Vocabulary

I. Fill in the gaps with the words from the box.

Queen of Scots	English	Scottish	poet	whisky
throne	Gaelic	Crown	Edinburgh	kilt

1. The capital of Scotland is ____________.

2. The languages spoken in Scotland are English and ______________.

3. Scotland's economy includes agriculture, mining, and __________distilling.

4. Scottish pound, equal in value to the ___________ pound.

2. Many stores in England do not accept __________ pounds.

3. In 1567 Mary, _________, was forced to abdicate her throne.

4. Her son James /1566-1625/ ascended to the English __________.

5. He brought the two countries together under one _____________.

6. A is a knee-length tartan skirt worn by the Highlanders of Scotland.

7. Robert Burns is the national _____________ of Scotland.

Comprehension

II. Complete the sentences with the missing words.

1. In the 18^th century Edinburgh became an i ______ capital of Europe.

2. The Golden _______ included such literary figures as Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.

3. The Castle-Fortress /1076/ dominates the city from atop _________ Rock.

4. The Castle has been occupied by both Scottish and ___________ rulers.

5. The Honours of Scotland are ________ than the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.

6. New Town is characterised by G ________________ architecture.

7. Princes Street marks the division between the old and _____________.

8. The Edinburgh International Festival takes ______ the last two weeks in August.

9. The Military Tattoo, staged by _________ regiments is one of the most spectacular events.

10. Edinburgh Zoo is one of the finest zoos in __________.

WALES

Things to Know

Area: 8,019 square miles.

Population: 2,857,000

Capital: Cardiff

Language: English and Welsh.

Economy: Agriculture, manufacturing, engineering. Beef and dairy cattle, sheep.

History

Wales had its beginnings in the 6^th century. The Anglo-Saxons called Britain's Celtic inhabitants Wealhs /Foreigners/. Wales remained independent until the 13^th century. England's Edward I overcame the last princes of Wales in 1283. He built his castles to subdue the Welsh and gave his son Edward /1284-1327/ to the nation as Prince of Wales.

The Welsh Tudor line to the English throne /1485-1603/ assured Welsh-English unity. The Welsh representatives were sent to the London Parliament. Since this time England and Wales have legally been one. Nonetheless, strong regional sentiments characterize this proud principality.

Places of interest

Cardiff has been the country's capital only since 1955. It is a major coal-shipping port and manu­facturing center. Visitors enjoy the broad tree-lined streets, National Museum of Wales, Civic Center and City Hall, the Cardiff Market and the New Theatre.

National Museum of Wales has exhibits on archeology, botany, zoology, industry and art.

Cardiff Castle, dating from 1093, occupies the site of an earlier Roman fort. It has its original well-preserved keep.

Beaumaris on Anglesey Island is among the prettiest towns in Wales. Beaumaris Castle was built in 1295 by Edward I to guard he straight separating Anglesey Island from the rest of Wales.

Caernarfron is a peaceful resort. Caernarfon Castle dominates the town. The first English Prince of Wales, Edward II was born in Caernarfon in 1284. His investiture at the castle in 1301 began the tradi­tion that extends through the investiture of Prince Charles in 1969. Snowdon Mountain Railway operates coal-fired steam locomotives, which clime the 4 miles to the summit of Snowdon.

Dolgellau is a good center for walking or pony trekking. More challenging are possible climbs up Cader Idris, the 3,000-foot mountain that dominates the skyline of Dolgellau. Visitors are warned of the myth attached to the mountain: Whoever spends the night on Cader Idris risks waking the next day mad or a poet.

Harlech is known for its Castle. Harlech Castle was built by Edward I as a stronghold. It was the last Welsh castle to fall to the English.

Laugharne is best known as a home of writer Dylan Thomas /1914-1953/. Many contend that the town served as a model for Under Milk Wood. Dylan Thomas' Boat House was the riverside home of the poet for 16 years. An audiovisual presentation tells about the poet.

Llandudno is a large resort. The statue of Lewis Carroll /l832-98/ recalls that the author often came to Llandudno to visit the Liddells and their daughter Alice, for whom he wrote his best known story.

Llangollen is well known among music lovers as the site of the International Musical Eisteddfod, held since 1947. Every July folk singers and dancers from around the world compete here.

Swansea is metallurgical center of Wales. This second largest city of Wales is the site of the Uni­versity College of Swansea, the Glynn Vivian Art gallery and the Royal Institution of South Wales.

Wrexham is the industrial center of Northern Wales. St. Giles' Church rises above the city. The church is known for its iron gates. In the churchyard lies the tomb of Elihu Yale /1648-1721/, the merchant who founded the American University that bears his name.