Great britain
The official name of the country (whose language we study) is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In everyday speech the word Britain is possible. Some people say 'Great Britain' or 'Britain', or 'the United Kingdom' or just 'the UK' and 'GB'.
The UK is situated on the British Isles to the north-west of Europe. The British Isles include Great Britain and Ireland.
The UK is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea in the north and by the North Sea in the east. The English Channel separates the UK from the continent. The Channel Tunnel links France and England today.
The United Kingdom consists of 4 parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England, Scotland and Wales are three main parts of Great Britain.
London is twice the capital: it is the capital of the UK and the capital of England. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, Cardiff is the capital of Wales and Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland.
The surface of Great Britain is flat. There are mountains but they are not very high. The highest mountain in Scotland is Ben Nevis. Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales. There are many rivers but they aren't very long. The longest and the most important of them are the Severn and the Thames. There аrе no great forests but there are many beautiful lakes. In the north-west of England there is a Lake District, containing the beautiful lakes which give it its name. The most famous lake in Scotland is Loch Ness.
The climate is very mild because of the Gulf Stream. Winter isn't very cold and summer isn't very hot. The rivers don't freeze in winter and snow doesn't lie for long on the ground. It rains very often in all parts of Great Britain and in all seasons. There are often fogs. The Englishmen like to joke about the weather. They often say:
There is no bad weather—
There is bad clothes.
References:
The UK (the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) - Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии ; British Isles - Британские острова;
the English Channel - Ла-Манш; Lake District - Озерный край; Gulf Stream – Гольфстрим.
Ex. 1. Answer the questions:
1. "Great Britain" isn't the only name of the country whose language we study. Is it true?
2. What do the British Isles include?
3. Where is the UK situated?
4. Is it washed by the Atlantic Ocean?
5. What separates the UK from the continent?
6. What links France and England?
7. How many parts are there in the UK?
8. What are the three main parts of Great Britain?
9. Is London the only capital for all 4 parts of the UK?
10. What is the surface of Great Britain?
11. What can you say about the mountains? Are there high mountains?
12. Are there many large rivers?
13. Are there any great forests?
14. Where is Lake District situated?
15. What can you say about the climate?
Ex.2. Agree or disagree:
1. The country whose language we study has 7 names.
2. The country is situated on the island of Great Britain.
3. It is washed by the Pacific Ocean in the east and by the Atlantic Ocean in the west.
4. London is twice the capital.
5. Glasgow is the capital of Scotland.
6. The surface of GB is mountainous.
7. There are many large rivers in the UK.
There are many beautiful lakes in Scotland and north- west of England
The climate is very cold in GB.
The Englishmen don't like to joke about the weather.
Ex.3. Look at the map of Great Britain and find there:
1) The British Isles; 2) Great Britain (show England, Scotland and Wales); 3) Ireland (Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic); 4) the waters washing Great Britain and Northern Ireland; 5) the straits and channels separating Britain from the continent; 6) the principal rivers of the country; 7) the most important British cities.
Ex. 4. Speak about the geographical position of the UK.
