Read the text and say if these statements are true (T) or false (F).

1 Ireland is an island.

2 The Irish name for Ireland is Eire.

3 It’s called the Emerald Isle because it’s full of precious green stones.

4 Irish is an ancient language.

5 St. Patrick is Ireland’s national saint.

6 The shamrock is a tree which grows in Ireland.

Ireland – The Emerald Isle

Covering the greater part of the island, Ireland, or Eire for the Irish, is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Ireland is also known as the Emerald Isle because of its amazingly green countryside. The Irish often say that in no other place in the world will someone ever get to see so many different shades and tones of green. Eire is located to the west of Great Britain and it has a magnificent coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Dublin, the capital, is the country’s largest city and a major port.

This rather small and geographically isolated country is also known for its rich cultural heritage, longstanding traditions and unique spirit of its people. The Irish are a warm and friendly people who have a reputation for their hospitality and for their great skills in storytelling and music making. Irish folk music is about the sorrows and joys of life and is full of nostalgia especially from the Irish immigrants who left their homeland in search of better life.

Even though, throughout Ireland, people speak in English in their everyday lives, Irish is the first official language of the Republic of Ireland. The Irish language, which is a one-thousand-year-old Celtic language, is mostly spoken in the west of Ireland. However, things have recently started changing and the Irish language has been going through a revival. It is taught in primary school, heard on the radio and TV stations and is used in newspapers.

St. Patrick’s Day, on March 17^th, commemorates Ireland’s national saint and is celebrated in many countries around the world. In fact, as the popular saying goes, on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish. People decorate their homes with green ribbons and balloons and they traditionally wear green clothes, hats and ties. You’ll also see lots of shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day. The shamrock, a small tree-leaved green plant, has become Ireland’s national symbol. In Dublin, the festivities last for three days with plenty of colourful parades and street theatres for both locals and tourists to enjoy.

Match the words in italics with their synonyms below.

7 character 8 situated 9 friendliness 10 homesickness

11 very important 12 visitors 13 rebirth

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