Vocabulary

to occupy – зд. занимать, охватывать

to consist of – состоять (из)

to be separated from – быть отдаленным (от)

to be surrounded by – зд. быть окруженным (чем-либо)

to be situated on – зд. быть расположенным (на чем-либо)

average – средний

distinctly – зд. точно (отчетливо)

to be divided into – быть разделенным (на что-либо)

chief – зд. основной, главный

to be joined by – быть соединенным (чем-либо)

picturesque – живописный

hedges – зд. живая изгородь

varied – разнообразный

arable – зд. пригодная для культивации

land – пахотная земля

wheat – пшеница

barley – ячмень

oats – овес

corn – кукуруза

vessels – суда

executive – исполнительный

bilingual – двуязычный

Parliament – парламент

Monarchy – монархия

Ex.1 Make the correct form of the verb in brackets, using Present Simple:

1. The UK (to occupy) the territory of the British Isles.

2. The British Isles (to consist of) two main islands and 500 smaller ones.

3. The country (to lie) to the north-west of Europe.

4. The UK (to have) many beautiful lakes in Scotland.

5. GB (to import) raw materials from many countries of the world.

Ex.2 Make the correct form of the verb in brackets, using Passive Voice:

1. The north-west of GB (to surround) the Atlantic Ocean.

2. GB and Ireland (to separate) the Irish Sea.

3. GB (to separate) France … the English Channel.

4. The Island of GB (to divide) into 2 parts.

5. English and Scottish rivers (to join) … canals.

6. Gardening in GB (to develop) and lots of vegies (vegetables) (to produce) for

the people.

Ex.3 Use the correct form of the verb “to be”:

1. There … no ice on rivers and lakes in winter.

2. In autumn in Britain there … often thick fogs.

3. There … a lot of dairy cattle in the wetter west.

4. There … a lot of sheep in the Highlands.

5. There … four main nationalities in the UK.

Ex.4 Use the appropriate (comparative or superlative) degree of an adjective:

1. January and February are (cold) months in GB.

2. Lochness is (good) known lake in Scotland.

3. Severn is (long) than the Thames.

4. (important) and (deep) river in England is the Thames.

5. Ben Nevis is (high) peak of the Grampians.

Ex.5 Use the correct article (definite or indefinite), where necessary:

1. … people from … Scotland, … Wales, … Northern Ireland and … England

are all British.

2. … north-west of GB is surrounded by … Atlantic Ocean, in the east it is washed by … North Sea and in … south it is separated from France by … English Channel.

3. … UK lies to … north-west of Europe.

4. … capitals of … four parts of … UK: are … London, Edinburgh, … Cardiff and … Belfast.

5. Some people think that in … Lochness … large monster lives.

6. … Englishmen love their country.

Ex.6 Choose the correct preposition in the following sentences:

1. GB is situated … the British Isles.

a) in b) at c) on

2. GB is separated … the European continent.

a) with b) from c) by

3. Many rivers are joined … canals.

a) on b) with c) by

4. GB consists … 3 parts: England, Scotland and Wales.

a) with b) for c) of

5. GB export machinery and vessels … the other countries of the world.

a) from b) with c) to

Ex.7 Complete the sentences:

1. The official name of the country is … .

2. The British Isles consist of … .

3. The country lies to … .

4. … is separated from … by … .

5. … consists of 3 parts: … .

6. The population of the country is about … .

7. The island of GB is divided into … and … .

8. Many rivers are joined by … .

9. The lake district is … .

10. The Englishmen are very … of hedges and … of them.

11. The UK has a very … and … landscape.

12. GB … many … to the other … of the … .

Ex.8 Answer the questions:

1. What is the UK?

2. What do the British Isles consist of?

3. What is the water border between Great Britain and Europe?

4. What are the capitals of the UK?

5. What are the features of the English climate?

6. What parts is the island of GB divided into?

7. What are the main rivers in GB?

8. What are peculiar features of the British Isles nature?

9. Describe the UK agriculture?

10. Name the main industries of GB?

11. What is the political system of the UK?

12. What are the main nationalities in the UK?

Ex.9 Translate from Russian into English:

1. Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии

состоит из двух больших островов и более 500 мелких.

2. Климат Британии умеренный.

3. Британские острова расположены к северо-западу от Европы.

4. Природа Британии довольно живописна.

5. Многие британцы предпочитают окружать свои дома живым фасадом.

6. Британия имеет благоприятные условия для выращивания различных

сельскохозяйственных культур.

7. Британия – это высокоразвитое промышленное государство,

экспортирующее свою продукцию во многие страны мира.

8. Исполнительная власть страны принадлежит Парламенту.

Ex.10 Make up a consise survey of GB, considering the following points:

1. the official name of GB;

2. its geographical position;

3. rivers and lakes;

4. climate and landscape;

5. main cities;

6. agriculture and economy;

7. political system;

8. main nationalities.

Ex.11 Make up a topic.

London

London is the capital of the UK (the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), or Great Britain, as we usually call this country. It is an economical, political and cultural centre of Great Britain, one of the largest cities in the world and one of the world’s important ports, with the population of over 11 million people.

London is situated on the both banks of the river Thames. It was founded in the first century B.C. by the Romans (though the Celts lived there before). They left London in the 5^th century and the city was largely abandoned. By the 8^th century London was again a busy trading centre, and in the 11^th century it became the capital of England.

