- •1. Describe the geographical position of the British Isles, offering an explanation for its advantages and disadvantages. Define the term «continental shelf», its importance for the economy.
- •3. Examine the main stages in the formation of the population of Great Britain (Ancient Britain, Celts, Romans, and Anglo- Saxons).
- •4.Describe the Danish raids of England. The struggle of Alfred the Great and its results.
- •5. Outline the Norman Conquest and the establishment of feudalism in England and further consolidation of the English state. The main dates in the formation of the u.K.
- •6. Give the main characteristics of the modern population of Great Britain. What languages are spoken in the u.K. And why? Refer to the visible minority and its role.
- •7. Analyse some national traits of the British people and their traditions, their private life, eating traditions, love of sports. How did geography and history affect the British character?
- •8. Describe Great Britain as a constitutional monarchy and its role and social influence.
- •Describe the structure and composition of the British Parliament. The reform of the House of Lords and its role. The House of Commons, composition and role.
- •9. Give an account of the main functions of the Parliament outlining the process of passing a bill. Explain the term Devolution and its significance.
- •10. Discuss the electoral system. Give an evaluation of the «majority electoral system» existing in Great Britain? Comment on the latest general elections. Change of government in 2007. Reasons.
- •12. Expand on the formation, development and role of Commonwealth of Nations in the contemporary world, and of Britain’s contribution to this organization.
- •13. Give a general survey of the main 8 economic regions of the u.K., the main cities of each region.
- •13. Expand on the role of the British Economy. Give an assessment of the contribution of the South economic region to the development of the country.
- •13. Outline the development and specialization of Midlands, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the North.
- •13. Outline the contribution of Scotland and Northern Ireland to the development of the uk.
- •16. Characterize the major political parties in the uk (Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats).
13. Expand on the role of the British Economy. Give an assessment of the contribution of the South economic region to the development of the country.
Today Britain is no longer the leading industrial nation of the world, which it was during the last century. Today Britain is 5th in size of its gross domestic product(GDP).Britain's share in world trade is about 6%, which means that she is also the 5th largest trading nation in the world. Trade with the countries of the European Union, Commonwealth countries.
British economy based on private enterprise. The policy of the government is aimed at encouraging & expanding the private sector. Result: 751 of the economy are controlled by the private sector which employs 3/4of the labour force. Less than 2% of working population is engaged in agriculture. Due to large-scale mechanization productivity in agriculture is very high: it supplies nearly 2/3 of the countries food. The general location of industry: 80% Of industrial production –England. In Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland level of industry is lower than in England. This gap between England & the outlying regions increased because of the decline of the traditional industries, which are heavily concentrating in Wales, N.Ireland, Scotland.
GB may be divided into 8 economic regions: 1) the South industrial & agricultural region 2}the Midlands 3)Lancashire 4)Yorkshire 5)the North 6)Scotland 7) Wales & Northern Ireland THE SOUTH ECONOMIC REGION The most: important region in terms of industry & agriculture. Includes: all the South of England, both the South-East & the South-West. London -centre of everything (called the London City Region). Clothing, furniture-making & jewellery. London's industries: electrical engineering, instrument production, radio engineering, aircraft production, the motor-car industry, London -centre of the service industries, tourism.
OXFORD: educational centre; a large motor works were built in its suburb. CAMBRIDGE: its industries connected with electronics & printing. LUTON: major centre of car production. The Thames valley is an area of concentration of electronic engineering/ microelectronics. The South -major agricultural region of GB.
13. Outline the development and specialization of Midlands, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the North.
THE MIDLANDS Situated in the centre of GB between the South region and Lancashire & Yorkshire. Leading industrial region. Engineering & finishing of metals. Often is called the Black Country due to its mass industrialization. Famous articles in gold & silver. Producer of consumer goods. Coventry - motor industry. Wolver Hampton on-heavy engineering, tyre production.
Leicestershire, Nottingham-the knitwear industry, manufacture of knitting machines. Derby-important railway engineering centre: In the south-west -the Potteries, famous for its pottery and ceramics industry. Much of the region under grass. Dairy cattle -in the wetter west, beef cattle in the drier east. Sheep numerous. Principal crops -wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beet. Gardening.
LANCASHIRE
2 major centers: Merseyside (centre- On Liverpool: chemical industry, motor car industry) & Greater Manchester (Manchester-engineering, Blackpoll-popular resort) Due to extensive industrial development agriculture is less developed.
YORKSHIRE Situated to the east of the Pennine mountains. 3 main industrial centers: Sheffield, in the south (produces a wide range of steel goods besides cutlery) ,- Leeds ( manufacture of cloathing, engineering) , Bradford (worsted and woolen manufacture) and Scunthorpe (steel industry) in the west, and the number ports of Hull, Immingham and Grimsby Important ports) . York-centre of tourism. Yorkshire Agriculture: sheep grazing on the rough pastures of the area.
THE NORTH 2 main centers: 1-in the northeast near the rivers Tyne, Wear and Tees (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sunderland & Teesside (the chemical industry)); 2-in the north-west in Cumberland (Workington, Whitehaven, Barrow-in-Furness. Most important is the North -East( electrical engineering & engineering connected with construction work for the production of North Sea oil). Industrial development in the Nortn-West is less extensive than in the North East. Abundance of water-building a nuclear power station, which needs plenty of water for cooling. Agriculture is affected by the wet climate Sheep grazing .In the North East -more beef cattle than dairycattle.