GENERAL

GEOGRAPHY OF THE
UK & THE U.S.

STUDENT’S BOOK
Originally compiled by members of the Division of Language
Skill II, Vietnam National University, College of Foreign
Languages, August – 2006

This Edition Compiled & Edited by

Lý Thị Hoàng Mến
 UNIT1: A FIRST LOOK AT THE UNITED KINGDOM
1. Great Britain
Great Britain is the official name given to the two kingdoms of England and Scotland,
and the principality of Wales. It also includes the small adjacent islands (Outer Hebrides,
northwest of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Islands, northeast of Scotland, Mull and Islay
islands southwest of Scotland, the Isle of Wight, south of England) except for the Channel
Islands and the Isle of Man. Sometimes people use the shortened term ‘Britain’ instead of
“Great Britain”. The term ‘England’ should never be used to describe Britain, because
England is only one part of it.

2. United Kingdom
Together with the province of Northern Ireland, Great Britain is part of the United
Kingdom (UK). The official name of the UK is “the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland”. The UK is a member of the European Union (EU). ‘Britain’ is sometimes
used to mean the United Kingdom whereas ‘Great Britain’, properly used, refers only to the
island of Great Britain, which does not include Northern Ireland.

3. The British Isles

Great Britain and other islands off the northwest coast of Europe are part of a group of
islands called the British Isles. The British Isles consists of: Great Britain (England, Scotland
and Wales), the whole of Ireland, the Orkney and Shetland Islands, The Isle of Man, The
Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Wight, Scilly Islands, Lundy Island, the Channel Islands,
and many other offshore islands.

In the British Isles, Great Britain is the largest island; it is also the largest island in all
of Europe. The next largest island is Ireland, which is made up of the province of Northern
Ireland (or Ulster), a part of the UK, and the Irish Republic (also known as Eire), an
independent country.

4. The British Commonwealth of Nations

The British Commonwealth of Nations is the former name of the Commonwealth of
Nations, an association of nations consisting of the United Kingdom and its dependencies and
many former British colonies that are now sovereign states but owe allegiance to the British
Crown. The Commonwealth nations do not act as a bloc in world affairs but share a common
commitment to promoting human rights, democracy, and economic development.

To understand the formation of the Commonwealth, it is necessary to know that at one

time, the UK controlled a vast (very large) empire from the late 1500s to the middle of the
20th Century. At its height in the early 1900s, the British Empire included over 20 percent of
the world’s land area and more than 400 million people. Almost all members of the
Commonwealth were once ruled by Britain as part of the British Empire. Some of them, such
as Australia and Canada, were largely settled by British people. Others, such as India and
Nigeria, were areas where British administrators governed a large non-British population.
1
 Today there are 54 Commonwealth Nations. The British monarch is considered the
head of state in only 16 Commonwealth countries, which are now formally called realms.
Realms include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The other members recognize the
Crown only as the head of the Commonwealth.

A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state that is a member of the Commonwealth of

Nations; has Queen Elizabeth II as its reigning constitutional monarch, and has a royal line of
succession in common with the other realms. Since 1992, there are sixteen Commonwealth
realms.

Antigua and Barbuda New Zealand

Australia Papua New Guinea

The Bahamas Saint Kitts and Nevis

Barbados Saint Lucia

Belize Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Canada Solomon Islands

Grenada Tuvalu

Jamaica the United Kingdom

 Vocabulary Check

Here are some things to help improve your knowledge of the UK and your ability to speak
about it.

Read the accompanying information and then

1. Put into your own words: An explanation about why England and Scotland are called
‘two kingdoms’ while Wales is a ‘principality’ and Northern Ireland is a ‘province’.

There are four “Provinces” on the island called Ireland, Munster, Connacht, Leinster and
Ulster. The term “provinces” and the provinces themselves were supplanted (replaced) by
the present system of (and the term or word) “county” (“counties”, plural) after the Norman
invasion; however, many people still call them ‘province’ and ‘provinces’. The provinces
Munster, Connacht and Leinster, and a small part of Ulster, are part of the Republic of
Ireland. Six of the nine Ulster counties form modern-day Northern Ireland, which is part of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is sometimes
called a province of the United Kingdom. These two inconsistent usages of the word
"province" (along with the use of the term "Ulster" to describe Northern Ireland) can cause
confusion.

England and Scotland are the two largest countries on Great Britain, the largest island in the
British Isles. Before 1707, England and Scotland were two separate kingdoms. In 1707, both

2
kingdoms merged becoming a united kingdom. In 1800 the Kingdom of Ireland became a
member of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

In 1922, Ireland seceded (separated) from the United Kingdom and became “the Irish
Free State”. Northern Ireland, which includes most of Ulster, voted to remain a part of the
United Kingdom. In 1927 the name of the United Kingdom was officially changed to The
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Principality of Wales existed between 1216 and 1536. Since the Laws in Wales
Acts 1535–1542, all of Wales was formally incorporated within the Kingdom of England; and,
since then, there has been no geographical or constitutional basis (reason) for describing any
of the territory of Wales as a principality, although the term has occasionally been used in an
informal sense to describe the country, and in relation to the honorary title of Prince of
Wales.

2. Match the following words with their meanings.

A. sovereign B. monarch C. realm

D. bloc E. commonwealth F. allegiance

______ 1. A self-governing part of the British Commonwealth or,

formerly, the British Empire.

______ 2. king or queen

______ 3. self-governing and not ruled by any other state

______ 4. loyalty to a particular person, cause, group, country, et

cetera.

______ 5. a group of countries with a shared aim

______ 6. A group of states that have formed an association for the

political and economic benefit of all members

 Comprehension (understanding) Check

1.Match the terms with their correct definitions.

1. The British Isles a. England, Scotland, and Wales

2. Great Britain b. a group of islands including Great

Britain and Ireland

3. The United Kingdom c. England Scotland, Wales, Northern

Ireland and a number of small islands

4. Ireland d. Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic

3
2. What is the difference between Eire and Ireland?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................

3. Decide whether these statements are true (T) or false (F). Correct wrong information

1. ‘England can refer to ‘Great Britain’ but it should never be used to mean the United
Kingdom. ______

2. Britain is a short form of the full name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland. _______

3. It is proper to use Great Britain to mean the United Kingdom. _____

4. The official name of the UK is the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland’.
______
5. People from Scotland are Britons. ________

6. The British monarch is the head of state in all Commonwealth

nations. _____

4
 Follow-up

1. Why is England sometimes mistaken for Britain abroad?

................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. Why can referring to Britain as England, or British as English be offensive?
................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................
5
 Things British
 Underline the items that can be associated with the United Kingdom. Be ready to explain
your choices.

1. bobby 9. Britannia 17. bulldog 25. cherry

2. coal 10. cricket 18. double-decker 26. eagle
3. fish and chips 11. Football 19. golf 27. hamburger
4. harp 12. hedges 20. John Bull 28. kiwi
5. lion 13. lotus 21. maple 29. oak
6. pub 14. queen 22. rain 30. robin
7. Robin Hood 15. rooster 23. rose 31. sari
8. tea 16. thatching 24. Uncle Sam 32. Vodka

 Reading Text

British National Anthem

‘God Save the Queen’ (traditional music of an unknown author), originating in a patriotic
song first performed in the 1740s, became known as the British national anthem from the
beginning of the nineteenth century. When the British monarch is male ‘God Save the
Queen’ becomes ‘God Save the King’. The British national anthem represents the whole of
the UK. However, when an anthem is needed for one of the member countries, at an
international sporting event, for instance, an alternate song may be used, but the use of ‘God
Save the Queen’ is most common.

 Wales – ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ (‘Land of My Fathers’) by Evan and James James
 Scotland – ‘Flower of Scotland’ by Roy Williamson
 Ireland – ‘Ambran na bhFiann’ (‘the Soldier’s Song’) by Peadat Kearny and Patrick
Henany
 England’s most patriotic song is Jerusalem by William Blake

The British Monarch

The British monarch or sovereign is the head of state of the United Kingdom and its overseas
territories. In such a constitutional monarchy (Constitutional monarchy is a form of
government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the guidelines of a constitution,
whether it be a written, uncodified (An uncodified constitution is a type of constitution
where the fundamental rules of government take the form of customs, usage, precedent and a
variety of statutes and legal instruments. An understanding of the constitution is obtained
through reading commentary by the judiciary, government committees or legal experts. In
such a constitutional system, all these elements may be recognized by courts, legislators and
the bureaucracy as binding upon government and limiting its powers. An uncodified
constitution has the advantages of elasticity, adaptability and resilience. Downloaded from
http://en.wikipedia.org, Nov 20, 2013), or blended constitution, downloaded from:

6
http://en.wikipedia.org Nov 20, 2013) as the United Kingdom, the monarch plays an
important ceremonial rolele but has almost no real power in politics.
politics

The current monarch is Queen Elizabeth II (‘the Second’) who became Queen on February
6th, 1952, upon the death of her father, King George VI. The primary role of Queen Elizabeth
throughout her reign has been as
as a symbol of unity and continuity within the Commonwealth
of Nations. The current heir-apparent
heir apparent is Charles, the Prince of Wales (son of the Queen, born
November 14th, 1948). Although Prince Charles is the formal heir-apparent,
heir apparent, there has been
continuing speculation that when the Queen dies or abdicates that the crown will pass not to
Prince Charles, but to his eldest son, Prince William. Advocates for this suggest that Prince
Charles is unsuitable as a monarch because of his divorce from Diana, Princess of Wales.

Buckingham Palace has been the official town residence of the British monarch since 1837.
The palace is located near Saint James’s Park, London. Buckingham Palace has about 600
rooms and 20 hectares (50 acres) of gardens. The palace is noted ffor
or its fine collection of
paintings.

The Royal Coat of Arms and the Shield

The function of the Royal Coat of Arms is to identify the person who is the Head of State

On the right the

On the left the shield is supported
shield is by the Unicorn of
supported by the Scotland (the
English Lion unicorn is chained
because in
medieval times a
free unicorn was
considered a very
dangerous beast
and that only a
virgin could tame
a unicorn.
The Royal Coat of Arms of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is
her [the] “arms of dominion and right” of the United Kingdom.
The Coat features both the motto of the British monarchs, Dieu
et mon droit (God and my right) and the

motto of the Order of the Garter1, Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shamed be he
who thinks ill of it)
t) on a representation of the Garter behind the shield.

7
On the official coat of arms the shield (circled above) shows the various royal emblems of
different parts of the United Kingdom.

 the three lions of England2 in the first and fourth quarters

 the lion of Scotland3 in the second quarter
 the harp of Northern Ireland (previously for Ireland) in the third quarter

1 The Order of the Garter is the most senior and oldest British Order of Chivalry,
founded by King Edward III in 1348
2. The English Lion is a “lion passant gardant”, a walking lion, looking out at you full
full-
face.
3. The Scottish Lion is a red “lion rampant”, a lion standing on its hind legs, looking
Britannia
straight forward
“Britannia” was the name that the Romans gave to their northernmost province (or colony)
which was where present day England and Wales are today.

Another meaning of the word and a historically recent tradition says that Britannia is the
feminine personification of British nationalism. Britannia is portrayed as a young woman
dresses in a neo-classical
gown and wearing a helmet in one hand.

Often she holds a trident in one hand and a shield

decorated with the Union Flag under her arm.
According to Celtic mythology, Britannia was the
ancient patron “goddess”
oddess” of the early British Celtic
tribes. The image of Britannia has appeared on
several British coins throughout history.

8
 John Bull
John Bull is a fictional character used to personify the British
nation. He is depicted as an elderly gentleman, rather portly in
build and wearing full riding “kit” (kit here refers to normal
attire for riding on horseback), complete with breeches (pants),
boots and a Union Jack waistcoat (also called a vest). John Bull
was created by a Scottish author, scientist and physician to
portray 18th century politics in Britain.

The bulldog has a very smooth coat, wrinkly cheeks,

powerful front legs and smaller hind legs. The bulldog gets
along well with both humans (including children) and other The Bulldog
dog breeds. Bulldogs are friendly, but stubborn and
protective as well. He is solid, reliable, unshakably loyal
and very individual.
He also bears a startling resemblance to Winston Churchill,
Britain’s great wartime leader whose memory is still held in
great esteem by the majority of the British.

The Robin

Robins, with the red breast present on both male and female birds, are the birds that all British
people can identify, even if they can name no other bird. The tameness of the British robins
has made them very familiar. The birds often approach people closely; and, they will even go
so far as to perch (land) on a gardener’s spade (shovel) in order to be the first to catch a worm
after it has been turned up.

9
 The Bowler Hat The bowler hat is a hard felt
hat introduced by a Norfolk
(England)

landowner, William Coke, in the 19th century. It offered a “midway hat” between the
more formal top hat associated with the upper classes and the casual soft felt hats worn by
men in the lower middle classes. It is the traditional headwear of London city ‘gents’ (a
short form of gentlemen) and has become something of a British cultural icon.

Football

Football is the most popular sport in Britain as a whole. Although evidence from many
ancient societies, including Chinese, Greek, Mayan, and Egyptian, reveals that kicking games
were part of those cultures, it is believed that the rules of modern football have developed
bo schools since the 19th century.
from games played in English boys’
Many British people support their local clubs at matches on Saturday afternoons, or watch the
matches live on television. Some of the best known clubs in England are Manchester United,
Liverpool and Arsenal. In Scotlan
Scotlandd Rangers, Celtic or Aberdeen usually win the cup or
championship. In Northern Ireland, Donegal Celtic, Linfield and other clubs are popular.

Tea is most definitely Britain’s national drink. Although the

custom of drinking tea dates back to the third millennium BC
(3 BC) in China, it was the London coffee houses that were
responsible for introducing tea to England. One of the first
coffee merchants to offer tea was Thomas Garway. He sold
both liquid and dried tea to the public as early as 1657.

Mr. Garway sold dry tea at £6

6 (nearly $10 U.S.) and £10
10 (about $16 U.S.) per pound, quite
expensive! [NOTE: the £ symbol is the symbol for the “British pound”, the currency in the
UK] Tea gained popularity quickly in the coffee houses and by 1700 over 500 coffee houses
sold it! By 1750 tea had become the favored drink of Britain’s lower classes;; the price of tea
must have come down!

Now most ordinary British families do not have time for afternoon tea at home, but in the past
it was a tradition. It became popular about one hundred and fifty years ago, when rich ladies
invited their friends to their houses for an afternoon cup of tea. They started offering their
visitors sandwiches and d cakes too (these eventually became known as “finger foods”, a term
still used today). Soon everyone was enjoying ‘afternoon tea’. On the other hand, the British
working population did not have afternoon tea. They had a meal about midday, and a meal
after
ter work between 5 and 7 o’clock called ‘high tea’. Traditionally eaten in early evening,
10
high tea was a substantial (fairly big) meal that combined delicious sweet foods with tempting
savories (savories – 1. a dish of pungent taste, such as anchovies on toast or pickled fruit,
sometimes served in Great Britain as an hors d'oeuvre or instead of a sweet dessert; 2.
appetizing to the taste or smell: a savory stew). This meal is now often replaced with a
supper, due to people eating their main meal in the evenings rather than at midday. \

 Comprehension Check

Without referring to the text, do the following tasks:

1. Decide whether these statements are true (T), false (F) or not mentioned (N).

1. When the British monarch is male, ‘God save the Queen’ becomes ‘God Save the King’
______
2. ‘God Save the Queen’ was composed by Francis Scott Key _______
3. The royal emblem of Northern Ireland is a lion __________
4. United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with an emperor/empress as head of state
________
5. Britannia is depicted as an elderly woman seated by the sea _______
6. Bulldog is a ferocious dog ________
7. John Bull is often accompanied by a bulldog ________
8. A characteristic of British robins is tameness ________
9. The custom of drinking tea dates back to the third millennium BC in England _______
10. The British working population traditionally has afternoon tea at 4 o’clock _______

11
 2 Label (identify) the following people and things

1. ___________ 2. ___________ 3. __________ 4. __________

___________ ___________ __________ __________

5. ___________ 6. ___________ 7. __________ 8. ___________

___________ ___________ __________ ___________

9. _______________ 10. __________________ 11. _____________

12. _______________ 13. _______________ 14. ____________

12
 _______________ _______________ ____________

15. _________________ 16. _____________________________

 Follow-up
VOCABULARY BUILDING
ROYALTY AND ARISTOCRACY
1. Matching
Match the words with their meanings. If there are some unknown words, then use your
background knowledge and inference skills to complete the task.

a. knighthood b. duke c. baron d. emperor/empress

e. marquess f. earl g. royalty h. sovereign
i. peerage j. dynasty k. regent l. heir apparent
m. principality n. hereditary o. viscount

_____ 1. somebody who rules on behalf of a monarch who is unable to rule because of youth,
illness or absence
_____ 2. handed down or legally capable of being handed down, through generations by
inheritance
_____ 3. collective noun for peers, men and women, whose rank is equal to nobility and
aristocracy
_____ 4. a territory ruled by a prince or a princess
_____ 5. a succession of rulers from the same family
_____ 6. person who is expected to inherit the throne
_____ 7. self-governing
governing and not ruled
ruled by any other state; having supreme authority and power
_____ 8. a nobleman of very high rank; in the British Isles this is the highest hereditary title of
nobility
_____ 9. a king, queen, or other member of a monarch’s family, or members of a royal
family,
mily, in general; the status or authority of a king, queen or other member of a
monarch’s family; the personal qualities conventionally (usually) ascribed to a king
or queen, especially great dignity.
____ 10. A member of the lowest rank of British nobility.
nobilit

13
 The History and Meaning of the Union Jack
Which of the two pictures of the Flag of the United Kingdom, “the Union Jack” is upside
down?

A B

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the Royal
Banner commonly known as the Union Jack, or more properly the Union Flag as it only
becomes a “jack” when flown at sea (e.g. on a ship). The Union Jack is a transnational flag
full of historical significance. It is a fine expression of unity as well as diversity.

The flag is actually three flags in one. It is made up of the flag of England, the Scotland flag,
and the patron saint of Ireland’s flag. The emblems that appear on the flag are the crosses of
three patron saints.

England is represented by the flag of St. George. In 1194 A.D., King Richard I of England
introduced the Cross of St. George, a red cross on a white background, as the national flag of
England. Scotland is represented by the flag of St. Andrew, a diagonal white cross on a blue
background. When King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England, it was
decided that the union of the two realms under one king should be represented symbolically
by a new flag. On April 12th, 1606, the first flag of the union was created. The red cross of
England was superimposed on the white cross of Scotland on the blue background of the
Scottish flag. A white border was added around the red cross for reasons of heraldry. This
flag was, however, usually restricted to use at sea until the two kingdoms of Scotland and
England were officially united in 1707.

Later another country, Ireland, was represented on the flag. Ireland is represented by the flag
of St. Patrick, a diagonal red cross on a white background. The English established control
over Ireland beginning in the 12th century; nevertheless, Ireland remained a separate country
under the rule of the English and British monarchs until the British Parliament passed the Act
of Union of 1800. In 1801, King George III added the cross of St. Patrick to the Union Flag,
to make the Union Jack we have today. The designers had to make sure that all the crosses
could be recognized as individual flags as well as being in the same flag together. They did
this by making the background of the white Scottish cross broader on one side of the Irish red
than on the other. This meant that all the separate crosses could be seen and the Irish Cross
had its original white background. When the southern part of Ireland gained its independence
in 1921 and became the Irish Free State, no alteration was made to the flag.

The formation of the Union Jack came about as the result of the progressive merging of the
inhabitants of the British Isles under one throne. The Welsh dragon does not appear on the
flag because when the first Union Flag was created in 1606, Wales was already united with
14
England. Wales was conquered by England in the 13th century. In 1536, under Henry VIII,
the Act of Union joined England and Wales officially. Therefore, Wales is represented by the
English Flag instead of the Welsh dragon.

To sum up, both the name and the design of the British flag emphasize the very nature of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a union of nations. The countries
comprising the UK are not inward-looking or isolated states with an insular mentality;
together they constitute a powerful union that has spanned centuries. Recent devolution that
gave Scotland its own parliament and Wales its own Assembly has also highlighted the
importance of individual national identities within the union without affecting the essential
unity of Great Britain. Recognition of, and respect for national identities are essential
ingredients for effective union. The Union Jack symbolizes all of this: respect for
individuality within a close knit community.

 Comprehension Check

1. Read the text carefully and decide whether these statements are true (T), false (F) or
not mentioned (N).

1. The name Union Jack became official when it was approved in Parliament in 1908.
_______

2. The design of the Union Jack is symmetrical. _______

3. The Union Jack is a symbol of unity. ________

4. Wales is represented by the flag of St. David. _________

5. The current flag of Northern Ireland is the flag of St. Patrick. ____

2. Without referring to the text, answer the following questions

1. What is the name of the national flag of the United Kingdom?

__________________________________________

2. What colors are in the flag? _______________________________

3. The flags of what countries are represented in the flag?

___________________ _____________________

___________________ _____________________

4. Why is Wales represented by the English flag instead of the Welsh dragon?

______________________________________________________

5. Why is the Union Jack asymmetrical? _______________________

______________________________________________________

15
6. How was the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland formed?

1536 _________________________________________________

1707 _________________________________________________

1800 _________________________________________________

1921 _________________________________________________

16
 UNIT 2: A BRIEF SURVEY OF THE BRITISH PHYSICAL
GEOGRAPHY
 Lead-in

Reflect on what you have learned in Unit 1 to fill in each blank with ONE suitable word.

The British Isles is the geographical term for a group of about 5,000 islands off the (1)
________________ coast of mainland Europe between the latitudes of 500N and 600N. The
largest island is Britain or (2)___________ _________________, which is also the largest
island in (3)_______________________. It consists of England, Wales and Scotland. The
(4)
next largest island is Ireland, which is made up of _____________
(5)
_______________ (or Ulster) and the __________ ____ ___________________ (also
known as Eire). Britain and Northern Ireland, together with a small number of islands, form
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, more commonly (6)____________
as the United Kingdom (which is almost 20% smaller than Italy). In everyday usage, however,
Britain is used to mean the (7)______________.

The following words are hidden in the grid below. Try to find them.

