6.2 Questions

1. What is the official name of the country on the British Isles?

2. What parts does the UK consist of?

3. What is the population of this country?

4. Name some rivers, mountains and cities of this country.

5. What branches of industry are well developed in Great Britain?

6. Who is the head of the state? Can you say the name of the present monarch?

7. Whom does real political power belong to ?

8. What is the capital of the country and where is it situated?

9. What sights of London are world famous?

7 Agriculture of Great Britain

Agriculture is a highly developed branch of the British economy. Only 2.5 per cent of the working population is engaged in agriculture, but it produces two-thirds of Britain’s food requirements.

The temperate climate of Great Britain is favourable for vegetable growing. Vegetables are grown in many parts of the country, potatoes are grown everywhere. Glass houses are widely used for growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and also for strawberries and flowers. The south of England is often called “Garden of England” because it is the main area for growing apples, pears, cherries and other fruits and flowers.

The climate of Great Britain is ideal for cattle breeding. The country has a long tradition of sheep production. England and Scotland have many sheep and cattle farms, where meat, milk, butter and cheese are produced. Pig farms are numerous in the country. The British poultry industry is growing rapidly too.

The most widespread arable crops grown in Great Britain are wheat, barley and oats. Almost all Britain’s wheat is “winter” wheat, which is sown in autumn. Because of the dampness of the climate it is of the “soft’ type in contrast to the “hard” type produced for example in the USA or Canada.

Farming in Great Britain is intensive. Maximum production is achieved from the available land. Modern technology and fertilizers are used greatly. The government supports the farmers to help them to compete with foreign producers. These measures made the farming of the UK highly productive

7.1 Fill in the blanks with the words from the text:

1. The climate of great Britain is ideal for cattle … .

2. Great Britain is a constitutional … .

3. Main industries in Great Britain are … .

4. The … lives in Buckingham Palace.

5. … are used for growing tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries.

6. … are numerous in the country.

7. The UK … of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and … .

8. London is situated on the river Thames and it is an … seaport.

9. Oxford and Cambridge are known for their … .

10. The historical and financial centre of London is …

11. The temperate climate is … for vegetable growing.

12. The most widespread arable crops … .

13. Modern technology and … are used greatly.

14. The south of England is the main area for growing … .

15.The … are Snowdon and Ben Nevis.

16. In the south the UK is washed by the … .

17. The country is governed by … .

18. The south of England is called “ …” .

19. Almost all Britain’s wheat is … wheat.

20. Real political power belongs to … .