In 1544 under Henry VIII and the British monarch was proclaimed – Head of the Church.

All in all, The official religion of England is Christianity, as practised by the Church of England (Anglican). The

Church in Wales is also Anglican. In Scotland the official Church is the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The

Queen (the British Monarch) is 'Supreme Governor of the Church of England'.

Other Christians in each country also include the Roman Catholics and the Methodists.

Although religious faith in Britain is predominantly Christian, most of the world’s religions are also practiced.

There are large Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities, and also smaller communities of Buddhists,

Jains, and Zoroastrians, as well as followers of new religious movements.

12. What branches of science and technology is Britain famous for?

The sector of science and technology in Britain includes various fields, be it space science or information

technology. Commendable work has been done in the field of life sciences and biotechnology and also energy

and environment. British space science has made progress into the different research aspects and projects

relating to space science. Renowned space science institutes and research centers are located in Britain. The

British National Space Center or the BNSC is a major organization which undertakes several projects to explore

science.

Britain Life Sciences and Biotechnology sector has acquired the highest position in Europe and ranks second

in the world after US. Progress in life sciences and biotechnology in Britain has helped the pharmaceutical

industry to discover cures for a number of diseases. It has also helped research in the fields of genomics, stem

cell biology and development of new technologies in health care, food safety, plant and livestock breeding and

bioprocessing.

Britain energy and environment management include aspects like conservation of energy, efficient carbon

management strategy and reduction of waste of energy. Numerous institutes and research centers are

engaged in increasing public awareness about the current issues of energy and environment in Britain.

All in all, radical development in Britain science and technology sector has revolutionized the lives of a number

of people.

13. What great discoveries did Britain contribute to science? What British scientists and inventors

do you know?

Many scientific advances would never have been made without the use of a computer. Thus, the

invention of the electronic computer was among the most significant achievements of the 20th

century. One of the first analog computers was designed by the Scottish physicist Lord Kelvin in the

late 1800s. However, this type of computer, which uses mechanical or electrical devices to represent

the numbers being manipulated, was not built until 1930. The analog computer was superseded by

the digital computer, which functions much more rapidly. Soon scientists realized that they needed

better ways to store data in a memory, and they created microprocessors. They also improved

computer speeds and invented stored programs.

1814 - George Stephenson designs the first steam locomotive. A little bit later Stephenson and

William Losh, who owned an ironworks in Newcastle patented a method of making cast iron rails.

1814 - The first plastic surgery is performed in England.

1851 - Isaac Singer invents a sewing machine.

1718 – James Parkl created a machine-gun.

1827 – John Wallker invented a match.

1916 – William Tritton created a tank.

1957 – Yan Donald found an ultrasound.

1998 – Mad Dog 2 was created. This is an automobile on solar batteries.

Scottish Professor Yan Williut and his collegues outraged all the people in the world in 1997 in

February by cloning the sheep Dolly. It was the first time the cloned animal (Dolly) was born as a

result of the bank mamma nucleus of fullgrown sheep use. This experiment had a sugnificant defect.

There was a very low coefficient of survival (about 0,36%). But it showed the real opportunities of the

cloning.

Edison

Kelvin

Braille

14. What export items do Britain’s engineering industries produce?

Metal production, mineral production, mechanical engineering, electronic engineering

(Vertu, Dell, Scarlett), food&drink (Davidoff), tobacco (Dunhill)

Britain is the world’s second largest exporter of services, including banking, insurance, stockbroking,

consultancy and computer programming.

15. Why Britain is one of the largest trading nations?

During the 16th and 17th centuries, Great Britain became one of the world's foremost trading nations. The

kingdom established colonies in India, Asia, the Caribbean, and North America. These colonies supplied

raw materials to Great Britain, which then turned those resources into manufactured goods. These goods

were then exported to markets in the colonies and around the world. As a result of this trading system, the

United Kingdom was one of the first nations in the world to undergo an industrial revolution (a period of rapid

industrial growth and a corresponding decline in agriculture). By the 1800s, the British industrial sector was

the largest in the world.

Today the robustness of the British economy has led to considerable foreign investment and prompted many

foreign companies to relocate to the kingdom. It has also led a number of large multinational companies to

merge with or acquire British companies.

Also international markets for tea, rubber and metals and worldwide financial companies are situated in GB.

16. What do you know about London’s history? What historical and geographical circumstances

have made London one of the most important commercial and cultural centres of the country and

the whole world?

