Text 9 Wales

Wales is the country in the west of Great Britain. It is mainly a mountainous land with a chiefly agricultural economy and an industrial and coal-mining area in the south. The landscape is beautiful. Many English people move to Wales when they retire.

Cardiff, a large city in the south, was chosen as the capital of Wales in 1955, mainly because of its size. Since 1536, Wales has been governed by England and the heir to the throne of England has the title of Prince of Wales, but Welsh people have a strong sense of identity. The Welsh language is still used in certain parts of the country.

Welsh is an ancient Celtic language. In the 60-s Welsh was given equal status with English as an official language and is used in the law courts. It is taught in school and some TV programs are broadcast in Welsh. However, only about 20 % of the population speaks Welsh.

Answer these questions:

1. Where is Wales situated? 2. What is the capital of Wales? 3. Has it always been governed by England? 4. What language is used in the country? 5. How many people speak Welsh?

Text 10 Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland, also known as Ulster, is still a part of the United Kingdom. It is made up of six countries: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone. One third of the population lives in and around the capital, Belfast. Belfast is also the most important port and commercial and industrial centre. Some parts of the territory, those that are not close to the capital, have remained mainly rural.

The Irish population is divided into two groups: the Protestants and the Catholics. The Protestants are of British origin. The Catholics are mostly natives of Ireland.

Northern Ireland has a strong cultural tradition: songs, dances, literature and festivals. It has its own Art Council, and there are orchestras, theatres, ballet and opera companies.

Answer these questions:

1. How many countries are there in Northern Ireland? 2. What is the capital of Northern Ireland? 3. Into what part is the Irish population divided? 4. Who are the Catholics? 5. Who are the Protestants? 6. Does Northern Ireland have strong cultural traditions?

Text 11 Parliament

Parliament is the most important authority in Britain. Parliament first met in the 13th century. Britain doesn’t have a written constitution, but a set of laws. Technically Parliament is made up of three parts: The Monarch, the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

The head of both Houses of Parliament is the Queen, but she has very little power. The present sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II who was crowned in Westminster Abbey in 1953.

The British Parliament has two houses, or chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is the most powerful and decides national policy, but the House of Lords can ask the House of Commons to rewrite certain parts of a bill before it becomes a new law.

The House of Commons consists of Members of Parliament. Each Member of Parliament is selected by voters in one region. There are 651 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons.

The 1203 members of the House of Lords are not elected. Some are life peer: they are members of the House of Lords, but their sons or daughters cannot be members. Life peers are usually former members of the House of Commons. There are also a number of judges or bishops. The majority, however, are hereditary peers, the heads of aristocratic families. This means that most members of the House of Lords are there because of something their ancestors did.

Answer these questions:

1. What is the most important authority in Britain? 2. Does Great Britain have its constitution? 3. Who is present sovereign? 4. How many peers are there in the House of Lords? 5. Does the House of Lords have real power? 6. How are the Members of Parliament elected? 7. How many Members of Parliament are there in the House of Commons?