- •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).
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.
The population of the UK now is more than 61 mln people.
Recently, there have been many waves of immigration into Britain and movement within the U.K. For example, many people from Wales, Scotland and Ireland have settled in England. Many foreigners settled in Britain since the beginning of the 20th century. Commonwealth citizens could enter Britain quite freely until 1962, while people from other countries had to receive special permits. Before the Second World Bar most of the Immigrants came from the old dominions: Canada, Australia, Mew Zealand, South Africa. In the late 1930s many Jews came from Germany because of fascist persecution, as well as Poles and people of-other nationalities from Eastern Europe. After 1952 many immigrants came to Britain from the West Indies, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, from some countries of Africa. At this time the British economy was developing rapidly and it needed cheap labour. The immigrants were poor and out of work and had been told there were jobs for them in Britain.
Black and Asian people can be seen in every city of Britain, but there is a greater concentration of them in larger cities, where it is easier to find work, such as London, Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Manchester and others. Today, more than 5 million people of non-white origin live in Britain and over 80 per cent of them were born in Britain, thus they are British, but with a different colour of their skin. The immigrants usually take the lowest paid jobs, and when there is unemployment they are the first to lose work. In spite of the laws to protect them, there was still discrimination against the non-whites. This led to serious disturbances in many cities of Britain in the early 1980s.
With the movement of people among the countries of the European Union of which Britain is a member, more and more people enter Britain from continental Europe. Today there are many Italians, Greeks, Spaniards, and Portuguese living in Britain The arrival of many foreigners has changed life in present-day Britain. British culture has been enriched through its contact with other cultures. For example, the eating and cooking habits of the British have changed. The service sector has also unproved considerably due to the arrival of immigrants. There are many shops run by South Koreans and Vietnamese which are open 24 hours, and any customer can drop in any time to buy things which he needs.
Cultural life has also become interesting due to its diversity. You can visit different exhibitions, enjoy new theatrical performances, music. Today Britain is a multiracial society which benefits from the influences of different peoples and cultures.
Languages:
Today in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, English is the language predominantly spoken. In Wales, however, Welsh, a form of British Celtic, is spoken by some 20 % of the population (about half a million people). The Welsh Language Council, an official body, promotes the use of the language and there is a number of bilingual schools in Wales.
Walsh is widely used for official purposes, and is treated equally with English in the work of the National Assembly. It is quite extensively used in broadcasting, and most road signs are bilingual. Welsh-medium education in schools is encouraged. Since September 2000, Welsh has been taught as a 1st or the 2nd language. The National Assembly is responsible for supporting Welsh culture and developing greater use of the Welsh language.
In Scotland over 70,000 people speak the Scottish, form of Gaelic. A few families of Northern Ireland still speak the Irish form of Gaelic. But in general the number of people speaking the above-mentioned languages other than English
Is declining. The Cornish variety of Celtic is no longer affectively a living language, although there is a revival of culture interest. For centuries the British governments promoted the spread of English at the expense of other language.