VI. ИСПРАВЛЕНИЕ РАБОТЫ НА ОСНОВЕ РЕЦЕНЗИЙ

1. При получении от рецензента проверенной конт­рольной работы внимательно прочитайте рецензию, озна­комьтесь с замечаниями рецензента и проанализируйте отмеченные в работе ошибки.

2.Руководствуясь указаниями рецензента, проработай­те еще раз учебный материал. Все предложения, в которых были обнаружены орфографические и грамматические ошибки или неточности перевода, перепишите начисто в исправленном виде в конце данной контрольной работы.

3.Только после того, как будут выполнены все указания рецензента и исправлены все ошибки, можно приступить к изучению материала очередного контрольного задания и его выполнению.

4.Отрецензированные контрольные работы являются учебными документами, которые необходимо сохранять; помните о том, что во время зачета или экзамена производится проверка усвоения материала, вошедшего в конт­рольные работы.

VII. ПОДГОТОВКА К ЗАЧЕТАМ

В процессе подготовки к зачетам рекомен­дуется: а) повторно прочитать и перевести наиболее труд­ные тексты из учебника; б) просмотреть материал отре­цензированных контрольных работ; в) проделать выбо­рочно отдельные упражнения из учебника для самопроверки; г) повторить материал для устных упражнений.

Контрольное задание 2

Для того чтобы правильно выполнить задание 2 , необходимо усвоить следующие разделы курса английского языка по рекомендованному учебнику:

1.Видо- временные формы глагола : а) активный залог – формы Simple ( Present , Past , Future ); формы Continuous ( Present , Past , Future ) ; особенности перевода пассивных конструкций на русский язык.

2. Простые неличные формы глагола : Participle I ( Present Participle ) , Participle II ( Past Participle ) в функциях определения и обстоятельства , а также как часть видо- временной формы сказуемого.

3. Модальные глаголы : а) выражающие возможность : can ( could ), may и их эквиваленты - to be able to , to be allowed to ; б) выражающие долженствование : must, его эквиваленты- to have to , to be to , should , ought to.

Образец выполнения упражнений.

Задание 1.

He ... for his help Его поблагодарили за помощь

а)was thanked

Вариант 1

1. Изучите темы: активный залог- формы Simple , Continuous, Perfect ( Present, Past , Future ); пассивный залог- формы Simple (Present, Past, Future ).Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1) The president ... by his wife on his recent tour.

a) accompanies

b) was accompanied

c) accompanied

2) The picture ... soon by the painter.

a) will be finished

b) was finished

c) finished

3) They ... to Britain twice.

a) have been

b) has been

c) are

4) It ... at 12 o’clock yesterday.

a) is raining

b) was raining

c) rained

5) She ...him long before he left for India.

a) knew

b) had known

c) has known

d)

2. Изучите тему: простые неличные формы глагола- Participle I, Participle II.

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1) The ... team slowly left the field.

a) defeating

b) defeated

2) Everyone finds the circus ...

a) exciting

b) excited

3) When she met him he was a ... man.

a) breaking

b) broken

4) Oliver lay ... with mud and dust.

a) covered

b) covering

5) At the moment there walked into the room ... himself with a stick a stout old gentleman.

a) supporting

b) supported

3. Изучите тему: модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты.

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1) ...I have your book for a moment?

a) Might

b) Must

c) May

2) Our teacher ... speak three languages.

a) can

b) must

c) may

3) Your coat is quite new. You ... buy another one.

a) mustn’t

b) needn’t

c) can’t

4) I’d like ... play chess.

a) to have to

b) to be able to

c) may

5) Students ... interrupt their teacher.

a) cannot

b) needn’t

c) mustn’t

4. Прочитайте и устно переведите текст.

Great Britain

Great Britain ( official name – the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is situated on two large islands, the larger of which is Great Britain, the smaller is Ireland. In addition to these two islands Great Britain includes over five hundred small islands.

The total area of Great Britain is 240,000 sq. km ,its population is over 56 mln people.

In the north –west and west the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea, in the east – by the North Sea, it is separated from France by the English Channel.

