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Climate

Korea enjoys a variety of different weather types. It has not humid summer and long, dry, cold winters. Spring and autumn are rather short, but very pleasant with crisp weather and many days of sunshine. The three months of June, July and August have the heaviest rains, with July usually being the wettest month of the year.

Winter starts in late November and lasts until early March. It is dominated by a high pressure zone caused by cold blasts of air from Siberia. There is little precipitation and the skies are usually clear. Winter in South Korea is generally not as severe as it is in the North. The weather in early spring is somewhat unpredictable with frequent rain falls and gusty winds carrying yellow dust from northern China. But in mid – April the country enjoys balmy weather with the mountains and fields garbed in brilliant wild flowers. Farmers prepare seedbeds for the annual rice crop at this time.

Autumn is beautiful with crisp air and blue skies. The countryside is colored with a variety of mellow hues. This is the time for harvest and consequently, the time for thanksgiving. Autumn in Korea is a delightful season featuring many folk festivals rooted in ancient agrarian customs.

Vocabulary

peninsula – полуостров

stretch – растягивать, вытягивать, простираться combine – объединять, сочетать

varied – различный, разнообразный prosperous – зд. процветающий

to support – поддерживать surround – окружать depository – хранилище significant – значительный ancient – древний, старинный spine – зд. хребет

fertile – плодородный

to dominate – зд. преобладать

high pressure zone – зона высшего давления precipitation – осадки

sever – суровый

unpredictable – непредсказуемый frequent – частый

seedbed – посадочные грядки annual – ежегодный

rice crop – рисовая культура

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crisp air – живительный (бодрящий) воздух consequently – следовательно

custom – обычный

mellow hues – зд. яркий (насыщенный) оттенок (окраски)

Ex.1. Make the correct form of the verb in brackets, using Present or Past Simple, Active or Passive Voice

1.The Korean Peninsula (to be) on the northwest coast of the Asian main

land.

2.From 1948 Korea (to divide) into two parts.

3.Korea (to have) varied terrain).

4.The Han-gang river (to play) a significant part in the development of Korea's ancient civilization.

5.Korea's climate (to dominate) by a high pressure zone.

6.The fertile plains of the major river basins in the southwest (to support) a prosperous agriculture.

7.The first kingdom in Korean history (to date back) 5,000 years.

8.The mountains in Korea (to notice) as a rich depository of wildlife.

9.Koreans often (to call) their country "the land decorated with golden embroidery".

10.Mt. Packtusan (to surround) with a beautiful scenery (landscape).

Ex. 2. Use the correct article (definite or indefinite) if necessary

1.… Korean Peninsula lies on … northwest coast of … Asian mainland.

2.… Amnok-gang and … Tuman-gang rivers form the peninsula's northern border.

3.… Han-gang river flows through … Seoul … capital of … Republic and serves as … lifeline for … large population in … central region.

4.… river played … significant part in development of … Korea's civilization.

5.… Spring and … autumn in Korea are rather short, but … very pleasant with … crisp weather and many days of … sunshine.

Ex. 3. Insert prepositions

1.The Korea's agriculture is mainly devoted … rice cultivation.

2.Korea's many rivers and streams play an important role … developing industries.

3.Winter starts … late November and last … early march.

4.Winter in South Korea is not … severe … it is in the North.

5.Farmers prepare seedbeds … the annual rice crop … this time.