1. T HE REPUBLIC OF MARI EL The geographical position The climate

2. A peaceful wood grows in my native land On a large lake s cool and verdant bank. Among the trees is e en the darkest shade, The sweets fruits grow on a sunny glade … Amongst green leaves Sweet nightingale sings. Into the lake run cold, glistening springs.

3. M ATCH THE WORDS AND PHRASES WITH THEIR MEANING IN RIGHT COLUMN 1. быть включенным – 2. в бассейне средней Волги – 3. быть расположенным – 4. левобережная низина – 5. правобережная возвышенность – 6. благоприятное географическое положение- 7. граничить с – 8. умеренно-континентальный климат - a) the temperate-continental climate b) in the basin of the middle flow of the Volga river c) border on d) to be situated e) a favourable geographical position f) to be included g) the left bank Lowland h) the right bank Highland

4. M ATCH THE WORDS AND PHRASES WITH THEIR MEANING IN RIGHT COLUMN 1. быть включенным – 2. в бассейне средней Волги – 3. быть расположенным – 4. левобережная низина – 5. правобережная возвышенность 6. благоприятное географическое положение- 7. граничить с – 8. умеренно-континентальный климат - a) the temperate-continental climate b) in the basin of the middle flow of the Volga river c) border on d) to be situated e) a favourable geographical position f) to be included g) the left bank Lowland h) the right bank Highland

5. T HE REPUBLIC OF MARI EL IS INCLUDED IN THE R USSIAN F EDERATION Mari El is situated in the eastern part of the East European Plain

6. The Volga divides it into two parts: the left-bank Lowland and the right-bank Highland which occupies the lesser area.

7. The republic has a favourable geographical position among such industrial centers as Nizhniy Novgorod, Kazan and Kirov.

8. The republic is characterized by the temperate-continental climate. We have a long cold winter and a warm summer. Summer usually begins in the first half of June when the temperature reaches 15 degrees. The hottest month is July and the temperature reaches 35-38 degrees. Summer is moderately hot and humid. People grow different crops, vegetables and fruits in summer.

9. Autumn usually comes at the end of August. In October the temperature reaches zero, small rivers and lakes begin to freeze. Autumn is cool with constant rains and frosts. In the middle of November the earth is coved with snow.

10. Winter lasts 60 days. The average monthly temperature is 13 degrees below zero, the frosts sometimes reach 35-37 degrees. The layer of snow is 35-45 cm.

11. Spring begins in the last decade of March. In the middle of April rivers break up. At that time birds come home. At the end of April winter crops begin to grow and field work begins.

12. QUIZ 1. What is the official name of the republic? A Mari El B The Republic of Mari El C Republic Mari El 2. What is the capital of our republic? A Yoshkar – Ola B Krasnokokshaisk Ctsarevokokshaisk 3. Where is Mari El situated? A in the eastern part of the East European Plain B in the north of the Kirov region C in the northern part of the West European Plain

13. QUIZ 4.The total territory is … A 32,300 sq.km. B 33,200 sq.km. C 23,200 sq. km. 5.The Volga divides our republic into … parts A four B three C two 6.The average monthly temperature in winter is … A 13 degrees below zero B 13 degrees above zero C 14 degrees below zero

14. QUIZ 7. When do the rivers break up? A at the beginning of April B at the end of April C in the middle of April 8. The Lowland is covered with … A snow B sand C sugar

15. Ay, in that wood the grass is ever green, There are the fairest flowers ever seen! I love this peaceful wood from all my heart And curse the hand that'll try those trees to cut!