Special Difficulties

1. Use the words in brackets to complete the sentences. Use much /a bit/ far (= a lot) /a lot/ a little/ slightly (=a little) + a comparative form when necessary

Model: Her illness was much more serious than we thought at first. (much/serious).

1. I’m afraid the problem is … it seems. (much/complicated).

2. The state of things with natural resources in Britain is …we may think (much/serious).

3. I enjoyed our visit to the National Gallery of Art. It was … I expected (far / interesting)

4. Today oil and gas have become … to the British economy. (far/important)

5. At present Britain imports … coal than it exports. (much/much).

6. It’s …to learn a foreign language in the country where it is spoken (a lot/easy).

7. Don’t go to London by train It’s …(a lot/expensive).

8. How can I get to Trafalgar Square? It’s not far from here. Could you speak … I’m a foreigner. (a little/slowly).

2. Choose and use the words per cent /percentage

1. We didn’t think the … is fair enough.

2. The chairwoman of the education committee said a 20 … reduction in education spending was forecast.

3. The administration has acknowledged that the national output declined 2.4 … .

4. A small … of listeners tune in to Radio Moscow.

5. The largest … of heat generated is utilizable, but the rest escapes.

2. Choose and use the words policy / politics

1. An English proverb says, “Honesty is the best … . ”

2. It’s a high time you changed your … of marketing the goods only in selected stores.

3. Frankly, he is not interested in … .

4. The … of establishing long-term cooperation is beneficial for both countries.

5. The … of the new chief was to call for quarterly reports from each office.

6. Among European countries Britain’s defense … rests on its membership in NATO.

2. Choose the infinitive or – ing form

1. I try to avoid to work/working overtime.

2. Would you agree to work/working on the weekend once a month, £ you could have days off during the week?

3. I don’t know anybody who enjoys to fill in /filling in forms.

4. I have just begun to understand/understanding how this organization really works.

5. Excuse me a minute – I think I’ve forgotten to turn off/turning off my computer.

6. Did you mind to find out / finding out who was behind the decision?

7. She seems to like / liking the added responsibility her new job gives her.

8. The work of the Queen consists of signing / to sign papers and performing / to perform ceremonial functions.

9. Most farms of Britain are devoted to raising / to raise cattle for dairy products or meat.

Home Vocabulary Exercises

1. Arrange the following words into your own sentences

1. In, energy, European, Britain, the richest, has, resources, Union, the.

2. Is, industrial, Britain, a, goods, today, producer, major, of.

3. Production, for, raw, imports, industrial, materials, Britain.

4. Are, rape seed, the wheat, crops, principal, barley, and.

5. Is, the, state, monarch, head, of, the.

6. Years, Britain, election, held, every, is, general, in, five.

7. As, shipbuilding, industries, coal, textile, such, are, engineering, developed, in, aircraft, highly, Britain.

8. Of, 8th, Britain, today, world’s, the producer, oil, largest, gas, and, natural, is.

2. Fill in the blanks with the words given below

1. Coal was extensively … , used and exported in large quantities.

2. Rich … of cheaper oil and gas have enabled industries to switch to other fuels.

3. Much research … … … to developing biofuels.

4. Britain produces machine – tools, electric power equipment, fiber optics, paper products, computers and other … goods.

5. Most … in Britain takes place in eastern and south central England and in eastern Scotland.

6. Members of … … … … are … from geographical constituencies.

7. The leader of the party who … the most … becomes Prime Minister.

8. The Liberal Democratic party forms the third … force in Parliament today.

major; has been devoted; mined; votes; the House of Commons; farming; consumer; supplies; gains; elected

3. Fill in the blanks with the prepositions given below

1. Most … Britain’s refined oil products are sold .. European nations.

2. Britain meets 26 per cent … its energy needs … nuclear energy.

3. Scotland and Northern Ireland are noted … their production … textiles and computers.

4. The House … Lords is comprised … people … distinction some … birth and some … political achievement.

5. About 74 per cent of Britain’s land is devoted … agriculture.

6. Britain’s industrial production also expanded … communication equipment including fiber optics, computer-controlled machine-tools and robots.

7. Britain belongs … many international organizations and plays an important part … their activities.

8. The Commonwealth consists … 54 members worldwide that have a connection … Britain.

by, through, of, into, for, to, in

4. Translate into English

1. Британия имеет богатейшие энергоресурсы в Европейском Cоюзе, главным образом в виде нефти и газа.

2. Сегодня большинство природных ресурсов Британии либо истощены, либо добываются в небольших количествах.

3. Британия считается важной промышленной страной в мире, несмотря на импорт товаров из-за границы, особенно транспортных средств и электронного оборудования.

4. Большинство ферм в Британии занимается разведением скота для получения мясомолочных продуктов и разведением овец для получения мяса и шерсти.

5. Интенсивное использование техники, удобрений делает сельское хозяйство Британии высокопродуктивным.

6. Великобритания – конституционная монархия, что означает, что главой государства является монарх, обладающий ограниченной властью.

7. Политическая структура страны включает 2 палаты: палату Общин и палату Лордов.

8. Реальная власть в стране принадлежит палате Общин.

9. Общие выборы в Британии проводятся каждые 5 лет, и избираются только члены палаты Общин.

10. Руководитель партии, который получил большинство голосов на выборах, становится премьер министром.

11. Содружество оказывает социальную, экономическую и политическую поддержку менее развитым государствам.