TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC NGOẠI NGỮ TIN HỌC THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH

KHOA NGOẠI NGỮ

VĂN MINH ANH

 CHAPTER 1 : COUNTRY AND PEOPLE
1. Overview of Britain
 The UK is a sovereign state.
 The Entire name of UK is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
 The nations belonging to the UK are England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The name of the British Anthem is God Saves the Queen.
The UK currency is the Pound
2. Map of Britain
• Great Britain is a country made up of
three kingdoms England, Scotland and
Wales. (1922 Ireland became a
separate state)
• The capital of England is London.
• The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh.
• The capital of Wales is Cardiff.
• Ireland, Wales & Highland Scotland =>
Celtic culture
• England, Lowland Scotland =>
Germanic culture

3. Facts about Britain

The population of Britain is 58 million. (2005)
- The official language is English, but in Wales and Scotland Celtic languages are spoken.
- The term British refers to people, places and things from England, Scotland and Wales. Each
kingdom also has its own identity.
- People from Britain are called British.
- People from England are called English.
- People from Scotland are called Scottish.
- People from Wales are called Welsh.

Britain’s National Anthem: GOD SAVES THE QUEEN

God save our gracious Queen!
Long live our noble Queen!
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen.

• The Emerald Isle = Ireland (greenery) (cover by green)

• Ancient Britons: people lived in southern Britain in Roman occupation (AD 43-410)
• Kilt: a skirt with a tartan pattern worn by Scottish men
•
 CHAPTER 2: HISTORY
The British Isles have a rich history going back thousands of years.
The history of the United Kingdom includes also the history of England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland.
The history is full of invaders, wars, rulers.
TIMELINES
• 4000 - 1500 BC: stone age man, the first farmers, Stonehenge
• 1500 BC - 43 AD: the age of hill forts and the Celts
• 43 AD - 410 AD: Roman Britain came & conquered => Hadrian’ wall (to protect from Scots
and the Picts)
• 410 – 1066: the Anglo Saxons
• 1066 – 1154: the Normans
• 1154 – 1485: the Middle Ages
• 1485 – 1603: Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and the Tudors
• 1603 – 1660: the divine right of kings to rule, then chop off their heads
• 1660 – 1715: Restoration and revolution, the beginning of Empire
• 1715 – 1815: The German Georges rule Britain
• 1815 – 1914: peace and prosperity, the growth of Empire

1. 4000 - 1500 BC: stone age man, the first farmers, Stonehenge
We know relatively little about the Stone Age inhabitants of Britain. Stone Age people means
that they used mostly stone tools, had some farming, and lived in small settlements. One of the
big mysteries is Stonehenge.

2. 43 - 410 AD: the Roman period

The island we know as England was invaded by two groups of people:
 Celts: known as Bythons (now spelled Britons)
 Gaels (from Scotland & Ireland).
The Celts were pagans and their religion was known as “animism” a Latin word for “spirit.”
Druids were their priests and when clans had disputes, they intervened to settle them.

3. 410 – 1066: the Anglo-Saxons

450: Came from Germany, Denmarkish
First they came as pirates, then mercenaries, then colonists.
King Vortigen hired them to protect him from other warring Celtic kingdoms, but instead they
took over.
This is the start of England as we know it.
This is the start of English as a language. The Angles brought a version of early German with
them, what we call Old English.
The Angles established several kingdoms and became Christian.
They also had to deal with the new invaders, Vikings fom Scandinavia
Nine Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms eventually become the Anglo-Saxon heptarchy (England not
unified) or “Seven Sovereign Kingdoms”. (Essex, Sussex, Wessex, Middlesex, East Anglia,
Northumbria, Mercia)
King Alfred “the Great” managed peace against the Danes for about a generation, until William
of Normandy defeated them in 1066.
Harian’s Wall was built to protect it from attacks by Scots and Picts
Literature: Beowulf
  a Scandinavian (GEAT) warrior or knight probably in the sixth century, who comes to help a
neighboring tribe, the Danes, who are being attacked by a monster.
 We study English history to understand the CONTEXT of Beowulf, and we study Beowulf
to understand the world which was OLD ENGLISH.
 Consider the fighting, hunting, farming and loving Anglo-Saxon heritage. The Non-
Christians only hope was for fame and commemoration in poetry.
 Beowulf is considered the shining star of Old English literature.
 The Book of Exeter is the largest surviving collection of poetry.

