Construction materials

Builder’s Choice is the #1 source for materials, including ...Mix your own concrete with our sand, gravel, and cement, or choose our ready-mixed concrete. We’ll even deliver it to your site!

Low-maintenance bricks resist weather and fire. Unlike many contemporary styles, traditional bricks have a timeless, classic appearance.

Granite, marble, slate — we have it all! Construct durable floors and walls. Enhance your architectural features with decorative stone.

Our steel I-beams are 98% iron and 2% carbon. They’re built to last! Our rods of rebar come in 20, 40, and 60 feet. We also provide custom cuts.

Cements & Aggregates

Bricks & Mortar

Natural & Manufactured stone

Metal beams & Bars

Choose the correct answers1. What is the purpose of the webpage?

A to list available building materials from a companyВ to recommend building materials for particular projects С to advertise sale prices for building materials D to describe manufacturing processes for building materials

2. According to the webpage, which of the following is NOT true of bricks?A They are fire resistantВ They have a contemporary appearanceС They require little maintenanceD They withstand bad weather

3. What service does the webpage offer?A delivering I-beams to construction sites В constructing brick buildings С installing stone floors and walls D making custom-length rebar

Match the words (1-8) with the definitions (A-H)

1 . Iron2 . Steel3 . Metal

4 . Rebar5 . Sand6 . Concrete

7. Cement8. Mortar

A metal pieces that builders put in concrete to make it strongerВ a material composed of iron and carbonС a mixture of water, sand, and lime that helps bricks stay togetherD a grainy substance composed of tiny rock particlesE a powder made up of sand and gravelF a material used to make steelG a hard substance made with aggregate and cementH a hard, shiny, malleable material

Look at these examples and compare the properties of construction materials

A man can bend a rubber tile but not a concrete tile.Rubber is ______ but concrete is ______.

Wood can burn but concrete cannot burn.Wood is _______ but concrete is _______.

Water vapor can pass through stone but not through bitumen.Stone is _______ but bitumen is _______.

You can see through glass but not through wood.Glass is _______ but wood is _______.

Choose the sentence that uses the underlined part correctly

1.A. To make concrete, the builders use differenttypes of metal.В. The second floor is supported by I-beams.

2.A. Rebar is often used for decoration.В. Aggregate is a mixture of sand, gravel, and broken stones.

3.A. They made the floor with a stone called granite. В. Steel is a very unstable material.

4.A. Sand is mostly made up of iron.В. Fire does not destroy walls made of bricks.

Listen to a conversation between a building supplier and a client. Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F)

1. The woman’s desired building materials are available right away.

2.The man offers a special price for delivery.

3.The woman purchases bricks and mortar.

Complete the dialogueSupplier: Thanks for calling Builder’s Choice. Thisis Tim. How can I __________?

Client: Hi. I was wondering if you carry bricks?

Supplier: Yes. They’re seventy-five cents per __________.

Client: I’ll need about two thousand square feet. Could you fill __________ today?

Supplier: Certainly. And we can deliver it __________.

Client: Great. How much is your rapid-set __________?

Supplier: It’s $15 for a 60-pound bag. Would you like me to start the order?

Client: I’m just __________ for now. I might call again this afternoon.

Speaking

With a partner, act out the roles below. Then, switch roles.

Student A: You are a building supplier. Talk to Student В about:

• materials that he or she needs• how much the materials cost• other services you offer

Student B: You are a client. Talk to Student A about materials you need for a project.