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to spring to mind – приходить в голову (неожиданно) trident n – трезубец

kit n – обмундирование, снаряжение, экипировка breeches n – бриджи

to strike a chord – сыграть на каком-л. чувстве; вызвать отклик bobby n – (разг.) полисмен

to cop a wrongdoer – поймать, застать преступника yearn for v – жаждать, мечтать

to dispense justice to – вершить правосудие clout n – сильный удар, затрещина

beefeater n – бифитер (солдат охраны лондонского Тауэра) bowler n – котелок (мужская шляпа)

green n – лужайка, парк (для прогулок и игр) cuppa n – (разг.) чашка чаю

buffet n – “шведский стол” (блюда сервируются для самообслуживания, без ограничения набора и количества)

kipper n – копченая селедка oatmeal n – овсяная каша

copious adj – обильный; богатый, обширный

backlash against n – мощная обратная реакция группы людей на что-л. (обычно негативная)

succumb to v – поддаваться, уступать чему-л. robin n – малиновка

to conduct a poll – проводить опрос

to win by a landslide – победить с большим отрывом

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Copious, rampant, “copping” wrongdoers, crosses, the Trinity, unicorn, passant, shield, kit, kippers, motto, daffodil, rebuke, breeches, shamrock, trident, leek, patron saints.

1. The national flag of the UK is made up from the … of three … of England,

Scotland and Northern Ireland. 2. The first and fourth quarters of the shield represent England and contain three gold lions … on a red field; the second quarter represents Scotland and contains a red lion … on a gold field. 3. The … is chained because in mediaeval times it was considered a very dangerous beast. 4. Edward III uttered the … “Evil to him who evil thinks” to … his courtiers for mocking at his mistress. 5. The national flower of Wales is the … but the vegetable called … is also considered to be a traditional emblem of Wales. 6. There is a tale about St. Patrick who used the three-leafed … to explain … . 7. Britannia is holding a … in one hand and a …, decorated with the Union flag, in the other. 8. John Bull is an elderly gentleman, wearing a full riding … complete with … , boots and a Union Jack waistcoat. 9. The local policemen are known as “coppers” from their habit of … . 10. Either … or porridge will start the meal and … quantities of tea will finish it.

Task III. Fill in the prepositions where necessary.

1. The name Union Jack is correct when the flag is flown … a jackstaff … sea. 2.

In Scotland, the Queen has a separate version of the Royal Arms, giving the

Scottish elements pride … place. 3. The Order of the Garter was held … the highest esteem. 4. St. David spread the word of Christianity across Wales by preaching … huge crowds of people. 5. Here is just a selection of those things which spring … mind whenever one hears the word “British”. 6. The character of John Bull struck … a chord … the hearts of the British and has kept on ever since. 7. The British still yearn … the days when the local bobby could dispense justice … misbehaving teenagers … a quick clout as soon as he caught them. 8. Nowadays there is a growing backlash … modern interior and loud music in English pubs. 9. City pubs have almost succumbed … the needs of younger clients. 10. When a national newspaper conducted … a poll to decide Britain‟s national bird, the robin won … a landslide.

Task IV. Are the statements true or false? Correct the false ones.

1.The UK flag is called the Union Jack.

2.The Welsh dragon does not appear on the flag because at the time England and Wales were enemies.

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3.“God Save the Queen” was written as the national anthem.

4.On the right, the shield is supported by the English Unicorn. On the left, it is supported by the Lion of Scotland.

5.The coat of arms features two mottos of British monarchs.

6.Each country in the UK has its own patron saint, flag and anthem.

7.St. George is known throughout the world as the dragon-killing patron saint of England.

8.All people in England observe St. George‟s Day with copious festivities.

9.St. Andrew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

10.Wales has two national flowers.

11.The most famous story about St. Patrick is him spending six years in slavery.

12.Britannia has always been featured on coins since ancient times.

13.John Bull was a gentleman who lived in the 18th century.

14.Local bobbies used to dispense justice to misbehaving teenagers with a swift clout as soon as they caught them.

15.Today, beefeaters work as tourist guides.

16.It is impossible to see people wearing bowlers on the streets of London.

17.Most people in Britain prefer green tea with lemon.

18.A real full English consists of bacon, eggs, toast and marmalade.

19.Modern interior and loud music have always been characteristic of English pubs.

20.You can find good pubs in both town and country.

Task V. Choose the right variant.

1.The UK flag consists of a) 2, b) 3, c) 4 flags.

2.“God Save the Queen” has been the British national anthem since a) 1745, b) the beginning of the 19th century, c) the end of the 19th century.

