Text 1 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 457.

Unit 1

The British Isles is a geographical term refers to the great number of islands that surround and include Great Britain and Ireland.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a political term and the nation's official name. Most people call the country the United Kingdom, the UK, Great Britain, or simply Britain. The United Kingdom is really four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland or Ulster. Many years ago these were separate countries, each with its own language and government, but now they are united and English is spoken everywhere. Each country of the United Kingdom is divided into counties:

England: 46 counties. Capital: London.

Scotland: 33 counties. Capital: Edinburgh.

Wales: 13 counties. Capital: Cardiff.

Northern Ireland or Ulster: 6 counties. Capital: Belfast.

Great Britain is the largest island in Europe. It is in the north-west of Europe and is separated from the Continent by the North Sea, the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. This narrow stretch of water (at its narrowest part – only twenty-one miles across) has helped to shape the character and history of the British people. It has helped to protect GB from invasions, and has given the people a feeling of security. Since 1066 no enemy has crossed the channel and invaded the country. Between Great Britain and Ireland lies the Irish Sea. The smaller islands of the British Isles are the Isle of Wight (England), Anglesey (Wales) and the island groups of the Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetlands (Scotland).

The most famous English river is the Thames. The Severn is the longest river in the United Kingdom. It is 240 miles long. Other important rivers are the Trent, Mersey, Tyne, Tees, Firth and Clyde.

Lakes can be found in the north of England (Lake District), in Scotland and in Ulster. The most beautiful lakes are Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine in Scotland. The most famous lakes of the Lake District are Windermere and Derwentwater.

British mountains are low; the highest in Scotland, is Ben Nevis (4,406ft/1,343m) followed by Snowdon in Wales (1084m).

Complete with prepositions and adverbs:

a) England is made … 46 counties.

b) Great Britain is separated … France … the English Channel.

c) The name British Isles, refers … a great number of islands.

d) Ben Nevis is low compared … Mont Blanc.

e) Scotland is … the north … Great Britain.

f) In the past, England, Scotland and Wales were countries … different languages.

Fill in the missing words:

a) Great Britain is the largest island of the ...Isles.

b) England is a country in the south of Great Britain. Wales is in the ... and Scotland is in the... .

c) The English Channel separates Great Britain from ... .

d) The capital of England is London, the capital of Scotland is ...and the capital of ... is Cardiff.

e) Ulster is in the north-eastern part of... .

f) The Thames flows... London.

g) Ben Nevis, which is 4,406 ft high, is in ... .