their definitions:
1. a piece of wood sawed thin, and of considerable length and breadth compared with the thickness
2. the basis on which something is established or operates
3. a substance added to something in small quantities to improve or preserve it
4. a device fitted to something to give support
5. the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level
6. a steel bar used as a tension device in reinforced concrete
7. intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of
8. long, narrow ditch
Vyhodnocení
chyb
Vaše odpovědi
1. a piece of wood sawed thin, and of considerable length and breadth compared with the thickness
2. the basis on which something is established or operates
3. a substance added to something in small quantities to improve or preserve it
4. a device fitted to something to give support
5. the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level
6. a steel bar used as a tension device in reinforced concrete
7. intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of
8. long, narrow ditch
4. Video
Ve videu uslyšíte:
lať, lišta, prkno, podlahové prkno
otočná laserová vodováha
kolíček, kolík
vlhkost
stěna výšky < 1 m
metry krychlové
dno, spodek
skleník
dvojitá stěna
...consists of two masonry walls, usually of bricks or blocks, with a maximum distance between them of 15 cm. The inner skin provides only part of the thermal insulation.
4.1 Can you hear the following words in the video?
UNIT 6_5.1 Can you hear the following words in the video?
1. surface
2. rebar
3. spirit level (vodováha)
4. concrete
5. aluminium
6. weakness (slabost)
Vyhodnocení
chyb
Vaše odpovědi
1. surface
2. rebar
3. spirit level (vodováha)
4. concrete
5. aluminium
6. weakness (slabost)
4.2 Answer some questions – TRUE or FALSE:
UNIT 6_5.2 Answer some questions – TRUE or FALSE:
1. When the ready-mix concrete arrives on site there's no time limit for it to be wheelbarrowed in.
2. If you're installing rebar or mesh prior to pouring don't attach them to the battens.
3. After a few minutes of settling all the pegs become invisible.
4. The batten is only knocked into the ground 50 millimeters to allow it to be easily removed once the footing is poured.
5. The greenhouse consists of a double skin wall for the main building and a single skin wall for the cold frame.
Vyhodnocení
chyb
Vaše odpovědi
1. When the ready-mix concrete arrives on site there's no time limit for it to be wheelbarrowed in.
2. If you're installing rebar or mesh prior to pouring don't attach them to the battens.
3. After a few minutes of settling all the pegs become invisible.
4. The batten is only knocked into the ground 50 millimeters to allow it to be easily removed once the footing is poured.
5. The greenhouse consists of a double skin wall for the main building and a single skin wall for the cold frame.
