Lesson XXVI: Vocabulary in Context

2.3. FERTILE, etc. Situation: Nancy is talking to Ali about agricultural products. Ali: What is the heart of American agriculture? Nancy: The “corn belt,” a region of very FERTILE land that EXTENDS from Nebraska eastward as far as Pennsylvania. Nebraska is also the wheat belt; it extends from Texas northward to North Dakota. Ali: Are the wheat and corn the main CROPS in the South and West too? Nancy: No, cotton is the PRINCIPAL crop in the South. The principal crop in the West, located largely in California, are fruits and COMMERCIALLY grown vegetables. Exercise: 2.3.1. Practice FERTILE, EXTEND, etc. Answer the following questions. 1. What and where is the corn-belt? 2. How does “corn belt” extend? 3. What is the principal product in the South? 4. What are some of the main crop in the West? 2.4. RESOURCE, etc. Situation: John is telling Ali about mineral resources. John: Ali, did you know that one of the keys to the country’s richness are her RESOURCES? Ali: You’ll have to explain what you mean, John. John: Well, the main energy source of human civilization are HYDROCARBONS. Large hydrocarbon reserves were available to the economy of the United States by the end of 19 th and during 20 th century. Apart from PETROLEUM and NATURAL GAS, the United States is also rich in the other forms of hydrocarbons. For example, the Appalachian Mountains, especially in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, contain very large COAL deposits. On the other hand, Western Colorado, Eastern Utah and the basin in the Southern Wyoming are the greatest world reserves of OIL SHALES. The United States is also abundant in many mineral resources, not just hydrocarbons. For example, the Lake Superior region contains large iron deposits essential for manufacturing industry. Ali: I learned the U.S. is one of the world greatest importer and exporter of crude oil at the same time. US imports about 7,900,000 barrels a day what is about a gallon of oil per each person a day. John: That’s correct. The USA relies on imported crude oil, which is much cheaper than oil from tarry oil sand or oil shale. Ali: Then, why would someone import expensive American oil or gas? Namely USA export more than 1,700,000 barrels a day. It does not square. →