FINLAND

                         T E X T

      Finland borders Norway, Sweden and Russia. It is a country of thousands of lakes and islands. There are 187,888 lakes and 179,584 islands. Forest covers 86% of the country's area. It is the largest producer of wood in Europe. At Finland's northernmost point, the sun does not set for 73 consecutive days during Summer, and does not rise at all for 51 days during Winter.  The coldest Winter days of southern Finland are usually under -4°F and the warmest days of July and early August can be over 86°F.  The largest and most important cities in Finland are the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. Other large cities include Tampere, Turku and Oulu. Turku is the oldest city and it was the first capital of Finland. It is also the official Christmas city of Finland.

      In 1906, Finland was the first nation in the world to give full suffrage to all citizens, including women. Finland has been an Independent Republic since December 6, 1917. Before that, it was a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. And before that, it was part of Sweden.

      There are 342 municipalities, and most have fewer than 6,000 residents. Today, there are 20 universities in Finland, mostly state owned. Students do not have to pay study fees.

      In 2008, President Martti Ahtisaari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

                          

                    TEXT COMPREHENSION

01-Check the CORRECT sentence according to the text:

a) Most Finnish cities are overpopulated.

b) Finland produces little wood.

c) There are thirty universities in Finland.

d) There are few lakes in Finland.

e) The temperature of July and early August can be over 30° C.

02- Finland is bordered by _________countries.

a) seven

b) six

c) five

d) four

e) three

 

03- The women were given the right to vote and run for office in ___________________________________.

a) nineteen eighteen

b) nineteen seventeen

c) nineteen twenty

d) nineteen oh six

e) nineteen oh two

04- The city of Santa Claus is ______________.

a) Helsinki

b) Tampere

c) Turku

d) Espoo

e) Vantaa

05- Check the CORRECT sentence according to the text:

a) The whole Finland is cold all through the year.

b) Forests cover the majority of the total land area.

c) In nineteen nineteen, Finland declared its independence.

d) Finland belonged to Germany.

e) On December 6, 1906, Finland became a republic

06- Check the CORRECT sentence according to the text:

a) The midnight sun may be experienced in the Finnish

northernmost point.

b) The polar night occurs all through Finland.

c) The sun does not set during Autumn.

d) The sun does not rise during Spring.

e) There are few islands in Finland.