Ex. 12. Answer the following questions. 1. What are the main countries of the UK and their capitals?

1. What are the main countries of the UK and their capitals?

2. Which countries of the UK occupy the two main islands?

3. What is the area of the UK?

4. Which river is associated with the name of Shakespeare?

5. Which is the swiftest flowing river in the UK?

6. Which is the highest point in the British Isles?

7. What is the population of London?

8. What parts does London consist of?

9. Which river runs through London?

Comprehension check

Ex. 1. Search the texts for the English equivalents of the word combinations.

Официальное название; независимая республика; островное государство; простирается в южном направлении; равнинная область; самая быстротечная река; Британские острова; Озерный край; притоки; главные реки; шерстяные ткани; круглый год; конституционная монархия; поддержка парламента; высоко развитая промышленная страна; кораблестроение; тяжелое машиностроение; железная руда; поразительные контрасты; жить бок о бок; через прошлое и настоящее; неразрывно связано; Чума и Великий Пожар; историческая ценность; символ благосостояния и роскоши; обоюдная терпимость и уважение; облик Лондона; Лондонская фондовая биржа; издание законов; возраст, дающий право на участие в голосовании; знаменательные события.

Ex. 2. Work in pairs. Read the statements and say if they are true or false. Begin each sentence with the following phrases.

A)

1. The UK is an island state: it is composed of some 5,500 islands, small and large.

2. Great Britain and Ireland are separated by the Irish Sea.

3. Highland Britain consists of Scotland, most of Wales, the Pennines and the Lake District.

4. The swiftest flowing river in the British Isles is the Sprey.

5. The highest mountains are in Scotland and Wales: Ben Nevis is 1,343 metres and Snowdon is 1,085 metres.

6. There are many lakes in Great Britain.

7. The House of Commons plays the major role in law-making.

8. The minimum voting age is 18, and the voting is taken by secret ballot.

B)

1. London’s architecture is inseparably connected with the history of the city.

2. London survived the Plague and the Great Fire, which followed in 1669.

3. Westminster is a part of London that has long been connected with royalty and government.

4. The West End is associated with wealth, luxury and goods of high quality.

5. Petticoat Lane market takes place every Saturday morning and has become one of the sights of London.