The island of Great Britain is divided into two parts: mountainous and lowland.

There are no very long rivers. The most important rivers are the Thames ( the deepest ) and the Severn (the longest).

Great Britain consists of four main parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Administratively Great Britain is divided into 55 counties. The biggest cities of the country are London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff.

Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. Officially the head of the state is the Queen ( or the King ). However, the power of the Queen in Great Britain is not absolute. She acts only on the advice of the ministers and Parliament. Parliament in Great Britain exists since 1265 and is the eldest in the world. It consists of two Houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Great Britain is a highly-developed industrial country. The main branches of British industry are machine-building, ship-building, metallurgy, electronics, etc.

5.Выпишите и письменно переведите правильные высказывания.

1.Great Britain( official name – the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is situated on two large islands.

2. In addition to these two islands Great Britain includes over five hundred small islands.

3. The total area of Great Britain is 500,000 sq. km.

4.In the north-west and west the country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea, in the east – by the North Sea, it is separated from France by the English Channel.

5. There are no long rivers in Great Britain.

6. Great Britain consists of four main parts: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

7. Administratively Great Britain is divided into 75 counties.

8. Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy.

9. The capital of Great Britain is Glasgow.

10. Great Britain is a highly – developed industrial country.

Вариант 2

1.Изучите темы: активный залог – формы Simple, Continuous, Perfect ( Present, Past, Future); пассивный залог- формы Simple ( Present, Past, Future.)

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. The devil is not so black as he ....

a) is painted

b) was painting

c) paints

2. The new building of our University ... to the visitors tomorrow.

a) was shown

b) will be shown

c) showed

3. I ... him for a long time

a) know

b) has know

c) have known

4. He ... a car when we saw him.

a) is driving

b) was driving

c) will be driving

5. The students ... their last exam before holidays began.

a) passed

b) pass

c) had passed

2. Изучите тему: простые неличные формы глагола- Participle I, Participle II.

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. The third and the largest painting was the last work ... by the artist.

a) doing

b) done

2. It seems to be a very ... story.

a) interesting

b) interested

3. The circus tent is always filled with ... children.

a) exciting

b) excited

4. It was a letter ... by someone in close touch with Celia.

a) written

b) writing

5. The servant took us into a large hall ... with flowers and carpets.

a) decorated

b) decorating

3.Изучите тему: модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты.

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. ... I come in?

a) Can

b) May

c) Might

2. We ... not get the medicine and returned home without it.

a) might

b) had to

c) could

3. The boy ... drive my car if he passes his exam.

a) may

b) will be allowed to

c) can

4. My lips were stiff. I ... hardly speak.

a) could

b) might

c) had to

5. Every member of a trade union ... pay a small sum of money.

a) must

b) could

c) might

4.Прочитайте и устно переведите текст.

The United States of America

After its 200^th birthday the United States of America still holds the leading position in the western world. What makes the USA the leader is its economic, political and military dominance over other countries.

The United States are situated in the central part of the North American Continent between the two oceans: the Atlantic Ocean to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West. They border with Canada and Mexico.

The country consists of three separate parts. They are the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska and the rest major part of the USA.

There are many big cities and towns in the USA: New York, San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles are the biggest of them.

The United States of America is a parliamentary republic. The government is divided into three branches: legislative ( the US Congress), executive ( the President and his Administration) and the judicial ( the US Supreme Court).

There are two main political parties in the USA: the Democratic ( symbolized by a “donky”) and the Republican ( its symbol is an “elephant”).

The US President is both head of state and government. He is elected for a four – year term. Presidential elections are held every leap year on the first Tuesday after first Monday in November.

Each of the fifty states of the USA has a constitution patterned after the federal Constitution.

The Presidency means not only a man: means an institution – the “executive” branch of the government.

5.Выпишите и письменно переведите правильные высказывания.

1. The United States of America still holds the leading position in the world.

2. The United States of America are situated in the central part of the North American Continent between the two oceans: the Atlantic Ocean to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West.

3. The United States of America border with France and Portugal.

4. The country consists of three separate parts : the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska and the rest major part of the USA.

