For a small country, Britain has a great variety of soil, climate and types of farming; ranging from beef breeding in Scotland and sheep farming in the mountains of Wales to growing crops, mainly wheat, barley, oats and potatoes, in the large, flat, fertile areas of the eastern counties.
Sea fishing, round the coasts of Britain and in distant waters, is of great importance in Scotland and in the north-east of England. The most famous fishing ground is near Yorkshire. One of the largest fishing ports is Hull, while Yarmouth is the chief centre of the herring fishery.
Britain became the world’s first industrialized country in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Wealth was based on the manufacture of iron and steel, heavy machinery and textiles, and coalmining, shipbuilding and trade. Today, in a new age of modern technology, the country has made important advances in such new industries as electronics and telecommunications equipment, in aircraft and aircraft engines, in plastics and synthetic materials, radio-isotopes and new drugs. Engineering industries produce many leading exports: electrical machinery, cars, tractors and commercial vehicles, bicycles and precision instruments of many kinds make up nearly half of the goods exported. Financial and other business services have grown in significance. The City of London has the greatest concentration of banks in the world, one of the largest Stock Exchange and Lloyd’s insurance company.
Communications benefit from a network of motorways and fast inter-city rail services. Links to the continent of Europe are strengthened by the opening of the Channel Tunnel in late 1993. London’s Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the world.
Britain’s main foreign policy aims and objectives are to enhance its security and prosperity, and to promote and protect its interests overseas through world peace and economic growth.
The state is a member of some 120 international organizations, including the European Community (EC), the United Nations (UN), where it is a permanent member of the Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Commonwealth.
EXERCISES
Exercise 1. Answer the questions.
1. Where is Great Britain situated?
2. What do the British Isles consist of?
3. What states are the British Isles divided into?
4. What kind of state is the United Kingdom?
5. Who is the head of the country?
6. What is the supreme legislative authority?
7. What power is exercised by the government?
8. What is the population of the country?
9. How is the population spread over the country?
10. What are the biggest cities?
11. How are the chief regional administrative units called?
12. What is the area of Britain?
13. What is the territory of the British Isles washed by?
14. What is the relief of the country?
15. What are the highest mountains of the British Isles?
16. Where are most of the lakes found?
17. What are the British rivers like?
18. What resources is the country rich in?
19. What influences the British climate?
20. What agricultural products are produced in Britain?
21. What are the most important fishing ports?
22. What made Britain the world’s first industrialized country in the 18th-19th centuries?
23. What branches of industry are well-developed today?
24. What services have grown in significance lately?
25. What is the transport system of Great Britain like?
26. What are Britain’s main foreign policy aims and objectives?
27. What international organizations does the state participate in?
Exercise 2. Translate from English into Ukrainian.
1. Great Britain, formally known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is situated on the British Isles, which lie off the north-west coast of continental Europe.
2. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. That means it is a country governed by a king or a queen who accepts the advice of a parliament.
3. The executive power is exercised by the Government, formed by the political party which can command majority support in the House of Commons.
4. So far as the government is controlled by the parliament elected by the people, the country is also a parliamentary democracy.
5. With an area of some 244,000 square kilometers, Britain is just under 1,000 kilometres from the south coast to the extreme north of Scotland and just under 800 kilometres across in the widest part.
6. The Strait of Dover, which is twenty-one miles across, separates Great Britain from the north-western part of the continent of Europe, the English Channel – from its northern part.
7. On the border of England and Scotland there is a range of hills which is called the Cheviot Hills. Upon the Cheviot Hills feed a special breed of sheep called the Cheviots. From the wool of these sheep a well-known kind of high quality woolen stuff is manufactured.
8. There are many lakes in the Cumbrian Mountains, therefore this part is the most beautiful in England called the Lake District. Here lies the largest lake in England – Windermere.
9. British rivers are not very long but they are deep. The longest rivers of Britain are small compared with the great rivers of the world, but few countries are better supplied with useful streams. The mouths of most of these rivers form good harbours.
10. What influences the English climate greatly is the Gulf Stream. It is like a hot-water pipe because it brings a little of the warmth of the tropics to the very doors of English people.
11. Today, in a new age of modern technology, the country has made important advances in such new industries as electronics and telecommunications equipment, in aircraft and aircraft engines, in plastics and synthetic materials, radio-isotopes and new drugs.