London is the capital of England and the whole of the UK. The history of London began about the year of 43AD

when the Romans conquered the Celtic Village LLyn-din on the river Thames and founded a military station

there. They called their new settlement Londinium. The sight was chosen because:

1. it was an important crossing point over the river Thames

2. it was close to the sea and the continent (communication with Europe)

3. the climate is mild

Londinium soon became a trading centre and a very prosperous and extensive settlement. A rebellion lead by

Queen Boadicea caused Londinum to be burnt in 61 AD. But it was soon reconstructed. In about 200 AD the

Romans built walls as defense, remains of which can be still seen near the museum of London and the Tower.

The decline began in 410 when the Romans were withdrawn from England. The town fell into ruins. During the

Dark Ages it remained an important trading centre and in 604 it was given a Cathedral St Paul’s but it was still

a province settlement.

A great Urban expansion began in 1042 by Edward “the confessor” who ordered the building of

Westminster Abey where all his successors were to be crowned.

During the Norman conquest the town-building continued, specially the Western Area ( City)

William “the conqueror” constructed a powerful fortress, The white tower that is now part of the Tower of

London. In 1348 London’s prosperity suffered a severe blow when plague fell upon the city. London still

remained a medieval city confined within the Roman Walls. Henry VIII is considered by many historians to be

the true founder of Modern London. After the reformation he distributed great deal of land and property as

gifts to his favorites and supporters. Thus London began to expand beyond the City and Westminster. Many

Catholic Religious buildings were converted into refuges, orphanages, prisons.

The work continued during the Elizabeth’s rein and by the early 17th century London was composed

of 3 distinct parts: The Old City, Westminster, and Southwalk, which was built on land, confiscated from the

Church.

It was the era of the Renaissance.

The Globe, one of the most celebrated theatres was built. The squares developed in the 17th century. The

city’s new section had a regular strict plan, unlike in the Old City, building echoing the styles of Renaissance

Italy.

In 1665 there was a terrible plague in London. Many people left the city and escaped to the villages, to

the countryside.

In 1666 the Great Fire destroyed much of the city, burning about 50000 houses. The Great fire of

London proved to be a remarkable opportunity for architect Sit Christopher Wren who was responsible for

reconstructing London. He immediately began planning a very different city with airy spacious squares and

broad avenues. He was commissioned to rebuild 51 churches.

John Nash is linked with the design of the buildings in the city-centre. Buckingham Palace , The

National Gallery, The British Museum, Trafalgar Square. So, London quickly recovered from all the calamities.

Sir Hans Sloane founded the British museum in 1759.

In 1840 the present Parliamentary building was built and in rapid succession came the construction of

the Great Parks.

Although, people remained to live in the re-built city, there were never again so many Londoners living

in the city-centre.

The London of Queen Victoria is described by Charles Dickens. Poor conditions in the workhouses,

prisons.

Later the factories an workshops were removed to peripheral areas. London in the early 20th century

was home to a number of great literary and cultural figures, including Aliet.

Nowadays, London is a large dynamic city with many different areas.

City: is the heart of London. It’s a commercial and business part of England. Banks are situated here.

Westminster: another central and important part of London. Most governmental buildings are situated there,

including Westminster Palace (Houses of Parliament).

The West end: the richest and the most beautiful part of London. Theatres, buildings, museums, shops are

situated here.

East End: the poorest part of London. Traditionally, someone born in the EE is known as Cockney, although the

name is now given to any one who speaks like a Londoner.

These 4 parts can be further divided into parts like Scotland Yard, Soho, Chelsea, Bloomsbury, Greenwich and

so on…

17. When and why was the Tower of London built? What is the Tower now?

By the end of the Anglo-Saxon period London had become the most powerful city in England. When William

of Normandy defeated King Harold II at Hastings in 1066 one of his first priorities was to secure London

(to safeguard against the fickleness of the huge and fierce population, for he saw that his first task was to

bring the Londoners completely to heel). After receiving the submission of the English magnates at Little

Berkhampstead, William sent an advance guard into London to construct a castle and prepare for his triumphal

entry.

The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was

a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite.

Today the Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. It is cared for by the

charity Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a World Heritage Site. You can see there the Beefeaters, the

Queen's House, The Jewel House (the home of the most valuable collection of jewels in the world, the Crown

Jewels).

18. What museums are the most famous and important in London?

British Museum

Over seven millions objects from all over the world are housed in this impressive museum of human history

and culture (many of the artifacts are stored underneath the museum due to lack of space). Founded in 1753,

the British Museum displays ranging from prehistoric to modern times were primarily based on the collections

of physician and scientist, Sir Hans Sloane. Notable objects include the Parthenon Marbles, the Rosetta Stone,

sculptures from the Parthenon, the Sutton Hoo and Mildenhall treasures, and the Portland Vase.

