2171

А.В. Кузюкова

ME AND MY WORLD: BRITISH ECONOMY

Учебно-методическое пособие

Модуль 5

УДК 44

ББК 81.432.1

М 45

Рецензенты:

доктор филологических наук, профессор Л.О. Бутакова

(ФГБОУ ВПО «Омский государственный университет им. Ф.М. Достоевского»);

кандидат филологических наук, доцент И.Н. Ефименко

(ФГБОУ ВПО «Сибирская государственная автомобильно-дорожная академия (СибАДИ)»)

Работа одобрена редакционно-издательским советом академии в качестве учебно-методического пособия для студентов 1, 2 курсов всех специальностей.

Кузюкова А.В.

М 45 Me and My World: British Economy. Модуль 5: учебно-методическое пособие. Омск: СибАДИ, 2011. – 47 с.

Учебно-методическое пособие «Me and My World» направлено на обучение навыкам устной и письменной речи. Задания, предлагаемые в пособии, построены таким образом, чтобы активизировать мыслительную деятельность обучаемых, оптимизировать учебный процесс за счет экономии времени, усилий педагога и правильной организации самостоятельной работы студентов. Учебно-методическое пособие предназначено для студентов 1, 2

курсов высших учебных заведений.

Ил. 22 . Библиогр.: 21 назв.

ФГБОУ ВПО «СибАДИ», 2011

Economy

Great Britain

Pic. 1

1. Range this words into two columns: one is describing the geological location, the nature and another is describing the government.

2.Look again at the words above. What do you thinkwe are going to talk about?

3.What do you know about the United Kingdom? What countries does it consist of? Why Britain is called Great Britain?

4.Read the text below and decide if your answers are true or false.

Britain is the name of the island which contains the countries of England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is on a separate island and together they are called the British Isles.

Britain or Great Britain is the name of an island off the north-west coast of Europe, one of the British Isles. It consists of England, Scotland and Wales, and is part of the United Kingdom.

5.Reorder the sentences to make a short conversation between Ann and Bill.

A:Thank you.

A:I’m a bit confused. I thought Britain, Great Britain and the British Isles mean the same thing. Am I right?

A:I see. Does it also mean the United Kingdom, then?

A:Can you explain why Britain is called Great Britain?

B:No, it consists only of the country’s three parts. Its fourth part Ireland is in the next largest island – Ireland.

B:In fact, it is only one of the British Isles. It’s the biggest one. That is why it’s called ‘Great’, because of its

size.

B: Well, in everyday speech Britain, Great Britain and the British Isles are used to mean the same country, but it is not quite correct.

6.In pairs read the conversation aloud. Take turns to be A and B.

7.Discuss the questions with your partner.

1.Are there a lot of immigrants in Britain?

2.What countries do they come from?

3.What are the reasons for settling in Britain?

4.What do you know about the racial tension in Britain?

8. Now read the text below about people living in Great Britain and decide if your answers are true or false.

People have been coming to settle in Britain for centuries from many parts of the world. Some came to avoid political or religious persecution, others to find a better way of life or an escape from poverty.

The Irish have long made homes in Britain. Many Jewish refugees started a new life in the country towards the end of the nineteenth century and in the 1930s and after 1945 large numbers of other European refugees settled in Britain. The large communities from the West Indies and South Asian subcontinent date principally from the 1950s and 1960s. There are also groups from the United States and Canada, as well as Australians, Chinese and various European communities such as Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Italians and Spaniards.

The non-white population of Great Britain is about 4 million (some 5.5 per cent of the total population), about half of whom were born in Britain.

9. Read the text again (Ex. 8) and make a list of nationalities settling Britain and countries they came from.

10.Rearrange the words to create a short conversation between Kristina and Alexander.

K:of – I – country – of – the – usually – as – immigrants – a – think – US – of. Would – immigrants – of – Britain – lot – a –has – say –you?

A:Well, lot – a – quite – but – the – US – as –many – so – not.

K:Europeans – they –mostly – Are?

A:Oh, no. Britain – in – be – world – to – over – people – all – practically – from – see – the – surprised – would – You.

K:Would – Commonwealth – British – the – mostly – of – countries – the – from – say – you?

A:Well, are – immigrants – the – of – many.

K:Is – Britain – in – a – such – as – tension – racial – thing – there?

A:Certainly, cities – with – the – inner – which – deprivation – greatest – of – areas – the– in – concentrates – in – non-white – especially – population.

11.Helen is going to make a report about the UK. Complete her speech with words from the box. If you don’t know any facts use the Internet.

The UK 1 …… of four main countries which are: 2……, 3……, 4…… and 5…… . Their capitals are 6……, 7……, 8…… and 9…… .

The UK is an island state: it is composed of some 5,500 10…… , large and small. Two main islands are Great Britain (in which are 11…… , 12…… and 13……) to the east and Ireland (in which are 14…… and the independent 15……) to the west. They are separated by the 16…… .