12. The state is a member of some 120 international organizations, including the European Community, the United Nations, where it is a permanent member of the Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the Commonwealth.
Exercise 3. Translate from Ukrainian into English.
1. Сполучене Королівство Великої Британії та Північної Ірландії розташоване на двох великих островах: Велика Британія та Ірландія, та на 5.500 маленьких островах.
2. Головна адміністративна одиниця називається „графство” в Англії та Уельсі, „регіон” у Шотландії та „район” у Північній Ірландії. Слово „регіон” можна використовувати для будь-якої з цих чотирьох великих місцевостей країни.
3. Територію Великої Британії можна розділити на дві частини: низовини та височини. Низовинна Британія знаходиться на південному сході. Це багата родюча рівнина з гарними орними землями та пасовищами.
4. Вздовж Пенінських гір лежить основний водний розділ. Він відокремлює річки, що течуть на схід, від річок, що течуть на захід. Західні річки коротші за східні. Вони також більш стрімкі та менш судноплавні.
5. Темза – найважливіша ріка Англії. Її гирло широке та глибоке, вона має постійні припливи та відпливи, та її течія – повільна. Таким чином, вона підходить для судноплавства. Великі судна можуть дістатися аж до Лондонського мосту, а це 50 миль від моря. На її берегах знаходяться Лондон, Оксфорд, університетське містечко, Грінвіч зі своєю лабораторією та багато інших відомих місць.
6. Северн піднімається в гори Уельсу. Спочатку він тече на схід, потім повертає в сторону та тече на південь. Він сполучається своїми притоками та каналами з Темзою. Його найдовший приток – Верхній Ейвон, на якому стоїть Стратфорд, місце народження Шекспіра.
7. Як правило, клімат залежить від географічного положення країни. Географічне положення Великої Британії дає їй помірний клімат. Британія розташована в східній частині теплої Атлантики та оточена морем. Море робить клімат теплішим взимку та прохолоднішим влітку.
8. Для маленької країни, Британія має велике різноманіття грунтів, клімату та видів ферм від розведення корів в Шотландії та овець в горах Уельсу до вирощування врожаїв, в основному пшениці, ячменю, вівса та картоплі на великих, родючих площах східних графств.
9. Інженерні види промисловості виробляють багато провідних видів експорту. Значно зросли фінансові та інші види послуг. Сіті в Лондоні має найбільшу концентрацію банків у світі, одну з найбільших фондових бірж та страхову компанію Ллойда.
10. Основними цілями та прагненнями зовнішньої політики Британії являються збільшення безпеки і процвітання, та просування і захист її інтересів за кордоном через мир в усьому світі та економічне зростання.
Exercise 4. Read and dramatize the following dialogues:
A: This is a map of the world. What can we see on it?
B: We can see oceans and continents. There are six continents on the map.
A: What are they?
B: They are Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, America and Antarctica.
A: What else can you see on the map?
B: We can also see seas and rivers, mountains and valleys.
A: What countries can you show us?
B: This is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is a highly developed industrial country. In the 19th century it stood the 1st in the world and had the biggest colonial power. But after World War II it lost some of its prestige as well as its colonies.
* * *
A: This is a map of Great Britain. Great Britain is situated on an island, isn’t it?
B: In fact it isn’t. Great Britain, formally known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of Great Britain, Ireland and some 5,500 smaller islands.
A: What is the country washed by?
B: The territory of the British Isles is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the English Channel.
A: I think this is a great benefit to Great Britain in several ways. How does the nearness of the sea influence its climate?
B: The sea makes the climate warmer in winter and cooler in summer. What influences the English climate greatly is the Gulf Stream. It is like a hot-water pipe because it brings a little of the warmth of the tropics to the very doors of English people.
Exercise 5. Make up your own dialogue using the following expressions:
To consist of, to be situated, a highly developed industrial country, to be washed by, parliamentary monarchy, the Queen, the House of Lords, the House of Commons, government, the prime minister.
Communicative situations
1. You’ve come from Great Britain. Ask your friends about the economic development of Great Britain.
2. At the English club you tell some facts about Great Britain.
LONDON.
