Remembrance day (poppy day)

Remembrance Day is observed throughout Britain in commemoration of the million or more British soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives during the two World Wars. On that day wreaths are laid at war memorials throughout the country and at London's Cenotaph (a war memorial in Whitehall) where a igreat number of people gather to observe the two-minute silence and to perform the annual Remembrance Day ceremony. The silence begins at the first stroke of Big Ben booming 11 o'clock and is broken only by the crash of distant artillery. When the two-minute silence is over, members of the Royal Family or their representatives and political leaders come forward to lay wreaths at the foot of theXenotaph. Then comes the march past the memorial of ex-servicemen and women, followed by an endless line of ordinary citizens who have come here with their personal wreaths and their sad memories. On that day artificial poppies, a symbol of mourning, are traditionally sold in the streets and people wear them in their button-holes.

(From Customs, Traditions and Festivals of Great Britain

by T. Khimunina, N. Konon, L. Walshe. M, 1974)

XX. a) Collect information on English traditions and customs.

B) Arrange a talk between Russian and English students on their national traditions, customs and habits. (One of the students should conduct it: introduce the participants to each other, make a short introductory speech on the subject, ask questions, etc. to keep the talk running on, sum up the discussion.)

LABORATORY EXERCISES (I)

1. listen to the text "Introducing London".

2. Respond to the following using the suggested models.

3. Complete the sentences using the given suggestions.

4. Translate the sentences into English, using the Essential Vocabulary of Unit Three. Check your sentences with the key.

5. listen to some text and write it as a dictation, check the spelling with the key. Retell the text.

6. Listen to the text "The House of Commons" or some other text on the same topic. Retell the text, add more Information on the topic.

TOPIC: CITY