Medieval London grew in importance as a trading centre and in 1215 its citizens won the right to elect their own leader, or Lord of Mayor.

The Great Fire of 1666 destroyed three-quarters of the city. Sir Cristopher Wren rebuilt St.Paul’s Cathedral and designed 51 churches. The old wooden houses were replaced by buildings of brick to reduce the future fire risk. During the 19^th century London spread rapidly into the suburbs. As a result of it new forms of transport were developed, including railway system. Britain was then at height of its Imperial Powers. London Underground is the oldest and longest in Europe. It has more than 500 stations. The first line was opened in 1870. It had the shape of a tube, and it got the name of the Tube. Londoners often call the old lines the Tube, and the new lines – the Underground. Actually, only some of them go under ground; the lines connecting London with its suburbs usually go over ground.

Today in its full extent Greater London covers 625 square miles. Traditionally, it is divided into three main parts: the City of London, the West End and the East End.

The City is the oldest part of London. It extends over an area of about 2,6 square km in the heart of London. It is the financial centre of the UK with many banks, offices and the Royal Stock Exchange and the Bank of England, which is over 250 years old.

All the historical places and the most famous parks are in the West End. It is known for its expensive shops, luxurious hotels, restaurants, theatres and cinemas. In the West End there are the Houses of Parliament (Westminster Palace) with the famous Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace (the residence of the Queen), Trafalgar Square, the central square, the Tower of London and other interesting places. In the West End there are a lot of museums and galleries, among them are the State Gallery, the National Gallery, the British Museum. The best known streets are: Whitehall with important Government offices, Downing street, and Oxford street, which is the most famous shopping street.

The name “West End” is associated with wealth, luxury and the history of England.

The East End is an industrial district of London. The port of London is situated there. It is the district of working people. The East End is very important in the country’s commercial life.

Ex.1 Insert prepositions:

1. London is situated … both banks of the river Thames.

2. … the 8^th century London was again a busy trading centre.

3. Medieval London grew … importance as a trading centre.

4. The old wooden houses were replaced … building … brick.

5. … the 19^th century London spread rapidly … the suburbs.

6. Britain was then … height of her Imperial Powers.

7. Actually, only some of the underground lines go … ground; the lines connecting London … its suburbs usually go … ground.

8. Today … its full extent Greater London covers 625 square miles.

9. Traditionally, it is divided … three parts.

10. The West End is known … its expensive shops, luxurious hotels, restaurants, theatres and cinemas.

11. The West End hosts museums and galleries, … them are the State Gallery, the National Gallery,and the British Museum.

Ex.2 Find the equivalents in the text:

Соединенное Королевство, один из важнейших портов мира, на обоих берегах реки Темзы, в 1 веке до н.э., покинутый, торговый центр, выбирать своего правителя, три четверти города, здания из кирпича, чтобы уменьшить риск будущих пожаров, стремительно разросся, на вершине имперской мощи, форма трубы, линии, связывающие Лондон с пригородом, полная протяженность, в сердце Лондона, Королевская биржа, роскошные отели, среди них, правительственные офисы, промышленный район, коммерческая деятельность страны.

Ex.3 Complete the sentences:

1. London is the capital of … .

2. The Romans left London … .

3. By the 8^th century London … .

4. Medieval London grew … .

5. The Great Fire of 1666 … .

6. The old wooden houses were replaced … .

7. During the 19^th century London spread … .

8. The city is the financial centre with … .

9. The West End is known for … .

10.The East End is very important … .

Ex.4 Expand the statements:

1. London is the capital of the UK.

2. London is an ancient city.

3. The Great Fire of 1666 destroyed the city.

3. During the 19^th century London spread rapidly into the suburbs.

4. London is divided into three parts.

Ex.5 Answer the questions:

1. Where is London situated?

2. Who founded London?

3. When did London become a capital of England?

4. When did Londoners win the right to elect Lord of Mayor?

5. What happened in 1666?

6. Why did London Underground get the name of the Tube?

7. Why is the City called the financial centre of the UK?

8. In what part of London are the historical places and famous parks situated?

9. What are the best known streets of the West End?

10. What is the industrial part of London?

Ex.6 Prove the statements:

1. London is a large city.

2. The Romans took an active part in developing London.

3. London Underground is the oldest and longest in Europe.

4. The name “West End” is associated with wealth, luxury and the history of England.

5. The East End is the industrial part of London.

Ex.7 Make up the dialogues:

1. The history of London.

2. Parts of London.

Ex.8 a) form new parts of speech by adding the suffixes: -al, -ing, -er, -en, -ant,

-ly and others:

economy, policy, culture, trade, to lead, importance, wood, rapid, large, to include, actual, usual, to connect, finance, tradition, history, fame, shop, luxury, industry, nation, centre, interest.

b) form the degrees of comparison of the following adjectives:

large, old, long, great, famous, important, good.

Ex.9 Make the sentences Passive:

1. The Romans founded London in the 1^st century B.C.

2. In the 5^th century the Romans abandoned London and other settlements.

3. The Great Faire of 1666 destroyed three-quarters of the city.

4. Sir Cristopher Wren rebuilt St.Paul’s Cathedral and designed 51 churches.

5. People replaced the wooden houses by buildings of brick to reduce the future fire risk.

6. During the 19^th century the British were developing new forms of transport.

7. Londoners often call the old lines the Tube, and the new lines – the Underground.