I. Fill in the blanks with the correct words.

1. The local Parliament in Northern Ireland was ___for the province's home affairs.

2. There are many stories about the ___Causeway in Northern Ireland.

3. In Ireland the___, telephone kiosks and buses are not red as in Britain.

4. Today Northern Ireland is ___ great ___ to attract new industries and capital from abroad.

5. The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, has a great ___ harbour for its sea-trade.

6. If you visit Belfast you will see the results of the ___ between the two communities, the Protestants and Catholics.

7. Belfast has a castle with an interesting collection of___.

8. The famous wall around Londonderry ___ several ___of which most famous was the one of 1688-89.

9. There is a game in Britain when you are to ___ the correct word, and some say it is connected with a tragedy which took place in Northern Ireland.

10. There is a story according to which the Isle of Man appeared because a huge piece of earth was thrown into the Irish Sea by a___.

II. Complete the sentences with the best answer (a, b or c).

1. The political division of Ireland was to a great degree

a) the result of economic differences between the north and the south of the island.

b) the result of religious differences when in the north of Ireland the Protestants were in majority.

c) caused by geographical factors.

2. Northern Ireland is making great efforts to attract a lot of tourists

a) because the countryside is beautiful and it is not overpopulated.

b) and taxes here are quite low as compared to Britain.

c) because the climate is good and the seas are very warm in summer.

3. Belfast is the main seaport of Northern Ireland because

a) it is a first-class port which has a great artificial harbour and about 10 kilometres of quays.

b) there are no other seaports in the country.

c) it is close to Britain.

4. Today many farmers in Ireland will never cut down a thorn tree, even if it is in the middle of their field because

a) it brings a lot of fruit in the autumn.

b) according to Irish tradition it will make the fairies angry and bring you bad luck.

c) it attracts many birds who eat the bad insects and save the corn

5. The Giant's Causeway is the most famous place of interest in North­ern Ireland

a) because of the mass of stone columns leading from the cliff foot and disappearing under the sea.

b) due to the great number of birds that fly to this place in winter.

c) because of the big park with large old trees in it.

6. According to one story the causeway

a) was built by the Giant Finn McCool.

b) was built by an ancient people who wanted to connect Ireland and Britain.

c) was formed by the sea which brought a lot of sand to the shore.

7. In Londonderry the ceremony of closing the gates takes place even year which

a) is connected with the siege of the town in 1688-89.

b) symbolizes the independence of the town from British rule.

c) is connected with the tradition of closing the gates of the town for the night from the Middle Ages.