Е. В. Вильковская, Т. В. Кузьмич

Е. В. ВИЛЬКОВСКАЯ, Т. В. КУЗЬМИЧ

СОЕДИНЕННОЕ КОРОЛЕВСТВО ВЕЛИКОБРИТАНИИ

И СЕВЕРНОЙ ИРЛАНДИИ

ПРАКТИЧЕСКОЕ ПОСОБИЕ

для студентов гуманитарных специальностей

 

Гомель

УО «ГГУ им. Ф. Скорины»

 

УДК

ББК

 

 

Рецензенты

Л. С. Банникова, доцент, кандидат педагогических наук; кафедра теории и практики английского языка учреждения образования «Гомельский государственный университет имени Франциска Скорины»

С. И. Сокорева, доцент, кандидат педагогических наук; кафедра английского языка учреждения образования «Гомельский государственный университет имени Франциска Скорины»

 

Рекомендовано к изданию научно-методическим советом учреждения образования «Гомельский государственный универ­ситет имени Франциска Скорины»

 

Вильковская Е.В., Кузьмич Т. В.

Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии: практическое пособие для студентов гуманитарных специальностей / Е. В. Вильковская, Т. В. Кузьмич; М-во образования РБ, Гомельский государственный университет им. Ф.Скорины. - Гомель: ГГУ им. Ф. Скорины, 2008. – 60 с.

 

 

ISBN

Предлагаемое практическое пособие предназначено для занятий по английскому языку со студентами гуманитарных специальностей и направленно на развитие и совершенствование навыков чтения, устной и письменной речи студентов по теме: “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.

 

УДК

ББК

 

ISBN	© Вильковская Е. В., Кузьмич Т. В., 2008

 

© Учреждение образования «Гомельский государственный университет имени Франциска Скорины», 2008

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ

ВВЕДЕНИЕ
UNIT 1 GREAT BRITAIN
UNIT 2 LONDON
ЛИТЕРАТУРА

ВВЕДЕНИЕ

 

Предлагаемое практическое пособие предназначено для занятий по английскому языку со студентами гуманитарных специальностей и направленно на развитие и совершенствование навыков чтения, устной и письменной речи студентов по теме: “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.

Пособие разработано в соответствии с практической направленностью обучения иностранному языку как средству общения, информационного обмена и познавательной деятельности.

В пособии использованы актуальные аутентичные тексты, заимствованные из англоязычных источников, система проблемных, аналитических упражнений по обучению диалогической и монологической речи, которые предусматривают усвоение активного словаря, речевых образцов, содержания текстов, а также активные формы речевой деятельности, такие как ролевая игра, диспут, дискуссия и др.

Авторы ориентировались на коммуникативный подход к преподаванию практики устной и письменной речи, предоставляя студентам возможность рационально сочетать различные формы работы- индивидуальную, парную, групповую, фронтальную.

Учебный материал расположен в логической последовательности, необходимой для его усвоения студентами.

Практическое пособие может использоваться как для работы на практических занятиях, так и для самостоятельной работы студентов.

Рисунок 1 – Map of the United Kingdom

UNIT 1 GREAT BRIATIN

Text 1

Ex.1 a) Find in the text, translate and memorize the following words.

An ancestor, to advance, a plough, warlike, a hut, to raid, plunder, to adopt, clergy, to pioneer.

b) Paraphrase the words in italics with the new ones.

1. They found a small wooden house and sheltered there from rain. 2. He opened up the way to the heart of the swamp. 3. The Bronze age people introduced an agricultural implement for turning up the soil. 4. The stolen goods were hidden in the basement. 5. I liked your method of teaching and I will use it in my school. 6. Japan was progressing very quickly and it surprised the world. 7. The parents of my grandfather came from Greece. 8. The tribe fought much and spent a lot of time on military drill. 9. They attacked the village with the aim of robbing it. 10. The priests and the preachers are very powerful in this country.

 

Ex.3 Read the text.

Ex.4 Explain the following words in English.

A hominid, to domesticate, a plough, a shield, a sword, warlike, a villa, a navy, Danegeld, to crown, clergy, to pioneer.

Ex. 8 Answer the questions.

1. When did the earliest hominids enter Britain? 2. What were the people of the earliest known settlements in Britain? 3. What was the culture of Mesolithic and Neolithic people? 4. What inventions did people of the Bronze Age make? 5. What were the military achievements of the Celts? 6. What was the Romans’ influence on Britain? 7. What is a villa? 8. What was the Romans’ religion? 9. Why is the period of the Anglo-Saxon settlements called the Dark Ages? 10. What was Wessex like under Alfred the Great? 11. What is Danelaw? 12. What were the Normans like? 13. What institutions had the most power with the Normans? 14. What is “trial by ordeal”? 15. What is the role of Britain as a nation of world importance? 16. What was Britain in the 1900’s?

Ex. 9 Translate.

1. Предки современного человека пришли в Великобританию по суше в палеолите. 2. Люди мезолита приучили собаку, построили дороги и дома из дерева. 3. Люди бронзового века изобрели колесо и плуг, ножи и щиты из бронзы и кожи. 4. Военные вожди руководили кельтами, которые первыми начали ездить верхом. 5.Города римлян имели прямые параллельные улицы, которые пересекались под прямым углом. 6. В Темные Века самым могущественным был Уэссекс, где было много школ и флот. 7.Викинги пришли в Британию за добычей, создали там свое королевство и заставили англичан платить дань. 8.Наибольшего влияния церковь и закон добились при норманнах. 9. «Суд Божий» заставлял человека опускать руку в кипяток и таким образом решал, виновен ли человек. 10. Великобритания дала свободу своим бывшим колониям и повлияла на становление многих государств.

