The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

 is situated on the British Isles. It consists of four parts: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

  England, Wales and Scotland occupy the territory of Great Britain. Northern Ireland is situated in the northern part of Ireland. The territory of the United Kingdom is about 244,000 square kilometres, it takes the 75th place among other countries in the world. The population is more than 57 million. About 80% of the population is urban. The capital of the country is London. Great Britain is separated from the continent by the English Channel which is 34 km wide in its narrowest point. The country is also washed by the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. 

  The surface of Great Britain varies greatly. The northern and western parts of the country is mountainous and is called the Highlands. All the rest (south, east and centre) is a vast plain which is called the Lowlands. The mountains are not very high. The rivers are not long. The most important of them are the Severn, the Thames, the Trent . There are many beautiful lakes in the mountainous parts of the country. 

  The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climate of Great Britain. It is mild the whole year round. 

  Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. It is known as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of iron and steel products, machinery and electronics, chemicals and textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. One of the chief industries of the country is shipbuilding. 7 per cent of the population is engaged in farming. 

  Great Britain is a country with old cultural traditions and customs. The most famous educational centres are Oxford and Cambridge universities. They are considered to be the intellectual centres of Europe. The education is not free, it is very expensive. 

  The United Kingdom is a monarchy and the Queen is the head of the state. But in practice it is ruled by the elected government with a Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It sits in the House of Parliament in Westminster.

 There are three main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties. The Conservative party with Boris Johnson at the head is the ruling party nowadays. There’s no written constitution in Great Britain only precedents and traditions.

 

Words

to be situated — быть расположенным

British Isles — Британские острова

to occupy — занимать

surface — поверхность

to vary — меняться

high — высокий

low — низкий

land — земля, страна

plain — равнина

vast — огромный

lake — озеро

mountainous — гористый 

shipbuilding — кораблестроение 

education — образование 

free —- бесплатный 

expensive — дорогой 

to influence — влиять 

climate — климат 

mild — мягкий 

industry — промышленность 

population — население 

develop — развивать 

to produce — производить 

to export — экспортировать

chemicals -— продукты химической промышлен­ности

 

textile — текстиль 

government — правительство 

chamber — палата 

to rule — править

2. Ответьте письменно на вопросы. 

1. What is the official name of Great Britain?

2. Where is the U. K. situated?

3. What parts does it consist of?

4. What is the territory and the population of the United Kingdom?

5. What city is the capital of the U. K.?

6. What is the surface of the country?

7. Are there any big rivers and lakes?

8. Why is the climate of the British Isles milder than that of the Continent?

9. The United Kingdom is a highly developed industrial country, isn’t it?

10. What goods does the British industry produce?

11. What industrial cities are there in Great Britain?

12. What outstanding people of Great Britain do you know?

13. Are there any big educational establishments in Great Britain?

14. Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy, isn’t it?

15. What is the name of the Queen of Great Britain?

16. Is her power limited by Parliament?

17. How many chambers does the British Parliament consist of? What are they?

18. What are the main political parties in Great Britain?

19. Who is the Prime Minister of Great Britain?

20. Which political party does he represent?

______________________________________________________

 

Тема 8. Работа с текстом Kremlin. Past Continuous. 

1.Прочитайте и переведите текст, выпишите незнакомые слова, выучите их. 

 

THE KREMLIN

The Kremlin is the heart of Moscow. It is the oldest historical and architectural centre of Moscow.

First it was a wooden fortress. Under Dmitry Donskoy the Kremlin was built of white stone. During the reign of Ivan III the walls of white stone were replaced by new red bri ck walls and towers. The Tsar invited Italian architects to construct the cathedrals. The Assumption Cathedral was built in 1475-1479 and all Russian Tsars and Emper­ors were crowned there. The Archangel Cathedral was the burial place of the Russian Princes and Tsars. The Annuiciation Cathedral was built in 1484. It is famous for the icons painted by Andrey Rublev and his apprentices. Ivan the Great is the Bell Tower, one of the most re­markable structures of the 16-th century. It rises in the certre of the Kremlin. It unites all the Kremlin Cathe­drals into a majestic ensemble.

On the stone pedestal at the foot of the Bell Tower there is a Tsar-Bell — the largest bell in the world. Not far from it one can see a Tsar-Cannon.

Another fine example of Russian architecture is the Faceted Palace. It was built in 1487-91. 
One of the well-known Kremlin museums is the Ar­moury Chamber. It was built in 1851. The famous gold­en cap of Monomach, the first Russian imperial crown of Catherine II, made of gilt silver and many other pre­cious historical items are exhibited there.

Выучить слова

Assumption Cathedral — Успенский собор 

Annunciation Cathedral — Благовещенский собор

Faceted Palace — Грановитая палата 

Armoury Chamber — Оружейная палата 

Bell Tower — колокольня

2. Ответьте на вопросы письменно.

1.  When were the red walls constructed?

2.  Where were the Russian Tsars and Emperors crowned?

3. Which Cathedral is connected with Andrey Rublev?

4. What is Annunciation Cathedral famous for?

5. What is exhibited in the Armoury Chamber?

3. Посмотрите видео о Кремле

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5rqY-mMRGQ