The first to mention British Isles was Pytheas, a Greek explorer who landed in Kent in the 4th century BC. The population of the Isles consisted then mainly of Celts and Britts.
Surveying the history of the British Isles we may notice a curious fact. Until comparatively recent years the development of the British nation was limited to England. The main reason for that is the favourable geographical position of this part of the country. It has plain relief, rich soils, and deep navigable rivers. That is why England historically became the nucleus of the United Kingdom, and London - its capital. On the other hand, Scotland and Wales, isolated from England by mountains, preserved most of their Celtic peculiarities. This and the independent and warlike spirit of their peoples were main reasons why the numerous invaders didn't even trouble to go any further into the country after the seizure of England.
The first to invade Britain was Julius Caesar himself. His troops landed in Dover in 55 ВС. He called the country “Albion” because of the majestic white cliffs lining the banks in that place. Staying in the United Kingdom you can still walk the roads paved by the Roman soldiers.
In the 5th century AD the Roman legions were called back, leaving behind a rather developed civilization. The country had practically no protection and was occupied by the migrating barbaric tribes (Anglo-Saxons).
From then on, the country remained split into different independent states and greatly suffered from the raids of Vikings until it was conquered for the last time in 1066. This time it was Norman Barons, led by William the Conqueror. It was really a turning point in the history of the country, for it became a strong and united feudal state.
In those days the basis of the UK proper was laid with the invasion of Ireland in 1170 and Wales in 1283. Scotland was the last to be joined only some 4 centuries later in 1707. So we may call the 11th-12th centuries the birthday of the nation.
It was in Great Britain, that the power of the kings was tampered with for the first time. When in 1649 Charles I was executed, bourgeoisie, in person of the cattle-breeding squires, got some official rights. The UK became a prosperous state in the field of its industry, trade and agriculture. Great Britain was the greatest colonial power of the world though in 1783 it had to recognize the independence of its greatest colony - the USA.
The beginning of the general crisis of capitalism witnessed the rapid fall of the Empire. The first colony of England - Ireland won its independence in 1921. However, its northern province, Ulster, still remains a part of the UK, its greatest problem and national disgrace. With the loss of India in 1947 and Suez Channel in 1956 the Empire was done with. At present, the range of the British influence is exercised mostly through the Commonwealth, the Queen of England is the head of.
NAMES:
Pytheas ['pITIqs] Питеас (Пифей), древнегреческий мореплаватель
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Kent Кент средневековое королевство, располагалось на территории Великобритании
Celts, Britts Кельты, Бритты
Julius Ceasar ['GHljqs 'sJzq] Юлий Цезарь (100-44 гг. до Н.Э. римский император, полководец)
Dover ['dquvq] Дувр (город)
Roman ['rqumqn] римский
AD = anno Domini лат. нашей эры
ВС = before Christ [kraIst] до нашей эры
Anglo-Saxons Англосаксы
Norman Barons ['bxrqnz] Нормандские Бароны
William the Conqueror ['kONkqrq'] Вильгельм Завоеватель
Charles I [CRlz] Карл I, английский король из династии Стюардов (казнен в ходе английской буржуазной революции 1649г.)
Ulster ['Alstq] Ольстер, провинция на севере Ирландии (в печати используется как синоним Северной Ирландии)
Suez Channel ['sHIz 'Cxnl] Суэцкий канал, проложен в Египте, соединяет Красное и Средиземное моря
Commonwealth ['kOmqnwFlT]Содружество (политическое и экономическое объединение, центром которого является Великобритания. Включает 49 независимых государств. В содружество входят также зависимые территории Великобритании, Австралии и Новой Зеландии.)