4. 1066 – 1154: the Normans (French language)

Normans
 The Normans were originally Vikings (“North Men”) from Scandinavia
 They settled in a part of France called Normandy
 The Normans were the last people to successfully invade England
In 1066, Two people claimed the Kingdom:
 Harold, The Earl of Wessex
 William, The Duke of Normandy
In 1066, William of Normandy or William the Conqueror invaded England, he had assembled a
force of about 5,000 knights for invasion
William defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings (Oct 14 1066).
This resulted in profound political, administrative, and social changes in the British Isles.
and set up a new kingdom.
William was crowned in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066.
However, native revolts continued until 1071.
Military conquest followed by settlement and firm administration led to the Normanisation of
England, Wales and lowland Scotland.
William's victory brought England into closer contact with western Europe. Cultural and
economic links with France and continental Europe were re-established.
Stone castles became a common sight, serving as administrative centres as well as military and
economic strongpoints.
This is the start of Middle English as Norman French and Old English mix.
Upper classes spoke Norman French, lower classes still spoke English
Literature: Chaucer & The Canterbury Tales
 Geoffrey Chaucer: 1343- 1400
 Wrote The Canterbury Tales- series of short stories with a moral lesson.
 Born minor nobility, worked various jobs at the court, saw all parts of society from rich to poor
 Wrote The Canterbury Tales in Middle English so regular people could read it
 This was considered crazy and revolutionary because he acted like the poor people were smart
enough to understand.
Society:
 Three Classes: Clergy, Nobles, Peasants
 Manor System: farming village that pays revenue to the lord that lives in the manor house
 Village Church really important.
 Feudalism originated in France, and was brought to England by the Normans
 The obligations and relations between lord, vassal and fief form the basis of feudalism
Relationship
 Lords (Land owners),
 Vassals (Knights)
 Fiefs (Land).
 In exchange for use of the fief, the vassal would provide military service to the lord.
 Knights were supported by peasants who worked to produce food and ideologically supported
by the church.
Domesday (1086)
 The Domesday Book was the result of a great survey by William I
 He sent officials to 13,418 places to find out who lived there and what they owned.
 The purpose of the survey was for tax collection, or possibly as a way of resolving disputed
titles and lands.
 Domesday (1083) was the most complete record of any country at that time and continued to
be consulted on legal and administrative matters into the Middle Ages.

5. 1154 – 1485: the Middle Ages

During the thirteenth century, England and Scotland developed clearer self-identities.
In England's case, this was as a result of the loss of most of her continental possessions which
focused the monarchy's attention closer to home.
There were large constitutional changes and the period saw the beginning of parliament to
advise the king.
Wales was conquered by the military campaigns of Edward I but his wars in France, Scotland
and Ireland were less successful.
The Beginning of Parliament 1236 – 1307
 The first reference to a 'parliament' was made in 1236
 In 1254, the first meeting of a parliament took place
 Representatives were two knights from each shire.
 Parliament developed through the reign of Edward I to a role beyond that of 'high court'.

Late Medieval (1348 – 1484)

 This period was dominated by the long period of conflict known as the Hundred Years' War
 Profound social and economic changes were brought about by the Black Death (bubonic
plague).
 The popular and successful Edward III reigned for fifty years, presiding over a mixed period of
success for England in France.
 Parliament continued to develop and English rather than French became the language of daily
use.
 A new dynasty - the Stewarts - was established Scotland. They would eventually rule England

The Black Death (1348)

 In 1348, the bubonic plague arrived in Britain through the southern coast ports.
 Known as the Black Death, the disease was spread by fleas living in the fur of rats.
 The plague reached London by September 1348 and Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the winter
of 1349.
 Between 10-30% of the population died
 The plague returned periodically until the seventeenth century. The first few outbreaks severely
reduced the fertility and density of the population.
 Labour became scarcer
 Poorer land was simply abandoned, and many villages were never re-occupied.

the Peasants’ Revolt (1381)

the population had increased and the peasants could no longer demand either higher wages or
release from serfdom. High taxes were demanded in order to pay for the war in France: in 1379,
the so-called Poll Tax was imposed on every male over sixteen. This situation resulted in the
outbreak of a revolt in 1381: the rebels marched on London and held the government at their
mercy. King Richard II (1377-99), who was a boy of fourteen at that time, promised to meet all
their demands, but as soon as they dispersed, the revolt was brutally crushed.

