Тема 3.2. Национальные черты британцев.
Study the words and the word-combinations.
without mentioning — не упоминая
national features — национальные черты, особенности
instead — вместо этого
common knowledge — общеизвестный факт
comes to one's mind almost automatically — приходит в голову, вспоминается почти автоматически
f
amiliar
— знакомый, привычный
to take with suspicion — воспринимать с подозрением
older people — люди более старшего возраста
not like that — не такие
to welcome — приветствовать
new trends and innovations — новые течения / нововведения
cool and reserved - невозмутимые и сдержанные
only by half — только наполовину
to make friends with sb — подружиться, стать друзьями
that can be explained — это можно объяснить
are based on — основаны на
play on words — игра слов
to take the joke — понимать шутку
of this kind — подобного рода
flat — 1. плоский (по форме) 2. выдохшийся; разряженный (аккумулятор) shape форма
spirit — дух, внутреннее содержание
exactly — в точности
stay-at-home — домосед
goes first with them — стоит у них на первом месте
a fire-place — камин
to prefer — предпочитать
central heating — центральное отопление
influence — влияние
rapidly — быстро
I. Scan thought the text
ENGLISH TRADITIONS and national features
It is impossible to talk about England or English people without mentioning theer-traditions and national features. There is even a joke that Englishmen have no thoughts. instead they have traditions. Some of their traditions are common knowledge all over the world.
It comes
to one's mind almost automatically that
the English are very conservative, they like familiar
things
and take
everything
new with
suspicion. But
it is true mainly about older
people. The
younger generation is not
like that. They
welcome
new
trends
and innovations 
and
understand quite well that changes are necessary part of modern life.
Everybody knows that Englishmen are cool and reserved. It is a reality, but only by half. The English can be as friendly as people in any other country, yet it is not easy to make friends with an Englishman.
Everyone has heard of a very specific English sense of humour which is difficult to understand for foreigners. That can be explained by the fact that a lot of English jokes are based on other well-known English jokes or idioms, or on play on English words. If you don't know the English language very well, you will not take it. Here is an example of this kind:
mechanic: The battery in your car is flat.
driver: Really? And what shape should it be?
Englishmen are known for their love of tea. They are really great tea-drinkers. The English know how to make tea, and some of them drink (=have) tea for breakfast, in lunch time, after dinner and with supper.
The spirit of the English tradition of the 'Home' can't be translated exactly into any other language. The English are stay-at-home people. Family life goes first with them. They like to spend their days off at home with their families. The English like small houses for one family, especially with a small garden. They are fond of fire-places; in the countryside, many people s4tll prefer the open fire to central heating.
Today, American influence is very strong upon the life-style in England. The famous English traditions are rapidly becoming a decoration like the British monarchy and the Queen of Great Britain.
II. Answer the questions
1. Are some of English traditions common knowledge all over the world?
2. What comes to one’s mind automatically?
3. What do young people welcome?
4. What does everybody know?
5. What fact explains a very specific English sense of humour?
6. Are English great tea-drinkers? Prove
7. Does family life go first with them?
8. What are they fond of?
9. What country has a very strong, influence upon the life – style in England?
III. Translate into English, using the text:
Англичане очень консервативны и воспринимают все новое подозрительно.
Всем известно, что англичане невозмутимы и сдержанны.
Множество английский шуток основано на игре слов.
Семья стоит у англичан на первом месте.
5) Сегодня влияние Америки очень сильно сказывается на стиле жизни в Англии.