3. Learn the key words and expressions.

boundary – граница

construct – строить

defend – защищать

expand– расширять

found– основывать

gradually– постепенно

intention– намерение

kingdom– королевство

network– сеть

origin ['PrIdZIn] – происхождение

trade – торговля

4. Check your comprehension.

1. What do you know about the Britain’s invaders? 2. What was their influence?

3. Why is it useful to know the history of any country?

TEXT 5

1. Read the following proper nouns correctly.

The United Kingdom [ju'naItId 'kINdqm] – Соединенное королевство

Great Britain ['greIt 'brItqn] – Великобритания

Northern Ireland ['nLDqn 'aIqlqnd] – Северная Ирландия

Scotland ['skOtlqnd] – Шотландия

Wales ['weIlz] – Уэльс

Edinburgh ['edInbqrq] – Эдинбург

Cardiff ['kRdIf] – Кардиф

Europe ['juqrqp] – Европа

The English Channel ['InglIS 'Cxnql] – пролив Ла-Манш

The Strait of Dover ['streIt qv 'douvq] – пролив Па-де-Кале

The Cheviot Hills ['CevIqt 'hIlz] – Чевиотские горы

The Pennine Chain [pq'nIn'CeIn] – Пенинские горы

LakeDistrict[leIk'dIstrIkt]– Озерный край (на севере Англии)

Midlands ['mIdlqndz] – Центральные графства Англии

The Severn ['sevWn] – река Северн

The Thames ['temz] – река Темза

The Clyde ['klaId] – река Клайд

Gulf Stream ['gAlf'strJm] – Гольфстрим

Lake District ['leIk'dIstrIkt]– Озерный край

2. Read and translate the text. Geographical position of Great Britain (1, 800)

When we speak of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland we actually speak about four countries united into one state: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. Each of these countries has its own language and government.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is situated on the British Isles lying to the north-west of the continent of Europe. The largest islands are Great Britain (comprising the mainlands of England, Wales and Scotland), and Ireland, (comprising Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic). The United Kingdom includes also more than 5 000 smaller islands. In the west the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east by the North Sea. Great Britain is separated from the continent by the English Channel and the Straight of Dover (32 km wide).

The surface of England and Ireland is rather flat while the highland area comprises Scotland and most of Wales. The Cheviot Hills running from east to west, separate England from Scotland. The Pennine Chain extends southward from the Cheviot Hills into the Midlands.

There are many rivers in Great Britain but they are not long. The longest river is the Severn, flowing along the border between England and Wales, south-west into the Irish Sea. The busiest and the most important river is the Thames. The chief river in Scotland is the Clyde. Many of the English and Scottish rivers are joined by canals, so that it’s possible to travel by water from one end of Great Britain to the other.

The UK has many beautiful lakes in Scotland and north-west England. Many Scottish valleys between the hills are filled with lakes, called lochs. The best known is Loch Ness where as some people think a large monster lives. The Lake District in the northern England with its lakes, mountains and valleys is a favourite holiday resort.

There are no great forests in Great Britain now. Historically, the most famous forest is Sherwood Forest, the home of Robin Hood. It is to the north of London.

The Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the climate of Great Britain, making it temperate and mild. Winters are not severe; the average temperature of January is 3-7°C. Summers are not very hot, 11-17°C in July. Rains all year round and thick fogs in autumn or in winter are the most typical features of the climate in Great Britain.