
- •2.1. Lead-in
- •2.2. Language input
- •2.2.1. Consult a dictionary and practice the pronunciation of the following words and word combinations, quote the sentences in which they are used in the text or submit the examples of your own.
- •2.3. Background information The Political and Economic Profile of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- •2.4. Comprehension
- •2.4.1. Give extensive answers to the questions. Use the following expressions to present your answers:
- •2.4.2. Scan the text and quest for definitions in the Internet to determine whether these statements are true (t) or false (f), and if they are false say why.
- •2.4.3. Develop the following ideas. Make use of the active vocabulary and helpful phrases given in brackets:
- •2.4.4. Comment on the following topics thinking like sociologists:
- •2.4.5. Match the sentences in the left-hand column with proper ending from the right-hand column. Use background information from ex.2.3.
- •2.4.6. Scan the text again and find the English equivalents for the following:
- •2.5. Practice
- •2.5.1. Here is the list of some abbreviations, which relate to the uk’s political and economic profile. Try to guess what they mean. Consult a dictionary if needed.
- •2.5.2. Read the extract and fill in prepositions or conjunctions wherever necessary. Translate the text. Give the text the appropriate heading.
- •2.5.3. Supply the missing words and finish the following sentences considering information from the text above. See 2.5.2
- •2.5.4. Read the following sentences and guess which of the political or economic terms and concepts given in the box they define:
- •2.5.5. A) Read the text and fill in the gaps with the suitable items (a-g) given below.
- •2.5.6 According to the meaning given in brackets find the only word to fill in the gap in the sentence.
- •2.7.2. Search the Internet for the key terms and great historical events:
- •2.8. Case study & role play
- •The uk economy - a fragile state?
- •2.9 Grammar back up: The Infinitive
- •1. Is the verb followed by a full or bare Infinitive?
- •Insert to before the infinitive where required. Translate the sentences into Russian.
- •2. Which verbs are followed by Complex Object?
- •3. Is the infinitive or the ing-form used after the verbs of perception?
- •With the verb “ turn out “.
- •B. Paraphrase the following using a Complex Subject with the verbs in brackets.
2.5. Practice
LANGUAGE FOCUS
2.5.1. Here is the list of some abbreviations, which relate to the uk’s political and economic profile. Try to guess what they mean. Consult a dictionary if needed.
EU PPP GDP G7 OECD IMF UK HM
2.5.2. Read the extract and fill in prepositions or conjunctions wherever necessary. Translate the text. Give the text the appropriate heading.
___________________________________
Although 23 percent of the UK’s territory is considered to be arable land, vast plots of agricultural land have remained uncultivated. Many critics have blamed subsidies provided __(1)__ the EU Common Agricultural Policy __(2)__ the lack of agricultural activity __(3)__ these lands. Apart __(4)__ its arable land, the UK also has a supply __(5)__ natural resources. The UK's primary industry sector was once dominated __(6)__ coal, which could be found __(7)__ south Wales, Midlands, Yorkshire, North East England and southern Scotland. However, __(8)__ 1981, the production of coal has fallen drastically __(9)__ more than 75 percent. __(10)__ 1981, the UK was the 4th largest coal producing nation __ (11)__ the world – today the UK is ranked 15th.
Iron ore production has also played an important role __(12)__ UK’s industries. As the primary element __(13)__ steel, iron ore production supports the UK’s steel and manufacturing industries. __(14)__ manufacturing, it also assists __(15)__ the production __(16)__ automobile and aerospace equipment.
The UK also has the 30th largest proven oil reserves and the 39th largest proven natural gas reserves __(17)__ the world. Oil mining activities are concentrated __(18)__ the east coast of Scotland and North East England. The waters __(19)__ the North Sea __(20)__ the east coast of Scotland contain nearly half __(21)__ the UK's remaining oil reserves. Most natural gas production is also located __(22)__ the North Sea, __(23)__ a small amount onshore and __(24)__ the Irish Sea. However, due __(25)__ its limited supply, the UK is a net importer __(26)__ both oil and natural gas.
Presently, a North-South divide exists __(27)__ the UK, due to a gradual shift __(28)__ the economic focus. __(29)__ stark contrast __(30)__ Southern UK, which contains the wealthy financial and technological industries, Northern England and Scotland have seen poor economic performance __(31)__ the years due to its industrial roots. Although the UK government has sought to rectify this imbalance, the uneven distribution __(32)__ economic wealth __(33)__the UK has led __(34)__ migration __(35)__ the north __(36)__ the south – resulting __(37)__ a housing market problem.
The population __(38)__ the UK __(39)__ 2010 was 62.222 million. __(40)__ of this population, 18.0 percent are aged __(41)__ fifteen, 66.3 percent are __(42)__ the ages of fifteen and sixty four, while 15.7 percent are aged sixty-five and above. The age groups are not evenly distributed __(43)__ the country, __(44)__ some areas having many young adults and children and some areas having large numbers of older people.
The UK has the fourth highest labor force participation rate in the world, __(45)__ 28.988 million workers. However, unemployment remains high in the UK __(46)__ 7.841 percent, and is likely to remain so __(47)__ the wake of the UK’s austerity plans. The UK government has warned that nearly half a million jobs could be lost __(48)__ the public sector alone as the government continues its cut (49) ____ public spending.