Friday, January 29, 2021

Exam Topics. Great Britain


          It goes without saying that learning a foreign language and exploring the countries it belongs to go hand by hand. Talking about English, the popularity of this language can't be overestimated. It's proved by the fact that it's the official language of almost 60 countries. But it's most commonly spoken in the United Kingdom, The USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
           I suggest focusing on Great Britain. The home of Stonehenge, William Shakespeare, red double-decker buses, black taxi cabs, red postboxes and telephone boxes, tea, fish and chips, the Beatles, legend of Robin Hood, Wimbledon  .... What else should we know about it? Its official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or the UK for short. It occupies most of the territory of the British Isles and is made of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
         The total area of the UK is about 243,000 square kilometres. It's separated from the mainland by the North Sea and the English Channel. To connect with continental Europe the world longest undersea rail tunnel called Channel Tunnel was built. The population of Great Britain is over 65 million people. English is the official language of Great Britain. Apart from English, the Welsh language is spoken in some parts of Wales and Gaelic in north-west Scotland. The largest cities of Britain are London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. 
           One of the main symbols of the UK is its national flag called the Union Jack. It is made up of three crosses: the Cross of St. George (the Patron Saint of England), the Cross of St. Andrew (the Patron Saint of Scotland) and the Cross of St. Patrick ( the Patron Saint of Ireland). Apart from a saint, each country of the UK has its own floral emblem. England is represented by the Tudor rose and Scotland - by the thistle. The daffodils and the leek are the heraldic emblems of Wales. Shamrock is the national flower of Northern Ireland.
       The landscape of the UK is varied. Lowland Britain in southern and eastern England contrasts significantly with Highland Britain consisting of Scotland, most of Wales, the Pennines, and the lake District. The highest mountain is Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,343 m). The Severn is the longest river in the UK while the Thames is one of the significant trading routes. The largest lake is Lough Neagh, and the most mysterious is Loch Ness, the homeland of a legendary monster. The Lake District, one of the most spectacular places in Britain, lies on the northwest side of the Pennine chain. 
         The British climate is usually characterised as cool, temperate and humid. Since Britain is an island it's mainly influenced by the surrounding seas and the Atlantic Ocean. It makes the weather really unpredictable and weather forecasts harder to make. That's why Britain is known "to have no climate, but only weather" which can drastically change even during  the day. In fact, it's due to wet and rainy weather that Britain is so rich in greenery. 
          The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is the Head of State but her function is not to rule but to represent the country. And the real power belongs to the British Parliament and to the British Government. The British parliament consists of two chambers: The House of Commons  and The House of Lords. The House of Commons is more powerful, its members are elected every five years, whereas the membership of The House of Lords is permanent. The party with most Members of Parliament or MPs forms the government. The leader of the winning party automatically becomes Prime Minister and appoints the cabinet. The party who comes in second is the Opposition and forms its own Shadow Cabinet.
           For culture hunters Britain has a lot to offer. London is filled with historical landmarks and remarkable sights. Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are a must for every tourist. I'm sure you'll be impressed by the architecture of the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. If you want to dive into the atmosphere of mystery, you should visit Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world. Edinburgh Castle which dates back to the 12th century won't leave you indifferent. Nature lovers will be inspired by the walks in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales or the picturesque Lake District in North West England.
            The United Kingdom is undoubtedly a unique country which has managed to preserve its history and traditions to the present day. Your world view will be slightly limited if you miss the chance to see Britain.

Let’s talk about Great Britain.

1.  What can you tell me about the parts Great Britain consists of?

2. Are the symbols of Great Britain known throughout the world?

3. What questions will you ask a British teenager about the Royal family?

4. What advice will you give to a person who wants to make the relationship between Belarus and Great Britain better?

5.  Do British customs and traditions differ from Belarusian ones?

Answer the questions in comments (at least 3-4 sentences to every question), if you are not signed up on Google, write your name and surname. Answers will be graded.

