JUAN MISAEL SARACHO UNIVERSITY

HUMANITIES FACULTY
LANGUAGE CAREER

ENGLISH FOR
ARCHITECTURE
SUBJECT:
ENGLISH I ADM 301
PROFESSOR:
Ms.C.Lic. MARIA LUISA LAIME SOTO

TARIJA- 2021
UNIT 1

PARTS OF A SENTENCE

Exercise 1. Match the words with the pictures.

( ) wheelbarrow ( ) draw table ( ) bridge

( ) cathedral ( ) building ( ) geometric sheath

( ) meter ( ) dining area ( ) compass

( ) Engineer ( ) ladder ( ) helmet

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 1

Exercise 2. Put the correct subject pronoun to each noun.

e.g.
geometric sheath ……it….…
1. A compass ………….
2. Squares ................
3. Design table ………...
4. The golden house ................
Exercise 3. Complete the sentences with the correct verb.

1
e.g.
It .....is......a long bridge.
1. The houses………small.
2. We……in a French class.
3. ....... the compass on the design table?
4. You……..future architects.
5. ………. bridges important in a city?

Exercise 4. Unscramble the following sentences

e.g.
not / This / is / compass / big / a
This is not a big compass.
1. useful / is / The / very / internet
……………………………………………………….
2. ? / engineer / is / Mr. Jordan / Civil / a
……………………………………………………….
3. / architects / are / The / their / not / offices / in
……………………………………………………….
4. aren’t / meters / the/ helmets / and / on / the/ table
……………………………………………………….
5. professional / ? he / an / excellent / Is
……………………………………………………….
Exercise 5. Match the lines with the pictures.
a curved line.
a wavy line.
a broken line.

. ......................... a dotted line.

a thick line.

straight line.

a thin line..

a zigzag line.

There is a big door in the house.

There are straight lines in the house.
Exercise 6. Make sentences with the following pictures.

2
3
 1 2 3 4 5 6
e.g.
There is a door in the class room.
1. ……………………………………………………………………
2. ……………………………………………………………………
3. ……………………………………………………………………
4. ……………………………………………………………………
5. ……………………………………………………………………
6. ……………………………………………………………………
PICTURE 1 PICTURE 2

at the top Above

diagonally
outside
In the between
middle D
b

beside
on the left on the right
below

at the bottom
Here we have two pictures. Inside picture number 1 there is a on eitherand
circle sides
a square, there
are two triangles and also two straight thick lines.
The square is in the middle, one triangle is on the left and the other triangle is on the
right.
At the top of the picture is the circle, at the bottom are the lines, and outside of the
picture is the star.
In picture number two between the square there are two small triangles, the triangle
which is on the right is diagonally below the circle, and the star which is diagonally
above the triangle is outside.
There is a circle above the square, and below it there is one line also there are two
triangles on either side of the square.
Be careful!!! There isn’t a circle below the square.
There aren’t squares between the lines.

Task 7. Now answer the questions below according to the pictures.

e.g.
Is there a square at the top of picture 1? A.- No, there isn’t.
1. Are there two lines at the bottom of picture 1? A.- ……………………..
2. In picture 2. Is there a square above the circle? A.- ……………………..
3. In picture 2. Are there triangles between the square? A.- ………………………

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4. In picture 1.Where is the square? A.- ……………….…….
5. In picture 2. Where are the triangles A,. ……………………..
Task 8 . Read this description below and draw the diagram which it describes.
At the top of the diagram there are two horizontal parallel
straight lines. At the bottom there is a horizontal spiral,
in the middle there is a circle on each side of the diagram
there is a cross. There are two inverted triangles diagonally
above the circle, one on the left, the other on the right.
The triangles are below the parallel lines. In each triangle
there is a dot. Above the spiral and below the circle there is
a square. finally Inside the square there is a small line.

NUMBERS AND MEASUREMENTS

CARDINALS
_________________________________________________________________________
11 eleven 18 eighteen 43 forty three 200 two hundred
12 twelve 19 nineteen 50fifty 300 three hundred
13 thirteen 20 twenty 60 sixty 1,000 one thousand
14 fourteen 21 twenty one 70 seventy 2,000 two thousand
15 fifteen 30 thirty 80 eighty 3,000 three thousand
16 sixteen 32 thirty-two 90 ninety 1000,000 one million
17 seventeen 40 forty 100 one hundred 2000,000 two million
DECIMALS
__________________________________________________________________________
0.01 zero point zero one
6.1 six point one
11.7 eleven point seven
99.5 ninety nine point five
1.12 one point one two
2.384 two point three eight four
ORDINALS

__________________________________________________________________________
1st first 8th eighth 15th fifteenth
2nd second 9th ninth 16th sixteenth
3 rd third 10th tenth 17th seventeenth
4th fourth 11th eleventh 18th eighteenth
5th fifth 12th twelfth 19th nineteenth
6th sixth 13th thirteenth 20th twentieth
7th seventh 14th fourteenth 21 twenty first

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FRACTIONS_________________________________________________________________________
_
½ a half
¾ three quarters
24 2/3 twenty four and two thirds
7/8 seven eighths
DATES______________________________________________________________________________
_
1825 eighteen twenty five
2000 two thousand
2013 two thousand and thirteen
LENGTH MEASURE
____________________________________________________________________
6m six meters
4 cm four centimeters
2 mm two millimeters
70 km seventy kilometers
LMATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS
____________________________________________________________
5+7 fiveplus seven √ 4 squaraed root of four
8x3 eighttimes three
6-4 sixminus four
18:2 eighteendivided by two
62 sixsquared
73 seven cubed