The Hundred Years War (1337-1453)

This long war broke out after Edward III (1327-77) claimed the throne of France, but its real
objective was to bring Flanders (the main English wool trade market) and Gascony (the chief
supplier of wine and salt) under English control. The long war is traditionally divided into three
stages, with periods of uneasy truce between them:
• The first stage (1337-60) was successful for England, because the English army consisted of
well-organised professional soldiers, while the French army was an undisciplined feudal host.
The French suffered two crushing defeats at Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356), and gained large
territories in France.
• The second stage (1369-75) was successful for France: the French adopted the strategy of
guerrilla war, and gradually reconquered the lost territory except for two ports.
• The third stage (1415-53): The war was resumed by Henry V (1413-22), the second
Lancastrian king: he dealt the French another crushing defeat at Agincourt (1415) and gradually
extended his territory. In 1420, he was acknowledged heir to the French throne. Though he died
in 1422, the war continued and, in 1428, the French were defending their last stronghold at
Orleans. The appearance of Joan of Arc in 1429, however, led to a French revival. The war
dragged on for more than twenty years, until the battle of Chatillon finally ended it in 1453.
The war exhausted England and led to political disruption, which enabled the outbreak of the Wars of
the Roses.

The Wars of the Roses (1455-85)

This series of wars was a dynastic struggle between two powerful families, the Lancastrians
and the Yorkists, both descendants of Edward III: they fought for the crown. The Wars were
marked by indecisive victories and defeats on both sides. During the thirty years of intermittent
fighting, the feudal nobility was impoverished and almost exterminated, while the Crown
became wealthy, as a result of confiscations of their estates for the benefit of the Crown after
each battle. This paved the way for the establishing of Tudor absolutism.

6. Tudors (1485 – 1602)

Henry VII (1485-1509) made use of the situation after the end of the Wars of the Roses to
establish an absolute monarchy
Known as the “Early Modern” period of British history.
The Tudors ruled in England and the Stuarts in Scotland. In both realms, as the century
progressed, there were new ways of approaching old problems.
Henry VIII of England and James IV of Scotland were both cultured, educated Renaissance
princes with a love of learning and architectural splendour.
Henry broke away from the Catholic Church to form the Church of England (of which he had
himself proclaimed Head).
The early modern period was an era where women exercised more influence: Catherine de
Medici in France, Elizabeth and Mary in England and Mary in Scotland ruled as their male
counterparts had done before them.
1564: William Shakespeare
1492: Christopher Columbus discovered America
Civil War (1642-49) between the supporters of the King (Royalists or “Cavaliers”) and of
Parliament (parliamentary party or “Roundheads”). The victory of the radical wing of the
Parliamentary party led by Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) in the Second Civil War resulted in
 the king’s execution and the establishment of a republican regime, the Commonwealth (1649-
54).

7. The Stuarts (1603 – 1713)

King Charles I was unable to work with Parliament so he attempted to rule without it.
This lead to a civil war, and the execution of Charles I.
England became a republic (no Kings or Queens) for a short time until the restoration of the
monarchy 1660.
Shortly afterwards, a devastating plague swept through the country followed by the Great Fire
of London 1666.
Compromise between the crown and Parliament finally achieved a balanced government and the
two kingdoms of England and Scotland were joined in the 1707 Act of Union.

The Gunpowder Plot (1605)

 On 5 November 1605, a plot was discovered to blow up parliament with gunpowder stored in
the cellar.
 Guy Fawkes was one of the conspirators. He was captured and executed.
 King James I declared 5 November a day of national celebration.
 “Guy Fawkes Day” is still celebrated today

The First Steam Engine (1712)

 One the most significant inventions of the Industrial Revolution was the steam engine.
 This was originally invented for draining mines, but was rapidly put to use in factories and later
on the railways.
 The first successful engine was built in 1712 by Thomas Newcomen and developed over the
next ninety years by James Watt and Richard Trevithick

8. The Georgians (1714 – 1836)

 The Georgian period was one of change.
 There was a new dynasty and the infrastructure of Britain was changing.
 Agricultural developments were followed by industrial innovation.
 This, in turn, led to urbanisation and the need for better communications.
 Britain became the world's first modern society.
 With these changes came increased population and increased wealth (for some).
 Politically, the Georgian period was a period of confrontation.
 Britain became involved in conflicts with India, her American colonies and continental Europe.
 Because of its financial, naval and military strength, the British government tended to prevail.

Captain Cook (1761)

He is a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the Royal Navy.
He made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean,
during which he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of
Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand.

The Napoleonic wars 1803 – 1815 (Battle of Trafalgar)

 After the French Revolution, Napoleon I of France began a series of European wars. He wanted
to rule all of Europe.
 In 1805, Napoleon's planned invasion of Britain from France failed at Trafalgar.
 Napoleon then decided to invade Russia but was defeated by the Russian resistance, losing
some 380,000 men.
 Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austria and Sweden formed a new coalition, which defeated Napoleon.
 He returned to Paris in 1815, but was finally defeated at Waterloo by Wellington and his
Prussian allies, on 18 June.

