4.4 Speak on: a) geography of Great Britain b) climate of Great Britain с) industry of Great Britain

d) political set-up of Great Britain.

4.5 Read the dialogue in pairs and then learn it:

A: Have you ever been to Britain?

B: Yes, I have.

A: How many times have you been there?

B: Once.

A: When did you go time?

В: I went there last summer.

A: What impressed you most of all in Great Britain?

В: The English people themselves. They are so kind, self-reserved and friendly.

A: And what about London? Did you enjoy it?

B: London is beautiful. We saw many places of interest. They are: the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the British Museum, etc.

A: I would like to go and see London one day.

В: I think it's possible.

4.6 Complete the dialogue:

A: I suppose English is the national language.

B: ...

A: Why did some English people sail to North America to live there?

B: ...

А: They brought their culture together with their language to North America, didn't they?

B: ...

A: Is there any difference between the English and the American languages?

B: ...

A: Would you like to know English well?

B: …

5. British Universities

5.1 Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

education - образование

free of charge - бесплатное

on high level - на высоком уровне

graduates - студенты выпускного курса,

выпускники

undergraduates - студенты (кроме выпускников)

postgraduates - аспиранты

a tutor - наставник (тьютор)

tutorial system - система тьюторов

to call on a tutor - посещать тьютора

to direct one's work - направлять чью-то работу

to follow smb's advice - следовать чьему-то совету

term of instruction - период обучения

to govern - управлять

to arrange lectures - организовывать лекции

to hold examinations - проводить экзамены

to give degrees - присуждать степени

break of discipline - нарушении дисциплины

to fine a sum of money - штрафовать на какую-то сумму денег

to expel from (the) university - исключать из университета

5.2 Answer the questions:

1. What are the oldest universities in Great Britain?

2. What do you know about Oxford University? Cambridge University?

3. Do you know any famous people who graduated from Oxford? From Cambridge?

4. How many universities are there in Great Britain now?

5. Do British universities differ from each other?

6. How do Oxford and Cambridge Universities differ from other universities?

7. Is education in Great Britain free of charge?

8. What is the function of a university?

9. What degrees can British students get after graduating from a university?

5. 3 Read the text and then answer the questions:

Higher education in Great Britain is on a high level, though it is not free of charge. Graduates from Oxford and Cambridge are highly praised all over the world.

There are some kinds of higher educational establishments. They are: Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges. There are about 50 universities in Great Britain. Some of them are very old (Cambridge and Oxford), others are rather young (Nottingham University, founded in 1948).

The largest and most important universities are located in big industrial centers such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and many others.

Oxford and Cambridge are worth special mentioning, because the education in these universities is based on one and the same system -- tutorial system. What does it mean? It means that every student has a tutor who plans his (her) work, discusses the work the student has done, and criticizes it, if necessary. Sometimes they give students very useful advice and sometimes they ask students to redo the work.

Many kinds of work are practiced here: seminars, tests, laboratory works, colloquiums, etc. The undergraduates carry out their research very early, just beginning with the first year of studies. A lot of time is spent in the libraries, reading halls and laboratory rooms and computing centers. Students follow their tutor's advice because it is in their own interests: the tutors gradually make their graduates think logically and independently and be very responsible for the work they are to do. It is one of the greatest advantages of the tutorial system.

A university is a collection of colleges. It is an administrative center which: 1) arranges lectures for all the students, 2) holds examinations and 3) gives degrees: Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate. A college is a place where students are trained for different professionals, live and rest.

The academic year in British universities is divided into three terms: the first term usually runs from the beginning of October to the middle of December, the second term begins in the middle of January and is over at the end of Маrch, and the third term starts in the middle of April and finishes at the end of June or the middle of July. Graduates of two well-known universities (Oxford and Cambridge) wear a uniform (a black gown and a black cap), which they are to put on at lectures and in the dirang-room. Only two reexaminations are allowed.

For a break of discipline undergraduates are fined or even expelled from the university.

1. What can you say about the level of higher education in Great Britain?

2. How many universities are there in Great Britain?

3. Where are they located?

4. Which universities in Great Britain are the oldest?

5. In what way do Cambridge and Oxford differ from all other universi­ties?

6. What is the difference between "a college" and "a university"?

7. What does a tutorial system mean?

8. What do tutors do?

9. How many terms is the academic year in British universities divided into?

10. When do undergraduates take their tests and exams?

11. How many reexaminations are allowed there?

12. What is an undergraduate fined for? expelled for?

13. What are undergraduates to wear at lectures and the dining-room?

14. Where do undergraduates live and rest?