HOW NUMBERS ARE USED IN ENGLISH

Sometimes the information is extremely accurate.
When we deal with numbers, we use:
a) Cardinals, from one to ninety nine there isn’t
problem, but when we use integral number
example 1,000 we read one thousand and we use
coma (,) instead of point(.).
b )Decimals, such as 6.43 and we read six point
four three, or 9.02 and we read nine point 0(oh)
two. In English we use a point(.) and not (,) foe
decimals. When the numbers ref to money, $15.30,
we read fifteen dollars thirty.
c) Percentages, such as 25% we read twenty five
per cent, or 3% we read three per cent.
d) Fractions, such as 3/8 we read three eighths or
4/9 we read four ninths.
But look at these: ¼ we read a quarter ½ we read
as a half 1/3 we read a third.
As we can see, the top number is read as a cardinal
number, the bottom number is read as an ordinal
number.
e) The information about years is also read in a
special way.1966 we read nineteen sixty six. But
for the new millennium we read 2000 two
thousand, or 2013 two thousand and thirteen
f) Length measure, such as 5 mm we red
millimeter we use the prefixes
(milli – centi - kilo, etc.)
g) Finally, mathematical symbols are read like
this: 4+5 four PLUS five; 7x3 seven TIMES three;
8-2 eight MINUS two; 10:5 ten DIVIDED BY
five.
Squares like 52 or 82 we read five SQUARED or
eight SQUARED
Cubes like 73 or 93 are read seven cubed or nine
cubed.
And the symbols for the squared root is read, for
example, √ 4 the SQUARED ROOT of four.

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Exercise 9. Read the following numbers and fractions.
a) Write these numbers.

1.- 2 .07 ……………………………………………………………………

2.- 38.20 ……………………………………………………………………
3.-1.10 ……………………………………………………………………
4.- 2020 ……………………………………………………………………
5.-18 th ……………………………………………………………………
6.-34% ……………………………………………………………………
7.-√ 4 ……………………………………………………………………..
b) Complete the information with the correct option.

1. The two ………………… of fifteen is ten.(thirds, three, third)

2. Four ……………………. is sixteen (squared, squared root, cube)
3. You read this number, 23 two …………………….. (third, cubed, three)
4. Seven ……………………… five equals thirty five (divided by, plus, times)

c) Relate column a to column b.

1.− √ 6 a) eleven cubed

2.- 170 C b) oh-three-two-five-six-two-one
3.- 12m3 c) ten and a half million
4.- Tel.032-5621 d) twelve cubic meters
5.- 105 00,000 e) three times four equals twelve
6.- 3x4=12 f) seventeen degrees centigrade
7.- 113 g) the square root of six

DIMENSIONS

Adjectives Nouns

high height
wide width
long length

Using dimensions as adjectives

e.g.
This is a thick line.
It is 5 cm long 5 cm

This is a square .It is 15 cm 15 cm

long and 15 cm high.

This is a cube .It is 15 cm

long,15 cm high and 15 cm wide 15 cm

15 cm

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 Exercise 10. Describe the following objects using dimensions as adjectives.

100 mm
7 mm
0.05 cm 1m
7 cm 60
0.03 cm
mm

1.- ………………………………………….……….……………
2.- …………………………………………….……….…………
3.- …………………………………………….……….…………

Using dimensions as nouns:

e. g.
The length of the ruler is 20 cm.

20 cm

The length of the block is 11.52 cm, the width is 2.01 cm. and the height is 9.35 cm.

9.35

11.52 cm
2.01
……………………………………………………………………………………

Exercise 11. Describe these objects using dimensions as noun.

18 m

6 cm
18 m

0.05 cm
11.53 cm
5 cm
3. 28 cm
10 cm
18 m

Picture 1_________________
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Picture 2 ________________
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Picture 3_________________
……………………………………………………………………………………………

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Exercise 12. Answer the following questions according to the figures.

A B C

19.8 cm
14.4 cm
4.75 m2 3cm
23.01 cm
112.35 cm
D E F

7.0 cm
8.0 cm 3.0 cm 2.4 cm

15.4 cm

e.g.
What is figure A?
It is a circle.
1. Is figure F an ellipse?
A.- ……………………….
2. What is the length of figure D?
A.- ……………………….
3. What is the height of figure E?
A.- ………………………
4. What’s the width of figure B?
A.- ………………………
5. What are the height ,length and width of figure F?
A.- ………………………
6. Are D and A circulars?
A.- ………………………

SHAPES

Names Adjectives
square square
triangle triangular
rectangle rectangular
ellipse elliptic(al)
semicircle semicircular

Exercise 13. Complete the following exercises with the appropriate shape using as a
name.

e.g.
This triangle is small (n)
The shape is triangular (adj.)
The triangle has a triangular shape (n and adj.)

a) This ............. is small.

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 …………………................
………………………………………………….

b) This.............. is big.
…………………................
………………………………………………….

c) This ..............is light blue.

…………………................
………………………………………………….

d) This ................ is faraway.

…………………................
………………………………………………….

PLATE

Side
Thickness

e.g.
Object B is a triangular plate of side 18.7 cm and thickness 1.2 cm.

18.7 cm

1.2 cm

1. Object C is a ..........................plate of side of 15 cm ,.................................

0.5 cm
15 cm

3 cm

2. Object D is an ..........................................

2.1 cm 1
8 cm

DIMENSIONAL SHAPES

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cube cubic
pyramid pyramidal
sphere spherical
ellipse ellipsoidal
cone conical
semi-sphere semi-spherical
cylinder cylindrical

A B C

D E F

Exercise 14. Answer the following questions according to the dimensional shapes.
e.g.
What is figure A? A.- It’s a cube.
What shape is figure A ? A.- It’s cubic.

