- •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).
12. Expand on the formation, development and role of Commonwealth of Nations in the contemporary world, and of Britain’s contribution to this organization.
The 20th century witnessed an intensive process of decolonisation of the British Empire (the last British colony Hong Kong was reverted to China in 1997). A tendency to decolonise grew into a desire to form a great family, a special union, for economic, cultural & social reasons. The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as the Commonwealth, is a voluntary association of 53 independent sovereign states, most of which are former British colonies, or dependencies of these colonies (the exceptions being the United Kingdom itself and Mozambique). The Commonwealth is an international organization through which countries with diverse social, political, and-economic backgrounds cooperate within a framework of common values and goals, outlined in the Singapore Declaration. These include the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, individual liberty, and egalitarianism, free trade, multilateralism, and world peace.
Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Commonwealth, recognized by each state, and as such is the symbol of the free association of the organization’s members. This position, however, does not imply political power over Commonwealth member states. In practice, the Queen heads the Commonwealth in a symbolic capacity, and it is the Commonwealth Secretary-General who is the chief executive of the organization. The Commonwealth is not a political union, and does not allow the United Kingdom to exercise any power over the affairs of the organization’s other members. Elizabeth II is also the Head of State, separately, of sixteen members of the Commonwealth, called Commonwealth realms.
Every four years the Commonwealth's members celebrate the Commonwealth Games, the world’s second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. Commonwealth Dayton is held on the 2nd Monday in March. The Commonwealth secretariat provides the central organization for consultation and co-operation among member states. Established in London in 1965, headed by the heads of Government and financed by member Governments, the Secretariat is responsible to Commonwealth Governments collectively. The Secretariat promotes consultation, disseminates info on matters of common concern, and organizes meetings and conferences. Membership criteria: be fully sovereign states; recognise the monarch of the Commonwealth realms as the Head of the commonwealth; accept the English language as the means of Commonwealth communication; respect the wishes of the general population vis-a-vis Commonwealth membership The Commonwealth's objectives were first outlined in the 1971 Singapore Declaration, which committed the Commonwealth to the institution of world peace: promotion of the pursuit of equality and opposition to racism; the fight against poverty, ignorance, and disease; and free trade. To these were added opposition to discrimination on the basis of gender, and environmental attainability. These objectives were reinforced by the Harare Declaration in 1991.
The Comnonwealth is also useful as an international organisation that represents significant cultural and historical links between wealthy first-world countries and poorer nations with diverse social and religious backgrounds.