 

Text 2

Ex.2 Read the text.

Ex.4 Answer the questions.

1. What is the United Kingdom in comparison with other world countries? 2. Where is the United Kingdom situated? 3. What four countries make up the United Kingdom? 4. What is the difference between the north and the south of Great Britain? 5. Which are the United Kingdom’s two busiest rivers? 6. Why does the United Kingdom have a mild climate, even though it lies as far north as Labrador, in Canada? 7. What is the weather like in the United Kingdom? 8. Why are smog and fog dangerous? 9. What are the main industries in the United Kingdom? 10. What are the biggest cities in the United Kingdom? 11. What are the British people like? 12. What are the most popular sports in the United Kingdom? 13. In what way do the British spend their free time? 14. What is “gambling on sports”?

Ex.8 Translate.

1. Хотя 70 стран мира больше Великобритании по территории, а ее население составляет 1% от мирового, она является одной из важнейших стран на протяжении столетий. 2. Британцы начали научно-техническую революцию и подарили миру многих знаменитых ученых, исследователей и политиков. 3. Север Великобритании – это горы, а юг представляет собой красивые долины и равнины. 4. Горы, близость океана и Гольфстрим смягчают климат Великобритании. 5. Погода в Англии очень переменчива: если с утра солнечно, вечером может пойти дождь. 6. Ведущие отрасли промышленности в Великобритании – тяжелое машиностроение, химическая промышленность, приборостроение, а также Великобритания производит многие потребительские товары. 7. Британцы известны своим сдержанным чувством юмора, любовью к природе и животным. 8. Британцы делают ставки практически на каждом виде спорта, популярном в стране.

 

 

Text 3

Ex.2 Read the text.

England

England is the largest and most populous country of the UK. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population while its mainland territory occupies most of the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain. England shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. The Capital is London, the largest urban area in Great Britain, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most, but not all, measures.

England became a unified state in the year 927 and takes its name from the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes who settled there during the 5th and 6th centuries. It has had a significant cultural and legal impact on the wider world being the place of origin of the English Language, the Church of England and English law. It is home to the Royal Society, which laid the foundations of modern experimental science. England was the world's oldest parliamentary democracy and consequently many constitutional, governmental and legal innovations that had their origin in England have been widely adopted by other nations.

England is closer to continental Europe than any other part of Britain, divided from France only by a 52 km sea gap. The Channel Tunnel directly links England to the European mainland. The English/French border is halfway along the tunnel.

Much of England consists of rolling hills, but it is generally more mountainous in the north with a chain of low mountains, the Pennines, dividing east and west. The largest natural harbour in England is at Poole, on the south-central coast. Some regard it as the second largest harbour in the world, after Sydney, Australia, although this fact is disputed.

England has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round, although the seasons are quite variable in temperature. However, temperatures rarely fall below −5 °C or rise above 30 °C. The prevailing wind is from the south-west, bringing mild and wet weather to England regularly from the Atlantic Ocean. It is driest in the east and warmest in the south, which is closest to the European mainland. Snowfall can occur in winter and early spring, although it is not that common away from high ground.

England's economy is the second largest in Europe and the fifth largest in the world. As part of the United Kingdom, England is a major centre of world economics. One of the world's most highly industrialized countries, England is a leader in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors and in key technical industries, particularly aerospace, the arms industry and the manufacturing side of the software industry.

With 50,431,700 inhabitants (84% of the UK total), England is the most populous and most ethnically diverse nation in the United Kingdom. England has a vast and influential culture that encompasses elements both old and new. The modern culture of England is sometimes difficult to identify and separate clearly from the culture of the wider United Kingdom, so intertwined are its composite nations. However the English traditional and historic culture remains distinct albeit with substantial regional differences.

The English have played a significant role in the development of the arts and sciences. Many of the most important figures in the history of modern western scientific and philosophical thought were either born in, or at one time or other resided in, England. Major English thinkers of international significance include scientists such as Sir Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, Charles Darwin, many philosophers, economists, and the team that developed the first atomic bomb began their work in England, under the wartime codename tube alloys.

Several modern sports were codified in England during the 19th century, among them cricket, rugby, football, tennis and badminton. Of these, football, cricket and rugby remain the country's most popular spectator sports. Due to immigration in the past decades, there is an enormous diversity of religious belief in England, as well as a growing percentage that have no religious affiliation. England is classed largely as a secular country even allowing for the following affiliation percentages: Christianity: 71.6%, Islam: 3.1%, Hindu: 1.1%, Sikh: 0.7%, Jewish: 0.5%, and Buddhist: 0.3%, no faith: 22.3%.

Ex.3 Answer the questions.

1. What part of the population of the UK lives in England? 2. Which countries does England border on? 3. What is London? 4. Where does England take its name from? 5. Why does England have a significant cultural and legal impact on the wider world? 6. Is England far from continental Europe? 7. What is England’ relief like? 8. What kind of climate does England have? 9. Which are the leading branches of England's economy? 10. What is England’s population? 11. What is England’s role in the development of the arts and sciences? 12. Which are the most popular English sports? 13. What does a “secular country” mean?