1. What is figure B? A. - …………………………………………

2. What shape is figure C? A. - …………………………………………
3. What is figure D? A. - …………………………………………
4. What figure is D? A. -…………………………………………
5. What is figure F? A. - …………………………………………

Exercise 15. Relate the English words to their Spanish ones.

1 west 2 between 3 skyscraper 4 scale 5 pedestrian 6 both 7 grid 8 floor 9 changing 10 light

__ ambos __ retícula __ escala _1_ oeste __ piso__ luz __ cambio __ entre__ rascacielos __ peatón

Exercise 15. Label the reading according to the following information.

Building - house - living-room - office building

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 ____________________________________
The design of this fifty-two-story office building, is on the west block-front of
Broadway between 47th and 48th streets, it has the aspiration of a traditional
skyscraper to present an appropriately scaled public building at the pedestrian
base. The exterior forms respond to both the diagonal of Broadway and the
orthogonal Manhattan street grid .The base responds to the diagonal, and the
segmented curve of the double-height mechanical floor creates the transition from
the rotated base to the orthogonal tower .The changing quality of natural light on
the building produces images of opacity and reflectivity.

Exercise 16. Match the description with the appropriate place.

e.g
Produces images of opacity and reflectivity _ 3_ mechanical floor

1. Respond to both the diagonal of Broadway ____ the changing of

quality orthogonal Manhattan street grid natural light

2. Creates the transition from the rotated ____ the exterior forms
base to the orthogonal tower

3. It is on the west block-front of Broadway ____ fifty-two-story

between 47th and 48th streets office building

Language Focus
Definite and indefinite articles
a geometric Sheath an engineer
the house the houses
Expressions
There is a broken line.
There are dotted lines.

Simple Present Tense I am not/ ´m not Am I ?

verb “to be” You/ we/ they are/ ´re Are You/ we/ they?
I am/ ´m You/ we/ they are not / Is he/ she/it?
You/ we/ they are/ ´re aren´t e.g.
He/ She/ It are/ ´re He/ She/ It is not/ isn´t Is it an experiment?
e.g. e.g. Yes, it is/ No, it isn´t .
It is an experiment. It isn´t a research. Are they building tools?
They are laboratory tools. They aren’t building tools. Yes, they are. /No, they
aren´t
Verb to have
I /You/ we/ they Have/‘ve
He/ She/ It has / ‘s
e..g.
We have many books.
He has part time job.
Personal and possessive pronouns
Architects are expert for designing any buildings they work in team projects.

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VOCABULARY
Write a definition, translation or example sentence for the new words in the spaces
provided.
Add your own words to this list.

Word List Definition, translation or example

Shape figura
Plate
Foor
Scaled
Orthogonal
Grid
Light
Pedestrian

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UNIT 2
BUILDING A HOUSE

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions. Share your answers with a partner.

1. Do you know how to build a house? ………………………………..…………

2. Do architects construct buildings? ………………………….…………………
3. What construction materials do you know? ……………………………………
4. Do architects work with electricians and civil engineers? ……………………..

WHAT DOES JUDITH DO?

Judith is an architect. She elaborates different projects for her

clients. She has a friend. He is an engineer and he constructs
bridges and roads.
An architect is a person that considers important aspects in the
planning, design and oversight of the construction of building
and other structures for example: Discuss the objectives,
requirements, and budget of a project; provide various pre-design
services that may include feasibility and environmental impact studies, selecting
a site, or specifying the requirements the design must meet; prepare drawing and
present ideas for the client to review; develop final construction plans that show
the building appearance as well as details for the construction; follow building
codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances; make necessary
changes throughout the planning process.

Also, can draw plans for buildings; the most important parts of a building are:
Entrance ,reception ,exhibition unit, directory’s space ,café, theatre, secretary
room, director’s office stairs ,lift (elevator) escape stairs.

Judith selects the electrical distribution, water supply, heating and

space division. An architect chooses the materials, they can be
metals and non- metals, this is very important. Metals include iron,
steel, aluminum, copper and nickel. Some non- metals for
construction are wood, concrete, brick, plastics, ceramics and glass.
Ronald uses metals especially for windows.

The building process also needs human resources: a construction team is

conformed by a group of subcontractors and their workers; such as diggers,
masons, plasterers, master builders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders,
painters and a foreman.
Judith studies and works at nights with different projects she says¡ the design of a
building or a house begins with its future user or owner!

Exercise 2. Complete the spider graphs with the correct information from the text.

brick
Profession materials places
s
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 electrician theatre

Exercise 3. Correct the following sentences.

e.g.
The building process don´t needs human resources
The building process doesn’t need human resources

1. Does old people prefers outdoor activities?

2. An architect doesn´t want to live in an unplanned city
3. My community needs more urban spaces.
4. Do houses have bedrooms, living rooms, restrooms, bathrooms, kitchens

5. Architects select the electrical distribution, water supply, heating and space

division.
6. Buildings present each style.
Exercise 4 Use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the following verbs.

*elaborate *consider *construct *design *discuss *provide *include

*select
* prepare *draw *present *develop *show *follow *make *need
Elaborar _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
_________

Exercise 5. Read the text “What does Judith do?”. Complete the blacks with the correct
verb.
e.g.
Judith ___elaborates____ different projects for her clients.

1.- A civil engineer ___________ bridges and roads.

2.- An architect __________ various pre-design services that may include
feasibility and environmental impact studies.
3.- The building process ____________ human resources.
4.- Judith ___________ the electrical distribution, water supply, heating and space
division.
5.- Ronald ____________ metals especially for windows.

