Great Britain

Kingdom-королевство

To conquer- завоевывать

To subdue- подчинить

To contribute to- способствовать

Domination- гсподство

To win (won won) - завоевывать

Independence- независимость

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated off the Northwest coast of Europe. The UK consists of four parts. They are: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK is separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. The west coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea, the east coast is washed by the North Sea. The area of the UK is some 244,100 km. Its population is over 57 million people.

English is the official language. Britain has been many centuries in the making. The Romans conquered most part of Britain, but were unable to subdue the independent tribes in the West and in the North. Other invaders were Angles, Saxons, Vikings and Normans. For many centuries this country was known simply as England. It had a strong army and navy.

Geographically, Great Britain is divided into Lowland Britain and Highland Britain. The highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is in Scotland. The flora of the British Isles is much varied and the fauna is similar to that of the north-west of Europe. The country is not very rich in mineral and natural resources. There are many rivers in Great Britain. The Severn is the longest river; the Thames is the most important one.

The largest cities of Great Britain are: London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Edinburgh.

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The powers of the British Queen are limited by the Parliament. The British Parliament consists of the House of Lords and House of Commons.

The UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has always played an important role in world politics.

Exercise 13. Answer the following questions:

1. Where is UK situated?

2. What parts does the UK consist of?

3. How many centuries has Britain been in making?

4. What country is GB?

5. Is the country rich in mineral and natural resources?

6. The Thames is the most important river of the country, is not it?

7. What are the largest cities of UK?

8. What can you say about the political system of the country?

Exercise 14. Insert the missing words and word combinations:

1. The United … of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated … the Northwest coast of Europe.

2. The UK is separated from the continent by the … and the ….

3. The area of the UK is some … km.

4. … is the official language.

5. … had a strong army and navy.

6. The highest mountain, …, is in Scotland.

7. Great Britain is a constitutional ….

8. The British Parliament … the House of Lords and House of Commons.

Exercise 15. Find English equivalents and make up the sentences of your own:

Располагаться, главный, омываться, население, в развитии, завоеватели, племя, делиться на, природные ресурсы, важный, ограниченный, роль.

Exercise 16. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1. The UK consists of four parts.

2. The west coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea, the east coast is washed by the North Sea.

3. Its population is over 57 million people.

4. Other invaders were Angles, Saxons, Vikings and Normans.

5. Geographically, Great Britain is divided into Lowland Britain and Highland Britain.

6. The Severn is the longest river.

7. The UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has always played an important role in world politics.