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There’s no Place like Home

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About 80 per cent of British people live in houses. Detached houses are usually in expensive suburbs, quite far from the town centre, near to the countryside. Semi-detached houses are often in the suburbs which are nearer the town centre. Terraced houses and blocks of flats are mostly found in town centres. They can either be very small two-storey houses with one or two bedrooms or large houses with three to five floors or five bedrooms.

About 67 per cent of the people in Britain own their houses or flats. Most of the rest live in rented accommodation. People in Britain buy houses or flats because there is not enough rented accommodation and what there is can be expensive.

Answer these questions:

1. How many British people live in houses? 2. What do you know about detached houses? 3. How many people in Britain have their own houses or flats? 4. Why do people in Britain buy houses or flats?

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Stately Homes

It was different in the old days. The rich were very rich and the poor were very poor. But is it different now? Some of the aristocratic families of Britain still have a lot of money, and were very rich and the poor were still live in magnificent stately homes built by their families hundreds of years ago.

Castles with strong walls and towers may be almost a thousand years old, but most stately homes date from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and many are filled with wonderful collections of paintings and furniture. But even for the richest, life in these old houses is expensive. There are roofs to repair, hundreds of rooms to clean, and miles of parkland to look after. To make money, owners of stately homes often make their parks into playgrounds. They set up zoos, safari parks, model railways, small museums – anything that people will pay to see.

Not everyone is lucky enough to keep their old home. Many of the people who once owned the castles and palaces of Britain cannot afford to look after them now. But the buildings still stand, full of wonderful antiques and art treasures.

A large number of them now belong to the National Trust, a private organization which buys historic buildings. The old owners still live there, and keep the atmosphere of a beautiful private home, but the houses are to the public too. In this way everyone can enjoy the great cultural treasures of the past.

Answer these questions:

1. Who are the owners of «stately homes»?2. What do you know about «stately homes»?3. Is life in these old houses expensive?4. Do all «stately homes» belong to the National Trust?

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How Big Is Your Family?

The most common type of household in England, Scotland and Wales today is two people, either married or living together, without children.

Twenty-seven per cent of households consist of people who live on their own. Most people living alone are widows, but there has been a big increase in the number of men who live alone. This is because a large number of couples get divorced, whereas women often live with the children.

Nowadays, nine per cent of families are lone parents with children. Women are usually the head of this type of household. Just over 17 per cent of families with children are headed by single mothers, with about one per cent headed by a lone father.

Nowadays, if two people are living together, they are not necessarily married. Eighteen per cent of unmarried people aged between 16 and 59 years old are living with someone.

People still get married, often after living together, but there is increasing chance that the marriage ends in divorce.

Answer these questions:

1. What is the most common type of household in Britain?2. Do British people often live together without getting married?

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Shops and Shopping

In the centre of most towns and villages there is a main street with lots of different shops. This street is usually called the High Street. The high streets of Britain are beginning to look more the same. This is because they are full of branches of big chain-stores.

One of the best-known chain-stores is Marks & Spencer, which sells clothes and food. The company has over 700 stores world-wide and has a reputation for good quality. If you buy something that you decide you don’t like, you can take it back and get your money back.

In most high streets there is a charity shop. All the profits from the things sold go to charity. Oxford is the best-known chain of charity shops and it sells second-hand clothes and books.

Department stores are found in all big cities. They are big shops where you can find almost everything you want and which offer a wide choice of things. The most famous British department store, Harrods, started as a small grocery shop in 1849. The present store has more than 300 departments and a staff of over 4000 people. The display in the food hall is amazing.

Street markets are both fun and cheap. Most markets sell fruit and vegetables, clothes, things for the house, records and jewellery. In London, there are about 40 or 50 markets. Some specialize in flowers, pets or second-hand books.

Some towns are called market towns: a market is held there, usually once a week. People come from the surrounding villages to do their shopping.

Eight-seven per cent of British people live less than a mile from their local corner shop. A corner shop is a small shop on, or near, a street corner. Many are run by Indian or Pakistani families. Most corner shops sell food and newspapers. They are open until late in the evening, as well as on Sundays.

Answer these questions:

1. What is there in the centre of most towns and villages?2. What do you know about Marks & Spencer?3. Is there a charity shop in most high streets?4. Where are department stores found?5. What can you find there?6. What do street markets sell?7. How many markets are there in London?8. Why do people come from the surrounding villages?9. Where are corner shops?

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Transport in Britain

You can reach England either by plane, by train, by car or by ship. The fastest way is by plane. London has three international airports: Heathrow, the largest, connected to the city by underground; Gatwick, south of London, with a frequent train service; Luton, the smallest, used for charter flights.

If you go to England by train or by car you have to cross the Channel. There is a frequent service of steamers and ferryboats which connect the continent to the south-east of England.

