Look at the flag and the name and guess what crosses on the flag mean, why it has such name.

 

3. Read the text and check if your ideas were right:

FLAG OF GB

The history of Britain’s flag goes back to 16^th century when the inhabitants of the British Isles united under one King. But a problem arose, which flag should represent the state and be on the king’s ships. In 1606 the problem was solved. They created a union flag. Firstly, it was known as «the British flag» or «the flag of Britain». Since 1707 they began to call it «the Union Jack». The exact origin of the name is unclear. «Jack» refers to the flag that is flown on the ship and denoted a nationality.

 

4. Work in groups:

a) Read one text about other symbols of the UK countries. Make up a rebus and draw it on the poster.

b) Exchange the posters and reconstruct the text. Present it to the class.

c) Listen to the presentations and fill in the table about the symbols.

 

country

flag

plant

Saint patron

other symbols

 

England

The flag of England is a red cross on a white background. It was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12^th century. The king’s soldiers wore it in battle. Like England, every country in the UK has its own patron saint who in times of great danger helped to save the country from its enemies. England’s patron saint is Saint George. One of the best-known stories about him is his fight with a dragon. He is known through out the world as the dragon-slaying patron saint of England. St. George’s Day is on April 23^rd , so, in a sense, this is England’s national day. The national flower of England is a red rose.

Wales

The Welsh flag is a green and white bicolour (the white stripe is on top) picturing a large, red dragon. The red dragon is a symbol of Wales. It has been used in Wales since the Romans invaded and occupied Wales (in the 1^st century AD, almost two thousand years ago). Saint patron of Wales is St. David. His day is celebrated on the 1^st of March. He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. He spread the word of Christianity across Wales. St. David’s Day is commemorated by the wearing of daffodils or leeks. Both plants are traditionally regarded as national emblem.

Scotland

The national flower of Scotland is the thistle, a prickly-leaved purple flower which was first used in the 15^th century as a symbol of defence. St. Andrew is Scotland’s patron.

Northern Ireland

The national flower of Northern Ireland is the shamrock, a three-leaved plant similar to clover. An Irish tale tells of how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Born in Britain, he was carried off by pirates and spent 6 years in slavery before escaping and training as a missionary. His day is on the 17^th of March.

 

Part 3 «THE BRITISH CHARACTER»

1. Read the proverbs and find the Russian equivalents. Think what they have in common:

 

· When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

· So many countries, so many customs.

· East or West home is best.

 

2. From the list of sayings given below choose those that could describe the British way of life. Give your comments:

· An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one.

· The Englishman who visits Mount Etna will carry his tea-kettle to the top.

· In Britain you need four ‘thank you’ to buy a bus ticket.

· Not only England, but every Englishman is an island.

 

3. Read the text and choose the sayings, which are according to the text:

WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO

Good and bad manners make up the social rules of the country. It is not always easy to learn them because they are not written down in books! These are «unwritten rules».

Visitors to Britain are often surprised by the strange behaviour of its inhabitants. The British like queues. They queue up when they are waiting for a bus, in shops… So one of the mistakes is to get on a bus without waiting your turn. The British are very sensitive to such behaviour and they may get angry at queue-jumpers – people who do not wait their turn in the queue.

The British are more reserved than the people of many other countries. They do not like to show their emotions. They usually do not easily get into conversation with strangers. They do not like personal questions (for example, how much they earn or about their family life). They take more time to make friends. They would like to know you better before they ask you home. So do not be upset if your English friends do not invite you home!

It is rude to smoke in someone’s house without asking: «May I smoke here?».

If you enjoyed the evening, call your friend the next day or write him a short «thank you letter». Perhaps it seems funny to you, but British say «thank you, thank you» all the time.

In some countries it is not polite to eat in the street. In Britain it is common to see people eating in the street, but it is not polite to smoke in the public places. And non-smokers can be rude to smokers who break the rule.

Pubs are an important part in British life. People, especially men, go to the pubs to relax, meet friends and sometimes to do business.

At one time, it was unusual for women to go to pubs. These days, however, there are only a few pubs where it is surprising for a woman to walk in.

Children under the age of 14 are still not allowed into some pubs.

Pub food is cheaper than in most restaurant, and you do not have to leave a tip. But you have to go to the bar to get your food and drink. There are no waiters in pubs.

Try to remember all these rules, when you are in Britain, as there is a very good proverb: «When in Rome, do as Romans do».

 

VOCABULARY

social rules «unwritten rules» character inhabitant traits of character features to behave behaviour to characterize to seem failure to be supposed to to queue up to wait someone’s turn habit to make friends to get into conversation to rely on to break rules to follow the rules

правила поведения в обществе неписанные правила характер житель черты характера особенность вести себя поведение характеризовать казаться неудача предполагается выстраиваться в очередь ждать своей очереди привычка подружиться вступить в разговор полагаться нарушать правила следовать (соблюдать) правилам

EXERCISES