3. Continue the following statements.

1. The Urals are a mountain chain which **stretches from north to south, dividing Europe and Asia.** 2. Mountains were being destroyed, and now the highest mountains **are gradually becoming lower due to erosion.** 3. In the 18th century, the Urals **became a major industrial region of Russia due to the discovery of rich mineral deposits.** 4. The modernization of the Ural industry began **with the introduction of new technologies for mining and processing minerals.** 5. The greatest plants are situated **near the sources of raw materials and energy.** 6. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Ural metal industry **experienced a period of growth and development due to the increasing demand for metals.** 7. About 70 metals and minerals **have been discovered and mined in the Urals.** 8. Nowadays some of the deposits are **becoming depleted, requiring the development of new deposits and technologies.** 9. Hopefully, the Urals will **continue to be a significant industrial region, developing new technologies and industries.**