They are considered to be the intellectual centres of Europe. The education is not free, it is very expensive.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. In law, the Head of the State is the Queen. In practice, the Queen reigns, but does not rule. The country is ruled by the elected government with the Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. There are three main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties.

Vocabulary

to be situated – располагаться, находиться г-либо

to consist of (to be made up of) – состоять из

to include – включать в себя

part – часть

Scotland – Шотландия

Wales – Уэльс

the Northern Ireland – Северная Ирландия

total area – общая площадь территории

to wash – омывать

to be washed …. by – омываться ч-либо

to separate – отделять

to be separated from … by … – отделять ч-либо от ч-либо

coast – морское побережье

surface – земная поверхность (ландшафт)

mountainous – гористый

deep – глубокий

mild – мягкий

a highly developed industrial country – высокоразвитая индустриальная страна

producer – производитель

chief (main) – главный, основной

industry – промышленность, отрасль промышленности

aircraft equipment – авиационное оборудование

navigation equipment – навигационное оборудование

agriculture – сельское хозяйство, земледелие

textile – текстиль

to be considered – считается, воспринимается

constitutional – конституционный

monarchy – монархия

in law – по закону

the head of the state – глава государства

to reign – царствовать

to govern – управлять, править

Prime minister – премьер–министр

to form – формировать, образовывать

elected government – избранное правительство

at the head – во главе

chamber – палата

party – партия

the House of Commons – палата представителей

the House of Lords – палата лордов

EXERCISES ON THE VOCABULARY

1. Match the two halves of the sentence

1) The British Isles are separated from …

2) The western coast of Great Britain is …

3) The North of Scotland is mountainous and is …

4) There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but …

5) The UK is known as …

6) The UK is …

7) The country is ruled by …

8) The British Parliament consists of …

9) The warm waters of Gulf Stream influence …

a. … the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel.

b. … two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

c. … the climate of the British Isles.

d. … the elected government with the Prime Minister at the head.

e. … one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment.

f. … a constitutional monarchy.

g. … washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

h. … called the Highlands.

i. … they are not very long.

2. Read the beginning of the sentence and find its end in the text.

1. The United Kingdom is made up of … .

2. The surface of the British Isles … .

3. The Severn is the longest river, while … .

4. The UK is a highly … .

5. Great Britain is a country with … .

3. Fill in the gaps with the correct verb.