Give English equivalents to the following words and word combinations.

 

Объединенное Королевство; Британские острова; официальное название государства; состоять из четырех частей; омываться морем; гористый; изменчивая погода; влажный климат; важный промышленный центр; ведущая отрасль; крупнейший производитель; текстильная промышленность; культурный центр; конституционная монархия.

 

Match the sentence beginnings to the correct endings.

 

1. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is	a) limited by the Parliament.
2. The United Kingdom is	b) mild due to the influence of the Gulf Stream.
3. The climate of the British Isles is	c) inhabited by the English, the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish.
4. Great Britain is a country	d) the official name of the state.
5. The Queen's power is	e) with a highly developed agriculture.

Answer the questions to discuss the details of the text.

 

1. What is the official name of Great Britain?

2. Where is the United Kingdom situated?

3. What countries does the UK consist of?

4. What are the most important rivers of Great Britain?

5. What influences the climate of Great Britain?

6. What can you say about mountains, rivers and lakes in Great Britain?

7. What are the capital cities of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

9. What are the most important industrial centres of Great Britain?

10. What are Britain’s chief industries?

 

Read the following dialogues and supply the missing words. Act them out.

A.

– Is England the name of that country?

– No, it isn't. It's called..., or simply Britain.... is a part of it.

– Really? So, I'm sorry, I'm mistaken.

– In my opinion you simply mix the names.

– And what about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or...? That sounds more official, doesn't it?

– Yes, it's the official name of that country. But you shouldn't forget that though in everyday speech... is used to mean the United Kingdom, it's the name of the island which is made up of England, Scotland and....

– Thanks, I've guessed at last.

 

B.

– Oh, I'm tired with the Customs formalities. Let's take a short rest now. Shall we sit here?

– It's a good idea and the armchairs look cosy. Let's enjoy fresh air.

– Certainly. Well, that's what La Manche looks like.

– You mean the....

– Why? What's the difference?

– Oh, no difference between us, because you are Belarusian and I'm German, but when you speak to a Frenchman, call it.... On the other hand, British people prefer the English Channel.

– Then I think it should be called the British Channel, shouldn't it?

– That's history, traditions and all that.

– Thanks a lot, because it's very good to know the “likes and dislikes” of the country you are going to visit for the first time.

 

 

Crossword Puzzle

 

All the answers to this alphabet crossword begin with the letter E.   Across: 1) a festival of Welsh culture 2) one of the commonest trees in Scotland 3) a branch of biology which deals with relations of living things to their surroundings 5) one of the countries of Great Britain 7) another name of the Irish Republic 8) the capital city of Scotland 9) citizens of England

Down: 1) one of the major industries in South Wales

4) one of the most important industries in Glasgow

6) one of the three parts of London

Read the text “British Agriculture” and answer the questions that follow it.

 

British Agriculture

Agriculture is one of Britain's most important industries; it supplies nearly two-thirds of the country's food. British agriculture is efficient, for it is based on modern technology and research.

Nearly 80 % of the land is used for agriculture. Soils vary from the poor ones of highland Britain to the rich fertile soils in the eastern and south-eastern parts of England. Britain is self-sufficient in milk, eggs, to a very great extent in meat, potatoes, wheat. However, it needs to import butter, cheese, sugar and some other agricultural products.

There are lots of farms in Britain. They are not large. There are three main types of farming in Great Britain: pastoral, arable and mixed. 60% of farms are devoted mainly to dairy or beef cattle and sheep. Sheep and cattle are reared in the hilly and moorland areas of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and south-western England. Milk production is of the first importance in the structure of British agriculture.

Pig breeding is carried on in most areas but is particularly important in southern England, north-eastern Scotland and Northern Ireland. Arable farms are mainly in the eastern part of the country. The main cereal crops in Great Britain are wheat, barley and oats. Rye is grown in small quantities to be used as cattle fodder.

Great Britain produces different kinds of fruit: apples, pears, cherries, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries and others. Potatoes are grown for sale, for fodder and for seed.

Modern machines: tractors, combines and other equipment are used on British farms. Today the main tendency in British agriculture is that small traditional farms are gradually disappearing because they cannot compete with big industrial farms.

1. Why is agriculture one of the most important industries in Britain?

2. What are the main types of farming in Great Britain?

3. What is of the first importance in the structure of British agriculture?

4. What machines are used on British farms?

5. Why are small traditional farms gradually disappearing in British agriculture?