QUESTION FOR ECV SPEAKING TEST

Unit 1: Surveying

1. What is surveying? What measurements are taken in surveying?

- Surveying means measuring and recording by mean of map – the
earth’s surface with the greatest degree of accuracy possible.
- The different kinds of measurement in a survey include distances,
elevations (height of features within the area), angles, boundaries (both
man-made and natural), and other physical characteristics of the site.
2. What is the difference between plane survey and geodetic survey?
There are two kinds of surveying: plane and geodetic
- Plane surveying is the measurement of the earth surface as though it
were plan (or flat) surface without curvature. Within square areas of
about 20 kilometers-meaning a square, the earth curvature does not
produce any significant errors in a plan survey.
- For larger areas, however, a geodetic survey, which takes into account
the curvature of the earth, must be made.
3. What is the difference between horizontal plane and vertical plane?
- Horizontal plane is perpendicular to the force of gravity.
- Vertical plane is in line with direction of gravity.
4. What is geological survey?
Geological survey is to determine underground conditions, such as types of
soil and rock beneath the surface.
5. What is equipment is used in surveying?
Transit and rod, theodolite, surveyor’s level, plumb bob, plane-table
alidade and chain are used in surveying.
6. Why is survey important in construction projects?
- Surveying is essential in construction projects because surveyors use
its measurements to determine precise boundaries and precise
elevations.
- Some engineering projects – highways, dams or tunnels, for example –
may require extensive surveying in order to determine the best and the
most economical location or route.
7. Can you describe a theodolite? How to level a device?
- Theodolite is a special telescopic instrument that gives more accurate
readings of an angle in the horizontal and vertical plane than the
transit. A modern theodolite consists of a movable telescope mounted
within two perpendicular axes : the horizontal axis and

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 the vertical axis. In addition to cross hairs, theodolites have markings
called stadia hairs.
- The instrument can be leveled when the bubble is in the middle of the
circle.
8. Can you name modern methods used in survey nowadays?
+ 3D laser scanners
+ Satellite positioning systems
+ GIS software
9. What is surveyor’s level?
Surveyor’s level is another kind of telescope with a bubble leveling device
parallel to the telescope. A bubble level, which is similar to carpenter’s
level, is a tube containing a fluid that has an air bubble in it. When the
bubble is centered in the middle of the tube, the device is level. Surveyor’s
level is used to determine heights, or elevations.
10. Can you describe the rod?
The rod is a rule with spaces marked at regular intervals. It is marked off
to show units of measure in large, clear numbers. The spaces between the
marks usually are alternately black and white in order to increase the
visibility.

Unit 2: Construction materials

1. Can you name some traditional construction materials? What are their
main advantages? What are some of their disadvantages?
- Timber, straw, bamboo, brick, stone, clay, natural paints, waxes and
varnishes are construction materials regarded as traditional.
- Advantages: they are non-toxic, easy to find, renewable, recyclable, eco-
friendly and cheaper than other materials.
- Disadvantages: some materials are easy to fire such as timber, wood.
They are less durable than other materials.
2. List some modern construction materials? How can you compare them
with traditional materials?
- Steel, cement, reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, PVC are
construction materials of modern times.
- They are more durable than traditional materials and suitable with
many kinds of construction. They are usually more expensive than
traditional materials.
3. What is cement? How is it produced?
Cement is a mixture of limestone and clay, which is heated and then
ground into a powder.