Borough(s) – міський район
astonishing – дивовижний, вражаючий
to rub – терти(ся)
to be conscious of – бути свідомим, усвідомлювати
mutual tolerance – взаємна терпимість, толерантність
genuine – справжній, істинний, щирий
affection – прихильність, любов
to be in possession of – бути у володінні, власності
defence – захист, оборона
firmly – міцно, твердо, рішуче
to secure – гарантувати безпеку, охороняти
to survive - виживати
plague – чума, мор
damage – збиток, втрата, шкода
to occur – траплятися, відбуватися
tremendous – жахливий, страшний, величезний
destruction - знищення,
to spare- щадити, берегти
to manage – впоратися, примудритися
to reflect - відбивати, відображати
to fulfil - виконувати
an approach - підхід
curious – цікавий, дивний
to arise - виникати
the Royal Court – королівський суд
a splendid view – розкішний, чудовий краєвид
a commissioner – спеціальний уповноважений, комісар
medieval - середньовічний
formerly – раніше, колись
likewise – також, подібно
national shrine – національна святиня
to crown - коронувати
William the Conqueror – Вільгельм Завойовник
Edward the Confessor – Едвард духівник, сповідник
a tomb – гробниця. могила, надгробний пам’ятник
a grave – могила, надгробний камінь
eminent – видатний, знаменитий
a treasure(s) – скарб(и)
to commemorate – шанувати пам'ять, служити нагадуванням
to cluster – тіснитися, збиратися групами
a landmark – межовий знак, віха
luxurious - розкішний
to surmount – перемагати, переборювати
a pedestal – підніжжя, основа (колони)
a bas-relief(s) - барельєф
pilgrimage – паломництво, мандрівка
a pigeon(s) – голуб(и)
an invasion – навала, вторгнення
an arsenal – арсенал, зброя
a prison – в’язниця
precious stones – дорогоцінне каміння
the Crown Jewels – коштовності корони
to be executed – бути страченим
to exhibit – виставляти для огляду
a raven(s) – ворон(и)
to ensure – гарантувати, забезпечувати
a military garrison – військовий гарнізон
soot and smoke – сажа та дим
London is the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is one of the largest cities in the world. Some 9 million people now live in London and its suburbs and the city, which is divided into boroughs, covers an area of 620 square miles, making it one of the largest of the world’s capitals.
London is one of the world’s most enjoyable cities. Visited by tourists in the millions, the city offers them an astonishing variety of scenes. In this historic city the modern rubs shoulders with the old, the present is ever conscious of the past, the great and the small live side by side in mutual tolerance and respect, and in every part of London’s busy and complex life there is to be found a very genuine affection for its traditions, and its fortunes.
The history of London began about the year A.D. 43, when the Romans were in possession of the southern part of Britain and founded a military station on the present site of London. It began its life as a Roman fortification at a place where it was possible to cross the River Thames. A wall was built around the town for defence. It had been a place of some importance for more than a thousand years. The Romans, the Saxons and the Danes settled here in turn, and after them came the Normans. In the 11th century William the Conqueror made London his capital. London continued to grow in importance and its position as a seat of the government was firmly secured.
London survived in the Plague, which killed nearly 100,000 people, and in the Great Fire in 1666, which destroyed many wooden houses. Little damage occurred during World War I, but World War II brought tremendous destruction. Many buildings of great historic value were laid in ruins and today the face of London is changed. Yet much was spared, including the Tower, St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey.
London has buildings that express all the different areas of its history, for London manages in a unique way to reflect its past and at the same time to fulfil the functions of a modern city. There is always something new to be discovered, some fresh approach to the familiar scene, some curious piece of history to be investigated.
London lies in the valley of the Thames. It has no one single centre. It arises from a number of towns and villages which have become parts of Greater London.
The oldest part of London is the City. Nowadays it is a financial centre of Britain. Its narrow streets house the offices of banks, insurance and trading companies. The City is full of life at daytime but at night and during weekends it is almost completely empty. One street of this area is, however, busy day and night. This is Fleet Street, in and around which nearly all the important newspapers and press agencies have their offices.
The area around the Royal Court is called the West End. It’s here, that all historic places are, as well as the famous parks: St. James’s Park, Green Park and Hyde Park. The Queen lives in Buckingham Palace nowadays, and the Palace of Westminster is now the seat of the Parliament.
From the centre of Westminster Bridge, one can have a splendid view of the Houses of Parliament which spread magnificently on the north bank of the Thames. This structure is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture. The Clock Tower, which contains the hour-bell called ‘Big Ben’, is known the world over. The bell is named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first Commissioner of Works when the Houses of Parliament were rebuilt (in 1850).
