Text b Cumbria

A group of counties to the north of the Midlands are often referred to as Cumbria.

By the Local Government Act of 1972, the boundaries of the English counties were redrawn: some ceased to function as official areas (the counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland, for example), others (such as Cumbria) were newly established.

The former counties of Cumber­land, Westmoreland and some parts of Lancashire consist of high ground of ancient rocks surrounded by a broken ring of younger sediments.

Northern England is rela­tively thinly populated. The greatest part of its population lives in the coastal strip. The region is dependent on the long-established heavy indus­tries, notably coal-mining, iron and steel manufacture. Atomic energy is important in Cumbria and there are two nuclear power stations.

Part of Britain's richest coal-field lies in the area near the Pennine upland. The uplands have very few trees and the existing vegetation is classed as rough pasture good for grazing. Farming is con­fined to the valleys. There are more than three million sheep in the region today.

The political boundary be­tween England and Scotland runs here north-eastwards in Cumberland and Northum­berland. On the west the region links with the Lake District.

1. Correct the statements:

1. Cumbria is a territory in Scotland;

2. Northern England is densely populated;

3. Most people in Cumbria live in the mountains;

4. The textile industry and shipbuilding are the main branches of economy in the area;

5. The territory of Cumbria is rich in forest resources;

6. There is no agriculture in Cumbria.

2. Say a few words on the following points:

• population of the Cumbrian region;

• typical landscape;

• industry;

• natural resources;

• vegetation;

• farming.

2. Show the area on the map.

Part 3

Text A

Political System

1. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. At the head of the state is the Queen or the King.

Power in Great Britain is divided among three branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch and the judicial branch.

In her role as Monarch, the Queen is head of the executive and plays an integral part in the legislature. She heads the judiciary and is both the commander-in-chief of all the Armed Forces of the Crown of England. In practice, the Monarch acts on the advice of her ministers.

2. The legislative branch is represented by Parliament, which consists of two chambers, or houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The main functions of Parliament are: to pass laws, to scrutinize government policy and administration, to debate the major issues of the day.

The House of Commons consists of 659 elected Members of Parliament. The chief officer of the House of Commons is the Speaker.

The House of Lords has more than 1000 members. It consists of hereditary peers, life peers and senior bishops of the Church of England. The members of the House of Lords debate a bill after it has been passed by the House of Commons. The Queen signs the bill. Only then it becomes law.

3. The executive branch is headed by the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the king (queen). According to tradition, the Prime Minister is the leader of the party that has won the elections and has the majority in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister appoints the ministers to compose the government. The most important ministers of the government (about twenty) form the Cabinet. The members of the Cabinet take the final decisions on all government policy.

4. The judicial branch interprets the laws. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court of Judicature which consists of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal.

Notes:

1. the British Parliament – Британский парламент

2. the House of Commons – палата общин

3. the House of Lords – палата лордов

4. the Cabinet – кабинет министров

5. the Church of England – англиканская церковь

6. the Supreme Court of Judicature – Верховный суд

7. the High Court of Justice – «Высокий суд» (суд первой

инстанции по гражданским

делам с юрисдикцией на

территории всей Великобри-

тании)

8. the Court of Appeal – апелляционный суд