6. Choose the best alternative to complete the sentence.

1. Many ... deposits in Britain have been worked out.

a) rural b) industrial c) valuable d) expensive

Such ... metals as manganese and nickel are absent in Britain,

a) pure b) rare c) mere d) black

The deposits of lead and copper are ... .

a) little b) small c) rare d) significant

British economy depends on imported ... .

a) raw materials b) rock salt c) common salt d) brown coal

5. About 80 per cent of the population in Britain is ... . a) rural b) urban c) young d) old

7. Complete the sentences.

The head of the state is ... .

In reality the country is governed by ... .

... separates Great Britain from the continent.

The economy of Great Britain is dependent on ... .

The country has become self-sufficient in energy with ... .

... have been worked out.

8. Answer the following questions.

Where is Great Britain situated?

How many countries does the UK consist of?

What is the territory of the UK?

What is the population of the UK?

Who rules and who governs the country?

What minerals are found in Great Britain?

Why is the British economy dependent on imported raw materials?

9. Get ready to discuss the following.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is reigned by the Queen. How do you understand the phrases 'British kings reign but don't rule' and 'Monarchy is a mere formality'?

Тема: БРИТАНСКАЯ ЭКОНОМИКА (BRITISH ECONOMY)

1. Memorize the words.

strength n — сила

space а — космический

account (for) v — насчитывать

insurance n — страхование

motor vehicles — транспортные средства

aircraft n — самолет, авиация

GDP — ВНП

crop n — урожай, сельскохозяйственная культура

wheat n — пшеница

pharmaceuticals n — лекарства

sophisticated а — сложный

vulnerable а — уязвимый

offset v — компенсировать

surplus n — излишек

decline v — приходить в упадок

freight n — перевозка грузов

vital а — жизненный

2. Answer the following questions before you read Text a.

1. Is Great Britain rich in natural resources?

2. Why is Great Britain called 'the birthplace of capita­lism'?

3. When did Britain lose its colonial empire?

4. Is the United Kingdom a leading industrial nation?

3.Read the text and fulfill the tasks which follow. British Economy

A pioneer in the Industrial Revolution, Britain today is fifth in size of its gross domestic product (GDP). In industrial production the heavy industry occupies the leading place. The traditional economic strength of Great Britain has been manu­facturing. The manufacturing and service industries, together with construction, account for about 93 per cent of Britain's GDP, the rest is shared by energy production and agriculture.

Service industry occupies an important place in Britain's economy. It accounts for about two-thirds of the GDP. More than 70 per cent of British workers are employed in service in­dustries, the most important of which are finance, insurance, tourism, government, transportation and communication.

In recent years new industries have made serious progress such as aerospace, chemicals, oil, gas, electronics, biotechno­logy. The traditional old industries such as steel, coal produc­tion, shipbuilding, production of textiles have met serious dif­ficulties and declined. Besides the above industries, food, drink, tobacco and paper industries are also developed.

Britain produces steel, motor vehicles, tractors, aircraft, aero-engines, npchinery, textiles, chemicals, gas and petro­leum, electronic equipment.

Agriculture supplies nearly two-thirds of the country's food. British agriculture is efficient, for it is based on modern technology and research. Many British farmers practice mixed farming — they specialize both in crops and animals. Britain is self-sufficient in milk, eggs, meat, potatoes and wheat. But it imports butter, cheese, sugar, vegetables and wine. Its imports also include tea and coffee, clothing, metals, petroleum pro­ducts and textile. 36

Britain exports aerospace equipment, machinery, motor ve­hicles, petroleum, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, sophisticated electronic equipment.

The national economy of Great Britain is vitally dependent on foreign trade. With the loss of the colonies the economy has become vulnerable to balance-of-payment problems and trade deficit has become a typical pattern of Britain's overseas trade. But the trade deficit is often offset by a surplus of the so-called invisible trade, due to earnings of the country from interna­tional travel, tourism, freight and financial services.