The Land and the People of Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK) is the official name of the state which is situated in the British Is­les. Thus, "Great Britain" is often the same as "Britain", or "The United Kingdom", or just "UK". It consists of four countries which are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can see them on the map. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

The UK is an island state. The two main islands are Great Britain (where England, Scotland and Wales are situated) and Ireland. Northern Ireland and the independent Irish Republicare there. The two islands are separated by the Irish Sea.

The UK is also washed the Atlantic Ocean in the north and the North Sea in the east.

Everyone who was born in Britain is British. People from England are English. People from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are not English. They are Scottish or Scotts; Welsh and Irish. People from Scotland and Wales don't like it when they are called English.

More than 56 molliom people live in Britain. Many of them live in big industrial cities like London, Manchester and Liverpool, for example, are big industrial cities in the centre of England. But fore­igners are often surprised by the fact that much of land in Britain is open country. There are many lonely hills, quiet rivers, deep lakes and just farmlands especially in the south of the country.

Everyone in Britain speaks English. But in some parts of Scotland and Wales people speak different languages as well. The Welsh are es­pecially proud of their language. They like to speak Welsh, to sing songs in Welsh and when you travel you can see road signs in Welsh all over Wales.

As you know, the flag of the United Kingdom is known as the Union Jack. It is made up of three crosses: the cross St. George (the patron saint of Scotland), the cross of St. Andrew (the patron saint of Scot­land) and the cross of St. Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland).

the patron saint - святой покровитель

Could you answer the questions?

1. Where is the UK situated?

2. Why do you think the UK is called "an island state"?

3. What other country is situated on the British Isles?

4. What languages are spoken in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

5. How many people live in Britain?

6. What is the Union Jack? What do you know about it?

DIALOGUE 1

A: Excuse me, will you be so kind...?

B: What can I do for you?

A: Could you tell us how shall we get to London?

B: Haven't you been here before?

A: No, sir.

B: Where have you come from?

A: It's a long way from here.

B: Oh, travellers, I see. How do you like the place?

A: It's marvelous.But could you tell us how shall we get London?

B: Oh, of course. By plane, by car, by train. But look, why not

to go down the Thames by boat? You are sure to enjoy yoursel­ves.

A: Not a bad idea, I think. The country-side looks beautiful.

B: Yes, and a lot of places of interest. Marlow, Kingstom, Ox­ford- that's s good way to study English History.

A: But how much time will it take us?

B: You'll be in London tomorrow.

A: That's good. We'll follow your advise. Thanks a lot.

B: Don't mention it.

DIALOGUE 2

M: Have you ever been to Great Britain?

S: Twice.

M: You don't say so.

S: Last time - this summer.

M: How do you like your journey?

S: Very much. The United Kingdom is a powerful industrial country

with a lot of places of interest.

M: Where have you been this time?

S: Oh, we visited all the main parts of the United KIngdom: Eng­land, Scotland and Wales, except Northern Ireland.

M: What impressed you greatly?

S: Scotland. It's a country of freedom-loving people. And the landscape is wonderful.

M: Have you been to the born-place of Robert Burns?

S: Yes, we saw the cottage, where the great Scottish poet was born and took part in the Burn's festival.

M: How happy you are.

S: Lot's hope, you'll have a chance to visit Britain too. Good luck.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29