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3.The main element of the official coat of arms is a) the shield, b) the English Lion, c) the Unicorn of Scotland.

4.St. George was a) a preacher, b) a soldier, c) a fisherman.

5.The blue on St. Andrew‟s cross stands for the a) sky, b) water, c) purity.

6.The Welsh wore a) daffodils, b) shamrocks, c) leeks in their caps in battle with the Saxons.

7.Britannia is the personification of British a) imperialism, b) nationalism, c) cultural heritage.

8.John Bull was created by a) a journalist, b) a politician, c) a scientist.

9.Beefeaters are the guards at a) Buckingham Palace, b) the Tower of London, c) the Houses of Parliament.

10.A full English starts with a) kippers, b) sausages, c) eggs.

Task VI. Fill in the table.

Task VII. What are these words associated with?

A trident, a scarlet and gold dress uniform, breeches, the Trinity, a black umbrella, a riding kit, a fiery dragon, a kipper, a quick clout, “locals”, a picnicking family, a cuppa, a red breast, a hot buffet, a gold harp.

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Task VIII. What / Who is it?

The Union Flag, “Rule Britannia”, John Bull, “God Save the Queen”, a bobby, a buffetier, the Countess of Salisbury, the “Proms”, William Bowler, a patron saint, James Thompson, the Trinity, “God and my right”.

Task IX. Answer the questions.

1. What are the most important British symbols? 2. Is the Royal Coat of Arms used only by the British monarch? 3. How did the words “God and my right” become the motto of British monarchs? 4. What is the origin of the motto of the Order of the Garter? 5. What made St. George popular in England? 6. Why was the rose adopted as England‟s emblem? 7. What is the most famous story about St. David?

8. Why did the Welsh wear leeks in the caps? 9. How did St. Patrick use the shamrock in his sermons? 10. How is Britannia portrayed? 11. When was Britannia immortalised? How? 12. What is the connection between Uncle Sam and John

Bull? 13. What is the word “bobby” derived from? 14. Why was the bowler hat called like that? 15. Where can people play cricket? 16. Is drinking tea a social ritual in Britain? Why? 17. When do people eat a full English breakfast? Why? 18. What creates the so-called “atmosphere” in a pub? 19. What British features does the bulldog have? 20. How did the robin become the British national bird?

Task X. Prove that …

1. Each country in Britain is represented on the Union Flag and the official coat of arms. 2. Each country in Britain has its own patron saint. 3. There is a selection of things which spring to mind whenever one hears the word “British”. 4. Britannia is the personification of British nationalism. 5. John Bull struck a chord in the hearts of the British. 6. Cricket is a leisurely game. 7. A real pub can be found only in England.

Task XI. Work in pairs. Discuss with your partner and give examples of the connections between the national symbols and…

1) the history of Great Britain; 2) British monarchs; 3) the British character.

Task XII. Work in groups. Find out from your partners…

1) which symbols appeal to them most and why; 2) what other British symbols they know.

Task XIII. Project work.

Draw a table like the following:

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Make a list of British symbols. Arrange them in alphabetical order. For the list to contain all the ABC letters, find out additional information about British symbols. Try to find pictures of items chosen by you or draw them. Discuss the layout of your booklet. Finally, produce your A to Z.

Chapter II

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Britain has relatively few public holidays compared with other European countries. Generally, public holidays include bank holidays (holidays proclaimed by a king or queen) and common law holidays (they are not specified by law as bank holidays but have become customary holidays because all people observe them).

British bank holidays have been recognized since 1871. The name “bank holiday” comes from the time when banks were shut and so no trading could take place. Even though banks are still closed on these days many shops remain open. Because of this, anyone who works on bank holidays usually gets paid extra.

In England and Wales there are six bank holidays: New Year‟s Day, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday and Boxing Day. There are also two common law holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

In Scotland there are nine public holidays: New Year‟s Day, January 2, Good Friday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, St. Andrew‟s Day

(November 30), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

In Northern Ireland there are seven bank holidays: New Year‟s Day, St. Patrick‟s Day (March 17), Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday,

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Summer Bank Holiday and Boxing Day. There are also two common law holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day and a public holiday on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne or Orangemen‟s Day (July 12).

When public holidays in the Christmas and New Year period fall on Saturdays and Sundays, alternative week days are declared public holidays.

New Year’s Day

People welcome in the New Year on the night before. This is called New Year‟s Eve. In Scotland people celebrate it with a lively festival called Hogmanay.

