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Within its small area，the United Kingdom is rich in coal，iron，copper，crude oil，tin and limestone，among which coal，and crude oil are the most important.

British coal mining began in earnest in the reign of ElizabethⅠ，expanded most rapidly in the 19th century，and yielded a record 300million tons in 1913.The coals are mainly bituminous types，and some are very suitable for coking.Coal reserves are estimated at 45billion tons，enough to supply the nation’s anticipated needs for 300years.Most of Britain’s important collieries are situated in Central Scotland，Central England，and South Wales，around such big cities as Glasgow，Edinburgh，Newcastle，Sheffield，Nottingham，Manchester，Birmingham，and Swansea.

Britain has no large land-based oilfield.In the past it was almost wholly dependent for its oil supplies on imports.But after the crude oil obtained from oil fields beneath the North Sea，Britain gradually became self-sufficient in oil from the mid 1970s.Now Britain produces about 100million tonnes of crude oil each year with a certain amount for exportation.The oil deposits are mainly off the east coast of Scotland and the northeast coast of England.And Britain’s natural gas from the North Sea is the sole source of all the country’s gas（since the late 1960s）.

The iron deposits in Britain were very rich before.But now some are exhausted and Britain becomes insufficient in iron ore.It has to import more than half of its domestic consumption each year.The present iron deposits are mainly in Lincolnshire，and Northamptonshire.

Tin ore has been worked in Cornwall and Devon for more than 3，000 years.Tin mining in this area continues to be of importance.These mines now provided about 40%of Britain’s requirements of the metal.

The limestone is widespread in Britain，particularly in northern and southern Pennines，and north Wales，where many hundreds of veins have been worked，some also yielding zinc ores.The highest quality limestone comes from northern Derbyshire.

The arable land in the United Kingdom takes up 29%of the total area；meadows and pastures，48%；forest and woodland，9%；other，14%.

1.Exmoor（埃克斯默尔高地）：an upland region and national park in soutbwest England.Its combination of heather moorland，pasture，and beautiful coastline attracts many visitors.Wild ponies roam on Exmoor.When tamed，they are used as riding ponies for children.

2.Dartmoor（达特穆尔高地）：an upland region of moor and forest in southwest England.It has been a national park since 1951.

3.the Grampians（格兰扁山脉）：a range of mountains in the Highlands of central Scotland and is popular with mountain climbers and hill walkers.Ben Nevis，the highest peak of Britain，is in the eastern part of the Grampians.

4.the Forth（福斯河）：a Scottish river，104km in length.It flows into the North Sea through its well known large estuary，the Firth of Forth（itself almost 82km long）.

Ⅰ.Choose the correct answer.

1.The largest section of Great Britain is________.

A.Scotland　　　B.Wales

C.England　　　 D.Northern Ireland

2.The Lake District is well known for________.

A.its wild and beautiful scenery

3.The highest peak in Great Britain is________.

A.Ben Nevis　　　B.Cross Fell

C.Snowdon　　　　D.Cheviot Hill

4.The capital cityof Wales is________.

A.Edinburgh　　　B.Belfast

C.Cardiff　　　　D.Londonderry

5.The part that receives the largest amount of annual rainfall is________.

B.the northern part of England

C.the northwestern part of Scotland

6.The longest river in Britain is the________.

A.Thames River　　　B.Severn River

C.Clyde River　　　 D.Tyne River

7.The largest lake of the United Kingdom is in________.

A.England　　　 B.Wales

C.Scotland　　　D.Northern Ireland

8.Meadows and pastures take up________of the total area in the United Kingdom.

A.48%　　　B.14%　　　C.29%　　　D.9%

Ⅱ.Fill in the blanks.

1.The British Isles are situated in the________of Europe.They are cut off from the continent by the________.On the north and the east the Isles face the________and on the west theyface the________.The full title of the United Kingdom is________.

2.The Pennines，the so-called________，are in the north of________.The highest point of the Pennines is________，which is 893 meters high.The mountain takes on a general dip towards the________and fades into the low ground borderingthe________.The bulk of the Pennines is________.

3.Before the early 20th century，Northern Ireland was part of________as a whole.In________，it became part of the United Kingdom，with a separated ________and self-government.There were originally six________in Northern Ireland.But since 1973it has a single-tier system of________administrative districts.

4.The climate in Britain is moderated by the ________and is much________ than that of many places in the same latitude.The climate is generally equable，but the day to dayconditions are________.

5.The coals in Britain are mainly ________types，and some are very suitable for________.Coal reserves are estimated being enough to supply the nation’s anticipated needs for ________years.Most of Britain’s important collieries are situated in ________Scotland，________England，and________Wates.

Ⅲ.Questions for Discussion.

1.How do you describe the land features of Great Britain？

2.How do the Welsh and Scots feel when you address them the English？

3.Do you think Britain has a changeable weather？Why？

4.Do you think the oil and gas reserves in the North Sea play an important role in British economy？Explain.