Would you like a cuppa?
If someone asks you if you would like a cuppa, they are asking you if you would like a cup of tea. If someone says «let me be mother» or «shall I be mother», they are offering to pour out the tea from the teapot.
TEXT 7. Read and translate. Make up a short situation to illustrate any proverb.
British Proverbs
· Man proposes, God disposes. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
· Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Live and learn.
· When in Rome, do as the Romans do. The early bird catches the worm.
· There is no smoke without fire. Two heads are better than one.
· So many men, so many minds. What is done, cannot be undone.
· All is not gold that glitters. Every dog has his day.
· Haste makes waste. Make hay while the sun shines.
· Every family has a black sheep. Birds of a feather flock together.
· Too many cooks spoil the broth. Forbidden fruit is sweet.
· It never rains but it pours. Extremes meet.
· Seeing is believing. All is well that ends well.
· Out of sight, out of mind. Actions speak louder than words.
· Tastes differ. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
· Better late than never. All in good time.
· Business is business. To err is human.
· Walls have ears. Love is blind.
Read and translate. Speak on how superstitious you are.
British Superstitions
· It’s unlucky to spill salt. If you do, you must take a pinch and throw it over your left shoulder.
· It’s bad luck to open an umbrella in the house – it will either bring misfortune to the person who has opened it or to those who live in the house.
· It’s unlucky to take the last piece of bread on the plate.
· It’s bad luck to put new shoes on the table.
· It’s unlucky to pick up scissors that you’ve dropped.
· It’s extremely unlucky to break a mirror. It means 7 years of bad luck.
· The number thirteen is very unlucky and Friday the 13th is a very unlucky date.
· It’s unlucky to meet or pass someone on the stairs. If it’s unavoidable, cross your fingers.
· Burning cheeks or ears mean someone is talking about you. It’s a friend if your left cheek is burning. It’s an enemy if your right cheek is burning.
· A black cat crossing your path will bring you good luck.
· A horseshoe over the door of a new house brings good luck. But it must be the right way up. The luck runs out of a horseshoe if it’s upside down.
· Clover usually has three leaves, but a few have four. A clover with four leaves is supposed to bring good luck.
· It’s lucky to touch wood. If you feel you’ve said something that is tempting fate, touch some item of wood with the right hand
TEXT 8. Read and translate the text. Answer the questions below.
Political System of Great Britain
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy. It means that the sovereign reigns but does not rule.
Britain does not have a written constitution, but a set of laws.
Parliament is the most important authority in Britain. Technically Parliament is made up of three parts: the Monarch, the House of Lords; and the House of Commons. In reality the House of Commons is the only one of the three which has true power.
The monarch serves formally as head of state. But the monarch is expected to be politically neutral and should not make political decisions.
The House of Commons consists of Members of Parliament. There are 650 of them in the House of Commons. They are elected by secret ballot. General elections are held every five years. The country is divided into 650 constituencies. All citizens, aged 18 and registered in a constituency, have the right to vote. But voting is not compulsory in Britain. Only persons convicted of corrupt and certain mentally ill patients don't take part in voting.
There are few political parties in Britain thanks to the British electoral system. The main ones are: the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal / Social Democratic Alliance.
Each political party puts up one candidate for each constituency. The one who wins the most votes is elected MP for that area.
The party which wins the most seats in Parliament forms the Government. Its leader becomes the Prime Minister. His first job is to choose his Cabinet. The Prime Minister usually takes policy decisions with the agreement of the Cabinet.
The functions of the House of Commons are legislation and scrutiny of government activities. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker. The Speaker is appointed by the Government.
The House of Lords comprises about 1,200 peers. It is presided by the Lord Chancellor. The House of Lords has no real power. It acts rather as an advisory council.
It's in the House of Commons that new bills are introduced and debated. If the majority of the members are in favour of a bill, it goes to the House of Lords to be debated. The House of Lords has the right to reject a new bill twice.
But after two rejections they are obliged to accept it. And finally a bill goes to the monarch to be signed. Only then it becomes law.
Parliament is responsible for British national policy. Local governments are responsible for organizing of education, police and many others.
Questions
1. What form of government is there in Britain? What does it mean?
2. Can you name three elements of Parliament?
3. How often are elections to the Parliament held? When can citizens vote?
4. How is the Government formed? Who becomes the Prime Minister? What are his main functions?
5. How are laws created in Great Britain?