DESCRIBING A LANDSCAPE

PYRENEES

LOCATION

Is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain.

CLIMATE

 The amount of precipitation the range receives, including rain and snow, is much greater in the western than in the eastern Pyrenees because of the moist air that blows in from the Atlantic Ocean over the Bay of Biscay. After dropping its moisture over the western and central Pyrenees, the air is left dry over the eastern Pyrenees. The winter average temperature is -2 °C. There are some glaciers in the western and snowy central Pyrenees.

     

VEGETATION

The flora of the Pyrenees is overwhelming. Depending on the season, there is always much to see. The rocky area there is here a great variety of rock plants. Lilies, gentians, irises, orchids and many, many other flowers and plants.

   

FAUNA

Special Pyrenees residents that live here are the bearded vulture, the Pyrenean desman, the genet and the brown bear. Furthermore, the wooded areas are home to deer, wild boars, foxes, badgers and smaller mammals. In and around the water one can discover the Pyrenean brook salamander, rainbow trout and the dipper. Higher in the mountains one reaches the habitat of griffon vultures, bearded vultures, chamois, ibex and marmots. There are many species of lizards, newts, dragonflies, beetles and butterflies.

          

DESCRIBING A LANDSCAPE

PYRENEES

LOCATION

Is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain.

CLIMATE

 The amount of precipitation the range receives, including rain and snow, is much greater in the western than in the eastern Pyrenees because of the moist air that blows in from the Atlantic Ocean over the Bay of Biscay. After dropping its moisture over the western and central Pyrenees, the air is left dry over the eastern Pyrenees. The winter average temperature is -2 °C. There are some glaciers in the western and snowy central Pyrenees.

     

VEGETATION

The flora of the Pyrenees is overwhelming. Depending on the season, there is always much to see. The rocky area there is here a great variety of rock plants. Lilies, gentians, irises, orchids and many, many other flowers and plants.

   

FAUNA

Special Pyrenees residents that live here are the bearded vulture, the Pyrenean desman, the genet and the brown bear. Furthermore, the wooded areas are home to deer, wild boars, foxes, badgers and smaller mammals. In and around the water one can discover the Pyrenean brook salamander, rainbow trout and the dipper. Higher in the mountains one reaches the habitat of griffon vultures, bearded vultures, chamois, ibex and marmots. There are many species of lizards, newts, dragonflies, beetles and butterflies.

          

ENGLISH UNIT 1

VOCABULARY

FAMILIAR: commonly or generally known or seen.

COMMON: beloing equally. 

COMPULSORY: put into force by law or rules; obligatory.

EASY-GOING: relaxed in manner or attitude; inclined to be excessively tolerant.

DIRECT: to manage or guide by advice, instruction, etc.

WELL-BEHAVED: showing good behavior or manners.

ACCEPTABLE: worthy or capable of being accepted or received.

FAIR: free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice.

SHORT-SIGHTED: relating to or suffering from myopia.

ABSENT-MINDED: preoccupied with one's thoughts so as to be unaware or forgetful of other matters.

ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC! : completely terrorific.

NOTICE: become aware, realise.

TIMETABLE: a schedule showing the times at which railroad trains, etc., arrive and depart.

ONE DAY OFF: a day for rest.

SURGEON: a physician who specializes in surgery.

TRUST: reliance on the goodness, strength, or ability of a person or thing.

GOOGLES: glasses.

ROBE: a long, loose or flowing gown or outer garment.

BEAKERS: a large drinking cup or glass with a wide mouth.