Text 4 Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon, famous the world over as the birthplace of William Shake­speare, is situated - almost symbolically - at the heart of England. Surrounded by countryside notable for its natural and historical appeal, the town enjoys a pleasant riverside setting. No town has a more fasci­nating history. Originating as a river-crossing settlement, the site of Roman and Saxon occupation, it became an important focus of roads, and from an early age served as the market centre of the surrounding countryside. Stratford is a town with a character and atmosphere of its own. Apart from the beauty of its river, its streets and buildings preserve many links with its past: the layout and the names of its central streets have changed little since medieval times. It is, however, the fame of the properties associated with William Shakespeare and his family, and of the Shakespeare Festi­val centred on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, that makes Stratford-upon-Avon a Mecca for visitors all over the world Shakespeare's plays are now produced here for nearly eight months of each year to an audience representative of practically every nation in the world. At the same time Stratford has become a centre of cultural and academic activities.

William Shakespeare retired to live in Stratford in 1613, after the Globe Theatre, where his company was performing, had been burnt down. He died on April 23, 1616, and he was buried in the parish church where he had been baptised. To­day people come to see the places asso­ciated with him, but surely the finest monument of all is the wonderful series of plays and poems that he wrote.

Ex.3 Answer the questions.

1 What makes Stratford-upon-Avon famous the world over?

2 Where is Stratford-upon-Avon situated?

3 What made Stratford-upon-Avon an important market centre?

4 Why is Stratford-upon-Avon notable for its historical appeal?

5 What is the most famous event in the life of Stratford-upon-Avon?

6 What places in Stratford-upon-Avon are associated with William Shakespeare?

Ex.4 Writing.

a) You live in Stratford-upon-Avon. Write a letter of invitation to your friend inviting him to spend his holiday at your place.

b) You have been staying in Stratford-upon-Avon for a week. Write a letter home describ­ing the impressions of your stay there.

 

Ex.1 Say in other words.

a) criticised by a lot of people often unfairly;

b) to fill something or cover a surface with a lot of something;

c) very steep and covered in rough rocks;

d) a spoken or written remark about something you have noticed;

e) to shine in small bright flashes;

Ex.4 Answer the questions.

1 Why did a female visitor describe the Lake District as «It's mostly rocks»?

2 Is it a truthful observation?

3 What enthralls the visitors to the Lake District?

4 Why is the climate of the Lake District much-maligned?

5 What month would you choose to visit the Lake District?

Ex.5 Class Improvisation.

1 You have just returned from England where you spent your holidays working on a farm. Share your impressions with your fellow students.

2 Your friend has just returned from his working holiday in England. You were in England last year. Share your impressions.

3 If you were planning to visit England, what part of the country would you choose? Give your reasons. Try to persuade your friends to go with you to this particular area for a holiday.

Text 6 Oxford

Town and Gown There has been a town where Oxford now stands for many centuries - even before 912, the first written record of its existence.

The University began to establish itself in the middle of the 12th century, and by 1300 there were already 1,500 students. At this time, Oxford was a wealthy town, but by the middle of the 14th century, it was poorer, because of a decline in trade and because of the terrible plague, which killed many people in England. Relations between the students and the townspeople were very unfriendly, and there was often fighting in the streets. On 10th February 1355, the festival of St Scholastica, a battle began which lasted two days. Sixty-two students were killed. The townspeople were punished for this in two ways: they had to walk through the town to attend a special service on every St Scholastica's day until 1825. Worse than this, the University was given control of the town for nearly 600 years.

Nowadays, there are about 12,000 students in Oxford, and the University and the town live happily side by side!

City of dreaming spires

The best-known description of Oxford is by Matthew Arnold, the 19th century poet, who wrote about «that sweet city with her dreaming spires».

However, Oxford is not only famous for its architecture. In the 20th century, it has developed quickly as an industrial and commercial centre. The Rover Group factory at Cowley, for example, is an important part of Britain's motor industry.

It is also an important centre in the world of medicine; it is the home of Oxfam, the charity which raises millions of pounds to help poor people all over the world; and its airport contains Europe's leading air-training school.

Oxford words

The Oxford English Dictionary is well-known to students of English everywhere. The new edition, published in 1989, defines more than half a million words, and there are twenty volumes.

Some of the words are special Oxford words. For example, «bulldog» in Oxford is the name given to University policemen who wear bowler hats and sometimes patrol the streets at night. They are very fast runners. «Punt» is a word often used in both Oxford and Cambridge. It refers to a flat-bottomed boat with sloping ends which is moved by pushing a long pole in the water.

Oxford University Press, the publishing house which produces the Oxford English Dictionary, has a special department called the Oxford Word and Language Service (OWLS for short). If you have a question about the meaning of a word or its origin, you can write or telephone, and the staff there will help you.

Text 7

Scotland

In area, Scotland is more than half as big as England. Its population is, however, only one eighth as great as that of England. Scotland was an independent kingdom, often at war with England, until 1603. In 1603 King James VI of Scotland became King of England. In 1707 the Act of Union was passed. This Act made Scotland and England a united part, but the Scots kept their own legal system, religion and administrative systems and still keep them now.

The Gaelic language is still used rather than English amongst the people of the remote Highlands district. The English language is spoken all over Scotland with a variety of regional accents. There are many words and phrases which are peculiar to Scottish use, and this maintains national distinctness.

Scotland is a northern land. It consists of Highlands and Lowlands. Edinburgh is the capital, Glasgow is the chief centre of commerce and industry. Scotland now has its own Parliament and a number of seats in the United Kingdom House of Commons.

Wales

Wales has been united with England for hundreds of years, and for centuries England and Wales have formed one single political unit. The son and heir of the monarch is given the title «Prince of Wales», but his title has no political significance.