5. The biggest cities of the USA are : Mexico, Lima,Dublin.

6. The United States of America is a parliamentary republic.

7. There are two main political parties in the USA : the Democratic and the Republican.

8. The US President is both head of the state and government.

9. The President is elected for a seven- year term.

10. Each of the fifty states of the USA has a constitution patterned after the federal Constitution.

Вариант 3

1. Изучите темы : активный залог- формы Simple, Continuous, Perfect ( Present, Past , Future); пассивный залог – формы Simple ( Present, Past, Future).

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. At the Customs House I ... to open my suit-case.

a) asked

b) was asked

c) am asking

2. The monitor of the group ... next week.

a) will be elected

b) was elected

c) has been elected

3. They ... since last year.

a) have been divorced

b) were divorced

c) will be divorced

4. I ... slowly down the street when somebody called me.

a)was walking

b) am walking

c) will be walking

5. After she ... she felt better.

a) had cried

b) cries

c) has cried

2) Изучите тему: простые неличные формы глагола- ParticipleI, ParticipleII.

Выполните тест .Письменно переведите предложения.

1. I felt suddenly small ...beside those immense walls of stone.

a) standing

b)stood

2. Generally ...,the problem is not so easy as it seems to be.

a) spoken

b) speaking

3. He stood for a while ... my hands.

a) holding

b) held

4. Frankly ... I can’t approve of his behaviour.

a) speaking

b) spoken

5. He will certainly come if ...

a) asked

b)asking

3. Изучите тему : модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты.

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1....I call you Bob?

a) May

b) Can

c) Could

2. Why are you late? You ... to have come at 10 a. m.

a) were

b) can

c) may

3. Don’t make so much noise. We ... wake the baby.

a) mustn’t

b) can’t

c) are to

4. Their son ... stay up late last night to watch the World Cup on TV.

a) could

b) was allowed to

c) had to

5. –I’ve got a terrible headache.

- You ... take an aspirin.

a) should

b) must

c) can

4. Прочитайте и устно переведите текст.

Canada

Canada is the second largest country in the world. It covers the northern part of the North America. Its total area is more than 9 mln sq km. Canada’s only neighbour is the USA. The capital of Canada is Ottawa.

Most of northern Canada has subarctic or arctic climates, with long cold winters lasting 8 to 11 months, short sunny summers, and litle precipitation. In contrast, the populated south has a variety of climotological landscapes.

The total population is about 25 mln people with average population density of 2.8 per sq. km.

English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equal status and equal rights and previleges as to their use in all governmental institutions.

Canada is a federation of 10 provinces and 2 northern territories. The federal Parliament is made up of the House of Commons and the Senate. The leader of the party that wins the largest number of seats in a newly elected House of Commons is asked to form the government.

Canada is a world leader in the production of asbestos, nickel and different other elements, forestry products and takes the first place in the world in the export of minfrals. It exports paper, metals, oil.Agriculture is of major importance to the economy as a whole and is basic in many areas. Canada is among the world’s leading wheat producers and is the second in the export of the wheat.

5. Выпишите и письменно переведите правильные высказывания.

1.Canada is the first largest country in the world.

2. Canada covers the northern part of North America and its total area is more than 9 mln sq. km.

3.The capital of Canada is Ottawa.

4.Canada has short warm winters and long summers.

5. English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equal status and equal rights and previleges as to their use in all governmental institutions.

6.Canada is a parliamentary monarchy.

7. The federal Parliament is made up of the House of Commons and the Senate.

8. The leader of the party that wins the largest number of seats in a newly elected House of Commons is asked to form the government.

9. Canada is a world leader in the production of asbestos , nickel , forestry products and takes the first place in the world in the export of minerals.

10. Canada is among the world’s leading wheat producers and the second in the export of the wheat.

Вариант 4

1. Изучите темы: активный залог- формы Simple , Continuous, Perfect ( Present, Past, Future); пассивный залог- формы Simple ( Present, Past, Future).

