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