Exercise 6. Read again the text, and match the sentences with the correct word

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______ He studies and works at night with different projects. a) an architect
______ It also needs human resources. b) an engineer
______ Iron, steel, aluminum, copper and nickel. c) Judith
______ He constructs bridges and roads. d) building process
______ He designs and draws plans for houses and buildings. e) metals

Exercise 7. Find in the text the English information for the Spanish information bellow.
e.g.
Discuss the objectives, requirements, and budget of a project
Discute los Objetivos y presupuesto de un proyecto

1.- Un arquitecto es una persona que considera aspectos importantes en la planificación,

diseño y supervisión de la construcción de edificios y otras estructuras.
______________________________________________________________________

2.- Conformado por un grupo de sub- contrastadores y sus trabajadores.

______________________________________________________________________

3.- Las partes más importantes de un edificio son: la entrada, la recepción, teatro,
secretaria, oficina del director, gradas, ascensor, etc.
_____________________________________________________________________
4.-Ronald selecciona la distribución eléctrica, el suministro de agua, calefacción y la
división del espacio.
_____________________________________________________________________

5.- El diseño de una construcción o una casa empieza con su futuro propietario.
_____________________________________________________________________

6.- El proceso de construcción también necesita recursos humanos.

Exercise .8 Write “T” for true or “F” for false, then correct the false ones
1. The building process also needs animal resources. F T
2. Metals include wood, concrete, brick plastics, ceramics and glass. F T
3. Ronald uses metals especially for windows. F T
4. An engineer constructs bridges and roads. F T
5 . Ronald doesn’t study and work at night with different projects . F T

Recycling
Nowadays, recycling is increasing for many reasons and it will continue because
N
the standards of control and monitoring are increasing.
Some companies and other organizations are trying to use more secondary materials.
This is the most effective way to increase recycling. It insures that materials are not collected for collecting
Recycling of plastics, cans, glass, paper, etc. are more of a challenge to recycle because they reduce waste from
the start at the manufacturing stage for example, plastic bottles for fizzy drinks, cooking oil and milk save
resources throughout the distribution chain by using a small amount of material and by reducing the amount of
waste.
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Managing waste continue and will continue to be a matter of finding the right balance between using resources
in ways that keep waste to a minimum and disposing of what does end up as waste in ways that do not harm
the environment.
Exercise 9. According to the reading translate the words in italic.
e.g.
Nowadays recycling is increasing for many reasons reciclaje incrementando
a) The standards of control and monitoring are increasing. _______ _______
b) Organizations are trying to use more secondary materials. _______
c) This is the most effective way to increase recycling. _______
d) They reduce waste from the start at the manufacturing stage. _______
e) Managing waste will continue. _______
f) The right balance between using resources in ways that keep waste. _______
Exercise 10. Underline the italic words and sort them according to their function.
Exercise 11. Answer the questions according to the reading
1.- What is the reading about?
A.- …………………………………………………………….
2.- Do companies use secondary materials?
A.- …………………………………………………………….
3.- What materials do companies recycle to reduce waste?
A.- …………………………………………………………….
4.- Do companies manufacture plastic bottles by recycling?
A.- …………………………………………………………….
5.- Is managing waste to harm the environment?
A.- …………………………………………………………….
Language Focus
Read and analyze the examples

Simple present tense

Spelling of the third person e.g.
Most verbs add S in the third person singular. design designs
the verb ends in s, - sh, or –ch, add- es. watch watches
If the verb ends in a consonant + y, the y changes to – ies. study studies
In negative form we use the auxiliaries
Do not = don’t I / you / we / they
The buildings don’t have small windows.
Does not = doesn’t he / she /it
The computer doesn’t work without keyboard.

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In the interrogative form we use the auxiliaries
Do I / you / we / they
Do you study at Juan Misael Saracho University? Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
Does he / she /it
Does Architect Ortiz design plans? Yes, he does. / No, he doesn’t

ING USE
1.- As a present continuous:
The substance is changing from solid to liquid.
The coal gas isn’t passing into the baker.
Is the coal gas isn’t passing into the test tube?
Yes, it is / No, it isn´t
2.- As a noun
Heating increases metal’s malleability.
My favorite subject is drawing.
3.- As a second verb
Architecture students imagine working in a company.
People enjoy spending a day at home.
4.- After a preposition
Before doing an project study it.
Thanks for helping me

VOCABULARY
Write a definition, translation or example sentence for the new words in the spaces
provided.

Add your own words to this list.

Word List Definition, translation or example

Shape
Palate
Floor
Scaled
Orthogonal
Grid
Light
Pedestrian

UNIT 3

18
 FLOOR PLAN

Exercise 1. Match the words in the box with the pictures.

Floor plan blueprint Site plan

1 2 3

__________________ ___________________ _____________________

Exercise 2. Read the text below and match the definition with the words in the box.

Bird's-eye view Floor plan

1. ___________ , in architecture and
building Bblueprint Site plan engineering is a
diagram, usually to scale, of the
relationships between rooms, and spaces.

2. ____________ is a type of paper-based reproduction usually of a technical drawing.

3. ____________ is an architectural plan, and a detailed engineering drawing of

proposed improvements to a given lot

4. ____________ is a view of an object from above, as though the observer were a bird.

A floor plan, in architecture and building engineering is a diagram, usually to scale, the
relationships between rooms, spaces and other physical features at one level of a
structure. Dimensions are usually drawn among the walls to specify room sizes and wall
lengths. Floor plan includes details of fixtures like sinks, water heaters, furnaces, etc.

