The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political name of the country which is made of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is often abbreviated to "UK". The capital of the whole United Kingdom is London. You should know that "the United Kingdom" is also called Britain.
Britain is one of the world’s smaller countries with an area of some 244,000 square kilometres; with some 56 million people, it ranks about 14-th in terms of population.
The United Kingdom is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles lie off the western shores, of Europe. They are separated from the Continent by the Strait of Dover, the English Channel (La Manche) and by the North Sea. A warm ocean current, the Gulf Stream, washes Britain’s western shores. In the northwest the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The Irish Sea separates Great Britain from Ireland in the west.
The island of Great Britain can be roughly divided into two main regions - Lowland Britain and Highland Britain. The Pennine Chain extends southward from the Cheviot Hills into the Midland. England is separated from Scotland by the Cheviot Hills. Scotland has three natural topographic divisions: the Southern Uplands, the Central Lowlands, and the Northern Highlands which contain Ben Nevis, the highest point in the British Isles.
Wales is mountainous; North Ireland contains many plateaus and hills.
Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales.
The rivers flow east Into the North Sea (the Tweed, the Tyne, the Thames) and west into the Irish Sea or the British Channel (the Mersey, the Avon and the longest river in England - the Severn).
England has no large lakes. But the lake District in the northwestern part of the country is known for its beauty. There are sixteen lakes there.
The climate is mild and temperate. This is duo to the Gulf Stream which warns its shores. Rainfall is plentiful during the whole year. The heavy fogs of England arc famous. January and February are usually the coldest months, July and August – the warmest.
The most important natural resources of England are iron and coal. Copper, zinc, lead and building atone are the principal materials taken out of the ground.
Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. It is known as one of the largest producers and exporters of machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment.
Being an island Britain had to develop its fleet as a major means of transportation and communication with the rest of the world. Today Britain is one of the great maritime nations of the world. The harbours of the island serve as convenient ports among which are London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Portsmouth and others.
Great Britain is famous for its shipbuilding industry. The largest shipbuilding yards are in Glasgow.
Britain is the world’s third largest trading nation, accounting for about 11 percent of international trade in manufactured goods.
Agriculture takes an important sector in economy of the country. Britain has different types of farming; ranging from beef breeding in Scotland and sheep farming in the mountains of growing wheat, barley, oats and potatoes in the eastern counties.
Sea fishing is of great importance in Scotland and in the northeast of England.
Britain is a parliamentary democracy with a Constitutional monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as head of State. The country is governed in the Queen’s name by the Government. The Quean is the temporal head of the Church of England.
The British Parliament consists of two Houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Queen opens each new session with a speech setting out the government’s broad programme.
The House of Commons, which plays the major part in lawmaking, consists of 635 elected members of Parliament (MPs), each representing an area in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. MPs are elected at a general election hold every five years. The minimum voting age is 18. The Government is formed by the political party, which can command majority support in the House of Commons. Its leader is the Prime Minister, who chooses ministers, of whom 20 are in the Cabinet. The executive power is exercised by the Cabinet. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker.
The House of Lords is made up hereditary. The House is presided over by the Lord Chancellor who is head of the judiciary in England and Wales. Legislative measures are introduced into Parliament as Bills by ministers or by other MPs.
The work of Government is carried out through the various government departments.
Since 1945 Government has alternated between two political parties, the Conservatives (the Tory) and Labour Party. The third long-established party, the Liberals, enjoyed moments of success, but no member of this Party has held government office since 1945.
Flag: Known as the Union Jack, the flag has the red cross of St. George of England, the white cross of St. Andrew of Scotland, and the red cross of St. Patrick of Ireland, all on the blue background.
Anthem: "God Save the Queen/King".
Vocabulary
in terms of – с точки зрении
mountainous – гористый
temperate – умеренный
maritime – морской
harbor – гавань
yard – верфь
goods – товары
farming – сельское хозяйство, фермерское хозяйство
oats – овёс
barley – ячмень
temporal – временный
church – церковь
executive power – исполнительная власть
hereditary – наследственный
measure – мера
bill – законопроект, билль
to preside – председательствовать
Lord Chancellor – Лорд-канцлер
to alternate – чередоваться
to hold government office – быть у власти,
занимать правительственный пост
cross – крест
background – фон
anthem – гимн
constitutional monarchy конституционная монархия
to command a majority – обладать большинством
Exercise 2. Answer the following questions:
1. What is the political name of the country?
2.What countries is it made of?
3.What is the capital of UK?
4.What is the area of UK?
5.What is the population of it?
6.Where is UK situated?
7.How is the country separated from the Continent?
8.What sea separates Great Britain from Ireland?
9.Where are the Cheviot Bills?
10. Which is the highest point in the British Isles?
11.Which is the longest river in England?
12.What can you say about the climate?
13.What natural resources are there in Britain?
14.Is Britain a highly developed industrial country?
15.What ports of Britain do you know?
16.What types of farmingdoes Britain have?
17.What is Britain’s political system?
18.How many Houses does the British parliament consist of?
19.How many members of Parliament does the House of Commons consist of?
20.How is the Government formed?
21.What is made up hereditary?
22.What political partiesare there in Britain?
