Part II

Part I

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on 2 large islands and 5000 smaller ones. These are the British Isles. Great Britain, the largest island in Europe, includes England, Scotland and Wales. It is separated from Ireland by the Irish Sea, from the European Continent-by the North Sea, the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. On the west coasts Great Britain is bound by the Atlantic Ocean.

The southern part of Ireland is an independent republic.

The greater part of the surface of England and Ireland is flat. The northern part of Scotland and Wales is mountainous and rocky. The highest mountain of the country is Ben Navis in Scotland. The main rivers are short but can be used by ships. There is a number of lakes in the country. The coastline of the country has excellent harbours.

As a rule, the climate depends on the geographical position of the country. The British Isles are washed by the warm current of the Gulf Stream. So the weather is mild, wet, cloudy, windy and changeable.

The total area of the country is about 21600 square miles or 245000 square kilometers. The population of Great Britain is about 55 million, 44 being Englishmen. Nearly all people speak English, but some speak Celtic languages.

The main cities are London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester.

to separate – отделять(ся);

to include – включать в себя;

to wash – омывать;

to depend on – зависеть от;

to be situated – быть расположенным;

to be bound – быть ограниченным;

island – остров;

coast – берег, побережье;

surface – поверхность;

harbour – гавань;

current – течение;

independent – независимый;

flat – плоский, равнинный;

mountainous – гористый;

rocky – скалистый;

changeable – изменчивый;

moderate – умеренный;

mild – мягкий;

wet – влажный;

cloudy – облачный;

total – полный, весь;

as a rule – как правило;

the English Channel – пролив Ла Манш;

the Strait of Dover – пролив Па-де-Кале;

Ben Navis – гора Бен Невис;

The Gulf Stream – Гольфстрим;

Celtic – кельтский.

TOPIC: «POLITICAL SYSTEM AND PARTIES OF GREAT BRITAIN»

Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. The King or the Queen is at the head of the state but does not play an important part in the political life of the country. The Queen’s powers are limited by the Parliament. It consists of 2 chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords has 850 inherited members and the House of Commons has 660 elected members. The Government is formed by the Prime Minister, usually the leader of the party that has the majority in the House of Commons. The highest executive power is the Cabinet. It consists of 18 ministers and the Prime Minister. The country is ruled by the Government in the name of the Queen.

At present there are 4 main political parties in the country. The Conservative Party and the Liberal Party were founded in the middle of the 19^th century and were supported by the rich people. The Labour Party was founded by the Trade Union Congress at the beginning of the 20^th century. The Communist Party is the only party that defends the interests of the working people. It was founded in 1920.

to be limited – быть ограниченным;

to rule – править, управлять;

to defend – защищать;

to support – поддерживать;

to be founded – быть основанным;

monarchy – монархия;

at the head – во главе;

power(s) – власть;

chamber – палата;

in the name of – от имени;

majority – большинство;

parliamentary – парламентский;

executive – исполнительный;

elective – выборный;

inherited – унаследованный, наследственный;

the House of Lords – Палата Лордов;

the House of Commons – Палата Общин;

the Conservative Party – Консервативная партия;

the Liberal Party – Либеральная партия;

the Labour Party – Лейбористская партия;

the Trade Union Congress – съезд Тред-юнионов;

the Cabinet – Кабинет;

the Prime Minister – премьер-министр.

TOPIC: «INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE OF GREAT BRITAIN»

Дата добавления: 2014-11-25