English traditions

to be fond of – цікавитися, бути в захваті від…

ancient ceremonies – стародавні церемонії

to be of great interest – бути цікавим

to take place – бути, мати місце

the key – ключ

the woolsack – мішок з шерстю

the Tower – Тауер

the Houses of Parliament – парламент Великобританії

beefeater – біфітер, солдат охорони лондонського Тауера

the Guard – варта, охорона

the yeoman warder – лейб-гвардієць

English people are very fond of traditions and ancient ceremonies. Many British cities and towns have their own ceremonies and traditional festivals. Most of them are very colourful.

The colourful ceremony of Changing the Guard before the Buckingham Palace is of great interest to a newcomer. The guardsmen are in their red coats and bearskin caps.

Many traditions are connected with the Houses of Parliament: the arrival of the Queen for the State Opening of Parliament, the Woolsack in the House of Lords upon which the Lord Chancellor sits as Speaker of the House. Before the Queen arrives for the State Opening of Parliament the vaults of the Parliament are searched by Yeomen of the Guard in memory of the Gunpowder Plot.

Every night at 10 p.m. the Ceremony of the Keys takes place in the Tower. The Yeomen of the Guard known as «beefeaters» in uniform keep watch. The Chief Warder and an escort of four beefeaters come up to the gates. The sentry calls out: „Halt, who comes there?“ „The Keys.“ „Whose keys?“ „Queen Elisabeth’s keys“ „Advance Queen Elisabeth’s keys. All is well“

All the towers are locked and the keys are finally carried by the Chief Warder to the Queen’s House where they are secured for the night.

1) Answer the questions.

1. Where does the ceremony of Changing the Guard take place?

2. What traditions are connected with the Houses of Parliament?

3. What traditions are connected with the Tower?

2) Retell the text „English Traditions”, using the next words and word combinations:

to be very fond of traditions and ancient ceremonies, colourful, ceremony of Changing the Guard, red coats and bearskin caps, to be connected, the State Opening the Parliament, the Woolsack, Yeomen of the Guard, the Ceremony of the Keys, beefeaters.

3) Read and translate the joke “The English Tea”.

Once a gentleman as having breakfast in an English hotel. He took a drink from his cup and then said to the waiter, “Water, is this tea or coffee?”.

The waiter said, “Can’t you tell the difference, sir, by the taste?”

“No,” the man said, “I can’t”.

“Well,” answered the waiter, “if you can’t tell the difference, what does it matter which it is?”

Семінарське заняття за темою “Ukraine and Great Britain”.

1. Переказ тем „Ukraine“, „Kiev“, „Great Britain“, „London“, „Sports in England“.

Бесіда за питаннями:

1. What is the population of Ukraine?

2. What is the territory of Ukraine?

3. What countries does Ukraine border on?

4. Is Ukraine the largest country in the Europe?

5. What big cities of Ukraine do you know?

6. What is Ukraine rich in?

7. What is the highest body of state power in Ukraine?

8. What is the capital of Ukraine?

9. What is an industrial, scientific centre of Ukraine?

10. What is the population of Kiev?

11. Why is it called "The mother of all Russian cities"?

12. Are there a lot of places of historic interest in Kiev?

13. Are you proud of your capital?

14. What anniversary celebrated Ukrainians in 1982?the capital of Ukraine?

15. What is the seat of the Supreme Council?

16. Is Kyiv the seat of the Cabinet of Ministers?

17. Is it one of the most ancient cities? Is itfamous for its beauty?

18. Is Kyiv located on the picturesque banks of the Dnieper River?

19. What are the main rivers of Ukraine?

20. What island does Great Britain occupy?

21. What constitutes the United Kingdom of Great Britain?

22. What is the total area of the United Kingdom?

23. What is its population?

24. What is the climate like in Britain?

25. Where is London situated?

26. What large cities in Great Britain do you know?

27. Who is the head of the state? What country is Great Britain?

28. What are the main branches of Great Britain's industry?

29. Who founded London?

30. How much people live there?

31. What are four main parts in London?

32. What is the very centre of London?

33. Who lives in Downing Street?

34. Where is the Royal residence located?

35. What do you know about the ceremony of Changing the Guard?

36. What kinds of sport can you name in England?

37. Where do the international football matches take place?

38. What’s cricket?

39. How do British play cricket?

40. What other games do British play?