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. The novel “War and Peace “ ... by Tolstoy.

a) writing

b) was written

c) is writing

2. The agreement ... at the next meeting.

a) will be discussed

b) are discussed

c) was discussed

3. He ... away for a month.

a) has been

b) was

c) is

4. The family ... a party when the post arrived.

a) was having

b) is having

c) had

5. He rose to fame after he ... the novel “Pickwick Papers”.

a) has written

b) writes

c) had written

2 . Изучите тему : простые неличные формы глагола- Participle I, Participle II.

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. The doctor looked ...

a) worried

b) worring

2. He did not even glance at the ... man.

a) murded

b) murdering

3. He answered through the ... door.

a) locked

b) locking

4. We stood on the bridge in the fog ... for a taxi.

a) waiting

b) waited

5. He lay on his bed ... a cigarette.

a) smoked

b) smoking

3. Изучите тему: модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты.

Выполните тест .Письменно переведите предложения.

1. I have a thorn in my finger. I ... remove it.

a) can’t

b) needn’t

c) may

2. They were so tired that they ... stand on their feet.

a) might not

b) couldn’t

c) mustn’t

3. I have not finished writing my paper, so I’ll ... do it next term.

a) have to

b) be allowed to

c) could

4. On his way he ... cross a narrow wooden bridge over a stream.

a) was allowed to

b) had to

c) could

5. They were told that they ... continue the research work.

a) were to

b) could

c) may

4.Прочитайте и устно переведите текст.

Australia

Australia is lying south- east of Asia, between the Pacific and Indian oceans. It’s the world’s smallest continent which is completely surrounded by ocean expances. Its total area is 7,682,300 sq. km.

The continent Australia is divided into four regions: a low , sandy eastern coastal plain , the eastern highland, the central plain , and the western plateau. Although Australia has a wide diversity of climatic conditions , the climate of Australia is generally warm and dry , with no extreme cold and little frost. It changes from comfortably mild in the sourth to hot in the central part and north.

The total population is about 17 mln people with the average density of about 2 persons per sq. km. Most Australians are of British or Irish ancestry as the country was the British colony. More than 99% of the population speak English.

The capital of Australia is Canberra. Australia has a federal Parliamentary government. The Australian federation was formed from six former British colonies which then became states. The Australian constitution combines the traditions of British parliamentary monarchy with important elements of the US federal system.

Australia is the world’s largest wool producer and one of the world’s largest wheat exporters. The main sources of foreighn earnings are wool, food and minerals ( such as iron , copper , zinc , plumbum ) which also provide raw materials for home processing industry.

5. Выпишите и письменно переведите правильные высказывания.

1. Australia is lying between the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

2. Australia is the world’s smallest continent which is completely surrounded by ocean expances.

3.The continent is divided into four regions : a low, sandy eastern coastal plain , the eastern highland , the central plain and the western plateau.

4.Australia has a wide diversity of climatic conditions , the climate of Australia is generally warm and dry , with no extreme cold and little frost.

5.The total population is about 20 mln people

6. Most Australians are of British or Irish ancestry as the country was the British colony.

7.The capital of Australia is Canberra.

8. The Australian federation was formed from French colonies.

9. The Australian constitution combines the traditions of British parliamentary monarchy with important elements of the US federal system.

10. Australia is the world’s largest wool producer and one of the world’s largest wheat exporters.

Вариант 5

1. Изучите темы : активный залог- формы

Simple , Continuous , Perfect ( Present , Past , Future ); пассивный залог- формы Simple ( Present , Past , Future ).

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. The music ... by Beethoven.

a) was composed

b) composed

c) composes

2. Many tasty things ... by mother for our party.

a) made

b) will be made

c) makes

3. ... you ever ... to London?

a) Have been

b) Had been

c) Will be

4. The student ... in the library from 3 till 5 yesterday.

a) was working

b) is working

c) woked

5. After she ... the problem thoroughly she wrote a very good article.

a) has studied

b) studied

c) had studied

2.Изучите тему: простые неличные формы глагола – Participle I, Participle II.

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. It was an old woman ... glasses.

a) worn

b) wearing

2. He shook his head as though ... in wonder and admiration.

a) lost

b) loosing

3. If ... tonight the telegram will be delivered early in the morning.

a) sending

b) sent

4. ... an orphan at six , he was brought up by a distant relative.

a) Being

b) Been

5. ... by appearances he looked like a man whose life was hard and full of sorrows.

a) Judging

b) Judged

3. Изучите тему: модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты.

