ENGLISH CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Every country and every nation has own traditions and customs. England is a land of traditions. First of all it concerns United Kingdom political system. In Great Britain there is no written constitution, only customs, traditions and precedents. After the English Revolution Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy headed by King (now Queen, Elisabeth the second). Traditionally the queen acts only on the advice of her Ministers. She reigns but she does not rule. Englishmen have traditions not only in political, but in social life. For example, London, the capital of England, is traditionally divided into three parts: the West End, the East End and the City. The City is a historical, financial and business centre of London. The East End is the district inhabited by the workers, and the West End is a fashionable shopping and entertaining centre. English people like to spend their free time in numerous pubs where they can have a glass of beer and talk about different things with their friends. The English are traditional about their meals. They eat eggs and bacon with toasts for breakfast, pudding or apple pie for dessert. Every English family has five o'clock tea. A typical feature of an English house is a fireplace, even when there is central heating in the house. English people like domestic animals. Every family has a pet: a dog, a cat or a bird. Politeness is a characteristic feature of Englishmen. They often say " Thank you", " Sorry", " Beg your pardon". Englishmen have many traditional holidays, such as Christmas, St.Valentine's Day, Mother's day, Easter and others.
ADD TO YOUR ACTIVE VOCABULARY: own – собственный concern – забота written constitution – письменная (написанная) конституция precedent – прецедент advice – совет to reign – править inhabited – населенный fashionable – модный, стильный entertaining – развлекательный pub – паб, пивнушка dessert – десерт fireplace – камин central heating – центральное отопление politeness – вежливость feature – черта характера Easter – Пасха Ex. 1. Answer the questions: 1. Is England a land of traditions? 2. What is there in Great Britain instead of written constitution? 3. When did Great Britain become a constitutional monarchy? 4. Englishmen have traditions not only in political, but in social life, haven’t they? 5. Is London traditionally divided into two or three parts? 6. Is the City a historical, financial and business centre of London? 7. Where can Englishmen have a glass of beer and talk about different things with their friends? 8. The English are traditional about their meals, aren’t they? 9. What do they usually eat? 10. What is a typical feature of an English house?
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