The UK is one of the world’s smaller countries (it is twice smaller than 17…… or 18……). The UK is 19 …… off northwest coast of 20…… between the 21 …… Ocean on the north and northwest and the 22…… on the east and is separated from the 23 ……continent by the 24 …… (or La Manche) and the 25…… (or Pas de Calais).

12. Tanya and Boris are talking about Great Britain. Work in pairs. Complete their conversation with the words from the text in Ex. 8. Then role-play the dialogue.

T: Do you know the names of the main islands of the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Isles?

B: I think I do. They are _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (in which are England, Wales and Scotland) and _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(in which are Northern Ireland and the independent Irish Republic). T: Do the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ consist of many _ _ _ _ _ _ _? B: Yes, about 5,500.

T: I’m often confused about the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Which are they?

B: Well, just remember: _ _ _ _ _ _ is the capital of an independent state, and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is the capital of Northern Ireland.

T:Well, I’ll try to remember.

13.Work in pairs. Use the Internet or other sources to find the information about the words in italics from the text in Ex. 11. Then make a short presentation to the rest of the class. You may use the Smart Board.

14.Match the pictures (1-3) with the texts below (a-c).

1. 2. 3.

15.Work in three groups A, B and C. Group A, you are going to read the text about the language in the UK; group B – about the British royal coat of arms; and group C – about the British national flag.

16.Complete this table with the information from your text. For example, if you read about the flag, complete the answers for the flag.

17. Now work with a partner from the other group and ask and answer questions as in the example. If you read about the flag, find out the information about the coat of arms and the languages.

What is the official language of the UK?What animals are on the coat of arms?

What is the formal name of the British national flag?And etc…

18. Tell the group about the British country profile using the map and the information you have learnt from the previous exercises.

19. Look at the list of words. What do you thinkwe are going to talk about?

20. Put the words from Ex. 19 into the gaps.

1.London is Europe's largest … centre.

2.The Bank of England is the … of the United Kingdom.

3.Based on market … rates, the United Kingdom is today the fifth largest economy in the world.

4.The British motor … is a significant part of this sector.

5.The Industrial Revolution started in the United Kingdom with an initial concentration on heavy industries such as shipbuilding, coal mining, steel … .

21. Read the text about the economy in the UK to find out if the statements are true or false?

1.The United Kingdom is the first largest economy in the world.

2.The Industrial Revolution started in the United Kingdom with an initial concentration on the agriculture sector.

3.The branches of the heavy industry are banking and insurance.

4.The British motor industry is an important part of the manufacturing sector.

5.Rolls-Royce holds a major share of the automobile production.

6.The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is underdeveloped in the UK.

7.BAE Systems, this is the world's second and sixth largest pharmaceutical firms based in the UK.

8.The underground coal gasification is an alternative to coal-fired electricity generation.

9.The volume of current UK coal consumption represents reserves that could last the UK about 300 years.

10.Sellafield is the major nuclear reprocessing plants in the UK.

Economy

The UK, a leading trading power and financial center. Based on market exchange rates, the United Kingdom is today the fifth largest economy in the world and the second largest in Europe after Germany. The Industrial Revolution started in the United Kingdom with an initial concentration on heavy industries such as shipbuilding, coal mining, steel production, and textiles. Manufacturing remains a significant part of the economy. The British motor industry is an important part of this sector. Civil and defense aircraft production is led by the United Kingdom's largest aerospace firm, BAE Systems. Rolls-Royce holds a major share of the global aerospace engines market. The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is strong in the UK, with the world's second and sixth largest pharmaceutical firms (GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, respectively) being based in the UK.

The UK has a small coal reserve along with significant, yet continuously declining natural gas and oil reserves. An alternative to coal-fired electricity generation is underground coal gasification (UCG). UGC involves injecting steam and oxygen down a borehole, which extracts gas from the coal and draws the mixture to the surface - a potentially very low carbon method of exploiting coal. Identified onshore areas that have the potential for UGC amount to between 7 billion tonnes and 16 billion tonnes. Based on current UK coal consumption, these volumes represent reserves that could last the UK between 200 and 400 years.

Pic. 2

As of 2006, the United Kingdom operates 24 nuclear reactors generating one-fifth of its electricity (19.26% in 2004). The UK also has major nuclear reprocessing plants, including Sellafield. Great Britain is expected to launch the building of new nuclear reactors to replace existing generators and to boost UK's energy reserves.

Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. Around two-thirds of the production is devoted to livestock, one-third to arable crops. The main crops that are grown are wheat, barley, oats, oilseed rape, maize for animal feeds, potatoes and sugar beet. New crops are also emerging, such as linseed for oil and hemp for fibre production. The main livestock which are raised are cattle, chickens (the UK is the second largest poultry producer in Europe after France) and sheep. Agriculture is subsidised by the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy.

