Файл: Metodichka_po_angl_yazyku.doc

to discover, to develop to create, to advance, to open, to include).

Ex. 11. Prove whether the following statements are true or false using the information from the text:

1. The British started the Industrial Revolution and initially concentrated on light industry. 2. The industrial sector of the British economy preserved its high level after the war. 3. Tourism has always been important to the British economy. 4. London is a world-known financial centre. 5. The British economy is mainly based on private enterprises. 6. Great Britain is rich in mineral resources. 7. Energy production and agriculture account for about 93% of Britain's gross domestic product. 8. Potatoes are cultivated in all parts of Great Britain. 9. Great Britain has to import various raw materials. 10. Today Britain is no longer the leading industrial nation of the world.

Ex. 12. Complete the sentences below. Give extended answers:

1. The text is devoted to ... . 2. The text gives (presents, provides) information regarding . . 3. At the beginning of the text special attention is paid to ... . 4. The text goes on saying that ... . 5. Further the text contains a detailed description of . . 6. Besides some factual information is given concerning . . 7. In conclusion the text reads that . . 8. On reading the text we realise the fact that ... . 9. Moreover we clearly understand that . .

Ex. 13. Work in groups. Find out from your partners:

• why Great Britain is considered to be a highly-developed industrial country;

• what allowed the country to dominate international trade in the 19^th century;

• what position Britain occupies among other industrialised countries at present;

• whether its agriculture plays any role in the economic development of the country.

Ex. 14. Explain why:

• Great Britain has to import various raw materials;

• the role of service industries has substantially grown.

Ex. 15. Prove that:

• Great Britain is one of the leading industrial states in the world.

Ex. 16. Imagine that:

• you are to make a report on the economic development of Great Britain. Your friend from London has arrived and is ready to help you. Ask him questions and get all the information you need;

• you and your friend from Great Britain are discussing the economic situation of your states.

Ex. 17. Write a short essay on one of the following topics:

• Great Britain - a leading industrial state;

• Agricultural sector of the British economy.

Part 3. Political System of Great Britain

Ex. 1. Make sure you know the meaning of the following words and expressions:

constitution n., monarchy n., legal a., executive a., legislative a., bill n., law n., convention n., agreement n., contain v., create v., alter v., revise v., abolish v., adapt v., flexible a., identity n., purpose n., issue n., current a., elect v., propose v., proposal n., inherit v., affair n., responsible a., govern v., government n., appoint v., hold v., under the chairmanship of.

Ex. 2. Practice the pronunciation of the following words and proper names:

monarch - monarchy, law - legal, legislative, executive, Parliament, Government, the House of Commons, the House of Lords, the Sovereign, Prime Minister, the Lord Chancellor, the Conservative Party, the Labour Party, the Liberal Democratic Party.

Ex. 3. Answer the following questions:

1. When is a state called "monarchy"? 2. Who is the Queen of Great Britain? 3. Who is the Prime Minister of Great Britain? 4. What party is the leading party of Great Britain at present? 5. What parts does the British Parliament consist of?

Ex. 4. Read and translate the following text:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy. It has either a king or a queen, but the power of the monarch is limited by the country's constitution. In practice, the monarch does not rule. The legal authority (the passing of acts) is given to Parliament, and the executive authority (the carrying of laws) to the Government. All real power lies with Parliament and the existing

government.

The British form of government, that of a "Constitutional Monarchy", is difficult to understand because Britain does not actually have a written constitution. The set of rules for governing the country is not contained in any single document. Formed partly by common law and partly by convention, it can be altered by Act of Parliament, or by general agreement to create, vary or abolish a convention. The constitution is thus very flexible and adapts readily to changing political conditions and ideas.

Many of the British people still regard the monarchy as a very useful and desirable institution. It is a symbol of national identity. The Monarch personifies the State.

Parliament is the most important law-making body consisting of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Sovereign (i.e., king or queen).

The House of Commons, the lower House of the British Parliament, consists of 650 elected MPs. The main purpose of the House of Commons is to make laws of the land by passing various Acts (of Parliament), as well as to discuss current political issues. The House sits for five days each week. The House sits for about 175 days in the year, and has a maximum term of five years. All speeches in the House of Commons are addressed to the Speaker who is elected at the beginning of each new Parliament. His chief function is to preside over the House in its debate. When elected the Speaker must not belong to any party.

The strength of the House of Commons is that it possesses the right to argue for or against any proposal, the right to question, to debate and to speak out.

The House of Lords, the upper house of the British Parliament, consists of over 1,000 non-elected members (All peers and peeresses who have inherited their titles, and distinguished men and women who have been made peers and peeresses for their life-time and whose titles cannot be inherited). The work of the House of Lords includes examining and revising bills from the Commons, and discussing important matters which the Commons cannot find time to debate. The House of Lords does not have the same power as the House of Commons.

The UK is governed by the Government - a body of ministers who are responsible for the administration of national affairs. The ministers are the leading members of the political party which wins the majority of seats in Parliament. The party which wins the second largest number of seats in Parliament becomes the official Opposition.

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