1. lowland 2. isle 3.island 4. coast 5. latitude

6. mainland 7. range 8. peak 9. plain 10.highland

P W K L I T U A J D
S L F E I Y S M N P
A D A Q D S T A O O
U N P I V C L H O T
E A E A N S G E I C
G L A T I T U D E X
N W K O B X Y B I Y
A O H I G H L A N D
R L D E O L A N D O
D N A L N I A M I F

Distinguish between “climate” and “weather”.

In Britain, weather is an ever-interesting, even thrilling topic; and, you must be good at
discussing the weather. Turn to your classmate and start a weather conversation with her/him.
SOME CONVERSATION STARTERS/EXAMPLES

For Good Weather:

‘Lovely day, isn’t it?’ ‘Wonderful, isn’t it?’ ‘The sun…’

‘Isn’t it gorgeous?’ ‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ ‘It’s so nice and hot…’

17
‘Personally, I think it’s so nice when it’s hot; what about you?’

‘I adore it, this weather, don’t you?’

For Bad Weather

‘Nasty day, isn’t it?’ ‘Isn’t it dreadful?’

‘The rain…I hate rain…’ ‘I don’t like it at all. Do you?’

‘Fancy such a day in July. Rain in the morning, then a bit of sunshine, and then rain, rain,
rain, all day long.’

 Reading Text
Topography

Great Britain is just under 1,000 km long and just under 500 km across at its widest part.
The most mountainous region is Scotland (with Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis with an
elevation of 1,343 m), which also has a wide lowland area between the Grampians and the
Southern Uplands, where most of the large towns, including the cities of Edinburgh and
Glasgow, and three-quarters of the population are located. Much of Wales is also
mountainous and in England the Pennine Range (the ‘backbone of England’) extends 224 km
(although the highest peak reaches only 895m). The rest of England tends to be rather
undulating (describing or having small hills and slopes that look like waves), and not even
the large agricultural plains of East Anglia are perfectly flat. In Ireland all the highland areas
are around the edge, but there are no peaks over 1,100m. Overall, the south and east of the
country is comparatively low-lying, consisting of either flat plains, or gently rolling hills.
Mountainous areas are found only in the north and west, although these regions also have flat
areas.

Rivers in Britain are quite short – the longest rivers are the Severn and the Thames
(pronounced ‘tems’) – but their easy navigability has made them an important part of the
inland transportation network for the transportation of bulk products such as coal, iron ore and
steel.

Britain has neither towering mountain ranges, nor impressively large rivers, plains nor forests;
but, this does not mean that its landscape is boring. What it lacks in grandeur it makes up for
in variety. The scenery changes noticeably over quite short distances. It has often been
remarked that a journey of 100 miles (160 kilometers) can, as a result, seem twice as far.

18
 N

Scotland
Northern Ireland W E

Wales
The Irish Republic
England

The English Channel

Europe

19
 Weather and Climate
Britain has a generally mild and temperate climate. Weather, however, tends to be very
changeable as a result of the constant influence of different air masses. The prevailing winds
are south-westerly, which brings warm air in from across the Atlantic Ocean. There are few
extremes in temperature and it rarely goes above 32’C (89’F) or below
-10’C (14’F).

The climate in Britain is more or less the same as that of the north-western part of the
European mainland. The popular belief that it rains all the time in Britain is simply not true.
The image of wet, foggy land was created two thousand years ago by the invading Romans
and has been perpetrated (maintained and strengthened) in modern times by “Hollywood”
(the movie industry). In fact, London gets no more rain in a year than most other major
European cities, and less than some.

The amount of rainfall that falls on a town in Britain depends on where it is. Generally
speaking, the further west you go, the more rain you get. The mild winters mean that snow is
a regular feature of the highest areas only. Occasionally, a whole winter goes by in lower-
lying parts without any snow at all. The winters are in general a bit colder in the east of the
country than they are in the west, while in the summer, the south is slightly warmer and
sunnier than the north.

Why has Britain’s climate got such a bad reputation? Perhaps it is for the same reason that
British people always seem to be talking about the weather; and, this is its changeability.
There is a saying that Britain doesn’t have a climate, it only has weather. It may not rain very
much altogether, but you can never be sure of a dry day; there can even be cool (even cold)
days in July and some quite warm days in January.

The lack of extremes is the reason why, on the few occasions when it gets genuinely hot or
freezing cold, the country seems to be totally unprepared for it. A bit of snow and a few days
of frost and the trains stop working and the roads are blocked; if the thermometer goes above
27’C (80’F), people behave as if they were in the Sahara and the temperature makes the front
page headlines (in the newspapers). These things happen so rarely that it is not worth
organizing life to be ready for them.

 Comprehension Check

Complete the table.

Highest mountain
Longest mountain range
Flattest area
Longest rivers

Choose the correct statements (check the ones that are correct)
1. The land and climate in Britain lack extremes. ______
2. Britain has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. ________
3. Other countries have a climate, Britain has only weather. ______
4. The amount of rain that falls on a town in Britain depends on where it is. __________

20
 5. It is a common belief that it rains all the time in Britain. _______
6. The weather in Britain tends to be very changeable. ________
7. Every type of climate can be found in Britain. _________
8.In Summer, southern Britain is warmer than northern Britain but in winter, the North
Atlantic Drift – a warm sea current – keeps the west milder than the east. _______
 Follow-up

Research

Do you think there is any correlation between climate and the culture of a country?
Support your answer, taking Britain as an example.

Vocabulary Building: Weather and Climate

Read the text below and find words in the text which mean the following:

1. average 6. rays from the Sun

2. dry 7. make less extreme
3. height above sea level 8. situated very far from the sea
4. distance from the equator 9. differing weather conditions at
5. rain and snow 10. different times of the year

Schemes for dividing the Earth into climatic regions are based on a combination of indices
of mean annual temperature, mean monthly temperature, annual precipitation totals and
seasonality. The climate of a place is affected by several factors. Latitude affects the amount
of solar radiation received, with the greatest equatorial regions and the least polar regions.
Elevation affects both temperature and precipitation; mountainous areas are generally cooler
and wetter. Location close to the sea or large bodies of water moderates temperature;
continental areas are generally more arid and more affected by extremes of temperature.

Weather Conversations

Here are some more unusual but still useful words about weather for you to use during typical
weather conversations where you agrees with someone by using a synonym. In these
examples “B” replies using more informal language.

A. Bit chilly today, isn’t it?

B. Yes (Yeah), it’s freezing/nippy, isn’t in?

A. It’s hot, isn’t it?

B. Yes (Yeah), it’s boiling/sweltering/roasting!

A. It’s a bit windy today!

B. Yes (Yeah), it’s really blowing (blowin’)/breezy, isn’t it?

A. What oppressive/sultry weather!

21
B. Yes (Yeah), isn’t it stifling/heavy/close?

A. What a downpour/deluge!
B. Yes (Yeah), it’s raining cats and dogs/it’s pouring!
it’s chucking it down

A. Isn’t it humid today?

B. Yes (Yeah), horribly muggy/clammy.

Respond to these statements about the weather. Agreeing using slightly more formal
language like that of the speaker A in the dialogues above.

1. It’s a bit nippy outside, isn’t it? 5. Stifling today, isn’t it?
_________________________ ______________________

2. What a sweltering day! 6. It’s raining cats and dogs!

______________________ _______________________

3. Isn’t it muggy here? 7. It’s clammy today, isn’t it?

______________________ _______________________

4. It’s breezy, isn’t it? 8. What a stifling day!

______________________ _______________________

Answer Key to puzzle

1. 2.
lowland isle 3. island 4.
coast 5.
latitude
6. 7.
mainland range 8. peak 9.
plain 10.
highland

9P W K L I T U A J D
S L F E 2I Y S M N P
A D A Q D S T A O O
U N 8P I V C L H O T
E A E A N S G E I C4
G 5L A T 3I T U D E X
N W K O B X Y B I Y
A O 10H I G H L A N D
7R 1L D E O L A N D O
D N A L N I A M7 I F

22
 UNIT 3 AN EXPLORATION OF THE BRITISH HUMAN
GEOGRAPHY

A. Population
 Reading Text

With approximately (about) 63 million people, the UK ranks about 21st in the world in
terms of population; England has a population of about 53 million and is by far the most
populous part of the UK, followed by Scotland’s almost 5.5 million, Wales with a population
close to 3 million one hundred thousand (3,100,000), and Northern Ireland nearly 2 million
people. The average population growth rate in the entire UK is currently less than 1% (.8%)
annually.

Despite its relatively small size, Britain is highly populated, with an estimated population
density (in 2010) of 256 people per square kilometer (there are approximately 256 people
living in every sq km in the UK). England is the most populated part of the UK with
approximately 4/5ths of the United Kingdom’s entire population living in England. England is
also to most densely populated (crowded) portion of the UK; with a population density of 380
persons per sq km. Scotland’s population density is 65 per sq km, Wales’ population density
measures at 141 persons per sq km and Northern Ireland, the fewest people per square
kilometer, and measures at about 119 persons per square kilometer.

 Follow-up

Work in groups (or pairs or individually) to match the information in column A with
that in column B – print the correct info in column C, if necessary

A B C

1. Total Population - UK 1,810,863 (2011)

2. Population Growth Rate 63.23 million (2012)
3. Density: people/sq km 243,610 (2011)
4. People/sq mile 3,063,456 (2011)
5. Distribution: Urban Population 94,060
6. Rural Population 10+%
7. Population: Scotland 5,295,000 (2011)
8. England 53,012,456 (2011)
9. Wales 80%
10. Northern Ireland 8% change annually
(2012)
Some of the United Kingdom’s population statistics

23
 Vocabulary Check
Explain the following terms
population density: ______________________________________
_______________________________________________________

highly populated part: _____________________________________

________________________________________________________

to reside: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

 Comprehension Check
Fill-in each blank with ONE suitable word from the text

The United Kingdom has a (1)____________________ of about 63 million, with an

average population (2)______________________ of 256 persons per sq km. The population
density of the United Kingdom is one of the (3)______________ in the world, exceeding most
Asian and European nations. England is the most (4)____________________ part of the
United Kingdom with over 50 million people, which means that more than four-fifths of the
UK’s population resides in England. It is also the most densely populated portion of the
United Kingdom, with a population density of (5)_____________ persons per square
kilometer, whereas the population density in Scotland is about (6)____________ persons per
sq km, making Scotland the most (7) _____________________ populated of the major United
Kingdom administrative divisions. The highest density is in the Central Lowlands of
Scotland, where nearly ¾ of all Scots live, and the lowest (population density) is in the
Highlands. About 2/3rds (two-thirds) of the population resides in urban areas (cities). The
population in (8) ______________________ is over 3 million and the population density is about 141
people per square kilometer. In Northern Ireland, with a population of close to 2 million
people, the population density is also the lowest in the UK with there being just (10)

____________ persons per square kilometer.

 Follow-up
Research

Look at a map of the United Kingdom (Britain) and identify the regions that are densely
populated. What are the reasons for the high density in those areas?

Search for information about the characteristics of Vietnam’s population; then, fill-in the
boxes with Vietnam’s population statistics. Now, compare and contrast the populations of
Vietnam and the United Kingdom.

24
What is happening to the population centers in Vietnam? Are they changing; if so, why?
And, what might people living in Vietnam experience because of any changes that may be
happening or will happen in the future?

1. Total Population
2. Population Growth Rate

3. Density: people/sq km
4. Distribution: urban population
5. Rural population

25
B. Languages in the United Kingdom
 Lead-in

1. There are four countries in the United Kingdom. Do you think that the people in the four
countries speak the same language or have different languages?

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

2. Distinguish (explain the differences) between the two words ‘dialect’ and ‘accent.

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

26
 Reading Text

The Celts spoke Celtic1 which survives today in the form of Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and
Irish Gaelic. Less than a quarter (less than 25%) of all Welsh people speaks Welsh. Scottish
Gaelic and Irish Gaelic are still spoken, although they have suffered more than Welsh from
the spread of English. However, all three languages are now officially taught in schools.

English is the official language of the United Kingdom and is the first language of the vast
majority of its citizens. English developed from Anglo-Saxon and is a Germanic language.
However, all invading peoples, particularly the Norman French, influenced the English
language. During the Norman occupation (####-####), about 10,000 French words were
adopted into English, some 3/4ths of which are still in use today2. This French vocabulary is
found in every domain, from government and law, to religion, to art and literature.

Nowadays all Welsh, Scottish and Irish people speak English (even if they speak their
own language as well), but all the countries have their own special accents and dialects, and
their people are especially recognizable as soon as they speak. Occasionally, people from the
four countries in the UK have difficulty in understanding one another because of these
different accents. A southern English accent is generally accepted to be the most easily
understood, and is the accent usually taught to foreigners.

English spoken in Britain is called ‘British English’ (BE). British English is not the same
as American (AmE) or Australian English (AusE). ‘Hi mate’ is not the correct nor appreciated
way to greet (or approach) someone on the street. Neither is ‘G’day’, ‘Howdy’ or ‘Hey
Mister’. The British way to greet someone is: ‘Good morning’, ‘good afternoon’ or ‘good
evening’; and, if you want to ask something, ‘Excuse me’. The use of language is extremely
important to Britain’s class structure. Some educated English people, regardless of their class
origin, strive to free themselves of regional or local accents in order to sound like educated
English-speaking people. Some people in England regard regional accents and slang as
substandard. On the other hand, many local people, such as Cockneys in East regard it as
warmer and as friendlier than Standard English. Scottish people appreciate the Scottish accent
so much that they insist the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) carry programs with
Scottish-accented speakers.

 Comprehension Check
Decide whether these statements are true (T) or false (F)

1. Less than a quarter of all British people speak Welsh. ____

2. Welsh and Gaelic are two dialects of English. ____

3. The accent of northern England is usually taught to foreigners. _____

1 Celtic
: Indo-European language group: a group of languages that includes Irish, Scottish Gaelic,
Welsh, and Breton. About 1 and ½ million people speak a Celtic language.
2
Most of the French vocabulary now appearing in English was imported over the centuries following
the Norman Conquest of 1066, when England came under the administration of Norman-speaking
peoples, E.G.: liberty, freedom, justice, fairness and thousands of others. See list of English words
from French in Wikipedia.
27
4. ‘Hi mate’ is the proper way to approach someone on the street. _____

5. Scottish people appreciate the Scottish accent. _____

 Follow-up
Vocabulary Building: Talking About Languages

Here are some technical terms for talking about languages

Syntax: grammar and word order
How does your language express modality (ideas/concepts such as: possibility and
necessity)? English does it with modal verbs, i.e. must, could, and should.
Phonology: the sound system, i.e. pronunciation and intonation
English has 12 vowel phonemes (different sounds that distinguish meanings) and 10
diphthongs (a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, in
which the sound begins as one vowel and moves [‘glides’] toward another as in coin, loud,
and side).
Lexicon: technical term for vocabulary
The Germanic languages (Swedish, English, Dutch, et cetera) have many compounds
(words formed by combining words, e.g. software) English has a mixture of Greco-Latin
(originally from Greek and Latin) words and Anglo-Saxon (the language of England from
500-1000AD) words.
Orthography: technical term for writing systems
The English alphabet has 26 characters (letters or symbols). Some writing systems such
as Chinese are not alphabetic but have pictograms (characters representing pictures) or
ideograms (characters representing ideas or concepts).
Morphology: how words are formed
There are three morphemes in unthinkable: un, think and able (units of meaning). The
Romance languages are inflected (words have endings to show tense, person, et cetera),
while Chinese languages are isolating (each word has only one morpheme).

Rewrite these sentences using more appropriate technical terms instead of the
underlined words.

1. The writing system of Burmese is quite difficult for a foreigner.

................................................................................................................................................
2. Japanese uses several different writing systems with hundreds of letters and symbols.
................................................................................................................................................
3. The vocabulary of a language like English is constantly changing. A lot of new technical
words are based on roots from Latin and Greek, rather than words from the period pre-
1000AD.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................

28
4. Unlike English, some world languages have very few vowel sounds and no combinations of
vowels.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
5. This ancient and beautiful alphabet uses symbols that evoke pictures to express meaning.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................

6. Windscreen is a noun made from two nouns.

................................................................................................................................................
7. Meanings connected with probability and obligation are expressed in different forms in
different languages.
................................................................................................................................................
Complete the word formation table below. Use a dictionary if necessary. If your dictionary
gives pronunciations, mark any differences in stress between the noun form and the adjective
form.

Noun Adjective Change in stress

orthography
lexicon
modality

C. The British People

 Lead-in

What do you known about the British People? Take this quiz. Decide whether these
statements are true (T) or false (F)

1. Strangers usually do not talk to each other on trains. ____

2. It is polite to queue for many things: buses, theater tickets, in shops et cetera. ____
3. People say “thank you” when they give money to a cashier (shop assistant). _____
4. People open presents in front of people when they receive them. ____
5. British people believe that Britain is ‘a land of tradition’. _____
6. The stereotype image of the London ‘city gent’ includes the wearing of a bowler hat. ____

 Reading Text

People from almost every nation have a reputation of some kind. The French are supposed to
be amorous, gay (happy), fond of champagne; the Germans (are supposedly) dull, formal,
efficient, fond of military uniforms and parades; and, Americans are believed to be boastful,

29
energetic, gregarious and vulgar. The British, like people from every country, tend to be
attributed with certain characteristics which are supposedly typical. For instance, the English
are reputed to be cold, reserved, rather haughty people. They are steady and fond of sport. The
Irish are supposed to be great talkers; the Scots have a reputation for being careful with
money; and, the Welsh are renowned for their singing ability. These characteristics are, of
course, only caricatures and are not reliable descriptions of individual people from these
countries. It is; therefore, best to be CAUTIOUS about accepting such characterizations too
easily.

Stereotypes and Change

Societies change over time while their reputations lag behind. Many things which are often
regarded as typically British are derived from books, songs or plays which were written a long
time ago and which are no longer representative of modern life. One example of this is the
popular belief that Britain is a ‘land of tradition’. This is what many, if not most, tourist
brochures claim (‘Land of tradition’). The claim is based on what can be seen in public life
and on centuries of political continuity; and, at this level, the level of public life, it is
undoubtedly true. The annual ceremony of the state opening of Parliament, for instance,
carefully follows customs which are centuries old. So does the military ceremony of ‘trooping
the color’. Likewise, the changing of the guard outside of Buckingham Palace never changes.

However, in their private everyday lives, the British as individuals are probably less inclined
to follow tradition than are the people of most other countries. There are very few ancient
customs that are followed by the majority of families on special occasions. The country had
fewer local parades or processions with genuine folk roots than most other countries have.
The English language has fewer sayings or proverbs that are in common everyday use than
many other languages do. The British are too individualistic for these things. In addition, it
should be noted that they are the most enthusiastic video-watching people in the world – the
very opposite of a traditional pastime!

There are many examples of supposedly typical British habits which are simply not typical
anymore. For example, the stereotyped image of the London ‘city gent’ includes the wearing
of a bowler hat. In fact, this type of hat has not been commonly worn for a long time. Food
and drink provide other examples. The traditional ‘British’ (or ‘English’) breakfast is a large
‘fry-up’ preceded by cereal with milk and followed by toast, butter and marmalade, all
washed down with lots of tea. In fact, only about 10% of the people in Britain actually have
this sort of breakfast. Two-thirds (2/3rds) cut out the fry-up and just have the cereal, tea and
toast. The rest have even less. What the vast majority of British people have in the mornings
is therefore much closer to what they call a ‘continental (i.e. European) breakfast’ than it is to
a ‘British’ one. The image of the British as a nation of tea-drinkers is another stereotype
which is somewhat out of date. It is true that it is still prepared in a distinctive way (strong
and with milk), but more coffee than tea is now bought in the country’s shops. As for the
tradition of afternoon tea with biscuits, scones, sandwiches or cake, this is a minor activity,
largely confined to retired people and the leisured upper-middle class (although preserved in
tea shops in tourist resorts).

30
Even when a British habit conforms to the stereotype, the wrong conclusion can sometimes be
drawn from it. The supposed British love of queuing is an example. Yes, British people do
form queues whenever they are waiting for something, but this does not mean that they enjoy
it. In 1992, a survey found that the average wait time to pay in a British supermarket was
three minutes and twenty-three seconds, and to the average wait to be served in a bank was
two minutes and thirty-three seconds. You might think that these times sound very
reasonable; but, the Sunday Times newspaper did not think so. It referred to these figures as a
‘problem’. Some banks now promise to serve their customers ‘within two minutes’. It would
therefore seem wrong to conclude that their habit of queuing shows that the British are a
patient people. Apparently, the British hate having to wait and have less patience than people
in many other countries.

 Guiding Questions

1. Why is Britain still considered as a “land of tradition”?

................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. In daily life, are British people less inclined to follow tradition than the people of most
other countries? Can you give some examples to support this idea?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
3. Can you give some examples to support the idea that typical British habits are simply not
typical anymore?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
4. Are there any “typical Vietnamese habits or traditions” that are less typical or are simply
not typical anymore?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
5. Why does it seem wrong to conclude that their (the British) habit of queuing shows that the
British are a patient people?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
English versus British

31
Because English culture dominates the cultures of the other three nations of the UK (and some
might say the entire British Isles), everyday habits, attitudes and values among the people of
the four nations are very similar. However, they are not identical, and what is often regarded
as typically British may in fact be only typically English. This is especially true with regard to
one notable characteristic, anti-intellectualism.

Among many people in Britain, there exists a suspicion of intelligence, education and ‘high
culture’. Teachers and academic staff, although respected, do not have as high a status as they
do in most other countries. Nobody normally proclaims their academic qualifications of title
to the world at large. No professor would expect or want, to be addressed as ‘Professor’ on
any but the most formal occasion. There are large sections of both the upper and working
class in Britain who, traditionally at least, have not encouraged their children to go to
university. This lack of enthusiasm for education is certainly decreasing. Nevertheless, it is
still unusual for parents to arrange extra private tuition [tutoring] for their children, even
among those who can easily afford it.

Anti-intellectual attitudes are [may be] consciously held by a small proportion of the
population, but an indication of how deep they run in society is that they [these attitudes] are
reflected in the English language. To refer to a person as somebody who ‘gets all their ideas
from books’ is to speak of them negatively. The word ‘clever’ often has negative
connotations; it suggests someone who uses trickery, a person who cannot be trusted (as in the
expression ‘too clever by half’).