If you look at the bottom of the map you’ll see Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Financially and industrially, Cardiff is the most important city in Wales. Most of the inhabitants of Wales live and work in this city and the adjoining areas. Apart from the docks Cardiff is a beautiful city. If you go to Wales and can’t understand what people are saying, don’t worry! They are not speaking English, they are speaking Welsh. But this is the only distinctive national feature left in Wales.

The Welsh are famous for their singing. A lot of Welsh people play musical instruments, too. The Welsh national costume is still worn by some girls for folk dancing and music festivals. Wales has a very strong folk culture and many people still learn Welsh as their first language.

Northern Ireland

The greater part of Ireland became the Irish Free State (Eire) in 1922. It was a part of the British Commonwealth for a time, but reminded neutral in the Second World War and became a republic in 1949. Meanwhile the six northern counties reminded part of the United Kingdom.

In newspapers you often meet the world «Ulster» which stands for Northern Ireland. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. The political system of Northern Ireland was always dominated by religion. The Protestant and Catholic communities have been mutually hostile for centuries. British troops were sent to Northern Ireland to keep order.

The separation of the six northern counties in 1922 was not readily accepted by the rest of Ireland, and for a long time «Irish Question» has been one of the major problems of British politics. The protestant communities who are allied with the British government terrorize the catholic part of the population of Ulster. On their side are the UDA (Ulster Defence Association) and the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force).The catholic part of Northern Ireland has the IRA (Irish Republican Army) that wants to achieve a untied Ireland by violent means. Today they are condemned by the government of the Irish Republic.

Ex.5 Answer the questions.

1. How big is Scotland? 2. What is the population of Scotland? 3. How did Scotland unite with England? 4. Who speaks the Gaelic language? 5. Where is the English language spoken in Scotland? 6. What parts does Scotland consist of? 7. What are the chief cities of Scotland? 8. Who is given the title «Prince of Wales»? 9. What is the capital of Wales like? 10. What is the only distinctive national feature left in Wales? 11. What are the Welsh famous for? 12. When did Eire become a republic? 13. What is Ulster? 14. What has always dominated the political system of Northern Ireland? 15. What is «Irish Question»?

Ex.8 Match

a) the correspondent Scottish words with the English ones:

Wee, laddie, bonnie, lass, bairn, aye, dram – yes, girl, boy, small, whisky, pretty, child.

b) the correspondent Gaelic words with the English ones:

Bally, slieve, lough, inis, drum, glen – mountain, island, valley, town, lake, mountain top.

c) the correspondent Gaelic names with the English ones:

Sean, Seamus, Liam, Seanna, Brid, Catail – William, Charles, John, Joanna, Bridget, James.

Ex.10 Translate.

1. Шотландия и Англия часто воевали, пока в 1707 году не был подписан акт об объединении. 2. Шотландцы потеряли независимость, но сохранили правовую систему и свою религию. 3. Гэльский язык используется малым количеством населения, большинство из которых говорит на английском с местным акцентом. 4. Наследник британского престола носит титул «Принца Уэльского», хотя он и не имеет политического значения. 5. Большая часть населения Уэльса живет в столице - Кардиффе – или в прилегающих районах. 6. Народная культура, в особенности танцы и песни, очень популярна среди валлийцев. 7. Шесть графств, которые остались в составе Великобритании, образуют Северную Ирландию со столицей в Белфасте. 8. Ирландский вопрос о взаимоотношениях католиков и протестантов является одним из ведущих у британского правительства.

 

 

Text 8 In the Highlands

The drive from England to Scotland provides the traveller with many pleasant changes of scenery. As it is a fairly long journey, it is good to be able to travel with a friend who can take turns with you at the wheel.

A patriotic Scotsman travelling with an English friend may tell him he is going to see in the Highlands the finest scenery in the world. This may sound exaggerated, but on arriving in the Highlands most people readily agree that the scenery is indeed magnificent.

The Highlands are, as the name implies, the hilly or mountainous region of the country.

On the first night in Scotland, a tourist may choose to put up at a hotel in the little town of Callander, which is known as one of «the Gateways to the Highlands». On the following day, he can set out to see various lakes, or rather «lochs», in the neighbourhood, and will be delighted with the wild and romantic aspect of the countryside. When he returns to his hotel tie will be glad to eat a copious «high tea». This is a meal which, in Scotland and many parts of northern England, takes the place of tea and dinner. It consists of one substantial course, such as one would have at dinner, followed by bread-and-butter, with jam or honey, and some kind of cakes; tea is drunk with the meal, which is taken at about six o'clock in the evening. One has a light supper late in the evening.

The next morning many tourists journey on to the west coast, passing on their way Loch Lomond, one of the largest and most famous of the Scottish lakes. The road twists and turns, dips and climbs, but is not dangerous. The greatest hazard is the black-faced sheep: these animals are as active and impudent as goats, and frequently wander recklessly into the road. The tourist may also see a herd of long-haired Highland cattle, which look savage but are no more so than ordinary cattle. Eventually, the road runs parallel with the sea, along a coastline fringed with little islands and made ragged with rocky bays and the deep inlets that are also called «lochs».

Ex.1 Answer the questions.

1 What is meant by to take turns?

2 What wheel is meant in the expression to take turns at the wheel?

3 What are the names given to the meat of these animals: cows, sheep, pigs, calves, deer?

4 What is the opposite of a reckless person?

5 What is the difference between a wild animal and a savage animal?

6 What is the meaning of eventually?

7 «Deep water». What is the opposite of deep?

8 On what might one find a fringe?

Ex.3 Answer the questions.

