Compare the eastern and the western states and correct the false statements.
1. In general, the states in the western part of the United States are smaller than the states in the East.
2. There are fewer states in the West, but they cover more land area than the states in the East.
3. In general, fewer people live in the eastern states than in the western states.
4. The biggest states in area and in population are in the eastern part of the United States.
6.Every state in the USA has its nickname. It may reflect the country’s history, traditions or geographical and natural peculiarities. Practice back translation in pairs and learn more about the USA.
Alaska is called the “Land of the Midnight Sun”, because the sun shines nearly around the clock during Alaskan summers.
Arizona’s nickname is “The Grand Canyon State” because of its most famous natural attraction.
Arkansas is known throughout the country for its natural beauty of the Ozarks and got the name “The Natural State”.
Georgia is known as the “Peach State” because here they produce the highest quality fruit.
Illinois is the “Prairie State”. The third full week in September each year is Illinois Prairie Week when they demonstrate how they preserve and reestablish native Illinois prairies.
Early settlers called Massachusetts the “Bay State” because of its proximity to several large bays.
The American Beaver is Oregon state animal. Oregon is known as the “Beaver State” and Oregon State University's athletic teams are called the "Beavers."
Washington is the only state named for a president. It was nicknamed “The Evergreen State” for its evergreen forests.
The Appalachian Mountains extend through the eastern portion of West Virginia state, giving it a nickname of the “Mountain State.”
Additional reading:
7. Sum up the information about each region specifying its location and peculiar traits. Use the handout and additional material to broaden the information in the table. Speak of both larger and smaller areas two rounds 10 sentences each):
a) geographical position; b) characteristic features.
The Northeast
Megalopolis
(region
areas)
is /are
contain(s)
encompass(es)
(âìåùàòü/
îêðóæàòü)
sit(s) on
include(s)
border(s)
lie(s)
occupy(s)
reach(es)
end(s) at
is characterized by…
is known for
a) _a narrow strip along the …
_a string of tropical islands, islets, and reefs (öåïü, ðÿä)
_the coastal plain along the northeast edge of the United States (áåðåãîâàÿ ïðèáðåæíàÿ ðàâíèíà - ó÷àñòîê îáíàæèâøåãîñÿ ìîðñêîãî äíà)
_the eastern coastal plain
_mainly in …
_is bounded by (Canada)
_between …
_extends eastward/westward along the …
_(reaches) … in the (north) &…
_flanked on the west by the major Pacific coastal mountain ranges and on the east by the Rocky Mountains (áûòü ðàñïîëîæåííûì ñáîêó/ïðèìûêàòü)
…
_extending from …to…
_stretching from … in the (north) to … in the (south)
_running north and south
_running along the … coast
The Southeast
The Appalachian
The Southeastern Coast
The Inland South
(Ìàòåðèêîâûé þã)
The Midwest
The Heartland (öåíòðàëüíàÿ èëè âàæíåéøàÿ ÷àñòü ãîñóäàðñòâà; êðàÿ è ò. ï. ñàìîå ñåðäöå ñòðàíû)
The Great Lakes
The Northern Forests
The Great Plains
The Ozark(s) (ïëàòî Îçàðê)
b) _a sparsely/heavily populated area
_the world's greatest concentration of urban areas
_mainly rural in character
_mountainous land
_a land of bare rock & thin soils
_dominated by steep slopes (êðóòîé) and narrow valleys
_spectacular scenery
_rugged terrain (íåðîâíûé), scanty resources (ñêóäíûé), & scattered population
_arid and semi-arid climate patterns (çàñóøëèâûé è ïîëóçàñóøëèâûé êëèìàò), limited water assets, and considerable mineral resources
_productive agriculture/farmland
_a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and warm, dry winters
_mountainous terrain, a temperate (óìåðåííûé) marine climate (ìîðñêîé êëèìàò) with abundant precipitation (àòìîñôåðíûå îñàäêè –singular in Eng.), & significant natural resources
_varieties of animal life & the harsh arctic climate
_a tropical climate
_its extensive farming and ranching; fertile soils; production of minerals such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas; and dramatic variations in climate
…
The Southwest
The Great Plains
the West
The Rocky Mountains
The Intermountain Basins & Plateaus region
(ìåæãîðíàÿ âïàäèíà è îáëàñòü ïëàòî)
The Pacific Northwest
California Region
The Alaska region
the Hawaiian Islands
8.Translate your sentences from task 7 (with the expressions from the table) into good Russian and practice back translation in pairs (two rounds): a) geographical position; b) characteristic features.
Additional reading: