Страноведение

     The history of York stretches back to Roman times. Few cities look as completely medieval as York as many buildings have remained more or less unchanged for centuries. With its ancient wooden houses and narrow winding streets, the whole city gives off an atmosphere of history. Today, these streets contain a fascinating variety of shops. York has been called “the City of churches” for there are no fewer than 17 pre-Reformation churches within the city walls. The pride of York is the huge and magnificent Minster which towers over the whole city. It is thought to contain the largest area of medieval coloured glass in the world. If you don’t want to join a group tour, there are cassettes - complete with Sony Walkman - which will tell you all about the city.

B   Dover

     The white cliffs of Dover are familiar to millions of travellers. Dover, the gateway to Britain, is the busiest ferry port in Europe. In times gone by, the town has been host to kings, armies, pilgrims and all kinds of travellers. Ancient monuments and ruins testify to Dover’s long and fascinating history and today the town offers a great deal to interest visitors all the year round. On a fine day, the harbour itself offers excellent walks. Particularly recommended is the Prince of Wales Pier at the end of which you will find a viewing place with a splendid outlook over the entire port, the white cliffs and Dover Castle. With two direct trains each hour from London Victoria and London Charing Cross, Dover is ideal for a day-trip from the capital.

C   Portsmouth

     This is a very special year for Portsmouth. The historic military city is celebrating its 800th anniversary and we want you to join the party! Apart from special events such as military displays and parades, there is always something to do in Portsmouth. Visit our historic ships, explore under the sea in our Underwater World, enjoy the year-round Resort Centre - the possibilities are endless.

     And once you’ve had a taste of what the town has to offer, why not hop on the luxury cruise vessel Solent Enterprise and enjoy a leisurely day trip to the beautiful Isle of Wight?

D   Oxford

     Oxford has a timeless beauty which is found at every twist and turn of this ancient university city: in the soft golden stone of the college buildings and the peaceful courtyards and gardens. There is so much to see and do in Oxford. Take the “Guide Friday” open-top bus tour to see 25 of the 35 colleges - it leaves every 15 minutes and one ticket lasts all day. Or explore on foot-guided walking tours start at the information centre. Get a bird’s eye panorama of the whole city from the top of St Mary’s. Take a journey through time at the unique Oxford Story exhibition in Broad Street. And then there are the shops. Lose yourself in famous Blackwell’s bookshop in Broad Street - with the largest display of books for sale in one room anywhere in the world. The Gallery at Gloucester Green has a busy cosmopolitan atmosphere, with speciality shops, pavement cafes and street entertainers. And of course there are many big name shops too.

E   Llangollen

     For six days every July, Llangollen becomes the cultural centre of the world, attracting choirs, musicians, folk singers and dancers from all continents. Over 40 different countries are represented with colourful national costumes, taking part in daily competitions and performing in evening concerts. But if you are more of the outdoor type, why not try riding the rapids? Experience the excitement of white water rapids on the River Wild. All equipment can be hired. Llangollen is also a centre for outdoor clothing and equipment for climbing, walking, mountain biking and camping. From Llangollen wharf you can embark on a 45-minute horse drawn boat trip along the river or, on certain days, you can go for a longer journey on the Thomas Telford, which has refreshments on board to add to your enjoyment.

 
 

Task 1. Which town (A-E) would you recommend to someone who:

 

1	would like to attend an international festival?
2	is interested in the history of warfare?
3	likes shopping?
4	enjoys a good view?
5	wants to buy sporting equipment?
6	likes to be given information as they tour?
7	enjoy relaxing river trips?
8	wants a day out while staying in London?
9	wants a day out on an island?
10	enjoys outdoor activities?
11	would like to visit a town which has not changed for hundreds of years?
12	is interested in academic institutions?