Royal Palaces and houses were built along the banks of the Thames in medieval days, because the water was a busy way into and out of London. The Houses of Parliament, called officially the Palace of Westminster, were formerly a palace for kings and queens. When the king was in residence at Westminster his court was likewise in residence. The palace was used both as a royal residence and also as a parliament house until the 16th century when the royal family moved to the new palace within half a mile of Westminster – Whitehall Palace. So, the Westminster Palace was occupied by the Parliament and became its permanent home.
Westminster Abbey is a national shrine where the kings and queens are crowned and famous people are buried. Founded by Edward the Confessor in 1050, the Abbey was a monastery for a long time. At present the building dates back to the time of Henry III who began to rebuild the church, a task which lasted for nearly 300 years. The West towers were added in the 18th century. Since William I almost every English monarch has been crowned in this great church, which contains the tombs and memorials of many Britain’s most eminent citizens. One of the greatest treasures of the Abbey is the oaken Coronation Chair made in 1300.
Near the West Door of the Abbey the Unknown Warrior lies in a simple grave commemorating the men who died in the First World War.
The Abbey is also known for the Poets’ Corner. Graves and memorials to many English poets and writers are clustered round about.
St. Paul’s Cathedral has always dominated the centre of London. It stands on the site of former Saxon and Norman churches. The latter were destroyed in the Great Fire and the present building, completed in 1710, is the work of the eminent architect Sir Christopher Wren. It is an architectural masterpiece.
Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul’s, which is the largest Protestant Church in England. Its high dome, containing the remarkable Whispering Gallery, is a prominent landmark towering above the multi-storeyed buildings which line the river bank.
The West End is the area of the most luxurious hotels and expensive restaurants, the biggest department stores and entertainments. The theatre land is stretched around Piccadilly Circus, famous for the graceful statue of Eros, bow in hand. Not far one can see the British Museum, which is the best library in Britain, and the Covent Garden Opera House.
Trafalgar Square is the natural centre of London. The square was so named to commemorate Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar in 1805, and the monument in the centre, known as Nelson’s Column, is surmounted with the Statue of Nelson 16 feet high. The pedestal of the Column is decorated with bas-reliefs representing Nelson's most famous victories. At the base of Nelson’s Column are four great lions.
The square has now become a huge traffic island, the statues and fountains have enlivened the space so that it remains a place of pilgrimage for visitors. When the square is not used for demonstrations, it is full of visitors feeding the pigeons or watching the traffic.
On the north side of the square are the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. The National Gallery has an outstanding varied collection of paintings from British, Italian, Spanish French, Dutch and other famous schools. It is an international rather than, as it is named, a National Gallery.
The Tower of London was one of the first and most impressive castles built after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Since the times of William I various kings have built and extended the Tower of London and used it for many purposes. The Tower has been used as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state prison, and many famous and infamous people have been executed within its walls. It is now a museum. For many visitors the principal attraction is the Crown Jewels, the finest precious stones of the nation. A fine collection of armour is exhibited in the Keep.
There is an old tradition to keep ravens in the Tower. Charles II said in 1631 that if ravens ever left the Tower, it would mean the end of England. A special guard is kept to give them food and look after them.
The security of Tower is ensured by a military garrison and by the Yeoman Warders or ‘Beefeaters’ who still wear their picturesque Tudor uniforms.
The last - but not the least – is the East End. This district is inhabited by workers and the poor. Here Cockneys live: people who speak that special London dialect and who consider themselves to be real Londoners. Industry is chiefly found in that part of the capital, grey with soot and smoke. London is the manufacturer of clothing, food and drink, aircrafts, cars and ships.
EXERCISES
Exercise 1. Answer the questions.
1. What is the capital of the United Kingdom?
2. Why is it one of the largest cities in the world?
3. Why is London one of the most enjoyable cities in the world?
4. When and how did the history of London begin?
5. What did London survive in?
6. How does London manage to reflect its past and at the same time to fulfil the functions of a modern city?
7. Where is London situated?
8. What is the oldest part of London? What is it like?
9. How is the area around the Royal Court called?
10. What places of interest are there?
11. What is situated on the north bank of the Thames?
12. What is ‘Big Ben’?
13. What is the history of the Palace of Westminster?
14. What is Westminster Abbey famous for?
15. Why do Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul’s Cathedral?
16. What is the West End like?
17. What is the natural centre of London?
18. How did it get its name?
19. How does the square look like today?
20. What is the Tower of London?
21. What role do ravens play in the Tower?
22. Who ensures the security of Tower?
23. What is known about the East End?
Exercise 2. Translate from English into Ukrainian.
