Places to visit in the Uk
The British
The formation(образование) of the United Kingdom took centuries, and a lot of armed struggle(битва с вооружением) was involved(вызвать). In the 15th century, a Welsh prince, Henry Tudor, became King Henry VII of England. Then his son, King Henry YIII, united England and Wales under one Parliament in 1536.In Scotland a similar thing happened. The King of Scotland inherited(унаследовать) the crown of England and Wales in 1603, so he became King James I of England and Wales and King James VI of Scotland. The Parliaments of England, Wales and Scotland were united a century later in 1707.
The flag of the United Kingdom, known as Union Jack, is made up of three crosses. The upright red cross is the cross of St George, the patron saint(покровитель) of England. The white diagonal [dajagonal] cross (with the arms going into the corners) is the cross of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. The red diagonal cross is the cross of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St David is the patron saint of Wales.
About 2,000 years ago the British Isles were inhabited(населять) by the Celts. During many centuries there were many invasions(набег, вторжение). The Romans came from Italy in AD(`Anno Dom`ini н.э.) 43 and, in calling the country “Britannia’, gave Britain its name. The Angles([ennls],углы) and Saxons came from Germany, Denmark(Дания) and the Netherlands(Нидерланды) in the 5th century, and England gets its name from this invasion (Angleland). The Vikings arrived from Denmark and Norway(Норвегия) throughout(на протяжении) the 9th century, and in 1066 the Normans invaded from(вторгаться в) France. These invasions drove(вынудить) the Celts into what is now Wales and Scotland, and they remained, of course, in Ireland. The English, on the other hand, are the desc`endants(потомки) of all the invaders, but are more Anglo-Saxon than anything else.
These various origins(происхождение) explain many of the differences to be found between England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland – differences in education, religion, but most obviously(явно), in language. The Celts spoke Celtic which survives today in the form of Welsh(валлийский), Scottish Gaelic([gei]гаэльский) and Irish Gaelic(ирландский). These languages are still spoken, although they have sufferedfrom the spread of English. However(однако), all three languages are taught in schools.
English developed from Anglo-S`axon and is a Germanic[ёm`a] language. But all the invading peoples, particularly the Norman French, influenced the English language and you can find many words in English which are French in origin.
Nowadays all Welsh, Scottish and Irish people speak English (even if they speak their own language as well), but all the countries have their own special [a]ccents[ks] and dialects[ai], and their people are easily recognizable as soon as(как только) they speak. A southern English accent is generally(как правило) accepted to be the most easily understood, and is the accent usually taught to foreigners.
Today the United Kingdom is a multiracial state(гос), where many immigrants from different countries live. British culture is being enriched(обогатить) through its contact with other cultures. For example, the British are becoming more adventurous in their cooking and eating(употр.в пищу) habits, and Chinese, Indian and P`akist`ani restaurants are very popular. Another example can be found in the pop music scene where West Indian reggae music has become very influential.
Places to visit in the Uk
Ex. 2.: Read this information about some places of interest in England. Find out:
which of them have historic or literary associations; which are noted for their outstanding(выдающийся,знаменитый) beauty; which are linked with the sea.
England. “London: a nation, not a city.” Benjamin Disraeli
“London: a nation, not a city.” Benjamin Disraeli. Londondraws(привлечь) people from all over the world. Some come on business; some come to study, to work or on holiday. London is naturally a very English city.
London spreads its influence over much of the southern areas of England; it gives work to millions of people who live not only in the inner-city areas but in surrounding districts(район). Some people even comm`ute(ежедневная поездка на работу и обратно) over 100 miles (over 150 km) every day to work in London.
There is much in London which fascinates([s]очаровывать) visitors and inspires(вдохновлять) the affection(любовь) of Londoners: the splendour(блеск,роскошь) of the royal palaces and the Houses of Parliament, the dignity(достоинство) of St. Paul's Cathedral and many monuments, the fine architecture of numerous historic buildings, and the beautiful parks.
London shows examples of buildings that express(расск,выражать) all the different areas of its history, it manages(упр-ть) in a unique way to reflect its past and at the same time to fulfill(вып-ть) the functions of a modern city.
