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READING COMPREHENSION
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
English is a West Germanic language originating in England, and the first
language for most people in Australia, Canada, the Commonwealth Caribbean,
Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (also
commonly known as the Anglo sphere ). It is used extensively as a second language
and as an official language throughout the world, especially in Commonwealth
countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa, and in many
international organisations.
Modern English is sometimes described as the global lingua franca. English is the
dominant international language in communications, science, business, aviation,
entertainment, radio and diplomacy. The influence of the British Empire is the
primary reason for the initial spread of the language far beyond the British Isles.
Following World War II, the growing economic and cultural influence of the
United States has significantly accelerated the spread of the language. On an
average school day approximately one billion people are learning English in one
form or another.
A working knowledge of English is required in certain fields, professions, and
occupations. As a result over a billion people speak English at least at a basic level.
English is one of six official languages of the United Nations.
Questions about the text
1. English is spoken in Canada.
True.
False.
We don't know.
2. Modern English is sometimes described as the global lingua franca.
True.
False.
We don't know.
3. It has become the international language in many areas.
True.
False.
We don't know.
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4. Over a billion people speak English at least at a basic level.

True.
False.
We don't know.
5. English is one of the official languages of the United Nations.
True.
False.
We don't know.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or UK, is in Western
Europe. It comprises the island of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
and the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland), together
with many smaller islands.
The mainland areas lie between latitudes 49N and 59N (the Shetland Islands
reach to nearly 61N), and longitudes 8W to 2E. The Royal Greenwich
Observatory, near London, is the defining point of the Prime Meridian. The United
Kingdom has a total area of approximately 245,000 km.
The UK lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, and comes
within 35 km (22 miles) of the northwest coast of France, from which it is
separated by the English Channel.
Northern Ireland shares a 360 km international land boundary with the Republic
of Ireland. The Channel Tunnel ("Chunnel"), bored beneath the English Channel,
now links the UK with France.
General - comprises of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man
and the Channel Islands:
includes 4 nationalities: English (England), Welsh (Wales), Scottish (Scotland)
and Irish (Ireland)
the largest cities are London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester,
Sheffield, Bristol, Leeds and Edinburgh
Geography The UK is situated off the northwest coast of Europe bordered by the
Atlantic ocean and from Europe separated by the North Sea and the English
Channel. The Irish Sea and the North Channel separate Great Britain from
Ireland.
Size - 244,820 sq km
Climate mild & rainy (Gulf Stream)

Population 56 million people (dense population)

Industries highly industrialised iron & steel engineering, motor vehicles,
aircraft, textil, plastic, cotton, wool, chemicals, electronics, shipbuilding, food
products (incl. fishing)
Mineral resources coal, natural gas (North Sea), oil
Agriculture wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, sugar beet, milk, meat, sheep
Government system:
The United Kingdom = Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is a constitutional
monarchy, the present sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II., she has no real political
power.
Great Britain (Britain) refers to England, Scotland and Wales.
The UK is governed by the Cabinet ( 20 leading ministers + the Prime Minister).
The supreme legislative body is the Parliament, this is split into two houses - The
lower house is The House of Commons 5 years (elected). The Upper house is The
House of Lords which currently has hereditiary and life peerage members,
although this is under review.
There is no written constitution in the UK (common law, conventions)
There are 3 main parties Conservative (Tories) (right wing), Labour (left wing)
and the Liberal Democrats (middle of the road).
England Capital - London
Geography situated in Britain
Size - 132,589 sq km
Wales
Capital - Cardiff
Geography - West, mountains and moorland
Size - 21,588 sq km
Climate - rainy
Industry tourism, mining, manufacturing
Other - The oldest son of the English Monarch is given the title Prince of Wales.
In 1999 Wales was granted devolution, this allows them to have their own elected
parliament.
Scotland
Capital - Edinburgh
Geography - North, hills, lakes (lochs Lochness: where the mythical monster
lives), mountains
Size - 80 234 sq km
Climate - cold and windy
Industry - tourism, oil, shipbuilding
Other - The Scotttish have their own traditions & way of life, they are very
independent and have a special folklore and dress - kilts. In 1999 Scotland was
granted devolution, this allows them to have their own elected parliament.

Northern Ireland (Ulster)

Capital - Belfast
Geography - The Irish Sea and the North Channel separate Great Britain from
Ireland.
Size - 10,409 sq km
Climate - rainy
Industry - service, shipping, agriculture
Other - There are still many problems between the two main religions in Northern
Ireland (Roman Catholic and Protestant)
READING COMPREHENSION

Britannia
Britannia is an ancient term for Great Britain, and also a female personification of
the island. The name is Latin, and derives from the Greek form Prettanike or
Brettaniai, which originally designated a collection of islands with individual
names, including Albion or Great Britain. However, by the 1st century BC
Britannia came to be used for Great Britain specifically. In AD 43 the Roman
Empire began its conquest of the island, establishing a province they called
Britannia, which came to encompass the parts of the island south of Caledonia
(roughly Scotland). The native Celtic inhabitants of the province are known as the
Britons. In the 2nd century Roman Britannia came to be personified as a goddess,
armed with a spear and shield and wearing a centurion's helmet.
The Latin name Britannia long survived the Roman withdrawal from Britain in
the 5th century, and yielded the name for the island in most European and various
other languages, including the English Britain and the modern Welsh Prydain.
After centuries of declining use, the Latin form was revived during the English
Renaissance as a rhetorical evocation of a British national identity. Especially
following the Acts of Union in 1707, which joined the Kingdoms of England and
Scotland, the personification of the martial Britannia was used as an emblem of
British imperial power and unity. She has appeared consistently on British coinage
ever since.