Выполните тест. Письменно переведите предложения.

1. The rain had stopped, so we ... take umbrellas.

a) didn’t have to

b) could

c) might

2.”Well, you ... write this exercise at home “, said the teacher.

a) can

b) are to

c) had to

3. I’m sorry I couldn’t come yesterday. I ... work late .

a) must

b) had tо

c) might

4. They ... take every Friday off last year.

a) were allowed to

b) could

c) will be able to

5.... I have your pen for a moment?

a) Might

b) Must

c) May

4.Прочитайте и устно переведите текст.

New Zealand

New Zealand is situated in the southwest Pacific Ocean on two large islands: the North Island and the South Island. Its total area is 268,112 sq. km.

The South Island is significantly more mountainous than the North Island. New Zealand has a temperate, moist ocean climate without marked seasonal variations in temperature or rainfall.

The total population is more than 3.3 mln people with the average population density of about 12 persons per sq. km. About 85% of the population are classified as Europeans. Most of them are of British descend. New Zealand is the member of British Commonwealth. English is the universal language.

The capital of New Zealand is Wellington. Like the United Kingdom New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy. Officially the head of the state is the British Queen (or the King) whose representative, the governor – general, is appointed for a five – year term. The government of New Zealand is democratic and modeled on that of the United Kingdom.

5.Выпишите и письменно переведите правильные высказывания.

1.New Zealand is situated in the southwest Pacific Ocean on two large islands: the North Island and the South Island.

2.Its total area is 889,121 sq. km.

3.The South Island is significantly more mountainous than the North Island.

4. New Zealand has a temperate , moist ocean climate without marked seasonal variations in temperature or rainfall.

5. The total population is more than 5.3 mln people.

6. Most of the population are classified as Europeans.

7.New Zealand is the member of British Commonwealth.

8. German is the universal language.

9. The capital of New Zealand is Wellington.

10. Officially the head of the state is the British Queen (or the King) whose representative ,the governor-general, is appointed for a five-year term.

Тексты для чтения

CLASS SYSTEM

Some things about Britain make sense only to the British. Of these, probably the strangest is social class. There are three main class divisions in Britain with some 'in between' variations (such as 'upper middle'): upper, middle and lower or working class. And people in Britain are very conscious of class differences.

The different classes in Britain tend to eat different food at different time of the day (and call the meals by different names), they like to talk about different topics, they enjoy different pastimes and sports and have different ideas about the correct way to behave.

The easiest way to guess the class to which the person belongs to is to listen to the way he or she speaks. A person's accent in Britain is an identity card. Other people will be able to say what social background you come from, where you were born or educated, and what kind of job you do.

Changing an accent is difficult, even for actors. To achieve the desired accent, a British person must speak it from childhood. This is one of the reasons why people still send their children to expensive private schools. It is not only that the education there is better, but because, as adults, they will have the right accent and manners, and equally importantly, they will make good social contacts that they can use later in life.

A person's vocabulary is also very important. Here is a good class-test you can try: when talking to an English person, say some­thing too quietly for them to hear you properly. A lower-middle or middle­-class person will say 'Pardon?'; an upper-middle class will say 'Sorry? (or perhaps 'Sorry — what?'); but an upper-class and a working-class person will both say 'What?' The working per­son, however, will drop the 't' — 'Wha'?'

'Toilet' is another word that makes the higher classes exchange knowing looks. The correct upper class word is 'lavatory' or 'loo'. The working classes all say 'toilet', as do most lower-middles and middle-middle classes, the only difference being the working-class dropping of the final 't' again.

An interesting thing about the class system in Britain is that very often it has nothing to do with money. A person with an upper-class accent, using upper-class words, will be recognized as upper class even if he or she is unem­ployed or homeless. And a person with working-class pronunciation, who calls a sofa a settee, and his midday meal 'dinner', will be identified as work­ing class even if he is a multi-millionaire living in a grand country house.

