Номер B, страница 30 - гдз по английскому языку 11 класс учебник Комарова, Ларионова

Culture today ... - номер B, страница 30.

Условие.

B Now read about different types of houses around the world. For each different type, explain why this kind of house is used.

The Russian izba

Log houses (izby) dotted the Russian countryside for centuries. Even now, many peasants’ houses in Russia retain the spirit of izby and remain part of the cultural landscape.

The izby were primarily made of interlocking pine tree logs. The type of izba varied depending on the region, eg, in Central Russia, a fence enclosed the peasant’s house, the cattle-shed, haylofts and stables. In the North, however, because of its harsh climate, agricultural buildings were often joined under a single roof with the family’s living space.

The size of an izba depended on the wealth and size of the household. But however big or small it was, its most important part, the hearth, was the stove. It played the key role in peasants’ everyday life: it was used for heating as well as cooking; in winter peasants used to sleep on top of it to keep warm. The ‘red corner’, another important part of the izba, where the table and benches were placed and the icons were hung, was located diagonally across from the stove. At the long wooden family table, the head of the household took seat nearest the icons. The stove corner, in contrast, was for women – they cooked, spun and did other work there.

The decoration of the izba reflected the artistic taste and skill of the Russian peasants. The roof of the izba was often crowned with a beam (konyok) that was carved in the shape of a horse’s head. This signified that the animal was giving its life to the home so that the home could live. The most striking feature of an izba is the wood carvings that surrounded the windows and hung from the roof overhangs and transformed izby into remarkable works of folk art.

Fortunately, many original izby have been preserved and restored and are now regional open-air museums, one of the richest ensembles gracing the island of Kizhi on Lake Onega.

The mud hut

The Masai of Kenya are a semi-nomadic tribe. They live in an area of wild beauty. Their life involves caring for their cattle and looking after their family or tribe members. Although the Masai move around less now than they used to, they still build their houses in the old traditional way. They only use materials that they can find around them and their dwellings are not really permanent.

The small houses, which are only built by women, are circular buildings. They have a frame of wooden poles which are stuck together and made waterproof with mud, dung from their cattle, ash, sticks and urine. The houses are never more than three metres by five, and one and a half metres high. Everything happens in these small houses – the masai cook, eat, sleep and sometimes keep their animals in there. The houses are easy to build and provide a shelter. These houses are usually built as part of a group of other houses. A fence of thorny acacia trees protects the small Masai village and their cattle from the wild animals that roam around at night outside the enclosure.

The Mongolian ger

The Mongolian ger has been used for thousands of years by the nomads of Central Asia. Very similar to a yurt, the first written description of this dwelling was recorded by Herodotus, the ‘father of history’, who lived in Greece between 484 and 424 BC.

The traditional ger is a tent-like structure made from a wooden frame and felt walls. An outer layer covering the ger is made from waterproof canvas. The whole construction is easy to assemble, dismantle and carry. This feature is of essential importance, as nomadic herders move at least three or four times a year in the search for good grazing lands.

The ger is a comfortable place to live in both during severe winters and hot summers. Due to the opening in the centre of the roof, called the crown, fresh air circulates through the ger. The central wood-burning stove provides even distribution of heat in cold months. When it’s hot, the lower end of the soft covering is slightly raised.

The constructive principle of the ger has changed little since Genghis Khan’s times. Only a few elements were adapted to newly developed technology, such as carpentry. This made it possible to craft a wooden crown similar to a wheel in place of a simple piece of wood bent into a circle. Even more obvious are the use of a wooden door instead of a felt curtain, and of course the iron stove with a chimney in place of an open fire.

The unique design, structure and practical features make the ger the most common type of habitation in Mongolia. Surprisingly, as it might seem, almost half of the population of Ulan Bator still lives in gers.

Решение.

Решение 2.

Теперь прочитайте о различных типах домов по всему миру. Для каждого типа объясните, почему используется именно такой дом.

Ответ:

The Russian izba

Russian izbas are used because they are traditionally built from readily available pine logs. The most important part, the stove, plays a key role in heating and cooking, which is crucial for the harsh climate. In northern regions, agricultural buildings were often joined under a single roof with the living space to withstand the severe weather. Its decoration also reflects the artistic taste and skill of the Russian peasants.

Русские избы используются потому, что они традиционно строятся из легкодоступных сосновых бревен. Наиболее важная часть, печь, играет ключевую роль в отоплении и приготовлении пищи, что крайне важно для сурового климата. В северных регионах сельскохозяйственные постройки часто объединялись под одной крышей с жилым пространством, чтобы выдерживать суровую погоду. Их убранство также отражает художественный вкус и мастерство русских крестьян.

The Mud hut

Mud huts are used by the Masai of Kenya because they are built from materials found locally, such as wooden poles, mud, dung, ash, sticks, and urine, making them easy to construct. They are not permanent, which suits their semi-nomadic lifestyle, allowing them to provide shelter for their families and cattle. The circular design and group arrangement within thorny acacia fences also offer protection against wild animals.

Грязевые хижины используются масаями Кении потому, что они строятся из материалов, найденных на месте, таких как деревянные столбы, грязь, навоз, зола, палки и моча, что делает их легкими в постройке. Они не являются постоянными, что соответствует их полукочевому образу жизни, позволяя им предоставлять убежище для своих семей и скота. Круглый дизайн и групповое расположение внутри изгородей из колючих акаций также обеспечивают защиту от диких животных.

The Mongolian ger

Mongolian gers are used by nomadic herders because their tent-like structure is easy to assemble, dismantle, and carry, which is essential for moving three or four times a year in search of good grazing lands. Their unique design, including a wooden frame, felt walls, and waterproof canvas, provides a comfortable place to live in both severe winters and hot summers, with a central stove for warmth and a roof opening for air circulation.

Монгольские юрты используются кочевниками-скотоводами потому, что их палаточная конструкция легко собирается, разбирается и переносится, что крайне важно для перемещения три-четыре раза в год в поисках хороших пастбищ. Их уникальный дизайн, включающий деревянный каркас, войлочные стены и водонепроницаемый брезент, обеспечивает комфортное проживание как в суровые зимы, так и в жаркое лето, с центральной печью для тепла и отверстием в крыше для циркуляции воздуха.