Scotland

Although Scotland takes up one third of the territory of the British Isles, its population is very big. It is the most northern part of the island of Great Britain and is not far away from the Arctic Circle.

That’s why it is not densely populated: its population is a little over 5 million people. The Cheviot Hills marks the boundary between England and Scotland. Apart from this land link with England, Scotland is surrounded by sea.

Scotland includes the Hebrides off the west coast, and the Orkney and Shetland Islands off the north coast. It is bounded by the North Sea on the east.

Scotland is divided into three regions: the Highlands, which is the most northern and the most under populated area with a harsh climate, the Lowlands, which is the industrial region, with about three quarters of the population, and the Southern Uplands, with hills, which border on England.

The Highlands of Scotland are among the oldest mountains in the world. They reach their highest point in Ben Nevis (1343m). Many valleys between the hills are filled with lakes, called lochs. The best known is Loch Ness where some people think a large monster lives. The most important city here is Aberdeen, which is the oil centre of Scotland. Ships and helicopters travel from Aberdeen to the North Sea oilrigs. Work on an oilrig is difficult and dangerous.

Most of the population of Scotland is concentrated in the Lowlands. Here, on the Clyde, is Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city.

1. Scotland is divided into:

a) two regions b) three regions c) four regions d) five regions

2. What part of the territory of the British Isles does Scotland take up?

a) one third b) one fifth c) two thirds d) a half

3. Which region is the most northern and the most under populated?

a) the Lowlands b) the Southern Uplands c) the Arctic Circle d) the Highlands

4. What is the industrial region of Scotland?

a) the Lowlands b) the Southern Uplands c) the Arctic Circle d) the Highlands

5. What is the oil region of Scotland?

a) Glasgow b) Cheviot Hills c) Aberdeen d) the Clyde

І. Reading Comprehension Test

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Agricultural products and workforce

The major agricultural products can be broadly grouped into foods, fibers, fuels, and raw materials. In the 2000s, plants have been used to grow biofuels, biopharmaceuticals, bioplastics, and pharmaceuticals. Specific foods include cereals, vegetables, fruits, and meat. Fibers include cotton, wool, hemp, silk and flax. Raw materials include lumber and bamboo. Other useful materials are produced by plants, such as resins. Biofuels include methane from biomass, ethanol, and biodiesel. Cut flowers, nursery plants, tropical fish and birds for the pet trade are some of the ornamental products.

In 2007, one third of the world's workers were employed in agriculture. The services sector has overtaken agriculture as the economic sector employing the most people worldwide. Despite the size of its workforce, agricultural production accounts for less than five percent of the gross world product (an aggregate of all gross domestic products).

Many governments have subsidized agriculture to ensure an adequate food supply. These agricultural subsidies are often linked to the production of certain commodities such as wheat, corn (maize), rice, soybeans, and milk. These subsidies, especially when instituted by developed countries have been noted as protectionist, inefficient, and environmentally damaging.

1. How many world's workers were employed in agriculture in 2007?

a) one fifth b) one quarter c) one third d) all workers

2. The major agricultural products can be grouped into:

a) foods, fibers, fuels, and raw materials b) biofuels and pharmaceuticals c) raw materials and bioplastics d) methane and biodiesel

3. What do fibers include?

a) ethanol and biomass b) cereals and vegetables c) cotton, wool and flax d) resins

4. Why do many governments subsidize agriculture?

a) to protect its workforce b) to ensure an adequate food supply c) to link agriculture to the services sector d) to reduce production

5. What products can we call ornamental?

a) tropical fish and birds b) lumber and bamboo c) raw materials d) milk and corn

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WALES

Another constituent country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is Wales. It became part of England in 1536 by the Act of Union. Until then it had been regarded as a separate principality but a dependency on England. The Welsh call their country Cymru, and themselves they call Cymry, a word which has the same root as ‘comrader’ (friend or comrade).

The population of Wales is over 3 million people. About 75 per cent of the people of Wales live in towns and urban districts.

The living standards of people in Wales are lower than in England, the unemployment rate is higher. South Wales has a rich tradition of struggle for more jobs and better working conditions in mines.

Wales is a highland country of old, hard rocks. North Wales is a country of mountains and deep valleys; South Wales is a land of high hills and wide valleys. The pride of Wales in scenery is Snowdonia, a region of high mountains. Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales (1085 m).

Except for coal, mineral resources are limited, and include gold, silver, lead and copper. South Wales is more developed: coal-mining, steel production, electronics, electrical engineering can be found here.

The capital of Wales is Cardiff, the largest city of Wales. Cardiff is situated near the mouth of the Taff River. It is an important industrial city and a port. It is also an administrative and educational centre.

1. What is the capital of Wales?

a) London b) Edinburgh c) Cardiff d) Belfast

2. What are the living standards in Wales?

a) higher than in England b) lower than in England c) lower than in Ukraine d) higher than in Scotland

3. What is the highest mountain in England and Wales?

a) Snowdon b) Hoverla c) Ben Nevis d) the Carpathian mountains

4. What is the rate of unemployment?

a) high b) higher than in England c) low d) lower than in England

5. Where do the most Welsh people live?

a) towns and urban districts b) in the country c) at the sea-side d) in private houses

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