‘Building tools’ Text 1. Tools and their uses

Match the following words and translations.

Imagine that you have two pieces of wood and some tools in your hands. How many different ways of joining them together can you think of? Before you read any further, spend a few moments trying to answer this question. There are, in fact, many possible ways. Here are six.

Way 1. The simplest method of all is probably to take some string and tie one piece of wood to the other. This method will probably not keep the two pieces together for very long.

Way 2. Another simple way is to take some wood glue and put it on both pieces of wood. You will have to press the two pieces together very hard if you are lucky your two pieces will stick together.

Way 3. Another way is to use nails. You’ll need a hammer. Then band the nails into the wood. The nails must not be too big or they will crack the wood. And they must not be too small or the wood will not stay together.

Way 4. If you want to use screws to put two pieces of wood together, you first have to drill a hole through one of the pieces. You also have to start a hole in the second piece of wood. Then put the screw through the first hole and use the screwdriver to screw it in until it is tightly in the second piece of wood. Using screws is usually a very strong way of joining two pieces of wood.

Way 5. Instead of using screws you could use a nut and bolt. This time you have to drill a hole through both pieces of wood. Then you push the bolt through the holes and tighten a nut onto the end of the bolt using a spanner.

Way 6. The most complicated way of joining two pieces of wood together is to make a joint. To do this you need a saw. There are many different types of joints, but the basic idea is to cut a shape in one piece of wood and to saw out a matching piece in the other piece of wood. Then you fit the two pieces together and stick them with the glue.