Great Britain, British Agriculture

1. Study the following words.

surface – поверхность

monarchy – монархия

mountainous – горный

temperate – умеренный

constitute – составлять

inhabit – населять

influence – влиять

2. Choose the correct definitions of the given words.

1. Surface

a) the upper layer of an area of land or water

b) occurring or experienced in the mind

c) having or showing a kind and quiet nature

2. Kingdom

a) any of a number of large sporting fish, many of which are edible

b) a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen

c) blood relationship

3. Monarchy

a) a form of government with a monarch at the head

b) the group of people with the authority to govern a country or state

c) the state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status

4. Island

a) a town or city with a harbour or access to navigable water where ships load or unload

b) a place on the coast where ships may moor in shelter

c) a piece of land surrounded by water

5. To inhabit

a) to take control by military conquest or settlement

b) to live or dwell in; occupy

c) to worship; venerate

3. Read the text and do the exercises that follow it. Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official name of the state. It is situated on the British Isles; the largest of them are Great Britain and Ireland. The population lives mostly in towns and cities and their suburbs. The United Kingdom is inhabited by the English, the Scots, the Welsh and the Irish.

The United Kingdom consists of 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. The British Isles are washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Strait of Dover, the English Channel and the Irish Sea.

The surface of Great Britain varies greatly. The northern and the western parts of the country are mountainous and called the Highlands. All the rest is called the Lowlands. The highest mountain is Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,343 m).

There are many rivers on the British Isles. The Severn is the longest of them. The Thames is the deepest river in the country. London, the capital of Great Britain, stands on the river Thames.

The climate of the British Isles is mild due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. Britain has much rain in all seasons. The British climate has three main features: it is mild, humid and changeable. This type of climate is good for plants. Winters are mild, summers are cool.

Great Britain is a highly industrialized country. Britain is known as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of iron and steel products, machinery and electronics, chemicals and textile, aircraft and navigation equipment.

Great Britain is a country with a highly developed agriculture. British farmers grow wheat and other grain crops, all kinds of vegetables and fruit.

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen's power is limited by the Parliament. There are two Chambers in the British Parliament: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. There are two main political parties in Great Britain – the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. Great Britain is a country with old cultural traditions and customs. Artistic and cultural life in Britain is rather rich. The most famous educational centers are Oxford and Cambridge Universities.