1. Does it take long to drive from England to Scotland?

2. What may make a long journey less tiring for a driver?

3. What sort of country are the Highlands?

4. Where might a tourist stay on his first night in Scotland?

5. What is meant by high tea?

6. What do Scotsmen often have in place of dinner?

7. What is the road to the west coast like?

8. Why are Highland sheep sometimes dangerous?

9. What other animals may one see there?

10. What is a loch?

Text 9 Edinburgh

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a fine old city built partly in the valley of the River Leith and partly on the rolling hills which surround it. The city is dominated by the castle, an ancient fortress standing on the summit of a massive rock, which has been the scene of many battles and sieges throughout centuries of Scottish history. Today what remains of the original castle is preserved as a museum piece and a home for military relics.

For three weeks every summer, Edinburgh is alive with exhilarated festival-goers and performers who come from all over the word, and the city is gay with flags and decorations. This international festival of the arts fills every theatre, concert hall, exhibition gallery and assembly room with performances of opera, dancing, music, plays, revues, films, puppet shows and recitals, and specially-mounted exhibitions of painting and sculpture. The festi­val is not limited to indoor activities: every weekday the noise of the city's traffic is lost in the sound of music as the Scottish pipers march along Princes Street with kilts swinging and drums beating. But the most spectacular event of the festival is undoubtedly the mili­tary tattoo. This takes place under searchlights on the Castle esplanade - the scene of many executions in the past - with the floodlit castle in the background. Nowhere could one find a natural setting more impressive and appropriate.

Ex.1 Answer the questions.

1 What sort of hills are rolling hills?

2 What is the summit?

3 Define massive.

4 What is a siege?

5 What is a relic?

6 What is a thoroughfare? What does the fare part of the word mean?

7 How does one feel when one is exhilarated?

8 What is a puppet?

9 What do you do if you floodlight a place?

Ex.4 Answer the questions.

1 What is the location of the city of Edinburgh?

2 What building dominates the town? What is it used for?

3 When is the Edinburgh Festival held?

4 What sort of festival is it?

5 Mention three activities which go on during the Edinburgh Festival.

6 What is the city's most spectacular event and where does it take place?

Text 10

Scottish names

Many people in Scotland have the name MacDonald or MacKenzie. «Mac» means «son of» and people with this name usually feel they belong to the same family or clan. Campbell or Cameron are other common surnames. Common boys' names are Angus, Donald or Duncan, and girls' names are Morag, Fiona or Jean.

The names Jimmy and Jock are so common that many English people call a man from Scotland «a Jimmy» or «a Jock»!

Scottish words

Many Scottish people still use some Scottish words when they speak English.

«Wee», meaning small, is often heard in such expressions as «wee laddie» - small boy. «A bonnie lass» is a pretty girl and a «bairn» is a young child. If someone answers your ques­tions with «aye» they are agreeing with you: «aye» means yes. Finally, if you are offered a «wee dram» be careful: you'll be given some whisky to drink and you will probably have to drink it all in one go!

Whisky

A typical sight in many Highland valleys or glens is the white buildings of the malt whisky distilleries. No two malt whiskies are the same, and the taste cannot be copied anywhere else in the world, as the water comes from the local hills. Whisky was first pro­duced in Scotland in 1494 and for many years there was a lot of smuggling to avoid paying taxes. There are more than 100 malt whisky distilleries in the Highlands and it is not sur­prising that the word «Scotch» (Scottish is used to describe someone or something from Scotland) is used to mean whisky throughout the world.

 

Ex.2 Word search.

Make a list of things that you associate with Scotland and Scotsmen. Compare your list with your groupmate's. Explain your choice. How many of them can you find in the square below?

T	N	Z	К	V	Т	В	W	В	Н
H	A	G	G	I	S	С	К	И	О
W	Y	T	D	С	L	F	М	R	G
В	P	Q	T	A	R	T	А	N	М
R	С	Z	N		X	V	S	S	А
F	К	Q	M	L	О	С	Н	В	N
E	D	I	N	В	И	R	G	Н	А
P	R	E	F	В	D	Q	Р	W	Y
R	S	T	F	О	G	К	S	Е	В
В	L	О	Q	S	С	О	Т	С	Н

Scotland Quiz

1 The capital of Scotland is

a) Edinburgh

b) Glasgow

c) Aberdeen

2 A haggis is a type of

a) musical instrument

b) food

c) clothing

3 Many Scots have names beginning Mac or Mc. Originally this meant

a) head of the family

b) son of...

c) Scottish for «Mr»

4 A clan is a

a) type of Scottish family group

b) Scottish castle

c) traditional Scottish sword

5 Ben Nevis is, or was

a) a famous Scottish nationalist

b) the highest mountain in Britain

c) an island on the west coast

6 How many of these does Scotland have?

a) its own banknotes

b) its own church

c) its own national football team

7 The Scottish national emblem is

a) heather

b) a thistle

c) a deer

8 One of Scotland's most famous exports is

a) lager

b) beer

c) whisky

 

Ex.5 Imagine that you and your groupmates have just returned from Scotland. Recall the places you visited, the things you saw, the things you learned about this country and its people and share your impressions with your groupmates.

Ex.1 Answer the questions.

1 Can you find in the text two words for to conquer?

2 What is mountain fastness?

3 What is the opposite of retain?

4 Which verb is closer in meaning to the verb animate in the sentence: A deep and fierce love of their country has always animated the Welsh people. Choose from: enliven, stimulate, activate, quicken, encourage, waken, arouse, excite, provoke, stir, inspire, invigorate.