Colonisation of the Antipodes - penal colonies 1788

 The colonisation of Australia and New Zealand began with the desire to find a place to put
prisoners after the original American colonies were lost.
 The first shipload of British convicts landed in Australia in 1788, on the site of the future city of
Sydney.
 The majority of these convicts were young men, many of whom had committed only petty
crimes.
 New South Wales opened to free settlers in 1819. By 1858, transportation of convicts was
abolished.

The union with Ireland and adoption of the Union Flag 1801
 Because of fighting between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, the Prime Minister, William
Pitt, concluded that direct rule from London was the only solution.
 After bribery of the Commons and gentry, Britain and Ireland were formally united, with seats
for 132 Irish members in Parliament
 The red cross of St Patrick was incorporated in the Union flag to give the present flag of the
United Kingdom

9. The Victorians (1837 – 1900)

 During Queen Victoria's reign, the revolution in industrial practices continued to change British
life.
 With it came increased urbanisation and a burgeoning communications network (Railways,
canals, telegraph).
 The industrial expansion also brought wealth and, in the nineteenth century, Britain became a
champion of Free Trade across her massive Empire.
 Both industrialisation and trade were glorified in the Great Exhibitions,
 However by 1900, Britain's industrial advantage was being challenged successfully by other
nations such as the USA and Germany.
 The Empire witnessed renewed conflict, although Victoria' reign can be seen as the imperial
Golden Age

Irish famine 1845 – 1850

 When the potato crop failed (a staple of the Irish diet), over 1,000,000 Irish citizens died.
 A further 1-2,000,000 emigrated (mainly to Britain and the United States).
 The Irish rural economy had come to rely on the potato too much as a cheap and available
source of food.
 The crisis was not helped by poor weather, epidemic disease and a slow response from the
British government.
 CHAPTER 3: BRITISH GEOGRAPHY
Cities in the UK
• London is the capital of Britain. It has a population of over 7 million people.
• Cardiff is the capital of Wales. Over 320,000 people live here.
• Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland.
• Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. The Scottish parliament can be found here.
The highest mountain in the UK is called Ben Nevis. It is in Scotland.
The longest river is the River Severn in Wales/England. It often floods.
The biggest lake is Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland.
Another famous lake is Loch Ness in Scotland. Some people believe that a monster called Nessie lives
here.
Facts and figures Languages
• Over 60 million people live in the UK. • English is the 1st language of the UK
• 83% of the population live in England. • Other official languages are Welsh (in Wales)
• The average summer temperature is 15.5 and Scottish Gaelic (in Scotland)
degrees.