EXERCISES:
I. Read the words:
Pytheas ['pITIqs] nucleus ['njHklIqs]
Celts [kFlts] peculiarity [pIkjHlI'xrItI]
Gales [geIlz] numerous ['njHmqrqs]
curious ['kjuqrIqs] seizure ['sJZq']
favourable ['feIvqrqbl] Julius Caesar ['GHljqs 'sJzq]
relief [rI'lJf] legions ['lJGqnz]
navigable ['nxvIgqbl] civilization [sIvIlaI'zeISqn]
conquered ['kONkqd] feudal ['fjHdl]
invasion [In'veIZqn] bourgeoisie [buqZwR'zJ]
squires ['skwaIqz] crisis ['kraIsIs]
Suez ['sHIz]
II. Find in the right column the meaning of the words given in the left column.
1) nucleus a) осуществляется
2) majestic b) захватывать
3) call back c) объединенный
4) occupy d) ядро
5) conquer e) урегулировать
6) united f) позор
7) temper g) величественный
8) witness h) завоевывать, покорять
9) disgrace i) звать обратно
10) is exercised j) быть свидетелем
III. Find the sentences about:
1. the leading role of England in the development of the UK.
2. Roman invasion of Britain.
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3. Norman invasion of Britain.
4. the UK as a colonial power.
5. the fall of the British Empire.
IV. Complete the following sentences:
1. England became the nucleus of the UK because of...
2. The descendants of the native Celtic tribes inhabit in our days...
3. Julius Caesar invaded Britain in...
4. He called the country «Albion» because...
5. A strong feudal state was formed after...
6. In 1066...
7. In 1783...
8. In 1921...
9. In 1956...
10. Ulster is...
11. Nowadays Great Britain exercises its influence over its former colonies through...
V. Learn the following expressions from the text and use them in the sentences or situations of your own:
- the first to do smth.
- to be limited to smth.
- to trouble to do smth.
- it was in... that...
VI. Answer the questions:
1. What are integral parts of the UK?
2. What tribes inhabited the British Isles originally?
3. Why did England become the nucleus of the UK?
4. What centuries may be called the birthday of the British nation?
5. What nations influenced the development of English culture and character?
6. Enumerate the British invaders mentioned in the text in the order of their invasions.
7. When did the fall of the British Empire begin (finish)?
LONDON
London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economical and commercial centre. It is an ancient city; it grew up around the first point where Roman invaders found the Thames narrow enough to build a bridge. They found a small Celtic settlement then known as Londinium and by AD 300 they turned it into a separate port and an important trading centre. Nowadays it is the cradle of British traditions and culture.
Over 8 million people live in London. Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are quite different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs. It is said that in London one meets the past and the present, the old and the modern. It is a city of contrasts.
The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Baily. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work.
There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St. Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. The well-known architect of that day, he took part in rebuilding the city after the Great Fire of London in 1665. Sir Christopher Wren lies buried under the roof of his own great work. These words are written on his grave: “If you want to see his monument, look around”. Tourists are always greatly impressed by the Tower of London. It was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror for the purpose of protecting and controlling the city. It covers an area of 18 acres. The Tower has in the past been a fortress, a palace and a prison, and has housed the Royal Mint, the Public Records and (for a short time) the Royal Observatory. It was for centuries the arsenal for small arms and is still garrisoned; it also housed the Royal Menagerie (up to the nineteenth century). Now it is a museum.
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Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London. Westminster Abbey, an old beautiful chapel, has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned there. Many outstanding Englishmen are buried in Westminster Abbey: Newton, Darwin and others. The south side of the Abbey is called the Poet's Corner where famous British writers and poets lie: Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, and Thomas Hardy. Here, too, are memorials to Shakespeare, Bуron, Scott, Burns and Thackeray.
Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. It is a long building of about 1,000 feet* which stretches along the Thames’s North Bank. Big Ben, the famous clock, is in one of the Towers. It chimes the hours to the tune of Handel’s music.
The West End is the richest and the most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs and theatres are situated there.
Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson's victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson's Column stands in the middle of the square. On the north side of Trafalgar Square are the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum - the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures etc., and is famous for its library.
The East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are rather unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families.
