Great Britain

1. Let’s talk about Great Britain. What do you know about this country? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. It is surrounded by water on all sides: the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Irish Sea. It is separated from continental Europe by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. The largest islands are Great Britain and Ireland, but the country consists of more than 6000 islands.

The area of the country is 244,000 square kilometers. The population is over 57 million people. London is the capital of Great Britain. It stands on the river Thames. It is the most important river in the country, though the longest river is the Severn. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain.

The United Kingdom is divided into four historical parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

The climate of the country is mild with warm summers and rainy winters. The British say that they don’t have climate, only weather, meaning that the weather is very changeable.

The flag of Great Britain is known as the Union Jack. It consists of three white and red crosses, which symbolize the union of Scotland, England and Wales. 

2. Do you know anything about the political system of the United Kingdom? Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. The Queen, Elizabeth II reigns, but doesn’t rule. She is the symbolic head of state. The real power in the country rests with the Parliament.

The Parliament has two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The MPs in the House of Commons are elected. There are three important parties in the UK: the Conservative party, the Labour party and the Liberal party. The Conservative party has the majority in the Parliament and its leader David Cameron is the prime-minister. Members of the House of Lords are peers (people with titles) and bishops; they are not elected. Members of the Parliament discuss and pass new laws. The government runs the country.

3. Would you like to visit Britain and why? I would like to visit this country, because there are a lot of tourist attractions there. You can see the world-famous Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Queen, beautiful terraced houses, the noisy London, ancient castles, picturesque landscapes and the Scottish lakes – who knows, I might even see the famous monster Nessie! I have always wanted to taste the British tea and ride a double-decker!

4. What places of interest are worth seeing in Britain?

Great Britain has a long and heroic history and rich cultural heritage. It offers tourists hundreds of attractions, both modern and historical. Among them you will find Edinburgh Castle, the Highlands, Stonehenge, Cambridge, Oxford and the numerous monuments of London.

Stonehenge is probably the oldest and the most mysterious place in the United Kingdom. It dates back to 3000 B.C. Stonehenge was produced by a culture that left no written records and it is unknown why or how it was built. Archeologists believe it was used as a burial site or an observatory. One of the legends is even connected to Merlin and King Arthur. The stones were believed to heal people, that’s why Merlin used his magic and technology to bring them from Ireland.

Cambridge is the world-famous university town, Oxford’s main rival. But it is also a wonderful place to visit. The historical buildings of the school, ancient churches and traditional markets make it attractive to tourists. Another interesting trait is that you can go on a boat tour there and have a look at all the interesting places.

London is the capital of Great Britain and it is known for its tourist attractions, which include museums, monuments, theatres, churches, parks, palaces and so much more.

Recently Big Ben has become one of the most famous symbols of the UK. Usually this name is used to speak about the clock tower and the clock of the Houses of Parliament. But actually, “Big Ben” is the name of the bell. It is one of the oldest working clocks in Europe.

The most important and famous church in Britain is St. Paul’s Cathedral. This magnificent white structure was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. 

The Tower of London was used as a fortress, a royal palace, a prison and now it’s a museum.

The London Eye is the most famous modern landmark of the city. You can see all the attractions at once if you visit it.

Madam Tussaud’s Museum is known all over the world for its life-size figures of famous politicians, historical figures and celebrities.

Westminster Abbey is the place where most English kings and queens were crowned. Here you can also see the graves of many outstanding politicians, scientists, poets and writers.

In conclusion I’d like to say that British sites are unforgettable. London is one of the most beautiful European capitals. But this country is also famous for its hospitable and cheerful people. 

5. What questions would you ask a British teacher about the UK?