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 4. What is concrete? How is it made?
Concrete is a mixture of cement, aggregate, sand and water. It is the most
important material for masonry construction in modern times. It has great
strength under compression. Different proportions of the ingredients
produce concrete with different strength and weight.
5. What makes different kinds of concrete?
Different proportions of the ingredients produce concrete with different
strength and weight.
6. What is steel? When was it introduced?
Steel is an alloy or mixture of iron with a small amount of carbon or some
other substance that increases its strength. Steel has a great tensile
strength. It was introduced in the 19th century.
7. What can you say about the combination of concrete and steel?
Whereas steel has great tensile strength, concrete has great strength under
compression. Thus, the two substances complement each other.
8. What is the difference between reinforced concrete and pre-stressed
concrete?
- Reinforced concrete is a type of concrete with steel rods embedded in it
to increase its tensile strength and resistance to shearing forces.
- Pre-stressed concrete is a variety of reinforced concrete in which the
steel rods are pulled tight in advance before pouring concrete to give
the material the greatest strength possible.
9. Why is concrete use so widely in construction?
Because concrete is very versatile, it can be poured, pumped, or even
sprayed into all kinds of shape.
10. What kinds of material are people trying to create nowadays?
Nowadays, people are trying to create many kinds of new material that are
eco-friendly, cheap, versatile and easily renewable.

Unit 3: Bridges

1. What is a bridge? What are main parts of a bridge?

A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles without closing the
way underneath such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of
providing passage over the obstacle. A bridge includes span, deck,
abutment, and pier.
2. Why are bridges built?
They are built to to span physical obstacles without closing the way
underneath such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of
providing passage over the obstacle.

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3. What are some criteria for bridge classification?
The bridge classification depends on the material used to make it,
structure of it and construction technology.
4. How can we classify bridges by structure? What kind of bridge is Long
Bien Bridge? Thang Long Bridge? Chuong Duong Bridge? Nhat Tan Bridge
and Yen Hoa Bridge?
They are arch bridge, suspension bridge, cable-stayed bridge, truss bridge,
cantilever bridge, moveable bridge and swing bridge.
- Long Bien Bridge is a cantilever bridge.
- Thang Long Bridge is a truss bridge.
- Chuong Duong Bridge is a through truss bridge.
- Nhat Tan Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge.
- Yen Hoa Bridge is a beam bridge.
5. What difficulties do bridge engineers have to face in their career?
- The working conditions are complex, mainly working outdoors, so
much depends on weather conditions.
- When building bridges through dangerous places, safety conditions are
sometimes not guaranteed.
6. Can you describe a suspension bridge? How is it supported?
- A suspension bridge is made up of a series of cables held up by
suspension towers and an anchorage at either end.
- It is supported by cables that are usually hung from towers.
7. Can you describe a cable-stayed bridge? How is it support?
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge whose deck is directly supported from
pylon by straight cables without vertical suspenders.
8. What companies are great bridge builders in Vietnam?
The Vietnamese Transport Engineering Design Incorporated (TEDI)
Civil Engineering Construction Corporation No. 4 (CIENCO 4)
Bridge and Tunnel Engineering Consultants
9. Where are moveable bridges often built? How are many of them operated
nowadays?
- Moveable bridges are often built over rivers with a lot of boat traffic.
This style of bridge allows for any ship to pass through without danger
of striking the bridge.
- Nowadays, many of them are mechanically operated by electronics.
10. Why are different styles of bridges built and used?
Designs of bridges vary depending on the function of the
bridge,distance between two ends, the nature of the terrain where the

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 bridge is constructed and anchored, the material used to make it, and the
funds available to build it.

Unit 4: Highways

1. What are some different types of roads or streets in Vietnam?

They are national highways, provincial roads, district roads, rural or
hamletroads, urban streets and special roads for government officials.
2. What is a typical structure of a road?
A typical structure of a road includes roadbed, surface, shoulder,
lane, median, storm drain and pavement.
3. Can you list some common types of intersection? What’s the difference
between an interchange and intersection?
- Some common types of intersection: 4-way, continuous flow
intersection, at-grade intersections, box junction, grade-separated
interchange and T-junction.
- Intersection is the point where two or more streets or roads come
together
- Interchange is the point where two or more highways meet and
intersect.
4. What is a highway? What is the difference between a freeway and an
expressway?
- Highway is a large paved road connecting large cities, towns and
different parts of metropolitan areas.
- A freeway is a type of road designed for safer high-speed operation of
motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections
- An expressway is a divided highway for high-speed traffic with at least
partial control of access.
5. Can you name some big road builders in Vietnam? What do you know
about them?
- The Vietnamese Transport Engineering Design Incorporated (TEDI)
- Civil Engineering Construction Corporation No. 4 -Joint Stock Company
(CIENCO 4)
- The main activity of the company is to file the investment project for
construction of road traffic works; design of bridge and road traffic
works; construction supervision of traffic construction; quality
inspection of construction works.
6. What do you know about Hanoi – Lao Cai Expressway project?