Evidence of this attitude can be found in all four nations of the [United Kingdom]; however, it
is probably better seen as a specifically English characteristic and not a British one. The
Scottish have always placed a high value on education for all classes, and all classes of the
Irish place a high value on being quick, ready and able with words. The Welsh are famous,
too, for exporting teachers to other parts of Britain and beyond.

 Guiding Questions

1. Why does English culture dominate the cultures of the other three nations of the [United
Kingdom]?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. Can you give an example to show that what is often regarded as typically British may in fact be
only typically English?
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................

Multiculturalism

32
The [A] third reason for caution about generalizations relates to the large-scale immigration to
Britain from places outside [other than] the British Isles in the twentieth and twenty-first
centuries. In its cities at least, Britain is a multicultural society. There are areas of London, for
example, in which a distinctively Indian way of life dominates, with Indian shops, Indian
clothes and Indian languages. Because in local schools up to 90% of the pupils may be Indian,
a distinctively Indian style of learning tends to take place.

These ‘new British’ people have brought widely differing sets of attitudes with them. For
example, while some seem to care no more about education for their children than people in
traditional English culture, others seem to care about it a great deal more.

However, the divergence from indigenous British attitudes in new British communities is
constantly narrowing. These communities sometimes have their own newspapers but none
have their own TV (television) station as they do in the United States. There, the numbers in
such communities is greater so that it is possible for people to live their whole lives in such
communities without really learning English. This hardly ever happens in Britain.

It is therefore still possible to talk about British characteristics in general (as the rest of this
chapter does). In fact, the new British have made their own contribution to British life and
attitudes. They have probably helped to make people more informal; they have changed the
nature of the ‘corner shop’. The most popular, well-attended festival in the whole of Britain is
the annual Notting Carnival in London at the end of August which is of Caribbean inspiration
and origin.

 Guiding Questions

1. Why is Britain a multicultural society?

................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. Why is the divergence from indigenous British attitudes in new British communities
constantly narrowing?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
3. Why do we need to be cautious about generalizations of British culture?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
Conservatism

33
The British have few living folk traditions and are too individualistic to have the same
everyday habits as each other. However, this does not mean that they like change; they don’t.
They may not behave in traditional ways, but they like symbols of tradition and stability. For
example, there are some very untraditional attitudes and habits with regard to the family in
modern Britain. Nevertheless, politicians often cite their enthusiasm for ‘traditional family
values’ (both parents married and living together, parents as the main source of authority for
children, et cetera) as a way of winning support.

In general, the British value continuity over modernity for its own sake. They do not consider
it especially smart to live in a new house and, in fact, there is prestige in living in an
obviously old one (house). They [the British] have a general sentimental attachment to older,
supposedly safer, times. Their Christmas card usually depict scenes from past centuries; they
like their pubs to look old; they were reluctant to change their system of currency.

Moreover, a look at children’s reading habits suggests that this attitude is not going to change.
Publishers try hard to make their books for children up-to-date, but perhaps they needn’t try
so hard. In 1992 the two most popular books for children’s writers were noticeably
‘unmodern’ (they were both, in fact, dead). The most popular of all was Ronald Dahl, whose
fantasy stories are set in a rather old fashioned world. The second most popular writer was
Enid Blyton, whose stories take place in a comfortable white middle-class world before the
1960s. They contain no references to other races or classes and mention nothing more modern
than a radio. In other words, they are most irrelevant to modern life (Lord Snooty).

 Guiding Questions

1.Why is it said that the British do not like change? Can you give some examples?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. Can you name some examples to show that the British want to continue the British value?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
Being Different
The British can be particularly and stubbornly conservative about anything which is
perceived as a token of ‘Britishness’. In these matters, their conservatism can combine with
their individualism; they are rather proud of being different. It is, for example, very difficult
to imagine that they will ever agree to change from driving on the left-hand side of the road to
driving on the right. It doesn’t matter that nobody can think of any intrinsic advantage in
driving on the left. Why should they change just to be like everyone else? Indeed, as far as
they are concerned, not being like everyone else is a good reason not to change.

34
Developments in the European Union (EU) level which might cause changes in some
everyday aspects of British life are usually greeted with suspicion and hostility. The case of
double-decker buses is an example. Whenever the EU committee makes a recommendation
about standardizing the size and shape of these [buses], it provokes warnings from British bus
builders about ‘the end of the double-decker bus as we know it’. The British public is always
ready to listen to such predictions of doom.

Systems of measurement are another example. The British government has been trying for
years to promote the metric system and to get British people to use the same scales that are
used nearly everywhere else in the world; but, it has had only limited success. British
manufacturers are obliged to give the weight of their tins and packets in kilos and grams, but
everybody in Britain still shop in pounds and ounces. The weather forecasters on the
television use the Celsius scale of temperature but nearly everybody else still thinks in
Fahrenheit. British people continue to measure distances, amounts of liquid, and themselves
(height and weight) using scales that are not used anywhere else in Europe (i.e. How far; How
big; How much?). Even the use of the 24 hour clock is comparatively restricted.

British governments sometimes seem to promote this pride in being different. In 1993, the
managers of a pub in Slough (west of London) started selling glasses of beer which they
called ‘swifts’ (25 cl) and ‘large’ (50cl), smaller amounts than the traditional British
equivalents of a half a pint and a pint. You might think that the authorities would have been
pleased with this voluntary effort to adopt European habits, but they were not. British law
demands that draught beer be sold in pints and half-pints only. The pub was fined by a court
and was ordered to stop selling the ‘continental’ measures. British governments continue to
put their clocks back at the end of summer on a different date from every other country in
Europe; and so far, they have resisted pressure from business people to adopt Central
European Time, remaining stubbornly one hour behind. The British also continue to start
their financial year, not as other countries do at the beginning of the calendar year but, at the
beginning of April.

 Guided Questions

1. How do you understand the phrase, “a token of Britishness”?

................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. Can you give some examples to show that the British people are rather proud of being
different?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
3. How do the British promote the pride in being different?
................................................................................................................................................

35
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
The Love of Nature
Most British live in towns and cities, but they have an idealized vision of the countryside. To
the British, the countryside has almost none of the negative associations which it has in some
countries, i.e. poor facilities, lack of educational opportunities, unemployment and poverty.
To them, the countryside means peace and quiet, beauty, good health and no crime. Most of
them [Britons] would live in a country village if they could find a way of earning a living
there. Ideally, this village would consist of thatched cottages built around an area of grass
known as a ‘village green’. Nearby, there would be a pond with ducks on it. Nowadays such a
village is not actually very common, but it is a stereotypical picture that is well known to the
British.

Some history connected with the building of the [English] Channel tunnel provides an
instructive example of the British attitude. While the ‘Chunnel’ was being built, there were
also plans to build high-speed rail links on either side of it. But, what route would these new
railway lines take? On the French side of the Channel, communities battled with each other to
get the new line built through their towns. It would be good for local business. But, on the
English side, the opposite occurred. Nobody wanted the rail link near them! Communities
battled with each other to get the new line built somewhere else. Never mind about business,
they wanted to preserve their peace and quiet.

Perhaps this love of the countryside is another aspect of British conservatism. The countryside
represents stability. Those who live in towns and cities take an active interest in country
matters; and, the British regard it as both a right and a privilege to be able to go ‘into the
country’ whenever they want to. Large areas of the country are official ‘national parks’ where
almost no building is allowed. There is an organization to which thousands of enthusiastic
country walkers belong, ‘the Ramblers Association’. It is in constant battle with land owners
to keep open the public ‘right of way’ across their lands. Maps can be bought which mark in
great detail the routes of the public footpaths in the country. Walkers often stay at youth
hostels. The Youth Hostels Association is a charity whose aim is to ‘help all, especially
people of limited means, to [have] a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside’.
Their hostels are cheap and rather self-consciously bare and simple. There are more than 300
of them around the country, most of them in the middle of nowhere.

Even if they cannot get to the countryside, many British people spend a lot of their time ‘with
nature’. They grow plants. Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the country, even
those unlucky people who do not have a garden can participate. Each local authority owns
several [tracts] of land which it rents very cheaply to these people in small parcels. On these
‘allotments’, people grow mainly vegetables.

 Guiding Questions

1.Why do the British people like the countryside?

................................................................................................................................................
36
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. Can you describe the stereotypical picture of a countryside village of the British people?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
3. How is the building of ‘the Chunnel’ (the English Channel tunnel) related to the British
love of nature?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
4. Why is it said that this love of the countryside is another aspect of British conservatism?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
5. What are the aims of the Youth Hostels Association?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
6.How do the British people who do not have a garden show their love of nature?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
The Love of Animals
Rossendale Pet Cemetery in Lancashire is just one example of an animal graveyard in Britain.
It was started by a local farmer who ran over his dog with a tractor. He was so upset that he
put up a headstone in memory of his dog. Now, Rossendale has thousands of graves and plots
for caskets of ashes, with facilities for every kind of animal, from a budgie (a small bird) to a
lioness. Many people are prepared to pay quite a large sum of money to give their pets a
decent burial (a trait they share with many Americans). As this example shows, the British
tend to have a sentimental attitude towards animals. Nearly half of the households in Britain
keep at least one domestic pet. Most of them do not bother with such grand arrangements
when their pets die, but there are millions of informal graves in people’s back gardens
(backyards, AmE). Moreover, the status of pets is taken seriously. It is, for example, illegal to
run over a dog in your car and then keep on driving; you (as the driver) have to stop and
inform the owner.

But the love of animals goes beyond sentimental attachment to domestic pets. Wildlife
programs are by far the most popular kind of television documentary. Millions of families
37
have ‘bird tables’ in their gardens. These are raised platforms on which birds can feed, safe
from local cats, during the winter months. There is even a special hospital (St. Tiggywinkle)
which treats injured wild animals.

Perhaps this overall concern for animals is part of the British love of nature. Studies
indicating that some wild species of birds are decreasing in [large] numbers become
prominent articles in the national press. Thousands of people are enthusiastic bird-watchers.
This peculiarly British pastime often involves spending hours lying in wet and cold
undergrowth, trying to get a glimpse of some rare species.

 Guiding Questions

1. Can you give some examples to show the British people’s love for animals?
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
2. How do they show their love for wild animals?
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
3. What is the difference between a ‘wild’ animal and a ‘domestic’ or ‘domesticated’ animal?
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
4. Why do some British people lie in wet, cold undergrowth trying to get a glimpse of some rare
species?
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................................

Formality and Informality

The tourist view of Britain includes lots of formal ceremonies. Based on this, some people
have drawn the conclusion that the British are rather formal in their general behavior. This is
not true. There is a difference between observing formalities and being formal in everyday
life. Attitudes toward clothes are a good indication of this difference. It all depends on
whether a person is playing a public role or a private role. When people are ‘on duty’, they
have to obey some quite rigid rules. A male bank employee, for example, is expected to wear
a suit with a tie, even if he cannot afford a very smart one. So are politicians. There was once
a mild scandal during the 1980s because the leader of the Opposition [Party] wore clothes on
a public occasion which were considered too informal.

On the other hand, when people are not playing a public role, when they are ‘just being
themselves’, there seems to be no rules at all. The British are probably more tolerant of
38
‘strange’ clothing than people of most other countries. You may find, for example, the same
bank employee on his lunch break in hot weather, walking through the streets with his tie
round [his] waist and his collar unbuttoned. He is no longer ‘at work’ and for his employers to
criticize him for his appearance would be seen as a gross breach of privacy. Perhaps because
of the clothing formalities that many people have to follow during the [work] week, the
British, unlike the people of many other countries, like to ‘dress down’ on Sundays. They
can’t wait to take off their respectable working clothes and slip into something really scruffy.
Lots of men who wear suits during the week can then be seen in old sweaters and jeans,
sometimes with holes in them. And, male politicians are keen to get themselves photographed
not wearing a tie when ‘officially’ on holiday, to show that they are really ordinary people.

The difference between formalities and formality is the key to what people from other
countries sometimes experience as a coldness among the British. The key is this: being
friendly in Britain often involves showing that you are not bothering with the formalities. This
means not addressing someone by her or his title (Mr., Mrs., Professor et cetera), not dressing
smartly when entertaining guests, not shaking hands when meeting [someone], and not saying
‘please’ when making a request. When they avoid doing these things with you, the British are
not being unfriendly or disrespectful, they are implying that you are in the category ‘friend’,
and so all of the rules can be ignored. To address someone by her or his title, or to say
‘please’, is to observe formalities and therefore put a distance between the people involved.
The same is true of shaking hands. Although this sometimes has the reputation of being a
‘very British thing to do’, it is actually rather rare. Most people would do it only when being
introduced to a stranger or when meeting an acquaintance (but not a friend) after a long time.
Similarly, most British people do not feel welcomed if, on being invited to somebody’s house,
they find the hosts in smart clothes and a grand table set for them. They do not feel flattered
by this, they feel intimidated. It makes them feel [like] they can’t relax.

It is probably true that the British, especially the English, are more reserved than the people of
many other countries. They find in comparatively difficult to indicate friendship by open
displays of affection; for example, it is not [typically normal] to kiss when meeting a friend.
Instead, friendship is symbolized by behaving as casually as possible. If you are in a British
person’s house, and you are told to’help yourself’ to something, your host is not being rude or
suggesting that you are of no importance; he or she is showing that you are completely
accepted and just like one of the family.

In the last decades of the twentieth century, the general amount of informality has been
increasing. Buffet type meals, at which people do not sit down at table to eat, are a common
form f hospitality. At the same time, the traditional reserve has also been breaking down.
More groups in society now kiss when meeting each other (women and women, men and
women, but not men and men).

 Guiding questions

1. Why is it not true to say that British are rather formal in their general behavior?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
39
................................................................................................................................................
2. What are the examples to show a difference between observing formalities and being
formal in everyday life?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
3. What should be avoided when you want to show your friendliness in Britain?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
4. What have you learned from the informality and formality of the British people?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
Public Spiritedness and Amateurism
In public life, Britain traditionally followed what might be called ‘the cult of the talented
amateur’, in which being too professionally dedicated is looked at with suspicion. ‘Only doing
your job’ has never been accepted as a justification for actions. There is a common
assumption that society is best served by everybody ‘chipping in’ (helping to get something
accomplished), that is, by lots of people giving a little bit of their free time to help in a variety
of ways. This can be seen in the structure of the civil service, in the circumstances under
which Members of Parliament do their work, in the use of unpaid non-lawyers to run much of
the legal system, in some aspects of the education system, and in the fact that, until recently,
many of the most popular sports in the country were officially ‘amateur’, even at the top
levels.

This characteristic, however, is on the decline. In all areas mentioned above,

‘professionalism’ has changed from having a negative connotation to having a positive one.
Never the less, some new areas of amateur participation in public life have developed in the
last decade, such as ‘neighborhood watch schemes’3. Moreover, tens of thousands of British
‘amateurs’ are still actively involved in charity work. As well as giving direct help to those in
need, They [these ‘amateurs] raise money by organizing ‘jumble sales’ (rummage sales/yard
sales/garage sales), fêtes (a celebration or festival (also called: gala, bazaar, festival, fiesta,
jubilee or carnival) to raise money), ‘flag days’, during which people stand in the street
collecting money from passers-by. This voluntary activity is a basic part of British life. It has
often been so effective that whole countrywide networks have been set up without any
government help at all. It is no accident that many of the world’s largest and most well-known
charities began in Britain, e.g. Oxfam, Amnesty International and Save the Children Fund). It

33
Neighborhood Watch programs are programs where members of a community organize to patrol and
maintain security in their community as a means of supplementing the work of the police department.
40
is also noteworthy that the country’s blood transfusion service collects over two million
donations of blood from unpaid volunteers each year.

 Guiding Questions

1. How do you explain the phrase “chip in”?

................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. What actions can be called ‘the cult of the talented amateur’?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
3. Why did many of the world’s largest and most well-known charities begin in Britain?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
 Vocabulary Check

Find the word or phrase in column B which has a similar meaning to a word or phrase in
column A. Write the letter of that word or phrase next to the word of phrase it matches in
column A.

1. ____ cautious a. a bus with two floors, one on top of the other
b. an area of land where people are buried
2. ____ stereotype
c. to start to use a particular method
3. ____ to be inclined (to) d. a mass of bushes and plants
e. very strict
4. ____ to inspire
f. a small group of people who have extreme
5. ____ double-decker religious beliefs
g. be careful
6. ____ to adopt
h. idea or image of a particular type of person or
7. ____ graveyard thing
i. the act of giving something
8. ____ undergrowth
k. to tend to think or behave in a particular way
9. ____ rigid l. dirty or untidy
m. to give somebody the desire (to do or complete
10 . _____ scruffy
something)
11 . ______ cult
12 . ______ donation
 Follow-up

Discussion

41
Which (if any) of the British characteristics described in this lesson would you regard as also
being characteristic of Vietnamese people? To what extent?

Choose one famous British person of your interest. Study her/his life and career and identify
the ‘British values’ reflected in or by that person.

42
 Supplementary File – Famous British People
Read each of the following passages and fill
fill-in
in each numbered blank with ONE suitable word
(choose from the “suggested vocabulary” at the end, OR choose another word that is
appropriate or synonymous with the correct word(s) from the list).

Winston Churchill

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Church(1874 – 1965),

British politician and Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom (1940-1945 & 1951-1955),1955), is widely regarded as
the (1) __________________ British leader of the 20th
Century. Churchill is celebrated because of his leadersh
leadership
during World War II (1939-1945).
1945). His courage,
decisiveness, political experience, and enormous vitality,
(2) ____________________ him to lead his country through
the war, one of the most desperate struggles in British
history.

Winston Churchill, (3) _______________ of Randolph Churchill, a conservative politician, was

born in Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, on the 30th of November, 1874. His mother, Jennie
Jerome, was the daughter of Leonard Jerome, a New York businessman. Chur Churchill inherited a
family (4) ________________________ of statesmanship that dated back to the great English general,
John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, in the 17th Century. Young Winston (5)
________________________ Harrow School on the outskirts of London. He was a precocious student
and, like his father, had a remarkable memory, but he was also stubborn. Churchill had little
(6) _____________________ in learning Latin, Greek, or mathematics. By his own account, he
considered himself such a dunce that he “could learn only English”. “However”, he said, “I
learned it (7)_____________________”.

Winston Churchill’s public life extended from the (8) _______________________ of Queen Victoria in
the late 19th Century to the Cold War. During this long (9)) _________________________________ career,
Churchill held every important cabinet office in the British government, except Foreign
Minister. Churchill was also (10) ________________________ for the many books on British history
and politics he wrote during
durin his lifetime. His (11)_________________________ of the English language
not only made him a great orator but also earned him the Nobel Prize for (12) _____________________
in 1953. After Churchill died, Britons took stock of their situation in the post post-war era. In the
last decades of his [Churchill’s]
[Churchill’s life, Britain had virtually dismantled her empire. Many felt
Churchill’s passing represented the end of Britain’s status as a world (13) _________________________
and his funeral marked the end of British (14)
4) __________________________________ glory.

Today some Britons regard Churchill as a disturbing emblem of the old regime of class
privilege and [the] colonial empire. Others admire his efforts to adapt the British tradition of

43
self-government, liberty, civility,
ivility, and the rule of law (15) _____________________ in a new world
made by democracy and science in the 20th Century.

“We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight
on the seas and oceans, we shall fight
fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the
air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we
shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight
in the hills; we shall never surrender,
surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this
Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas,
armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time,
the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the
Old”. Sir Winston Churchill, June 4th, 1940 speech to the House of Commons.

“I always was a rebel…but on the other hand, I wanted to be loved and accepted…and not
just be a loudmouth, lunatic, poet, musician” - John Lennon

The Beatles was a British rock music group that (16) ______________ popular music around
the world in the 1960s by leading a movement in rock music known as “the British Invasion”.
From 1964 through 1969, the Beatles achieved unprecedented popularity with 30 songs
reaching the Billboard magazine top ten popular music charts. Formed in 1960 in (17)
______________________________, England, from another group called the Quarrymen, the Beatles (18)
___________________________________ had five members: guitarists George Harrison and John Lennon,
bassists Paul McCartney and Stuart Sutcliffe, and drummer Pete Best. Sutcliffe left the group
a year later and drummer
rummer Ringo Star (born Richard Starkey) (19) _____________________________ Best
in 1962. From the simple, fresh style of their (20) _______________________ songs, such as “I Want to
Hold Your Hand” (1963) and “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964), the Beatles progressed
(21)_______________________ innovative, experimental works – culminating in the album Sgt.
Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). Considered the first st “concept album” (songs

44
unified by a common theme), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was also (22)
____________________________ for its haunting harmony and lyrics, unconventional musical phrases
and rhythms, and the integrated use of electronic musicmusic and the Indian sitar. Other Beatles’
albums include With the Beatles (1963), Beatles for Sale (1964), the motion motion-picture
soundtrack Help! (1965), Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), The Beatles (1968), Abbey
Road (1969) and Let it Be (1970). In 1970 the Beatles split up and each member pursued
another musical career, either as a (23) ____________________ artist or as a bandleader. Despite (24)
____________________________ successes, members were often approached with requests to reunite,
fueling wide speculation until John Lennon’s (25) ________________________ in 1980.

I think, historically, the term

“Thatcherism” will be seen as a
compliment”
Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Hilda Thatcher (1925-2013)

(1925 was the (26) _____________________ and only woman to hold
the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1979-1990). (1979 1990). She was born Margaret
Hilda Roberts in Grantham and educated at the (27) __________________________________ of Oxford,
where she earned degrees in (28) _______________________________ ; from 1947 to 1951 she worked as
a research chemist. She married Denis Thatcher in 1951. In 1953, having studied for the bar,
she became a tax lawyer. Joining the Conservative Party, Thatcher was (29)
________________________ to the House of Commons in 1959. As (30) _____________________________ of
Education and Science from 1970 to 1974 under Prime Minister Edward Heath, she provoked
a storm of protest by abolishing free milk in the schools. After the Conservative [Party’s]
defeat in 1974, she challenged Heath for the (31) ______________________________ of the Party and won
the post in 1975. Four years later she led the Party to victory, vowing to reverse Britain’s
economic (32) ________________ and to reduce the role of government. In 1982 Argentine forces
occupied the nearby [close to Argentina] Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) which were
claimed by both Argentina and the United Kingdom. Thatcher’s government sent a task force
to the Falklands that (33) __________________ the Argentines. Bolstered by the (34)
_______________________________ of her Falkland Islands policy, Thatcher led the Conservatives to a
sweeping victory in the parliamentary elections of June 1983. Victorious in the June 1987
elections, she became the first British prime prime minister to serve (35) _____________________
consecutive terms. During Thatcher’s years as prime minister, unemployment (36)
______________________, almost doubling in her first term. Thatcher opposed the socialist programs

45
of the Labour (BE) Party and worked orked to decrease the role of government in the economy. She
(37)___________________________ some nationalized industries and social programs, including
education, housing and health care. In 1990 (38) _______________ over Thatcher’s tax policy
andd over her reluctance to commit the United Kingdom to full economic integration with
Europe inspired a strong challenge to her leadership. She (39) _____________ in November
and was (40) ___________________________ as party leader and prime minister by her protégé, John
Majors.

