I. Useful expressions

reach agreement in the West mother tongue

a matter of looking at maps carefully Geography is confusing.

Are you confusing her with her sister? the basic geography

have better chances of becoming powerful have advantages over other countries

You must be mistaken. consist of be made up of

their view of British culture make the most of its cultural diversity

hold…together lie off the west coast of Europe

be separated from France by the English Channel be surrounded by

in general=generally speaking=generally throughout the year

on the European mainland move to the inland, mountainous parts of the islands

end up with go on a four-week trip through the UK

have a clear idea of the lives of common people from opposite directions

on the basis of first impressions Trade Union

two-thirds of all girls on a diet on a three-day visit

hold the view die of cancer research into breast cancer

raise a lot of money develop an interest in his fifties

as far as twenty-two miles to the west without doubt

bear fruit and grain a retired British army officer

come across an old map dating from 1424 cause a stir

II. Structures

1. The idea that England stands for Fish & Chips, Speakers’ Corner, Big Ben and the Tower of London is past.

2. I believe that you’ve got it right. (get sth right)

3. How many countries make up the British Isles?

4. The fact that Great Britain is made up of three countries is still unknown to many.

5. Between Britain and Ireland, in the Irish Sea, lies the small Isle of Man.

6. The climate of the British Isles is mild with a lot of rain.

7. 1)In the summer months the difference in temperature between London and the north can be as much as nine degrees!

2)When he worked there, he could earn as much as 500 dollars a week.

3)The rain is plentiful here, often as much as 70 inches yearly.

4)In the countries of Africa, there are as many as 700 languages.

8. For the next few hundred years the upper classes spoke French while the common people spoke English.

9. Their languages formed the basis for English.

10. In 1066 England was conquered by the French.

11. It was not until 250 years later that they formed a single state.→

12. There are six spoken languages that are considered to be native to the British Isles as well as two local accents.

13. That most of these are now threatened and may disappear is a serious matter to the people in Britain.

14. They realize that it is of great value to record and teach them to the younger generation.

be of great help/importance/use/interest

workshops of many sizes; students of the age(of an age); cars of the same shape

15. The suggestion that students should learn something practical is worth considering.

16. The suggestion that they are considering is that students should learn something practical.

17. It is built where two rivers come together.

18. The city of Salisbury has two important kinds of produce and trade, which employ the poor of a great part of the country round - namely, making cloth and sheets, called Salisbury Whites.

19. Winter vacation is approaching. I can’t wait to go back home.

20. His approach to the problem is to make a list of all the pros and cons.

21. In the 2003 Boat Race Oxford beat Cambridge by a foot.

22. It is the captain of the team that lost the previous year who throws down the challenge.

23. About 400 million people all over the world watch the boat race live on TV.

24. Ireland has a mild sea climate.

25. It is no wonder that his book 1421: The Year China Discovered America caused a stir among scientists.