 
 
 
 

Text  6 
Hotels in Britain

A    The City Refuge

     This Refuge was started in the 19th century by Methodist Missionaries in the East End of London. Traditionally, the East End has always been the poorest part of London and the people who started this Refuge went in aid of those who had no money, and nowhere to sleep. The Refuge still runs today on the same basis. There is no charge to stay there, and there is even tea and toast in the morning. The people who run the Refuge, however, do not accept anyone who has been drinking alcohol or taking drugs. They will only take people who are in desperate need of somewhere to sleep. The problem they face, however, is that nowadays there are more people needing this accommodation than the Refuge have room for.

B    Long term hotels

     There are several streets around an area of London called King’s Cross that only have this type of accommodation. They used to be for tourists who were on a budget and wanted to be centrally located. But this has now changed. King’s Cross has turned into an area notorious for crime of all kinds, and tourists in particular are advised not to go there at all. Long Term Hotels in this area are fairly cheap due to the accommodation being very basic: a bed and a wash-basin in the rooms, with a shared bathroom. They are often dirty, damp and dangerous. They seldom have proper fire precautions and dealing in drugs is a common feature in these hotels. Not for the clean-living visitor!

C   The Bayswater hotels

     This area of London is a few minutes’ bus ride away from Hyde Park. The hotels here are reasonably priced and the area is a safe one which attracts many tourists. The Bayswater Hotels are often large houses which have been turned into small hotels. As a result they have a warm, friendly atmosphere. The rooms, though small, are kept very clean and have that special English touch - the tea-tray. This is to enable guests to make themselves a cup of tea or coffee at no extra charge. These hotels sometimes have a bar and restaurant which are reasonably priced, and can be used by people who are not even staying in the hotel. Very often guests of the hotels have their breakfast and evening meal included in the price of the room.

D   The YMCA

     The Young Men’s Christian Association has a very impressive complex in the heart of London’s West End. Originally the YMCA met together for religious studies, but it has now grown into a huge international organization. The YMCA in Tottenham Court Road has some of the best facilities in Central London. It has a gym, squash courts and a swimming pool. It is a long term hotel and many residents, both men and women, stay there for months, even years. The rooms are for single people. They are very comfortably furnished and all have their own bathroom. It may seem an expensive place to live, but if you want lots of things to do and want to meet lots of people in a safe, central environment, then this is for you.

E   The Dorchester Hotel

     The Dorchester, situated in the heart of London, is one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the world. A single night in one of their suites can cost you thousands of pounds. The services they offer are the best you can find, from serving you tea to driving you around London. The staff have a strict dress-code and always wear a uniform. The Dorchester offers everything the lover of luxury could want, especially as it’s provided in a very discreet, professional and very friendly manner. This hotel is not for people who like the casual touch. The rooms are absolutely luxurious, with colour televisions, jacuzzis, a fully-stocked bar, fresh flowers and fruit. Definitely a hotel for people with taste and a large bank account.

 

Task 1. Answer the questions.

Which hotel(s)

 

1	is for people who like sports?
2	are not recommended for tourists?
3	have religious origins?
4	is for those who don’t mind how much they spend?
5	can offer services to non-guests?
6	offer free shelter for the homeless?
7	is for those who want to be near the park?
8	is for those who want to prepare their own hot drinks?
9	are for those who plan an extended stay in London?
10	is for those who prefer formality?
11	is for people who want to socialize?
12	is for those who prefer a homely environment?
13	only has single rooms?

 

Text  7 
The Queen’s Day

     The Queen’s day begins when a maid tiptoes into her bedroom, opens the curtains, lays out the clothes that the Queen will wear that day, and goes into the bathroom to run the water for the Queen's bath.

     The Queen has breakfast with Prince Philip. They both go quickly through the newspapers as they eat their breakfast. An array of covered dishes sits on hotplates from which they can help themselves. No servant waits on them, so that they can chat privately and freely.

     Breakfast finished, the Queen goes to her large sitting room, which is also her study. She then settles down to what is perhaps the most important of her royal duties, what she calls ‘doing my boxes’. These contain all the reports, secret and otherwise, from government departments. She takes this job very seriously and never misses it, even when on holiday at Balmoral, in bed with flu, or abroad on a State visit.

