Text 15. Asian architecture

Indian and Islamic architecture.

Words and word combinations:

Indian architecture – индийская архитектура;

Buddhism - Буддизм;

monasteries – монастыри;

Buddha – Будда;

solid rock – цельная скала;

Hinduism – Индуизм;

sculptured columns – скульптурные колонны;

carved exteriors – гравированная поверхность;

open porches – открытые галереи;

spires – 1) шпиль; 2) остроконечная верхушка;

a mosque – мечеть;

colonnades – колоннада;

arcades – 1) аркада; 2) сводчатая галерея;

minarets – минареты;

tiles, and stucco – плитка и штукатурный гипс.

Indian architecture had developed by the 200’s B.C. The first great influence on Indian architecture was Buddhism, a major religion in India. Buddhism inspired the building of the temples called chaityas, monasteries, and stupas. A stupa is a dome – shaped monument that houses relics of Buddha, who founded the religion in the 500’s B.C. Many of the temples were carved from solid rock.

Hinduism and Islamic also influenced Indian architecture. Hindu temples have rows of sculptured columns and richly carved exteriors, open porches, and spires. The Muslims conquered India during the 1500’s and introduced their style of architecture. The outstanding Islamic buildings in India is the beautiful Taj Mahal (about 1630 - 1650) in Agra. Angkor Wat (1100’s), a group of temples in Cambodia, shows the Hindu influence on architecture outside India.

Islamic architecture. The most important Islamic building is the house of worship called a mosque. The styles of mosques vary among Islamic countries, but most mosques have a large courtyard surrounded by colonnades or arcades. A colonnade is a row of columns, and an arcade is a row of arches built on columns. The mosque walls consist of colored brick, tiles, and stucco. Domes top many mosques also have one or more towers known as minarets.

In addition to mosques, Muslim architects have designed palaces, tombs, and religious schools.

Exercises:

1.Give Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

the first great influence; a major religion in India; the temples called chaityas; were carved from solid rock; Hindu temples; rows of sculptured columns and richly carved exteriors, open porches, and spires; were carved from solid rock; the outstanding Islamic buildings in India; vary among Islamic countries; the mosque walls consist of colored brick.

2.Say if the following sentences are true or false:

1. Indian architecture had developed by the 600’s B.C.

2. Many of the temples weren’t carved from solid rock.

3. Hinduism and Islamic also influenced Indian architecture.

4. The Muslims didn’t conquer India during the 1500’s and introduced their style of architecture.

5. The most important Islamic building is the house of worship called a mosque.

6. The mosque walls consist of colored brick, tiles, and stucco. Domes top many mosques also have one or more towers known as minarets.

3. Insert missing words, use the text’s vocabulary:

1. A stupa is a … monument that houses relics of Buddha, who founded the religion in the 500’s B.C. 2. Hindu temples have … of sculptured columns and richly … exteriors, open …, and spires. 3. The outstanding Islamic buildings in India is the beautiful … (about 1630 - 1650) in Agra. 4. A … is a row of columns, and an … is a row of arches built on columns. 5. Domes top many mosques also have one or more towers known as….

4. Translate these sentences into Russian:

1. The first great influence on Indian architecture was Buddhism, a major religion in India.2. Buddhism inspired the building of the temples called chaityas, monasteries, and stupas.3. A stupa is a dome – shaped monument that houses relics of Buddha, who founded the religion in the 500’s B.C.4. Many of the temples were carved from solid rock.5. The most important Islamic building is the house of worship called a mosque.

5. Retell the text.

Text 16. Pre-Columbian architecture..

Words and word combinations:

Pre-Columbian architecture – Преколумбийская архитектура;

flourished – завитой;

a huge empire – огромная империя;

a religious purpose – религиозные цели;

fortresses – крепость;

adobe – 1) кирпич воздушной сушки, необожженный кирпич, саман;2) саманная или глинобитная постройка;

timber – 1) лесоматериалы; строевой лес. 2) бревно, брус, балка;

religious ceremonies – религиозные церемонии;

kivas – круглые комнаты;

underground – подземлей.

Pre-Columbian architecture. The Aztec, Toltec, Maya, and Inca developed the most important American Indian cultures in what is now Latin America. The Aztec and Toltec flourished in central Mexico. The Maya lived in Mexico and Central America, and the Inca built a huge empire in western South America. Nearly all the surviving Aztec, Toltec, and Maya structures had a religious purpose. The most impressive of these structures were stone pyramids topped by small temples. The pyramids were part of ceremonial centers that also included altars, palaces, and plazas. The Inca built large temples, fortresses, and public buildings on mountainsides. The ruins of one of their best-known cities, Machu Picchu, lie in the Andes Mountains about 8000 feet (2400 meters) above sea level. A number of Indian cultures developed in North-America. The Cliff Dwellers of what is now the South-western United States created the most significant architecture. Their architecture consisted primarily of housing. The buildings rose next to cliffs like apartment houses. The Indians built their cliff dwellings of stone, adobe, or timber. Religious ceremonies were held in circular chambers called kivas. Most kivas were constructed underground.

Exercises:

1.Give Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

the most important American Indian cultures; a huge empire in western South America; stone pyramids; the pyramids were part of ceremonial centers; the most significant architecture.

2.Give English equivalents of the following phrases:

являющаяся сейчас Латинской Америкой; Майя жили в Мексике и центральной Америке, почти все сохранившиеся, самые впечатляющие из этих строений, здания поднимались рядом со скалами, религиозные церемонии.

3. Insert missing words, use the text’s vocabulary:

1. The Aztec, Toltec, Maya, and Inca … the most important American Indian … in what is now Latin America.2. The Aztec and Toltec … in central Mexico. 3. The … were part of ceremonial centers that also included altars, palaces, and plazas.4. A number of Indian … developed in North-America.5. Their … consisted primarily of housing.6. The Indians built their … dwellings of stone, adobe, or timber.7. Religious … were held in circular chambers called kivas. 8. Most … were constructed underground.

4. Translate these sentences into Russian:

1. The Maya lived in Mexico and Central America, and the Inca built a huge empire in western South America. 2. Nearly all the surviving Aztec, Toltec, and Maya structures had a religious purpose. 3. The most impressive of these structures were stone pyramids topped by small temples.4. The Inca built large temples, fortresses, and public buildings on mountainsides. 5.The ruins of one of their best-known cities, Machu Picchu, lie in the Andes Mountains about 8000 feet (2400 meters) above sea level.

5. Retell the text.