1. London is one of the world’s most enjoyable cities, where the modern rubs shoulders with the old, the present is ever conscious of the past, the great and the small live side by side in mutual tolerance and respect, and in every part of London’s busy and complex life there is to be found a very genuine affection for its traditions, and its fortunes.
2. The history of London began about the year A.D. 43, when the Romans were in possession of the southern part of Britain and founded a military station on the present site of London. It began its life as a Roman fortification at a place where it was possible to cross the River Thames.
3. London manages in a unique way to reflect its past and at the same time to fulfil the functions of a modern city. There is always something new to be discovered, some fresh approach to the familiar scene, some curious piece of history to be investigated.
4. Nowadays the City of London is a financial centre of Britain, where narrow streets house the offices of banks, insurance and trading companies. It is full of life at daytime but at night and during weekends it is almost empty.
5. From the centre of Westminster Bridge, one can have a splendid view of the Houses of Parliament which spread magnificently on the north bank of the Thames. This structure is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture.
6. The Houses of Parliament, called officially the Palace of Westminster, were formerly a palace for kings and queens. It was used both as a royal residence and also as a parliament house until the 16th century when the royal family moved to the new palace within half a mile of Westminster – Whitehall Palace.
7. Westminster Abbey is a national shrine where the kings and the queens are crowned and famous people are buried. One of the greatest treasures of the Abbey is the oaken Coronation Chair made in 1300.
8. Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul’s, which is the largest Protestant Church in England. Its high dome, containing the remarkable Whispering Gallery, is a prominent landmark towering above the multi-storeyed buildings which line the river bank.
9. Trafalgar Square was so named to commemorate Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar in 1805, and the monument in the centre, known as Nelson’s Column, is surmounted with the Statue of Nelson 16 feet high.
10. Since the times of William I various kings have built and extended the Tower of London and used it for many purposes. It has been used as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state prison, and many famous and infamous people have been executed within its walls.
Exercise 3. Translate from Ukrainian into English.
1. У Лондоні та його передмістях зараз проживає біля 9 млн. чоловік, і місто, яке ділиться на райони, охоплює площу 620 квадратних миль, що робить його одним з найбільших світових столиць.
2. Лондон вижив під час чуми, що вбила близько 100 000 чоловік, та у великій пожежі 1666 року, яка зpуйнувала багато дерев’яних будинків. Багато будівель великої історичної цінності опинилося в руїнах під час І та ІІ Світових воєн.
3. Єдина вулиця, що працює в цьому районі день і ніч, це Фліт стріт. На ній розташовані офіси всіх важливих газет та агенцій.
4. Біг Бен – це дзвін у башті з годинником відомий в усьому світі. Він був названий на честь сера Бенджаміна Хола.
5. Собор Святого Павла завжди домінував у центрі Лондона. Він стоїть на місці колишніх саксонської та норманської церков. Це архітектурний шедевр відомого архітектора сера Крістофера Рена.
6. Вест Енд – це район найрозкішніших готелів та найдорожчих ресторанів, найбільших магазинів та розваг. Пікаділлі відома граційною статуєю Ероса з луком у руках.
7. Зараз Тауер – це музей, в якому зберігається гарна колекція зброї та коштовності корони, найкрасивіше дорогоцінне каміння нації.
8. Іст Енд – це район населений робітниками та бідняками. Тут також живуть люди, що розмовляють на особливому лондонському діалекті, кокні, та вважають себе справжніми лондонцями.
Exercise 4. Read and dramatize the following dialogues:
A: You are in London for the first time, aren’t you?
B: Yes, I am. And I have only a couple of days to see the sights. Is it possible to see anything of London in a day or two?
A: Yes, but of course, not half enough.
B: I’d like to see as many places of interest as possible. What do you think I ought to see first?
A: Well, I know that you are interested in churches and historical places. Then you should go to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London.
* * *
A: Oh, what’s that, my dear?
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