Geology of the Czech Republic - G1


Task 1: Find the words in the text below that match the explanations (1 word for each
explanation).  Nouns are given in singular.

1. A new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed =

2. The outer layer of the Earth =

3. Moved =

4. In some degree; not wholly =

5. Sink down =

6. Apparently formed from solidification of magma =


   Although the Czech Republic only covers a small part of the Eurasian continent, it is very rich
in geological resources, and evidence suggests that the country's land mass has been developing for
nearly 2.5 billion years. Geological events moved many rocks deeper into
the earth's crust which was then metamorphosed by high pressure and/or temperature. During
geological processes which followed, some of these rocks were shifted upward,
near the earth's surface, and were partially uncovered by surface geological activities.
For these reasons, it is possible  to find all well-known types of rocks which settle on the bottom
of seas, lakes or rivers (sandstone, conglomerate, slate, limestone, coal, sand, gravel etc.),
metamorphic rocks (phyllite, gneiss), deep igneous rock (light granite and dark gabbro), and
volcanic rocks (black basalts,light phonolite and andesite).


Task 2: Use Howjsay and check the correct pronunciation of the geological vocabulary.
Note that the ending -ite is not pronounced the same way, e.g. phyllite x granite.
Underline the syllables pronounced with [ai], e.g. limestone


Task 3: Read the following part and explain the underlined words.

It's also possible to find many fossils in the sea and lake sediments. A large number of these
fossils were originally discovered in the CR, especially from a fossil-rich area in the SW vicinity
of Prague known as the Barrandian, named after the famous paleontologist Joachim Barrande
(1799-1877).   The most famous fossils which Barrande discovered were the trilobites. You can find
beautiful collections of minerals and fossils, including Barrande's collection, in the National
Museum on Wenceslas Square in the center of Prague.


fossils =

vicinity =

paleontologist = (Use two clauses connected with two relative pronouns (= vztažná zájmena)who +
that, i.e. He is a specialist who studies something that studies something.


Task 4: Name some other specialists in geology and explain their specializations in a similar way.
Write two examples:




Task 5:  Use the words from the clue to fill the missing words in the text. There are four words
that you will not need to use.

abundance   construction   destruction    exhausted   generation   lack   medieval   ores   rare
raw (twice)   varied   verified

 Because of the Czech Republic's (1) ___________  geological composition, an (2) _____________  of
mineral deposits exist. At the present time, deposits of coal are used as (3) ________  materials
for the (4)_______________ of energy, and deposits of granites, basalts, sandstones, limestones,
sands, clays and gravels as (5) ________  material for (6) ________________  and the country's
well-known ceramic and glass industries.

The poly metallic (copper, lead, tin, zinc) and precious metal (gold, silver) deposits were mostly
(7) _______________  during the country's long mining history and at present have no substantial
economic value. Graphite deposits are of local importance. Extraordinarily rich deposits of silver
greatly increased the importance and development of the Czech state in (8) _____________ times. The
exploitation of rich uranium (9) _______________    in the recent past caused great damage to the
environment.


 Task 6: Find the words in the text below that match the explanations (1 word for each
explanation).

1. precious stones =

2. diversity =

3. positions of prominent or well-known objects in a particular landscape =

4. just detectable amounts =

5. places where stone is dug out of the ground =


Interesting part of geology are gemstones. The best known types of Czech jewelry are moldavites,
garnets (pyropes) and a variety of quartzes (agate, jasper), which were used to decorate some of
the country's historical landmarks, such as Prague's St. Vitus cathedral and the castle at
Karlstejn.

In Bohemia, it is unfortunately easy to find traces of how mankind's activities can be a powerful
geological force. The large, deep coal quarries in Northern Bohemia are warning examples of
performance of mankind as a dangerous geological power, creating an anthropogenic landscape.


Task 7: Discuss the following questions with your neighbor.

a) How long has the country's land mass been developing?

b) Which sedimentary / metamorphic / igneous rocks can be found in the CR?

c) What caused metamorphosis of the rocks?


Task 8: Ask your classmates about:

a)  the areas in the CR which are rich in fossils.

b)  the possibility to see some famous fossils in the museum.

c)  how long it would take you to show us a nice fossil.


To be continued in JAG02 to complete the topic for the exam.

Source of the text most probably Czech Geological Survey; Tasks Věra Hranáčová, CJV RMU 2013