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 - Hanoi – Lao Cai highway has a total investment of nearly $ 1.5 billion
cross over five provinces and cities including Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Phu
Tho, Yen Bai, Lao Cai. Hanoi – Lao Cai was built according to the
standard high street speed type A, designed to reach speeds up to 120
km / h. When put into operation will shorten the travel time from
Hanoi to Lao Cai from 7 hours to 3.5 hours.

- It is the longest expressway in Vietnam with 245 km length.

7. What are some advantages and disadvantages of highways?

- Advantages: drive with high speed,transport a lot of passengers,
shorten travel time.

- Disadvantages: large investments, high technical requirements,

concentrations of air pollutants near highways may be higher due to
increased traffic volumes.
8. What do you know about the highway transportation system in Vietnam?
It is estimated that Vietnam’s highway system now contains 90 roads with
the approximate length of 15,360km, connecting the North to the
South.Some of the most important highways are Highway 1A from Lang
Son- the top North- to Ca Mau- the end South, Highway 5A
from Hanoi to Hai Phong- a major Northern seaport, Highway 2
from Hanoi to Ha Giang and Highway 1B-the Ho Chi Minh road.
9. What are some weak points of the highway system in Vietnam? What can
be the solutions of the problems?
- The number of vehicles using the roads everyday often exceeds their
capacity.
- Traffic in Vietnam is quite messy and Vietnamese tend to breach the
rules when joining traffic, even on the highway.
- Considerable number of accidents occurring everyday.
10. How has the road system in Vietnam improved recently?
- Many routes have been upgraded.
- Planning highway network development.
- Vietnam is concentrating on constructing the North-South expressway
route, giving priority to expressways linking big cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi
Minh City, Da Nang) and routes to major seaports.

Unit 5: Railways

1. What is the railway?

It is a guided means of land transport,designed to be used by trains,for
transporting passenger and freight.

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2. What was the earliest evidence of a railway?
- The earliest evidence of a railway was a 6-kilometre wagon-way,which
transported boats across the Corinth isthmus in Greece during the 6 th
centuty B.C
3. How was a railway developed?
- By 1550, in Europe narrow gauge railways with wooden rails.
- In 1768, The first iron plate railway made with cast iron plates was
used
- In 1805, the cast iron is replaced by wrought iron.
- The 1000mm gauge is replaced by the 1435 mm gauge.
4. Can you describe the roadbed and track structure?
- Track consists of several components: the rail, the ties and attachment
to the ties that holds the rail in gauge, the roadbed and ballast that
supports the ties and absorbs noise and the sub-roadbed that provides
a rigid support structure for the roadbed
- The roadbed is a non-structural buffer between the rigid roadbed and
the track.
5. What made diesel locomotives cheaper and more powerful?
The improvements in internal combustion engine technology that made
diesel locomotives cheaper and more powerful.
6. What can you say about the development of railways in the world?
- The system of railways is expanded in the world and develops stronger:
 Gauge was replacing from type 1000mm to 1435 mm.
 Quality of railways are increasing too: wooden-iron plate- cast iron-
wrought iron.
 Fuel for engine changed: steam –diesel and electric locomotive.

7. What do you know about Vietnam Railways?

Vietnam Railways is the state-owned operator of the railway system
in Vietnam. The principal route is the 1,600 km (990 mi) single
track North-South Railway line, running between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
City. This was built at the metre gauge in the 1880s during the French
colonial rule. There are also standard gauge lines running from Hanoi to
the People’s Republic of China, eventually leading to Beijing, and
some mixed gauge in and around Hanoi.
8. What are advantages and disadvantages of traveling by rail?
- Advantages:
o Safety:

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 o Generally, it is quite cheap when compare with other
transportation
o Capacity of locomotives is pretty big.
o Transport a big mount of freight and passengers.
- Disadvantages:
o It involves much time booking and taking delivery of goods
o Lack of Flexibility: Its route and timing cannot be adjusted to
individual requirements.

