8. Read the text “British Agriculture” and answer the questions that follow it. British Agriculture

Agriculture is one of Britain's most important industries; it supplies nearly two-thirds of the country's food. British agriculture is efficient, for it is based on modern technology and research.

Nearly 80 % of the land is used for agriculture. Soils vary from the poor ones of highland Britain to the rich fertile soils in the eastern and south-eastern parts of England. Britain is self-sufficient in milk, eggs, to a very great extent in meat, potatoes, wheat. However, it needs to import butter, cheese, sugar and some other agricultural products.

There are lots of farms in Britain. They are not large. There are three main types of farming in Great Britain: pastoral, arable and mixed. 60% of farms are devoted mainly to dairy or beef cattle and sheep. Sheep and cattle are reared in the hilly and moorland areas of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and south-western England. Milk production is of the first importance in the structure of British agriculture.

Pig breeding is carried on in most areas but is particularly important in southern England, north-eastern Scotland and Northern Ireland. Arable farms are mainly in the eastern part of the country. The main cereal crops in Great Britain are wheat, barley and oats. Rye is grown in small quantities to be used as cattle fodder.

Great Britain produces different kinds of fruit: apples, pears, cherries, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries and others. Potatoes are grown for sale, for fodder and for seed.

Modern machines: tractors, combines and other equipment are used on British farms. Today the main tendency in British agriculture is that small traditional farms are gradually disappearing because they cannot compete with big industrial farms.

1. Why is agriculture one of the most important industries in Britain?

2. What are the main types of farming in Great Britain?

3. What is of the first importance in the structure of British agriculture?

4. What machines are used on British farms?

5. Why are small traditional farms gradually disappearing in British agriculture?

9. Make a project work “Great Britain”.

10. Test yourself. A re you good at great britain?

Choose the correct answer for each question.

1. The capital of Northern Ireland is

a) Dublin

b) Cardiff

c) Belfast

2. The mysterious Loch Ness Monster is from

a) Wales

b) Ireland

c) Scotland

3. The British flag is often called

a) the Union Jack

b) the Stars and Stripes

c) the Maple Leaf

4. The kilt is

a) a shirt

b) a skirt

c) a pair of trousers

5. Ben Nevis is

a) a famous footballer

b) a sort of whiskey

c) a mountain

6. The Beatles started their career in

a) London

b) Liverpool

c) Birmingham

7. The national currency of the UK is

a) the euro

b) the dollar

c) the pound

8. The famous British newspaper which is printed on pink paper is

a) The Times

b) The Guardian

c) The Financial Times

9. The most popular sport in Britain is

a) ice hockey

b) baseball

c) football

10. The colour that represents Ireland is

a) green

b) red

c) yellow

11. Britain’s national drink is

a) tea

b) Coca-Cola

c) coffee