Victoria and Albert (V & A) Museum

With over 145 galleries to explore and over 4 million items, the V & A is one of the most influential museums

of decorative and applied arts in the world. It was originally founded in 1852, with the aim of enthusing and

educating British manufacturers and designers. It is now home to a stunning collection of European, Indian,

Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Islamic artefacts ranging from ceramics, glass, metalwork and sculpture to

costume, armour, weaponry and furniture. The gallery also houses the national collection of photography.

Visitors can delve into the fascinating dress collection that features samples from historical dress to 21st

century haute-couture.

The Museum of London

The Museum of London documents the history of London from the Prehistoric to the present day. over 1.1

million objects - many rescued from archaeological digs or discovered during building works in The City. You

can see the skulls of those thought to have been massacred by Queen Boudica, boots worn by the Duke of

Wellington, Queen Victoria's parliamentary robes. Fragments of the Roman London Wall can be seen just

outside the museum.

Imperial War Museum

Occupying the former Bethlehem Hospital for the Insane ('Bedlam'), the Imperial War Museum is the national

museum of 20th century conflict. Founded in 1917, the museum not only contains a fascinating display of the

vehicles and weapons of war, but also makes an in-depth study of the social effects of conflict.

Science Museum

Home to one of the world's most magnificent collections of science, industry, technology and medicine, the

Science Museum is one of London's most interactive museums. Funded by the profits of the Great Exhibition

of 1851 it started life in the 19th century as part of Prince Albert's grand scheme to promote industrial

technology.

Visitors are invited to learn about forces and motion in Launch Pad and discover how aircraft are built in the

Flight gallery. The Wellcome Wing allows visitors to morph their faces to look older or younger, manipulate

their voices and create digital music, or be sucked into the 3D world of the stunning IMAX cinema.

19. What are other most popular attractions in London?

Westminster Abbey

Built by Edward the Confessor, this beautiful Gothic building has been the place of coronation of every king and

queen since William the Conqueror in 1066. Many British monarchs, writers, poets, musicians and scientists

are buried there. There is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Poets and prose writers buried in Poet’s corner :

William Blake, Robert Burns, Lord Byron, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, John Keats

St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral was built after the Great Fire of 1666 by Sir Christopher Wren, a brilliant mathematician

and engineer, who designed many famous buildings in London. The Cathedral is a 110 metres high and you

can climb the 627 steps up to the dome. Inside the dome is the Whispering Gallery. It gets its name because,

as with any dome, a whisper against its wall at any point is audible to a listener with an ear held to the wall at

any other point around the gallery. A low murmur is equally audible.

the London Eye is a feat of modern engineering, It is the tallest observation wheel in the world (135 metres),

allowing you to see one of the world's most exciting cities from a completely new perspective.

London Dungeon is a museum, which shows the most chilling periods in British history. The opening exhibit

gives a taste of what's to come. You'll find out what would happen if you stole a piece of bread to feed your

hungry children (you could be hanged) or spoke against the king (you could lose your tongue with the help of

one of the torture instruments displayed here). if you didn't rot in prison with the rats, you might catch the

plague and die. The exhibits also include Jack the Ripper's London (probably the most shocking of all), The

Great fire of London and the Torture Chamber of course.

Buckingham Palace – official residence of the Queen

When the Queen is on holiday in the summer the Palace is open to the public. You can visit the Grand Hall,

the State Dining Room, the Music Room and the Silk Tapestry room. You can also visit the Throne Room.

Tourists always gather at Buckingham Palace at 10.30 a.m. to see the ceremony of the Changing of the Guard.

Hyde Park is famous for it's Speaker's Corner, where anyone can stand on a box and shout out their opinions

into the crowd.

20. What is ‘a reading’ in Parliament?

reading - occasion when a bill (=new law) is read to Parliament in the UK and discussed before it can become

law

The procedure is the following: a proposed law ("a bill") has to go through three stages in order to become

an act of parliament, these are called "readings". The first reading is a formality and is simply the publication

of the proposal. The second reading involves debate on the principles of the bill, it is examination by

parliamentary committy. And the third reading is a report stage, when the work of the committy is reported on

to the house. This is usually the most important stage in the process. When the bill passes through the House

of Commons, it is sent to the House of Lords for discussion, when the Lords agree it, the bill is taken to the

Queen for royal assent, when the Queen sings the bill, it becomes act of the Parliament and the Law of the

Land.