Why is the Atacama Desert called the “driest desert in the

world”?
One of the most impressive places in the
north of Chile is San Pedro de Atacama.
Not only do its landscapes look like
they’re on another planet, but also its soil,
which is used by scientists to simulate the
experience of stepping on Mars. The wind
flow, the ocean currents and the
surrounding mountains are some of the
factors which create these fascinating and
unique conditions.

The average rainfall in the Atacama

Desert is less than one millimeter per year. In fact, there are sectors that have
never received a drop of rain, at least in the time since they started measuring. Even
in such extreme conditions, this amazing place has a special energy.
Despite the scarcity of water, it has never lacked life. In fact, it has been
inhabited over centuries by influential Andean communities who developed
abundant agriculture and stockbreeding. Its characteristic aridity has allowed for the
formation of impressive landscapes.
The texture of the desert ground – which over three million years ago was part
of the sea floor – is surrounded by numerous mountains and volcanoes. The colors
of the sky change throughout the day, showing off a spectacle of endless views,
perfect for admiring and taking some beautiful photos.
Why is the Atacama Desert so dry?

The Atacama Desert is located in a zone called the “shadow of rain”. This is
determined by its geographical location: between the Andes mountain range, which
blocks the humid air of the Amazons, and the Coastal mountain range, which
interjects between the air currents that come from the Pacific Ocean.

How the Atacama Desert Has Been Painted Pink with Flowers
 It seems unimaginable, but when it rains in the driest or most colorful place in
the world, it takes over the arid landscape and leaves the Atacama Desert in bloom!
This is a rare phenomenon, which has been going on for five or seven years, but
which has occurred each time in August in Chile.

The last desert bloom was in 2015, but the previous one was only in 1997, that
is, twenty years ago. The most frequent event in recent years can be explained by
El Niño, which brought a little more rain to the region.

1) Transcribe sentences from the text containing the following verb tenses:

a) Simple Present:
____________________________________________________________
__________________________________

b) Verb TO BE
____________________________________________________________
__________________________________

c) Simple Past
____________________________________________________________
__________________________________

d) Veb TO BE (Past form)

____________________________________________________________
__________________________________
e) Superlative
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

f)