Correct the following sentences beginning with: “I am afraid that is wrong” or “That is not true to the fact”.

1. Oxford and Cambridge Universities were established in the thirteenth century.

2. Oxbridge denotes the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, both founded in the Renaissance period.

3. Relations between the students and the townspeople were very friendly, and there were often festivals in the streets.

4. The most famous is probably King’s college, because of its magnificent dome.

5. The university was exclusively for women until 1871.

6. Only few colleges have their own dining hall, library and chapel and contain enough accommodation for at least half of their students.

7. Now the majority of colleges are single-sex (mostly men).

8. Nowadays, there are about 1, 000 students in Oxford.

 

Consider the following statements.

1. Oxbridge is a collegiate one. How do you understand it? Can you express your opinion on the above?

2. Oxford and Cambridge Universities are considered to give a very high standard of education. Do you agree? Can you give your reasons?

3. Oxbridge graduates often become powerful and successful members of British society, though this is beginning to change. Do you agree to that? What is really meant?

Discuss pros and cons of the fact that some people think that Oxford and Cambridge Universities are too old-fashioned, traditional, and elitist.

Here are some useful expressions for the supporters:

The point I’m making is…; it is generally felt…; I’m bound to say …; I’m inclined to point out…; everyone knows that …, etc.

Some useful expressions for the opponents:

That’s not the point…; I think it’s absurd to…; anyone can see…; the facts just don’t support…, etc.

(See Appendix I)

 

UNIT 3. ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES

Text 1. Great Britain

 

Active vocabulary to remember

 

climate cool climate mild climate	– климат – прохладный (нежаркий) климат – мягкий климат
a coast	– морской берег, побережье
to consist of smth. to comprise to include	– состоять из чего-либо – включать, заключать в себе – заключать, содержать, включать
a deposit deposits of coal deposits of iron ore natural resources	– залежи, месторождение – месторождения угля – месторождения железной руды – природные богатства (ресурсы)
to divide	– делить, разделять
an enterprise	– промышленное предприятие
fog	– туман
industry a branch of industry cotton industry iron and steel industry ship-building industry textile industry	– промышленность, индустрия – отрасль промышленности – хлопковая промышленность – металлургическая промышленность – кораблестроительная промышлен-ность – текстильная промышленность
to influence	– оказывать влияние, влиять
an island	– остров
to place orders	– заказывать, размещать заказы
power	– могущество, власть, влияние, мощь
to be situated	– располагаться, быть расположен-ным
to vary varied	– менять(ся), изменять(ся) – различный, разнообразный
to be washed by smth.	– омываться чем-либо

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated off the Northwest coast of Europe. The UK consists of four parts. They are: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK lies on the British Isles. The two main islands are Great Britain and Ireland. They are separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. The west coast of the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea, the east coast is washed by the North Sea. The population of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is nearly 60 million.

Geographically Great Britain is divided into Lowland Britain and Highland Britain. Lowland Britain comprises Southern and Eastern Britain. Highland Britain includes Scotland, Wales, the Pennines and the Lake District. The highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is in Scotland. The flora of the British Isles is much varied and the fauna is similar to that of the north-west of Europe.

Britain is not very rich in natural industrial resources. The main coal areas are the South Wales fields, the Lowlands of Scotland, the Yorkshire field and others. The deposits of iron ore are in the east of England and in the Middle-England plain.

The climate of Great Britain is mild. The Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the weather of the British Isles. Summers are cool and rainy. There is a lot of rain and fog in autumn and in winter.

There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain. The Severn is the longest river; the Thames is the most important one.

The United Kingdom is one of the world's most industrialized countries. Big cities and towns such as London, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and others have enterprises of nearly all branches of industry, old and new.

The biggest centers of iron and steel industry are situated in the neighbourhood of coal basins. They are Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgowand Sheffield. Steam engines and electric motors, machine tools, derricks, textile machinery, locomotives and automobiles are produced at the machine-building plants of Birmingham, Sheffield and London. The shipbuildingindustry is of great importance for Britain. Many countries place orders for new ships with the British shipyards in Glasgow, Belfast and Newcastle. The most important branches of the textile industry are woolen and cotton industries. British woolen stuffs are widely known for their high quality. The main center of the cotton industry is Manchester. Britain imports cotton from America and other countries through the port of Liverpool.

The capital of the country is London. English is the official language.

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The powers of the British Queen are limited by Parliament. The British Parliament consists of the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The main political parties of Great Britain are the Conservative and Labour Parties. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has always played an important role in world politics.

 

Notes:

1. English Channel 2. Highland Britain 3. Lowland Britain 4. Lowlands of Scotland 5. Lake District 6. The Pennines 7. Strait of Dover

- Английский канал (принятое в Великобритании название пролива Ла-Манш) -гористая часть Великобритании - низменная часть Великобритании - Шотландская низменность - Озерный край, Озерный округ (живописный район рек и озер на северо-западе Англии) - Пеннинские горы - Па-де-Кале (букв. Дуврский пролив)

Practice: