Эксперт по сдаче вступительных испытаний в ВУЗах
GREAT BRITAIN
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands: Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244 thousand square kilometers.
The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The capital of the UK is London.
The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The Western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.
There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest, while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one.
The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the climate of the British Isles. It is mild the whole year around.
The UK is a highly developed industrial country. It produces and exports machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. One of the chief industries of the country is shipbuilding.
The UK is one of the world’s smaller countries. Its population is nearly 60 million people. About 80 percent of the population is urban.
The UK is a parliamentary monarchy. The Head of State is the Queen. The country is ruled by the elected government with the Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
English is the official language. But some people speak Gaelic in western Scotland, Welsh – in parts of northern and central Wales.
The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack, is made up of three crosses. The upright red cross is the cross of the St. George, the patron saint of England. The white diagonal cross is the cross of St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. The red diagonal cross is the cross of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Words and expressions to be learnt:
the UK — the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Соединенное королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии
the British Isles – Британские острова
the North Sea – Северное море
the English Channel – Английский канал
the Irish Sea – Ирландское море
the Severn – Северн
the Thames – Темза
Gulf Stream – Гольфстрим
the House of Lords – палата лордов
the House of Commons – палата общин
the Union Jack – государственный флаг Соединенного Королевства
to be situated – быть расположенным
to consist of – состоять из
to include – включать
to separate – разделять
to influence – влиять
the whole year round – круглый год
urban – городской
machinery – машинное оборудование
textile – текстиль
aircraft – самолет
navigation – судоходство
shipbuilding – кораблестроение
parliamentary monarchy – конституционная монархия
to elect – выбирать
government – правительство
chamber – палата
Questions:
1 Where is the UK situated?
2 What is the total area of the country?
3 What countries is the UK made of?
4 What is the capital of the UK?
5 What channel separates the British Isles from the European continent?
6 What is the longest river of Great Britain and what is the most important now?
7 Why is the climate of the British Isles mild?
8 What does the country produce and export?
9 What is the chief industry of the country?
10 What is the State System of the country?
11 How many chambers are there in the British Parliament?
12 What is the official language of the UK?
13 Why is the flag of the UK known as the Union Jack?
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