I. Learn the topical vocabulary:
motto – девіз
sovereign – суверенний
border – кордон
to border on – межувати з
to surround – оточувати
varied – різноманітний
mild – м’який
damp – вологий
currant – течія
to moderate – пом’якшувати
to crown – коронувати
to reign – царювати
to govern – керувати, управляти
government – уряд
supreme – верховний, вищий
legislative power– законодавча влада
executive power – виконавча влада
judicial power – судова влада
chamber – палата (парламенту)
bicameral – двопалатний
II. Translate into Ukrainian:
1. Сполучені Штати Америки — держава, розташована в центральній частині Північної Америки. 2. Континентальні США межують на півночі з Канадою, на півдні — з Мексикою. 3. Девіз Сполученого Королівства Великої Британії та Північної Ірландії — «Бог і моє право». 4. У́ряд — це зазвичай найвищий виконавчий орган в державі. 5. Парламент — найвищий орган законодавчої влади в багатьох державах світу. 6. Багато країн мають двопалатний парламент. 7. Законодавчий орган США називається Конгресом і складається з Палати представників і Сенату. 8. Королева Єлизавета ІІ була коронована у 1953 році.
A. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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III. Read and translate the text:
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain, is a sovereign state located to the north-west of the continent of Europe. It is an island country, and occupies the island of Great Britain, the northeast part of Ireland, and numerous smaller islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK with a land border, sharing it with the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel and the Irish Sea. The largest island, Great Britain, is linked to France by the Channel Tunnel. The total area of the United Kingdom is approximately 245,000 km². The population is about 60 million people. The United Kingdom is a unitary state consisting of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast respectively.
The landscape of the UK is very varied, ranging from mountainous Scotland with Ben Nevis (1,343 metres) the highest point to the lowland fens of England which are at or below sea level.
Britain’s climate is mild and damp. It often rains and fogs are quite frequent. The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean currant, warms the seas around the British coast, moderating the climate, giving it cool summers and mild winters. The temperature in winter seldom falls below zero, and fields are green all the year round. In general, the south is warmer and drier than the north.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy. The current monarch and head of state is Queen Elizabeth II who was crowned in 1953. In practice she reigns but does not rule. The country is governed in her name by the Government. The Parliament of the UK is the supreme legislative body. It consists of two chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons.
The UK is a developed country, with the fifth (nominal GDP) largest economy in the world. It is a Member State of the EU, holds a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, G8, NATO, OECD and WTO.