Stone

Stone In geology, **rock** or **stone** is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids. I am familiar as three types of stones, granite, marble, diamond in the world auqnue many more types of stone. The stones are a hard material, which can have different sizes, shapes , thickness. It depends on the stone and the amount will be more fragile or more resistant Stone has many advantages for use in construction. When structures are built correctly (providing a foundation for the structure; drainage if necessary; mortar between stone, etc) stone structures can have long lifetimes. Some roads, particularly those in historical districts, were paved with different types of stone or brick and are still intact. Also many historical buildings, such as the Washington Monument have proven resilient against natural weathering and damage--although maintenance has been necessary throughout the monument's lifetime due to the effects of acidity in rain on marble.
 * ** **  What are stones?  **  **
 * ** How many kinds of stone do you know? **
 * ** What characteristics do stones have? **
 * ** Why are stones used in construction? **

 Read the text **Stones** and look for the following information [|stones.pdf] 1. In most areas where stone is available, it has been favoured over other materials for the construction of monumental architecture. Its advantages are durability, adaptability to sculptural treatment, and the fact that it can be used in modest structures in its natural state. But it is difficult to quarry, transport, and cut, and its weakness is tension limits its use for beams, lintels, and floor supports. >>> 2. Many stones are strong enough to provide monolithic supports >>> (column and piers) and beams (lintels); and in some styles stone slabs >>> are employed even for roofing. >>>
 * ** Find 2 definitions in the text **
 * 1) 1. The strongest and most suitable stonework for monumental architecture is ashlar masonry, which consists of regularly cut blocks (usually rectangular).
 * 2) 2. The entablatures (the upper sections of a classical order that rest on the capital of a column).
 * ** Find 2 statements of comparison and contrast **
 * ** Find 2 statements of comparison and contrast **
 * ** Find 2 statements expressing cause and effect **
 * 1) 1. The entablatures (the upper sections of a classical order that rest on the capital of a column) of an ancient Greek temple, for example, were bonded by small bronze dowels. But the weight creates problems of stability when loads push at an angle; stone vaults and arches require more support and buttressing than equivalent forms in other materials.
 * 2) 2. The best stone (and brick) bonding is that in which blocks are placed so that the vertical joints in one course are not about the joints in the course above and below, since the stone resists deformation better than any bonding material.
 * ** Find 2 adjectives in the superlative form and 2 in the comparative form. **
 * 1) 1. The strongest and most suitable stonework for monumental architecture is ashlar masonry. (Superlative)
 * 2) 2. Since the stone resists deformation better than any bonding material.(Comparative)
 * 3) 3. Although it has generally been replaced as a structural material by cheaper and more efficient manufactured products.(Comparative)
 * 4) 4. The simplest and cheapest stonework is rubble.(Superlative)