Text A. The climate of the USA

The territory of the USA is so large that it lies in different climatic zones. The greater portion of the country is situated between 30 and 49 degrees Northern Latitude and its climate is moderate continental. The climate of Alaska is arctic and that of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico is subtropical. Hot winds blowing from the Gulf of Mexico often bring typhoons. Along the western coast the climate is warm, because the land there is protected from cold winds by the Rocky Mountains and is open to the influence of the warm winds of the Pacific ocean. The South-West region is very hot and dry, the soil is arid, the rains are rare and droughts are frequent. In contrast to this, there is much rainfall in the northern section of the Pacific coast line and along the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. The central plains have moderate rainfall and a wide-range temperatures between summer and winter.

Weather and climate quiz:

Below are nine questions about certain situations you might find yourself in hot climates or at high altitudes. Choose your answer from the three alternatives given and see how well you would survive in these situations.

1. Imagine that you have to live in a tropical climate in an iron-roofed house and you want to make
it cooler inside. Would you

a) cover the roof with thick green plants or palrri leaves?

b) paint thereof white?

c) put mosquito nets on the windows and leave them open?

2. Imagine that you are feeling symptoms of heat exhaustion coming on. Would you

a) eat as much fruit as you could?

b) drink salted fruit drinks?

c) drink a lot of salt water?

3. Imagine that you have to live in a tropical climate. Would you wear

a) close-fitting clothes?

b) clothes made of synthetic fibers?

c) loose-fitting clothes?

4. Imagine that you've spent a day walking in the hot sun and don't feel well. Would you

a) drink as much liquid as you could?

b) go straight to bed to get some sleep?

c) have a long hot bath?

5. Imagine that you are walking in the mountains in misty or stormy weather. Would you

a) keep to mountains ridges and/or open spaces?

b) avoid mountain ridges or paths unmarked on the map?

c) hurry down by any route you could find?

6. Imagine that you have no way of boiling water to kill the germs in it. What would you dissolve in it?

a) Coffee?

b) Tobacco?

c) Iodine

7. Imagine that you have to live in a hot and dry climate where there are a lot of dangerous scorpions. What would you do not to be bitten by them? Would you

a) look inside your socks and shoes before putting them on?

b) sleep on a high bed or in a hammock?

c) sleep in a room with the door and the windows closed?

8. Imagine that you have to climb or walk at high altitudes (4,300+). Would you need

a) to drink half as much as at low altitudes.?

b) to drink twice as much as at low altitudes?

c) to drink at least three times as much as at low altitudes?

9. Imagine that you are walking in the forest and suddenly come face to face with a bear. Would you

a) turn and run away as fast as you could?

b) stand still and stare fearlessly in the bear's eyes?

c) quickly climb the nearest tree, if there is one?

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