Building with Concrete vs. Wood - Which is Safer? | By Civil Mentors

 🎧 Listen (for comprehension): Source 👉 Building with Concrete vs. Wood - Which is Safer?

👄Read aloud (repeat after audio):

Wood and concrete have been used in construction for thousands of years and for a good reason. Both materials have properties that make them appealing building materials. In this video, we will tackle the age-old debate between wood and concrete. But before we dive headfirst into this heated debate, there are a few considerations you need to keep in mind. As professionals in construction, we know that you can look at this question from various perspectives, which ultimately affects your interpretation of the advantages and disadvantages listed below. We also recognize the distinction between immediate advantages and long-term benefits. In other words, the benefits that material provides in the long term may outweigh the drawbacks you experience today. Therefore, you should keep your own priorities in mind as you watch this video. 

According to a study, concrete is the second most used material after water, and there are lots of reasons why it is so popular. Still, there are advantages and disadvantages to using concrete as a building material: 

On the other hand, when we think of wood we often imagine a natural, sustainable, and environmentally friendly building material. And in many ways, it is. Wood stores carbon dioxide, which results in a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2432 metric tons (equal to taking 500 cars off the road for a year). It is inexpensive, light, and easy to work with. A natural resource (readily available, presenting promising opportunities). 

On the other hand, concrete is often criticized for being unsustainable as it takes a lot of resources to produce. Cement, a main component of concrete is one of the world's biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Many people assume that because cement production is bad for the environment, so is concrete production. But the truth is far more complicated than that. Let's take a closer look. Concrete is durable - its lifespan is actually two or three times longer than other common building materials. Concrete is great at absorbing and retaining heat, which means it will increase the energy efficiency of a building and reduce HVAC expenses. Its reflective properties will decrease air conditioning costs in the hot summer months. Concrete produces little waste as it can be produced in batches specific to project needs. 

So now the question is which is safer concrete or wood? 

Last but not least, there's safety. In general wooden structures are not as safe as concrete buildings. Wood is vulnerable to external threats like fire, wind, insects, and moisture. All of which can result in structural damage and safety risk. While concrete is a durable, strong material, it too poses some safety risks. For example, if a concrete structure collapsed, either at a jobsite or once the building is occupied, falling concrete could seriously injure anyone who is nearby. Also, if you are a builder working with dry or wet concrete, you may experience irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, or skin. Furthermore, exposure to silica, a made ingredient in dry concrete, can even cause far more serious health issues, including lung cancer. Now that you know everything about building with concrete and wood, which one would you choose?

🗪 Discussion (create fun & interesting role-play): 

1. Warm-Up Questions:
2. Comprehension Questions:
3. More Discussion Questions:

✍ Vocabulary Review (find the word in the text that is suitable to each below description): 

1. attractive or interesting
2. to try to deal with something or someone
3. (a) serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part
4. the act of thinking about something carefully
5. a particular way of considering something
6. finally, after a series of things have happened
7. an explanation or opinion of what something means
8. a difference between two similar things
9. to be greater or more important than something else
10. a disadvantage or the negative part of a situation
11. something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things
12. able to continue over a period of time
13. the act of making something, or of something becoming, smaller in size, amount, degree, importance, etc.:
14. the act of sending out gas, heat, light, etc.
15. to express disapproval of someone or something
16. to accept something to be true without question or proof
17. involving a lot of different parts, in a way that is difficult to understand
18. the length of time for which a person, animal, or thing exists
19. to keep or continue to have something
20. the good use of time and energy in a way that does not waste any
21. able to send back light, hear, energy, or sound from a surface
22. a group of things that are dealt with or produced at the same time
23. able to be easily physically or mentally hurt, influenced, or attacked
24. to cause something, especially a problem or difficulty
25. (of a structure) fall down or in; give way.
26. (of a building, seat, etc.) being used by someone.
27. a painful or sore feeling in a part of the body
28. The state of being exposed to contact with something.

🗣Speak (paraphrase/ retell)