Transport in the United Kingdom is facilitated by well-developed road, air, rail, and water networks. Urban rail networks are also well developed in London and several other cities, including the Manchester Metrolink and the London Underground. The London Underground is the oldest and most extensive underground railway in the world, and as of 2007 consists of 407 km (253 mi) of line and serves 275 stations. London Heathrow Airport is England's largest airport, the largest airport by passenger volume in Europe and one of the world's busiest airports. London Gatwick Airport is England's second largest airport, followed by Manchester Airport.

There are around 7,100 km (4,400 mi) of navigable waterways in England. An estimated 165 million journeys are made by people on Britain's waterways annually. The Thames is the major waterway in England, with imports and exports focused at the Port of Tilbury, one of the three major ports in the UK. The UK retains a significant, although vastly reduced, fishing industry. Its fleets bring home fish ranging from sole to herring. Kingston upon Hull, Grimsby, Fleetwood, Great Yarmouth, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, and Lowestoft are among the coastal towns that have fishing industries.

The UK service sector, however, has grown substantially, and now makes up about 73% of GDP. The service sector is dominated by financial services, especially in banking and insurance. Tourism is very important to the British economy. With over 27 million tourists arriving in 2004, the United Kingdom is ranked as the sixth major tourist destination in the world. London, by a considerable margin, is the most visited city in the world with 15.6 million visitors in 2006, ahead of 2nd placed Bangkok (10.4 million visitors) and 3rd placed Paris (9.7 million).

22. Match the beginnings (1 – 7) of the sentences with their endings (a – g).

1.Rolls-Royce holds a major share of the global ...

2.Manufacturing remains a significant part of …

3.Civil and defense aircraft production is led by …

4.An alternative to coal-fired electricity generation is …

5.Great Britain is expected to launch the building of new nuclear reactors to …

6.The Thames is the major …

7.The service sector is dominated by …

a)aerospace engines market.

b)financial services, especially in banking and insurance.

c)replace existing generators.

d)the economy.

e)the United Kingdom's largest aerospace firm.

f)underground coal gasification (UCG).

g)waterway in England.

23. Use your dictionary to explain the words. Choose any five to make sentences.

power; market; global; production; economy; engine; reserves; resources; generator; consumption; gasification; reprocessing; plant; reactor; destination.

24. Find the synonyms to the words from the text.

however; dominate; important; rank; considerable; significant; reduce; volume; product; sector; journey; major; efficient; amount; expect.

25.In pairs. Ask and answer your own questions using the information from the text.

26.Work with your partner. Discuss economic situation in the UK. Is it on the rise or not? Use your answers from the previous exercise.

27.Read the text about production in the UK to find out:

1.What equipment is the most important component of Engineering?

2.What important sectors of the manufacturing industry can you name?

3.On what subjects is there a considerable amount of published research?

4.What things have tended to diminish the favorableness of the political-legal environment for UK industry?

5.What competitors do British firms and industries have?

6.Can you name the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution?

Production

One of the important component of Engineering and allied industries is electronics, audio and optical equipment, with the UK having a broad base of domestic firms, alongside a number of foreign firms manufacturing a wide range of TV, radio and communications products, scientific and optical instruments, electrical machinery and office machinery and computers.

Other important sectors of the manufacturing industry include food, drink, tobacco, paper, printing, publishing and textiles.

Manufacturing is an important sector of the modern British economy. That’s why there is a considerable amount of published research on the subject of the factors affecting its growth and performance. Of late, such things as increases in taxation and regulation have tended to diminish the favourableness of the political-legal environment for UK industry. Within manufacturing, British firms and industries have often lagged behind their overseas competitors in terms of productivity and various other key performance measures. However, Britain – the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution – continues to be one of the most attractive countries in the world for direct foreign industrial investment.

28.Make the correct word boundaries and you will know the main industries of the United Kingdom.

MACHINETOOLSINDUSTRIALEQUIPMENTSCIENTIFICEQUIPMENTHIPBUILDINGAIRCRAFTMOTORVE HICLESANDPARTSELECTRONICMACHINERYCOMPUTERSPROCESSEDMETALSCHEMICALPRODUCTS COALMININGOILPRODUCTIONPAPERFOODPROCESSINGTEXTILESCLOTHINGANDOTHERCONSUMER GOODS.

29.Find the antonyms to the words from the text.

important; component; broad; include; modern.

30.Give the summary of the text using your answers from Ex. 27.

31.Look through the following information. Name the banks of England, the main export and import partners.

Pic. 3

London is the world's largest financial centre, with financial services based around two districts: 'The City' and the Docklands. The City houses the London Stock Exchange (shares and bonds), London Metal Exchange (Base Metal and Plastic futures), Lloyds of London (insurance), and the Bank of England. There are now over 500 banks with offices in the City and Docklands, with the majority of business in London being conducted on an international basis, with established leads in areas such as Eurobonds, Foreign exchange markets, energy futures and global insurance.

Pic. 4