Princess Diana - “I’d like people to think of me as someone who cares about them…”

An unlikely hero, or heroine, was Princess Diana. She was (41) _____________ into privilege, the
daughter of Earl Spencer and, after her fairy-tale
fairy to Prince Charles, had several palaces to
choose from. She became a fashion icon and her [physical] (42) ______________________
was widely imitated. Another side to her was her (43) _____________________ for people with
AIDS and her opposition to land mi
mines, a product of the military-industrial
industrial complex, of which
she herself was arguably a part.

Princess Diana was a paradoxical heroine in that her wealth could have separated her from
[the ordinary] people in the street, but it didn’t. She was genuinely liked liked by her future
subjects, so much so that then Prime Minister Tony Blair could make political capital by
calling her ‘the (44)________________________ Princess’ at her funeral. The arrival of Princess Diana
was a watershed in attitudes to the monarchy. When When she was outpouring of (45)
_________________________ . It was a moment when the nation came together in sorrow because
Diana represented (46) _____________. Which were theirs as well as hers, compassion for the
sick in an uncaring Thatcherite world; frustration
frustration at restrictions in a society hidebound by
hierarchy; open-mindedness
mindedness in a Britain needing to become (47) ____________________________; an
evident need for (48) _________________ to break out from the stultifying conventions of marriage
and assert their sexual (49) ______________________________ - although arguably the latter was just the
continuation of an upper-class class practice made much harder to hide nowadays from the
paparazzi. Her funeral was one of the periodic, unscripted moments in current aaffairs which
unleash genuine feelings of solidarity among the British people. It is as if they wake up from
their traditional passive (50) ________________________ and realize how much they really care about
certain issues. There is a subtle shift in the public
public mood and in people’s relations with one
another.

David & Victoria Beckham

46
 – Two contemporary heroes for young people are David
Beckham, the now retired football star and captain in the UK and in the U.S.A., and his wife
Victoria, formerly a member
member of the manufactured group, “the Spice Girls”. “Posh and Becks”,
as they are called, are style icons and are (51) ________________________________ minutely by the
media, their fans, and detractors. They both have jobs to do, and theoretically the intense
media interest which (52) ________________ them “just happens”. Although what is reported is made
to seem spontaneous and natural, it is in fact the product of an elaborate public relations
(53)_________________________ . In August 2001 the British national press contained 450 stories about
Victoria Beckham. This cannot have been accidental. Becks (54) __________________ his child
Brooklyn’s name tattooed in gothic script his lower back, where press photographers can see
it. As an ambitious young couple, they have realized that for them life in the media is (55)
_______________________ in the bank.

Suggestion: you can choose words from this group to fill in the blank

admired defeated interest People succeeded

appearance early known/famous political success
attended elected leadership power surrounds
born enabled literature privatized thoroughly
campaign first Liverpool reign three
chemistry freedom minister replaced
eplaced to
command greatest money resigned tradition
compassion grief multicultural revolutionized
conservatism has murder rose University
controversy imperial observed solo values
decline individual originally son women

Supplementary File – Britain ‘Round the Calendar

 Lead-in

1. How many public holidays are there in Vietnam? What are they?
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................
2. What is your favorite holiday; why do you like it?
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................

47
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................
3. Can you label the following pictures; do you know what day (holiday) each group of
pictures represents?
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................
................................................................
................................................................................................
................................................

1. ___________________ 2. ________________ 3. ____________________

A ___________________________ B ________________________

4. __________________________________________

5.______________________ 6.___________________ 7.________________________

C _________________________

48
8. _______________________
___________ 9 ____________________ 10 _____________________

D ______________________ E ___________________ F _____________________

11 ______________________________

49
 National Days
Each of the countries that make up the United Kingdom has their own National Day, named
after their respective patron saint:

March 1st St. David’s Day – is the national day of Wales. St. David (c.520-588AD)
588AD) was the
founder and first abbot-bishop
bishop of Menivia, now called St. David’s in Dyfed, South Wales.
The day is commemorated by the wearing of daffodils or leeks. Both plants are regarded as
national symbols.

March 17th St. Patrick’s Day – is the national day of Northern Ireland. The work of St.
Patrick (c.389AD-c.461AD)
c.461AD) was a vital factor in the spread of Christianity in Ireland. Born in
Britain, he was carried off by pirates and spent six years in slavery before escap
escaping and
training as a missionary. The day is marked by the wearing of shamrocks, the national
emblem of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

April 23rd St. George’s Day – is the national day of England. A story dating back to the 6th
Century
ury tells that St. George rescued a maiden by slaying a fearsome fire-breathing
fire breathing dragon.
The saint’s name was a shouted battle cry of English knights who fought beneath the red cross
banner of St. George during the Hundred Years War (1338
(1338-1453).

November 30th St. Andrew’s Day – is the national day of Scotland. St. Andrew was one of
Christ’s twelve apostles. Some of his bones are said to have been brought to what is now St.
50
Andrews in Fife during the 4th Century. Since the Middle Ages (medieval times
times) the X-shaped
saltire cross upon which St. Andrew was supposedly crucified has been the Scottish national
symbol.

Public Holidays

There are only six public holidays a year in the UK. They are Christmas Day, Boxing Day,
Good Friday, Easter Monday, Spring Bank Holiday and Late Summer Bank Holiday. In
Scotland, New Year’s Day is also a public holiday. Christmas Day is observed on December
25th and Boxing Day on December 26th. Good Friday and Easter Monday depend on Easter
Sunday which falls on the fi rst Sunday after a full moon or after March 21st. The Spring Bank
first
Holiday falls on the last Monday of May or on the first Monday in June while the Late
Summer Bank Holiday comes on the first or last Monday in August.

There are several other festivals, anniversaries

anniversaries and simply “days” on which certain traditions
are observed; unless they fall on a Sunday, these are ordinary working days. Some examples
of these include: Pancake Day, also called Shrove Tuesday and Bonfire Day, also called Guy
Fawkes Day.

Spotlight
tlight on British Celebrations

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

All over Britain there are New Year’s Celebrations on December 31st. Most people “see in”
the New Year with family and friends. In Scotland and the North of England, people go ‘first ‘first-
footing’.
’. They call at friends’ houses, trying to be the first person through the door after
midnight. To symbolize ‘good luck’, the visitors carry a piece of coal and a glass of water.
The ‘luckiest type’ of first-footer
footer is a tall, dark man. On New Year’s Day (J(January 1st) people
make New Year’s resolutions. They decide to do something to improve their lives, e.g. people
decide to give up smoking or go to the gym once a week.

Saint Valentine’s Day

St. Valentine’s Day is February 14th. People send a Valentine’s Day

ay card to someone they
love, fancy, admire or secretly like. Many men give candy and flowers to their wives or
girlfriends.

Pancake Day
51
Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts. Lent is a Christian fast which
lasts for 40 days before Easter. Pancake Day is traditionally a day of celebration, the last day
to eat whatever you want before Easter. Pancakes are made of flour, eggs and milk which are
all things which should NOT be eaten during Lent. Nowadays people do not usually fast but
some give up something such as sweets or smoking or using Facebook for the 40 days.

April Fool’s Day

April Fool’s Day is on the 1st of April. People can play jokes (tricks) on people, even on
teachers. When they discover the joke or trick the one who initiated it says, “April Fool!”.
Tradition says that the jokes have to be played before 12 noon or “the joke is on you”.

Easter (Resurrection) Sunday

Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Schools (in the UK)
close for two weeks at Easter. On Good Friday, people eat hot cross buns, which are small
sweet rolls (bread). They are eaten toasted and with butter. People often give each other
chocolate Easter eggs on Easter Sunday. The eggs are usually hollow and contain sweets.

May Day

On May 1st, in villages throughout Britain you can see children dancing around the maypole
and singing songs. May Day is a pagan festival to celebrate the end of winter and welcome
summer.

Trooping the Colour (BE)

This occurs on the second Saturday in June and celebrates the Queen’s official birthday (her
real birthday is April 21st). She watches a parade of hundreds of soldiers. There is lots of
marching, military music and the soldiers are dressed in colorful (AmE) uniforms.

Notting Hill Carnival

During the last weekend in August, there is a big carnival at Notting Hill in west London.
People who take part dress up in fabulous costumes; Steel bands play African and Caribbean
dance music and blow whistles. It’s the biggest carnival outside of Brazil.

Harvest Festivals

In the autumn, harvest festivals are held. These are Christian festivals and churches are
decorated with fruit, vegetables and flowers that people bring. Traditionally, the festival was
held to say “thank you” to God for a good harvest.

Hallowe’en

October 31st is Hallowe’en. This pagan festival celebrates the souls of the dead that
(supposedly) come back to visit places where they used to live. In the evening there are lots of
Hallowe’en parties or fancy dress parties. People dress up as witches, ghosts, devils, cats, bats

52
or anything scary. Houses are decorated with pumpkins that have been carved out and have
candles inside [these are called “jack-o-lanterns”]. Some children follow the American
custom called “trick or treat”. Children go to a house, knock on the door and, when someone
answers say, “Trick or treat!?”. Many people give the children candy or a small toy or a piece
of fruit, a “treat” and the children go away. Otherwise, if they do not receive a treat, the
children may play a trick on the people in the house.

Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night)

Guy Fawkes is Britain’s most famous terrorist. On November 5th, 1605, Guy Fawkes planned
to blow up the Houses of Parliament and the King of England, James I. The plot was
discovered and Guy Fawkes died after being tortures and hanged. Every year on November
5th people celebrate by setting off fireworks and burning paper models of Guy Fawkes on big
bonfires.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is December 25th. Children wake up early to find a stocking full of small
presents on their bed. Other presents [gifts], opened when everyone is together, are arranged
around the Christmas tree, which is usually decorated with multicolored lights and ornaments.
A traditional Christmas dinner includes roast turkey, roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts,
followed by Christmas pudding.

 Follow-up

1. How do you usually celebrate New Year’s?

................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. Describe what you wear what you eat, who you meet and what you do.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
3. Would you send a Valentine’s Day card; to whom?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
4. Is Christmas celebrated in Vietnam? Compare and contrast Christmas in Britain with
Christmas in Vietnam.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
53
 Vocabulary Building: Festivals

Noun Verb Adjective

There are big celebrations on
New Year’s Day
The festival is a time of
renewal.
The festival is held in March.
[special day(s)/event(s)] The
festivities go on for days.
[enjoyable activities]
The parade in the town square
was a very colorful spectacle.
Many customs have their
origin in pagan ceremonies.
New Year’s Day is
celebrated in many ways.
The festival celebrates the
New Year.
Each year, the festival
renews the national spirit of
the people.
It was a public holiday and
everyone was in a
celebratory mood.
The success of the cancer
drugs gave her renewed
hope.
There was a festive mood
in the village during the
Spring holiday.
The parade is always
spectacular.
A ceremonial procession
is held through the streets
of the city.

Use the words and phrases from the table above to rewrite the underlined words in each
sentence. Use the word-type indicated and make any necessary changes to the sentence
(to make it correct).

1. For Christians, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. VERB

2. The festival events included parades, sports and musical gatherings. NOUN

3. There was a feeling of celebration about the whole weekend. ADJECTIVE

4. For the country people, the Spring Festival symbolically renews the fertility of the land.
NOUN

5. There was an atmosphere of ceremony as the military bands marched around the main
square. ADJECTIVE

6. People tend to be in a mood for having a festival when the harvest is successfully
completed. ADJECTIVE

7. You should go and see the lantern festival. It’s always very spectacular. NOUN

54
 UNIT 4. ENGLAND

 Lead-in

1. What are some of the typical things often associated with England?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
2. How big is England in comparison with other parts of Britain?
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
3. Name some British cities you know. Two cities where two of the most famous universities
in the world are located are ____________________ and ______________________.

 Reading Text

England (from the Latin Anglia), [a] political division of the island of Great Britain, [is]
the principal division of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The
English Channel runs along England’s southern border and the North Sea forms England’s
eastern border. Wales and the Irish Sea border England on the west. Scotland runs along
55
England’s northwestern border. Established as an independent monarchy many centuries ago,
England in time achieved political control over the rest of the island, the British Isles, and vast
sections of the world, becoming the nucleus of one of the greatest empires in history. The
capital, largest city and chief port of [entry to] England is London (originally called
‘Londonium’ by the Romans). It [London] is also the capital of the United Kingdom and the
site [location] of the headquarters of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Physical Geography of England

Topography (a synonym of geography)

England covers over 130,423 square kilometers [of land] and is the largest of the countries
comprising the island of Britain, covering about two-thirds of the island. Overall, England can
be divided into two major regions: the highland zone of hills and mountains in the north and
west and the lowland zone of rolling plains in the south and east (‘rolling’ hills or ‘rolling’
plains are sections of land featuring small hills with gentle slopes that extend a long distance).

The parts of England [that are] in the highland zone include the Pennine Mountains, a chain of
mountains that extends down from the north into northern England and into the southwestern
peninsula. The Pennine Mountains are sometimes called “the backbone of England”. It (the
mountain chain) is a massive upland area extending 160 miles (260 km) north to south,
starting at the Cheviot Hills on England’s border with Scotland and ending in the Midlands of
central England. It is made up of several broad, rolling windswept moorlands separated by
deep river valleys. Many of England’s industrial areas lie on the flanks of the Pennine Chain,
where there are many coal fields. To the west of the Pennines are the Cumbrian Mountains, a
mountainous dome of ancient rocks deeply eroded by glaciers. This region contains the Lake
District, famous for lakes and scenic beauty. The highest elevations of England are in
Cumbria and the Lake District. Scafell Pike, 978 meters, a part of the Cumbrian Mountains, is
the highest point in England. The part of the highland zone in England’s southwest peninsula
is often referred to as the West Country. This peninsula, which juts [‘sticks’] out into the
Atlantic Ocean, contains the counties of Devon and Cornwall. It features hilly, rough areas,
the moorland plateaus of Dartmoor and Exmoor, and many picturesque valleys. Its sheltered
areas are noted for their mild climate. Generally, the highland is cooler than the lowland and
gets more rainfall and less sunlight. In many places in the Highlands it’s impossible to farm.
The soil is often too thin and stony, with hard rock formations [just] below the [surface of the]
ground.

The lowland zone contains mostly rolling plains. It receives less rain and more sunshine than
the highland zone and much of the soil in the zone is fertile. Most of the lowland region is less
than 150 m (500 feet) above sea level, and the hills rarely reach more than 300m (1,000 ft)
above sea level. It [the region] has been extensively inhabited, farmed, and grazed for
thousands of years. Most of Britain’s population lives densely packed into the lowland zone,
which covers most of England. The metropolis of London and most of Britain’s large cities
are located in the lowland zone. The flattest lands in the lowland region are in the east,
particularly on the large, hump-shaped area called East Anglia.

56
Climate [The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what
conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the
atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time.]

The overall climate in England is called temperate maritime. This means that it is mild with
temperatures not much lower than 0o C in winter and not much higher than 32o C in summer.
It also means that it is damp and is subject to frequent changes.

England has four seasons –

Spring – March to May

Summer – June to August
Autumn (also called Fall) – September to November
Winter – December to February

In winter, the temperature drops below [the] freezing point. It is cold, wet and windy; and, it
sometimes snows between December and March. However, the temperatures rarely get below
0o C. [Near] the coasts, February is the coldest months, but inland there is little to choose
[difference] between January and February as [being] the coldest months.

In summer, it can be as hot as 32o C but mostly the temperature only reaches 26o C. The
average high [temperature] in London is around 21o C and the average low is around
[approximately] 12o C. July is normally the warmest month in England. Probably the best
months to travel in England are May, June, September and October. These months generally
have the most pleasant temperatures and less rain. July and August are the warmest months,
but they are also the wettest.

Precipitation averages about 76cm (about 30 inches) annually in most of England. The Lake
District is England’s wettest region, receiving an average of 330cm of precipitation each year.
The western and northern hills receive about 102cm of rain, while the east coast receives about
51cm. Fog, misty and overcast [grey] skies are frequent, particularly in the Pennines and inland
regions.

As it can be observed, different parts of England have different types of weather. Variations in
the weather can be significant even within a relatively short geographical distance.
Temperatures in the north of England tend to be lower than in the south. The further south
you go the warmer it gets. Northeast England is the coolest [region] in the country. It is
relatively dry all year. Northwest England has cool summers, mild winters, and heavy [a lot
of] rain. Southern England offers the best weather with mild winters. The south coast of
England is the sunniest part of the country. The southeast has more temperature variations
with warmer summers and cooler winters [than in other regions]. In the southwest, it rains all
year, especially [during] winter.

Images of England
River Thames (pronounced, ‘tems’)

57
 The River Thames is the most important river
in southern England. It rises in four
headstreams – the Isis, the Churn, the Colne,
and the Leach – on the southeastern slope of
the Cotswold Hills, in Gloucestershire, near
Cheltenham.

The Thames is the main source of the water supply oof London.
The part of the river immediately below the London Bridge is called the Pool and the part
between the bridge and Blackwall is called the Port.

Big Ben (2012 renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honor of the Queen in recognition of the
Queen's 60 year reign)

Big Ben is the great bell in the clock tower on the eastern end of the
Houses of Parliament in London. The booming 13.5 ton bell first rang
out in 1859. Officially, Big Ben is only the name of the biggest of the
five bells in the clock tower also known (previously) as St. Stephen’s
Tower.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is the most famous church in

Great Britain, enshrining many of the traditions of
the British people. Located in London and officially
known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter in
ter, it was built in stages between the 11th
Westminster,
and 19th centuries. The tombs of famous citizens –
among them poet Geoffrey Chaucer, physicist Isaac
Newton, and naturalist Charles Darwin – are located
in the main church of the abbey. The abbey also
contains monuments
onuments to prominent political figures
and, in the four bays and aisles comprising the
Poet’s Corner, tributes to Shakespeare and other
outstanding literary personages.

58
Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament, also called the New Palace of Westminster, is the seat of the
British legislature, a great mass of buildings on the east bank [shore] of the Thames River in
London. It was built (1840 – 1860) after plans by Sir Charles Barry, on tthe site of the
medieval royal residence, the Palace of Westminster, which was largely destroyed by fire in
1834. The buildings cover an area of more than 3 hectares (8 acres) and contain 1100
apartments, 100 staircases, and 11 courts.

Bobbies

Bobby (nickname
ckname for policeman) is named named after Sir
Robert Peel, the politician who created London’s police force in
the 19th Century. ‘Bobby’ is a familiar form of ‘Robert’

Double-decker Buses
Double-decker
decker buses can be seen all over
Britain but only red ones are seen in London.
Buses in London are not as popular as the
Tube (underground train) because they get
stuck in traffic. London traffic now moves at
an average of 6 miles per hour (9.6 km/hr), the
same speed as when there were horse
horse-drawn
carriages.

59
 The Rose the national flower of England is the
rose. The flower has been adopted as
England’s emblem since the time of the Wars
of the Roses – civil wars (1455-1485)
(1455 between
the royal house of Lancaster (whose emblem
was a

red rose) and the royal house of York

(whose emblem was the white rose).

The Oak The oak is sometimes depicted as the traditional tree of

England, partly for its connotation of strength
and endurance, and partly for its royal
associations. Not only is it regarded as the
‘monarch of the forest’ but it also has historic
links with individual English kings.

Cricket

Cricket has been played since the 1500s. It is

considered the national game of England not in
terms of its popularity – interest in it is
confined mainly to the middle classes – but in a
symbolic sense. Cricket symbolizes a slow and
peaceful rural life. Cricket is also quite popular
in countries that were formerly British colonies,
such as India, Canada, Australia and Pakistan.

60
 Places of Interest
Lake District

Lake District is the geographical term which refers to the region of mountains and lakes in
Northwestern England. There are several lakes, or moraines here and innumerable tarns (a
mountain lake or pool, formed in a cirque excavated by a glacier. It is for
formed when either rain
or river water fills the cirque. A moraine may form a natural dam below a tarn).

Stonehenge
Stonehenge in southern Britain is one of the
most famous and interesting megalithic
monuments in the world. [Thought to have
been] first constructed in 2880 B.C.,
Stonehenge was used by prehistoric people
for about 1,700 years. Stonehenge consists
of a ring of megaliths surrounded by a bank
of dirt and a ditch (a long channel dug at the
side of a field to hold or take away water).
Within this large bank,, many holes were
dug, also in a circle. The design and
purpose of Stonehenge has been and is still
a source of interest to many.

Is it possible that people with the wisdom and knowledge required to build structures such as
Stonehenge lived 4,000 years ago? Were they the first true astronomers (some guess that the
61
structure was used to predict solar and lunar eclipses)? Scientists may never know the answers
to these questions for sure; but, the study of Stonehenge and similar stone monuments
continues to the present day. Perhaps there is more for modern society to learn from these
seemingly simple and crude structures.

 Comprehension Check
Decide whether these statements are true (T) or false (F)
1. Much of the land in England is flat. ____
2. The landscape of England is more rugged in the south and east. ___
3. The surrounding sea gives England a varied climate. ____
4. England’s climate is rarely marked by extremes of heat or cold. ___
5. Temperatures in the north of England tend to be higher than in the south. ___

Complete the table below with the most prominent characteristics of the Highland Zone and
the Lowland Zone in England.

Highland Zone Lowland Zone

1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
7. 7.