People in Britain drive on the left and generally overtake on the right. When you are in London you can choose from four different means of transport: bus, train, underground or taxi. The typical bus in London is a red double-decker. The first London bus started running between Paddington and the City in 1829. It carried 40 passengers and cost a shilling for six kms.

The next to arrive were the trains; now there are twelve railway stations in London. The world’s first underground line was opened between Baker St. and the City in 1863. Now there are ten underground lines and 273 underground stations in use. The London underground is also called the Tube, because of the circular shape of its deep tunnels.

Answer these questions:

1. What is the fastest way of traveling?2. How many airports are there in London?3. What kind of service helps to cross the Channel? 4. What are some «rules» of driving in Britain?5. What does typical bus in London look like?6. Where was the first underground opened?7. Why is London underground called the Tube?

Text 28

Holidays in Great Britain

There are some public holidays in Great Britain. There are: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter, May Spring Festival, Spring Bank Holiday and Summer Bank Holiday. Some holidays are called Bank Holidays because banks, offices and shops are closed on those days.

Christmas is the most popular holiday in Britain. It is celebrated on the 25 th of December. People spend time at home, with their families, eat special food (turkey, potatoes, green vegetables, a Christmas pudding) and drink a lot. Many people decorate Christmas trees with toys and little coloured lights. People buy Christmas cards and send them to their friends and relatives. Long before Christmas the shops are busy, because a lot of people buy Christmas presents. In churches people sing Christmas carols – special religious songs.

The day after Christmas, 26 th of December, is called Boxing Day. The priest in church opens boxes with money and presents and gives to the poor people.

St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 14 th of February. It is the day of sweethearts. On this day people send cards, candies or flowers to those whom they love.

Easter is a Christian holiday in March or in April. On this day Christians remember the death of Christ and his return to life. They go to church and have a celebration dinner. The most popular emblem of Easter is the Easter egg.

Answer these questions:

1. What public holidays in Great Britain do you know? 2. Why are some holidays called Bank Holidays? 3. What is the most popular holiday in Britain? 4. When and how do the British celebrate Christmas? 5. Why is the day after Christmas called Boxing Day? 6. When is St. Valentine’s Day celebrated? What do people usually do on this day? 7. What important Christian holiday do the British celebrate in March or in April? 8. What is the most popular emblem of Easter?

Text 29

British Literature

Great Britain gave the world a lot of talented people. Many famous writers and poets were born and lived in Great Britain.

One of the best known English playwrights was William Shakespeare. He draw ideas for his tragedies and comedies from the history of England and ancient Rome. Many experts consider Shakespeare the greatest writer and the greatest playwright in the English language. William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays which may be divided into: comedies (such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream), tragedies (such as Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth) and historical plays.

Robert Burns represents the generation of Romantic writers. In his poems he described with love and understanding the simple life he knew. Among his well-known poems are Halloween, The Jolly Beggars.

Lord George Gordon Byron. His free-spirited life combined with his rare poetic gift makes him one of the most famous figures of the Romantic Era. His famous works such as Stanzas to Augusta, The prisoner of Chillon draw readers into the passion, humors and conviction of a poet whose life and work truly embodied the Romantic spirit.

Sir Walter Scott wrote the first examples of historical novel.

Lewis Carroll became famous when he published Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Answer these questions:

1. Who is the best known English playwright?2. What are the most famous plays by Shakespeare?3. Who is Robert Burns?4. What makes George Gordon Byron famous?5. What are the best known works by Byron?6. Who wrote historical novels?7. What brought popularity to Lewis Carroll?

Список литературы:

1. Гацкевич, М.А. Английский язык для школьников и абитуриентов: Топики, упражнения, диалоги / М.А. Гацкевич. – СПб.: КАРО, 2008. – 160 с.

2. Каверина, В. 100 тем английского языка для школьников и студентов / В. Каверина, В. Бойко, Н. Жидких. – М.: ЗАО «БАО-ПРЕСС», 2006. – 192 с.

3. Синельникова, М. Разговорные темы к экзаменам по английскому языку. / М. Синельникова. – СПб.: «КОРОНА принт», 1998. – 256 с.

4. Цветкова, И.В. Английский язык для школьников и поступающих в ВУЗы. Устный экзамен / И.В. Цветкова, И.А. Клепапьченко, Н. А. Мыльцева. – М.: Глосса-Пресс, 2006. – 208 с.

5. Eckersley, C.E. Essential English for foreign students. Book1. / Eckersley, C.E. – СПб.: «Печатный Двор», 1991. – 329 c.

6. Leslie Dunkling, London / Leslie Dunkling. – Longman, 1984. – 32 p.

7. Michael Vaughn-Rees. In Britain / Michael Vaughn-Rees. – Обнинск: «Титул», 1997. – 119 c.

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