1.10 Прочтите текст 2. “Great Britain” и ответьте на вопросы

1 What parts does the United Kingdom consist of?

2 Is Great Britain a continent or an island?

3 Which is the longest river in Great Britain?

4 Which is the most important river in England?

1. Are the mountains in Great Britain high?

2. What can you say about the climate of Great Britain?

3. What is the territory and the population of Great Britain?

4. What are the towns in Great Britain that you know?

5. What are the main industrial centres of Great Britain?

6. What does this country produce?

Text 2. Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is situated on the British Isles.

Great Britain and Ireland are the largest islands and there are about five thousand small islands.

The North Sea, the Strait of Dover and the English Channel separate Great Britain from the continent.

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. There are numerous lakes in Scotland and they are called Lochs.

The north and west of England are also mountainous, but all the rest-east, centre and south-east is a vast plain. The South English plain is the richest, the most fertile and the most populated in the country. In the south-east one can see the most beautiful scenery in England and the largest fruit- producing county Kent which is often called “The Garden of England”.

The mountains in Great Britain are not very high. There are many rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames, which flows through rich agricultural districts into the North Sea, is the busiest and the most important river in England.

The climate of Great Britain is mild. The Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the weather of the British Isles. The summers are cool and rainy. It is not so hot in England as on the continent. July is the warmest month. But, of course, the climate is different in different parts of the country. In Scotland the climate is colder than in England. Great Britain has an area of 244.000 square kilometres and a population of more than 55 million. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

Great Britain is a highly developed capitalist and industrial country. It is a large producer of iron and steel products, electronics and machinery, chemicals and textiles. It has a highly developed shipbuilding industry.

Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources. It imports all of its oil, cotton, rubber, sulphur, four-fifths of its Wool, half of its food and iron ore. Manufactured goods made from these materials have been exported since the industrial age began.

Great Britain exports machinery, motor-cars, aircraft, locomotives, chemicals, Woolen and synthetic textiles, radio, TV and navigation equipment.

Great Britain has a lot of industrial cities, such as London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol and many others.