What is most important about the following items? Give the definition in the corresponding
space in the right column.

Items Superlative Definition

The Thames
January and February
Scafell Pike
July and August
Northeast
South coast of England
Windermere
Lake District

Find the correct term for each of the following descriptions.

1. The most famous church in England ______________________________

2. The seat of the British legislature ______________________________
3. The most important river in Southern England ______________________________
4. The national flower of England ______________________________
5. Nickname for policeman in England ______________________________
6. A popular form of transportation _______________________________
7. The traditional tree of England _______________________________

62
Stonehenge

1. Explain the following words or phrases

a. A megalith is …
b. The summer solstice is …
c. The central axis is …
d. The tomb is …
2. Indicate which of the following statements are factual(F) and which are the author’s
implications and your inferences (I), and which are judgments and opinions of the author
(J). Be careful, as statements
tatements that seem wrong to you are likely to be judgments.

a. Stonehenge was an important place for prehistoric people of southern Britain. _____
b. The builders Stonehenge knew a great deal about the solar system. _____
c. Stonehenge was used to observe the pha
phases of the moon. ____
d. Scientists have a good explanation for Stonehenge. ____
e. Stonehenge was constructed in about the year 2800 B.C. ____
f. Archeologists will continue to study Stonehenge. ____
g. The builders of Stonehenge were the first astronomers. ____
h. Stonehenge
ehenge consists of a circle of megaliths and a circle of holes. ____
i. Society can learn something valuable about its past by studying ancient places like
Stonehenge. ____
j. During the longest day of the year. The sun shines directly through a row of megaliths
megaliths.
____
k. Megaliths can be found all over the world. ____

LONDON
 Lead-in

63
1. Compare the area and population of London with that of Hanoi.

2. Among the images of England mentioned in the overview of England (pp.), which come
from London?

Label the following pictures with:

with

1. The residence of the royal family.

2. The cathedral with the second biggest dome in the world.
3. The world’s biggest ferris wheel.

_____________________ _______________________

___________________

How do
o you understand the saying, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”?

Which of the following is NOT associated with London?

A. The Beatles B. Prime Meridian C. Parks D. Theatres

 Reading Text

London is the capital of the United Kingdom. London’s

London’s original name was Londinium
(founded, built and named by the Romans). It is situated in southeastern England along the
Thames [pronounced ‘tems’] River. With a population of about 7 million, this vast metropolis
64
is by far the largest city in Europe, a distinction it has maintained since the 17th Century. In
the 19th Century it was the largest and most influential city in the world, the center of a large
and prosperous overseas empire. London’s metropolitan area extends for more than 48.27 km
(30 miles) at its widest point, covering some 1610 square kilometers (620 sq miles). It is
about seven times larger than any other city in the country, with about one fifth (1/5th) of the
total population of the UK living in the Greater London Area. Two well-known areas within
London are the West End and the East End. The former is known as the poorest residential
area of central London. It is the home of Cockney and during the twentieth century large
numbers of immigrants settled there.

There are many other parts of central London which have their own distinctive characteristics;
and, central London itself makes up only a very small part of Greater London. In common
with many other European cities, the population in the central area decreased in the second
half of the twentieth century. The majority of ‘Londoners’ live in the suburbs, millions of
them traveling into the center each day to work. These suburbs cover a vast area of land.

Like many large cities, London is in some way untypical [unlike] the rest of the country in
that it is so cosmopolitan [familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures].
Although all of Britain’s cities have some degree of cultural and racial variety, the variety is
by far greatest in London. A survey carried out in the 1980s found that 137 different
languages were spoken in the homes of just one district.

In recent years it has been claimed that London is in decline. It is losing its place as one of the
world’s biggest financial centers and it no longer ranks among the world’s most populous
cities. Nevertheless, its popularity as a tourist destination is still growing. This popularity is
probably the result of its combination of apparently infinite cultural variety and a long history
which has left visible signs of its richness and drama.

 COMPREHENSION CHECK

1. Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A. The majority of London’s population lives in central London.
B. The original walled city of London is now an important financial area.
C. London is Britain’s most cosmopolitan city.

2. According to the text London ____________________.

A. has not lost its popularity as a tourist destination.
B. is the most cosmopolitan city in Britain.
C. is the world’s biggest financial center.

3. One of the evidences that shows London’s cultural and racial variety is that
______________.
A. it is untypical of the rest of the country.
B. many different languages were spoken in the homes in one district.
C. London is densely populated.

65
4. The area surrounding the outer suburbs of London is densely populated because
_____________.
A. it is the most developed area in the UK.
B. it has many large cities.
C. many people living there travel into London to work everyday.

5. London is situated in the _______________ of England.

A. southeast
B. southwest
C. northeast

Decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F).

1. The West End is where large numbers of immigrants have settled. _____
2. A person who lives in the East End is called a Cockney. ______
3. In the second half of the 20th Century, the population in central London increased
considerably. ____
4. More Londoners live in the suburbs than in the central area. ____
5. In comparison with the rest of the UK, London is most multiracial and multicultural.
_____
6. More immigrants live in London than in any other part of the UK. __
7. London is the most populous city in the world. ____

 Follow-up

Choose the correct ending for each sentence

a. getting lost
b. find my way around
c. stuck in traffic
d. rushing about all the time

1. People are always so busy. Everybody’s ___________.

2. The roads are terrible. I’m always getting __________.
3. The underground system is impossible. I’m always _______.
4. London’s so big. It took me ages to _______.

Complete the sentences with the words in the box

1. Trying to get a seat on the train during the (1) _______________ is a nightmare! It’s so
(2) __________. Driving is even more (3)___________- the (4) ________________ is
awful between 5 and 7.

2. The walls in the town center are covered in (5)________.

66
3. There’s a very (6) __________ feel to it.

4. I love it here. Everything I want is only five minutes away. It’s so (7) _______.

5. Everything’s a bit more expensive here and (8) __________ are extremely high. A lot of
people have no choice but to live out in the (9) ____________ and (10)_________ into
work.

6. It’s so easy to get around. (11) __________ is excellent – it’s cheap and (12)_________.

efficient b. crowded c. traffic d. suburbs c. traffic d. suburbs

e. cosmopolitan f. stressful g. graffiti h. rush hour i. commute k. convenient
l. property prices m. public transport

London
More information
 One million people commute into central London every
day. Sixty percent of these people use the Tube, mainly
because the London Underground system extends far
into the suburbs.
 Some visitors say that London is an expensive city, but
there are some things to do which do not cost a lot of
money. Most museums are free and give free guided
tours as well as lectures.

Work in pairs to discuss the similarities and differences between London and Hanoi.

Similarities:

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
________________________

Differences

London … but (in) Hanoi (has, there is/are)

________________________ _____________________

________________________ _____________________

________________________ _____________________

________________________ _____________________
67
________________________ _____________________

________________________ _____________________

________________________ _____________________

Practice speaking these

E.G. “London has double-decker buses but in Hanoi there are only buses with one level”.

“In Hanoi many people use a xeom, a motorbike-taxi, to get around; London does not
have these”.

London and Hanoi both have lots of tourists!

Regional Prejudice in England

What is meant by “prejudice”?

Prejudice can be: national, regional, religious, racial, sexual, political, based on your
appearance, based on intelligence/ability. Can you think of examples for each type of
prejudice; or, any other types of prejudice? What prejudices do you have?

READING TEXT

In every country there are regional differences. People living in one region make jokes about
the characteristics (real or imagined) of people living in another. Television is breaking down
regional differences, but the jokes and comments continue. In Britain there are many jokes
which begin “There was an Englishman, an Irishman, a Scotsman and a Welshman, and …”.
In England itself, there are myths about every region, but the broader differences are those
between the North and the South. There are real geographical and economic variations; the
North can be characterized as [being] more industrial, cooler, hillier, and more working class,
the South as middle-class, more suburban, flatter, and wealthier. There are also the irrational
things the English often say about each other. Several people were asked to comment on the
differences. Perhaps the most interesting comment was made by a woman from Lancashire (in
the North) who said: “Southerners? I can’t understand them. They’re stuck up and snobbish.
But at least they’re not as bad as bloody Yorkshiremen”!

As Yorkshire is also in the North, it shows that the most violent prejudices are very localized.

68
Here are some of the comments that were collected.

What some Northerners say [said]:

‘If you go into a pub in the South, everybody ignores you. The North is much more direct and
friendly. We’re real people’.

‘You know the old saying…people in the North earn money, people in the South count it’.

‘As you go North, the beer gets better’.

‘I think there’s more sense of community. Perhaps we interfere more – but we help each other
too’.

‘Southerners? They don’t like getting their hands dirty. They stand around in wine bars,
covered with talcum powder and after-shave, talking posh [in an upper-class way]’.

I was born in Manchester, but I live in the South. You know, I think things are better in the
South for women. Northern men seem to want to get down to the pub on their own and avoid
women. Men in the south help more in the home - that’s a statistic. Northern men are
more…macho’.

‘They think they’re better than us – just because they talk posh. They’re a load of snobs’.

In Yorkshire we say what we want. Southerners think we’re bloody rude, but we’re more
blunt and honest. They smile in your face and stab you in the back’.

If you go to London, keep your hand on your wallet. They’d rob their own grandmothers’.

‘Liverpudlians are the funniest people in the country. They’ve got this marvelous natural
sense of humor’.

‘The North may be dirtier – but don’t forget, “where there’s muck there’s brass”’ (i.e. “where
there’s dirt there’s money”).

What some Southerners say [said]:

‘Actually some of my best friends are Northerners, but of course they’re not typical
Northerners, if you know what I mean’.

‘The North? A load of men with heavy colds, standing round in pubs wearing cloth caps
swilling beer and playing darts’.

‘They spend their money on beer and bingo. We probably earn less, but we spend it on our
houses. When they come down here, they think we’re all rich. We’re probably worse off than
them’.

‘I used to work in Yorkshire. They’re all bloody rude and bloody mean’.

They live on sticky buns, tripe and black pudding. The food’s much more varied down here’.

69
I really think the North’s more conservative…I’m not talking about politics, but their attitude
to life. Things change more here’.

They say we “talk posh” – we just speak better English, that’s all’.

There’s more equality of the sexes in the South. Northerners treat women like doormats. Mind
you, the women go round in curlers all day on Saturday – or they used to ten years ago’.

They’ve got a massive inferiority complex. They imagine we’re all either stockbrokers or
country bumpkins with straw in our mouths. The prejudice comes more from them. They
don’t see that we’re just like them”.

‘I’m a Southerner – but I do find the North much warmer…the people, that is, not the
weather…and friendlier…more genuine, I think’.

DISCUSSION

What kinds of regional prejudice do you have in Vietnam?

Do you think there’s any truth in them?

70
 UNIT 5. SCOTLAND

Lead-in

The highest peak in the UK is located in Scotland. DO you know its name and elevation
(height)? Compare it with the Fan Si Pan – the highest point in Vietnam.

1. Is English the official language of Scotland?

2. Do you know the name of a well-known

well lake in Scotland
where a monster is supposed to live?

71
 What do you know about the
traditional Scottish highland
dress [attire] for me; what is it
called?

A. Saffron robe
B. Kilt
C. Sarong
D. Cloak

Look at the man in the picture above. Do you know that name of the musical instrument he is
playing?

Reading Text

Scotland, or in Gaelic, Alba,, is a country (formerly an independent kingdom) located in

northwestern Europe, occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain.
Scotland was first untied with England in 1603, when the Scottish King James the Sixth (VI)
ecame [King] James the First (I) of England and Scotland. On March 26th, 1707, the Scottish
became
and English parliaments merged to form the Kingdom of Great Britain, which eventually
became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, though some aaspects,
notably Scotland’s legal system, did remain separate [and Scotland’s system of education is
different from the rest of the UK]. In 1999, Scotland received its own devolved home rule
parliament to govern the country on purely domestic matters. Scotl
Scotland
and is the second
second-largest
nation in the United Kingdom (after England).

Regions & Cities

Scotland has three fairly clearly-marked

marked regions. Just north of the border with England are the
southern uplands,, an area of small towns, quite far apart from each other, whose economy
depends on a large extent on sheep farming.

Further north, there is the central plain [region]. Finally, there are the highlands
highlands, consisting
of mountains and deep valleys and including numerous small islands off of the west coast.
This
his area of spectacular natural beauty occupies the same land area as southern England but
fewer than a million people live there. It is in the central plain and along the strip of east coast
extending northwards, that more than 80% of the population of Scotland
Scotland lives. In recent
times, this region has had many of the same difficulties as the industrial north of England,
although the North Sea oil industry has helped to keep unemployment down.

Major Cities
Scotland’s two major cities have different reputations.
reputations. Glasgow is the third largest city in
Britain. It is associated with heavy industry and some of the worst housing conditions in
Britain (the district called Gorbals, although now rebuilt, was famous in this respect).
However, this image is one-sided.
sided. Glasgow has a strong artistic heritage. At the turn of the
19th Century the work of the Glasgow School of Art [Movement, led by Mackintosh] put the
city at the forefront of European design and architecture. In 1990, it [Glasgow] was the
European City of Culture.
lture. Over the centuries, Glasgow has received many immigrants from
Ireland and in some ways reflects the divisions in the community that exists in Northern
72
Ireland. For example, of its two rival football [soccer] teams, one is Catholic (Celtic) and the
other is Protestant (Rangers).
Edinburgh, which is half the size of Glasgow, has a comparatively middle-class image
(although class differences between the two cities are not really very great). It is the capital of
Scotland and is associated with scholarship, the law and administration. This reputation,
together with its many fine historic buildings, and also perhaps its topography (there is a rock
in the middle of the city on which stands a castle) has led to it being called ‘Athens of the
North’. The annual Edinburgh Festival of the Arts is internationally famous.

Weather & Climate

Like the climate in the rest of Britain, that of Scotland is subject to the moderating influences
of the surrounding seas. As a result of these influences, extreme seasonal variations are rare,
and temperate winters and cool summers are the outstanding climatic features. Low
temperatures, however, are common during the winter season in the mountainous districts of
the interior. In the western coastal region, which is subject to the moderating effects of the
Gulf Stream, conditions are somewhat milder than in the east. The average January
temperature of the eastern coastal region is 4oC (39oF), and the average January temperature
of the western coastal region is 3oC (37oF); corresponding July averages are 14oC (57oF) and
15oC (59oF). The average January and July temperatures for the city of Edinburgh are 3oC
(37oF) and 14oC (57oF), respectively. Precipitation, which is marked by regional variations,
ranges from about 3800 mm (about 150 inches) annually in the western Highlands to 635 mm
(about 25 in) annually in certain eastern areas.

Scotland has rich popular weather lore [a body of traditions and knowledge on a subject or
held by a particular group, typically passed from person to person by word of mouth]. In fact,
these sayings fall into two groups: forecasting weather and forecasting climate. Climate
forecasts, those sayings which predict summer rainfall from observing when species of trees
[produce leaves] ‘come into leaf’ or the severity of the coming winter from the time of
migration of certain birds, have little validity. But familiarity with the local topography can
enable a reasonable forecast of weather within the next few hours to be made, if the wind
direction, temperature and humidity are known. Over hundreds or thousands of years, people
have recorded these weather signs in the form of proverbs, such as the familiar ‘red sky at
night, shepherd’s delight’. Or this description of Scottish weather by Buff Hardie:
In Gaelic
With a rody sky at bedtime Rughadh shuas an a’m laidhe,
Fingla would rise early, Dh’ eireadh Unionn moch’s a mhaduinn
With a rosy sky at dawn Rughadh Shuas’s a’mohoch mhaduinn
He would take another sleep Dheanadh Fionn an ath-chadal

The Thistle & the Bluebell

The prickly purple thistle is perhaps the most
identifiable symbol of all things Scottish and
nowadays, it can be seen promoting the
‘Scottishness’ of a wide variety of products,
services and organizations. Ever present in fields
and pastures throughout Scotland, thistle has
been Scotland’s emblem for centuries. The first
use as a royal symbol was on silver coins issued by King James III in 1470. The plant, which
grows to a height of about 1.5 meters (five feet), has no enemies because of vicious spines
that cover it like armor plating. But why is it that such a proud people as the Scots should
choose a humble weed as its national symbol? In truth, no one knows. There is a legend which

73
relates how a sleeping party [group] of Scots warriors were almost set upon by an invading
band of Vikings and were only saved when one of the attackers trod on a wild thistle with his
bare feet. His cries raised the alarm and the roused Scots duly defeated the Danes. In
gratitude, the plant became known as the Guardian Thistle and was adopted as the symbol of
Scotland. Sadly, there is no historical evidence to back up the tale.

Bluebells add a splash of color as they display

themselves in full flower in the woods [forests] in
Scotland. Here is an extract from a poem by
someone who appreciated such delights.

The Bluebells of Scotland

The rose, summer’s emblem,
‘tis England’s
gland’s chosen tree
and France decks her shield
With the stately Fluer-de-lis.
But brighter, fairer far than these
there blooms a flower for me,
‘Tis the Bluebell, the Bluebell
on Scotland’s grassy lea
Where from dark, up springs the lark
the rising sun to see!
Where from the dark, up springs a lark
the rising sun to see!

Customs of Scotland
Marriage and Family
People usually marry in their middle to late 20s. Many couples live together before or instead
of marriage. Marriage customs are much the same as elsewhere in the UK.
Early families living in the Scottish Highlands were loyal to their clan [family], a unit that
bound together relatives sharing a common ancestry or some other bond of loyalty. However,
clans have less importance in the lives of individual family members today.

Each clan is represented by a

tartan, a distinctive plaid pattern.
These three patterns represent
the MacDonald Clan (the
ancestors of Mr. Bill’s family.

In rural areas, the extended

d family can still be important, but in urban areas families tend to be
small and generally close-knit.
knit. Although relatives visit each other often, families are
independent from each other. The elderly prefer to stay in their homes and remain
independent as long as possible, rather than live with their married [or older unmarried]
children. Just over half of all homes are owner occupied, the lowest level in the United
Kingdom.

74
Eating
Traditionally, the Scots have favored wholesome
meals such as stews,s, eaten with vegetables such
as ‘neeps’ [turnips] and ‘tatties’ [potatoes]. The
national dish is haggis , which is a savoury
pudding containing sheep's pluck (heart, liver
and lungs); minced with onion, oatmeal, suet,
spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and
traditionally encased in the animal's stomach and
simmered for approximately three hours. Most
modern commercial haggis is prepared in a
sausage casing rather than an actual stomach.
Younger Scots typically eat less of this traditional fare. The national drink is whiskey (spelled
‘whisky’ in Scotland), the production of which contributes significantly to the economy.
There are more than 100 malt whisky distilleries in the Highlands and it is not surprising that
the
he word “Scotch” is used to mean whisky, and whiskey, throughout the world.

Socializing
A handshake is usual [typical; normal] when people are introduced, and standard English
greetings such as “Hello” and “How do you do?” are common. More informal greet greetings
among friends include: “All right?” and, in the north, “Fit like?”, to which the response is
“Nae sae bad” (‘Not so bad’) or “ALL right”.
In Scotland, visits to the home are usually prearranged. Only close friends and family drop by
[come for a visit]] unannounced.
Recreation
The most popular organized sport is soccer, followed by rugby, but a wide range of sports are
enjoyed. Many people play golf, which was devised in Scotland in the 14th or 15th Century,
and the country has many excellent courses [the field golf is played on is called a “golf
course”]. Scotland is also famous for fishing. Winter sports include curling (in which two
teams of four players slide granite “stones” over ice to reach a target) and skiing. Scotland is
the only place in the UK where it is possible to ski, although the snow conditions are not that
reliable.

Curling Snow Skiing

Highland Gamess are held in many parts of the Scottish Highlands

during the summer. They are a traditional kind of track [running]
and field [throwing, tossing] meeting where the events include
tossing the caber [a roughly trimmed tree trunk] and throwing the
hammer [a heavy metal ball attached to a chain]. Participants
often wear traditional dress, and musicians
play traditional bagpipe music.
75
Watching television and going to the cinema are also favorite leisure activities. Pubs – public
houses that serve alcoholic beverages
erages and sometimes food – are probably the most popular
venues outside the home for socializing.

Holidays and Celebrations

New Year’s Eve (Hogmanay) is when some of the year’s most lively celebrations take place
in Scotland. New Year’s Eve is a more important festival in Scotland than it is in England,
and it eve n has a special name. It is not clear where the word ‘hogmaynay’ comes from, but it
is connected with the provision of food and drink for all visitors to your home on Dec December
31st. Traditionally, on Hogmanay, children would go to the doors of their neighbors, and sing
and cry out “Hogmanay” to receive oatmeal cakes in return. Another tradition associated with
New Year’s Eve is the “first-footer”,
footer”, or the first person to cross
cross the threshold of a home after
midnight on New Year’s Eve [which is then New Year’s Day]. If the first-footer
first footer is a dark
dark-
haired man carrying presents, the family should have good luck for the rest of the [new] year.
The song “Auld Lang Syne”, which means “in memory of past times”, by beloved Scottish
poet Robert Burns, is sung.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and
nd never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
for
or the sake of auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for
or the sake of auld lang syne

Many Scots honor Burns’ birthday [January 25th] by celebrating his

life and works at Burns Suppers, where haggis is served.

St. Andrew’s Day,, on November 30th, honors the patron [a protecting

ting or guiding saint of a
person or place] of Scotland. Some Scots wear the blue-and-white
blue white X on that day to symbolize
the cross upon which Saint Andrew was crucified by the Romans. This X-shaped
X shaped cross has
become a patriotic symbol.

There has been a recentt revival in the popularity of wearing kilts on special occasions. Men
might wear them for events such as graduations, weddings, or Hogmanay.

76
Comprehension Check

Fill each of the gaps below with a suitable word or phrase.