25 comments:

  1. 1.For me the first association with word england are music groups like Motorhead, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and others. Then i associate it with Queen Elizabeth the second and with London.
    2.The first known symbol are Queen Elizabeth, i thing every person in the world knowns her , then the British flag. Their flag are good known cause you can meet it on flags of other countries like Australia or New Zealand.
    3.1) Can you tell me some intersting facts about this family?
    2)Do you know how big are queens pension?
    3)Do the queen solve any political questions?
    4)What cars are using royal family?
    4.First of all people from Belarus need to know English language at least on a start level.
    I think people from both countries need to communicate. And some political stuff.
    5.If i will have time in future i like to visit USA cause it homeland of many musical groups that i love such as Metallica, Megadeth, Rainbow, Van Halen and others. And i wish i visit Britain for the same reason.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've got a seven. Next time be more literate while answering.
      Pay attention to your mistakes:
      with word ✔ England are music ✔ bands like ✔ "The Motorhead", "Judas Priest", "The Black Sabbath"
      The first known symbol ✔is Queen Elizabeth, i ✔think every person in the world ✔knows her
      Their flag ✔ is well-known
      Do you know how big ✔the queen's pension is?
      ✔ Does the queen solve any political questions?
      ✔What cars are used by the royal family?
      people from Belarus need to know ✔the English language
      ✔ If i ✔ have time in future i like to visit ✔ the USA cause ✔it is homeland of many musical bands

      Delete
  2. 1. When I hear the word "England" I imagine red telephone boxes, Big Ben, red double-decker buses and tea. The word "England" evokes only positive thoughts.I also imagine Queen Elizabeth II and her guards in red uniforms and tall black hats.
    2. The main symbol of England is Queen Elizabeth II, who is known and respected all over the world. Big Ben, which is depicted on all postcards and souvenirs, is also a symbol of England.
    3. Do you celebrate royal holidays, such as the Queen's birthday?
    Why is the Queen's husband not called a king?
    Where does the Queen live?
    What are the hobbies of the Queen?
    How many children does the Queen have?
    4. First of all, we must respect each other's culture and traditions. You should also learn English, communicate more with the British. You can organize a program for the exchange of knowledge between students.
    5. I would like to visit America, because I have always been interested in the culture of this country. There are a huge number of attractions: Niagara Falls, Hollywood, the Grand Canyon, etc. I would like to visit New York, which attracts me with its skyscrapers, architecture and monuments.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 1)If I hear the word "England" I immediately get in my head: Stonehenge, red postboxes and telephone boxes, double-decker buses, etc. Also the word "England" in my head is associated with tea. Also associated with the legend of Robin Hood.
    2)Yes. I believe that other people in the world come across different symbols of Great Britain in one way or another. Even from films that were filmed in the UK, you can remember the bright double-decker buses and people with black hats.
    3)1.What do you usually have for breakfast?
    2.Is it true that royal families have golden dresses?
    3.Do you have a butler?
    4.Do you like living in luxury?
    4)To begin with, it is necessary that the majority of Belarusians know and accept the culture of Great Britain. You definitely need to know English. Also from the UK side, the same procedures must be followed.
    5) I think the United States, and more specifically Los Angeles. From films and various games, this city attracts with its beauty. Also in Los Angeles, you can visit the places where various popular films were filmed.

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  4. 1) I associate England with red, hilly landscapes and small houses in the wilderness. The same is with the works of Shakespeare and tea.
    2) I believe that the symbols of Great Britain are known to everyone. Although not only Great Britain is an English-speaking country, but we remember about it first of all. London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and more.
    3) 1. Have you ever seen any of the members of the royal family live? 2. Do you at least be a member of the royal family? 3. Who is your favorite royal family member? Why?
    4) I believe that this requires, first of all, to have a language contact. Also strive for similar achievements in politics and economics.
    5) It seems to me that I would choose Georgia to visit. This country is rich in traditions and landscapes. The nature of Georgia is extremely diverse due to its geographic location, difficult topography and high-altitude zoning. I would like to see this uniqueness and taste the local cuisine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well-done! You've got a nine!
      Pay attention to your mistakes:
      Do you ✔ want to be a member of the royal family?

      Delete


  5. 1. As for me, I associate England with typical British things, like tea, the Queen Elizabeth, telephone booths, Big Ben, the London Eye. Also England is the home of my favorite story about the boy who lived - Harry Potter. The main feature of England is a changeable climate, so England is associated with it too.