Answer the questions:

How many major class divisions are there in Great Britain?

What are the differences between the social classes?

Choose the right answer to the question:

Is it difficult to achieve the desired accent?

a) no, if you speak it from childhood

b) yes, for everyone

c) what other features can be used to distinguish class background?

BIG RED LONDON BUSES

On October 25th 1911, the London General Omnibus Company ran their last horse-drawn omnibus through the streets of the capital. Then followed the era of the tramcar, but since then the big red motor bus has been London's 'king of the road'. Every day, thousands of Londoners use the big red buses to move around town; and lots of tourists know that a one-day London bus pass, valid on all regular bus routes, offers a wonderful way to see the sights of Britain's capital city.

The idea of the 'double decker' is actually much older than the motor bus; it is simply a continuation of the system that was used for public transport in the age of horse-drawn vehicles, when some of the passengers sat inside, and the rest travelled on the roof. If it rained, passengers could take a sort of oil-cloth cover out of the back of the seat in front of them, and pull it over them, but they still got pretty wet. It wasn't until the 1930s that all new buses became equipped with roofs over the upper deck. Today the only open-topped buses are the special tourist buses. The most famous London buses, how­ever, are not those that filled the capi­tal's streets in the 1930s, but the pow­erful 'Routemasters' which date from the 1950s and 60s. These are the buses that have been taken all over the world, the buses that you can see in the tourist brochures, and the ones which have been sold, in miniature, to millions of visitors and souvenir hunters.

The Routemaster is a legend in itself! With its open platform at the back end, the Routemaster is still the most popular bus in London, because passengers can climb on and off when they want, even if the bus is moving (though this is not recommended!).

These buses were designed specially for London, by people who knew what London needed, and they have served their purpose well.

Things started to go wrong for the London bus in the late 1960s. That was when the Ministry of Transport decided that it would only give financial assistance to bus companies that bought new buses with doors! They had to choose other models instead. Today, European Union rules also stipulate that new buses for public transport must have doors. Determined to keep the buses that Londoners (and tourists) want, London Transport has decided to keep the old Routemasters going as long as possible. The RM was taken out of use in June 2007 due to a law requiring busses to have access for disabled people. However London Transport has kept two RM routes running as tourists’ attractions. They are routes No 9 and 15. Both run from Trafalgar Square and run past many of London tourist sites. Five hundred of the popu­lar old buses have been renovated, and are now back on the road as good as new, if not better! The London Transport museum at Covent Garden has exhibits of all London buses from 1850 to the present day including the RM.

The black London taxi cab is another tradi­tional symbol of London. It looks old-fash­ioned and clumsy, but in fact it's comfort­able and speedy. Besides, London taxi dri­vers know the city very well. They spend up to two years studying and memorizing 25,000 streets, as well as the locations of hospitals, hotels, theatres, clubs, museums, etc. Then they have to pass a very difficult test called 'The Knowledge'. So when you climb into the famous black cab you can be absolutely sure that it'll get you wherever you want and by the quickest possible route.

Answer the questions:

Why was the RM taken out of use?

What kind of test do London taxi drivers have to pass?

Choose the right answer to the question:

Is the RM an open-topped bus?

a) yes b) no c) no, but it was before 1960s.

FAMILY LIFE

In 1870, the average family had five or six children and it was a typical Victorian family. Each member of the family had its own place and chil­dren were taught to 'know their place.' The father was often strict and was obeyed by all without question. The children were taught to respect their father and always spoke politely to him calling him 'Sir.' Very few children would dare to be cheeky to their father or answer him back. When he wanted a little peace and quiet he would retire to his study and the rest of the family were not allowed to enter without his special permission. The mother would often spend her time planning dinner parties, visiting her dressmaker or calling on friends, she did not do jobs like washing clothes or cooking and cleaning. Both parents saw the upbringing of their children as an important responsibility. If a child did something wrong he would be punished for his own good. 'Spare the rod and spoil the child' was a saying Victorians firmly believed in. For poorer families their greatest fear was ending up in the workhouse, where thousands of homeless and penniless families were forced to live. If your family was taken into the workhouse you would be split up, dressed in uniform and have your hair cut short.

