2020-05-12
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ABOUT BRITISH AND RUSSIAN TRADITIONS
I would like to give a talk about British and Russian traditions.
I think, in Britain traditions play an important role because British are proud of their customs.
For example, the ravens are one of the most famous sights at the Tower of London. They have lived there for more than 900 years. The old English legend says if the ravens leave the Tower of London, the Crown and England will fall. In the 17th century King Charles II ordered that six ravens should always live in the Tower of London.
Another old English custom is Guy Fawkes’ Day. In the evening on the 5th of November children go out into the streets with the figure like scarecrow, asking for “a Penny for the Guy”. Then with the money they buy fireworks and burn the figure on a bonfire.
As well, People in Russia have their own special traditions. One of them is Malslenitsa. During the holiday they celebrate the end of the winter and the beginning of spring. People cook pancakes. They invite their friends, their nearest and dearest, to see each other eat pancakes with sour cream, fish, caviar or butter, sugar, honey.
That’s all I wanted to say.
CONTINENTS AND COUNTRIES
I would like to give a talk about continents and countries.
Well, the planet we live on is the Earth. If you look at the Earth from space, you will be able to see land, seas, oceans, continents and even countries.
As you know, there are four oceans and six continents. The continents are: Eurasia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, North America and South America. Oceans and seas wash them and separate them from each other. There are more than 40 countries in Africa, but there is only one large country in Australia.
Let’s name some countries from each continent: the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy are in Europe; Chine, India, Vietnam are in Asia; Canada and the United States are in America; Egypt is an African country.
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Besides, the largest country in the world is the Russian Federation. The smallest country is the Vatican.
What is more, each country has its national flag, anthem and its own traditions and customs.
So, that’s all I wanted to say.
ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES
I would like to give a talk about English-speaking countries.
As you know,English is the most popular language nowadays. People all over the world speak English. In Russia and France, in Germany and Italy, in Spain and Egypt people learn English as foreign language. People will understand you practically everywhere if you speak English.
Well, in many countries people use English as their native language: in Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Besides, these are English-speaking countries,they don’t speak the same language.
For example, Americans and English speak American English and British English. Different words often name the same things. Flats in England and apartments in America. They eat cookies and candies in the USA, but biscuits and sweets in Great Britain.
That’s all I wanted to say.
THE EARTH IS IN DANGER
I would like to give a talk about the ecological problems.
Well, they say our planet is in danger. Many people do not know how to protect wild animals and plants, how to keep water clean and the air fresh. The way people live has changed the climate on our planet. nowadays the temperature is rising.If the temperature grows by 3-4 degrees it will become more difficult to live on the planet.
It is well known that water is very important for life on Earth. There is a lot of water on our planet and the same time there is little water on it. In many rivers and lakes the water is very dirty. In many places the water is not drinkable and it is dangerous to use it when you cook. Even fish die in such water.
For example, the lake Baikal is the deepest freshwater lake on Earth. It is 1741 metres deep. The lake is very beautiful but now it is in great danger, because of the factories which are near it.
Moreover, modern plants and factories send a lot of smoke into the atmosphere. This is also very bad, because nowadays it’s difficult to breathe in big cities.
That’s all I wanted to say.
THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN
I would like to give a talk about the land and the people of Great Britain.
Well, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK) is the official name of the state which is situated in the British Isles. It consists of four countries which are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
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As to the geographical position, the UK is an island state. The two main islands are Great Britain (where England, Scotland and Wales are situated) and Ireland. Northern Ireland and the independent Irish Republic are there. The two islands are separated by the Irish Sea.The UK is separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Straits of Dover. The nearest point to Europe is the Straits of Dover. The UK is also washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the north and the North Sea in the east.
Naturally everyone who was born in Britain is British. People from England are English. People from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are not English. They are Scottish or Scots; Welsh and Irish. People from Scotland and Wales don’t like it when they are called English but they are British.Everyone in the UK speaks English but they all speak it differently. A Scottish person has to listen carefully if he wants to understand a Londoner or a Welsh person. More over Welsh are especially proud of their language. They like to.peak Welsh, to sing songs in Welsh and when you travel you can see road signs in Welsh all over Wales.
As you know, the flag of the United Kingdom is known as the Union Jack. It is made up of three crosses: the cross of St. George (the patron saint1 of England), the cross of St. Andrew (the patron saint of Scotland) and the cross of St. Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland).
That’s all I wanted to say.
THE QUEEN AND THE PARLIAMENT
I would like to give a talkabout the British queen and the Parliament.
It is known that, in Britain the Queen is the Head of State. But in fact she doesn’t rule the country as she has no power. The Queen is the symbol of the country, its history and its traditions. She is very rich. She travels about the United Kingdom, meets different people and visits schools, hospitals and other special places
As you know, at the beginning of the 20th century many countries all over the world were ruled by Britain. Among them were the British colonies and they were all part of the British Empire. India, Pakistan and Ceylon, for example, were also part of the Empire. Now these countries are independent states. But in 1949 Britain and the former colonies founded the Commonwealth.1The Commonwealth includes many countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others. The Queen of Great Britain is also the Head of the Commonwealth and the Queen of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Well, the real power in the country belongs to the British Parliament. The British Parliament has two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Lords does not have much power but it is very important as it can discuss and change laws, it can delay laws too. The House of Commons makes laws about the policy of the country, taxes4 and many other things.
Thus, there are some differences between two Houses. The members of the House of Lords are not elected, they are selectedThese members are permanent. They are often aristocrats, people of the church, lawyers and former politicians or life peers.
The members of the House of Commons are elected. The British people elect 650 members of the House of Commons every five years.
That’s all I wanted to say.
