Dialogue

Teacher: I’ve told you that the scenery of Great Britain is very diverse. You can find the fine combinations of low and highlands, plains and mountains there. And where are the highest regions in the country?

Student 1: The highest regions are in Scotland and in the North Wales. The highest peak in Scotland is Ben Nevis, 1343m. In Wales the highest peak is Snowdon. There are also mountains for climbing in North England. Lake District consists of 16 lakes; the deepest one is Westwater.

Teacher: That’s right. Lakes and rivers are roads of water, which are not less important as railways or roads. And now who’d like to speak about English rivers?

Student 2: There are many rivers in Great Britain, but the greatest rivers are the Thames flowing to the East, the Severn to the West and the Trent to the North. The longest river is the Severn – about 200 miles. The busiest river is the Thames.

Teacher: And who can tell me about the most beautiful lowlands in Britain?

Student 3: I think the South English plain is very attractive. It is not only beautiful, but also the richest, the most populated in the country.

Ex.6. Comprise similar flashes of conversation using words and word combinations from the text “Great Britain”.

Ex.7. Prove that:

a) the United Kingdom is made up of four countries;

b) the UK is a constitutional monarchy;

c) the four parts of the UK represent 4 nations;

d) Great Britain has a long history and a varied cultural heritage.

Ex.8. Read the text and be ready: a) to answer the questions below;

b) to give a short summary of the text B.

Text b london

London was founded by the Romans in 43 AD. In 61 AD the town was burnt down and when it was rebuilt by the Romans it was surrounded by a wall. That area within the wall is now called the City of London. Today it is financial powerhouse of the country and one of the chief commercial centres of the western world. The territory of the City of just over one square mile contains several banks, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and offices of many financial companies.

London draws people from all over the world. Some come on business, some come to study, to work or on holiday. There are few places that offer such a variety of sights, entertainments, educational and business opportunities, world-famous museums and theatres, and superb shopping.

There is much in London which fascinates visitors and inspires the affection of Londoners: the royal palaces and the Houses of Parliament, the dignity of St.Paul’s Cathedral and many monuments, the fine architecture of numerous historic buildings, and the beautiful parks.

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the Sovereign. The daily ceremony of the Changing of the Guards takes place in its courtyard. The palace was built in 1703 by the Duke of Buckingham.

Piccadilly Circus has become an important meeting point – for traffic as well as sightseers. The majority of London’s places of entertainment are concentrated around Piccadilly Circus. This area is now famous for its theatres, clubs and shops.

The British Museum is the largest and richest museum in the world. It was founded in 1753 and contains one of the world’s richest collection of antiquities. The Egyptian Galleries contain human and animal mummies.

Madam Tussaud’s Museum is an exhibition of hundreds of life-size wax models of famous people of yesterday and today. The collection was started by Madame Tussaud, a French modeller in wax, in the 18 century. Here you can meet the Royal Family, Picasso, Elton John, Marilyn Monroe and many others: writers, movie stars, singers, politicians, sportsmen, etc.

Today London is a great political centre, a great commercial centre, a paradise for the theatre-goers and tourists, but it is also a very quiet place with its parks. The parks of London provide a welcome contrast to the great built-up areas. Green Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens are linked together. They form 313 hectares of open parkland in the heart of London.