Vocabulary notes

it is neither cold nor hot ні холодно, ні гаряче

the rivers hardly ever freeze річки майже не замерзають

as a rule звичайно, як правило

is deep enough to let sea ships настільки глибока, що

пропускає морські кораблі eastwards на схід

hereditary спадковий

in the name від імені, іменем

the voting is done by show проводиться голосування of hands підняттям рук

Division Lobbies Палати (кулуари),

the bill goes before законопроект подають

signature підпис

LEXICAL EXERCISES

I. Read and translate these international words:

continent, Europe, English Channel, part, agricultural area, canal, central, occupy, especially, textile, chemical, monarchy, absolute, opposition, lobby, leader, minister, introduce, cabinet, debate, discussion, corridor, act.

II. Add suffix - ness to the following adjectives and translate the derived nouns:

damp, dark, thick, kind, tender, effective, rich.

III. Say whether these statements are true or false. Supply your answers with the phrases:

1. Great Britain is one of the greatest islands in British Isles. It consists of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 2. Great Britain is situated to the north of the continent of Europe, so its climate is rather cold. 3. Great Britain occupies a total area of 244 square kilometres. 4. The most important branches of industry in Great Britain are ship-building, textile and sheep- breeding. 5. Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy, and the power of the King or Queen is not limited by the Parliament. 6. The Labour Party was established in the 17th century as an anti-Royalist one. 7. Prime Minister of Great Britain now is Margaret Thatcher. 8. There are about 800 members in the House of Commons and 600 peers in the House of Lords. 9. After the first reading of the bill in the House of Commons there is its debate. 10. The voting in the House of Commons is done by the show of hands. 11. After the third reading the bill is signed by the Queen.

IV. Speak on one of the following topics:

1. Geographical situation of Great Britain. 2. Climate of Great Britain. 3. The most important rivers in Great Britain.4. Industry of Great Britain. 5. Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. 6. Political parties of Great Britain. 7. The British Parliament. 8. Three readings of the bill.

V. Learn this poem by Robert Burns (1759-1796) by heart and try to explain what it is about:

My heart’s in the Highlands

My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here,

My heart’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer,

A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe - My heart’s in the highlands wherever I go!

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,

The birth-place of valour, the country of worth!

Wherever I wander, wherever I rove The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.

Farewell to the mountains high cover’d with snow, Farewell to the straths and green valleys below;

Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,

Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods!

My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here;

My heart’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer; A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe,

My heart’s in the highlands wherever I go!