Exercise 3. Read the sentences and translate them into Russian. Comment on the use of Tenses and Voices:
1. Great Britain lies on the Atlantic coast of Western Europe.
2. It is separated from France by only 34 km of water.
3. The west of the island has a higher rainfall.
4. Britain has been many centuries in the making.
5. To become a law, a new bill must be approved by both houses of the Parliament.
6. Since 1945 Government in Britain has alternated between the Conservatives and Labour Party.
7. Before the United Kingdom was formed it took centuries.
8. Britain lives by industry and trade.
9. British manufactured goods are sent all over the world.
10. Over 200 years ago the first industrial revolution began in Britain.
11. The British people have also been known as superior, snobbish and unsociable.
12. Since 1945 there have been 27 British scientists who have received Nobel awards.
Exercise 4. Insert the missing words from the text:
1. The rivers...... into the North Sea.
2. The British Isles lie off the...... of Europe.
3.... is the highest mountain in England.
4. The most important...... of Englandare iron and coal.
5. The largest shipbuilding... are in Glasgow.
6. The House of Commons is presided over by.......
7....... is temporal head of the Church of England.
8. Today Britain is one of the great...... of the world.
9. The Severnis...... river in England.
10. The heavy... of England are famous.
Exercise 5. Translate the following sentences into English:
1. Соединенное Королевство состоит из четырех частей.
2. Северная Ирландия занимает северо-восточную часть острова Ирландии.
3. Английский Канал отделяет Соединенное Королевство от континентальной Европы.
4. Климат Великобритании умеренный. Зимы не холодные, а лето не жаркое.
5. Соединенное Королевство - высокоразвитая промышленная страна, которая производит и экспортирует различную продукцию.
6. Британия является конституционной монархией.
7. Соединенное Королевство управляется монархом (the sovereign) выборной Палатой Общин, а также наследственной Палатой Лордов.
8. Соединенное Королевство омывается Северным морем, Атлантическим океаном и теплым течением Гольфстрим.
9. Палата Общин - правящий орган Соединенного Королевства.
10. Исполнительская власть осуществляется Кабинетом министров.
11. Премьер-министр - лидер партии, которая имеет большинство в Палате Общин.
12. Страна расположена на Британских островах.
13. Британия богата углем, железом, медью, цинком и свинцом.
14. Самые крупные порты Британии: Ливерпуль, Лондон, Глазго.
15. Самые крупные города Британии: Лондон, Бирмингем, Кардиф, Манчестер, Дублин.
16. Самые известные университеты находятся в Кембридже и Оксфорде.
17. Шеффилд – крупнейший промышленный центр.
18. Члены Парламента избираются каждые пять лет.
19. Власть монарха ограничена Парламентом.
20. Британия – производитель и экспортер станков, электроники, текстиля.
21. Судостроение – главная отрасль промышленности.
Exercise 6. Read and translate the text “London”:
London
London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It's one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.
London is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world.
Traditionally it's divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs.
The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre.
Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St Paul's Cathedral, the greatest of British churches. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison. Now it's a museum.
Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London.
Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling.
Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as "Big Ben".
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen.
The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It's the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs, and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people.
Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson's victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson's Column stands in the middle of the square.
On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum - - the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc, and is famous for its library.
The East End was once the poorest district of London — with lots of factories and docks, narrow streets and unimpressive buildings. Today, the district is changing very fast. There are huge offices and new blocks of flats in the East End.
Vocabulary
the Bank of England - Английский банк
the Stock Exchange - Лондонская фондовая биржа
the Old Bailey - Центральный уголовный суд, находящийся в Олд-Бейли
St Paul's Cathedral - собор св. Павла (главный собор англиканской церкви)
Sir Christopher Wren - Кристофер Рен
the Tower of London - Лондонский Тауэр
Julius Caesar - Юлий Цезарь
William the Conqueror - Вильгельм Завоеватель, Вильгельм I (первый король из норманнов в Англии)
Westminster Abbey - Вестминстерское аббатство
Westminster Palace (the Houses of Parliament) Вестминстерский дворец (здание английского парламента)
Big Ben "Биг Бен", "Большой Бен" (колокол часов-курантов на здании парламента, бой
которых передается ежедневно как сигнал точного времени)
Buckingham Palace - Букингемский дворец (главная королевская резиденция в Лондоне)
Trafalgar Square - Трафальгарская площадь
Nelson's Column - колонна Нельсона (памятник адмиралу Нельсону)
the National Gallery - Национальная галерея (крупнейшее в Великобритании собрание
картин)
the National Portrait Gallery - Национальная портретная галерея
the British Museum - Британский музей (один из крупнейших в мире)
commercial - торговый
to belong - принадлежать
ancient - древний
striking - поразительный, замечательный
church - церковь
to found - основывать
to rebuild - перестраивать
fortress - крепость
royal - королевский
palace - дворец
prison - тюрьма
governmental - правительственный
association - ассоциация
to crown - короновать
outstanding - выдающийся
statesman - государственный деятель
to bury - хоронить
tower - башня
official residence - официальная резиденция
wealth - богатство
wealthy - богатый
luxury - роскошь
splendid - великолепный
in memory of - в память о
to contain - содержать
priceless - бесценный
manuscript - рукопись
coin - монета
to be famous for - быть знаменитым..., славиться
narrow - узкий
unimpressive - невпечатляющий, невыразительный
huge - огромный
Exercise 7. Answer the following questions:
1. Is London the largest city in the world?
2. What's the population of London?
3. Traditionally London is divided into several parts. Can you name them?
4. What do you know about the City?
5. Who was St Paul's Cathedral built by?
6. Who founded the Tower of London? When was it rebuilt?
7. What is Westminster Abbey famous for?
8. Where does the British Parliament sit?
9. What is Big Ben?
10. Why was Trafalgar Square named so?
11. Why does Buckingham Palace attract so many tourists?
12. What are the most famous London museums and art galleries?
Exercise 8. Read and translate the following text:
