Матеріали до уроків з країнознавства(Англійська мова)

Exercise 1. Listen and read the text. Pay attention to the underlined words.

England 

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. The Irish Sea lies north west of England, whilst the Celtic Sea lies to the south west. The North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separate it from continental Europe. The country also includes over 100 smaller islands such as the Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Wight.

The area now called England was first inhabited by modern humans during the Upper Palaeolithic period, but it takes its name from the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries.

England's terrain mostly comprises low hills and plains. The former capital of England was Winchester until replaced by London in the 12th century.

There are many museums, parks, galleries in England. The most famous cities in England are: Oxford, Cambridge, Liverpool and Stratford -upon -Avon.

Probably the most famous British city after London, Oxford (pop. 135,000) is a small-scaled but immensely beautiful city. It is understandably inundated with tourists in summer. Oxford University is one of the world's most prestigious academic institutions (along with its local rival, Cambridge), and is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Oxford's economy is not limited to third-level education and tourism. Car manufacturing has been going on since 1912.

Cambridge (pop. 110,000) is the relaxed and beautiful county town of Cambridgeshire, and is England's most famous university town together with Oxford.

Oxford and Cambridge are sometimes referred to collectively as Oxbridge. Both Oxford and Cambridge are on rivers, Oxford is on the Thames which it is called the Isis on its way through the city and Cambridge is on the Cam. Punting is a traditional relaxation for students in both cities.

Once one of the greatest port in the world, Liverpool (pop. 441,000, with suburbs 1,362,000) is now the fourth largest conurbation in England (after London, Birmingham and nearby Manchester). The inhabitants of Liverpool are officially known as the "Liverpudlians", but more commonly known as "Scousers".

There are few interesting facts about England related to the Liverpool Cathedral, here they are:

The Liverpool cathedral is the newest cathedral of Britain. It was completed in 1978.

It stands to be the second longest church after St.Peter’s Basilica.

It is also the biggest cathedral of Britain.

Few English cities have such a unique character as Liverpool.

 It is best known to the world as the city from where The Beatles originated.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. It lies on the River Avon. The town is a popular tourist destination owing to its status as birthplace of the playwright and poet William Shakespeare, receiving about 4.9 million visitors a year from all over the world. Stratford is a delightful town which can easily be walked around and explored on foot or using the hop-on, hop-off bus service operated by the Shakespeare Trust, who manage the five Shakespeare Houses in and around Stratford.

Exercise 2.  Match the column A with B.

1. Liverpool                                                              a) is a market town
2. Oxford                                                                  b) is part of the UK
3. Stratford-upon-Avon                                            c) is on the Cam
4. Cambridge                                                            d) one of the greatest port
5. England                                                                 e) is a small-scaled city

Exercise 3.  Answer the questions.

1. Is England a part of the Wales?
2. What are the neighbors of England?
3. What was the former capital of England?
4. Are Oxford and Cambridge on the hills?
5. What is punting?
6. Where William Shakespeare was born?
7. Who originated in Liverpool?
8. How many Shakespeare Houses in and around Stratford?
9. What is the oldest university in the English-speaking world?
10. What do you know about the Liverpool Cathedral?

Exercise 4. Complete the sentences.

1. The area now called England was first inhabited by modern humans during …….  .
2. The former capital of England was……….  .
3. ……….one of the world's most prestigious academic institutions.
4. ………….are sometimes referred to collectively as Oxbridge.
5. The inhabitants of Liverpool are officially known as………..   .
6. …………is the newest cathedral of Britain.
7. It is best known…… as the city from where The Beatles originated.
8. Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and………..  .
9. ………..is a traditional relaxation for students.
10. The town is a popular tourist destination owing to its status as………. .

Exercise 5. Read and translate the text.

England places of interest

Hadrian’s Wall was built by the Romans to protect their colony Britannia from the tribes in Scotland. It stretches for 117 kilometers (73 miles) across the north of England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. Today only stretches of this famous wall are still visible.

Warwick Castle.Originally a wooden structure built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Warwick Castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. In 2001, Warwick Castle was named one of Britain’s “Top 10 historic houses and monuments” and is one of the top attractions in England.

Located in north west England in the county of Cumbria, the Lake District is the largest National Park in the country. The main attraction is the lakes and fells (mountains and hills) carved by glacial erosion and providing dramatic and inspiring scenery.

The Cotswolds refers to a range of gentle hills in south central England, the main range reaching 330 meters (1083 feet) in altitude at its highest point. The region is known for the stone-built villages, historical towns, and stately homes and gardens.

Durham Cathedral, in the city of Durham in northeast England is the greatest Norman building in England and perhaps even in Europe. It is cherished not only for its architecture but also for its incomparable setting. Durham Cathedral was voted England’s best-loved building.

One of the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe (alongside Cologne Cathedral in Germany), York Minster dominates the skyline of the ancient city of York. York Minster incorporates all the major stages of Gothic architectural development in England.

Located about an hour west of London, Windsor Castle is often called the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world. It is one of the official residences of Queen Elizabeth II who spends many weekends of the year at the castle, using it for both state and private entertaining.

One of top tourist attractions in England, Stonehenge is among the most important prehistoric sites in the world. It was produced by a culture that left no written records so many aspects of Stonehenge remain subject to debate.

Exercise 6. True or false.

1. Hadrian’s Wall was built by the Romans to protect their colony Britannia.
2. Warwick Castle was rebuilt in stone in the 15th century.
3. The Lake District is the largest National Park in the world.
4. The main attraction is the lakes and forests.
5. The Cotswolds refers to a range of gentle hills in south central England.
6. Durham Cathedral was voted England’s best-loved street.
7. York Minster incorporates all the major stages of Gothic architectural development in England.
8. Windsor Castle is often called the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world.
9. It is one of the official residences of Queen Elizabeth I.
10. Stonehenge is among the most important prehistoric sites in the world.

Exercise 7. Make up sentences.

1. 117 kilometers/ Hadrian’s Wall/ for/ stretches/ England/ the north/ of/ across.
2. “Top 10 historic houses and monuments”/ Warwick Castle/ Britain’s/ was named/of/one.
3. the skyline/ city/ dominates/ of/ York Minster/the/of/York/ ancient.
4. the most/ world/in/ Stonehenge/among/is/ sites/ important/ prehistoric/the.
5. Durham Cathedral/ architecture/not/but/for/ cherished/is/also/its/only/for/ setting/its/ incomparable.
6. historical towns/ the stone-built/ stately/and/ homes and gardens/ is known/the region/for.
7. of/are/still/ famous/today/wall/only/ visible/ stretches/this.
8. in the world/ largest/the/ the Lake District/is/ National Park.

Exercise 8. Look ,find and read.

-the shortest sentence;

-the longest sentence;

-the sentence with the word England;

- the sentence with the word some/any.

Exercise 9. You are going on a trip to England with your classmates. What places of interest would you like to visit?