1. Scotland is in the ____________________ of Great Britain. It is the _________ biggest
country and is only smaller than __________________ in area.
2. Scotland has three main regions: ______________________, ____________________,
and _____________________.
3. The economy of the Southern Upland depends largely on _________________.
4. Eighty percent (80%) of Scottish people live in the _____________________.
5. Tourism and the production of whisky play an important role in the local economy of the
________________________.
6. Two major cities in Scotland are _______________ and _________________. The
former is half the size of the latter.
Write E for Edinburgh or G for Glasgow in the space after each description below:
7. The capital of Scotland. _____
8. The third largest city in Britain. ____
9. Has a comparative middle-class image. _____
10. Associated with scholarship, the law and administration. _____
11. Associated with heavy industry and bad housing conditions. ____
12. Has a strong artistic heritage. ______
13. Sometimes called ‘Athens of the North’. _____
14. Was the European City of Culture in 1990 _____
15. Has received many immigrants from Ireland _____
16. Its two rival football teams are Celtic and Rangers. _____
Fill-in each of the following gaps with appropriate information.
17. Outstanding climatic features of Scotland are ____________ winters and _____________
summers.
18. In the western coastal region, conditions are somewhat __________ than in the east.
19. Sayings about weather in Scotland fall into two groups: forecasting _________ and
forecasting __________________. Climatic forecasts have little ____________ but
______________ forecast of weather is possible if we’re familiar with the local
topography.
20. ____________________ is the name given to certain geometrical patterns woven into
cloth, or to the cloth itself, from which are made the garments traditionally worn in the
Highlands of Scotland.

77
21. The national emblem of Scotland is ____________________.
22. The national dish of Scotland is ___________________, which is made from ground
______________ entrails, mixed with oats, and spices, and tied in a _____________’s
stomach and cooked.
23. The national drink of Scotland is _________________, the production of which
contributes significantly to the economy.
24. The Highland Games are a traditional kind of ________________ meting where the
events include tossing the caber and throwing the hammer.
25. Although ________________ are found throughout the world, Scotland is probably the
country most identified with the musical instrument.
26. The most famous poet in Scotland is _________________________.
27. Scotsmen all over the world celebrate Burns’ Night on ___________________.
28. Traditionally on New Year’s Eve, children would go to the doors of their neighbors and
sing and cry out “___________________” to receive oatmeal cake in return.
29. St. Andrew’s Day, on _________________, honors the patron saint of Scotland.
30. Men might wear _____________ for events such as graduations, weddings, or
Hogmanay.
True (T) or False (F)
31. The thistle is a symbol of love. ____
32. Clans have become less important in the lives of individual family members today ____
33. The elderly prefer to stay with their married children. ____
34. The word ‘Scotch’ is used to mean whisky throughout the world. ____
35. There has been a recent revival in the popularity of wearing kilts on special occasions.
____
36. In Scotland, visits to the home are usually prearranged. ____
37. Auld Lang Syne is a poem by an unknown author. ____
38. Hogmanay is connected with the provision of food and drink for all visitors on New
Year’s Eve. ____

78
 UNIT 6. WALES

Lead-in

How big is Wales in comparison with other parts of Britain?

Wales is a constituent part [a member] of the UK, but why is its flag not included in the
Union Flag?

Why is Wales called a principality?

Look at the pictures and fill-in

fill the blank.

Wales is a land of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and princes.

Regions & Cities

Wales is approximately 242 kilometers (150 miles) from north to south. About twotwo-thirds of
the total population of more than 2.9 million people lives
lives in the South Wales coastal area,
where the three biggest towns are located: Swansea, Cardiff and Newport
Newport.

79
 Swansea is a city in southern Wales, a seaport on
the River Tawe. Swansea is an important
industrial center with manufacturing that includes
steel and nonferrous metals and motor vehicle
parts. A large petroleum refinery and chemical
works are located in the suburb of Llandarcy. The
city is the seat of the University College of
Swansea (1920) and is host to an annual arts
festival. A Norman fortress was erected on the
site in about 1099. During the Middle Ages the community was a regional market center. Its
industrial growth began in the 18th Century, when the port was developed to export the coal
mined in southern Wales. The town center was destroyed
destroyed by German bombing during World
War II (1939-1945);
1945); the city has since been rebuilt. Swansea was enlarged in 1974 and now
includes the scenic Gower Peninsula, a farming and resort area.

Newport is a town in southwestern Wales, a port

on the Usk River. Newport
ewport is a major steel
steel-
producing center of the United Kingdom. It is also
a commercial and transportation center of
southeastern Wales. Its port, improved in the
1970s, handles imports of ore and timber and
exports of iron, steel, and machinery. Located
here
ere is Saint Woolos’s Cathedral, as well as a
notable museum and art gallery.

Cardiff: A Modern Capital

Cardiff is the largest city in Wales and it has been the official capital since 1955. There has
been a community here for hundreds of years, but it began
began to grow quickly and to become
prosperous during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This was the period when the
coal, iron and steel industries were developing in South Wales; and, Cardiff became a major
industrial town and an important port. However, when these industries started to decline,
Cardiff suffered too. Today, the docks are much smaller, but the city is now expanding as a
commercial and administrative center. It is an attractive and interesting place to live in, with
good communications,
ions, plenty of parks and a varied population which includes nearly 10,000
university and college students.

As a tourist, you might want to visit the castle and Llandaff Cathedral, or the National
Museum of Wales. If you like music, there is the famous national
national concert hall, St. David’s
Hall, or the New Theater, which is the home of the Welsh National Opera Company.

Most of the rest of Wales is mountainous. Because of this, communication between [the]
north and south is very difficult. As a result, each part
part of Wales has closer contact with its
neighboring part of England than it does with other parts of Wales: the north with Liverpool,
and mid-Wales
Wales with the English west midlands. The area round [surrounding] Mount
Snowdon in the north-west
west of the country iiss very beautiful and is the largest national park in

80
Britain. The highest peak, Snowdon, is 1,085 meters. You can reach the summit on foot or by
the mountain railway, which is 7 kilometers long.

Weather and Climate

The climate of Wales, like that of England, is mild and moist. The average daily temperature
in July is 16’ C (60’ F), and in January it is 6’ C (42’F).

Wales shares with Manchester, England, a reputation for being wet. In Manchester’s case the
reputation is largely unjustified, but most of Wales gets an awful lot of rain. Of the four
constituent countries of the United Kingdom, Wales has the highest average rainfall. Annual
rainfall varies with elevation, ranging from about 760 millimeters (about 30 inches) in certain
coastal regions to more than 2,500 mm (more than 100 in) in the Snowdon mastiff.

The Daffodil and the Leek

The national flower of Wales is the daffodil, which is traditionally worn on St. David’s Day.
The vegetable called leek is also considered to be a traditional emblem of Wales. There are
many explanations of how the leek came to be adopted as the national emblem of Wales. One
is that St. David advised the Welsh, on the eve of battle with the Saxons, to wear leeks in their
caps to distinguish friend from foe.

The Culture of Wales

“in a crowd of singers…you will hear as many melodies as you see mouths”.

Giraldus Cambrensis (on [during] his travels around Wales in the 12th Century)

Somewhat isolated by a rugged, mountainous terrain, the Welsh have retained more of the
culture of their Celtic forebears than have either the Scots or the English. A strong feeling of
national solidarity exists in Wales, and a nationalist revival has received some political
support, to the point that representatives of the Welsh Nationalist Party serve in the House of
Commons in London.

The Welsh are known for their love of singing, and their hymns [a religious song or poem,
typically of praise to God or a god] and folk songs are widely known throughout the world.

The Welsh language

The Welsh, who belong to the Celtic race, are very proud of their language and culture. These
are best preserved in the north and west of the country, for in the south and east they have
been more challenged by industrialization.

Welsh is one of the Celtic languages, like [along with] Scottish and Irish Gaelic. It is
estimated that Welsh is spoken by 16 to 20 percent of the population, although in the North
and West Wales 50 % speak the language. The Welsh Language Act of 1967 said that all
official documents should be [written] in both languages, and most road signs are printed in
English and Welsh. Since the 1960s there has been increased interest in Welsh. At secondary
schools almost 50 percent of all students learn Welsh as a first or second language. Since

81
1982 there has also been an independent fourth TV channel broadcasting mainly in Welsh.
Although not many Welsh words are well known in England, the word eisteddfod is
understood by almost everyone. This is the Welsh name for a competition [in which] people
meet to dance, sing and read poems. Usually, only Welsh is spoken and in recent years they
have attracted people who wish to protest the influence of English on Wales’ [Welsh]
language and culture.

Eisteddfod (Welsh, “a sitting of learned men”), a national music and literary festival held
each summer in the first week of August in Wales to promote Welsh language, literature,
music and customs. The week-long ceremony is a revival of the ancient Welsh custom of
assembling bards, or minstrels, for competition among themselves, for the regulation of
poetry and music, and for the licensing of duly qualified candidates to the position of
recognized bards. The Gorsedd, or assembly, now occurs on the second day (Tuesday) of the
festival to confer degrees of four grades on the modern equivalent of the Welsh bards. The
history of Eisteddfod antedates the Christian Era.

Not only is the Eisteddfod an important cultural event but, [it is also] a great social gathering
where hundreds of old friends meet to renew their friendship. This, too, was the intention of
its founder in 1947. Many families come for the day and bring their picnic baskets and
vacuum flasks [an insulating flask that has double walls, usually of silvered glass, with an
evacuated space between them. It is used for maintaining substances at high or low
temperatures. Also called: Thermos or Dewar flask] with them. It has been known for
members of the audience to remain at the Eisteddfod from 11 AM until the final male voice
competition at 10:30 PM; when the day usually ends with thousands more people out on the
promenade than on the pavilion. Many of the present-day Welsh singing stars started their
careers at the Miner’s Eisteddfod. It is a ‘launching pad’ for elocutionists and soloists, and
one of the highlights of the day’s events is the children’s choir competition, which attracts the
finest juvenile choirs from mining villages.

It is always the wish of the organizers to make the proceedings as entertaining as possible by
providing competitions for as many classes as possible – women’s choirs, men’s glee parties,
mixed choirs and, of course, the male voice choirs which attracts some of the finest choirs in
the land.

Comprehension Check

Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).

1. Of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom, Wales has the highest average
rainfall in the UK. ________
2. Most of the total population of Wales lives in the coastal area in the south of Wales.
__________
3. Cardiff is situated in the north of Wales. ________
4. Like English, the Welsh language developed from Anglo-Saxon and is a Germanic
language. ________
5. The people of Wales are of the Celtic race. _______
6. You can easily find both English and Welsh printed on road signs in Wales. ___
82
7. Eisteddfod is a dancing festival. ________
8. This festival is held annually in the summer. ________
9. Eisteddfod started in 1947 with the purpose of promoting Welsh language. ____
10. The Welsh people are known to be great singers. ______
Briefly answer the following questions.
1. What are the three largest towns in Wales; where are they located? __________
________________________________________________________________

2. Why did Cardiff become prosperous in the 19th Century? __________________

________________________________________________________________
3. The Welsh language and culture are said to be best preserved in the North and West of the
country. Why? _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

4. What does eisteddfod mean in Welsh? ________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

5. What did the Welsh Language Act of 1967 state? _______________________

_______________________________________________________________

Fill in each of the following gaps with ONE suitable word.

The three major cities in Wales are (1) _______________, (2) _____________, and (3)
__________________. They are all situated in the (4) _____________ area in the south of
Wales. The southeast of Wales is the most (5) _______________ region,
where about two-thirds of the total population lives.
Communication between northern and southern Wales is difficult because most of the country
is (6) ______________________.
Snowdonia, the National Park of Britain, is in the (7) ________________ of Wales.
First find the answers to these clues. Then, take the first letter of each answer and
rearrange them to find the name of another Welsh city. Each dash is for one letter.
1. If you were born in Cardiff, you would be this. __ __ __ __ __
2. You can see the Welsh National Opera here. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
3. This adjective describes Cardiff. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
4. Cardiff is the __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ center of Wales.
5. This was once an important industry in South Wales. __ __ __ __ __
6. You can go to the theater or to a concert in the __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
7. 10,000 people do this in Cardiff. __ __ __ __ __

The name of the city is __ __ __ __ __ __ __

83
 Rewrite these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph about the history of
Cardiff.

1. It expanded suddenly during the nineteenth century into a great port.

2. A community has existed here for nearly 2,000 years.
3. During the Middle Ages, it was a small market town.
4. In AD 76, the Romans reached Cardiff and built a stronghold.
5. When these industries declined, Cardiff became less prosperous too.
6. Happily, after a difficult period, the city is now prospering once again.
7. Not too much is known after this until the Normans arrived in 1091.
8. This was because of the development of coal and other industries in South Wales.

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

84
 UNIT 7. NORTHERN IRELAND

Lead-in

1. The island of Ireland is comprised of two major parts, Northern Ireland is one part. What is
the other part?

2. What is the other name for Northern Ireland?

Introduction
Northern Ireland was created in 1921 as a home-rule
home rule political entity. It declined to join the
Irish Free State when it declared independence [from the UK], and so remained part of the
United Kingdom. The majority of the population
population is unionist and wishes to maintain the union
with Great Britain, but a significant minority, known as the nationalists, want a United
Ireland. In the 1970s this conflict erupted into a violent struggle known as “The Troubles” –
there is now an uneasy
easy cease
cease-fire between the main groups.

There is no longer any flag of Northern Ireland; the “Red Hand Flag” was abolished, along
with the Parliament of Northern Ireland, in 1972. Unionists tend to use the Union Flag and,
sometimes, the Red Hand Flag. Unionists
Un use the Flag of Ireland.

85
 Red Hand Flag St. Patrick’s Cross & the Official Flag the Union Jack

NORTHERN IRELAND’S QUICK FACTS

Official Languages: English, Irish, Scots
Capital: Belfast, the other major city in Northern Ireland is Londonderry.
Total Area: 13,843 km2, ranking fourth in the UK.
Largest lake: Lough Neagh (about 390 sq km/about 150 sq mi), also the largest lake in the
British Isles.
Highest point: Slieve Donard (852m/2,795 ft.), a peak in the Mourne Mountains
Population: (2001 est.) 1,685,267
Population density: 122/sq km
Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)
National emblems: St. Patrick and the shamrock, a three leaf plant similar to clover

With its improved international reputation, Northern Ire Ireland

land has recently witnessed rising
numbers of tourists who come to appreciate the area’s unique heritage. Attractions include
cultural festivals, musical and artistic traditions, countryside and geographical sites of interest,
pubs, welcoming hospitality and nd sports (especially golf and fishing). With the exception of
Belfast, which is famous for the manufacture of linen and is still a shipbuilding city, Northern
Ireland is, like the rest of the island, largely agricultural.

Physical Geography

Northern Ireland
eland has an extreme northern to southern extension of about 175 km. The
shoreline is characterized by numerous irregularities and is about 530 km long. The major
indentations are Lough Foyle in the north and Belfast, Strangford, and Carlingford loughs in
the east. A striking feature of the northern coast is the Giant’s Causeway, a rock formation
consisting of thousands of closely placed, polygonal pillars of black basalt.

The country consists mainly of low, flat plains in the approximate center of which iis Lough
Neagh (about 390 sq km/150 sq mi), the largest lake in the British Isles. Other important lakes
are Lough Erne and Upper Lough Erne. Apart from several isolated elevations, three major
areas of considerable height are the Sperrin Mountains in the northwest,
northwest, the Antrim
Mountains along the northeastern coast, and the Mourne Mountains in the southeast. The
highest point in the country is Slieve Donard (852m), a peak in the Mourne Mountains.

The chief rivers are the Foyle River, which forms part of the northwest boundary and flows
into Lough Foyle at Londonderry, and the Upper Bann and Lower Bann rivers. The former
rises in the Mourne Mountains and empties into Lough Neagh; and, the latter flows out of
Lough Neagh to the North Channel. Among the many other other rivers are the Main, the
Blackwater, the Lagan, Erne, and the Bush. Because of generally flat terrain, drainage is poor,
and the areas of marshland are extensive.

Weather and Climate

86
The climate of Northern Ireland is mild and damp throughout the year. The prevailing
westerly winds from the Gulf Stream are largely responsible for the lack of extreme summer
heat and winter cold. The average annual temperature is approximately 10’ C (50’F);
temperatures average about 14’ C (about 58’F) in July and about 4’ 4’ C (about 40’F) in January.
Rainfall is distributed evenly during the year. The annual precipitation frequently exceeds
1,000 mm (40 in.) in the north and is about 760 mm (about 30 in.) in the south. The level of
humidity is high.

Places of Interest

Belfast – the Capital City

Belfast is one of the youngest capital cities in the world and it has grown incredibly fast.
Today the city has a population of about 400,000, nearly a third of the entire population of
Northern Ireland, but in the 17th Century it was only a village. Then, during the 19th Century,
the development of industries like linen, rope making, engineering, tobacco and the sea trade
doubled the town’s size every ten years. The city is well-known
well known for ship building. It was here
that the Titanic wass built and sent out on her fatal maiden voyage.

Some Belfast’s streets have often been the scenes of violence – street names such as the Falls
Road and Shankill Road are well
well-known
known throughout Britain because they have been heard so
often on the news; but, people still live in Belfast, and they can and do go out and enjoy
themselves. In spite of the years of trouble, there are many cultural and leisure facilities.

City Hall, Belfast - Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The city is
also an important manufacturing center, famous for its shipbuilding and textile industries.
The majestic City Hall building shown here is a landmark located on Donegall Square in
the center of Belfast.

87
The Giant’s Causeway

Accordingng to legend, the basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway are ancient stepping stones
giants used to cross the channel between Ireland and Scotland. Based on geological evidence,
scientists believe the distinct pillars formed during the cooling and contracting phase of a lava
flow. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear
under the sea. Altogether there are 40,000 of these stone columns, mostly hexagonal but some
with four, five, seven and eight sides. The tallest are about 12 m (40 feet) high, and the
solidified lava in the cliffs is 27 m (90 feet) thick in places.

Comprehension Check

Fill each of the following gaps with ONE suitable word.

The capital of Northern Ireland is (1) __________________ while (2)_________

(2)______________ is the
capital city of Ireland.

Major cities in Northern Ireland are (3) ________________ and (4)______________.

Shamrock, the National (5) _______________ of Northern Ireland, has (6)___________

leaves.

Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is the largest (7) ______________ in the British Isles.

True (T) or False (F)?

1. Summer in Northern Ireland is never too hot, nor is winter too cold. ______
2. Northern Ireland is a region with high humidity. ______
3. The Giant’s Causeway was formed by volcanic eruptions
eruptions and cooling lava. ___
4. The Causeway is situated on the southern coast of Northern Ireland.______
5. Northern Ireland is not as urbanized and industrialized as the Republic of Ireland. ______

88
Fill-in
in each of the following gaps with ONE suitable word.

The Giant’s Causeway is an area of (1) __________ tightly packed basalt columns (2)
____________ from volcanic (3) _______________ 60 million years ago. The tops of the
columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. Most
of the columns are (4) ____________; however, there are some with four, five, seven and
eight sides. The tallest are about 40 feet high, and the solidified (5) ___________ in the cliffs
is 90 feet thick in places. It is a World (6) __________________ Site and is located on the
North Antrim Coast of (7)______________ (8) __________________. While recent scientific
research suggests the columns were formed as a natural consequence of lava (9)_________,
legend has it that the giant Finn Mac Cumhaill (Fin
(Finnn McCool) built the causeway to walk to
Scotland without having to get his (10) ____________ wet.

A Review on British Geography

Answer these questions.

1. Why do you think the British refer to the rest of Europe as ‘the Continent’?

2. How big is Britain compared

compar with Vietnam; in area, in population?

Match the four constituent countries with their capital cities and area comparatives
(write the capital city and the correct descriptive next to the country name)

1. Wales Edinburgh largest

2. Scotland Cardiff second largest

3. England Belfast third largest

4. Northern Ireland London smallest

Match the following flowers and patron saints with the countries they represent
(write the flower name(s) and the patron saint
saint name next to the country name)

89
Flowers Countries Patron Saints
Thistle/Bluebell England St. David
The Leek Scotland St. George
The Shamrock Wales St. Andrew
The Rose Northern Ireland St. Patrick

Fill each of the following gaps with ONE suitable word.

Most of England consists of rolling (1) _____________ terrain, divided east from west by
more mountainous terrain in the north of the Cumbrian Mountains and the Tees-Exe Line;
through the Highland Moors of the Pennines; the limestone hills of the Peak District into the
Cotswold and Chiltons off southern England. The Trent & Ouse feeding the Humber Estuary;
major cities include: (4) _______________, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool,
Leeds, Kingston upon Hull, Bristol and Newcastle upon Tyne. Near Dover, the (5)
_____________________ links the United Kingdom with France.
Wales is mostly (6) ______________, the highest peak being Snowdon, at 1,085 m above sea
level. North of the mainland is the island of Anglesey. The largest and capital city is (7)
___________________, located in the (8) ___________ of Wales.
Scotland’s geography is varied, with lowlands in the south and east and (9)
________________ in the north and west, including (10) ________________, the UK’s
highest mountain (1343 m). There are many long and deep arms, firths, and lochs. A
multitude of (11) ________________ west and north of Scotland are also included, notably
the Hebrides, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands. Main cities are (12)
____________________, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Northern Ireland, making up the northeastern part of (13) _________________, is mostly
hilly. Main cities are (14) _________________ and Londonderry.
In total it is estimated that the UK is made up of around 1,098 small islands, with some being
(15) ___________________ and some being crannogs, a type of artificial island which was
built in past times using stone and wood, gradually enlarged by natural waste building up over
time.

Fill-in the correct term for each of the following descriptions.

1. The largest city in Britain: ______________________________________

2. The city sometimes called “Athens of the North”: ____________________

90
3. The “backbone” of England: _____________________________________

4. A Welsh music and literature festival: ______________________________

5. A city in Northern Ireland famous for ship building: ___________________

6. The largest lake in the British Isles: ________________________________

7. The highest peak in Wales: _______________________________________

8. Two major famous universities in England: __________________________

9. New Year’s Eve in Scotland: _____________________________________

10. A famous church in England: _____________________________________

11. Male personification of the British nation: ____________

___________________________
_______________

12. Female personification of the British nation: _________________________

13. The name of the British national anthem: ____________________________

14. The most popular sport in the UK: __________________________________

15. The traditional Scottish highland dress for men: _______________________

Identify the country (or countries) represented by each of the following outline maps.

