Here are some proverbs and quotations ( цитаты ) about Britain and its people. Try to learn them by heart.

1. My home is my castle.

2. If you want to eat well in England, eat three breakfasts.

                                               (W.Somerset Maugham).

3. I don’t desire (желаю) to change anything in England except the weather.                                                 (Oscar Wilde).

4. An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue.

                                                 (George Mikes).

5. In for a penny, in for a pound. (Сделано на пенни, нужно сделать и на фунт).

2. Give Russian equivalents to the following words and word combinations:

 

Official name, mountain, mild, industrial, deep, to be famous for, monarchy, party, official language, the head of the Government, to appoint, to make laws, to be made up.

 

3. Find in the text English equivalents to the following words and word combinations:

 

Ла–Манш; королева; состоять из; официальный язык; монарх; выбирать; лидер; климат; политическая партия; палата лордов; члены палаты общи; ограничивать; король.

 

4. Fill in the gaps:

 

1. The …… ….. of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and           Northen Ireland.

2. The UK is …….. monarchy.

3. The head of the ……. is the Prime Minister, who is the …… of the party  in    …..

4. GB is separated from the Continent by the …… ……...

5. The longest river in Great Britain is …..

6. English is the official ……. of ……. ……..

7. The power of the monarch is …… by ……..

8. Parliament is made up of the …… ….. and the …… …..

9. At present there are four main ….. ….. in Great Britain.

10. Cambridge and Oxford are …… …… cities.

 

5. Answer the following questions:

 

1. Where is Great Britain situated?

2. What is the official name of the country?

3. What countries is it made up of?

4. What is the climate of Britain?

5. What is the longest river in GB?

6. Who is the official head of the state?

7. How many Houses does Parliament have?

8. Who is the head of the Government?

9. Are there four main political parties in GB?

10. What is the official languageof Great Britain?

6. Translate into English:

 

1. Великобритания расположена на Британских островах.   

2. В состав Великобритании входят Англия, Шотландия, Уэльс и Северная Ирландия.

3. Климат в Великобритании теплый и мягкий.

4. Великобритания – конституционная монархия.

5. Главой государства является король или королева.

6. Парламент Великобритании состоит из палаты лордов и палаты общин.

7. Главой правительства является премьер-министр.

8. Английский –официальный язык Великобритании.

 

Retell the text.

Read the dialogues and learn them by heart.

1. Hallo, Andrew! I haven’t seen you for ages. Where have you been all this time?
2. I have just come from Great Britain.
3. Oh, I see. Were you in England and Scotland?
4. Both.
5. How interesting!

 

********* ******** **********

1. Britain seems to me to be living history.
2. There is so much to see there.
3. I want to practise my English!
4. I’ve heard the English countryside is really beautifull and romantic.
5. So many interesting cities: London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Cambridge, York… The list goes on and on!
6. It’s a wonderful place for walking.
7. I’ve always wanted to visit Liverpool – the home of THE BEATLES.

LESSON 7.

TEXT                              London.

 London is the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is an ancient city. London was founded more than two thousand years go. Today it is one of the largest cities in the world. Julius Ceasar named it  Londinium. It became the state's capital in 1066.

London is situated in the South-Eastern part of Great Britain on the banks of the Thames river. Its population is over 9 million.

Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They differ much from each other.

The City is the oldest part of London, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and companies are concentrated here. Few people live here, but over a million come to work to the City.

Two famous buildings are situated within the City: St.Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. Sir Christopher Wren built the Cathedral in the 17^th century. The Tower was created in the 11^th century and was used as a fortress, a palace and a prison. Now it is a museum.

Westm inster is the aristocratic official part of London. It includes Buckingham Palace where the Queen resides and the Houses of Parliament.

The Clock Tower of the Houses of the Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as "Big Ben".

Westminster Abbey is the church where nearly all British kings were crowned and buried after their death. Charles Dickens, Isaac Newton, Redyard Kipling, are buried here too.

Whitehall is the street of Britain's ministers. It runs between Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square. The British government itself is often called Whitehall because there are many government officies in this street.

The Prime Minister has his official residence there at number 10 Downing Street.

The West End is the place where rich and famous people live. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs, parks and houses are situated here. English aristocracy lives in this area.

One of the busiest streets in the West End is Oxford Street.

Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in the memory of Admiral Nelson's victory at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The Nelson's column stands in the middle of the square.

The East End is the industrial district of the capital. There are many factories and plants here.

Words and word combinations:

 

ancient – древний, старинный;

to divide – делить, разделять;

financial – финансовый;

numerous – многочисленный;

prison – тюрьма;

to reside – проживать,жить, находиться;

to crown – короновать;

wealth – богатство;

luxury – роскошь;

aristocracy – аристократия;

to include – включать;

district – район, округ;

peninsula – полуостров.

 

ASSIGMENT:

1. Phonetic difficulties. Practise the following:

a) Which is this switch?

Which switch is which?

b) Does George enjoy teaching geography?

 Teaching geography is the joy of his life.

 

2. Find in the text the English equivalents to the following words and word combinations:

Расположен в юго-восточной части; несколько частей; финансовый и деловой центр; Собор св. Павла; официальная часть; промышленный район; после их смерти; богатство и роскошь в память о победе адмирала Нельсона; в середине площади; был основан; традиционно.

 

3. Fill in the gaps:

2. London is an …… city.

3. It is situated in the ……. part …. of …….

4. Julius Ceasar …… London Londinium.

5. Traditionally London is ….. into ….. parts: the City, Westminster, the West-End and the East- End.

6. The ….. is the oldest part of London.

7. The Tower of London was …… in the eleventh century.

8.  The Prime Minister has his …… …… there at number 10 Downing Street.

9. English ….. lives in this area.

10.It was named in ……. of Admiral Nelson’s victory at the battle of …….. in 1805.

11.……. ……. is the church where nearly all British kings were crowned and …… after their death.

 

Retell the text.