9. What do you know about the Elevated Railway Project in Hanoi?

Started in 2011 with a total investment of 868 million USD, 300 million
USD more than initial estimates, the Hanoi elevated railway project is
expected to be completed by the end of 2016. However, only 74 percent of the
project has been completed since it broke ground in September 2010. Now it
has completed 13.05 km of tracks and prepared 13 trains. The line,
constructed by the China Railway Sixth Group Co, starts at Cat Linh Street in
Dong Da District and ends at Yen Nghia station in Ha Dong District.

10. In your opinion, what should be done to improve Vietnam Railway system?

- We should improve the speed of the train

- Invest heavily for railways, construction modern railway system.

Unit 6: Tunnels

1. What is a tunnel? Where are often tunnels built?

A tunnel is an underground passageway, dug through the surrounding
soil/earth/rock and enclosed except for entrance and exit, commonly at
each end. Tunnels are used for mining, as passageways for trains and
motor vehicles, for diverting rivers around dam sites, for housing
underground installations such as power plants and for conducting water.
2. Can you list some famous tunnels in the world and Vietnam? What do you
know about them?
- Some famous tunnels in the world:Seikai tunnel (Japan), Gotthard Base
Tunnel (Switzerland), ChannelTunnel (France), Laerdal Tunnel (West
Norway).
- Some famous tunnels in the Vietnam:Thủ ThiêmTunnel, Hai Vantunnel,
Cu Chi Tunnel
3. What tunneling techniques are widely used nowadays?

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 Cut-and-cover, New Austrian Tunneling Method, pipe-jacking and
underwater tunnels are tunneling techniques that are widely used
nowadays.
4. What methods of excavation are used for tunneling?
In tunnel construction, we differentiate between two excavation
methods: blasting and mechanized-tunneling using tunnel boring
machines. The choice of excavation method depends on various factors –
e.g. route length, nature of the rock mass, economic framework conditions
and planned construction period.
5. Can you describe cut and cover tunneling?
Cut-and-cover is a simple method of construction for shallow
tunnels where a trench is excavated and roofed over. A strong overhead
support system is required to carry the load of the covering material. Two
basic forms of cut-and-cover tunneling are available: bottom-up method
and top-down method.
6. Describe the New Austrian Tunneling method.
This method is to use the geological stress of the surrounding rock
mass to stabilize the tunnel itself.Based on geotechnical measurement,an
optimalcross-section is computed. The excavation is immediately
protected by thin concrete,just behind the excavation.Thiscreates a natural
load-bearing ring,which minimizes the rock’s deformation.
7. What method of tunneling is used for underwater structure?

It is underwater tunnel.They immersed tube units and then connect them

together, this method was used to built in Thu Thiem tunnel.

8. What do you know about Hai Van tunnel?

- The Hai Van Tunnel, the longest tunnel in Southeast Asia at 6.28 km
(3.90 mi), lies on Highway 1 between the two cities of Da
Nang and Hue in central Vietnam.
- New Austrian tunneling method (NATM) was applied in the
construction.
9. What do you know about Thu Thiem tunnel?
The Thu Thiem Tunnel is an underwater tunnel that opened on
November 20, 2011. It runs underneath the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh
City, the largest city of Vietnam. The tunnel was built with capital
from JCIA's ODA, in conjunction with a consortium of Japanese contractors.
The tunnel connects the existing urban center of Ho Chi Minh City
with Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2. The Thu Thiem Tunnel is
part of the East-West Highway.

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10. What does the method of excavation depend on? Can you give some
examples?
- The choice of excavation method depends on various factors – e.g.
route length, nature of the rock mass, economic framework conditions
and planned construction period.
- Cut and cover is a simple construction method for shallow tunnels
with wide cross sections; Drilling and blasting are applied to hard
rock or mountainous areas.

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