4. Match the English equivalents with the Russian words.

1) частица a) acid soil

2) суглинистаяпочваb) heavy soil

3) объем c) sandy soil

4) эрозия d) clay soil

5) влажныйe) fine soil

6) щелочнаяпочваf) particle

7) легкаяпочва g) volume

8) глинистаяпочва h) erosion

9) тяжелаяпочваi) alkaline soil

10) кислаяпочва j) light soil

11) песчанаяпочваk) loamsoil

12) мелкоструктурная почва l) moist

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the text.

1. …of a soil refers to the size of its … .

2. A soil with a large proportion of … particles is called a … soil.

3. Extremely … … soils are unable to store moisture in sufficient amounts for … to grow well.

4. To grow well crop plants need an adequate supply of … … during the growing period.

5. Fertile soils with a good … … … are favorable for the growth of crops.

6. To … additional … is usually a good practice even on the best soil.

7. … … are essential in determining which crop to grow.

6. Agree or disagree with the following statements. (True or False)

1. The principal textural classes of soil are sand, sandy loam and clay.

2. A soil with a large proportion of clay particles is called a heavy soil, and the one with a large proportion of sand – a light soil.

3. Aggregated structure normally is found in soil rich in organic matter.

4. The finer the soil particles, the less water the soil holds.

5. Air usually makes up from 40 to 60 per cent by volume of an ordinary moist soil.

6. About 25 to 30 chemical elements are found in plants, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium being most abundant.

7. In order to grow well crops also absorb considerable quantities of calcium, magnesium and sulphur.

7. Translate the following sentences paying attention to comparative construction «the…the».

1. The better is the soil, the higher will be the yield.

2. The more favorable are the climatic conditions, the better are the results.

3. The finer are the soil particles, the more moisture is stored in the soil.

4. The lighter is the soil, the more easily it is cultivated.

5. The more plant nutrients the plant absorbs, the better it will grow.

6. The less acid the soil is, the better will the plant grow.

7. The more the soil is irrigated, the higher is the yield.

8. Translate the sentences paying attention to the functions of the Infinitive.

1. To develop good tubers potatoes need sandy or sandy loam soil.

2. Fine soils can store enough moisture for crops to grow normally.

3. To produce high yields crop plants require an adequate supply of plant nutrients and water.

4. Crops also require minerals in order to grow well.

5. The climate of this area is too cold to cultivate corn.

6. To apply fertilizers is the most usual practice in cultivating most crops.

7. For soil to produce good crops, it should be not too acid or too alkaline.

8. In order to improve the structure of this soil we must supply it with organic matter.

9. To get good results the plant grower must know the properties of the soil cultivated.

10. To prepare the proper seedbed is very important for obtaining good results.

11. The soils in our region are too heavy to provide normal development of tubers.

12. Legumes can be grown to improve soil fertility.

13. For soil moisture to be high enough irrigation is often necessary.