Holidays in Great Britain

National Days in Britain are not celebrated to the same extent as in France or America. Scotland’s National Day is St. Andrew’s Day (30 November), which has now largely been overshadowed by Burns’ Night. St. David’s Day (1 March) is the National Day of Wales. England’s National Day is St. George’s Day (23 April) which coincides with William Shakespeare’s Birthday. St. Patrick’s Day is an official Bank Holiday in Northern Ireland.

For many English people (with the exception of Scotsmen), Christmas is the favourite holiday. It is celebrated much earlier than in our country, on December, 25. Preparation for the holiday begins weeks before it with sending dozens of cards, buying presents and food, decorating the Christmas tree and the house. On Christmas Eve everything and everybody are in rush. Most offices and public buildings close at one o’clock, but shops stay open late. Railway and bus stations are overcrowded as people travel from all parts of the country to be with their families. Christmas is the most important family holiday. In the homes there is a great air of expectation. Holly and mistletoe are hanging on the wall waiting for the English traditional kissing when a girl standing under these evergreen plants can’t refuse being kissed. Mothers of the family are busy in the kitchen getting ready for the next day’s dinner of turkey, pudding and other tasty things. Before going to bed children may hang Christmas stockings on their beds in hope of getting presents from Santa Claus. Nowadays most children get so many presents that stockings are too small for them and gifts are put under the Christmas tree.

1. What is the favourite holiday of English people?

a) New Year b) Christmas c) Easter d) Christmas Eve

2. When do the preparations for Christmas begin?

a) on the eve b) weeks before Christmas c) in summer d) some days before Christmas

3. What time do offices and public buildings close on Christmas Eve?

a) in the morning b) in the evening c) at midnight d) at one o’clock

4. Where can children find their Christmas presents?

a) under the Christmas tree b) in their beds c) in the yard d) on the roof

5. What is England’s National Day?

a) St. Andrew’s Day b) St. David’s Day c) Shakespeare’s Birthday d) St. George’s Day

І. Reading Comprehension Test

This text is followed by 5 multiple-choice questions. For each task choose the best possible answer from A, B, C or D and circle the letter of your choice.

What Is International Trade?

When Honduras exports bananas to Switzerland, they can use the money they earn to import Swiss chocolate – or to pay for Kuwaiti oil or a vacation in Hawaii. The basic idea of international trade and investment is simple: each country produces goods or services that can be either consumed at home or exported to other countries.

The main difference between domestic trade and international trade is the use of foreign currencies to pay for the goods and services crossing international borders. Although global trade is often added up in U.S. dollars, the trading itself involved various currencies. Japanese videocassette recorders are paid for in German marks in Berlin, and German cars are paid for in U.S. dollars in Boston. Indian tea, Brazilian coffee, and American films are sold around the world in currencies as diverse as Turkish liras and Mexican pesos.

Whenever a country imports or exports goods and services, there is a resulting flow of funds: money returns to the exporting nation, and money flows out of the importing nation. Trade and investment is a two-way street, and with a minimum of trade barriers, international trade and investment usually makes everyone better off.

In an interlinked global economy, consumers are given the opportunity to buy the best products at the best prices. By opening up markets, a government allows its citizens to produce and export those things they are best at and to import the rest, choosing from whatever the world has to offer.

1. What is the basic idea of international trade?

a) to cross international borders b) to produce less c) to consume less d) to produce goods or services that can be either consumed at home or exported to other countries

2. What is the main difference between domestic trade and international trade?

a) the use of foreign currencies to pay for the goods and services b) return of money c) minimum trade barriers d) better prices

3. What is the result of import or export?

a) return of money b) flow of funds c) trade barriers d) the use of foreign currencies

4. When can international trade make everyone better off?

a) with a minimum of trade barriers b) when everyone pays for goods and services c) when everyone produces enough goods and services d) when government allows to produce any goods and services

5. What is the advantage of international trade for consumers?

a) they can produce more b) there is a difference between domestic trade and international trade c) they earn more d) consumers are given the opportunity to buy the best products at the best prices

І. Reading Comprehension Test

This text is followed by 5 multiple-choice questions. For each task choose the best possible answer from A, B, C or D and circle the letter of your choice.