Foreign Trade of the uk

1. The prominent position of British commerce in world trade during the 18^th and 19^th centuries resulted largely from the geographical isolation of the British Isles from the wars and political troubles that afflicted the centers of trade on the European continent. The development of the great trading companies, colonial expansion, and naval control of the high seas were corollary factors. Before the 17^th century the foreign trade of England was almost completely in the hands of foreigners; wool was the principal export, and manufactured goods were the chief imports. Under the mercantile system, which in Great Britain was the prevailing economic theory of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the government fostered British foreign trade, the development of shipping, and trading companies. As British overseas possessions increased, the raising of sheep for wool and mutton became a major occupation in the colonies; the practice of exporting wool from England and importing manufactured woolen articles was gradually replaced by the import of wool and the manufacture and export of yarns and fabrics. Cotton textiles iron and steel, and coal soon became significant British exports.

2. In the early 1990s Britain remained one of the world’s leading trading nations. Its major exports were road vehicles and other transportation equipment, industrial machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, etc. Exports were valued at $190,1 billion annually in the early 1990s. In the same period, annual imports totaled $221,6 billion. Trade with other Commonwealth members and with the sterling area (a group of countries whose currencies are tied to the British pound sterling) declined after Great Britain joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union) in 1973, and trade with Western Europe has become more important.

3. Most domestic retail trade is conducted through independently owned shops, although the number of chain, and cooperative stores and supermarkets is increasing. More than half of all wholesale trade is carried out in London.

6. Определите, являются ли приведенные ниже утверждения (1, 2, 3)

а) истинными (true)

б) ложными (false)

в) в тексте нет информации (no information)

1) As British overseas possessions increased, the raising of sheep for wool and mutton became a minor occupation in the colonies

2) In the early 1990s the major exports lf Britain were road vehicles and other transportation equipment.

3) Stonehenge is Britain’s prehistoric monument.

7. Прочитайте абзац 2 и ответьте письменно на следующий вопрос:

When did trade with other Commonwealth members and with the sterling area decline?

Вариант №2

1. Переведите письменно существительные (1-10). Выберите определения

(a – j), соответствующие существительным:

1) manager	a) raising money for a person
2) consumer	b) danger; a chance of suffering harm or loss
3) entrepreneur	c) anything that is done
4) benefits	d) a person who buys goods or services
5) risk	e) one in charge of managing an enterprise for business
6) job	f) a trademark or label that names a product
7) business	g) a person who launches or manages a business venture
8) brand	h) a business
9) company	i) offers a public service as water, heat, electricity
10) utility (ies)	j) a person’s professional occupation

2. a) Выполните КОПР № 2, 3.

б) В следующих предложениях подчеркните глагол-сказуемое, определите его видовременную форму и залог. Переведите предложения на русский язык.

1) Managing change effectively is directly related to survival and success.

2) Results in mutual benefit or profit for both parties involved.

3) The exhibition has always been the place for introducing new products and new technologies.

3. a) Выполните КОПР № 1.

б) В следующих предложениях подчеркните герундий и инфинитив. Переведите предложения на русский язык.

1) Organizations exist to combine human efforts in order to achieve certain goals.

2) We have to decide whether it’s worth risking the money

3) Entrepreneurs are responsible for such economic decisions as what to produce, how much to produce and what method of production to adopt.

4. a) Выполните КОПР № 1.

б) Письменно переведите на русский язык следующие предложения. Помните, что инфинитивные обороты часто соответствуют придаточным предложениям.

1) Entrepreneurship is regarded to be the first track to success.

2) You want us to help your company out of its difficulties by lending you money.

3) You expect us to save the day for you and get nothing in return.

5. Прочитайте и устно переведите на русский язык весь текст. Перепишите и письменно переведите абзацы 1, 2, 3.