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 Floor plan also includes notes to
specify finishes, construction methods,
or symbols for electrical items.
It is also called a "plan" in
architectural terms, as opposed to
"elevation" which means how the
object will look when seen from a
side, or a "cross section" where the
building is shown cut along an axis to
reveal the interior. A floor plan is a top
view or bird’s eye view drawing of the
interior of a building. A floor plan
should show:
 Interior walls and hallways
 Restrooms
 Windows and doors
 Appliances such as stoves,
refrigerators, water heater etc.
 Interior features such as fireplaces, saunas and whirlpools
 The use of all rooms will be indicated
a bird's-eye view is a view of an object from above, as though the observer were a bird,
often used in the making of blueprints, floor plans and maps.
A blueprint is a type of paper-based on reproduction usually of a technical drawing,
documenting an architecture or an engineering design. More generally, the term
"blueprint" refers to any detailed plan.
A site plan is an architectural plan, and a detailed engineering drawing of proposed
improvements to a given lot. A site plan usually shows a building footprint, travel ways,
parking, drainage facilities, sanitary sewer lines, water lines, trails, lighting, and
landscaping. Such a plan of a site is a graphic representation of the arrangement of
buildings, parking, drives, landscaping and any other structures that is part of a
development project.

Exercise 3. Read the complete text and circle true or false, then correct the false ones.
e.g.
A floor plan is also called a site plan. T F
1.- A bird's-eye view is a view of an object from above. T F
2.- A floor plan should show: Interior walls and hallways. T F
3.- Floor plans will not include notes to specify finishes. T F
4.- Blueprint" is used to refer to any detailed plan. T F
5.- A site plan usually shows a building footprint, travel ways, parking T F
Exercise 4. Based on the reading make questions
1.- ( what)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..
2.- ( where)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..
3.- ( when)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..

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4.- (do)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..
5.- (does)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..
6.- (is)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..
7.- (are)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..
8.- ( is there)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..
9.- ( are there)
A.- ……………………………………………………………………………..
10.-( free)
Exercise5.- Answers the following questions.

Language focus
W-H QUESTIONS
What does a meter measure? It measures height width and length.
Who is your math professor? My math areas is Mr. Arias.
When are your English classes? They are on Monday and Friday.
Where do you study? I study at J.M.S,U.
Why do you study architect? Because, I like it.
How much sand do you use in a construction? I use a lot.
How many subjects do you have this semester? I have six subjects.
Which is your favorite building style? It is the colonial one.

VOCABULARY
Write a definition, translation or example sentence for the new words in the spaces
provided.

Add your own words to this list.

Word List Definition, translation or example

Forefront
surround
Environment
knowledge
Longevity,
scale
elevation
cross section
view
observer

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fireplaces
features
arrangement
appliances
axis
facilities
Cross section

UNIT 4
THE ORIGINS OF ARCHITECTURE

Exercise 1. According to the reading “The origins of architecture” put the names to the
next images.

God Temple

22
 THE ORIGINS OF ARCHITECTURE
1
The first habitations of man were undoubtedly those that nature afforded, such as
caves, or grottoes, which demanded little labor on his part to convert into shelters
against the fury of the elements although lost in the mist of antiquity, must have been
connected intimately with the endeavors of man to provide for his physical wants. It has
been truly said that protection from the inclemency of the seasons was the mother of
architecture. Man in his primitive savage state began to imitate the nests of birds and the
lairs of beasts, commencing with arbors of twigs covered with mud, then huts formed of
branches of trees and covered with turf. Others writers indicate three types of
primitive dwellings, the caves or rocks or those occupied in hunting or fishing, the hut,
for the agriculturist, and the tent for those such as shepherds leading a pastoral or
nomadic life.

2
As soon as man rose above the state of rude nature, he naturally began to build more
commodious habitations for him, and form of temple for his god. Such early forms are
given under the heading of Prehistoric Architecture. Early architecture had two main
functions: to consolidate security and power and to please the Gods.

3
According to the first materials, building materials can be divided into two main
groups: natural and man-made materials. Stone and timber are natural materials, used by
man since ancient times. Man-made materials include bricks, cement, concrete, steel,
glass, metal and more modern materials including plastic and synthetics.

4
Stone walls are one of the oldest construction methods known to mankind. The first
stone walls were made laying up stones without any mortar. With this method stones are
held together by gravity. These walls are usually larger at the base. In Ireland and north-
eastern UK countries this kind of wall was made by farmers to create fences. It was
quite a long and labor-intensive method, but with no costs. When cement appeared, the
first mortared stone walls were created, where cement paste fills the gaps between the
stones. The first cements were made using burnt gypsum or lime, mixed with water.

5
Concrete includes cement mixed with sand, gravel and water, which makes it resistant
to cracking. To make it even more resistant, steel reinforcing bars can be added.

Most stone walls today are made using this method, because it is fast and cheap.

Exercise 2. Write the base form of the verbs and identify them in the reading.

23
 IRREGULAR VERBS REGULAR VERB
Base form Past Meaning Base form Past Simple Meaning
Simple
went go ir evolve evolved desarrollar
…………… began …………… ……………… afforded ……………
…………… became …………… ……………… demanded ……………
…………… was …………… ……………… connected ……………
…………… were …………… ……………… covered ……………
built …………… ……………… formed ……………
given ……………… appeared ……………
said ……………… ……………
made ……………… ……………
……………… ……………
……………… ……………
……………… ……………

Exercise 3. Relate the dates.

1.- 200 years ago ------------- In nineteen eighty-two

2.- In 1982 ------------- In the nineteen seventies
3.- In the 20th Century -------1----- Two thousand years ago
4.- In the 1960s -------------- In the twentieth Century
Exercise 4. Make questions and answer them based on the chart.
e.g.
1. What is Franco´s job? A.- He is an architect.
2. What does he do every day? A.- He elaborates floor
plans.
3. What did he do last week? A.- He elaborated plans.

PERSON OCCUPATION ACTIVITIES EVERYDAY YESTERDAY/LAST

WEEK/MONTH/YE
AR
Franco Architect (elaborate) floor plans  

Nadia Designer (design) interior 

decorations

Mauricio Civil engineer (build) bridges 

Rolando and Foremen (work )  

Vladimir

Exercise 5. Complete the gaps by using the verbs in the past.

