Exercise 7. Match the words with their definitions

1. ocean A. piece of land completely surrounded by water

2. island B. the most important city or town of a country or region, usually its seat of government and administrative centre

3. area C. the great mass of salt water that covers most of the Earth's surface

4. city D. a very small settlement in the countryside

5. town E. a particular part of a country, town

6. territory F. a large form of urban planning designed with grouping homes, hospitals, industry and cultural, recreational, and shopping centres, which forms relatively autonomous community

7. peninsula G. a natural and continuous flow of water in a long line across a country into the sea

8. village H. a large area where people live and work, that is smaller than a city and larger than a village

9. capital I. an outlying part of a city or town

10. country J. an area of land that is controlled by its own government, president, king etc

11. suburbs K. a piece of land almost completely surrounded by water but joined to a large area of land

12. river L. an administrative subdivision of a country

UNIT 4. HOW TO “SURVIVE” IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. GENERAL GUIDELINES

The guiding principle must always be St Ambrose’s dictum, ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’, i.e. follow the lead of your hosts.

Most Britons are reserved by nature and often find it difficult to indulge in small talk with a complete stranger. Introductions can be tricky. Ideally the British prefer third-party introductions but, in certain situations like a drinks party, it may not always be possible and, you may just introduce yourself. Firm handshakes are the norm as part of a formal introduction but may not be expected at subsequent meetings or on social occasions; a gentleman should always wait for a woman to proffer her hand before squeezing it gently. The continental habit of exchanging kisses has gained currency especially amongst the young and the affected but is not recommended for visitors - even the natives are unsure of the correct procedure. ‘How do you do?’ is a greeting not a question. It is used when people are introduced for the first time only and the correct response is to repeat ‘How do you do?’ Such usage is not to be confused with 'How are you?' etc. which is a more or less sincere enquiry as to your well-being.

Britons, and the English in particular, are undemonstrative. Gestures such as backslapping and hugging are discouraged and a wide distance should be maintained between participants in a conversation, because Britons like their own personal space and will shy away from those they find invasive. Some old-fashioned interlocutors may not listen to you if you have your hands in your pockets. Maintaining eye contact may be necessary when you are trying to emphasise important points but you must avoid any temptation to ‘eye-ball’. Talking loudly is unacceptable and shouting is beyond the pale. If the British use few words, it is because they prefer to mean those they do use. For the most part, the British speak in low, moderate, measured tones without raising the voice or gesticulating wildly for emphasis.

Humour is a vital feature of all aspects of British life. In a society that finds it difficult to express personal feelings, humour often acts as a defence mechanism and it is never out of place in all circumstances. You need not strive to be interminably witty yourself, but you should not be surprised by what you may consider coarse or inappropriate levity.

British cuisine is not what it was. British cooking has become distinctly international in flavour and there are relatively few traditional dishes left. There is also a good change: this erstwhile gastronomic desert has been transformed in the past twenty years and some of the best restaurants on the planet can be found in the UK. Unfortunately the best are also the most expensive and they are concentrated in London and the Home Counties or, at least, in the major cities. It is possible to eat well in the boondocks but it may require some research to find a suitably decent restaurant.

Interminable books have been written on the subject of dining etiquette in the UK. Most of the rules are archaic. Good manners are largely universal (or at least prevail throughout any given culture); they do not require instruction manuals. The only sensible rule is to behave in such a way as to cause neither embarrassment nor annoyance (at the risk of seeming hypocritically prescriptive, this might include making an effort to eat and drink at the same pace as the rest of the group, not speaking with one’s mouth full, not stretching across the table, not waving one's cutlery about and not licking one’s knife). If you are a guest, follow the host’s instructions; if you are the host, whatever you say goes. Act with confidence and, however bizarre your behaviour, the worst that can happen is that your British companions will regard you as an eccentric foreigner.

EXERCISES