Two famous places

• Stonehenge is in south-west England. It was built 5000 years ago and may have been a church
Tintagel is a castle in Cornwall which may have been the home of King Arthur.
CLIMATE
1. ENGLAND
A. SOUTHERN ENLAND
- Be warmer than in the other areas and the most densely-populated.
- The driest areas are in the East and South-East.
- Be most varied ( from flat, sandy or stony beaches to high rocky cliffs).
- Inland, the landscape are gentle and green. The farmland is like a vast park with trees.
- The hills often look higher.
- Well-known cities: Brighton, Canterbury in Kent, and London.
- Tourist attraction: Stonehenge.
MIDLANDS
- Be cooler and wetter than in the South.
- Not have so much sea coast but have much farming land and industrial cities: Birmingham,
Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Farming is varied ( mix a lot of farming: keeping of animals and raising of crops on one farm).
NORTHERN ENGLAND
- Get colder in the North- East, and wetter in the West. There is almost always snow in winter.
- Be different from the other regions.
- It is covered by short grass or low- growing heather.
- In the North, there is a great contrast between the beautiful open, hilly countryside and the
industrial towns and mining villages.
SCOTLAND
- The climate of Scotland is temperate and oceanic, and tends to be very changeable.
- It is warmed by the Gulf Stream from the Atlantic, it has much milder winters (but cooler, wetter
summers) than areas on similar latitudes. The west of Scotland is usually warmer than the east.
- Mountainous areas with 3 parts: the highlands, the lowlands, and the Islands. The highest
mountains : Ben Nevis, 1342 m
 - Have lakes (called “lochs”), forests, hundreds of km of seashore.
3.WALES
- It lies within the north temperate zone, and weather also changes quite quickly here (it could be
raining in the morning and sunny in the afternoon. Often cloudy, wet and windy, with warm
summers and mild winters.
- Most of rain tends to fall in the autumn and early winter months (October – January). Days in
winter are shorter.
- The smallest land of the UK: picturesque mountain, sea coasts and beautiful landscape.
4. NORTHERN IRELAND
- Receive generally warm summers and mild winters.
- It rains a lot ( but the rain showers quickly change to sunshine – and back to rain again)
- The mountains roll gently down to the sea. ( the highest- Slieve Donard– peak at 932 m)
- A place for outdoor activities and tourism with rivers, lakes and coast.
- Land of lakes, rivers and varied sea coast. Lough Neagh (Loch Nest )
- Giant’s Causeway : consisting of 40,000 pillars of rock.
UK LANDMARKS
Big Ben
Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the Houses of Parliament in London. Many
people call the clock Big Ben as well. The clock is over 150 years old and is a popular tourist
attraction. The clock is named ‘Elizabeth Tower’ in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in
2012.
The Eden Project
The Eden Project is located in Cornwall, in the south west of England. Its biomes, which are like giant
greenhouses, house plants from all over the world. The Eden Project is also a charity which runs
environmental and social projects internationally.
Edinburgh Castle
The castle is a dominant feature of the skyline in Edinburgh, Scotland. It has a long history, dating
back to the early Middle Ages. It is looked after by Historic Scotland, a Scottish government agency.
The Giant’s Causeway
Located on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is a land formation of
columns made from volcanic lava. It was formed about 50 million years ago. There are many legends
about the Causeway and how it was formed.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
This national park covers 720 square miles (1,865 square kilometres) in the west of Scotland. Loch
Lomond is the largest expanse of fresh water in mainland Britain and probably the best-known part of
the park.
London Eye
The London Eye is situated on the southern bank of the River Thames and is a Ferris wheel that is 443
feet (135 metres) tall. It was originally built as part of the UK’s celebration of the new millennium and
continues to be an important part of New Year celebrations.
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is a national park in North Wales. It covers an area of 838 square miles (2,170 square
kilometres). Its most well-known landmark is Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London was first built by William the Conqueror after he became king in 1066. Tours
are given by the Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, who tell visitors about the building’s
history. People can also see the Crown Jewels there.
The Lake District
The Lake District is England’s largest national park. It covers 885 square miles (2,292 square
kilometres). It is famous for its lakes and mountains and is very popular with climbers, walkers and
sailors. The biggest stretch of water is Windermere. In 2007, television viewers voted Wastwater as
Britain’s favourite view.