24
 * is *continue *use *is * begin *are *dominate
e.g.
The movement ….was… launches in 2007 with The Neo-Futuristic City Manifesto.
1.- The oldest architecture built of columns that is also…………………….. in the actuality.
2.-The movement in architecture…………………. in the United Kingdom.
3.-Postmodern Architectural …………………. to flourished through the 1990s.
4.- The style of best-known churches ……………………….. for hundreds of years.
5.- Neoclassical …………………….. a rejection of the Modernism
6.- Last year, a group of professionals …………….. in USA, I saw interesting
buildings.

Exercise 6. Find mistakes in the next sentences and correct

them
e.g.
Human naturally begin to build more commodious
habitations.
Began
1.- In the last construction, I use wood
material for the roof.
2.- Does you buy bricks, cement and sand yesterday?
3.- She were not a qualified person to work with us.
4.- Stone and timber is natural materials to buy shelters.
5.-Stone walls is one of the oldest construction known to
mankind.
6.- Last days you doesn’t worked at the construction, you are
fired.
7.- Did you know about architecture history?
8.- Do early architecture had two main functions to please the
Gods?
Exercise 7. Write the correct name of the tense.
e.g.
Sentences Tense
Sustainable architecture shouldn’t be an option Present
Planning is a balancing act between constructing modern communities
and conserving our natural and built heritage
The first stone walls were made laying up stones without any mortar.
Will bio-architecture change the way we live?
Human kind built their first house taking into account bird’s nest.
Eco- friendly houses reduce electric energy.

25
 A city must have urban places where people can enjoy surroundings.

Exercise 8. Copy and translate Simple Past sentences from the reading.
1.- …………………………………………………………………………….
2.-…………………………………………………………………………….
3.-…………………………………………………………………………….
4.- ……………………………………………………………………………
5.- ……………………………………………………………………………
Exercise 9. Read the text and write the number of the pharagraph wher the following
information is.
e.g.
Otros escritores indicant thres tipos de vivienda primitiva …...paragraph
1……
1.- Materiales hechos por el hombre utilizados desede la antiguedad
……………………
2.- Uso del cement
……………………
3.- La protección contra las inclemencias de la temporada
fue la madre de la arquitectura. ......................
……..
4.- Uso del concreto para hacer más resistente
…………………..
5.- De las funciones para consolidar la seguridad y poder,
y complacer a los dioses
………………….

Language Focus:

Study these sentences

Simple Past Tense
Verb to be
A substance is liquid. It was solid.
The burners are old. They were new
Action verbs
Most verbs form the past tense by adding d or ed to the simple form. These are called
regular verbs
e.g. design designed paint painted
Irregular verbs do not follow the same pattern in their changes of form. These are
called irregular verbs.
e.g. build built make made
Affirmative form

26
Civil engineers built two bridges last year.
Negative form
Did not = didn´t I / you / he / she /it we / they
e.g. The foremen didn´t work yesterday.
Interrogative form
Did I / you / he / she /it we / they
Did you study in public school in the secondary? Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t

VOCABULARY
Write a definition, translation or example sentence for the new words in the spaces
provided.
Add your own words to this list.

Word List Definition, translation or example

UNIT 5
WHAT STYLE IS YOUR HOUSE?

Activity 1. Based on the reading, choose the best title

1.Build your own house 2.Houses Styles
………………………………………………
Whether remodeling, adding on, or just giving
your home some extra curb appeal, knowing
the style of your house can help you develop a
successful plan. You’ll also gain a greater
appreciation of the way your house was
designed and built.
When you read this article, you will see the
most popular housing styles and types.
3.Modern houses facades
Using the original style of your house as a
starting point for an exterior makeover is
usually the best technique. You will keep in
mind that mixing styles can also energize a
design.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod homes are typically one story,
sometimes 1-1/2 stories, and feature a steep
roofline & multi-pane windows. This popular
style was built in the 1930s and often boasts

27
dormer windows for added space, light, and
ventilation. You will realize that your home is in
this style category if it features these elements.

Cottage Country / Loghouse

Homes in this category have a warm, storybook
character. If your home reflects a charming and
cozy style and is complete with steep roof
pitches, cross gables, and arched doors, you will
locate your house in the Cottage Country style
category.

Colonial
One of the most traditional styles in the United
States is the Colonial house. With two or three
stories, windows and a chimney are prominent
features, complete with a centered door. Does
your home feature these characteristics?

Modern Contemporary
Does your home’s architectural character
consist of modern materials? Does it feature a
post-and-beam structure with a flat or low-
pitched roof and is void of unnecessary detail?
If yes, you will fall under the most Modern
Contemporary Category.

Ranch
The ranch house is noted for its long, close-to-
the-ground profile, and minimal use of exterior
decoration. These houses have the most
modern ideas and styles to create a very
informal and casual living style. You will
recognize that your home is in this style
category if it features these elements.

Townhouse
Mostly found in urban areas, the row house, is
the most rustic townhouse, are typically two
stories or more with a traditional layout, side
hallways and minimal lawn space.

Traditional
If your home doesn’t adhere to one particular
genre, but instead possesses many features and
designs, you will appreciate your house in this
category. Traditional style homes combine
practicality and accessibility with a classic look.
Functionality is one distinguishing feature of
the traditional house as well as its simplistic
design.

