Climate and Nature

The climate in Great Britain is generally mild and temperate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The south-western winds carry the warmth and moisture into Britain. The climate in Britain is usually described as cool, temperate and humid. British people say: "Other countries have a climate, in England we have weather". The weather in Britain changes very quickly.

Every daily paper publishes a weather forecast. Both the radio and television give the weather forecast several times each day.

Rainfall is more or less even throughout the year. In the mountains there is heavier rainfall than in the plains of the south and east. The driest period is from March to June and the wettest months are from October to January. The average range of temperature (from winter to summer) is from 15 to 23 degrees above zero. During a normal summer the temperature sometimes rises above 30 degrees in the south. Winter temperatures below 10 degrees are rare. It seldom snows heavily in winter, the frost is rare. January and February are usually the coldest months, July and August the warmest. Still the wind may bring winter cold in spring or summer days. Sometimes it brings the whirlwinds or hurricanes. Droughts are rare.

This humid and mild climate is good for plants. The trees and flowers begin to blossom early in spring.

In the British homes there has been no central heating up till recently. The fireplaces are often used, but the coal is not used as it's very expensive. Britain has no good coal now and imports it itself. Many schools and universities have no central heating either, and the floors there are made of stone. The British bedroom is especially cold, sometimes electric blankets or hot water bottles are used.

Britain was originally a land of vast forests. Today only about 6 percent of the total land area remains wooded. Extensive forests remain in eastern and northern Scotland and in south-eastern and western England. Oak, elm, ash, and beech are the commonest trees in England, while Scotland has much pine and birch. The Highlands with thin soil are largely moor land with heather and grasses. In the cultivated areas that make up most of Britain there are many wild flowers, flowering plants and grasses.

The fauna or animal life of Britain is much like that of north-western Europe, to which it was once joined. Many larger mammals such as bear, wolf have been hunted to extinction, others are now protected by law. There are many foxes. Otters are common along rivers and streams, and seals live along much of the coast. Hedgehogs, hares, rabbits, rats and mice are numerous. Deer live in some of the forests in the Highlands of Scotland and England.

Some 230 kinds of birds live in Britain. The most numerous are blackbirds, sparrow and starling. Robin Redbreast is the national bird of Britain. There are many threats to wildlife and ecological balance around the coast. The biggest threat to the coastline is pollution.

Ex. 2. Answer the questions.

1. Is Great Britain a small or large country in terms of its population? 2. Where is the country situated? 3. When was the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland formed? 4. Which part of Great Britain has the highest population density? The lowest? 5. What is the political system of Great Britain? 6. Speak on Britain’s cultural life. 7.Why is the climate in Britain generally mild and temperate? 8. What do British people say about weather and climate in their country? 9. What main features does British climate have? 10. Is the humid and mild climate of Great Britain good for plants and flowers? 11. Do British people believe weather forecasts? Are winters frosty? 12. Does it often snow in winter? 13. Why is it natural for British people to use the comparison 'as changeable as the weather'? 14. What are the warmest and the coldest months? 15. Was Great Britain originally a land of vast forests? 16. Where do extensive forests remain? 17. What trees grow in Great Britain? 18. What animals are numerous in Great Britain? 19. How many kinds of birds live in Great Britain? Which of them are the most numerous? 20. What is the national bird of Great Britain? 21. Does the country have any ecological problems?

Ex. 3. Find the English equivalents for:

1) быть расположенным; 2) высокоразвитый; 3) оставаться относительно стабильным; 4) южное побережье; 5) плотность населения; 6) конституционная монархия; 6) Ее Величество Королева; 7) демократическая система правления; 8) политическая стабильность; 9) независимые страны; 10) культурная деятельность; 11) международная репутация; 12) прогноз погоды; 13) более или менее равномерный; 14) средний диапазон температур; 15) торфянистая местность; 16) обрабатывать площади.

Ex. 4. Match the synonyms.

1) to be situated	a) extensive
2) fauna	b) interested
3) average	c) during
4) whirlwind	d) mean
5) manufacture	e) forest
6) engaged	f) animal life
7) rainfall	g) to be located
8) vast	h) hurricane
9) wood	j) precipitation
10) through	j) production

Ex. 5. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in the brackets.

1.England (to be situated) on the British Isles. 2. Great Britain (to separate) from Europe by the North Sea and the English Channel. 3. Britain's democratic system of government (to establish) long ago. 4. Close links (to maintain) with many other countries. 5. Wealth (to base) on the manufacture of iron and steel, shipbuilding and trade. 6. Many Britons (to engage) in the arts and media. 7. A weather forecast (to publish) every day. 8. Sometimes electric blankets or hot water bottles (to use).

9. Many large mammals (to hunt) to extinction.

Ex. 6. Read the following text for further information.