III. Find in the text equivalents to the given phrases

The top of the social ladder; to slacken; traditionally; turn out to be wrong; to stay at work longer then one has to; to keep under control (to rule); economic depression; to be easy to discover; preference; enterprising; squalor; to tackle the idea; to be astonished by something; an area for car’s placement; to undergo negative influence of something; to infuse hope into; to be disconcerted.

IV. Paraphrase the given word combinations and try to explain their meanings to your groupmates

a) Outward sign at aristocracy;

b) Blue-collars and white-collars;

c) Anti-work outlook;

d) Bowler-hatted “city gent”

e) To haggle over the prices;

f) High street shop

V. Think these questions over:

1) What is confusing about Britain attitude to work?

2) What is social perception of manual and non-manual kinds of work?

3) What are three main ways for people to look for work in Britain? What are they in Russia?

4) What contributed to the country’s economic decline?

5) Why does Britain remain an attractive country for investors?

6) What role has secrecy played in the reputation of City?

7) What examples of the British reluctancy to the introduction of “new money” can you give?

8) Are British people enthusiastic shoppers? What can you say about Russians?

9) Why are foreign visitors sometimes surprised at the view of British shop-window displays?

10) What can one buy at a small high street shop?

11) How long do large out-of-town supermarkets stay open in Britain? Do shops open for more or fewer hours a week in Russia?

12) What changes occurred in Britain in recent years with regard to Sunday-opening?

VI. Agree or disagree with the statements from the text

1) If you have to work, then the less it looks like work the better.

2) The habits of secrecy that might be thought of as undesirable in other aspects of public life become an advantage in financial dealings.

3) Money provides frequent opportunities for British conservatism to show itself.

4) Independent shop owners feel need to follow conventional ideas about what a particular shop does and doesn’t sell.

5) Continentals are always disconcerted by the English attitude to work. They appear neither to view it as a heavy burden imposed by fate, nor to embrace it as a sacred obligation.

Holidays and special occasions

I. Mind the pronunciation of the following words:

routine	[ru:´tI:n]	установившаяся практика;
cater	[´keIt{]	поставлять провизию, обслуживать;
entertainment	[,ent{#teInm{t]	зрелище, представление
paddle	[#p@dl]	идти босиком по воде;
arcades	[a:#keIdz]	пассаж (с магазинами);
pier	[pI{]	пирс
chalet	[#S@leI]	дача, коттедж в швейцарском стиле;
destination	[,destI#neISn]	место назначения, цель;
hostel	[#hOstl]	туристический лагерь;
frantic	[#fr@ntIk]	неистовый, безумный;
chimney	[#tSImnI]	труба (дымовая); дымоход;
carol	[#k@r{l]	гимн (рождественский);
gunpowder	[#g[n,paud{]	черный порох.