CHAPTER 4: BRITISH IDENTITIES

Scottish Identity
• Important aspects of public life (education, law and religion) are organized separately from the
rest of Britain
• Scottish way of speaking English is very distinctive (e.g. dialects spoken by working class in the
lowland cannot be understood by those not Scottish)
• Many symbols of Scottishness are well known: lion rampant, thistle
Wales Identity
• Wales don’t have many reminders of their Welshness in everyday life:
• Their public life is similar to that in England
• A large minority of the people don’t consider themselves to be especially Welsh (many Scottish,
Irish and English went to find work there in the 19th century, and now many make their homes
or have holiday houses there)
• The important symbol of Wales is Welsh language
Welsh language
• The mother tongue for 20% of the population
• It shows signs of continued vitality. It receives a lot of public support (used at school, mass
media, etc)
Identity in Northern Ireland
• Ethnicity, family, politics and religion are all inter-related
• Social class has a comparatively minor role in establishing identity
• Northern Ireland is a polarized society: born and stay in one community for their whole life
English Identity
 They are too individualistic and don’t like to feel that they are personally presenting their
country
 Know little about the EU, just smt to do with French
 Are now afraid of the loss of British identity in the EU
 Obstinate to certain distinctively ways: driving on the left, red buses, use different systems of
measurements
 British are not normally actively patriotic
 Could think of nothing to be proud of
 would emigrate if they could
 Nuclear family is less common (divorce and children born outside marriage)
Class:
 Britain is a class-conscious society (though the people do not approve of class division)
 Difficult to become friends with smb from a different class
 Different class have different sets of attitudes and daily habits
Men and Women: Gender discrimination does exist (esp. among lower and upper classes)
In daily habits and mannerism: A man can look untidy and scruffy and display emotions
In Roles
 Financial responsibility: BOTH
 House decoration & cleaning: WOMEN
 Child care: ONLY WOMEN
(Though men have been more active in domestic role than they were 40 years ago)
 One of the first EU country to have a woman P.M and a woman chairperson of debate in
Parliament
 Now, nearly every institution in the country has opened its door to women
 Slowly, women are entering professions that have traditionally been exclusively male
Non-native British
 Accounts for 6% of the population
 Can’t choose when to advertise their ethnic identity and when not to
 Have different languages, religions (Hindu and Muslim), different everyday habits and attitudes
(e.g., parents’ control). Yet, they are becoming less distinctive as most of non-whites are now
British citizens
 Take pride in cultural roots and can defend against racial discrimination (quite a lot in Britain)
 The longest-established of this group are black Caribbeans.
British Values
 Democracy
 The rule of law
 Individual liberty
 Mutual respect
 Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
 CHAPTER 5: BRITISH ATTITUDE
Britain – land of tradition (ceremonies)
Stereotypes:
 Men wearing bowler hats
 Great drinkers of tea
 Talking about rainy weather
 Obsession with cricket
 English breakfast (bacon, eggs, sausages,
toasts)
English ≠ British
 People are confused with the words british
and english
 British = English, Scotish, Northern Irish,
Welsh
 People in the country are very similar but
not identical
 The British like to remember the old safer
times
Multiculturalism (“You can taste all the
world in London “)
 Immigrants: Asians (Indian, Bangladeshi,
Pakistani...)
 Europeans Africans
 Own language, typical clothes, shops,
customs
 13% of population • These foreign cultures
influence the British culture
Being different
 Driving of the left side
 Double-decker bus
 Hackney carriage – cab, Asquith taxi
 System of measurement
 lenght (inch, finger, hand, food, yard)
volume (gallon, cup, pint)
weight (ounce, pound, grain, stone)
temperature (Fahrenheit)
Other information:
Goverment tried to change this measurement
Financial year starts on April
They don´t want to give up their currency
(pound sterling)
Lovers of countryside and animals
Life in towns and cities
Nature (peace, no crime, beauty)
Hostels • Most favorite hobby is gardening
 “Lost without their dog“
Animals are taken seriously
Wildlife programmes in TV
Being friendly
Don´t be bothered with titles (Mr. ,Mrs.)
Don´t shake hands when meeting, no
convention to kiss
Requests without the “magic word“
Washing up the dishes at friend´s house
Charity works for people in need
Privacy and sexuality
It´s considered very rude to ask people about
their privacy even though you know them very
well
Modern people are very open <=>
embarrassment
Politicians prefer traditional family values <=>
people have different opinions
 CHAPTER 7: BRITISH MONARCHY & GOVERNMENT
Some terms
 The Crown – all encompassing term including the all the powers of government (king and
queen, Parliament, cabinet, and civil servants)
 Westminister – district of London where many government buildings are located
 # 10 Downing St. – prime minister’s residence and address
 Whitehall – street where many executive offices are located along with the House of Commons
and House of Lords
The crown
 The monarch is the head ofthestate and symbol for theunityofthenation
 The monarchy is hereditary
The monarchs
The monarch is not only the Head of state but also a symbol of the unity of the nation. She is:
- The Head of the Commonwealth. (53 members)
- The Head of the Church of England.
- Defender of the Faith
- The commander - in - chief of the armed forces. (tổng tư lệnh)
- The head of the executive and Judiciary. (hành và tư pháp)
Absolute monarchy Constitutional monarchy (UK Queen)
 says “my government” not like “the  make speech that someone had writen for
government of the people for the people” her.
in every speech.  choose the leader of the major party in
 can choose anyone for her government: the House of Common to become the
PM/ other Ministers Prime Minister.
 has great power over the parliament:  accept the PM’s advising and requesting
summon or dissolve  Summon or dissolve the Parliament as
 no bill becomes law without her well as choose anyone in some important
agreement. positions.
 is above the law: send some guilty people  agree with the royal assent
to “Her Majesty’s prison or remit → no power at all/ can not stop any gov.
sentences passed on convicted criminals Policies
 Be The Personal Embodiment Of The
Government Of The Country
 Give royal assent to legislation passed by
Parliament
 appoint government minister; Judges;
officers of the armed forces; governors;
diplomats and bishops of the Church.
 confer honors, such as peerages (đồng
đẳng) and knighthoods (tước hầu)
 remit sentences passed on convicted
criminals
 declare war on/make peace with an
enemy power.
The value of the British monarchy
 Boost economy
 Be embodiment of the government
 gives British people a symbol of
 continuity and a harmless outlet.
 In spite of these roles, the monarch
acts only on the advice of political
ministers
The monarch can not
 make laws
 impose taxes
 spend public money
 Appoint the Prime Minister

