"An Englishman's Home is His Castle"

Everyone in Britain dreams of living in a detached house, which means a separate building. It is usually built of brick and slate. A detached house is of "non-classical" shape with a lot of little corners, which make the house very cosy. In front of the house there's always a beautiful garden with smooth lawn. The garage is hidden away so it doesn't spoil the rural feeling.

Every Englishman wants privacy. And a large, detached house not only ensures privacy, but it's also a status symbol. Such a house is a dream for most people. But even a small house with a garden is very dear to the hearts of many people in Britain.

Most people don't like blocks of flats, because they provide the least amount of privacy. Flats are usually much cheaper. (In fact, they're the cheapest kind of home). People who live in them cannot afford to have a house of their own. Their dislike of living in flats is very strong. In 1950s, for example, millions of poor people lived in old, cold, uncomfortable houses of the 19th century, with no bathroom. But when they were given new blocks of flats to live in, with central heating and bathrooms, more comfortable and cosy they hated their new homes. They felt lonely without their gardens and neighbours.

In Britain these "tower blocks" (or "high-rise blocks") were a complete failure, because they didn't suit British attitudes; while in other countries people are very happy in modern flats. Nowadays only 40% of the population live in high-rises.

Law and custom in Britain support a clear separation between what is public and what is private. To emphasize this division, people prefer to live in a house, set back from the road. This way they can have a garden in front of the house, which separates them from the world. This area may not be very big, but it allows people to have a low fence or a hedge round it. Such a fence announces that here the private property begins. Flats don't give people enough privacy. Not having a separate entrance to the outside world doesn't suit British tastes. People like to choose the colour of their own front door or window frames. Besides, they can have a small garden of their own in front of the house, even if the outside territory is very small. English people usually have flowerbeds with paths in between, or just patches of grass to express their individuality.

British houses are thought to be very cold, maybe the coldest in Europe. But it is not so. About 3/4 of houses now have central heating. The most important thing for British people is to feel cosy — that is to create a warm atmosphere (even if it's not warm in the house). In Britain many people have a great desire to have a "real fire". A fireplace is a traditional symbol of warmth. Nowadays, it may be an imitation of open fire with plastic coal. Most older houses have two living-rooms. It allows the front room to be used for formal visits while the family spend their time in the back room, hidden from public view. If there is one living-room in the house, then there is a hall into which the front door opens. Private hous­es usually have the back door for family or close friends.

In spite of peoples' great desire to have a house of their own they're not so much attached to the house itself. The house can be easily sold, if necessary and if the price is attractive. Most houses are sold on the open market by the "property developers" (they are private companies).

The desire to have a private house is great, but house prices are very high. About 70% of all the houses are occupied by their owners. Usually people borrow 80% of the price and then pay the money back month by month. Normally they pay the money back over the period of 20—25 years.

Exercises

I. Answer the questions.

l. What does a "detached house" mean?

2. How can an Englishman express his individuality?

3. Why don't English people like blocks of flats?

4. What is a traditional symbol of a cosy home in Britain?

5. Why is it so important for English people to have a garden in front of the house?

6. Why do British people tend to have two living-rooms?

II. Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions.

1. a detached house —

2. tower blocks —

3. property developers —

Задание 18

Студент должен:

• Ознакомиться и овладеть новой лексикой

• Прочитать и перевести текст «London», ответить на вопросы

Words to know

capital— столица economic— экономический

ancient— древний population — население

Europe— Европа to be situated — быть расположенным

bank— 1) берег; 2) банк Thames— Темза

suburbs — окрестности crown — короновать

administrative—административный bury — хоронить

destroy — уничтожать, разрушать rebuild — восстанавливать

restaurant — ресторан parliament парламент

dock — док

Buckingham Palace — Букингемский дворец

the British Museum — Британский музей

Covent Garden —Ковент-Гарден

Downing Street — Даунинг-стрит

Hyde Park — Гайд-парк

Kensington Gardens — Кенсингтон-Гарден

Marble Arch — Мраморная арка

National Portrait Gallery — Национальная портретная галерея

Nelson's Column — колонна Нельсона

Piccadilly Circus — площадь Пиккадилли

Regent Street — Риджент-Стрит

Royal Festival Hall — Королевский фестивальный зал

St. James's Park — парк Сент-Джеймс

St Paul's Cathedral— собор св. Павла

the Tower of London — Лондонский Тауэр

Trafalgar Square — Трафальгарская площадь

Westminster Abbey — Вестминстерское аббатство

Waterloo Station — станция Ватерлоо

Christopher Wren — Кристофер Рен

Newton — Ньютон

Darwin — Дарвин

Dickens — Диккенс

Kipling — Киплинг

London

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and cultural centre. London is an ancient city. It is more than twenty centuries old. The population of London, including its suburbs, is more than nine million people. London is one of the big­gest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. It is situated on the banks of the River Thames.

The City is the financial and the business centre of the country. There are a lot of banks and various offices here. It is the ancient part of London.

One of the greatest English churches — St Paul's Cathedral — is here. It was designed and built by an outstanding English architect Christopher Wren in 1710. St Paul's Cathedral is the second large church in Europe. Admiral Nelson is buried here.

Not far away is Westminster — the administrative centre of London. The Houses of Parliament are situated here. It is the seat of the British Government. The building is very beautiful with its two towers and a big clock called Big Ben.

Westminster Abbey where kings and queens are crowned is opposite the Houses of Parliament. [This ancient building was founded in the eleventh century. It was [destroyed and rebuilt several times. Many famous people are buried here, among them Newton, Darwin, Dickens and Kipling.

The West End is the part of London where the rich people live. Fine houses, wide streets, numerous parks are to be found in this part of the capital. The best cinemas, theatres, concert halls, famous shops, comfortable hotels, restaurants, large museums are situated here. The most beautiful London park — Hyde Park — is in this district too.

The East End includes the port, the docks stretching for miles and the great industrial areas, which depend on shipping.

London is famous for its outstanding places of interest. There are many architectural, art and historic monuments in London such as the British Museum, the Tower of London, the National Gallery, Buckingham Palace, the Nelson Column and many others. The London Underground is the oldest one in the world. It was opened in London in 1863.

Exercises

I. Answer the questions

1. London is the capital of Great Britain. It is one of the largest and most interesting cities in the world, isn't it?

2. Is London also a sea port?

3. What is the most significant building in the City?

4. Whom was it designed by?

5. What is Westminster Abbey famous for?

6. Do the Houses of Parliament consist of one or more build­ings?

7. Is the traffic in London heavy?

8. When was the first London Tube built?

II. Questions for Discussion

1. Лондон — столица Великобритании, да?

2. Из каких частей состоит Лондон?

3. В какой части города находится порт?

4. Чем знаменито Вестминстерское аббатство?

5. Назовите известных людей, похороненных там.

6. Кем был построен собор св. Павла?

Задание 19

Составить сообщение по теме «Лондон и его достопримечательности»

Задание 20

Студент должен:

• Ознакомиться и овладеть новой лексикой

• Прочитать текст «Соединённые штаты (немного истории) » («The United States of America (a Little Bit of History)»)и выполнить упражнения по тексту.

Words to know

native — коренной житель independent — независимый

Indian — индеец stripe — полоса

civil — гражданская part — часть

slavery — рабство discovery — открытие

produce —производить sail — плыть

arrive — прибыть equal — равный

religious — религиозный astronaut — астронавт

design — проектировать, создавать