5 What do we do if we defy the enemy? Choose the best variant(s).

We

Disregard ignore scorn disobey confront provoke resist oppose challenge

the enemy

6 What is the opposite of to defy?

7 What can be retained by a nation?

8 Can you find another word for retain?

9 What is another word for language?

10 Say in other words: The legend of King Arthur originated in Wales.

11 Find the synonym to the word deeply in the text.

12 What do we mean by fierce love of the country? Choose the best variant(s): violent, furious, stormy, wild, intense, keen, powerful, strong, uncontrollable, passionate, ardent.

13 What is the opposite of fierce?

14 Find in the text the word that means a strong wish or need.

15 Say in other words go back 1400 years.

16 Explain the difference between go back 1400 years and go back to the year 1400.

17 Can you find another word for invader?

18 Say in other words: for this reason.

19 Find in the text the word that means to develop well and be successful.

Text 12 The Land of Song

Wales has been called «The Land of Song». The Welsh people are renowned for their good voices and it is rare to find a village without at least one choir competing in an «ei­steddfod» or arts festival. The bigger festival of all is the International Eisteddfod held every year in Llangollen in Clwyd. Singers, dancers, musicians and poets come from all over the world to compete for the awards, often wearing colourful national costume. The prizes are awarded in the presence of a large crowd clad in ancient Druid robes. The Welsh girls con­tribute to the festival gaiety with their national dress - a tall black hat, a scarlet skirt and a starched white apron. The streets of this small country town bustle with the comings and goings of visitors speaking many languages.

Ex. 1 Answer the questions .

1 What is the opposite of rare?

2Can you explain the meaning of hustle and bustle?

3 What can be colourful?

4 Can you think of another word for gaiety?

5 Give a colloquial word for clad.

Ex.4 Answer the questions.

1 Why is Wales often called the «land of song»?

2 What is an «eisteddfod»?

3 What is the location of the International Eisteddfod?

4 Describe the national costume of Welsh women?

Ex.5 Work in groups of three. You have just returned from Wales. Student A vis­ited the International Eisteddfod. Student В attended lectures at Cardiff University on the history of Wales. Student С lived in a family of a coal miner. Share your impressions .

Ex.6 Write about your impressions of the first three days of your stay in Wales .

Text 14

Belfast

The original Irish name for the capital of Northern Ireland was Beal Feirste. Modern Belfast is situated at the mouth of the river Logan. It's the second biggest city in Ireland (Dublin is the biggest) and the largest port and shipbuilding centre.

In the 1920s, Ireland was divided into north and south. The south became an independent country and the north remained a part of the United Kingdom. Since then, Belfast has been the focus of a lot of political violence. The Catholics in Northern Ireland want a united Ireland, but the Protestants, a majority in the north, want to remain a part of the UK. The result has been hundreds of bomb attacks and murders in Belfast between rival groups. But behind the news and the TV pictures, life goes on as nor­mal for most Belfasters, even if security checks, British army patrols and slogans painted on walls have become a part of the city's identity.

Britain quiz

Land's End is

A) one of the highest peaks of the UK

B) the most northern island belonging to the UK

C) one of the capes of Great Britain

D) a lake in Scotland

10 A person with the name MacKenzie will probably come from...

A) the Fens

B) the Highlands

C) The Cambrian mountains

D) The Pennines

11 Ulster is the second name of...

A) Scotland B) England C) Wales D) Northern Ireland

UNIT 2 LONDON

Ex.1 Answer the questions.

1 What is meant by a cosmopolitan metropolis?

2 Find a word meaning to walk in a slow relaxed way.

3 What is a high street?

4 Find a word meaning spreading over a wide area in an untidy or unattractive way.

5 Find a synonym to the words magnificence, grandeur.

6 From the list of synonyms choose the one (s) that is / are closest in meaning to the word dramatic as used in the text: striking, vivid, effective, breathtaking, powerful, excit­ing, sensational, melodramatic, sudden, startling. What is its opposite?

7 What is meant by remnants of the past?

8 Find a phrase meaning to disappear.

9 Find a synonym to the word to impose.

10 Find the opposite of the word to deny in the text.

Ex.2 Without looking back at the text, try to supply the missing word that com­pletes these expressions.

- to wind its _____;

- _____ carriages;

- military _____;

- remnants of the _____;

- many visitors _____abroad

Ex.4 Answer the questions.

1 Has London changed much since the 18^th century?

2 Can you agree with the statement that London has kept its heart?

3 Why is London described as a sprawling cosmopolitan metropolis?

4 What is meant by a countrified past of London's suburbs?

 

 

Text 2

Ex.2 Read the text.

London

London is an ancient city. It grew up around the first point where the Roman invaders found the Thames narrow enough to build a bridge. They found a small Celtic settlement then known as Londinium and by 300 A. D. they had turned into a sizable port and an important trading centre with a wall which enclosed the homes of about 50 000 people.

One in seven of the population of the United Kingdom is a Londoner. About 7 million people live in London. London dominates British life. It’s the home of the nation’s commerce and finance, the main centre of its legal system and the press. It has the largest university and the greatest possibilities for entertainment and for sport in the country. London is one of the famous capital cities of the world, and every year attracts crowds of visitors from home and abroad. They come to explore its historic buildings, to see its museums and galleries, its streets and parks, and its people.

The built-up area of London stretches 50 kilometres from east to west and many of its districts are linked with particular activities, for example, parliamentary and government activity centres on Parliament Square of Westminster and Whitehall. Just as «Westminster» stands for Parliament so «Whitehall» is often used as the name for central Government. Off Whitehall in a small side-street Downing Street – is a quiet, unimpressive house - № 10 – the official home of Prime Minister.

