Ex. II. Which country does each extract refer to? (the usa, Great Britain, or Ukraine)

1. Its climate is moderate. Winter is rather mild with no severe frosts but with snowfalls everywhere except its southern part. The rivers and lakes freeze in winter. Summer is hot and dry with occasional rains and thunderstorms.

2. The climate of this country is mild. The summers are cool and rainy. July is the warmest month. The average July temperature in the south-east is 17^oC, and in the north-west 14^oC. There is much rain and fog in autumn and in winter. The average January temperature is about 5^oC above zero. But of course, the climate is different in different parts of the country.

3. Virtually every type of climate can be found somewhere in this country — from arctic to subtropical. Most of the country has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.

Ex. III. Read the following text and do the exercises below: About Ukraine

Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Ukraine each year. They come for business, on academic and cultural exchanges, to provide expertise, to visit relatives.

Those who discover Ukraine for the first time are impressed by the richness of culture, the beauty of the cities and countryside, and especially by the warmth and hospitality of the Ukrainian people.

The name “Ukraine” was first mentioned in the chronicles of the early 12^th century. Kyivan Rus’ was situated there, whose land became the cradle of three nations: Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians.

Now the territory of Ukraine stretches for more than 1,316 kilometres from east to west and almost 893 kilometres from north to south. With the territory of 603.7 thousand square kilometres, Ukraine surpasses France to become the largest country in Europe. The population is approximately 48 million people. Over 55 per cent of the population are urban dwellers.

To the north is Belarus, Russia is to the north-east and east; Moldova and Romania and Hungary are to the south and south-west; Slovakia and Poland border on the west and north-west. The southern border is on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

The country consists primarily of fertile steppeland with a forest-steppe area across the north and low-lying mountains along the western border. The Dnipro River, which flows down through the centre and separates the country into east and west regions, has played an active role in the country’s development from prehistoric through modern times. Ukraine’s rich soil and moderate climate it ideally suited to agriculture. In the north-west there stretches the land of green meadows and lakes. To the south from Kyiv lie warm fertile lands of Podolia. To the west, Podolia gradually turns into the Carpathians which are beautiful in all seasons of the year. In the eastern part of Ukraine there are forest-steppes and steppes mainly. The Crimea in the south is a favourite place of rest. Mild subtropical climate of the Crimea makes it possible to rest here all the year round.

Ukraine is a relatively modern country with a highly educated population. In Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, the first in Eastern Europe library was opened, the first in Ukraine and Eastern Europe school — the famous Kyiv-Mohyla Academy — was organized there. The city has also 150,000 students of universities, colleges, academies and numerous institutes. Today every third person in Ukraine studies at this or that educational establishment. But the system of education is undergoing a reform to become more democratic, progressive and dynamic.

Ukrainian scholars and researchers make a great contribution to the world science. They study and investigate the mysteries of the Earth’s surface, space, world ocean, the air atmosphere. They have discovered the way of manufacturing artificial diamonds and have developed methods of electric welding. They are known for their achievements in nuclear physics, cryogenics, chemistry, cybernetics and mathematics.