Real-Life Communication
Geological engineers need to read reports on various rock formations
and deposits found in certain areas. They use this information to determine
the make-up of different geological zones. "I personally think it's important
that geological engineers have good communication skills," says geological
engineer Ken Simonar.
You've been asked to figure out where to build
a road up to an emerald mine. It's up to you to find out how the road can
best be placed. As a geological engineer, you're fascinated by the subject
and decide to read up a bit more about emeralds.
Read the following
passage about the dazzling jewel. Then test your comprehension by answering
the questions that follow.
Emeralds
Emeralds have been
known as gems for a very long time. They've been found with mummies in Egyptian
tombs. Numerous mine shafts were discovered during the last century inland
from the Red Sea coast of Egypt at Zabara, south of Koseir, which has produced
emeralds from about 2000 BC.
The origin of the word emerald isn't known.
Aristotle's De Petris gives us information about the healing power of zabargad,
or zumurrud, as an antidote for poisons and preventing children from falling.
These Arabic names can easily be recognized as derivations from the Greek
word smaragdos, which means green. Zumurrud is also the name of one of the
principal female characters from the Arabian Nights.
Emeralds are as
valuable as ever, ranking as highly as rubies. The jewel room at Vienna has
a 2,205-carat emerald, and a Russian crystal that is 4.7 by 9.8 inches in
length.
Although emeralds are valuable, they're being manufactured
synthetically, which means that many kinds of imitations are now available
on the market.
Questions
- Where have ancient emerald mines been discovered?
- What ailments does Aristotle say can be cured by zumurrud?
- What is the Greek word for green?
- Why are so many imitation emeralds available now?