Text Vocabulary

Belarus [bela'rus]	Беларусь
Belarusian [bela'ru:sjən]	белорусский
Neman ['nemən]	Неман
Dnepr [dnjepr]	Днепр
Pripyat ['pripjat]	Припять
peat	торф
granite ['grænit]	гранит
dolomite	доломит
low-melting (high-melting)clay	легкоплавкая (тугоплавкая) глина
loam	суглинок
gravel materials	гравий; галька; крупный песок
flax	лен
hemp	конопля
sugarbeets	сахарная свекла
rye	рожь
oat	овес
wheat	пшеница
beef and dairy products	говядина и молочные продукты
heavy-duty truck	грузовой автомобиль большой грузоподъёмности
large-capacity dump truck	большегрузный самосвал
refrigerator	холодильник
fertilizer	удобрение
timber	лесоматериалы; строевой лес; древесина

1. Answer the following questions:

1. Where is the Republic of Belarus situated?

2. What area does it cover?

3. What countries does it border on?

4. How many regions is the Republic of Belarus divided territorially into?

5. How many administrative districts does the country include?

6. What is the population of Belarus?

7. What nationalities does the population include?

8. What is the largest city in the country?

9. How many official languages does the country have?

10. What is the primary religion in the country?

11. The climate is temperate continental, isn’t it?

12. What is the average January (July) temperature?

13. Do forests occupy 37.8 percent of the country’s area?

14. How many rivers does Belarus have?

15. What three major rivers run through the country?

16. What is the largest water reservoir?

17. What is Belarus's highest point?

18. Where is its lowest point?

19. How many types of mineral resources have been found in Belarus?

20. What mineral is of special significance?

21. What non-ore minerals is the Republic rich in?

22. Are peat reserves widely spread in Belarus?

23. What are Belarus's main agricultural products?

24. What does Belarusian industry produce?

25. What are the main industries for local consumption?

26. Is Belarus governed by a president and the National Assembly?

27. How often is the president elected?

28. What is the National Assembly?

29. What power does the House of Representatives have?

30. What power does the Council of the Republic have?

31. Who heads the Council of Ministers?

32. Who are the members of this council appointed by?