- •The uk and its Culture in Brief
- •5. What are the national symbols?
- •12. Who is the head of the country?
- •13. What is the system of government?
- •14. What are the main political parties?
- •15. When are elections held?
- •16. What are the major national Holidays?
- •17. What are the sights in the capital?
- •18. What is the national mass-media?
- •19. What is the system of education?
- •20. What is traditional food?
- •21. What kinds of sport are popular in the country?
- •22. Who are the famous people of the country?
- •23. What are the typical characteristics of the nation and its people?
- •24. What is national currency?
- •25. What system of weights and measures is used?
23. What are the typical characteristics of the nation and its people?
Britain is the country of traditions. The English have a serene sense of superiority, a deep sense of security and belief in their national successes.
The best-known quality of the English is reserve. They do not talk very much to strangers, do not show emotions. The other characteristic is English modesty.
The English surnames: Charles Baker (connected with a person’s job), e.g. Jack Long (connected with the size), Robin Williamson (with a family relationship: son of William).
The Welsh surnames: Geoffrey Jone (from Chisrian name John). Gary Pritchard (putting «p» at the beginning: from Richardson).
Irish surnames: O’Brien, Fitzwilliam, MacMahon, Kilmartin, Gilmurray (beginning with «O» – «from the family of», «Fitz», «Mac», «Kil», «Gil» – from «son of»).
24. What is national currency?
The currency of the UK is the pound sterling (symbol ₤, code GBP), commonly called the pound. It is subdivided into 100 pence (one – a penny). Sterling is the third- largest reserve currency after the US dollar and the euro.
25. What system of weights and measures is used?
The metric system is in official use withim the United Kingdom; however, use of imperial unit is widespread in many cases.
Sources
Harvey, Paul; Jones, Phodri. Britain Explored. – Longman, 2002. – 176 p.
Vaughan-Rees; Michael; Bystrom, Peter; Bateman, Steve. In Britain. – Chancerel International Publishers. Лицензионное издание: издательство «Титул», 1997. – 119 p.
О Британии вкратце. Книга для чтения на английском языке / Сост. В.В. Ощенкова, Ш. И. Шустилова. – М.: «Лист», 1997. – 224 с.