A number of Scottish New Year‟s traditions are very old, but the custom of singing

“Auld Lang Syne” at midnight is a relatively new one. It has been practiced for only about 175 years. When the clock strikes twelve everybody stands in a circle, crosses their arms and links them with those who are on either side and merrily sings the rousing tune of Burns‟ poem. “For auld lang syne” means “in memory of past times”.

In Wales the back door is opened to release the Old Year at the first stroke of midnight. It is then locked up to “keep the luck in” and at the last stroke the New

Year is let in at the front door.

First-footing is another custom that is very popular in Scotland and northern England. The first young man to enter a house is known as the first-foot. He is believed to bring the New Year‟s Luck. He should have dark hair, eyes or complexion. A female first-foot is regarded with fear as women are considered to bring bad luck. The first-foot has a right to kiss the girl who answers the door. It is considered the height of merriment to have a crone come to the door instead of the expected bonnie lass.

The first-foot is required to carry four articles: a piece of coal to wish warmth, a piece of bread to wish food, a coin to wish wealth and some greenery to wish a long life. The visitor takes a pan of dust or ashes out of the house with him, thus signifying the departure of the old year.

The symbol of the incoming year is the New Year babe. Children born on

New Year‟s Day have been regarded as harbingers of years of good fortune for the whole household.

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Parties on New Year‟s Eve are usually for friends. Most people see in the

New Year with a group of other people. In London, many go to the traditional celebration in Trafalgar Square where there is an enormous Christmas tree which is an annual gift from the people of Norway.

St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick‟s Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by non-Irish people usually in Australia and North America. Celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish and the colour green. Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green or orange, eating Irish food and/or green foods, taking in Irish drink such as Guinness or Baileys Irish Cream and attending parades.

As well as being a celebration of Irish culture, St. Patrick‟s Day is a

Christian festival celebrated in the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and some other denominations. The day almost always falls in the season of Lent. Some bishops will grant an indult, or release, from the Friday no-meat observance when St. Patrick‟s Day falls on a Friday. When March 17 falls on a Sunday, church calendars move St. Patrick‟s Day to the following Monday and when the day falls during Holy Week (very rarely), the observance will be moved to the next available date or, exceptionally, before holy week.

Blue, not green, was the colour long-associated with St. Patrick. Green may have gained its prominence through the phrase “the wearing of the green” meaning to wear a shamrock on one‟s clothing. At many times in Irish history, to do so was seen as a sign of Irish nationalism or loyalty to the Roman Catholic faith. St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish. The wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a general feature of the holiday.

Easter

Easter is the oldest and the most important Christian festival, the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Holy Week is the week leading up to

Easter, commemorating events in the last days of Christ‟s life. The first day of

Holy Week is Palm Sunday. It marks the end of Lent and celebrates Jesus‟ arrival in Jerusalem. Holy Week also includes Maundy Thursday (the Last supper), Good Friday (the day on which Jesus was crucified), Holy Saturday (the Sabbath on

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which Jesus rested in the grave) and Easter Sunday (the day on which Jesus resurrected).

Easter usually comes in the month of April. It is what is called a “movable feast” because the date of it is fixed according to the moon. Easter is the first

Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox (March 21). If the full moon falls on a Sunday then Easter is the next Sunday. This means that Easter can fall as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.

Like most Christian festivals, Easter has its origins in pre-Christian times. Our ancestors believed that the sun died in winter and was born anew in spring. Different Gods were thanked for bringing the Earth back to life. The word Easter is thought to have derived from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre.

Good Friday

On this day, Christians remember the day when Jesus was crucified on a cross. The name may be derived from “God‟s Friday” in the same way that goodbye is derived from “God be with ye”. Many churches hold a special service, especially around 3 o‟clock as that is about the time when Jesus died. Churches are not decorated. In most of them, pictures and statues are covered over. Good Friday is seen as a time of mourning.

Hot cross buns with their combination of spicy, sweet and fruity flavours have long been an Easter tradition. The pastry cross on top of the buns symbolises and reminds Christians of the cross that Jesus was killed on. The buns were traditionally eaten at breakfast time, hot from the oven. Many Christians fast on this day.

At the London pub “The Widow‟s Son”, a Hot Cross Bun Ceremony takes place each Good Friday. In the early 19th century, a widow who lived on the site was expecting her sailor son back home for Easter, and placed a hot cross bun ready for him on Good Friday. The son never returned, but the widow left the bun waiting for him and added a new bun each year. Successive landlords have kept the tradition going after the pub was opened.

From the reign of Edward III to that of Mary Tudor, monarchs used to bless a plateful of gold and silver rings every Good Friday at the Chapel Royal by rubbing

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