28
Activity 2. Read the text again and mark the sentences true (T), false (F).If the sentence is
wrong correct the mistake.
e.g.
Knowing the style of your house can help you develop a successful plan. ….. T……

1. In this article, you will see the most ordinary housing styles and types. …………
-------------------------------------------------------------
2. Mixing styles never energize a design. …………
------------------------------------------------------------
3. The Cape Cod style was built in the 1930s. …………
------------------------------------------------------------
4. Cottage Country Homes have roof pitches, cross gables, and chimneys. …………
------------------------------------------------------------
5. The ranch house is noted for the minimal use of exterior decoration. …………
-----------------------------------------------------------
6. The row house is the most rustic townhouse. …………
-----------------------------------------------------------
Activity 3 . Circle the correct alternatives
e.g.
The architect will design / to design a colonial house.
1.He don´t/won´t buy the house.
2. Will/Does she buy a ranch house?
3.He will build/built a townhouse in an urban area.
4.My house will have/has gables.
5.This building will been/be one story.
6.The plan house doesn´t /won´t be ready for tomorrow.
Exercise 4 . Rewrite the sentences below, giving the correct tense.
e.g.

I think this project won't be successful (positive) 1. You will rent a ranch house (question)
I think this projet will be sucessfull -----------------------------------------------------

29
 .

2.Will you design the building´s plan?(positive)

-------------------------------------------------------------
3. That beam structure will be destroyed (negative)
-----------------------------------------------------

4. He won´t call the electrician (positive)

5.Tomas will buy an arched door (question)
--------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
__Activity 5. Based on the reading give characteristics for each
house style.

HOUSES
STYLES

COLONIAL
CAPE COD COTTAGE MODERN
COUNTRY CONTEMPORAN
-
Y
-
- -

RANCH TOWNHOUSE TRADITIONAL

-
- -

30
Exercise 7. Write the architectural style and then complete the characteristics with the
words from the box.
*Modernize *weight *Pantheon *glass *proportion *steed
*mythological *reinforced concrete * materials *perfection *verticality
*Colosseum *religious *ornamentation *decorative
Image Architectural style Characteristics
Neoclassical Influenced by Roman architectural ideas of
proportion and perfection.

The constructions allowed for _______

increasing the height and reducing
_______ of walls.

Some history´s most iconic buildings come

from the Greeks and Romans, from the
acropolis complex in Athens to the
___________ and __________ in Rome.

Urban planning was guided by _________

and __________beliefs, as the cultures
believed that the architecture was tangible
form of their faith.

It has an umbrella term for many different

styles and flourished after World War II.
Advances in _______, ________ and
__________ .
It continued to flourish through the 1990s,
with an increase in ______ and _____
elements.

It started for the need to _______ by

integrating new technologies. It uses eco-
sustainable ______ and high-tech
integrations.

31
Language Focus:
Read and analyze the following examples.

Simple future tense

To form the simple future tense we need an auxiliary.
Affirmative form
Will I/ you/he/she/it/we/you/they.
e.g.
You will work in any area of architecture.
Negative form
Will not =won´t I / you / he / she /it we / they
e.g. you will not build a house without a floor plan.
Iinterrogative form
Will I / you / he / she /it we / they
Will you be architect next year? Yes, I will. / No, I won’t.

VOCABULARY
Write a definition, translation or example sentence for the new words in the spaces
provided.
Add your own words to this list.

Word List Definition, translation or example

32
UNIT 6
MODERN ANDEAN ARCHITECTURE IN BOLIVIA: "CHOLETS"

Activity 1. Look at the pictures below and tick those that you have visited or that you
know something about. .

1. Tiahuanaco’s building 2. Church of Copacabana 3 . Chiquitania building

5. Moto Mendez’s House 6. Independence house

Activity 2. Make sentences with each picture

e.g.

33
 Tiahuanaco building is one of the most wonderful place.
1.-………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2.- …………………………………………………………………………………………………
3.- ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4.- ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5.- …………………………………………………………………………………………………

MODERN ANDEAN ARCHITECTURE IN BOLIVIA: "CHOLETS"

Given its rebellious reputation, it’s not altogether
surprising that this is the city that would birth a riotous
new Andean aesthetic that has captured the world’s
attention. Across the barren altiplano of El Alto – where
mud-colored matchbox buildings and rusted tin roofs
stretch as far as the eye can see – ornate, technicolor
buildings have begun to pop up, like gleaming candies
buried in a cluttered purse. Blending Andean motifs,
hundreds of LED lights, bold colors, and extravagantly
ornate interiors, these buildings represent an
architectural style that frankly wouldn’t look out of
place in some kind of acid future-folklore space
fantasy.
The style has been dubbed “Neo-Andino,” and it is the brainchild of Freddy Mamani, a man
the Washington Post has dubbed “the Aymara version of Michelangelo.”
Mamani said: “All of them are multi-story buildings. Since most of the people who have
requested my services are local tradespeople, they generally use the ground floor for
commercial purposes – stores, businesses, things like that. The first and second floors
usually house event/banquet halls. Above that, on the third through sixth or seventh floors, we
build apartments for rent, so that the owners of the buildings can recover their investment. On
the very top floor there are the “chalets” with grills and a terrace for the owners, they have
huge windows”.
Before cholets took over its streets, the city of El Alto in Bolivia wore a dusty and grim look, a
stance mirrored in the monotonous, unpainted brickwork of its buildings and even by its
residents. The native Andeans, or Aymara, are a people who have endured centuries of
socio-political marginalisation and are pejoratively referred to as “cholos”. And then Freddy
Mamani broke onto the scene. The Bolivian bricklayer-turned-civil engineer may not have a
formal degree in architecture, but he is reverentially referred to as an architect.
Mixing heritage with architecture
People have coined a neologism by combining the words chalet and chola (the colourful
local garbs and the women who wear them), a home designed in the cholets style is
distinguishable by the sheer frenzy of its vibrant colours, swirling patterns and symbolic
iconography.
The trapezoidal entrances, for example, are reminiscent of the
Incan temple on nearby Isla del Sol, as well as the stair-step

