І. Reading Comprehension Test

This text is followed by 5 multiple-choice questions. For each task choose the best possible answer from A, B, C or D and circle the letter of your choice.

The climate of the uk

The climate in the UK is generally mild and temperate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The southwestern winds carry the warmth and moisture into Britain.

The weather is so changeable that the English often say that they have no climate but only weather. As the weather changes with the wind, and Britain is visited by winds from different parts of the world, the most characteristic feature of Britain’s weather is its variability.

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. It seldom snows heavily in winter, frost is rare. January and February are usually the coldest months, July and August are the warmest. Still the wind may bring winter cold in spring or summer days. Sometimes it brings whirlwinds or hurricanes. Droughts are rare.

So we may say that the British climate has three main features: it is mild, humid and changeable. That means that it is never too hot or too cold. Winters are extremely mild. Snow may come but it melts quickly. In winter the cold is a humid cold, not dry.

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

1. How can you in general describe the climate of the UK?

a) snowy b) warmth and moisture c) cold and severe d) mild and temperate

2. What causes the weather’s variability?

a) the sun and stars b) the Gulf Stream and winds c) rainfall d) hurricanes

3. What is good for plants in Britain’s climate?

a) It’s mild and humid b) whirlwinds and hurricanes c) frost and winds d) changeability and variability

4. What is the most characteristic feature of Britain’s weather?

a) variability b) stability c) durability d) sustainability

5. How often does it rain in Britain?

a) Rainfall is more or less even throughout the year b) from March to June c) from October to January d) in winter

І. Reading Comprehension Test

This text is followed by 5 multiple-choice questions. For each task choose the best possible answer from A, B, C or D and circle the letter of your choice.

Mineral Resources in the uk

The rise of Britain as an industrial nation was partly due to the presence of considerable mineral resources, which provided raw materials as well as sources of power. The UK possessed abundant supplies of coal and an adequacy of iron ore – the two chief minerals on which the Industrial Revolution was based. For over a century coal was the most important source of power and fuel in Britain. It had enough non-ferrous metals to meet her needs for a time. But in the course of the last hundred years or so the situation has gradually changed. Many of Britain’s most valuable and accessible deposits have been worked out. Moreover, coal has lost some of its former importance, and such minerals as petroleum and uranium ores have become essential materials in the modern. At the same time British industry has become increasingly orientated towards lighter industry, and the heavier coal-field-based industries have tended to decline as the dependence upon coal as a source of power has declined. The absence in Great Britain of high-grade iron ore and many other rare metals makes her economy greatly depended on imported raw materials. The largest coalfields are in England and Wales. The Welsh coal is considered to be the best in the world. In certain areas the coal occurs at easily worked depth, as in South Wales, but in other areas earth-movements have meant that the coal measures have been sunk to unworkable depths. A wide variety of coals are produced in Britain. Coals vary in their characteristics and qualities.

1. What helped Britain to become an industrial nation?

a) lack of non-ferrous metals b) dependence on raw materials c) the presence of considerable mineral resources d) petroleum and uranium ores

2. What two chief minerals was the Industrial Revolution based on?

a) coal and iron ore b) petroleum and uranium ores c) non-ferrous metals d) oil and coal

3. What was the most important source of power and fuel in Britain for over a century?

a) non-ferrous metals b) petroleum c) uranium ore d) coal

4. What makes Britain’s economy depend on imported raw materials?

a) the presence of considerable mineral resources b) the absence of high-grade iron ore and many other rare metals c) abundant supplies of coal d) adequacy of iron ore

5. What coal is considered to be the best in the world?

a) the Scottish b) the Welsh c) the English d) the European

І. Reading Comprehension Test

This text is followed by 5 multiple-choice questions. For each task choose the best possible answer from A, B, C or D and circle the letter of your choice.