Buckingham Palaceis the official London residence of the Sovereign (the British Mon`archy). The daily ceremony of the Changing of the Guards takes place in its courtyard(внутр.). The palace was built in 1703 by the Duke(герцог) of Buckingham. Today, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh live in the private apartments on the north side of the palace. Buckingham Palace has 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 182 staff(персонал) rooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. Some 450 people work in the palace and 40,000 people are entertained there every year. The Queen, as a head of state, receives there a large number of formal and informal visitors, including the Prime Minister at weekly audience, foreign and British amb`assadors(послы) and senior officers(старшие офицеры) of the armed services(вооруж. сил) and the civil service(гражд. служба).
`Piccadill`y Circushas become an important meeting point — for traffic(транспорт) as well as sightseers(турист). At its heart is a bronze fountain(фонтан) topped by a figure of a winged archer, popularly known as Eros, the pagan([peigon]языческий) god of love. The majority(большинство) of London's places of entertainment are concentrated around Piccadilly Circus. This area is now famous for its theatres, clubs and shops.
Whitehallis a street in central London running from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament and containing many important buildings and government offices: the Foreign Commonwealth Offices(офис внешнеполитических ведомств Содружества), the Treasury(казна), Admiralty and Ministry of D[i]ef`ence(оборона). In the centre of the roadway(шоссе) stands the [s]Cenotaph(кенотаф:памятник неизвестному войну), the memorial to the fallen of both world wars. The Prime Minister's residence at No.10 Downing Street is directly connected to Whitehall.
London is always full of life. The streets are crowded with traffic. High 'double-decker' busesrise above the smaller cars and vans.
The City of Londontoday is the financial powerhouse of the country and one of the chief commercial centres of the western world. The territory of the City of just over(чуть более) one square mile contains several banks, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange(фондовая биржа) and offices of many financial companies.
The parksof London provide(предоставлять) a welcome contrast to the great built-up areas. St. James's Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens are linked together. They form(образовывать) 313 hectares of open parkland in the heart of London.
The task: Read this information about some places of interest in England. Find out:
which of them have historic or literary associations; which are noted for their outstanding beauty; which are linked with the sea.
Windsor:a town on the Thames, not far from London. Its castle has been a royal residence for nine centuries. Seen from a distance it is beautiful beyond imagination(за пределами воображения). Windsor Castle has a long and fascinating history(увлекательный).
Some of the interior apartments are open to the public when the `[Sov]ereign(монарх) is not in residence.
Canterbury:an ancient city in Kent, with a majestic(величествен.) cathedral which dominates it. Canterbury is a religious capital of England. It was built in the 11th - 15th centuries, and became a place of `pilgrimage(поломничество) in medieval times.
Brighton:a popular seaside resort(курорт), famous for the architecture of the Royal Pav`illion built in an `ori`ental(вост-ый) style. Brighton is known for its large conference centre, where many important political and scientific meeting are held.
Stratford-on-Avon:an attractive town, world-famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). It holds a priceless collection of Shakespeare relics(релквия). Stratford is visited by thousands of tourists annually. It is second to London for tourists.
Coventry:it has been an important city since the 14th century. It is now known for its magnificent(величеств.) cathedral, decorated by the best artists and craftsmen(худ-ки) in Britain. It was built near the ruins of the old cathedral, destroyed during the Second World War, in memory of those who died in the bombings.
York:a medieval city, built on Roman foundations and strongly influenced by the Vikings. It is exciting to wander through its ancient `[a]lleyways([i]переулки), walk on top of the city walls, to see the Minster(кафедр. собор), Britain's largest cathedral, that dominates York.
The Lake District(Озерный край)is an area of outstanding beauty, one of the loveliest regions in England, famous for its spect`[a]cular(захватывающий) mountain scenery, wooded hill slopes(склоны) and sparkling lakes. It is a national park.
Wales
Cardiff was declared(провозглашен) the capital in 1955.
Cardiff Castle:a building representing(символизирует, представляет собой) 1900 years of history. First it was a Roman fort. When the Normans arrived centuries later they built their castle on the site of the old Roman fort.
Snowdonia:The Welsh call Snowdonia the 'Eagles' Nesting(орлиное гнездо) Place' eagles no The Snowdonia National Park is a region of wild mountains, high passes(переходы) and craggy(скалистые) peaks. At the centre of the range(обл., зона, ряд) is Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales (1085m).
