2 Lesson 2 Geography

2.1 Words and word combinations to the text

distribution - распределение to investigate - исследовать to analyse - анализировать approach - подход

phenomenon (pl. phenomena) – феномен, явление particular - конкретный

association - сообщность distinctive - отличительный similar – схожий

geomorphology – геоморфология climatology – климатология oceanology – океанология

to treat - рассматривать movement - движение manufacturing - производство commercial - торговый

to emphasize – подчеркивать sovereignty - суверенитет

to subdivide - подразделять

2.2 Find Russian equivalents to the following word combinations

2.3 Read and translate these words and word combinations

to distribute – distribution; to investigate – investigation; to associate – association;

to subdivide – subdivision; similar – similarity – similarities;

agriculture – agricultural – agricultural characteristics;

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separate – separately;

2.4 Read and translate the text

Geography - A Study of the Earth and What It Holds

The distribution of things on the face of the earth can be investigated and analysed in either of two ways. One approach is called topical geography, or sometimes systematic geography. This approach involves the investigation and analysis of such phenomenon as the earth's landforms, its climate, its political divisions, or its agricultural characteristics.

The other approach is called regional geography. It focuses attention upon a particular area or region. Within the region it investigates the distribution and association of elements which give the region its distinctive character.

Subdivisions of topical geography

Topical geography may by focused on physical or human phenomena. Analysis of the distribution of landforms, climates, water, soils, minerals, and similar factors is called physical geography. The principal branches of physical geography are geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, oceanology and soil geography. Certain aspects of physical geography, in turn, are sometimes studied separately. These include the plant geography, animal geography, geography of minerals and other aspects. The speciality which treat the form, size, and movements of the earth is called mathematical geography. Human geography analyses the distribution of human phenomenon. Economic geography includes such specialities as the geography of manufacturing, transportation geography, commercial geography. Political geography emphasizes the pattern of the earth's political sovereignties. A specialized field of topical geography known as urban geography, is devoted to analysing of the distribution of cities and things within them. Cartography takes a special place among geographic studies.

Subdivisions of regional geography

In regional geography analysis is concentrated on associations which give the character to a particular area. The area may be continental in size, or it may by subdivided into units such as countries, states and counties. Subdivisions of the world that are made on the basis of similarities of human life provide culture regions. Subdivisions on the basis of similarities of natural conditions provide physical regions. Thus, there are a geography of North America, a geography of United States, a geography of California, and a geography of Boston.

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2.5 Say whether the following statements are true or false. Use the following: that's right; nothing of the kind; I don't agree; I think that's exactly so; that's true; that's not right.

1.Topical geography may be focused on physical or human phenomena.

2.One of the geographic branches is climatology.

3.The speciality which treat the form, size and movements of the earth is called urban geography.

4.Political geography emphasizes the pattern of the earth's political sovereignties.

5.Subdivisions on the basis of similarities of natural conditions provide culture regions.

2.6Find the right definition for the following concepts

a. Political geography Отрасль географии, изучающая природные явления и

объекты земной поверхности.

Учение о месте, эволюции, структуре и классификации городских поселений и городов.

2.7 Translate into English

География - наука, предметом изучения которой является описание форм и физических особенностей земли, ее природных и политических градаций, а также климата, общественного производства, населения и т.д. разных стран.

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2.8 Answer the following questions

What does topical (regional) geography investigate? What is called physical geography?

What aspects of physical geography are studied separately? What can you say about mathematical geography?

What does human (economic, political, urban) geography deal with? How is regional geography subdivided?

2.9Retell the text “Geography”

2.10Text for written translation

One of the central problems in human geography is to explain the distribution and characteristics of people – this is the province of population geography. Population geography examines particularly the distribution of population in relation to its various characteristics, such as growth, number, density, age, sex, fertility, mortality, natural increase, and occupations, divisions into rural and urban, ethnic, linguistic, or religious groupings; and migrations. Some geographic studies are concerned mainly with spatial distribution, spatial mobility, or spatial diversity in relationship to environment or resources, all of which are often depicted on maps. Other studies are more concerned with fertility, mortality, population growth, and forecasting through the use of demographic models.

Interest in population geography in the second half of the 20 th century has been heightened by the sharp and growing contrast between economically developed countries (which have long experienced a demographic transition from high to low birth and death rates and thus to low rates of population increase) and the less – developed countries (in which death rates have declined dramatically but birth rates have remained high, resulting in rapid population growth that has posed extremely difficult problems). The emphasis in population geography has shifted to effect how much less people are bound to the land as a result of transformation in agriculture, increased industrialization, improved transportation and trade, changes in sources and forms of energy, urbanization and the expansion of service industries.

2.11 Make up all possible types of questions to the text 2.10

During a geography lesson the teacher is speaking to his pupils about the points of compass. He tells them that when they are facing the north, the south is behind them, while the east is on their right hand and the west on their left hand. Just then he sees that one of the boys, named Bobby, is not listening. He calls to him: "Bobby, stand up and tell me what's on your left hand?" Bobby stands up and says: "Please, sir, there's some ink on it, and I can't get it off."

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