34
shape of the chakana cross has appeared in the designs of the windows, doors and chairs.
The spiral stairways pay homage to the wind and storms that characterize the highlands in
this part of the world; the curved lines signify water, a cherished and sacred commodity; and
the pitched roofs have called to mind the steep peaks of the Andes.
The symbolism is often interpreted as deeply religious. One report has compared the levels
of the cholets as representative of the three realms that the Aymaras believes in: Alaxpacha,
the world above; Akapacha, this world we inhabit; and Manqhapacha, the world below.
Mamani has contributed to the cityscape coincides with the emergence of an Aymara
bourgeoisie, who are both the landlords and end users of his cholets. The floor plan of the
technicolour towers have included a ground level, typically used as a garage, store room or
retail space; the main room, used as a hall for gatherings; a series of apartments for extended
family or perhaps tenants, and a rooftop penthouse for the owners.
Decor-wise, the dancehall is most representative of the cholet’s
exterior: wall-to-wall mirrors reflect the kaleidoscopic colours of
the floor and furniture; the lights are an outlandish mix of
chandeliers and tear lamps, and the double-height ceilings are
detailed with flowers, circles and other motifs. Like the
apartments, the hall is often rented out for events, a sustainable
financial cycle that helps owners pay off the loans for their
cholets.

Architecture is ‘the fabric of human life'

The extravagant colors – swirls of gaudy greens, fiery oranges and blinding yellows – are
homage to both the colourful local garbs, and the Andean people’s love for dancing – the city
celebrates about 250 festivals annually. The shades themselves have had interesting
meanings: yellow and red denote energy and the Sun god; violet stands for wisdom, and blue
represents the concept of infinity. The contrasting hues, too, are deliberate: The Aymara are
staunch believers in the symbiosis of opposites.
“The colourful cholets remind us that architecture is
contextual. The homes wouldn’t be more than a
kitschy surprise if they were built outside the
Andean region, but in their original cultural context,
they have become a tool for the expression of
people’s identity. In addition to the benefit of
increasing tourism, to me the biggest strength of
Mamani’s work is to send a new message,
something like: ‘Hey, look, we have been
marginalised for centuries, but now we are proud to
show the world who we really are’,” says Philippe
Grasset, founder of Grasset Interior Design and
Architecture.

35
Exercise 3 . Scramble the underlined words and then identify the information in the reading
above and translate them into Spanish

e.g. New Andean tecasihet that has captured the world’s attention.
Aesthetic
1. On the very top floor there are the ehlctas with grills, huge windows a terrace.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
2. Before the "cholets", the city of El Alto wore a dusty and grim look with unpainted
rcwkiobrk monotonous buildings.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
3. A home designed in the cholets yelts is distinguishable by the sheer frenzy of its vibrant
colours
4. The spiral twrasisya pay homage to the wind and storms that characterize the highlands
in this part of the world.
…………………………………………………………………………….………………….
5. The floor plan of the technicolour reotws have included a ground level.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
6. The aledahcnl is most representative of the cholet’s exterior.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
7. The double-height nelcisig are detailed with flowers, circles and other motifs.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
8. The buildings are characterized for its contrasting useh.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
9. wall-to-wall rismorr reflect the kaleidoscopic colours of the floor and furniture.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
10. The hasdes themselves have had interesting meanings
…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
Activity 4. Read the translations and find out the original text in the reading Modern
Andean Architecture in Bolivia: "Cholets" and highlight them. Then, rewrite them next to
their translations.

Translation Original text

Sobre el altiplano árido de El Alto – donde los
edificios parecían cajas de cerillas de color barro y
los techos de hojalata oxidados se extienden hasta
dondela vista alcanza – los edificios ornamentados
en tecnicolor han comenzado a aparecer.
Across the barren altiplano of El Alto –
where mud-colored matchbox buildings
and rusted tin roofs stretch as far as the
eye can see – ornate, technicolor
buildings have begun to pop up.

Antes de que los cholets se adueñaran de sus calles,

la ciudad de El Alto en Bolivia tenía un aspecto
polvoriento y sombrío, una postura reflejada en el
ladrillo monótono y sin pintar de sus edificios e 36
incluso para sus residentes.
 Las personas han acuñado un neologismo al combinar
las palabras chalet y chola (los coloridos atuendos
locales y las mujeres que los usan), una casa diseñada
en estilo cholets se distingue por el frenesí de sus
colores vibrantes, sus patrones arremolinados y su
iconografía simbólica.

Los tonos en sí mismos han tenido significados

interesantes: amarillo y rojo denotan energía y el dios
Sol; violeta significa sabiduría, y el azul representa el
concepto de infinito.

Mamani ha contribuido a que el paisaje urbano

coincida con el surgimiento de una burguesía aymara,
que son a la vez propietarios y usuarios finales de sus
cholets.

Language Focus:
Read and analyze the following examples.

Present Perfect Tense

We use present perfect tense for:
1. Actions which began in the past and continue now.
e.g. I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
2. Actions performed during a period of time that has not finished yet.
e.g. She has been  to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
3. Repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now.
e.g. We have visited Portugal several times.
4. Actions that happened when the time is not important, they have a result that is important
in the present.
e.g. He has read 'War and Peace'. (= the result of his reading is important)
Affirmative form
e.g.
e.g. New Andean aesthetic that has captured the world’s attention.

Negative form
e.g.
They haven’t captured the world’s attention.?
Interrogative form
e.g.
Have they captured the world’s attention? Yes, they have. No, they haven’t
37
VOCABULARY
Write a definition, translation or example sentence for the new words in the spaces
provided.
Add your own words to this list.

Word List Definition, translation or example

38
39