Great Britain

25. Great Britain

1. Let’s talk about Britain. What do you know about this country?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244,000 square kilometers.

 The UK is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. GB consists of England, Scotland and Wales and doesn't include Northern Ireland. The capital of the UK is London.

 The British Isles are separated from European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The western coast of GB is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

 The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The north of Scotland is mountainous and is called the Highlands, while the south, which has beautiful valleys and plains, is called the Lowlands.

 There are a lot of rivers in GB, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one.

 The weather in GB is very changeable. The English people say: "Other countries have a climate; in England we have weather." After they greet each other they start talking about the weather.

The United Kingdom is a monarchy and the Queen is the Head of State. But in practice it is ruled by the elected government with a Prime Minister. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Both Houses of Parliament hold debates in which Members of Parliament (MPs) discuss government policy, proposed legislation and current issues.

There are a lot of sights in Great Britain which are really worth seeing. People from different corners of our planet go there to see Stonehenge, a relic of ancient civilization, Loch Ness and its legendary monster, the royal residence (Buckingham Palace), and numerous castles. The cities and towns of GB – London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge and many others – are of great interest to foreigners. Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born, is now of the most popular tourist centres.

 2. Would you like to visit Britain? Why (not)?

Many people dream of travelling to different countries. Great Britain is one of the best places where people can go to.

I would like to visit Great Britain. There are many wonderful sights which are really worth seeing.

First of all, I would like to go to the park of entertainments in London. They say you can see the most distant corners of London from the London Eye. Secondly, I would like to go to the Loch Ness where the Loch Ness monster lives. Thirdly, I would like to visit Buckingham palace and to talk to Elizabeth II, the Queen of England.

I’ve heard a lot of things about Great Britain. I don’t know if they are true or not. I believe that to learn more about the country you should visit it.

3.  What would you ask a British teenager about national holidays in Britain?

1. What national holidays do you have in GB?
2. What is your favourite holiday?
3. Do you celebrate Guy Fawkes Day on the 5th of November or the 26^th of December?
4. The most popular holiday in GB is Christmas, isn’t it?

4. Give me a piece of advice on what sights to see in London.

There are a lot of places of interest in London. Among them there are: Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge, the Tower of London. But I advise you to visit the following sights.

The London Eye is a major feature of London's skyline. It is the world's highest observation wheel. Climb aboard for a breathtaking experience, with unforgettable views of more than 55 of London's most famous landmarks – all in just 30 minutes!

At Madame Tussaud’s, you'll come face-to-face with some of the world's most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Lady Gaga you'll meet influential figures from showbiz, sport, politics and even Royalty. Strike a pose with Usain Bolt, kiss Brad Pitt or receive a once-in-a-lifetime audience with Her Majesty the Queen.

You can also take a tour around the Tower of London, one of the world's most famous buildings. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace, prison and place of execution, arsenal, jewel house and zoo! Gaze up at the White Tower, tiptoe through a medieval king's bedchamber and marvel at the Crown Jewels.

5. Do the British differ greatly from Belarusian people in character? Why?

I think the British differ from Belarusian people. The English are believed to be very reserved, which means that they don't talk much to strangers, and don't show much emotion. A reserved person never tells you anything about himself. But we can tell everything about ourselves and our family to a stranger.

British people are famous for their habit of politeness; they keep their old traditions and are very proud of them. They are famous for their sense of humour. They like to drink tea with milk. But we don’t. They have their five-o'clock tea not only at home but in offices. Of course, there are some traditions that Belarusian people follow, but I think they differ somehow.