Билет № 6

From the history of the building of the houses

The first houses were merely shelters for the purpose of protecting their owners from weather and therefore were very simple – a roof to keep off the rain, and walls to keep out the wind. In the beginning there were no windows. A little later each house had its fireplace and a masonry chimney. For many years, even centuries, houses were built without any conveniences. There was no water supply, no heating system, no electric light. Very gradually a change came about, especially in cities. First, there was running water in kitchen, then hot water and later fully equipped bathrooms. The latest thing is air conditioning. To the work of the carpenter, the mason, the plasterer and the roofer, the work of the so-called mechanical trades has been added: the plumbers, the electricians, and others. Lines of heating, water drainage pipes and air ducts run through our houses nowadays.

1. shelter – укрытие

2. masonry chimney – дымоход

3. conveniences – удобства

4. carpenter – плотник

5. mason – каменщик

6. plasterer – штукатур

7. roofer – кровельщик

8. mechanical trades – технические профессии

9. plumbers – сантехники

10. lines of heating, water drainage pipes and air ducts – системы центрального отопления, канализации и вентиляции

Answer the following questions:

1.What did the first houses look like? 2. What conveniences did the first houses have? 3. What technical professions are enumerated in the text? 4. What mechanical trades are enumerated in the text?