Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland (or Ulster, as it is sometimes called) is situated in the north-west of the island of Ireland. Since the partition of Ireland in 1921, it has a 488-km border with the Republic of Ireland. Physically, Northern Ireland reminds a saucer with a central fertile plain with boggy areas, rising gradually to higher land on all sides: hills and mountainous areas of the Sperrin Mountains in the north-west and the Mountains of Antrim in the north-east. The south-eastern Mourne Mountains include the highest peak, Slieve Donard, which is 853 m high. The country can boast of a rocky coastline in the north with interesting geological formations such as the Giant's Causeway. The north-eastern tip that is only 13 miles from the Scottish coast had encouraged both Irish and Scottish migration in the past.

III. Look at the adjectives and say which one describes:

varying, compact, equable, wet, cautious, pastoral, boggy, harsh, changeable, rolling.

1. climatic conditions in many parts of Scotland;

2. the trait of character of an Englishman;

3. the distances of different islands from the coasts;

4. the surface of the plain formed by the newer and softer rocks in Lowland Britain;

5. the climate of the greater part of the country;

6. the fertile plain of Northern Ireland, rising gradually to higher land on all sides;

7. the size of the area occupied by Britain;

8. the agricultural area with many rivers in the Southern Uplands of Scotland;

9. one of the characteristics of British weather;

10. popular misconception of weather in Britain.

IV. Find English equivalents to the following:

географически описанный; широта (геогр.); нулевой меридиан; изрезанная береговая линия; воды прилива; долгота (геогр); продолжительность дня; влажный (2 варианта); устье реки; заболоченная местность; полуостров; графство; верхний слой; пастбище; плодородный; плоскогорье.

V. Are you ready to answer the questions:

1. What islands does the Britain include?

2. What are British Isles separated from the continent by?

3. Are the seas around the British coasts deep?

4. What makes the British climate mild and equable?

5. Why has Britain’s climate got such a bad reputation?

6. How can British physical relief be described?

7. What regions does Highland Britain and Lowland Britain comprise?

8. What are three main regions in Scotland?

9. What is the prevailing relief in England?

10. Bearing in mind its climate and general character, which part of Britain would you choose to live in? Why?

VI. Be ready to speak on the following topics: