Матеріали до уроків з країнознавства(Англійська мова)

Exercise 1.  Read and translate the text. Pay attention to the underlined words.

Wales 

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It had a population in 2011 of 3,063,456 and has a total area of 20,779 km2. Wales has over 1,200 km of coastline and is largely mountainous, including Snowdon, its highest summit. Two-thirds of the population live in south Wales, mainly in and around Cardiff (the capital), Swansea and Newport, and in the nearby valleys. There are two official languages in Wales: Welsh and English. From the late 19th century onwards, Wales acquired its popular image as the "land of song". A popular musical instrument is a harp. The Welsh are crazy about rugby. It’s their national sport. Among the best-known Welsh characteristics are romanticism and the love of poetry and music.

Welsh people like organize different festivals. And there are lot of traditions in Wales.

Toffee Evening/Taffy. While staying up to wait for Plygain, on Christmas Eve families made Toffee or ‘Taffy’. This special kind of toffee was boiled up in pans and ‘pulled’ while it was still warm.

An old tradition in Wales was Plygain - singing from 3-6am on Christmas Day. In the early hours of Christmas morning, men gathered in the rural churches to sing. They would sing mainly unaccompanied, three or four part harmony carols in a service that went on for three hours or so.

The Mari Lwyd (the Grey Mare) is a pre-Christian tradition said to bring good luck.

People made a horse figure from a horse’s skull, with decorative ears and eyes attached.

Calennig means New Year celebration/gift. The giving of gifts on New Year's Day is an ancient custom. On New Year’s eve there are Calennig celebrations in Cardiff, with a funfare and free live music.

The giving and receiving of lovespoons between lovers, friends and family is a Welsh custom that dates back to the 17th century. A lovespoon is usually decorated with certain symbols, with each symbol having certain significance and meaning.

Exercise 2.  True or false.

1. Wales is a country that is not part of the United Kingdom.
2. Snowdon is the smallest summit.
3. Cardiff is the capital of Wales.
4. There are three official languages in Wales.
5. Wales acquired its popular image as the "land of song".
6. The national sport of Welsh is tennis.
7. On Christmas Eve families made Toffee or ‘Taffy’.
8. The Mari Lwyd is a pre-Christian tradition said to bring sadness.
9. Calennig means New Year celebration/gift.
10. A lovespoon is usually decorated with certain symbols.

Exercise 3. Tick the correct box.

Scotland                                                                        Wales

1. People of this country like singing and hold a lot of musician festivals.
2. An international festival of musicians, poets and actors takes place in the capital of this country every year.
3. The most famous lake has the name of Lock Ness.
4. Holiday makers love the beautiful beaches of this country.
5. One of the most popular musical instruments in this country is the harp.
6. People believe that a monster lives at the bottom of the lake.
7. The national sport of the people of this country is rugby.

Exercise 4.  Fill in the table and make up sentences.

Exercise 5. Read and translate the text. Pay attention to the underlined words.

Places of interest in Wales

The Wales Coast Path passes the front door of Penmon Priory. It’s a magical spot; the atmosphere steeped in centuries of devotion. The problem is leaving behind the Unesco-listed postcard-perfect castle at Beaumaris.

You tread in the footsteps of poets and pilgrims on this circuit. The latter continued on this beautiful cliff walk towards Bardsey Island.

So impressive is Harlech castle they wrote a song about it, ‘Men of Harlech’, and Unesco put it on the World Heritage list.

So scenic is this coast most walkers overlook its industrial heritage. Yet the listed brick hoppers at Porthgain tell of when the harbour flourished exporting stone for road-building in the early 1900s – Porthgain means ‘Chisel Port’ – and Abereiddy’s famous Blue Lagoon is a former slate quarry.

No one knows exactly when St Govan’s Chapel was built. At least 1,000 years ago. Maybe 1400. Nor is anyone sure about its steps; legend says their number changes when you walk up and down.

Sir Rice Mansel was onto Gower long before it was declared Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He built his 16th-century manor to take advantage of the finest view in Oxwich.

A mini-pilgrimage to honour our patron saint. Start at St Non’s medieval chapel, said to be St David’s birthplace. The best is saved till last – a return via the 12-century cathedral of Britain’s smallest city.

Exercise 6. Match column A with column B.

1. Beaumaris castle                                            a) on the World Heritage list

2. Bardsey Island                                               b) it’s a magical spot

3. Harlech castle                                                c) St. David’s birthplace

4. St Govan’s Chapel                                         d) was built in 16^th century

5. Oxwich                                                           e) beautiful cliff

6. St Non’s chapel                                              f) nor is anyone sure about its steps

Exercise 7. Complete the sentences.

1. No one knows exactly … was built.
2. … passes the front door of Penmon Priory.
3. You tread in the footsteps of … on this circuit.
4. Start at St Non’s medieval chapel…
5. So impressive is Harlech castle they wrote a song about it…
6. … and Abereiddy’s famous Blue Lagoon is a former slate quarry.
7. Sir Rice Mansel was onto… Outstanding Natural Beauty.
8. The best is saved till last…

Exercise 8. Answer the questions.

1. Where is Wales situated?
2. What is the capital of Wales?
3. What is a popular musical instrument in Wales?
4. What are the best-known Welsh characteristics?
5. What do you know about Toffee?
6. Is the Gray Mare a pre- Christian tradition?
7. What is Calennig mean?
8. What do you know about lovespoons?
9. What places of interest in Wales do you know?

Exercise 9.  Make questions from the following words.

1. last/do/weekend/what/you/did
2. you/did/it/enjoy
3. did/where/summer/for/you/go/your/holidays
4. you/did/when/come/back
5. have/holiday/good/did/a/you

Exercise 10. Imagine you have been to Wales. Write a letter about your impressions.