III. Discussion Points

Give your opinion on the following issues:

1. Some people argue that it would be a good idea if everybody in the world learnt a common language such as Esperanto or English. Do you agree?

2. Do you think people should use English words without translating them?

3. Many people in Britain do not like living in city centres and so they commute to work from the suburbs and the surrounding countryside. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

4. The Irish are said to be a very superstitious nation. What superstitions are observed in your country? Are you superstitious? Is there any truth in ancient superstitious?

5. Although the British are the multi-racial society, they are never reported to have serious conflicts on the national basis. What factors stimulate peaceful coexistence of different nations in one country?

6. Being a peaceful country in general, the UK has a spot on its map which has experienced violence and terrorism. Where is it? What is the reason of conflicts.

7. What differences are there between Parliament and the Government?

8. List the differences and similarities between the UK parliamentary system and that of Russia.

9. Which members of the Royal family are best known in Russia? Why?

10. What do you see as advantages and disadvantages of having a monarch?

11. Would you exchange lives with a member of the British Royal family? Why? (Why not?)

12. What advantages and disadvantages are there in the “first past the post” system?

13. Are school uniforms necessary?

14. Is it a good thing to leave home at the age of 18 and to go to study at a far away university?

15. How do British schools and universities differ from schools and universities in your country? What do you like and dislike about the British system?

16. Is there anything in common between the British and the Russian economic strategies?

17. What is the established church in your country? Are there other churches to which people belong?

18. Make a list of the things you would expect to find in a newspaper. Which give information and which provide entertainment?

19. It has been said that “you can call a popular British tabloid a “paper” but hardly a “newspaper”. Why do you think it is true?

20. British TV has been described as “the least worst TV in the world”. What to your mind this description is trying to say?

Bibliographical List

1. Michael Vaughan-Rees “In Britain”.

2. Mark Farrell “British Life and Institutions”.

3. Н.М.Нестерова «Страноведение. Англия».

4. Адриан Р.У.Рум Великобритания. Лингвострановедческий словарь.

5. N.Timanovskaya “Spotlight on English-Speaking Countries”.

6. Энтони Майол «Эти странные англичане».

Лексический минимум и практикум по курсу страноведения (Великобритания)

Методические указания

Составитель КАЗАРОВА Елена Исаевна

Компьютерный набор Е.Соколовой

Редактор Т.В.Соловьева

Лицензия ИД №05285 от 4 июля 2001 г.

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