Text 8. Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. It consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is surrounded by seas and is separated from the continent by the North Sea, the English Channel and the Strait of Dover.

The rivers in Great Britain are not long, but many of them are deep. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the busiest and the most important river in England.

The climate of Great Britain is mild. The Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the weather of the British Isles. It is often foggy and rainy. The summers are not very hot and the winters are not very cold. Winter temperature seldom falls below zero. The average January temperature is about 5 degrees above zero. February is the coldest month in Great Britain. But, of course, the climate is different in different parts of the country. In Scotland the climate is colder man in England.

There are many mountains in the north of England and in Scotland, but they are not very high. The highest mountain in Great Britain is Ben Nevis. The north of Scotland is called the Highlands, while the south is known as the Lowlands. There are many lakes in Scotland. The most beautiful lake is Loch Lomond.

Great Britain has "park-like" appearance. The art of gardening has a very old tradition. The parks are pieces of country left in the middle of town. Everything is quiet and green. The people who come here admire the combination of sea and high land, the valleys and orchards of Kent, the lakes of Scotland, its fields, woods and parks.

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The power of the Queen is limited by Parliament which consists of two houses - the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Great Britain is a highly-developed industrial country. Nowadays the industrial centres of the country produce clothing, food, chemicals, machinery, coal, iron, ships and many other things.

Слова и выражения

the English – англичане;

the Irish – ирландцы;

the Scots – шотландцы;

The Welsh -валлийцы (жители Уэльса);

the Conservative (or Tory) Party - консервативная партия (тори);

the Labour Party - лейбористская партия;

Bank Holidays - государственные праздники.

Text 9. London

London is the capital of Great Britain. Today it is one of the largest cities in the world. Its population is more than eight million. London is situated on both sides of the Thames. There are fourteen bridges across the Thames.

In fact, there are several London’s. There is the City of London. The City is small in area but it is the commercial heart of London. The Stock Exchange, the Royal Exchange and the Bank of England are all there.

London has many faces. The West End is the finest part of London. In the West End there are theatres, cinemas, museums, picture galleries, long streets of fine shops and big houses. The Houses of Parliament, Whitehall, Downing Street are all in the West End. In the West End numerous tourists visit Trafalgar Square laid out about a hundred years ago. Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square was built in honour of Admiral Nelson. The figure of Nelson is on the top of the Column. Round the base one can see four carvings which represent scenes in the life of Nelson. Not far from it there is the National Gallery and joined to it is the National Portrait Gallery. These galleries contain marvelous collections of paintings by English artists.

If the City is the "money" of London and the West End is the "goods" of London, then the East End is the "hands" of London.

The East End is a district of docks and factories.

Westminster is the centre of administration. Westminster Abbey is opposite the Houses of Parliament. Many great Englishmen were buried in Westminster Abbey.

Here is some useful information about other cities 3f Great Britain.

Cambridge is one of the loveliest towns of England. Its University is an old centre of education and learning. Newton, Byron, Darwin and many other celebrated Englishmen were educated at Cambridge.

Oxford is one of the oldest University towns in Europe. It is also famous for its beautiful architecture. Oxford University was founded in the 12th century.

Stratford-upon-Avon is known for the fact that William Shakespeare was born and also died there. In the town the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre stands on the bank of the Avon. Shakespeare's plays are performed here for eight months each year.

Слова и выражения

the Tower of London – Тауэр;

Waterloo Bridge - мост Ватерлоо;

St. Paul's Cathedral - собор Св. Павла;

the Buckingham Palace - Букингемский дворец;

Piccadilly Circus - площадь Пикадилли;

Hyde Park - Гайд-Парк;

the Thames bridges - мосты через Темзу.