14.a person from a foreign country; alien;
15.any of various herbaceous plants and shrubs cultivated in warm climates for the fibre surrounding the seeds and the oil within the seeds.
6. Arrange the following pairs of synonyms:
1) congested; 2) backbone; 3) to receive: 4) tremendous; 5) to inherit; 6) former; 7) tradition; 8) to take the sun; 9) custom; 10) to discover; 11) colossal; 12) crowded; 13) to sunbathe; 14) title; 15) to disclose; 16) prior; 17) spinal column; 18) caption; 19) to imply; 20) exterior; 21) to mean; 22) surface.
7. Arrange the following pairs of antonyms:
1) crowded; 2) tiny; 3) tremendous; 4) vast; 5) deep; 6) few; 7) expensive; 8) to omit; 9) former; 10) deserted; 11) numerous; 12) to include; 13) lowpriced; 14) future; 15) limited; 16) shallow.
8. Form the comparative and the superlative degrees of the following adjectives:
Large, mountainous, deep, bad, little (few), small, high, beautiful, famous; big, many (much), good, rich.
8.Look through the text, find sentences with adjectives in their degrees of comparison. Translate them.
9.Translate the following sentences into Russian paying attention to the passive constructions:
1.Our houses are situated in the neighbourhood. 2. In only a year in the sports club, the youngest player was elected to the committee. 3. The garage is separated from the house by a path and a flower garden. 4. The bathroom is occupied. 5. Remains of ancient people have been discovered in southern and eastern Africa. 6. A great load has been taken off my mind. 7. He cannot be considered for the job. 8. He is very much influenced by his friends. 9. He is ruled by his passions. 10. A new drug against cancer is being developed in this laboratory. 11. His intelligence and sense of humour have been inherited by his children. 12. Life is made up of little things. 13. I was meant to be a doctor. 14. The cape is washed by two oceans. 15. I wasn’t included in the list.
10.Make up your own sentences using the following words and word combinations:
at the head of sth; raw material; to sunbathe; decade; numerous; place of interest; to influence; free; coast, in practice.
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II. Reading Comprehension
1. Read and translate the following text. Use a dictionary if necessary.
GREAT BRITAIN
The full name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Great Britain has several different names. Some people say «Britain», or «the United Kingdom», or just «UK». In everyday speech «Great Britain» is used to mean the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and more than five thousand smaller islands. Their total area is over 244,000 square kilometers. It is twice smaller than France and Spain and it is the 75th place among other countries in the world.
The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast respectively. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales and does not include Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland occupies one third of the island of Ireland. The bigger part of Ireland is the Irish Republic.
The capital of the UK is London. The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.
The flag of the United Kingdom is known as Union Jack.
The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The north of Scotland is mountainous and is called the Highlands, while the south, which has beautiful valleys and plains, is called the Lowlands. The north and west of England are mountainous, but all the rest – east, center and so uth-east – is a vast plain. In the centre of England there is a range of hills called the Pennines, which are also known as the «backbone of England». The mountains are not very high. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain (1343 m).
There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. Most of the rivers flow into the North Sea. The Severn is the longest river (220 miles), while the Thames (215 miles) is the deepest and the most important one. Some of the British greatest ports are situated in the estuaries of the Thames, Mersey, Trent, Tyne, Clyde and Bristol Avon. There are many beautiful lakes in the mountainous parts of the country.
The UK is one of the world’s smaller countries. Its population is over 58 million. About 80 % of the population is urban. The main nationalities are: English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish. In Great Britain there are a lot of immigrants from former British Asian and African colonies.
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The mountains, the warm currents of the Atlantic Ocean influence the climate of Great Britain. It is mild the whole year round. Winters are not severely cold and summers are rarely hot. Many people think that the weather is cold and wet in Britain all the year round. But it isn’t! True, it sometimes rains and even snows for days and days, but every year there are weeks of beautiful sunny weather when the British take off their sweaters and go out to sunbathe.
Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources, it has some deposits of coal and iron ore and vast deposits of oil and gas that were discovered in the North Sea. Apart from coal and iron ore Britain has very few natural resources and mostly depends on import.
British agriculture provides only half of the food the country needs. The other half and most of the raw materials for its industries such as oil and various metals have to be imported. Britain also has to import timber, cotton, fruit and farm products.
Great Britain is a highly industrialized country. New industries have been developed in the last three decades. The main industrial centers are London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow and Bristol. Britain is known as one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. One of the chief industries of the country is ship-building.
The UK is a parliamentary monarchy. The Queen is the Head of State. But in practice, the Queen reigns, but does not rule. She inherits the title, and so is not elected by people. The country is ruled by the elected government with a Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two Houses: the House of Lords and the House Commons. There are three main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties. There’s no written constitution in Great Britain, only precedents and traditions.
Great Britain is a country with old cultural traditions and customs. The famous educational centers are Oxford and Cambridge Universities. They are considered to be the intellectual centers of Europe. The education is not free, it is very expensive.