Dinorwig:the largest pumped-storage power station(электростанция накачанного хранения) in Europe. It is built in the heart of a mountain to produce electricity by pumping(качать) water between two lakes. At all stages(этапы) of the design and construction it was appreciated(ценить,с целью) that the need to protect the exceptionally(исключительно) fine environment of the Snowdonia Park was of p’aramount(первостепенная важность) importance.
Ff’estiniog Railway(Фестинио́гская желе́зная доро́га[1] или Фестиньогская железная дорога)(established(откр.) 23d May 1832 by Act(закон) of Parliament). This is a famous railway, with little steam(паровые) trains which run from the coastline(береговая линия) into the mountains. The views from the windows of the train are magnificent over countryside(завораживают своим великолепием окраин(сельск.местности)) set in the midst(середина) of the Snowdonia National Park.
C’aernarfon[‘kerin’ofen]:an ancient town with a magnificently preserved(сохр-ся) castle which dominates it. The son of Edward I, who became the first English Prince of Wales, was born there in 1284. In 1969 Prince Charles was invested there as Prince of Wales. Many episodes in the long history of revolt(восстания) against English rule took place in the castle, and in the Civil War (1642-1646) it was one of Cromwell's strongholds(цитадель).
Ex. Answer the
What do you think makes Wales a country interesting for visitors?
What interesting facts about Wales have you found out?
What town is given the title of 'Prince of Wales'?
Scotland
Edinburghhas been the capital of Scotland since 1437.
Edinburgh Castle stands high on the massive grey Castle Rock. The oldest part of the building dates back to about 1100. In the Castle are the Honours(уважаемые) of Scotland — the Scottish Crown(корона), scepter[septe](скипетр) and sword of state, the oldest royal regalia(королевские права) in Europe.
The Palace of Holyrood(Дворец Холируд) is the official residence of the Queen when she is in Scotland. It is one of the most interesting places in Edinburgh. Many events of the long history of Scotland are associated with Holyrood.
Loch Ness is probably Scotland's best known lake, because of the Loch Ness Monster which may live in the deep water. A large prehistoric (доисторический) creature is said to be living in the lake , but it is not scientifically proved to exist. A popular nickname for the Loch Ness Monster is Nessie.
The Burns Country(страна Бернс) is an area where Scotland's national poet wrote many of the world's most tender(нежных) love songs. The thatched [tachd](соломенные) cottage at Alloway where Robert Burns was born (1759) is the starting point of a heritage(наследие) trail(след) that links(соед.) together 40 places associated with the poet.
Ex.What do you think makes Scotland a country interesting for visitors ?
Have you heard about Loch Ness, the lake that has excited people's
curiosity for many years?
Northern Ireland
Belfast is one of the youngest capitals in the world. It was here that the ‘Titanic’ was built and sent out on her fatal maiden(первый) voyage to New York in 1912.
The Glens of Antrim~form a lovely and romantic area of rivers, waterfalls, wild flowers and birds. A glen(лощина, долина) is narrow mountain valley(долина) in Ireland and Scotland. People of the Glens are supposed to be great story-tellers. They tell stories and legends about the deeds[i](подвиг) of their heroes full of ‘helmets(шлем), crowns and swords’. Their numerous myths are often mysterious and gloomy(мрачный).
The Giant's Causeway(мостовая гигантов)on the sea coast of County Antrim is a mass of stone columns standing very near together. The tops of the rocks form stepping stones(ступени) leading from the cliff(утес,обрыв) foot and disappearing under the sea. There are 40,000 of these stone columns. The tallest is about 42 feet (13m) high. This strange geological feature(особенность) is believed to have been the result of volcanic action. It is sometimes called the eighth wonder of the world.
Ex. 3. Look at this letter sent by the English girl to her friend in Russia. What are her impressions of the place where she is spending her holidays?
Park Hotel
Cardiff
Wales, UK
June, 2006
Dear, Ksenya,
At the moment my family and I are on holiday in Wales. We are camping in tents and have unusually good weather so far. (The weather is usually terrible when we go camping!) We are at a place called Shell Island. It has 300 aches of land for people to camp on and is actually a peninsula rather than an island. It is known as an island because twice a day, at high tide, the sea covers the only road onto the island and it becomes cut off from the rest of Wales.