     Every year Buckingham Palace receives over 10,000 letters. While the Queen is working at her desk, one of her Private Secretaries brings her a basket of letters, for she likes to see every letter sent to her. Many are answered in her name, but she herself only writes private and personal letters to friends and relatives. The rest of the morning may be spent receiving people 'in audience': ambassadors, military personnel, bishops and so on.

     Afternoons vary. Sometimes there may be official engagements in or close to London. Part of Monday afternoon is always reserved for her hairdresser. Other afternoons she may spend a couple of hours with her shoemaker, milliner or one of her three main fashion designers to plan her clothes for a forthcoming visit abroad.

     Her designers have to keep a few basic points always in mind. There must not be too many buttons, for a quick change is often necessary and the Queen must be able to slip her clothes off and on very easily.

     Colours should be bright and sharp so that she stands out in a crowd. Her hats must be small so that her face is not in shadow. Hemlines are 'weighted' so that her skirts will not be blown up by a sudden breeze. Shoes must be comfortable rather than fashionable for she may have to stand a long time in them.

     People often ask what happens to her old clothes. Probably her favorite tartans and sweaters keep on being worn at Sandringham and Balmoral, but the people who know what happens to the other clothes are not going to give away the secret.

     Every afternoon at teatime the Queen likes to feed her beloved Corgi dogs herself. Using a silver spoon and fork, she mixes chopped up dog meat and dog biscuits with a little gravy and puts it in their feeding bowls on the red carpet in the corridor outside her sitting room.

     If there are no evening engagements (the Queen undertakes fewer of them these days) she will go to her study after dinner to deal with anything that has appeared on her desk since she was last there. Then she can take off her shoes, lie on the sofa and relax with her feet up. Sometimes she watches television if there is a programme that interests her - a good comedy show, a programme about horses and horse-racing, or a serial about one of her royal ancestors. If nothing interests her, she will do a crossword puzzle or chat with her husband. By half past ten it is usually time for bed.

Task 1. Read the sentences and choose a, b, or с according to the text.

1. While the Queen has breakfast

a  lots of servants wait on  her

b  one servant wait on her

c no servants wait on her

2. Unless she is going out on an official visit, the Queen spends a couple of   

   hours every morning

a  doing whatever she wants

b  studying governments papers and reports

c  looking after domestic matters in the Palace

 3. The Queen sees

a  every letter that is sent to her

b  a random selection of the letters sent to her

c only letters from friends and relatives

5. Сlothes designers try to make sure her clothes are

a  examples of the latest fashions

b  as expensive as possible

c  very practical

6. What happens to the Queen’s old clothes?

a  they are sold for charity

b  the Queen keeps them

c  the answer to the question is a well kept secret

7. The Queen’s dogs are fed

a  by the Queen herself

b by the head cook in the royal kitchens

c  by a special dog servant

8. If the Queen spends the evening at home

a -she sometimes watches a comedy programme on television

b- she only watches the news on television

c - she never watches TV

Task 2. Answer the questions.

 

1. Do you think the Head of State of your country leads a life similar to that of the Queen?
2. Do you think it is possible for the Queen to make close friendships?
3. Why is the Queen so fond of dogs? (She also loves horses.)
4. In Britain there is great public interest in the life of the Royal family. Why?

 

Text  8 
The Mystery of Wales

Task 1. Which parts of the text correspond to the following headings? Match the following headings with the sections of the text below:

• Symbols of Wales
• Welsh History
• Welsh Culture
• The Welsh Language

     1 To the west of England lies a small, almost secret country called Wales. It is a land of green and grey: green fields, valleys and hills; grey mountains and sky, grey mining villages and grey stone castles.

