What is English national costume

England, unlike Wales and Scotland, has no national dress. Some people think men in England wear suits and bowler hats but I have never seen anyone wearing a bowler hat. 

       On the other hand, their customs and traditions involve a wide variety of costumes, from the spectacular ceremonies associated with monarchy to the traditional costumes worn by Morris dancers and others at English country fairs.

       In London, you can see men dressed in a red costume. These men are called Beefeaters and are very important because they look after the Queen and her jewels. Sometimes they act as a ceremonial guard in the Tower of London. Some people say this is the nearest thing to the national costume.  

       Britannia wears traditional clothes but she is not a real person. She is a symbol of Britain. Britannia is usually shown sitting down, wearing a helmet and holding a trident. 

       Lots of ordinary clothes have a long tradition. The very cold winters in the Crimea in the war of 1853-56 gave us the names of the cardigan and the balaclava. Lord Cardigan led the Light Brigade at the Battle of the Balaclava (1854). A "cardigan" is now a warm woolen short coat with sleeves and buttons, and a "balaclava" is a woolen hat. It leaves the face free but covers the head, ears and neck.

       Another British soldier, Wellington, gave his name to a pair of boots made of rubber. They have a shorter name today - "Wellies". They are associated with rich upper class people who enjoy life in the country.

1. Point out which of these passages (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) has got the following information;

Some of ordinary clothes have appeared due to some historical events.

2. Choose the right answer;

One of the British soldiers gave his name to ….

           A. a pair of gloves; B. a pair of trousers; C. a pair of boots;  D. a pair of glasses;

3. Complete the sentences according with the text:

Beefeaters act as a ceremonial ….

           A. guard;           B. soldier;          C. guest; D. visitor;

4. Determine the main idea of the text:

A. People in England like to wear good clothes.

B. Wales and Scotland have their own national costumes.

C. English customs and traditions involve a variety of costumes, but they lack a traditional national dress.

D. The history of the English fashion.

SPEECH EXERCISES

Exercise 1.  Speak on the topics:

1). Geographical position, minerals, economy, climate.

 2). Holidays and traditions.

Optional task: Compare the Russians and the British traditions and holidays

WRITTEN TASKS

Exercise 1.  Write a letter to your friend from Germany. Here is a part from her letter.

“ … I am very glad that your report on holidays in Britain was highly estimated. Could you tell me about the most ancient ones and I will tell you about our holidays in my next letter.

           Looking forward to getting your letter.

           Much love,

           Greta”

Observe the rules of letter writing.

Exercise 2. Different nations have similar myths and legends. What about holidays? Some people say that we find similar holidays in different countries. Others say that in spite of similarity all holidays are different.

What’s your opinion? You can use your knowledge about holidays in other countries besides Great Britain and Russia (for example, the USA, Australia, Germany, France, etc).

           Follow the plan:

1. Make a general statement of the problem.
2. Give your opinion and your reasons.
3. Give other people’s opinion and say why they are not right.
4. Make a conclusion