- •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.
2.4.3. Develop the following ideas. Make use of the active vocabulary and helpful phrases given in brackets:
1. The British have no written constitution.
(fundamental continuity, a revolution experienced by other countries, invaded or occupied, almost uniquely, gradual and pragmatic, on consensus)
2. The British way to full democracy is paved with severities and a lot of political effort.
(political history, a struggle, to shift political power, accountability, national parliament, representative, accountable, milestones)
3. Universal franchise in the UK as an apple of discord between the political parties.
(to extend franchise, Reform Act of 132, legislation promoted by the Whigs, to be opposed by, forerunners, to achieve)
4. The UK’s membership in the EU.
(important characteristic, the European Union, limited in some respects, policy or decision-making, a matter for, to operate through a European Commission, member governments, member states, part of a single market, free movement, to maintain one’s own economy, the Pound Sterling, national currency, to convert to the Euro)
5. The British Queen reigns but she doesn’t rule.
(constitutional monarchy, a head of state, essentially ceremonial, practical power, to form a government, to follow the convention, with the most seats, on the hereditary and primogeniture principles, the next in line to the throne, the monarch's spouse, the Head of the Church of England, to be under review)
6. The British system of checks and balances.
(the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, separation of powers, not to be the case, members of the legislature, senior judges, the upper house, a formal head, a senior minister, pragmatic and flexible, political system)
7. The current values of the UK’s economic variables.
(current inflation rate, to sabotage, government austerity plans, to keep interest rates under control, to hit the government’s target, to remain consistent, current account balance deficit, UK’s GDP (PPP), to improve, UK’s GDP (PPP) per capita, to experience slow but steady growth)
8. The glorious past of the British Empire versus the current struggle for the economic recovery from the 2008 crisis.
(heyday, most influential economy, the birthplace, Industrial Revolution, ushered in, in mankind’s history, to be at the forefront, technological advances, an advantage over, to catch up technologically wise, to be affected by, the breaking up of the British Empire, to reclaim one’s former position, to face a struggle, to recover from the financial crisis, sluggish, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, to rank as, with the exception of)
2.4.4. Comment on the following topics thinking like sociologists:
1. Magna Carta, also called The Great Charter of Liberties of England, was originally issued in Latin in the year 1215. Comment on the social aspect of this event.
2. According to the author of the text, being a monarchy, the UK has come a long and troubled way to full democracy. There is a controversy between the concepts of ‘monarchy’ and ‘democracy’, isn’t there?
3. A bicameral parliament has the capacity to formally represent diverse constituencies (regional, class, ethnic, etc.). How does it contribute to the democratic progress of society?
4. The British political system is pragmatic and flexible. How can you prove it?
5. Is there any evidence in the text to state that the UK is a post-industrial society?
6. Why do you think a government’s austerity plan is a highly unpopular measure to eliminate a current account balance deficit?