Lesson 32. Climate (Клімат)

Vocabulary

to depend greatly on its geographical position – залежати сильно від географічного положення

in various parts – у різноманітних частинах

to be caused by many factors – бути спричиненим багатьма факторами

the latitude [΄lætitju:d] - широта

the altitude [΄æltitju:d] – висота над рівнем моря

a relief [ri ΄li:f]- рельєф

the proximity to [prok ΄simiti] - близькість до

moderately continental – помірно-континентальний

subtropical - субтропічний

in the southern coast – на південному узбережжі

the Crimean Peninsula – Кримський півострів

to protect the country from the bitter winds - захищати країну

від різких вітрів

along the coast – вздовж узбережжя

rather mild – досить м’який

snowfall - снігопад

rainfall – дощ, кількість опадів

except the south – за винятком півдня

to freeze - морозити

the average winter temperature – середня зимова температура

to vary between – відрізнятися між

the lowest (highest) recorded temperature – найнижча (найвища) зареєстрована температура

the ice melts – сніг тане

changeable weather – змінна погода

the trees bloom and blossom - дерева розквітають та цвітуть

it gets cooler – стає прохолодніше

to change their colour from green to yellow – змінювати свій колір з зеленого на жовтий

the trees get bare – дерева оголюються

the sky is overcast – небо хмарне

sleet – сніг з дощем

on the coastline – на морському узбережжі

to be very good for the agriculture – бути дуже добрим для сільського господарства

rich black soil – багатий чорнозем

to get plenty of sunshine and warmth – одержувати багато сонця та тепла

to mention weather - згадувати погоду

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text:

The Climate of Ukraine

The climate of Ukraine depends greatly on its geographical position. As Ukraine is a large country, its climate is different in various parts of it. The climate is caused by many factors: the latitude, altitude, relief and proximity to seas. In general, the country’s climate is moderately continental. It is subtropical only in the southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula. The Carpathian and the Crimean Mountains protect the country from the bitter winds. The climate along the coasts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov is much warmer than the climate of the rest of the country. Warm waters of the Black Sea make the climate of the region very mild. Summer is hot here and winter is mild. Spring comes earlier to these parts of the country.

Winters in Ukraine are rather mild with snowfalls. It snows everywhere except the south. The rivers and lakes freeze in winter. The average winter temperature varies between -20ºC in the north to -3ºC ...-5ºC in the south. January is the coldest month of the year. The lowest recorded temperature was -42ºC. At the end of winter the ice melts and spring comes.

Spring comes earlier to the south and to the west of the country. Early spring has very changeable weather. But late spring is usually very warm and sunny, sometimes it rains. Everything is green, there are a lot of flowers of many colours, the trees bloom and blossom.

Summers are rather hot and dry. The warmest month is July with the highest recorded temperature of 40ºC. The western part of the country gets the most of the rains and showers. The climate of the eastern part is much drier and hotter.

In the central part of the country the climate is moderate and continental. In summer the weather is ussually warm, sometimes hot. The average temperature is 25-30 degrees.

Early autumn is usually warm and sunny, but then it gets cooler. The trees change their colour from green to yellow, red and brown. The leaves fall down and the trees get bare. The sky is overcast. It is rainy and cool. The rain becomes sleet and it snows.

The highest rainfall is in the western part of Ukraine, in the Carpathians. This is the wettest place in Ukraine. The rains are few on the coastline of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The climate of Ukraine is very good for the agriculture. Rich black soil is well watered in spring and autumn and gets plenty of sunshine and warmth in summer.

While speaking about the climate people usually mention weather. The Ukrainian weather is not as changeable as the English one. So, our climate is rather mild and moderate.

Exercise 2. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the climate of Ukraine?

2. What does the climate of Ukraine depend on?

3. What protects Ukraine from the bitter winds?

4. Why has the climate of Ukraine become milder and warmer recently?

5. What can you tell about winter / spring / summer / autumn in Ukraine?

6. What do people usually mention while speaking about the climate?