Ex. 2. Read the text and say what it adds to your knowledge
ENGLISH TRADITIONS
London has preserved its old ceremonies and traditions to a greater extent than any other city in England. Most of these traditions have been kept up without interruption since the thirteenth century.
Foreigners coming to London are impressed by quite a number of ceremonies, which seem to be incompatible with the modern traffic and technical conditions of a highly developed country. Uniforms are rather characteristic of this fact. When one sees the warders at the Tower of London with their funny hats and unusual dresses with royal monograms, one feels carried back to the age of Queen Elizabeth I.
Even in the unromantic everyday life of English businessmen we can see the same formal traditions. In the City of London there may be seen a number of men in top-hats. These are the bank messengers who had to put on these hats according to traditions. The same tradition makes the Eton boys (the boys of Eton College which was founded in 1440 by Henry VI) put on a silk hat, a very short jacket and long trousers.
All of you, of course, have seen English films and noticed official black dresses and white wigs of judges and advocates, though wigs have not been used for nearly two hundred years in other countries.
One of the most impressive and popular ceremonies is «Changing the Guard», which takes place at Buckingham Palace every day, including Sunday, at 11. 30. The uniform of the guards is extremely coloured - red tunics, blue trousers and bearskin caps, and they always attract London sightseers.
Another formal display is the «Ceremony of Keys» which takes place every night at 9. 53 p. m. when the Chief Warder of the Tower of London lights a candle lantern and carrying the keys makes his way with the Escort to the gates of the Tower and locks them. This ceremony takes place every night without interruption. It is said that on the night of April 16, 1941 air bombing stopped the ceremony, knocking out members of the Escort. Despite this the duty was completed.
Strange as they may seem to a modern European or American, nobody in London sees anything remarkable in these old traditions which mix harmoniously with the city everyday life.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
Ex. 3. Mark the sentences T (true) or F (false). If the sentence is false, correct it.
1. London has preserved its old ceremonies and holidays to a greater extent than any other city in England.
2. When one sees the warders at Buckingham Palace, he/she feels carried back to the age of Queen Elizabeth II.
3. In the City of London there may be seen a number of men in top-hats.
4. The Eton boys (the boys of Eton College which was founded in 1440 by Henry VI) put on a silk hat, a very short jacket and long trousers.
5. On the night of April 16, 1941 air bombing stopped the ceremony, knocking out members of the Escort.
VOCABULARY
Ex. 4. Find the English equivalents for the following:
cохранять, в большей степени, несовместимый, страж в лондонском Тауэре,
цилиндр, курьер (посыльный), адвокат, медвежья шкура, фонарь со свечой, сбить с ног
FOLLOW UP
Ex. 5. Speak about British and Russian traditions you know. Compare them.
UNIT 3
WARM UP
Ex. 1. Define the English character as you see it.
READING
Ex. 2. Read the text and describe the author’s idea of the English character. Compare the two descriptions.
ENGLISH CHARACTER
One of the most striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behaviour, and practically no loud disputing in the street. People do not rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stop in a quiet and orderly manner.
Englishmen are naturally polite and are never tired in saying «Thank you», «I'm sorry», «Beg your pardon». If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Many foreigners have commented on a remarkable politeness of the English people.
English people don't like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations, and ordinary people seem to remain good-tempered and cheerful under difficulties.
The Englishman does not like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech. Sometimes he conceals his knowledge: a linguist, for example, may not mention his understanding of a foreigner's language.
The Englishman prefers his own house to an apartment in a block of flats, because he doesn't wish his doing to be overlooked by his neighbours. «An Englishman's house is his castle».
Many Englishmen help their wives at home in many ways. They clean the windows on Saturday afternoon, they often wash up the dishes after supper in the evening.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
Ex. 3. Answer the following questions:
1. What is the most striking feature of English life?
2. Are Englishmen naturally polite or rude?
3. What do Englishmen dislike?
4. How do ordinary people behave under difficulties?
5. What kind of home do the Englishman prefer?
6. How do Englishmen help their wives at home?
VOCABULARY
Ex. 4. Find the English equivalents for the following:
внутренняя дисциплина (сдержанность), вежливость, громкий спор, бросаться занимать места (в транспорте), занимать место в очереди, проявлять эмоции, всегда находиться в хорошем (бодром) настроении, хвастовство, позерство, скрывать свои знания, квартира, многоэтажный дом,
подсматривать (заглядывать), выбираться за город
FOLLOW UP
Ex. 5. Compare the typical features of English and Russian national characters?
UNIT 4
WARM UP