    2. Yes, of course. The national symbols are Union Flag, flowers of each country and the Queen Elizabeth. I think everyone know about the Queen, because she is respected all over the world and the most famous monarch. But the most prominent symbols of GB, as we know, is tea and Big Ben.

    3. What events does the royal family attend?
    What do you think about Princess Diana?
    How far is the royal family from the British people?
    What is the Queen responsible for?

    4. Firstly, it's necessary to discover British culture and respect their traditions. You must be polite and tolerate to the other nation and their preferences. Following the law and rules even out of discussion. And the main thing that will help nations to get closer is communication.

    5. I would like to visit the Czech Republic. It is famous for its fairytale castles and European architecture. I'm interested in mystical stories and legends that fill the streets and houses of Prague. Also I want to enjoy it's breathtaking nature landscapes.

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  6. 1.When I hear the word England images of Sherlock Holmes, tea with milk, rain, chips and fish, doubledecker buses, windsor Castle and others instantly pop into my head. Also it reminds me of some celebrities and popular music groups.
    2.I think they are. Every person who studies English is at least a little interested in its origin and in the culture of countries where people mostly use this language. Even in the curriculum several lessons are set aside specifically for familiarization with the symbols and the necessary flags. Also each part of the UK has its own emblem.
    3.Do you believe the current investigations that claim that Princess Diana is actually alive? Does the queen have any pets or hobbies? Where does the Queen spend summers? Is it true that he Royal Family are not allowed to play Monopoly? Can family members refuse a gift o they should accept them always?
    4.I advise you to be open to different information and to new acquaintances. You should study the culture of both countries, visit them. And start to communicate with the locals, also you should tell them more about your homeland.
    5.I would like to visit Australia. Magnificent clean beaches, tropical forests, seemingly endless plains - any landscape i would like to see i will find in there. There are also many animals whose natural habitats are found only in Australia. There is a wide variety of entertainment options for nightlife - from casinos to world-class restaurants, clubs, pubs and beach bars. And one of the main reasons is that it is a multicultural country (this can be seen from the diverse array of available food) .

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  7. 1)I associate England with a cafe with a view of big ben where you can drink delicious tea. Football also comes to mind because this sporting game came from England. Also associations with old landmarks such as the London Tower, Tower Bridge. England also reminds me of netflix movies
    2)I think yes. Everyone has ever heard of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. At school, English language learners are introduced to the symbols of Great Britain. Also, people can find out information about the symbolism through the media, books, magazines.
    3)How does fame affect royal life?
    What entertainment events are held in the palace?
    How often are there tours of the palace? what is the queen's daily routine?
    4)I read that the inhabitants of these countries must know and respect each other's traditions, mentality, and culture. and if you want to move, then I think you also need to know the history of the country, to be open to communication.
    5)I would like to visit Sri Lanka to enjoy the variety of animals, taste many exotic fruits, swim in the warm Indian ocean. I am also interested in the way of life of local people on this island, their hobbies and traditions. There you can see numerous architectural monuments of antiquity, which are more than 2000 years old.

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  8. 1. London is one of my associations with the word ‘England’ cause its sights are the most popular there. I also associate England with tea time, full English breakfast, the English language, rain and fog. Also England is associated with William Shakespeare.

    2. Yes, most symbols of Great Britain are known throughout the world. We should remember that each country of Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) has its own national symbols (flower, flag, traditions, clothes etc.)
    But most world known symbols of GB are English.

    3. What interesting facts do you know about the Royal family?
    What is the attitude of British people towards the Royal family?
    What is the role of Queen Elizabeth || in British history?

    4. I will advise a person who wants to make the relationship between Belarus and Great Britain better to visit both countries, learn their traditions, culture and history. And it's necessary to communicate with people to take account of their preferences.

    5. I would like to visit Thailand one more time. Islands as from Bounty ads, exotic fruits, rich palaces, smiles of local residents attract a lot of tourists to Thailand. And it's impossible to visit all its sights in one trip.