Just as Wall Street in New York is the centre of commerce and finance so the City of London, sometimes called «the square mile», is the centre of money matters. Fleet Street near St. Paul’s Cathedral used to be a busy street full of London, provincial and foreign newspaper offices such as «The Daily Express», «The Daily Telegraph». Fleet Street is still used to describe the newspaper industry.

London is full of parks and green spaces. Hyde Park, originally a royal hunting forest, is the largest park in London. Beyond Hyde Park lies another royal park, Kensington Gardens. Children gather by the statue of Peter Pan, James Barrie’s well-known book character, or sail their model boats on the Round Pond. In the north of London is Regent’s Park with a zoo and an open-air theatre.

Like many capital cities, London grew up along a major river. The Thames divides London sharply in two. Most of central London is on the north bank of the river. The Thames at London is tidal and there have been several serious floods. The risk of this is increasing as southern England is sinking in relation to sea level. Threat of disaster, however, has been lessened by the construction of a flood barrier.

It is always interesting for tourists to take a trip along the Thames in a boat as it gives a striking panorama of London. The best way to see the city quickly is from the top of London red double-decker buses. Special tourist buses go on two-hour circular tours. The other quick and easy way of getting around London is by «tube» – the Underground railway. During the «rush hours», when office workers hurry to and from work, the tube train doors can hardly close behind the crushed crowd.

Ex.3 Answer the questions.

1. What was Londinium? 2. How did the Roman invaders influence the development of London? 3. How many people live in London? 4. What is the role of London in British life? 5. Why is London popular with tourists? 6. What is the size of London? 7. What are Westminster and Whitehall? 8. What is the official home of Prime Minister? 9. What is “the square mile”? 10. What is Fleet Street famous for? 11. What are the main parks in London? 12. What parks are mostly popular with children? 13. What role does the Thames play in London? 14. What are the best ways for tourists to see London?

Ex.8 Translate.

1. Маленькое кельтское поселение Лондиниум находилось в месте, где Темза была достаточно узкой, чтобы построить мост. 2. Лондон – это британский центр коммерческой и финансовой деятельности, юридической системы и прессы. 3. Туристы приезжают в Лондон посмотреть на его исторические здания, а также из-за возможности хорошо отдохнуть и провести время. 4. Резиденция Премьер-министра – это тихий, ничем не примечательный дом на маленькой боковой улице недалеко от Уайтхолла. 5. Лондон знаменит своими парками. Дети особенно любят парк “Кенсингтон Гарденз”, где находится статуя Питера Пена, а также “Регент Парк” с его зоопарком. 6. Темза уже стала причиной нескольких наводнений, поэтому чтобы избежать стихийных бедствий, в Лондоне была построена дамба.

Visiting London

- Here we are in England. I'm very glad the trip is over.

- You don't feel well, do you?

- I was a little air-sick. But I'm all right now.

- That's well. By the way, how long are you going to stay in London?

- Only three days. I can't have much time for my sightseeing. So I'd like to make a trip through the streets of London right now in order to get the general impres­sion of the city.

- Let me accompany you. I know the city well. And the weather is so brilliant.

- Oh, that's the first surprise of mine. We used to think that there are fogs or rains in London nearly every day of the year. But the weather is perfectly well today. A slight wind is blowing and the air is full of spring smells.

- We'll see more of the city from the top of the bus. We shall begin from the West End and see the principal historical buildings and monuments such as Westmin­ster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery.

- Now we are moving along Oxford street. You can see numerous shops, banks and restaurants on both sides of the street. The pavements are crowded with people. In the roadway there is a constant stream of cars, taxis, buses and lor­ries. It's dangerous to cross the road until the traffic is stopped.

- An unusual thing is that your drivers keep to the left.

- Oh, yes. It's very important. We have left-hand traffic here and if you are driving along the street first look to the right, and when you reach the middle of the road, look to your left.

- Your buses differ greatly from our buses. They are all red and double-decked. Are there trolleybuses and trams in London?

- Yes. In some parts of London we have trolleybuses and trams as well.

- Don't you find that it's too noisy in the streets?

- Oh, yes. The noise is deafening. It lasts till midnight. But the matter is that people get used to it very soon.

- Look at that building with many towers, please. Is that the Houses of Parlia­ment? I recognize it from the pictures.

- You are quite right. It's the Houses of Parliament, the place where the Gov­ernment sits. It's very beautiful there. And can you recognize Westminster Abbey?

- Oh, here it's, on the left. I know, the greatest English poets are buried there. I'd like to come to this place once again. And is this place Picca­dilly Circus?

- No, this is Trafalgar Square. There's a bus stop over there. We'll get off and see the National Gallery.

- OK and then we'll spend the rest of the day in some of the parks nearby.

- We are in Hyde Park, aren't we?

- You are quite right. It's the famous Hyde Park.

- It's splendid here! I'm delighted. Everything around is green and fresh. It's a good place to have a rest. The ducks are swimming in the pools. Children are playing in playgrounds. People in light spring clothes are walking not only along the paths but also across the grass.

- Yes, people are allowed to do everything on the grass. You can sing, or dance, or cry, or preach and nobody will make you a remark.

- I've heard a lot about the Speakers' Corner. It's a big open place where a man can stand on a chair, or on a platform, or on the ground and speak everything he likes. You can listen to him, ask questions or you may pass him by without any reaction.

- We are sure to see the place. It's worth seeing it.

- By the way, are there many such parks in London?

- Quite a lot. Except Hyde Park which is one of the best there is Green Park, Kensington Gardens, St. James Park and others. People call them "lungs of London".