A ______________________ B ___________________________

91
C _________________________ D ___________________________

92
 UNIT 8. A FIRST LOOK AT THE UNITED STATES

The United States of America (USA)) commonly referred to as the United States (US),
America, or simply the States,
States is a federal [having or relating to a system of government in
which several states form a unity but remain independent in internal affairs] republic [a state
in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has
an elected or nominated
minated president rather than a monarch] consisting of 50 states, 16
territories, and a federal district.
district The 48 contiguous states [states that share a common border;
touch] and the federal district of Washington, D.C., are in central North America between
Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is the northwestern part of North America and the
state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid
mid-Pacific.
Pacific. The country also has five populated and
nine unpopulated territories in the Pacific and the Caribbean. The largest
largest of these territories
are Puerto Rico and the American Virgin Islands. The United States is the fourth
fourth-largest
93
country in the world by total area and third largest by population. It is one of the world's most
ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, the product of large-scale immigration from
many countries. The geography and climate of the United States is also extremely diverse,
and it is home to a wide variety of wildlife.

GETTING TO KNOW THE USA

1. Use the words on the scroll to describe the physical position (location) of the United
States of America. USA IN MY MIND

Nouns
Canada, Mexico, Atlantic Ocean,
Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico
___________________________

___________________________
Write your description here:

_________________________________ ___________________________

_________________________________
Adjectives
_________________________________

_________________________________
________________________
_________________________________

_________________________________
When I hear “USA”, I think of…
 ‘dollars’ 2. What first comes to mind when you
 ‘cowboy’ hear the term, “USA”?
 ‘baseball’ Write them down and then
 ‘wars and terrorism’ compare them with those of a classmate.

Understanding Names
In the English-speaking world, America has become synonymous with the nation of the
United States [of America] while American refers to United States (U.S.) citizens; this is
a standard usage in not only the U.S. itself, but also in much of Europe and ‘Australasia’.
The term Americas, on the other hand, includes the North and South American
continents as a collective unit. In Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Central and
South America, the word América is used not to denote the U.S. but what English-
speakers would term [call] the Americas. Thus, some people of the Americas find it off-
putting [offensive] for the U.S. to be referred to as America and inhabitants of the U.S.
as Americans. While, in some quarters, the accuracy and political correctness of such
nomenclature [designations, titles, names] is debated, current usage in English by sheer
weight of occurrence inclines to America and American as [being] linked to the nation
and citizens of the United States.

94
 National Flag, Nation
National Anthem &
the Pledge of Allegiance
Arrange the four flags
in their chronological
order of appearance.

1. _______ 2. ______

3. _______ 4. ______

A B

C D
The name of the national anthem of the United States is “the Star Spangled Banner”. It
is also one of the names of the national flag of the United States. Can you guess the
reasons why there is such a coincidence?

READING TEXT

National Flag
The official flag of the United States consists of 13 horizontal stripes, 7 red alternati
alternating with 6
white, and in the upper left corner, near the staff, a rectangular blue field or canton containing
50 five-pointed
pointed white stars. The stripes symbolize the 13 colonies that originally constituted
the United States of America. The stars represent thethe 50 states of the Union. In the language
of the Continental Congress, which defined the symbolic meanings of the colors, red, white,
and blue, as used in the flag, “White
“White signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness and
Valor; and, Blue, Vigilance, Perseverance
Pers and Justice”. ”. Because of its stars, stripes, and
colors, the American Flag is frequently called “the Star Spangled Banner”, “the Stars and
Stripes”, or “the Red, White, and Blue”. Another popular designation [nickname], “Old
Glory”, is of unknown origin.
95
Along [throughout] the history of the U.S., the American flag has undergone a process of
evolution [change]. The early flags [were] designed for use in the American colonies reflected
the Old World origin of the colonists. In the British colonies many flags were adaptations of
the British Union Jack. As relations with Great Britain became more strained, the colonists
designed a large number of flags expressive of their political sentiments and ideals. On June
14, 1777, in order to establish an offi
official
cial flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress
passed the first Flag Act: “Resolved
Resolved that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen
stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field,
Constellation”. Because Congress had made no rule for the arrangement
representing a new Constellation”.
of the stars, they were displayed in different ways. The most usual [common] arrangement
was a circle. Occasionally the circle was made to consist of 12 stars with the 13th star forming
the center of the circle.

As new states joined the Union, they demanded representation in the stars and stripes of the
flag. In 1795 Congress voted to increase to 15 the number of stars and stripes. Legislation
enacted in 1818 reestablished the number of stripes at 13 and instituted the policy, ““That on
the admission of every new state into the Union, one star be added to the union of the
flag…”.”. The current flag of the United States, adopted on July 4th, 1960, is the 27th official
national flag. One star was added to the 26th flag for the admission of the 50th state, Hawaii
(August 21st, 1959).

Interesting Fact - Box

Flag Day – June 14th

The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America’s birthday, but the idea of an
annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885.
BJ Cigrand, a school teacher, arranged for the pupils [students] in the Fredonia,
Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14th (the 108th anniver
anniversary of the
official adoption of “the Stars and Stripes”) as “Flag Birthday”. In numerous magazines
and newspaper articles and public addresses [speeches] over the following years, Cigrand
continues to enthusiastically advocate [support] the observance of June 14th as “Flag
Birthday” or “Flag Day”. Flag Day – the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 was
officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th,
1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for yearsyears after Wilson’s
rd
proclamation, it was not until August 3 , 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of
Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

96
National Anthem

During the night of September 13th, 1814, the British fleet bombarded Fort McHenry in the
Harbor at Baltimore Maryland. Francis Scott Key, a 34 year-old
year lawyer--poet, watched the
attack from the deck of a British prisoner
prisoner-exchange
exchange ship. He had gone to seek the release of a
friend but they were refused permission to go ashore until after the attack had been made. As
the battle ceased on the following morning, Key turned his telescope to[ward] the fort and
saw [that] the American Flag was still waving. The sight so inspired him that he pulled a letter
from
m his pocket and began to write the poem which eventually was adopted as the national
anthem of the United States, “The Star Spangled Banner”. The poem was written to match the
meter [rhythm or ‘beat’] of the English song, “To Anacreon in Heaven” (by John Stafford
Smith), ironically the anthem of a London social club. In 1931 the Congress of the United
States of America enacted legislation [law] that made “The Star-Spangled
Star Spangled Banner” the official
national anthem.

Then, in that hour of deliverance,

my heart spoke. Does not such a
country, and such defenders of their
country, deserve a song?
Francis Scott Key
(1779 – 1843)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States is the oath of loyalty to the U.S.
national emblem and to the nation it symbolizes. The idea for such a pledge is said to have
originated with one of the editors of The Youth’s Companion, a magazine for children. By
proclamation
mation of President Benjamin Harrison, the pledge was first used on October 12, 1892,
during Columbus Day observances in the public schools. The original wording of the pledge
was as follows:
I pledge allegiance to my flag and to
the republic for which
w it stands: one nation, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

97
The pledge was subsequently amended by the substitution of the words “the flag of the United
States of America” for the phrase “my flag”. The newly worded pledge was officially adadopted
on Flag Day, June 14th, 1924. By joint resolution of Congress the pledge was further amended
in 1954 by the addition of the words “under God”. President Dwight D. Eisenhower said:
“In
In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith
in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly
strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our
country’s most powerful resource in peace and war”.
war

When reciting the pledge of allegiance, civilians [those who are not in the military or police]
should stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Men should remove their hats.
Armed services personnel in uniform face the flag and give the military salute.

a civilian military police a veteran

98
Vocabulary Check

Match each word in column A with its meaning in column B.

A B
spangle the condition of being watchful and alert, especially to danger
pledge a building or group of buildings with strong defenses, usually
strategically located and guarded by troops
signify to cover or to decorate something with small pieces of something
shiny
hardy a steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period
and especially despite difficulties
valor to be a sign or symbol of something
vigilance a serious promise
perseverance to make changes to something, especially a piece of text, in order
to improve or correct it.
constellation existence above and apart from the material world
legislation courage, especially that shown in war and battle
resolution A law or laws passed by an official body, especially a
governmental assembly
fort group of stars visible from Earth that forms a distinctive pattern
and has a name linked to its shape
bombard strong and able to survive difficult conditions
amend to attack a place by firing large guns at it or dropping bombs on it
continuously
transcendence a formal expression of the consensus at a meeting, arrived at after
discussion and usually as the result of a vote.

99
COMPREHENSION CHECK

Without referring to the text, answer the following questions.

1. What are the nicknames of the national flag of the United States?
_______________________________________________________

2. Describe the national flag of the United States.

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

3. What are the symbolic meanings of the stars, the stripes and the colors of the national flag
of the United States?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
4. What is the name of the national anthem of the United States?
________________________________________________________

5. What inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the song that later became the official
national anthem of the United States?
________________________________________________________

6. What is meant by the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States?

________________________________________________________

7. What should people do when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

FOLLOW-UP

Vocabulary building: flag terms

Match the flag terms (column A), which are used to denote different standard flag areas, with
their meanings (column B).

Use a phrase to say your answer, e.g. “Length, when referring to a flag, is the span of the flag
from the right edge to the left edge”.

A B
1. length A. upper left quarter of the flag
2. width B. right half of the flag
3. canton C. left half of the flag
4. hoist D. span of the flag from right edge to left edge
5. fly E. span of the flag from top edge to bottom edge

100
 Design a flag

Materials: 1 piece of white drawing paper or fabric that measures about 9 X 12

Colored markers, crayons, paints, colored pencils

1 thin wooden dowel for a flag pole (optional)

Procedure

Step 1: Choose an idea that you want your flag to represent

Flag ideas: yourself, your family, your favorite restaurant, your

favorite place, your room, your birthday, your pet, your class…

Step 2: Decide how to represent your idea. If you’re working in a group, discuss it
with the other group members.

Step 3: Create your flag based on your plan.

Step 4: Write an essay to go with the flag, expanding on the reasons why you have
chosen the items you did for the design of the flag

PLANNING PAGE
Name __________________________ Date __________________
Title of my/our flag ____________________________________________

Use for my/our flag ____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
Important symbols I/we want to include ____________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
The message I/we want my/our flag to give __________________________
______________________________________________________________
Colors _________________________________________________________
Design _________________________________________________________
Shape _________________________________________________________
Size ___________________________________________________________
Special features _________________________________________________

101
 National Coats of Arms and Mottoes
Lead-in

Quiz

Match each of the following countries with its national coat of arms

1. Switzerland 2. China 3. Finland 4. Vietnam

5. Indonesia 6. Japan 7. Thailand 8. USA

A _____________ B ____________ C ____________ D _____________

E______________ F_______________ G_____________ H_____________

What is the national motto of Vietnam?

Ðộc lập, Tự do, Hạnh phúc (Independence, Freedom and Happiness)

What is the national motto of the U.S.?

In God We Trust (official), E Pluribus Unum (traditional) "Out of many, one"

102
 The Great Seal of the U.S.A

On July 4, 1776, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were given the task
of creating a seal for the United States of America. The delegates of the Constitutional
Convention believed an emblem and a national coat of arms would be evidence of an
independent nation and a free people with high aspirations and grand hopes for the future.

The Great Seal was finalized and approved six years later on June 20, 1782. The seal reflects
the beliefs and values that the Founding Fathers wanted to pass on to their descendants. In the
center of the seal is a bald eagle, the national bird of the United States. The bald eagle, an
endangered species, gets its name from an old English word, “balde” which means “white”,
NOT “hairless”. The bird was chosen as the emblem of the United States because of its long
life, great strength and majestic looks. Another reason is that the bald eagle is the only unique
eagle found on the North American continent. The eagle represents freedom. In the seal, it
holds in its beak a scroll inscribed E Pluribus Unum, which is Latin and means "out of many,
one" and stands for one nation that was created from 13 colonies. In one claw is an olive
branch, while the other holds a bundle of thirteen arrows. The olive branch and arrows
“denote the power of peace and war”.
103
A shield with thirteen red and white stripes covers the eagle’s breast. The shield is supported
solely by the American [Bald] Eagle to denote that Americans should rely on their own virtue.
The red and white stripes of the shield represent the states united under and supporting the
blue, representing the President and Congress. The color white signifies purity and innocence;
red hardiness and valor; and blue signifies [stands for] vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Above the eagle’s head is a cloud surrounding a blue field containing thirteen stars, which
forms a constellation. The constellation denotes [symbolizes] that a new State is taking its
place among other nations.
The reverse side of the Great Seal

There is a pattern of thirteen in the Great

Seal

13 stars in the crest above the eagle

13 stripes in the shield upon the eagle’s
breast
13 arrows in the eagle’s left claw
13 olives and leaves in the eagle’s right
claw
13 letters in the motto carried by the
eagle, E Pluribus Unum

Why thirteen? Thirteen represents the first thirteen states – Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia,
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; Delaware was and is called the First
State.

The seal’s reverse side is sometimes referred to as the spiritual side. It contains a 13-step
pyramid with the year 1776 in Roman numerals at the base. At the top of the pyramid is the
Eye of Providence and above it is the motto Annuit Coeptis, meaning the “It [the Eye of
Providence] is favorable to our undertakings” or “He favors our undertakings”. Below the
pyramid, a scroll reads, Novus Ordo Seclorum, meaning “New Order of Ages”. It refers to
1776 as the beginning of the new American Era.

The Great Seal can be seen on the back of a one-dollar bill. The Secretary of State is the
official custodian of the seal. It is only attached (affixed) to certain documents, such as
foreign treaties and presidential proclamations. The Great Seal is displayed in the Exhibit Hall
of the Department of State.

National Mottoes

E Pluribus Unum
104
E Pluribus Unum is a national motto of the United States of America. Translated from Latin,
it means “From many, one” or “Out of many, one”> It referred to the integration of the 13
independent colonies into one united country, and has taken on an additional meaning, given
the pluralistic nature of American society from [because of] immigration4 The motto was
selected by the first Great Seal committee in 1776, at the beginning of the American
Revolution. Pierre Eugene DuSimitiere originally suggested E Pluribus Unum as [the] motto.
In 1956, In God We Trust was added as another national motto.

In God We Trust
In God We Trust is a national motto of the United States of America. It was so designated by
an act of Congress in 1956, but did not supersede [replace] E Pluribus Unum. Today, the
motto is a source of heated contention because of its religious sense.

COMPREHENSION CHECK
Without referring to the text, correct the wrong information in the following statements.

1. In 1783, Benjamin Franklin was given the task of creating a seal for the United States of
America.

__________________________________________________________________

2. In the center of the seal, the national bird of the United States holds in its beak a scroll
inscribed “In God We Trust”.

__________________________________________________________________

3. The head of the bald eagle is not covered with feathers.

__________________________________________________________________

4. The motto E Pluribus Unum, “Out of many, one” originally referred to the United States
as a country of immigrants.

__________________________________________________________________

5. The motto E Pluribus Unum was replaced by the motto In God We Trust in 1956.

__________________________________________________________________

4
American society began with waves of immigrants, bringing their own cultures and traditions to a
vast new country. No other place in the world has such a diverse population. It is this diversity that
makes America what it is, and, at the same time, creates the challenges it faces.
105
Without referring to the text, answer the following questions.

1. Why was the bald eagle chosen as the emblem [animal mascot/national symbol] of the
United States?

__________________________________________________________________

106
2. What does the bald eagle represent?

________________________________________________________________

3. What is the symbolic meaning of the olive branch and arrows?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

4. Why is the shield supported solely by the American Bald Eagle?

5. What is the symbolic meaning of the thirteen stars above the eagle’s head?

__________________________________________________________________

6. What is the meaning of E Pluribus Unum?

__________________________________________________________________

7. Why is the motto, In God We Trust,

Trust, a source [subject/topic] of some heated contention?

__________________________________________________________________

Follow-up

CREATE A MOTTO FOR YOUR CLASS OR JUST FOR YOUR

PRESENTATION GROUP

Lead-in

Before reading the text, label the following pictures. Share what you know about each symbol
with another student.

A. ______________________ B. ______________________

C. ______________________ D. _____________________
107
Lady Liberty

Liberty (also known as “Lady Liberty” or “the Godess of Liberty”) personifies liberty and
freedom, particularly popular in the United States. Liberty is often depicted with the five
five-
pointed American stars, usually in a raised hand. Her other hand may hold a sword [pointed]
downward. One familiar depiction of Lady
Lady Liberty is the monumental Statue of Liberty, a
huge statue that is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor5. The Statue of Liberty was
a gift to the USA from the people of France in recognition of the French-American
French American alliance
during the American Revolutionary War. The Statue of Liberty measures 33.86 meters from
her heel to the top of her head. Lady Liberty holds a tablet in her left hand that reads “July IV
MDCCLXXVI” (July 4, 1776 with the numbers in Roman numerals), Independence Day in
the United States.

Columbia

Columbia is a name used in the English language for

many things and places. The name is derived from
that of Christopher Columbus. The term, “Pre-
“Pre
Columbian” refers to American cultures before the
arrival of Columbus and other Europe
European explorers.
The name, “Columbia” was/is a poetic name for the
United States of America, which largely fell out of use
in the early 20th century.

Columbia was also a female personification of the

USA, similar to the male Uncle Sam, who was often
olitical cartoons through the early 20th
seen in political
century and is till used by Columbia Pictures.

5
Liberty Island is also part of Ellis Island, the processing center where millions of European immigrants arrived
into the U.S.. and were processed into the country.
108
 The term “Columbian” has occasionally been used as an alternative word for
“American” when referring to someone from the U.S., but has not entered general use,
largely due to it being easily confused with the term for a person who is from the
nation of Columbia [also “Columbian”].

Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam, a figure symbolizing the United States, is portrayed as

a tell, white-haired
white haired man with a goatee. He is often dressed in red,
white, and blue and wears a top hat.

The exact origins of Uncle Sam as a symbol of the U.S. are

unknown; but, the most widely accepted theory is that Uncle Sam
was named after Samuel Wilson.

Samuel Wilson was a businessman from Troy, NY

whose company supplied the U.S. Army with beef
during the War of 1812. The beef was shipped in barrels
marked “U.S.”. One of Wilson’s workers said that
“U.S.”
S.” stood for the name, Uncle Sam Wilson. The idea
led to the idea that Uncle Sam stood for the Federal
Government and the association stuck.

inspiration for the symbol Uncle Sam; but, Sam Wilson looked nothing like the Uncle Sam
pictured above. Uncle Sam’s traditional appearance, with a white goatee and star
star-spangled
suit, is an invention artists and political cartoonists.

The Liberty Bell

“Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof”
- the Liberty Bell Inscription

Cast in London, England in 1752 [twenty-four

[twenty four years before the American Revolution], the
Liberty Bell rang when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence and
has become the symbol of freedom in the United States. The bell weighs about 2,00 2,000 pounds
(907 kg) and is made mostly of copper (70%) and tin (25%). The bell is the official bell of the
Pennsylvania State House [today called Independence Hall]. It was originally called the State
House Bell or the Province Bell. The bell was first called
called the Liberty Bell around 1839 by [in]
abolitionist (anti-slavery)
slavery) publications. Today, the Liberty Bell is still gently rung each July
4th.

109
Figure (Lady) Justice

One of the most recognized legal symbols is that of

Justice. Justice is most commonly portrayed in the U.S.
as a blindfolded woman carrying a sword and a set of
scales. She symbolizes the fair and equal administration
of the law, without corruption, greed,, prejudice, or favor.
The idea of a woman portraying Justice dates back to the
ancient Greek and Roman images of Themis and
Justicia. Themis, the Greek goddess of justice and law,
was known for her clear-sightedness.
sightedness. In Roman
mythology, Justicia was one off four virtues. The others
were Prudence, Fortitude, and Temperance.

National Floral Emblem – the Rose

The rose, said to be about 35 million years old by some, has been used as a symbol of love,
beauty, war, and politics throughout the world. The flower’s colors are generally red, pink,
white, or yellow and grow naturally throughout North America. On November 20, 1986,
President Reagan issued Proclamation 5574: The National Floral Emblem of the United States
of America: The Rose.

COMPREHENSION CHECK
ECK

Without referring to the text, label the following statements as either true (T), false (F), or not
mentioned (N).

1. Uncle Sam is often dressed in red, white and blue and wears a bowler hat. ____

2. The appearance of Uncle Sam resembles that of Samuel Wilson,

Wilson, a businessman from
Troy, NY. _____

3. Columbia was a male personification of the USA, similar to Uncle Sam, often seen in
political cartoons through the early 20th century. ____

110
4. Located in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship
from the people of France to the people of the United States. ____

5. Justice is most commonly portrayed in the U.S. as a set of scales (see the picture below).
_______

Images of American Popular Culture

How do you understand thehe term “American popular culture”? Make a list of the things that
can be associated with “American popular culture”.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
When French political writer Alexis de Tocqueville, an acute social observer,
traveled through the United States in the 1830s, he provided
provided an unusually
penetrating1 portrait of the nature of democracy in America and its cultural
consequences. He commented that in all areas of culture – family life, law, arts,
philosophy, and dress – Americans were inclined to emphasize the ordinary and
easily
asily accessible, rather than unique and complex. His insight is as relevant today
as it was when de Tocqueville visited the United States. As a result, American
culture is more often defined by its popular and democratically inclusive features,
such as blockbuster1 movies, television comedies, sports stars, and fast food, than
by its more cultivated aspects as performed in theaters, published in books, or
viewed in museums and galleries. Even the fine arts in modern America often
partake1 of the energy and forms of popular culture, and modern arts are often a
product of the fusion1 fine and popular arts.

111
Americans like fast food and consume [eat] a great amount of fast food every year. The term
“fast food” refers to highly processed restaurant foods that are prepared quickly or are
available “on-demand”. Among the best known types of fast foods are hotdogs, hamburgers,
French fries, fried chicken, fish and chips, pizza, chili, tacos, and soft drinks such as Coca
Cola and 7 UP. Nowadays, nutritionists are concerned about the regular eating of fast food
because much of it is fried and contains too much fat, starch, and salt. In fact, Americans did
not begin to pay close attention to the variety and quality of the food they ate until the 20th
century, when more and more people were having problems eating too much and becoming
overweight.