NAMES:
the Thames [tFmz] Темза
the Bank of England Английский банк
the Stock Exchange ['stOk Iks'tSeInG] Лондонская фондовая биржа
the Old Bailey ['quld 'beIlI] центральный уголовный суд,
находящийся в Олд-Бейли
St. Paul’s Cathedral [sqnt 'pLlz kq'TJdrql] Собор Св. Павла (главный собор английской церкви)
Sir Christopher Wren [sW'krIstofq 'ren] Сэр Кристофер Рен
the Tower of London ['tauq'] Лондонский Тауэр
Julius Caesar ['GHlIqs 'sJzq] Юлий Цезарь
William the Conqueror ['wIljqm Dq 'kONkqrq] Вильгельм I – Вильгельм Завоеватель
Westminster Abbey ['wFstmInstq 'xbI] Вестминстерское аббатство
the Royal Mint ['rOIql] Королевский монетный двор
the Royal Observatory [qb'zWvqtrI] Королевская обсерватория
the Public Records ['pAblIk] Государственный архив
the Royal Menagerie [mI'nxGqrI] Королевский зверинец
Newton ['njHtn] Ньютон
Darwin ['dRwIn] Дарвин
Chaucer ['CLsq] Чосер
Dickens ['dIkIns] Диккенс
Tennyson ['tenIsn] Теннисон
Kiplig ['kIplIN] Киплинг
Thomas Hardy ['tOmqs 'hRdI] Томас Гарди
Shakespeare [SeIks'pIq] Шекспир
Byron ['baIrqn] Байрон
Scott [skOt] Скотт
Burns [bWns] Бернс
Thackeray ['TxkIrI] Теккерей
Handel ['hxndl] Гeндeль, немецкий органист, живший и работавший в Лондоне
Westminster Ра1асe ['westmInstq'pxlIs] Вестминстерский дворец
Trafalgar Square [trq'fxlgq 'skwFq] Трафальгарская площадь.
Сражение у мыса Трафальгар, около города Кадис (Испания), произошло во время войны Франции против третьей антифранцузской коалиции. Английский флот адмирала Г. Нельсона (который был убит в бою) разгромил франко-испанский флот адмирала П. Вильнёва, что обеспечило господство английского флота на море.
Nelson’s Column ['nelsnz 'kOlqm] колонна Нельсона
the National Gallery ['nxSqnl] Национальная галерея
the National Portrait Gallery ['pLtrIt] Национальная портретная галерея
the British Museum [mjH'zIqm] Британский музей
A.D.= Anno Domini (Lat.) ['xnqu 'dOmInI] Наша эра
EXERCISES:
I. Read the following words:
London architect church commercial
bury restaurant ancient tourist
Thames Conqueror Celtic acre
cradle observatory epoch arsenal
heart menagerie financial association
numerous crown cathedral chime
II. Using the material of the text correct the wrong statements, if any, begin your answers with these expressions:
That's right. Exactly so. Precisely so. I agree with it. I'm afraid that's not correct. Nothing of the kind. No, that's not right.
1) London grew up around a small roman settlement known as Londinium.
2) By A.D.300 London became an important port and trading centre.
3) Over 10 million people live in London.
4) Westminster is the heart of London.
5) The Stock Exchange is situated in the West End.
6) The City is the historic and governmental part of London.
7) Westminster Abbey is the greatest of English churches, situated across the Westminster Palace.
8) Many English kings and queens have been crowned in Westminster Palace.
9) Westminster Palace was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison.
10) The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
11) Big Вen is famous for its hour bell.
12) The East End is the richest and the most beautiful part of London.
13) Many famous British writers are buried at Poet's Corner in St. Paul's Cathedral.
14) Sir Christopher Wren was buried under the roof of the Tower of London.
15) Westminster Abbey is the seat of the British Parliament.
III. Complete the following sentences:
1) St. Paul's Cathedral is situated in... 2) London grew up... 3) Londinium was a... 4) The richest part of London is... 5) Many outstanding Englishmen are buried in... 6) The Nelson's Column Stands... 7) In the British Museum there are... 8) In the East End... 9) In the City you can see... 10) Big Ben is... 11) The Tower of London... 12) The geographical centre of London... 13) In London... are represented. 14)... is an old beautiful chapel. 15) The Tower housed...