- I've got sure it's a wonderful place to spend time in. But it's getting dark, and I dream of seeing the city at night.

- At night all the streets are lit by electricity, or in some districts by the brilliant shop-windows and the illuminated signs and advertisements, so that after dark everything looks as bright as in broad daylight.

- I see. The picture is breathtaking when you first see it. I thought I knew London in a way but it turned out to be a new world for me today. So many impressions!

- That's really more than enough for one day. I'm glad you liked it.

- Thank you ever so much. It was so kind of you to accompany me. Buy.

Text 3

Westminster

«Westminster» means an abbey located in the west. The old city of Westminster began to grow a mile and a half up­stream to the west of the minster of the monks of St. Peter's. Under Edward the Confessor it was rebuilt and gave birth to Westminster Abbey, the main church of England.

Westminster was then (961) on an island, standing above the level of the shallow lagoons which dotted the marshy ground up­stream from the city's western wall. In 1060 a vast area became available for redevelopment and soon Edward the Confessor moved to a new royal residence at Westminster. It was a splendid palace with noble stone walls, painted chambers and rows of offices, kitchens and cellars. And for the last thousand years, Westminster has been the centre of political and religious power in England.

Besides Westminster is one of the two historical centres of modern London. It's well-known that the Romans built a bridge across the Thames and their encampment grew up on the north bank of the river. The principal fort of it was on the site now occupied by the Tower of London. The Roman fort gradually turned into the City of London, the city of trade and the Merchant Guilds. And further to the north was the other centre, focused on Westminster Abbey, and the Royal City of Westminster.

The two towns grew up side by side. At first the Thames was the most important means of communication between them. Later the chief road link was along the Strand (originally mean­ing a sandy shore), now a famous street in London.

It's strange to imagine now how much Londoners and men of Westminster distrusted each other. Quarrels and disputes between tradesmen, friendly wrestling contests often ended in ferocious fights. It took a lot of time for orders and proclama­tions, issued both by the king and the city authorities, to bring those outbreaks of violence to an end.

The classical view of the modern building of Westminster Palace as the seat of British Parliament is a true visiting card of London. Its foggy silhouette against the Thames was subtly cap­tured by Claude Monet, the famous French impressionist.

Ex. 2 Questions.

1What did Westminster look like in early days?

2 How did Westminster Abbey start?

3 What was the Westminster Palace of Edward the Confessor like?

4 What does Westminster stand for now?

5 How was the first historical centre of London founded?

6 What was the second historical centre of London focused on?

7 What means of communication linked the two towns?

8 What marked the life of the Londoners of the Middle Ages for many years?

9 What helped bring the outbreaks of violence in London to an end?

10 Who captured the classical view of Westminster Palace in painting?

Ex.3 Express your opinion.

1 What do you think about the location of Westminster in ear­ly days?

2 What periods of Westminster's history do you suppose are most worth remembering?

Ex.4 Is there a historical centre in Minsk, your native town or in any foreign capital you have visited? Speak about the cul­tural and educational value of historic places.

Text 4

The British Museum

The British Museum is one of the greatest and best-known museums in the world, both in the diversity of its collections and in their wide range and high quality. It was founded in 1753 by a decision of the Parliament.

The British Museum occupying a splendid great build­ing, in the neo-classical or Grecian style, was erected between 1823 and 1847.

Of the 11 major departments into which the museum is divided, the most outstanding are the Assyrian and Babylonian, the Egyptian, and the Greek and Roman Antiquities. The last makes a particular contribution to the glory of the museum with its collection of sculptures from the Parthenon.

There are also extremely important ethnological collections, including exhibits from the Pacific islands (such as ancient Polynesian idols), and America (such as the Aztec sculptures). African civilization is also notably well rep­resented.

There is a notable and priceless collection of medieval objects of art from all the countries of Europe.

But the first thing which is associated with the British Museum is its Library.

The Library which is contemporary with the museum, consisted initially of the collection of books belonging to Sir Hans Sloane. To this library were added the other collections of manuscripts and books as well as the royal library, which provided the foundations of what was to become one of the largest and most important libraries in the world.

The British Museum Library came into world prominence under its most remarkable librarian—Sir Antonio Panizzi, an Italian by birth, who had to leave his country because of revolu­tionary activities. Under his direction the library took on its present character. During the thirty-five years of service with the British Museum he formulated the rules and started the general catalogue.

The British Museum Library is a reading-room and a reference library, but not a lending library. The famous circular Reading Room of the Museum, planned by Sir Antonio Panizzi, offers unique research facilities to scholars.

The collection of books is being systematically increased. Today there are millions of volumes in the library store-room.

Ex.1 Answer the questions.

1 When and by what decision was the British Museum founded?

2 When was the building of the Museum built? What can you tell about its style?

3 How many departments is the Museum divided into and what are the most important ones?

4 Is the British Museum Library a lending library?

5 What shape has the Reading Room of the Museum and who was it designed by?

Text 5 London Museums

Three of London's most interesting museums - the Victoria and Albert, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum - are also in this area. The last, as its name suggests, has exhibits of birds, animals and reptiles as well as life-size reconstructions of prehistoric animals. The Victoria and Albert was founded with the aim of improving design in British manufacturing, but over the years it has expanded to include things from almost every place and period, including costumes from the theatre, and paintings. Finally there is the Science Museum, which is always crowded and is certainly the noisiest museum in London. It covers every aspect of science and technology, and the collections are constantly being moved round to make room for new acquisitions. They have inventions that did not become popular, such as the steam bicycle of 1912, and technologica