Divide into small groups, find some information and make a presentation on a)England b)Scotland c)Wales d)Northern Ireland

Proper names:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии;

British Isles – Британские острова;

England – Англия;

Scotland – Шотландия;

Wales – Уэльс;

Northern Ireland – Северная Ирландия;

London – Лондон;

Edinburgh – Эдинбург;

Cardiff – Кардифф;

Belfast – Белфаст;

The Independent Irish Republic – Независимая Республика Ирландия;

The Strait of Dover – Дуврский пролив (Па-де-Кале);

The English Channel – Английский канал (Ла-Манш);

The Highlands – высокогорье;

The Lowlands – низменность;

Ben Nevis – Бен-Невис;

The Thames – Темза;

The Severn – Северн;

Gulf Stream – Гольфстрим;

Gaelic – гаэльский язык;

The Union Jack – Юнион Джек;

The House of Commons – Палата Общин;

The House of Lords – палата Лордов.

LONDON

1 Read and translate the text given below:

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8million. Once London was a small Roman town of the north bank of the Thames. Slowly it grew into one of the world's major cities. Historical and geographical circumstances have made London one of the world's most important commercial and cultural centres, while its range of historical connections and its buildings attract millions of tourists from overseas each year. London is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world. Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different town and epochs. The gradual growth of the city helps to explain the fact that London does not have just one centre, it has a number of centres, each with a distinct character: the financial and business centre called the City (spelt with the capital C), the shopping and entertainment centre in West End, the government centre in Westminster.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live there, but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St. Pauls’s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. It was built in the 17^th century by Sir Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison. Now it is a museum.

Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London. Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling.

Across the road from Westminster Abbey one can see Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big bell, known as “Big Ben”.

The West End is the richest and the most beautiful part of London, it is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs, and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people. Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson’s victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson’s Column stands in the middle of the square. On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum – the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, and is famous for its library.

The East End is poorer than the West End. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the buildings are unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families.

2 Give Russian equivalents:

Roman town, the north bank, geographical circumstances, attract millions of tourists, range of historical connections, to belong to different epochs, the gradual growth, entertainment centre, within the City, historic associations, the symbol of wealth and luxury, outstanding scientists, across the road, ancient manuscripts, priceless collection, densely populated.

3 Translate into English:

Коммерческий центр Лондона, один из крупнейших городов мира, отличаться друг от друга, принадлежать различным эпохам, сердце Лондона, многочисленные банки, мало людей, Собор Святого Павла, Лондонский Тауэр, Юлий Цезарь, Вильгельм Завоеватель, Вестминстерское Аббатство, выдающиеся государственные деятели, место заседаний Британского парламента, Палата Лордов, Палата Общин, огромный колокол, Букингемский дворец, официальная резиденция, символ роскоши, лучшие рестораны, Колонна Нельсона, битва при Трафальгаре, Национальная Портретная галерея, бесценная коллекция древних рукописей, монеты и редкие книги.

4 Fill in the gaps:

1) We live on the left bank … the Don.

2) A great amount of ancient cathedrals, churches and bridges in Prague attract millions of tourist … overseas each year.

3) Your entrance exams will be divided … two parts – oral and written one.

4) Though Tom and Nick are twins and look much alike, their characters are very different … each other.

5) Trespassing is prohibited, this territory belongs … Military Academy.

6) This night club is famous all over the coast … its fire-shows.

7) Do you know the symbol … the Russian Federation?

8) It was decided that this new street would be named … memory of Enrico Fermi.

9) I’m not sure that you will be able to reach this village till midnight – it’s very far ….

10) Nowadays this territory is populated … the immigrants from the Middle East.

5 Answer the questions:

1) Is London the largest city in the world?

2) What parts is London divided into?

3) What is the financial part of the capital?

4) Do many people live in the City?

5) What famous ancient buildings are situated in the city?

6) What can you say about the Tower of London?

7) What do you know of Westminster Abbey? Who is buried there?

8) What is the seat of the British Parliament?

9) What is Big Ben?

10) What is the official residence of the English Queen?

11) What kind of symbol is the West End?

12) Where is Nelson’s Column situated? What does it symbolize?

13) What can you say about the East End?

14) What English museums and art galleries can you name?

15) What is the British museum famous for?

6 Find some more information and prepare a presentation about:

a) Big Ben

b) Buckingham Palace

c) Tower of London

d) Westminster Abbey

e) St. Paul’s Cathedral