Whitehall
 Her majestys government governs in the name of the Queen.
 The leader of the majority party form a government.
 The ministers are members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords
 Most governments consist of 100 ministers
 The core is the Cabinet with 20 ministers.
Branches of Government in the UK
• Executive = Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Legislative = House of Commons and House of Lords
• Judicial = Courts
Executive Branch
Prime Minister Cabinet
• Head of Government • Has about twenty members
• Head of the majority party in HOC • Can be from HOC or HOL, though most
• Usually get their way and are thought to are from HOC
be powerful because of strong party • Appointed by the Prime Minister
loyalty • Responsible for individual government
• 2011 Fixed-term Parliaments Act, departments
elections had to be held every five years • Provide answers to Parliament during the
but the Prime Minister had discretion to question time.
call one at any time before that deadline. • Collective Responsibility – idea that
• Must maintain the support of party cabinet must appear unified and take
• Take questions once weekly that are responsibility for policy
televised • If Cabinet official can not support a
• Direct activity of the cabinet decision of government they must resign
• Diplomats and world leaders and return to legislature
Cabinet
 The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet
 The ministers have to obey the Prime Minister
 All senior government ministers have the title of Secretary of State
 They have junior ministers to help them with the workload
British cabinet consists of:
• Lord Chancellor (member of House of Lords)
• Foreign Secretary – conducts foreign policy
• Home Secretary – oversees the Judiciary
• Chancellor of Exchequer (treasury) – financial policy and head of the central bank
• Environment * Education * Transport * Social Security * Agriculture
• Employment * Northern Ireland * Welsh * Scottish * National Heritage
The Civil Service
 The Civil Service administer sthe decision sof ministers
 The Civil Service employsalmost 500 000 people
 It is expected that the Civil Service does its work in a impartial way
 The Cabinet Office is the heart of the Civil Service
 The Cabinet Office is running the whole Civil Service and serving ministers.
 The Permanent Secretary is theleaderof a ministery
 There is a strong tradition of loyalty on the part of civil servants towardstheir ministers.
Westminster
 Parliament is known as Westminster
 Parliament is the seat of British democracy
 Parliament is the supreme legislative body ofthestate
Parliaments function
 To pass laws
 Raise enough money through taxation
 To examine government policy and administration
 Discuss important political issues
 Checks the work of the Government (the Sovereign, the House of Commons, the House of
Lords)     
 CHAPTER 9, 10: BRITISH ELECTION & PARLIAMENT
The electoral system
 The United Kingdom is divided into constituencies. Each constituency elects one Member of
Parliament to sit in the House of Commons
 Today there are 659 seats in the Commons
 All British citizens can vote if they are over 18 years old
 Insane people and prisoners can also vote
 If a Member of Parlliament resigns or dies, a by – election must be held.
 MPs are chosen by theconstituencybranchofthe party
The party system: three political parties in Britain
 The Conservative Party
 The Labour Party
 The Liberal Party
The Conservative Party
 It is the party of the Right
 The idea of economic freedom.
 Patriotism
 Receiving money from big companies and rich people
 Law and order and strong armed forces
 Most peers support the Conservative Party
The Labour Party
 The party of social justice
 Achievement of well-being and opportunity for all members of society
 Public ownership of major industries
 Economic planning
 The trade union movement
The House of Commons
 Its 659 members represent 529 constituencies in England, 40 in Wales, 72 in Scotland and 18
in NorthernIreland
 There are only seats in the Commons debating chamber for 370 members
 The front benches are reserved for members of the Cabinet and the Shadow Cabinet
 Behind them sit the back benchers
 The Speaker is responsible for order in theCommons
 MPs are paid salaries – twice the average national wage.
The House of Lord
 The House of Lords is the upper chamber of Parliament
 It is not democratic
 1197 members
 300 peers meet daily in the House of Lords
 Judges and archbishops
 Their job is to warn governments
 The Lord Chanchellor is the leader of the House of Lords

Functions of House of Commons Functions of House of Lords

 Consists of 651 Members of Parliament  Has over 1000 members
(mps) – each represents a particular part  The head is the lord chancellor
of the country  Made up of the lords of temporal (about
 They pass the bills 900), the lords spiritual  (2 archbishops
  The Speaker (elected by mps) = the chief
officer - he presides over the house
 Elections – every 5 years
 Minimum voting age – 18 years
 Candidates must be over 21
JOBS:
 Support their party
 Assess the political reputations of other
MPs to be cabinet ministers
 Share the problems they see with policy
of ministers outside of chambers (must
look like you are a party loyalist at all
times)
 Talk about legislation, but do not write
legislation. (Legislation is written by
cabinet ministers)
 Vote on legislation proposed by the
government
 Have oversight in seeing how policy is
carried out
 Publicize government policy to the
general public
 Can check the PM with a vote-of-no-
confidence
 MPs vote with their party 90% of the
time
of canterbury and york + 24 bishops of
the church of england)
 They sign the bills to consider it as a
law, they can refuse bills got from the
house of commons
Consists of the Lords Temporal and the
Lords Spiritual.
 The Lords Spiritual: the Archbishops
of
York and Canterbury and twenty-four
senior bishops of the Church of England
 The Lords Temporal: hereditary peers,
life peers(created by political party), the
Lords of Appeal (Law Lords)
JOBS:
 Made up of inherited seats and Church of
England bishops and law lords
 Limited power
 Amend legislation from Commons. But
the MPs in the House of Commons can
easily delete amendments with simple
majority
 Delay legislation (financial bills 30 days
and other 2 years)
 Debate topics that are to controversial for
elected MPs