The family in Britain is changing. People get married at a later age and many career-oriented women don't want to have children immediately. They prefer to do well at their jobs first and put off having a baby until late thirties. In 1969, the law made it easier to get a divorce and now Britain is often called 'the divorce capital of Europe'. That means that there are more and more one-parent families.

However, marriage and the family are still popular. Most people in Britain still get married and stay together until the end of their lives. The majority of divorced people marry again, and they sometimes take responsibility for a second family. Relationships within the family are also changing. Parents treat their children more as equals than they used to. Children have more freedom and the things they are interested in reflect this: music, computers, television, the Internet, fashion, shopping and money.

As for young British people, they are keen to become independent and can't wait to move out of their parents' homes, although for some of them this may be financially impossible. Members of a family try to keep in touch, but they see less of each other than they used to. This is because people often move away from their home town to a different part of the coun­try to find a job, which makes it more difficult for them to be in regular contact with their par­ents. That's why Christmas is so important in Britain. It's the traditional season for reunions and relatives often travel many miles in order to spend the holiday together.

Answer the questions:

How many children were there in a typical Victorian family?

Why is Britain called 'the divorce capital of Europe'?

Choose the right answer to the question:

Why do young British people leave their parent’s homes?

their parents are too strict with them

they want to be independent

they want to live and work in different part of the country

THE OLDER, THE BETTER

The typical British person thinks that the older an object is, the better. He or she loves everything that reminds him of Ye Olde England - houses, furniture, pic­tures, china, etc. Old things have their own charm, uniqueness, their own character. They are also worth more money! No wonder that often an old "character" house costs much more than a new house of the same size. Seems strange to a Russian, doesn't it?

In Britain, where everything that is 30 or more years old is considered "antique", antique shops and markets are very popular. The cheapest places to buy antiques are chari­ty shops. They can be found everywhere. Charity shops are usually run by volunteers in support of different charities, like the British Red Cross or British Heart Foundation. People give their old unwanted possessions to charity shops for free: books, clothes, pic­tures, handbags, toys, small pieces of fur­niture. Other people can buy them at a very low price from the charity shop. Often in these shops you can buy some­thing interesting, for example, a funny brass container with a long handle. In the past, when most bedrooms in Britain had no heating, people used to put hot coal in such containers to warm the linen before going to bed

Many antique shops are located in tourist villages or towns. They can be a tiny jewellery or minia­ture toy shop, owned by some old lady or gen­tleman. Or it can be a huge enterprise, a real "Snooper's paradise" (the name of a famous antique shop in Brighton). Such places are like a museum, where you can feel the real atmosphere of the past and spend a lot of time looking at all kind of curiosities: old-fash­ioned costumes and hats, brooches, vases, glasses, silver spoons and forks, mirrors in pretentious frames. Prices in such antique shops vary from comparatively low to rather high.

Outdoor antique markets are also very common in Britain. The simplest of them are the so-called "boot fairs", or actually, flee markets, that are regularly organized by local people in farmers' fields.

At boot fairs and small street antique markets people sometimes sell and buy very strange things like single old but­tons and earrings, pieces of old lace, old lamps and sewing machines, etc. It seems that both parties, sellers and customers, enjoy the process much more than a financial result.

But at big street markets like on Portobello Road in London one can buy something really original and quite valuable.

British people like visiting antique fairs. Hunting for old and valuable curiosities is a kind of national sport. Auctions, offering all sorts of inexpensive, expensive and very expensive antiques are also very popular.

For a foreigner, the most surprising are special outdoor sessions, organized by experts in antiques in different, sometimes very distant parts of Britain. These sessions, regularly shown on TV, are very popular. Indeed, it is a great fun to see happy faces of people, who suddenly realized the real and sometimes unexpectedly high market price of some old piece of china that had been stored in a dark corner for years!

Answer the questions:

What can you buy in charity shops?

Do prices in antique shops are always high?

Choose the right answer to the question:

Where can you find outdoor antique markets?

a) in charity shops

b) on Portobello Road in London c) on farmers' fields.