Nowadays all Welsh, Scottish and Irish people speak English (even if they speak their own languages as well), but all the countries have their own special accents and dialects, and their people are easily recognizable as soon as they speak. A southern English accent is generally accepted to be the most easily understood, and this is the accent usually taught to foreigners.
Britain is a small beautiful and crowded country. Numerous historical and cultural places of interest on its territory remind of the tremendous past of the country.
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2. Answer the following questions:
1.What is the full name of Great Britain?
2.Where is the United Kingdom situated?
3.What parts does it consist of?
4.What is the territory and the population of the United Kingdom?
5.What is the capital of the United Kingdom?
6.How does the surface of the country look like?
7.Are there any big rivers and lakes?
8.What are the main nationalities?
9.The weather is cold and wet in Britain, isn’t it?
10.Is Britain rich in mineral resources?
11.What mineral resources does Britain possess?
12.The United Kingdom is a highly developed industrial country, isn’t it?
13.What industrial cities are there in Great Britain?
14.Are there any educational establishments in Great Britain?
15.Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy, isn’t it?
16.What is the name of the Queen of Great Britain?
17.Who limits her power?
18.How many houses does the British Parliament consist of? What are they?
19.Who is the Prime Minister of Great Britain?
20.Which political party does he represent?
III. Comprehension and Word Study.
1. Say whether it is true or false:
1.The climate of Great Britain is much milder than that of Belarus.
2.The English Channel separates England from France.
3.Britain is bigger than France.
4.The capital of Wales is Edinburgh.
5.The Thames is the longest river.
6.The flag of the United Kingdom is known as Union John.
7.The north of Scotland is called the Highlands.
8.The Apennines are known as the “backbone of England ”.
9.Snowdon in Scotland is the highest mountain.
10.Winters are severe and summers are hot in Britain.
11.Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources.
12.British agriculture satisfies all the country’s needs for food.
13.The highest body of state power in the United Kingdom is the Congress which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
14.The Queen rules the country.
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15.The famous educational centers are Oxford and Harvard Universities.
16.Great Britain is an interesting place to visit.
2. Join the parts of sentences.
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A |
B |
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1) |
The United Kingdom is made up |
a) varies very much. |
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2) |
The full name of the country is |
b) with old cultural traditions and customs. |
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3) |
Great Britain is not very rich in |
c) only half of the food the country needs. |
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4) |
British agriculture provides |
d) of four countries. |
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5) |
The surface of the British Isles |
e) one of the world’s smaller countries. |
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6) |
Great Britain is a country |
f) the weather is cold and wet in |
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Britain all the year round. |
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7) |
The UK is |
g) the United Kingdom of Great |
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Britain and Northern Ireland. |
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8) |
Many people think that |
h) ship-building. |
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9) |
One of the chief industries of |
i) timber, cotton, fruit and farm |
the country is |
products. |
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10) |
Britain also has to import |
j) mineral resources. |
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3. Translate into Russian:
full name; everyday speech; to be used to mean; one third; to vary; to be called; vast plain; range of hills; to flow into; the whole year round; severely cold; rarely; all the year round; to go out; vast deposits; apart from; main industrial center; producer; parliamentary monarchy; in practice; the House of Lords and the House Commons; the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties; intellectual center; nowadays; easily recognizable; as soon as; numerous historical and cultural places of interest; tremendous past.
4.Complete the following sentences:
1.The United Kingdom consists of …
2.The British Parliament consists of …
3.There are the following political parties in Great Britain: …
4.There are some famous educational establishments such as ….
5.The United Kingdom is situated on …
6.The British Isles are washed by …
7.The Queen’s rights are limited by …
8.The territory of Great Britain is …
9.The population is …
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5. Translate the following sentences into English:
1.Официальное название Великобритании – Соединенное Королев- ство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии.
2.Британские острова расположены на континентальном шельфе
(shelf).
3.Пролив Ла-Манш отделяет Великобританию от континента.
4.Соединение Королевство является членом Европейского союза.
5.Великобритания – одна из наиболее густонаселенных стран мира.
6.Считается, что Шотландия такая же красивая, как и Швейцария.
7.Туристы со всего мира приезжают в эти страны, чтобы полюбо- ваться красотой пейзажа.
8.Северная Ирландия была первой колонией Англии
9.Северная Ирландия занимает северо-восточную часть острова Ирландия.
6. Insert the correct preposition:
1.The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated
…the British Isles.
2.The British Isles consist … two large islands and m ore than five thousand smaller islands.
3. … the centre of England there is a range of hills c alled the Pennines.
4.Ben Nevis … Scotland is the highest mountain.
5.Most of the rivers flow … the North Sea.
6. |
There are many beautiful lakes … the mountainous pa |
rts of the country. |
7. |
… Great Britain there are a lot of immigrants … for |
mer British Asian |
and African colonies.
8.Every year there are weeks of beautiful sunny weather when the British take … their sweaters and go … to sunbathe.
9.Great Britain is not very rich … mineral resources.
10.… practice, the Queen reigns, but does not rule.
11.The country is ruled … the elected government.