IV. Use the Passive Voice in the following sentences:
1) London (был основан) around a small Celtic settlement - Londinium.
2) London (делится на) several parts.
3) Numerous banks, offices and firms (расположены) in the City.
4) St. Paul's Cathedral (был построен) bу Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century.
5) The Tower (был) a fortress, a royal Palace and a prison.
6) The south side of the Abbey (называется) the Poet's Corner.
7) The Houses of Parliament (расположены) across the Westminster Abbey.
8) The hours (отбиваются) tо the tune of Handel's music.
9) The tall Nelson's Column (установлена) in the middle of Trafalgar Square. (to settle - regular verb)
10) The priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures etc. (представлена) in the British Museum (to exhibit - regular verb)
V. Learn the following expressions from the text and use them in the sentences of your own:
- to seem to do smth.
- to be impressed (by)
- for the purpose of...
- to the tune (of)...
- to be named in memory of...
- to be famous for...
VI. Answer the questions:
1) What's the population of London nowadays?
2) Who was London founded by?
3) Name the parts of London?
4) What is the richest (business) part of London?
5) What is the geographical centre of London?
6) What is the famous building located in Westminster?
7) What is the City famous for?
8) Who was St. Paul's Cathedral built by?
9) Who founded the Tower of London? When was it rebuilt?
10) What is the governmental part of London?
11) What is the world-famous London clock bell?
12) What is the working district of London?
VII. See how many of these famous Englishmen and their works you know:
Isaac Newton ['aIzqk] (1642-1727) the famous English mathematician, astronomer and physicist. He formulated the main laws of the classical mechanics, the binomial theorem, discovered the light dispersion and the reflecting telescope. His greatest discovery is the law of gravitation.
Darwin, Charles Robert (1809-1882) - the English naturalist. Formulated the theory of Darwinism. The main work – “The origin of species”. He suggested the theory of the origin of man from an apelike ancestor ['xnsIstq].
Chaucer, Geoffrey (1345-1400) - the English poet, created one of the first literary monuments – “The Canterbury Tales” - «Кентерберийские рассказы», written in literary English.
Dickens, Charles (1812-1870) - the famous English writer known for his novels. “The Adventures of Oliver Twist” «Приключения Оливера Твиста», “Nicholas Nickleby” «Николас Никльби», “Dombey And Son” «Домби и сын», “David Copperfield” «Дэвид Копперфильд», “Bleak House” «Холодный дом», “Hard Times” «Тяжелые времена», “Little Dorrit” «Крошка Доррит» “Great Expectations” «Большие ожидания», “Our Mutual Friend” «Наш общий друг» and others.
Tennyson, Alfred (1809-1892) - the well-known English poet. Among his best works are the poems “The May Queen” «Королева мая», “The Princess” «Принцесса» and a series of poems “The Idylls of the King” «Королевские идилии».
Kipling, Rudyard ['rAdjqd] (1865-1936) - the English writer and the author of collected poems. Among his novels are “The Light that failed” «Свет погас», “Captains Courageous” «Могущественные капитаны», “Kim” «Ким», “The Jungle Вооk” «Книга Джунглей», “The Second Jungle Вооk” «Вторая Книга Джунглей».
Hardy, Thomas (1840-1928) the English writer, one of the prominent lyric poets of the XX century. He's known for his novels “Under the Greenwood Тгее” «Под деревом зеленым», “Tess of the d'Urbervilles» «Tecc из рода д’Эбервилей», “Jude the Obscure” «Джут Незаметный» and others.