Hamburger

Also called “burger”, is a sandwich containing a flat patty of broiled, grilled, or fried ground
beef or another meat on a bun [bread], usually with other ingredients such as lettuce and
condiments [e.g. ketchup, mustard].
It is believed that in the early 19th century German immigrants introduced the hamburger
steak to the United States and the hamburger got its name from the German town named
Hamburg. Over the years, hamburgers became the most popular American food. One reason
for its popularity is the way it is served. People think hamburgers on buns is a convenient way
to eat them and that it makes the taste much better. Another reason is the growth of the fast
food restaurant, McDonald’s. When the first McDonald’s was opened in San Bernardino,
California, in 1940, hamburgers were the main item on its menu. McDonald’s restaurants
soon [eventually, beginning in 1955] became part of every community in the United States.
Today, McDonald’s includes other items on the menu but the hamburger still remains the
main item.

Coca-Cola

In May, 1886, Coca-Cola was invented by Dr. John Pemberton, a pharmacist from Atlanta,
Georgia. The soft drink was first sold to the public at the soda fountain in Jacob’s Pharmacy
in Atlanta on May 8, 1886. By the late 1890s, Coca-Cola was one of America’s most popular
fountain drinks. The Coca-Cola Company increased syrup sales by over 4,000% between
1890 and 1900. In the mid-1990s, worldwide, Coca-Cola ranked first in softdrink sales, and
the company earned almost 80% of its profits from international sales. Advertising is claimed
to be the key to Coca-Cola’s success.

112
SPORTS
Name the sport.

Write the name of each sport played in the U.S. under each picture.

A_______________________ B____________________

113
C______________________ D____________________

Sports play an important role in American society. According to research completed

and compiled by Mr. Scott Manley, “sporting culture
culture is different from that of other
countries, with a unique set of sports being popular”.
Sports are vehicles for transmitting values such as fair play, justice, and teamwork.
‘Sports have contributed to the racial and social integration
and act as a “social glue” that helps bind society together’ (Jackie Robinson)”.

The “big four” team sports are baseball, basketball, football and hockey.
Baseball
The sport that evokes more nostalgia among Americans than any other is baseball. So many
people play the game as children (or play its close relative, softball) that has become known
as “the national pastime”. It is also a democratic game. Unlike football and basketball,
baseball can be played well by people of average height and weight.

Baseball originatedd before the American Civil War (1861

(1861-1865)
1865) as rounders, a humble game
played on sandlots. In 1871 the first professional baseball league was born. Baseball came of
age in the 1920s, when Babe Ruth (1895-1948)
(1895 1948) led the New York Yankees to several World
Series
es titles and became a national hero.

Starting in the 1950s, baseball expanded its geographical range. Baseball became popular in
Japan after American soldiers introduced it during the occupation following World War II.
Baseball is also widely played in Cuba
C and other Caribbean nations.

Basketball

Another American game that has traveled well is basketball, now played by more than 250
million people worldwide. Basketball originated in 1891 when a future Presbyterian minister
named James Naismith (1861-1939)
1939) was assigned to teach a physical education class at a
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) training school in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The class had been noted for being disorderly, and Naismith was told to invent a new game to
keep the young men occupied. Basketball caught on because graduates of the YMCA school
traveled widely, because Naismith disseminated the rules freely, and because there was a need
for a simple game that could be played during winter.

114
Question: in a regular basketball
basketball game, how many points are scored when the ball goes
through the basket?

_________________________________

The Movies

Can you name the movie that each picture is taken from?

A__________________ B___________________ C__________________

If movie pictures were not an American invention, they have nonetheless been the preeminent
American contribution to world entertainment. The movies first appeared in public in the U.S.
in 1896. Before World War I, they were made in sseveral
everal U.S. cities, but film makers
gravitated to southern California as the industry developed. They were attracted by the mild
climate, which made it possible to film movies outdoors year
year-round,
round, and by the varied
scenery that was available. The major stu
studios
dios were located in the Hollywood section of Los
Angeles, California, which is now famed as the center of the motion picture industry. After
World War I, moviemakers who arrived from Europe, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Rudolph
joined a homegrown supply of actors to form one of the 20th
Valentino and Greta Garbo joined
century’s most remarkable growth industries. During the so-called
so called Golden Age of Hollywood,
the 1930s and 1940s, movies issued from the Hollywood studios rather like the cars rolling
off Henry Ford’s assembly
ssembly lines. No two movies were exactly the same, but most followed a
formula: Western, slapstick comedy, musical, animated cartoon, or biographical picture. Yet
each movie was a little different, and unlike the craftsmen who made cars, many of the peopl
people
who made movies were artists. Success in the field was honored by the creation of the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences annually giving awards for excellence in the
creation and production of motion pictures. First presented in 1929 for films sshown in 1927
and 1928, the Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are among the film
industry’s most coveted [sought after, desired] prizes.

Popular Music

Which one does not belong?

115
 A B C D

Jazz I regard as an American folk music; not the only one but a very powerful one which is
probably in the blood and feeling of the American people more than any other style. – George
Gershwin

The origins of jazz were in Congo Square, New Orleans, Louisiana,

Louisiana, where slaves gathered on
Sunday to sing and dance as early as the 1830s. At first, only drums were used, then banjos
and violins were added, and brass band instruments after the 1880s. One of the distinguishing
elements of jazz was its fluidity; during live performances, the musicians would almost never
play a song the same way twice but would improvise [make music up as they played]
variations on its notes and words. The lively syncopated style and improvised patterns led to
the description “ragged” rhythms,
ythms, hence ragtime music, which was hugely popular as sheet
music and on piano rolls by 1890. Blessed with composers and performers of genius – Duke
Ellington (1899-1974),
1974), Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman (1909-1986),
(1909 1986), Billie Holiday
(1915-1959), and Ellaa Fitzgerald (1918
(1918-1996) – jazz was the reigning popular American
music from the 1920s through the 1940s.

Rock and Roll

By the early 1950s, however, jazz had lost aome of its appeal to a mass audience. A new form
of “pop” [popular] music, rock and roll, evolved from a black style known as “rhythm and
blues” [ R&B], songs with strong beats and, often, risqué [slightly indecent or liable to shock,
esp. by being sexually suggestive] lyrics. Though written by and for blacks, R&B also
appealed to white teenagers,
rs, for whom listening to it over black oriented radio stations late at
night became a secret pleasure. To make the new music more acceptable to a mainstream
audience, white performers and arrangers began to “cover” R&B songs – singing them with
the beat toned
oned down and the lyrics cleaned up.

Shrewd record producers of the time realized that a magnetic white man who could sing with
the energy of a black man would have enormous appeal. Just such a figure appeared in the
person of Elvis Presley (1935-1977),
1977), who
who had grown up poor in the South. Besides an
emotional singing voice, Presley had sultry good looks and a way of shaking his hips that
struck adults as obscene but teenagers as natural to rock and roll.

A few years after its debut, rock and roll was well on its way to becoming the American form
of pop music, especially among the young. It spread quickly to Great Britain, where the
Beatles and the Rolling Stones got their starts in the early 1960s. Rock remains the prevalent

116
pop music of America – and much of the rest of the world, along with new varieties of
outlandish showmanship, into its strong rhythmical framework.

COMPRHENSION CHECK

Decide whether these statements are true (T) or false (F).

1. Americans do not care about the quality of the food they eat. _____
2. Many Americans eat too much and become overweight. ______
3. Fried chicken was the main item on the menu of McDonald’s. ______
4. Baseball started expanding its geographical range right after the American Civil War.
______
5. Baseball is now widely played in Japan. _____
6. Baseball started expanding its geographical range right after the American Civil War.
______
7. Basketball was invented by a student named Naismith. _____
8. Moving pictures are an American invention. _____
9. The Jazz Age was in the 1900s.
1 ______
10. Rock and Roll evolved from a black style known as rhythm and blues (R&B).______

Answer the following questions.

1. What are some examples of “fast food”?

__________________________________________________________________

2. What are the reasons for the popularity of hamburgers?

__________________________________________________________________

3. What is said to be the key to Coca-Cola’s

Coca success?

__________________________________________________________________

4. What sport is considered the Ame

American national pastime?

117
__________________________________________________________________

5. Why is baseball considered a democratic game?

_________________________________________________________________

6. Why did filmmakers gravitate to southern California?

_________________________________________________________________

7. What are/is “Oscars”?

_________________________________________________________________

8. What is one of the distinguishing elements of jazz?

_________________________________________________________________

9. Why does Rock still remain the prevalent pop music of America and much of the rest of
the world?

_________________________________________________________________

Discussion
The influence of U.S. culture can be seen all over the world. Fast foods, such as hamburgers,
hot dogs, and soft drinks, as well as characters from films and TV shows, are recognized in
cities from Berlin to Beijing. This “selling of America” is a billion-dollar industry and plays a
vital part in the U.S. economy. Discuss the following points.

How does the export of a country’s culture to the world influence its international position?

Why can the United States successfully export its popular culture to the world?

What are some measures we should take to make Vietnamese culture known to the world?

118
 UNIT 9. THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Fill-in
in the blanks with appropriate information

1. There are ___________________ states in the United States.

2. ____________ states in the U.S. have a common border with one another.
3. _____________________ is the capital of the United States.
4. The longest river is the ____________________________________.
5. The highest mountain is in ___________________________.
6. Hawaii is in the ___________________ Ocean.
7. The countries
ntries to the north and the south of the United States are __________________
and _________________.
8. The Great Lakes are ___ big lakes between the United States and Canada.
9. The Statue of Liberty is in ________ _____________ City.
10. _________________ and ______________ are the two newest states in the United States.

Reading Text

119
 states.. There are 48 contiguous
The United States of America is a federal republic of 50 states
[conterminous] states which extend from latitude 25’ N to 50’ N andand longitude 125’ W to 67’
W (4,500 km at its widest point, with four time zones, from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific
Coast; the other two states, Hawaii and Alaska [two
[ noncontiguous states], are situated
respectively in the tropical part of the Pacific Ocean (160’W, 3,200 km from the mainland)
and near the Arctic Circle. The 50 states form an area of 3.79 million square miles
miles/9,372,619
square km (31 times the size of Italy; Vietnam’s area = 328.9 sq km/127, 243 sq miles),
making the United States the third
hird largest country in the world.

Topography

The country naturally presents a tremendous variety in physical features (and climate),
ranking from moist rain forest to arid desert and bald mountain peaks. Mount McKinley in
Alaska at 6,194 m (20,321.5 ft) is i the highest point in the United States,, while Death
Valley, in California,, is 89 m (291.9 ft) below sea level. The eastern coast of the United
States is a long, gently rolling lowland area known as the coastal plains, which stretch from
Maine to Texas, arere very flat (nowhere in Florida is more than 106 meters or about 348 ft
above sea level, for example) and often swampy. In general the soil is very poor except in the
fertile southern part, where the plain reaches many miles inland (the Cotton Belt of the Old
South and the citrus country of central Florida).

At the western edge of the Atlantic coastal plain there is a chain of low, almost unbroken
mountains, stretching from the northern part of Maine south-west
south west into Alabama, called the
Appalachian Mountains.. These mountains contain enormous quantities of easily accessible
coal and iron (which helps explain the huge concentration of heavy industry along the lower

120
region of the Great Lakes). The Piedmont Hills, to the east of the main peaks, are the most
highly productive agricultural land in the country after the Midwest.

The heart of the United States is a vast plain, broken [up] by the Superior Upland and Black
Hills in the north and the Ozark Plateau in the south, which extends from central Canada
southward to Mexico and from the Appalachian Mountains westward to the Cordillera [The
North American Cordillera is the North American portion of the American Cordillera
which is a mountain chain (cordillera) extending up and down the western side of the
Americas]. These interior plains, which rise gradually like a saucer to higher land on all
sides, are divided into two major parts: the wetter, eastern portion is called the Central Plains
and the western portion the Great Plains, both of which have good soil.

To the west of the Great Plains is the Cordillera6, which accounts for one-third of the United
States. It is a region of tremendous variety, which can be subdivided into various other
regions. On its eastern border the Rocky Mountains, a high, discontinuous chain of mountains
stretching from mountainous Alaska down to Mexico, rise sharply from the Great Plains.
These rugged mountains contain many important metals such as lead, uranium and gold.

The western edge of the Cordillera is characterized by a coastal chain of high mountains
among which there are broad fertile valleys. The most important ranges are the Sierra Nevada
and the Cascades in the eastern part and the Coastal Ranges along the western coast. There is
no Pacific coastal plain but between these two sets of mountains there is a large plateau
region, with steep cliffs and canyons, basins and isolated ranges. Many basins are rich in
resources such as oil and natural gas.

Hawai’i is a chain of twenty islands [archipelago], only seven of which are inhabited. The
mountainous islands were formed by volcanic activity and there are still a number of active
volcanoes.

The United States has several immensely long rivers. There are a large number of rivers in
the eastern part of the nation, the longest of which is the Missouri River (2,341 mi/3,768
km), a tributary of the Mississippi River (2,202 mi/3544km); the Mississippi-Missouri-Red
Rock system extends for 3,838 mi/6,176 km before entering the Gulf of Mexico near New
Orleans [Louisiana]. Two other tributaries of the Mississippi – the Ohio and Tennessee
[Rivers], - are more than 1,913 mi/3,079 km long. In the west, the Rio Grande, which forms
part of the United States-Mexico border, flows for over 1,896 mi/3,051 km); and, only the
Colorado (1,450 mi/2,330 km ), Columbia (1,243 mi/2,000 km) and the San Joaquim-
Sacramento River Systems empty into the Pacific Ocean.

Weather and Climate

Virtually every type of climate can be found somewhere in the United States – from the arctic
in Alaska to the subtropical in Florida. The climate is not generally temperate, despite the
latitude, as the tremendous size of the North American landmass heightens the extreme

6
General name for the entire chain of mountain system of Western North America, extending
from North Alaska to Nigaragua. The Cordilleras include the Rock Mountains, the ranges of
the Great Basin, the Sierra Nevada, the Coast Ranges and the Sierre Madre.
121
variations in temperature and precipitation, especially in the central regions (in the Dakotas
temperatures have reached a high of 49’ C (120’F) and to a low of -60’ C (-76’F).

Most of the country has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters,
while the lack of natural barriers either to the north or the south allows cold, dry air to flow
south from Canada and warm, humid air north from the Gulf of Mexico, giving rise to
spectacular weather of every possible type in the Great Plains and Midwest. Summers are hot
and very humid in this region and rainfall decreases to the west as a result of the rain shadow
created by the West Pacific Range and the Sierra Nevada. The southwest portion of the Great
Plains is the hottest and most arid [dry] region of the United States, with precipitation ,
mostly in the form of summer showers, averaging less than 250 mm (10 in.) a year.

The Pacific Coast is almost rainless in the summers, although there is often fog. In the winter
there is a frequent drizzle, but the climate remains generally warm and dry, especially in
California. The eastern part of the country is moderately rainy, with precipitation fairly well
distributed throughout the year. Summers tend to be extremely humid, especially along the
coast of Texas to Florida.

The USA is subject to a range of climate-related calamities such as hurricanes in the

Southeast, tornadoes7 on the Plains, flooding around the main rivers, severe snowstorms in the
mountains and northern plains and forest fires in the West, including California.

TORNADO The term "tornado alley" was first used in 1952 by U.S. Air Force
ALLEY meteorologists Major Ernest J. Fawbush (1915–1982) and Captain
Robert C. Miller (1920–1998) as the title of a research project to
study severe weather in parts of Texas and Oklahoma. According
to the National Severe Storms Laboratory FAQ, "Tornado Alley" is
a term used by the media as a reference to areas that have higher
numbers of tornadoes. A study of 1921-1995 tornadoes concluded
almost one-fourth of all significant tornadoes occur in this area.

Though no state is entirely free of tornadoes, they occur more

frequently in the Central United States, between the Rocky
Mountains and Appalachian Mountains. Per square mile, Kansas
and Oklahoma rank first and second respectively in the number of
tornadoes. Florida also reports a high number and density of
tornado occurrences, though tornadoes there rarely approach the
strength of those that sometimes occur in the southern plains.
Regionally, the frequency of tornadoes in the United States is
closely tied with the progression of the warm season when warm
and cold air masses often clash.

122
Natural Resources

The United States possesses vast non-fuel natural resources. The major resource is iron, three-
quarters of which comes from the Lake Superior region of the Great Lakes. Other basic
metals and minerals mined on a large scale include zinc, copper, silver and phosphate rock
(used for fertilizers). This wealth is distributed throughout most of the country, but Texas and
the West (especially California) are the most important mineral-producing areas. Mining and
quarrying account for only about 2% of the gross national product (GNP)8.

The United States produces one-quarter of the world’s coal and one seventh of its (the
world’s) petroleum, with sufficient coal reserves to last for hundreds of years. About half of
the nation’s electric power comes from coal-fired stations, while natural and manufactured
gas supply more than 33% of the nation’s power. The main gas fields are found near the main
oil fields in Texas, Louisiana and Alaska. Nuclear power is also used in many places, using
uranium mined in New Mexico and Wyoming, and produces over 10% of the nation’s energy
output.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Scan the text and complete the quiz.

Work in pairs. Try to give the correct answers to the following questions.

1. Where is the USA located? __________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

2. Which states in the USA do not have a common border with at least another state?
____________________________________________________________

3. What are the two oceans the USA has borders with?
________________________________________________________________

4. What is the most striking physical feature of the USA?

________________________________________________________________

5. What is the main mountain range in the eastern part of the United States?
________________________________________________________________

6. What are the two main sub-regions of the heart of the United States?
________________________________________________________________

8
Gross national product (GNP) is the market value of all the products and
services produced in one year by labor and property supplied by the residents
of a country.
123
7. What are the names of the three important mountain ranges in the wetern part of the
United States? _________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

8. What is the main mountain range in the western part of the United States?
________________________________________________________________

Complete the table with characteristics of weather & climate.

Weather Features Causes

Climate not generally temperate

Spectacular weather in the Great Plains and

Midwest

Southwest part of the Great Plains

very arid

Complete the pie-chart with information about the nation’s power supply.

The Nation's Power Supply

33%
_____________________
49 %

8%
10% other sources

_____________________
_____________________

124
Vocabulary Building: landforms and bodies of water

Write the word for each definition:

1. The name of the land masses that the Earth is divided into
T

2. A large hole in the side of a hill or a mountain, or in the ground

V

3. A deep valley with very steep sides – often carved from the Earth by a river.
C N O

4. One of the huge bodies of salt water that make up about two-thirds of the surface of the
Earth
N

5. A large body of salt water that is often connected to a larger body of water
E

6. A large, flowing body of water that usually empties into a sea or an ocean
I

7. A very tall, raised area on earth, sometimes with a spiky top

U

8. A piece of land that is surrounded by water on all sides

9. A large mound or raised area of earth

H

10. It occurs when a river falls off steeply

R L

11. A low place between mountains

12. A mountainous vent in the Earth’s crust that can spew out lava
L

13. A medium-sized body of water surrounded by land

A

125
14. A small body of water surrounded by land
O

15. A piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides

I N S

16. A body of water that is partly enclosed by land (usually smaller than a gulf)
Y

17. A steep face of rock and soil

I F

18. A part of the ocean (or sea) that is partly surrounded by land (usually larger than a bay)
F

19. A large, flat area of land that is higher than the surrounding land
P A U

20. A narrow piece of land connecting two larger landmasses and having water on two sides
I S T

21. A group or chain of islands clustered together in a sea or ocean

C H I P

22. A narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water
S R I

126
Label the land forms and the bodies of water, using the words in the boxes

archipelago isthmus peninsula

bay island river
gulf lake strait

isthmus

127
 Unit 10. Weather in the UK & in the U.S.

Climate in the U.S.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

The United States includes a wide variety of climate types due to its large size, range of
geographic features, and non-contiguous arrangement. In the contiguous United States to the
east of the 100th meridian, the climate ranges from humid continental in the north to humid
subtropical in the south. The southern tip of Florida is tropical. The Great Plains (the Mid-
West) west of the 100th meridian are semi-arid. Much of the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra
Nevada, and the Cascade Range are alpine. The climate is arid in the Great Basin, desert in
the Southwest, Mediterranean in coastal California, and oceanic in coastal Oregon and
Washington. The state of Alaska—on the northwestern corner of the North American
continent—is largely subarctic, with an oceanic climate in its southern edge and a polar
climate in the north. The archipelago state of Hawaii, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is
tropical.

Extreme (dangerous) weather is not uncommon—the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico
are prone to hurricanes, and tornadoes regularly occur in the area of the Midwest referred to
as Tornado Alley. The United States has more tornadoes than the rest of the countries of
the world combined.

Extremes (drastically different weather)

“Extreme” is a good ‘one-word description’ of the weather in the U.S. Frigid, cold
conditions can occur in one part of the country while in another part of the country very
hot and dry conditions are occurring simultaneously.

In northern Alaska, tundra and arctic conditions predominate, and the temperature has fallen
as low as −80 °F (−62 °C). On the other end of the spectrum, Death Valley, California once
reached 134 °F (56.7 °C), the second-highest temperature ever recorded on Earth.

On average, the mountains of the western states receive the highest levels of snowfall on
Earth. The greatest annual snowfall level is at Mount Rainier in Washington, at 692 inches
(1,758 cm); the record there was 1,122 inches (2,850 cm) in the winter of 1971–72. This
record was broken by the Mt. Baker Ski Area in northwestern Washington which reported
1,140 inches (2,896 cm) of snowfall for the 1998-99 snowfall season. Other places with
significant snowfall outside the Cascade Range are the Wasatch Mountains, near the Great
Salt Lake and the Sierra Nevada, near Lake Tahoe.

Along the coastal mountain ranges in the Pacific Northwest, rainfall is greater than
anywhere else in the continental U.S., with Quinault Ranger in Washington having an
average of 137 inches (3,480 mm). Hawaii receives even more, with 460 inches (11,684
mm) measured annually, on average, on Mount Waialeale, in Kauai. The Mojave Desert in
the southwest is home to the driest locale in the U.S. Yuma, Arizona, has an average of
2.63 inches (67 mm) of precipitation each year.

128
A tornado somewhere in the Flooding in New Orleans
mid-west of the U.S. after a hurricane

Hail – frozen water The desert in southwestern

United States

129
Chapter Review Questions

1. Which country’s weather can be described generally as “moderate”?

2. Which country’s weather can be described generally as “extreme”?

3. In which state of the USA could you find “tundra”?

4. In which state of the USA could you find “desert”?

5.

130