22. Skim the text to answer the questions.

1. What kind of power did Britain have to edge its rivals at home and abroad?

2. What caused dramatic productivity growth?

3. What did the period from the late 18th century to the mid-Victorian years witness?

4. What was greatly improved?

5. In which way was the role of government transformed?

6. What did some regions concentrate on?

7. How did industrialization alter the lives of women and children?

8. What else did industrialization affect?

23. Summarize the main idea of the text in 8-10 sentences.

24. Now read the last text of Unit I. It tells about some other interesting features of Victorian economy. New consumers

Demand for goods fuelled the Victorian economy. Though British manufactures dominated European and transatlantic markets, domestic demand provided a secure bedrock for mid-Victorian prosperity. Increased demand resulted from rising incomes particularly for the middle classes and for workers with particular skills such as engineering. Demand was also driven by the sheer increase in numbers of consumers. This was a product of the population explosion and coupled with greater wage dependency, landlessness and urbanization. Increased wage earning opportunities for women and juveniles boosted family spending, notably in textile districts and in the towns. More people were buying a greater variety of textiles, clothing, shoes, household and domestic items - on their list was china, cutlery, mirrors, books, clocks, furniture, curtains and bedding, as well as a variety of small wares, such as buckles, ribbons, buttons, snuff boxes and other fancy goods. More beer, butter, bread, milk, meat, vegetables, fruit, fish and all other foodstuffs were now being bought rather than made or grown at home.

It has been argued that this 'consumer revolution' from the later 18th century and into the Victorian period was also driven by social emulation. This was where each social class aspired to the habits and patterns of consumption of their superiors. This is difficult to substantiate but in a period of social flux and transformation there is no doubt that clothing, personal and household possessions were important ways of communicating one's position in society. Ever-changing fashions and designs also stimulated demand whilst new forms of marketing and retailing made products more easily available to the consumer. This was manifest in the growth of urban and village shops, the use of shop window displays, the development of city department stores (from the 1880s), and the extension of newspaper and billboard advertising.

25. Which of the following statements are true/false according to the text? Correct the false sentences:

1. Demand for goods increased the Victorian economy.
2. Demand resulted from decreasing incomes of the middle classes.
3. Demand was also driven by the sheer decrease in numbers of consumers.
4. Increased wage earning opportunities for women and juveniles boosted family spending.
5. Few people were buying a greater variety of textiles, clothing, shoes, household and domestic items
6. More beer, butter, bread, milk, meat, vegetables, fruit, fish and all other foodstuffs were made or grown at home.
7. In a period of social flux and transformation clothing, personal and household possessions were important ways of communicating one's position in society.
8. Fashions and designs by no means stimulated demand.
9. There appeared many urban and village shops.