The Alps (/lps/; Italian: Alpi [alpi]; French: Alpes [alp]; German: Alpen [alpm]; Slovene: Alpe [alp]) are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) across eight Alpine countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, and Switzerland. The Caucasus Mountains are higher, and the Urals longer, but both lie partly in Asia. The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided. Extreme shortening caused by the event resulted in marine sedimentary rocks rising by thrusting and folding into high mountain peaks such as Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Mont Blanc spans the FrenchItalian border, and at 4,810 m (15,781 ft) is the highest mountain in the Alps. The Alpine region area contains about a hundred peaks higher than 4,000 m (13,123 ft), known as the "four-thousanders".

The altitude and size of the range affects the climate in Europe; in the mountains precipitation levels vary greatly and climatic conditions consist of distinct zones. Wildlife such as ibex live in the higher peaks to elevations of 3,400 m (11,155 ft), and plants such as Edelweiss grow in rocky areas in lower elevations as well as in higher elevations. Evidence of human habitation in the Alps goes back to the Paleolithic era.

Answer the following questions:
1. What is the most extensive mountain range system in Europe?
2. How far do they stretch?
3. Through how many countries?
4. How many of them start with S?
5. How many of them start with C?
6. Is rain consistent in these mountains?
7. Is Europe's climate affected by them?
8. What animals live up high?
9. What plants can you find there?
10. In what kind of areas does it grow?
11. How far back do we have proof of humans living there?
12. How long did it take for the mountains to form?
13. What collided to form them?
14. Which ones?
15. Which mountian is the highest in the range?
16. Which mountains in the world are higher?
17. Which are longer?
18. Where are they located?
19. What are the "four-thousanders"?

Numbered answers:
1. the Alps
2. approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi)
3. Eight
4. Two
5. 0
6. no
7. yes
8. ibex
9. Edelweiss
10. in rocky areas in lower elevations as well as in higher elevations
11. back to the Paleolithic era
12. over tens of millions of years
13. tectonic plates
14. African and Eurasian
15. Mont Blanc
16. the Alpine region
17. unknown
18. in Asia
19. a hundred peaks in the Alpine region