     The story of the Welsh people is one of determined resistance to invaders -the Romans, Saxons, Vikings, Normans and finally the English. After the fall of the Roman Empire in 410 AD, the barbarian Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain. Legendary kings and princes, like King Arthur, won important victories against the Saxons, but gradually these original ‘Britons’ were pushed west, into the hills and mountains of Wales. Welsh princes fought hard against the English, but Wales was finally conquered. In 1301 Edward I gave his son the title of Prince of Wales and in 1536 Wales was united with England.

     2 Despite the conquest, Wales has maintained its unique culture and strong national identity, particularly through its language. Welsh, a Celtic language, very different from English, is one of the oldest languages in Europe. However, in the nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century, the Welsh language declined. The British government made English the official language and English was the only language allowed in schools. The number of Welsh speakers went down from 80% to under 20% of the population. Since the 1960s, though, there has been a revival of the Welsh language. Welsh is also an official language, it is taught in schools and there is a Welsh language TV channel.

     3 A tradition of storytelling, poetry and singing began in the castles of the Welsh princes in the middle ages and continues today. Every year ‘eisteddfods’ are held around the country. An ‘eisteddfod’ is a meeting of poets and singers who take part in competitions. As well as literature in the Welsh language, Wales has produced important poets in English such as Dylan Thomas and R.S. Thomas. Famous actors include Richard Burton, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Wales is a musical nation and choirs are important. Nowadays, when the national rugby team plays in Cardiff, 80,000 voices can be heard singing the Welsh hymn ‘Bread of Heaven’.

     4  The flag of Wales, with its red dragon, is one of the oldest in the world. It was brought to Britain by the Romans. The patron saint of Wales is St David. St David converted Wales to Christianity and established the Welsh church. The leek is another symbol of Wales. According to legend, St David ordered his soldiers to wear them on their helmets before the Welsh fought a victorious battle over the Saxons.

 

Task 2. Answer the questions.

 

1. What is the population of Wales?
2. What city is the capital of Wales?
3. What is the official language of Wales?
4. What is the national symbol of Wales: a dragon and a leek; lion and a rose,  a horse and a tree?
5. Why is Wales called an ‘almost secret’ country?

 
 

Text  9 
Celtic rules

Task 1. Read the text about Ireland and match these titles with the paragraphs:

a   Dance Music ____

b   Worldwide Success ____

c   Irish Cinema ____

d   Traditional Instruments ____

e   Irish Writers ____ 

     (1) The Corrs’ second album, Talk on Corners, was one of the most popular albums of the nineties, along with international bestsellers by Enya. The success of the Irish dance musical, Lord of the Dance, made its creator, Michael Flatley, one of the richest performers in show business. And veteran group the Chieftains, who began playing in pubs, now give sell-out concerts at major venues all over the world. What do they have in common? They are all Irish. Celtic music is clearly having some of its best moments. In fact, with Irish pubs opening all over the world, Irish music is played from Kiev to Katmandu. Most of the music you hear in them is traditional dance music - and you are expected to dance. An Irish music session is not a spectator sport! If you don’t participate, you’ll miss out on the ‘craic’ - the most exciting moments of the evening.

      (2) Of course, Irish music has its quieter moods. Some people say that the harp, a national symbol, has magical powers. Another national instrument is the Ulleann pipes, a kind of sophisticated bagpipes, which featured in the film Titanic. There is a local saying that it takes ‘seven years of learning, seven years of practising, and seven years of playing’ to master them. The violin, or ‘fiddle’, is played all over the country.

      (3) Music is an important new export of Irish culture, but writers are doing well, too. In the past, Ireland has produced some of the best writers and poets in the English language; people like Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde. More recently, the poet Seamus Heaney won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995, and Roddy Doyle received praise throughout Europe for his novels.

      (4)  Not to be left out, the Irish film scene is looking good. The government has created a fund for films about (and produced in) Ireland, and actors such as Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan are international stars. Among the films you should watch are My Left Foot, which won two Oscars, In the Name of the Father and Michael Collins.