Active Vocabulary List

Words

 

7. International Etiquette

A. No doubt it is essential to know the language of the country you are travelling to on business. However, except for the language businessmen should also know how to behave with their foreign business friends. Read about English customs and then write pieces of advice to your friend going to Britain on how to behave in that country.

Example: I advise you not to greet someone you don't know well by kissing.

• Kissing is not common as a form of greeting unless you know someone well. It is especially unusual between men, who usually

shake hands or just say "Hello" without touching. People usually kiss on one cheek only.

• Unless you know someone well, it is impolite to ask them how much they earn, or how much they paid for something.

• In shops and at bus stops, go to the back of the queue and wait. If you "jump the queue", other people will angrily tell you to wait your turn.

• Punctuality is important. If you arrange to meet someone, try not to be more than a few minutes late.

• On trains, especially underground trains, people tend to sit in silence and read. If you try to start a conversation with the person next to you, don't be surprised if you don't get much of a response.

B. In groups, think of the pieces of advice you would give foreign visitors planning to visit Belarus on how to behave in our country.

General Comprehension

What do you know about the United Kingdom? Read the text to find out more about the country.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. It consists of four parts: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The territory of the United Kingdom is about 244,000 square kilometres, it is the 75th place among other countries in the world. The population is over 56.5 million. About 80% of the population is urban. The capital of the country is London.

The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climate of Great Britain. It is mild the whole year round.

Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. It is known as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of iron and steel products, machinery and electronics, chemicals and textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. One of the chief industries of the country is shipbuilding.

Great Britain is a country with old cultural traditions and customs. The most famous educational centres are Oxford and Cambridge

Universities. They are considered to be the intellectual centres of Europe. The education is not free, it is very expensive.

The United Kingdom is a monarchy and the Queen is the head of the state. But in practice it is ruled by the elected government with the Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

There are three main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties.

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world (together with Tokyo and New York) and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million. London is situated on the river Thames. The city is very old. It has more than 20 centuries old history. Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other.

The City is the oldest part of London, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are concentrated here. Westminster is the aristocratic official part of London. It includes Buckingham Palace where the Queen lives and the Houses of Parliament. The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is a symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs, parks and houses are situated there. English aristocracy lives in this region. The East End is an industrial district of London. There are many factories and the port of London there. Recently, though, some parts of the East End have been subject to a number of urban regeneration projects.

Pronunciation

A. How are the underlined letters in these pairs of words
pronounced? Practise saying the words.

1) monarchy — chamber; 2) wealth — great; 3) financial — tity; 4) country — round; 5) lord — world; 6) luxury — include.

B. Cross out the letters in the words which are not pronounced.
Listen to the teacher and check your answers.

Equipment, Labour, whole, chief, beautiful, restaurant, parliament, isle, urban.

Word Study

A. Find international words in the text and write them out. Learn
their correct pronunciation.

B. Write out the proper names used in the text (mind the articles)
and transcribe them.

С Give Russian equivalents to the following word combinations:

the whole year round; a highly developed industrial country; iron and steel products; aircraft and navigation equipment; one of the chief industries; the head of the state; to be ruled by the elected government; to consist of two chambers; the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties; to be divided into several parts; a symbol of wealth and luxury; an industrial district.

D. Give English equivalents to the word combinations:

Объединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ир­ландии; Британские острова; территория занимает около 244.000 квадратных километров; течение Гольфстрим; влиять на климат Великобритании; машинное оборудование и электроника; хими­ческие препараты и текстильные изделия; древние культурные традиции и обычаи; образовательные центры; считаются интел­лектуальными центрами Европы; бесплатное образование; глава государства; палата лордов и палата общин; один из самых боль­ших городов в мире; сильно отличаться друг от друга; многочис­ленные банки; самая богатая и красивая часть Лондона.

E. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each sentence to
form a word that fits in the space in the same sentence.

1. Under the Conservative ... things were very different. GOVERN

2. I wouldn't buy a house there, the region is very ... populated. DENSE

3. Many ... businessmen contribute to political parties. WEALTH

4. Only about 20% of the people voted in the local government ... . ELECT

5. It is ... for the most important person to sit at the end of the table. CUSTOM

6. There are ... ways of solving the problem. VARY

7. Better health care and agriculture have led to rapid ... growth. POPULATE

 

 

F Compete the sentences according to the model (consult a dictionary).

Example: Englishmen live in England, they speak English.

1. ... in Scotland, .... 2. ... in Wales, ... . 3. ... in Ireland, ... .

4. ... in Sweden, ... . 5. ... in Norway, ... . 6. ... in Denmark, ... .
7. ... in Holland, ... . 8. ... in Spain, ... . 9. ... in the USA, ... .
10. ... in Switzerland, ....

Add three more sentences of your own.

Grammar Focus

A. Study the following speech patterns.

 

to influence sth
but
to have an influence on	sth

The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climateof Great Britain.

The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream have an influence on the climateof Great Britain.

consist	of (состоять	из)
consist in (заключаться в)

consist of(состоять из) consist in(заключаться в)

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists offour parts.

His job consisted insitting behind a little table outside the Minister's office.

B. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given.

1. The British Parliament is made up of the House of Lords and
the House of Commons.

consistsThe British Parliament ....

2. What helped you to make a decision? influencedWhat ....

3. My role was to stand and smile at people. consistedMy role ....

4. This has an effect on the agriculture. influence(n) This ... .

5. The beauty of London is largely connected with the style of its
ancient buildings.

consistsThe beauty of London ... .

6. Tougher environmental laws could have negative impacts on
economic growth.

influence(v) Tougher environmental laws could ....

7. Not only national armies determine national strength.
consistsNational strength ....

6. Diving Deeper

A. Finish the sentences.

1. The United Kingdom occupies ... .2. Most of the population .... 3. The Highlands are part of the country which ... .4. The Lowlands got this name because ... . 5. The climate of Great Britain is influen­ced ... . 6. Great Britain produces and exports ... . 7. The intellectual centres of Europe are ... . 8. Real power in the UK belongs to ... . 9. London, which ... . 10. The City is considered to be ... .

B. Think of 6 questions about the UK and its capital and write
them down. Ask your group-mates to answer the questions.

Speaking

You come from Britain. You have just arrived from your native country to Belarus where you meet Belarusian students. Tell them about your country. Answer their questions.

General Comprehension

Read the text and complete the chart with the missing information.