The Climate of the British Isles

By Richard G. Kaplan

The British Isles which are 1) surro__nded by the ocean have an insular climate. The climate is 2) mo__ster and more 3) equ___ble than that of Central Europe. The three things that 4) chi__fly determine the climate of Englnd are: the position of the island in the temperate belt; the fact that the prevailing winds 5) blo__ from the west and south-west; the warm 6) cur__ent – the Gulf Stream that flows from the Gulf of Mexico along the western 7) sho__es of England.

The British Isles are situated in the temperate1) _______, between the parallels on which 2) _______and Kiev are situated. The climate is mild and 3) _______frosts are rare. Due to the moderating influences of the sea and of the Gulf Stream, the January temperature is higher and the 4) _______ temperature lower than in any other country of the same 5) _______. That is why the British 6) _______are ice-free and its rivers not frozen 7) _______the year.

It is hard 1) (said, to say) that England has typical weather because of the sudden 2) (changes, changies) that occur – showers from what was only 3) (a few, a little) hours before a clear blue sky; sunshine that makes you want to leave off most of your clothes followed by winds that 4) (set, seted) you wishing for two overcoats. There is an abundance of rainfall in the west. As a result, 5) (there are, there is) thick fogs which last for days. The lack of sunshine 6) (hinders, is hindered) the cultivation of many species of plants, especially grain crops.

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From The National Geographic

13.07. 2008

River Action

By Miranda Howard

A river rises at its 1) sour_e. It flows 2) downsl_pe and enters the sea at its 3) est_ary. Rivers flow quickly down steep slopes. They erode the land and transport eroded material from highland to lowland areas. How quickly they erode the land depends on three things. Firstly, the hardness of rock – 4) s_ft rock erodes faster than hard rock. Secondly, the 5) a_ount of water – rivers with large 6) vol_mes of water, such as rivers in 7) flo_d, erode faster than those with less water. Thirdly, the speed of river water.

There are four important 1) ______ involved in river erosion. Hydraulic action describes the force with which moving 2) ______ breaks off pieces of rock and soil from the bed and banks of a 3) ______ channel. Next, attrition is when boulders and other material being carried by the water 4) ______ and break up. Then, abrasion is when the river then uses its load 5) ______ its bed and banks, making its channel deeper and 6) ______. Lastly, 7) ______ is when acids dissolve some rocks.

There are four ways 1) (river, rivers) transport materials downstream. Firstly, the lighter particles are 2) (carried, carrying) in suspension – they are lifted and carried along 3) (by, from) the water. Similarly, 4) (more heavy, heavier) particles, such as sand and gravel, are bounced along the river bed. 5) (This, These) is called saltation. Additionally, the heaviest particles slide or are rolled and dragged along 6) (--, the) river bed. This is called traction. Finally, some materials are dissolved and are carried in solution.

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From the FOCUS on Geography

17.02.2007