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  9. 1. First thing that coming to my mind is English flag. Also they are such simple symbols like Big Ben, London Eye and black tea. Also I associate England with Sherlock Homes and the queen Elizabeth II. Also I find big black ravens as a symbol of the UK.
    2. Of course yes. If you ask any passerby about England, he/she will definitely tell you something about this country. UK is the world known country.
    3. Who will be the next representative of the Royal family?
    Why is the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, not called King Philip?
    What interesting facts about the Royal family can you name?
    4. Not to make it. I’m kidding. I think that the most normal advice is to find the info about cultures and learn some features of different countries’ mentality. You must know some trend news all over the world just to discuss about some themes for more interesting communication. And you must know English.
    5. I want to visit Canada(to be honest, I want to live here). Canada is one of the biggest countries on the Earth but we don’t hear news about it in comparison with USA. I want to taste the famous maple syrup and live in the cold climate, enjoy the nature of national and provincial parks and take a ride at the Rideau skating rink in Ottawa. Canada is the wonderful country for me.

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  10. 1. I have quite a few associations with England. I associate things like tea with milk, Big Ben, red buses and telephone booths, works of Shakespeare, the Queen Elizabeth, footmen, street lamps and the bustle of the city streets. Cities are associated with a gray, but unreal atmosphere and a bunch of cafes.
    2. I think people all over the world know all those symbols that I listed in the first question.
    3. 1) How many members has the Royal Family? 2) Who is at the head of this family? 3) Does the Royal family have a big house? 4) How many pets does the Queen have?
    4. I believe that in order to improve relations between Belarus and the UK, it is necessary to arrange exchange studies for students and schoolchildren, so that the people at the head of these states are united by the same political and economic positions (not the same as now), to conduct many trade routes and, perhaps, provide both countries for their visit flights and travel without visas.
    5. I really really want to visit the USA. I want to travel. The greatest desire in my heart is a visit to the town of Mystic Falls, as there was filming a series of which I am a big fan. I want to visit Hollywood, its mountain with big letters, the alley of celebrities and many famous shops with cheap things and famous American sweets.

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  11. 1. The first thought that comes in mind when u hear the word "England" is the Queen. To be honest there are a lot of stereotypes connected with rich english culture. Even person who is not familiar with the English language and customs can name at least the most famous symbols of the UK: red buses, telephone-boxes, the royal family, London and it's sights and others.
    2. Yes, they definetely are. England has dozens of symbols. Some of them more popular and well-known some less but they are still well-known. For example British culture gave us such characters as doc. Challenger, Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, Scroudge and others. And as i think everyone should know at least one from that list.
    3. Do u think that the royal family still have the power?
    Do u think that the royal family is a main symbol of England?
    How many members are in the royal family
    What is the official residence of the family?
    Do u know some of the customs and traditions of the royal family?
    4. My advise is to get acquainted with both cultures and customs because the culture is the main key to personal behaviour. Depending on culture even the same actions could be offensive or pleasant.
    5.I'd like to go to the Northern countries such as Norway and Sweden to see world-famous Norwegian fjords and Northern Lights with my own eyes. Besides i'd like to get acquainted with local people, their culture because as i think the Northern culture still has a lot of from the ancient times in which i'm interested in

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  12. 1.England evokes many associations. Undoubtedly, this is belonging to a highly developed civilization that has given the world many geniuses in various fields - in science, technology, philosophy, economics, politics, art, literature, sports, and has influenced other countries and peoples. Such personalities as Swift, Dickens, Shakespeare, Byron, Burns, C. Doyle, W. Scott, Stevenson, Jerome, O. Henry, etc. come to mind.
    2.The main symbol of England is Queen Elizabeth II, who is known and respected all over the world. Big Ben, which is depicted on all postcards and souvenirs, is also a symbol of England.
    3.Have you ever seen the royal family?
    Do they also look like they are described?
    How do you feel about the royal family?
    Can you tell about the daily life of Queen Elizabeth 2?
    would you be glad if you were born in the royal family? if not / yes why?
    4.I believe that this requires, first of all, to have a language contact. Also strive for similar achievements in politics and economics.
    5.So, what should be visited first is, of course, the United Kingdom. The most famous is London. In addition to the royal castle and other attractions, you can find the station nine and three quarters. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter saga, be sure to visit it. Remember that attempts to pass through walls are crowned with a huge failure.

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  13. Well-done! You've got a nine because of the delay!

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete