3. Put in the words omitted in the following; the sentences are all in the piece you have just read.

1. The UK is ____ off the Northwest coast of Europe.

2. Great Britain and Northern Ireland are ____ from the continent by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover.

3. The east coast of the country is____ by the North Sea.

4. Lowland Britain ____ Southern and Eastern Britain.

5. The fauna of British Isles is____ to that of the north-west of Europe.

6. The ______ of iron ore are in the east of England and in the Middle-England plain.

7. The summers are ____ and rainy.

8. Big cities and towns have ____ of nearly all ____ of industry.

9. The ship-building industry is ____ ____ ____ for Britain.

10. A lot of countries _____ for new ships with British shipyards.

11. The most important ____ of the textile industry are woolen and cotton industries.

12. The UK has always ____ an important ____ in world politics.

4. Finish up the sentence of the Text.

1. The four parts of the UK are … .

2. The two main islands are … .

3. The west coast of the country is washed by … .

4. The east coast of the country is washed by … .

5. Geographically Great Britain is divided into … .

6. Great Britain is not very rich in … .

7. Summers are … .

8. The Severn is … .

9. The Thames is … .

10. Big cities of Great Britain are… .

11. The centres of iron and steel industry of Great Britain are … .

12. The centres of machine-building industry are … .

13. The centres of ship-building industry are … .

14. The centre of the cotton industry is … .

15. The British Parliament consists of … .

5. What would you say if you took part in the following dialogue? Act it.

A.: Where is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland situated?

B.: … .

A.: Where does the UK lie?

B.: … .

A.: What are the two main islands separated from the continent by?

B.: … .

A.: What is the population of the UK?

B.: … .

A.: What do Lowland Britain and Highland Britain comprise?

B.: … .

A.: What is the highest mountain in the UK?

B.: … .

A.: What can you say about the flora and fauna of the country?

B.: … .

A.: Where are the deposits of coal and iron ore situated?

B.: … .

A.: What is the climate of the UK?

B.: … .

A.: What influences the weather of the British Isles?

B.: … .

A.: What are the main rivers in the UK?

B.: … .

A.: What industries are developed in the UK?

B.: … .

A.: What is the capital of the UK?

B.: … .

A.: What is the political system of the UK?

B.: … .

A.: What are the powers of the British Queen limited by?

B.: … .

A.: What are the main political parties in Great Britain?

B.: … .

6. Reproduce the Text “Great Britain” in English according to the plan made up.

TEXT 7B

Cities of Great Britain

1. Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. The largest cities of Great Britain are: London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Edin­burgh and Cardiff.

2. Liverpool is one of the world's greatest seaports. It is the gateway from England to many countries. Liverpool became important in the 17th century with the growth of trade with the American colonies. Today the trade is carried on with all parts of the world. Although Liverpool has a long history, it is a modern city with big plans for the future.

3. Birmingham is in the heart of England, about 112 miles north-west of London. It is called the capital of "Black Country". Black Country is a land of factories and mines.

4. Edinburgh is 400 miles north of London. It is the old capital of Scotland. It is one of the finest cities in Great Britain. The first historical novelist of the English language, Walter Scott, lived and worked in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is no longer the biggest city of Scotland. It is surpassed by Glasgow, which has a population of over one million.

5. Glasgow, Scotland's largest city and principal port, lies on the Clyde River. Shipbuilding yards, large engineering, iron and chemical works, extensive docks and textile facto­ries are here. The Glasgow University was opened in 1450.

6. Cardiff is the capital of Wales and the port of South Wales coalfields. Within the city there is much industry. The main streets are well planned. There is the University of South Wales and the Welsh College of Technology in Cardiff.

7. Shipbuilding industry is concentrated near the rivers. Since 1945 Great Britain has launched about half the world's new shipping. Glasgow and Belfast districts are the main ones.

8. Windsor is one of the most popular towns in England because the Queen often stays there at her castle and because Windsor itself is one of the oldest towns in England. Over 800 years Windsor was the residence of the kings and queens of England. The Windsor Castle is closely connected with national history.

9. There are a lot of small towns in Great Britain, too. Most towns have a busy shopping area in the centre. Now there are new suburbs around the edges of old cities and old towns. New buildings are planned to make the best use of space.