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616) - the English dramatist and poet of the Late Renaissance. His world-famous works are: comedies – “The Taming of the Shrew” «Укрощение строптивой», Much Ado about Nothing” «Много шума из ничего», “Midsummer Night's Dream” «Сон в летнюю ночь», «As you like it” «Как вам это понравится», «The Merry Wives of Windsor” «Виндзорские насмешницы», and others; tragedies – “Romeo and Juliet” «Ромео и Джульетта», “Hamlet” «Гамлет», “Othello” «Отелло», “King Lear” «Король Лир», “Macbeth” «Макбет», “Julius Caesar” «Юлий Цезарь», “Antony and Сlеораtra” «Антоний и Клеопатра», “Coriolanus” «Кориолан» and others; dramas (plays) – “Winter's Tale” «3имняя сказка», “Cymbeline” «Цимбелин», “The Tempest” «Буря», the “Sonnets” «Сонеты».
Byron, George Gordon (1788-1824) - «immense, colossal poet» (Belinsky), famous for his poem “Childe Harold's Pilgrimage” «Паломничество Чайльд Гарольда» lyrical drama “Manfred” «Манфред», mystery play “Kain” «Каин», satirical poem “The Age of Bronze” «Бpонзовый век», satirical epic “Don Juan” «Дон Жуан» (not finished) and others.
Scott, Walter (1771-1832) the English writer, who stands “on the level with the greatest masters of all ages and all nations” (Belinsky). Among his greatest works are the novels: “The Antiquary” «Антикварий», “Old Mortality” «Пуритане», “Rob Roy” «Роб Рой», historical novels “Ivanhoe” «Айвенго», “Quentin Dorward” «Квентин Дорвард».
Burns, Robert (1759-1796) the well-known Scottish poet famous for numerous drinking-songs, ballads, legends, love lyrics.
Thackeray, William Makepeace (1811-1363) the English writer known for his novels: “Vanity Fair” «Ярмарка тщеславия», his masterpiece: “The Newcomes” «Ньюкомы», “The History of Henry Esmond” «История Генри Эсмонда», “The Virginians” «Виргинцы» and others.
VIII. Match the titles of the books with their authors:
1) David Kopperfield a) Kipling
2) Rob Roy b) Thackeray
3) Vanity Fair c) Shakespeare
4) The Merry Wives of Windsor d) Dickens
5) Don Juan e) Byron
6) The Jungle Book f) Scott
7) Macbeth
8) Ivanhoe
IX. Choose any passage from ex. VII and speak about this prominent Englishman. (in Russian)
X. Tell what you learned about the capital of Great Britain.
XI. Translate the following passages about prominent Englishmen in written form.
1. Michael Faraday (1791 - 1867) is considered to be the father of the electric motor. Among his most important works are the concept of the magnetic field and magnetic “lines of force», production of new kinds of optical glass, in electricity-researches on electrolysis and discovery of the rotation plane of polarized light* in a magnetic field. It was Michael Faraday, who produced the first mechanical motion by means of a permanent magnet and an electric current. It was he who discovered that when a wire carrying a current is placed in the field of a magnet, a mechanical force is exerted on the wire. This is the principle upon which the modern electric motor is based. During his life Faraday made more than two thousand experiments.
2. Newton (1643-1727) studied at Cambridge University, while still a student he formulated the binomial theorem*. His great discoveries were the law of decomposition of light and the law of universal gravitation. Here are the three main laws, discovered by this great scientist:
a) The first law of motion: “A body at rest or in motion will remain at rest or in motion unless some external force is applied to it”.
b) The second law: “When a body is accelerated, the magnitude of the force causing the acceleration is equal to the product of the mass of the body and the magnitude of the acceleration. The direction of the force is the same as that of the acceleration.
c) The third law: “To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”.
3. Inigo Jones* (1573-l652) was the first English architect to bring the Italian Renaissance style to Great Britain. The style he built in was pure Italian with as few modifications as possible. His buildings were very un-English in character, with regularly spaced columns along the front. His two most revolutionary designs were the Banqueting House* in Whitehall and the Queen's House at Greenwich*. The plan of the latter, completely symmetrical, with its strict classical details and the principal rooms on the first floor, influenced architecture in Britain. All those who followed Inigo Jones had to adapt this new foreign Building technique to English ways and English craftsmen.
XII. Read the following texts and retell them (in Russian).