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Humid Continental Climate Countries — Reading Comprehension

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MS-ESS2-6

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This NGSS-aligned reading passage introduces students to countries that have a humid continental climate, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It explains the features of this climate—hot summers, cold winters, and four distinct seasons—and gives real-world examples like Canada, Russia, and South Korea. The passage highlights how this climate supports farming, forests, and large cities, and helps students understand the relationship between geography, weather, and daily life. With vocabulary and questions, it supports NGSS Earth science standards and middle school reading skills.

CONTENT PREVIEW

A humid continental climate is found in countries that experience hot summers, cold winters, and moderate to high rainfall. This climate is common in areas located far from oceans, where temperatures can change a lot between seasons. Countries with this climate usually have four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

In North America, the United States and Canada both have regions with a humid continental climate. In the U.S., states like New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania experience warm summers and snowy winters. In Canada, cities like Toronto and Ottawa have cold, icy winters and pleasant, warm summers.

In Europe, countries such as Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia have large areas with this type of climate. These countries see hot or warm summers and very cold winters. Snow is common in winter, and rainfall happens throughout the year. This climate supports farming, forests, and many kinds of wildlife.

Parts of Asia, especially northeastern China, North Korea, South Korea, and parts of Japan, also fall under this climate zone. These regions have hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. Cities like Beijing and Seoul are good examples.

Because of the seasonal changes, people in these countries grow a wide range of crops—like wheat, corn, potatoes, and apples. They also build homes that can handle both summer heat and winter snow.

Fun Fact: Moscow, Russia, one of the coldest capital cities in the world, is in the humid continental climate zone and can reach temperatures below −20°C in winter!

What type of weather does a humid continental climate have?

Always warm and dryHot summers and cold wintersHot and rainy all yearCool and windy

Which North American countries have areas with humid continental climate?

Mexico and PanamaThe U.S. and CanadaBrazil and ArgentinaGreenland and Iceland

What is a common winter feature in countries with this climate?

DroughtsSnow and freezing temperaturesFloodsHurricanes

Which city is an example of this climate in Asia?

MumbaiSeoulBangkokManila

What type of crops grow well in this climate?

Rice and bananasApples, potatoes, and wheatSugarcane and coffeeGrapes and pineapples

Why do people in these countries need strong homes?

Because of wild animalsTo survive the strong sunTo handle both summer heat and winter coldBecause of floods

What is the main idea of the passage?

Humid continental climates only exist in North AmericaCountries with this climate have four seasons and varying weatherSnow only falls in tropical countriesMost of the world has the same climate

Which of the following is NOT a humid continental climate country?

PolandRussiaJapanBrazil