12. A southern English accent is usually taught … forei gners.
IV. Speaking Practice.
1.Discuss the following statements. Use the following phrases to express your opinion:
1.It seems to me (that) …
2.I would like to say that …
3.In my opinion …
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4.I guess …
5.I suppose …
6.I (strongly) believe that …
7.I am (absolutely) sure that …
Statement A: The United Kingdom is a small country. It is one of the leading countries because it had many rich colonies in the past.
Statement B: UK will loose Northern Ireland soon and Wales and Scotland later, because of the differences in languages, culture and history.
Statement C: The British People don’t travel much because they live not too far from the sea (ocean).
Statement D: On a clear day the French coast can be easily seen from the Downs (hills in Southern England).
Table: Modern history of Great Britain
1914 World War I begins.
1918 World War I ends.
1919 First regular London-Paris air service instituted.
1926 John Logie Baird demonstrates television system.
1927 The British Broadcasting Corporation chartered.
1928 Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin.
1936 First regular television broadcast from Alexandra Place.
1947 Independence for India and Pakistan. Nationalization of coal mines and railways.
1949 Foundation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
1952 Britain explodes atomic bomb in Australia.
1955 Irish Republican Army begins terrorist campaign.
1960 Independence for Cyprus and Nigeria. «The Beatles» form.
1969 Oil discovered off Scottish coast.
1980 North Sea oil makes Britain self-sufficient in certain petroleum products.
1986 Trident ballistic missile system ordered from the US
2. A. Which events in the modern history of Great Britain had an impact on world science and technology? Choose five the most important and briefly describe them.
B. What inventions in the UK made life more convenient and safer? What inventions have become dangerous for the mankind?
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3. Use the information below to speak about the following:
1) Land; 2) Climate; 3) Population; 4) Ethnic groups; 5) Economy.
LAND Area
241,752 sq km
Highest Point
Ben Nevis
1,343 m above sea level
Lowest Point
Holme Fen 3 m below sea level
CLIMATE |
|
Put the adjectives to do with temperature |
|
Average Temperatures |
in the right order: |
|
|
London |
|
__________ |
(100°C) |
January 4°C |
__________ |
|
|
July 18°C |
__________ |
|
|
Edinburgh |
|
It’s……..___________ |
|
January 3°C |
__________ |
|
|
July 15°C |
__________ |
(0°C) |
|
Average Annual Precipitation |
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|
|
London |
590 mm |
freezing, boiling, cold, warm, chilly, hot |
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Edinburgh |
680 mm |
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|
|
|
|
Complete the chart with one of the following word: snowing, windy, misty, wind, fog, stormy, snow, storm, blowing, snowy, cloud, foggy, shower, raining, sunny, rain, cloudy.
Verb |
Adjective |
Noun |
|
The sun’s shining. |
It’s … . |
sunshine |
|
It’s … . |
It’s rainy. |
……..... |
|
It’s … . |
It’s … . |
…… |
…. |
The wind is … |
It’s … . |
…….. |
... |
–––– |
It’s showery. |
… ……. |
|
–––– |
It’s … . |
………. |
|
–––– |
It’s … . |
………. |
|
–––– |
It’s … . |
………. |
|
–––– |
It’s … . |
mist |
|
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POPULATION
Population
58,395,000
Population Density
242 persons/sq km
Urban/Rural Population
92% urban |
|
8% rural |
|
Largest Cities |
|
London |
6,933,000 |
Birmingham |
1,017,000 |
Leeds |
724,500 |
Glasgow |
681,000 |
Ethnic Groups
94,5% English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish
5,5% other
Languages
Official Language
English
Other Languages
Welsh, Scots-Gaelic, other minority languages
Religions
54% Anglicanism
13% Roman Catholicism
33% other
including other Protestant denominations, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Sikhism.
ECONOMY
Gross Domestic Product
US $ 1,023,900,000,000
Chief Economic Products
Agriculture
Wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, oilseed, rape, livestock, animal products
Fishing
Mackerel, herring, cod, plaice
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Mining
Coal, limestone, petroleum, and natural gas.
Manufacturing
Machinery and transport equipment, food products, chemical products, minerals and metal products
Employment statistics
58 % Trade and Services
23 % Manufacturing and Industry
16 % Business and Finance
2 % Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
1 % Military and Defence
Major Exports
Industrial and electrical machinery, automatic data processing equipment, road vehicles, petroleum
Major Imports
Automatic data processing equipment, paper and paperboard, textiles, food
Major Trading Partners
Germany, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan
4.Use the following phrases and word combinations to retell the text:
1.As I understood from the text …
2.According to the text …
3.As it is said in the text …
4.The author points out (mentions, explains, describes, etc.) (that) …
V. Supplementary Reading.
1. Pre-reading task
Work in pairs.
1) Do you know any typical meals from the following countries?
France |
Switzerland |
Spain |
India |
Turkey |
America |
Italy |
Greece |
Belarus |
Mexico |
Japan |
England |
What do you think influences a country’s food? What influences the food in your country?
2) Read these quotations about English food. Do all the people have the same opinion about English food?
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