The Constitution
 unwritten, based on traditions and common law
 it´s easy to change it (by an Act of Parliament or by general agreement)
 divides power between 3 independent branches:
1. legislative (Parliament)
2. executive (House of Common)
3. judicial (Lord Chancellor, monarch)
 CHAPTER 11: THE LAW
Respecting the law
All residents, regardless of their background, are expected to comply with the law and to understand
that some things which may be allowed in other legal systems are not acceptable in the UK.

The law in the UK : can be divided into:

• Criminal law
• Civil law

Criminal laws are: Civil laws are:

• Carrying a weapon: • Housing law
• Drugs • Consumer rights
• Racial crime • Employment law
• Selling tobacco: sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. • Debt
• Smoking in public places
• Buying alcohol
• Drinking in public

The police and their duties

The job of the police in the UK is to:
• Protect life and property
• Prevent disturbances (also known as keeping the peace)
• Prevent and detect crime.

The police are organised into a number of separate police forces headed by Chief Constables. They are
independent of the government.
In November 2012, the public elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales.
These are directly elected individuals who are responsible for the delivery of an efficient and effective
police force that reflects the needs of their local communities. PCCs set local police priorities and the
local policing budget. They also appoint the local Chief Constable.
The police force is a public service that helps and protects everyone, no matter what their background
or where they live. Police officers must themselves obey the law. They must not misuse their authority,
make a false statement, be rude or abusive, or commit racial discrimination. If police officers corrupt
or misuse their authority they are severely punished.
Police officers are supported by the police community support officers (PCSOs). PCSOs have different
roles according to the area but usually patrol the streets, work with the public, and support police
officers at crime scenes and major events.
All people in the UK are expected to help the police prevent and detect crimes whenever they can. If
you are arrested and taken to a police station, a police officer will tell you the reason for your arrest
and you will be able to seek legal advice.
If something goes wrong, the police complaints system tries to put it right. Anyone can make a
complaint about the police by going to a police station and writing to the Chief Constable of the police
force involved. Complaints can also be made to an independent body: the Independent Police
Complaints Commission in England and Wales, the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland or
the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
Terrorism and extremism
The UK faces a range of terrorist threats. The most serious of these is from Al Qa’ida, its affiliates and
like-minded organisations. The UK also faces threats from other kind of terrorism, such as Northern
Ireland-related terrorism.
All terrorist groups try to radicalise and recruit people to their cause. How, where and to what extent
they try to do so will vary. Evidence shows that these groups attract very low levels of public support,
but people who want to make their home in the UK should be aware of this threat. It is important that
all citizens feel safe. This includes feeling safe from all kinds of extremism (vocal or active opposition
to fundamental British values), including religious extremism and far-right extremism.
If you think someone is trying to persuade you to join an extremist or terrorist cause, you should notify
your local police force.

The role of the courts

The judiciary
Judges (who are together called ‘the judiciary’) are responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring
that trials are conducted fairly. The government cannot interfere with this.
Sometimes the actions of the government are claimed to be illegal. If the judges agree, then the
government must either change its policies or ask Parliament to change the law. If judges find that a
public body is not respecting someone’s legal rights, they can order that body to change its practices
and/or pay compensation.
Judges also make decisions in disputes between members of the public or organisations. These might
be about contracts, property or employment rights or after an accident.
Criminal courts
There are some differences between the court systems in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland.
Magistrates’ and Justice of the Peace Courts
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most minor criminal cases are dealt with in a Magistrates’
Court. In Scotland, minor criminal offences go to a Justice of the Peace Court.
Magistrates and Justices of the Peace (JPs) are members of the local community. In England, Wales
and Scotland they usually work unpaid and do not need legal qualifications. They receive training to do
the job and are supported by a legal adviser. Magistrates decide the verdict in each case that comes
before them and, if the person is found guilty, the sentence that they are given. In Northern Ireland,
cases are heard by a District Judge or Deputy District Judge, who is legally qualified and paid.
Crown Courts and Sheriff Courts
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, serious offences are tried in front of a judge and a jury in a
Crown Court. In Scotland, serious cases are heard in a Sheriff Court with either a sheriff or a sheriff
with a jury. The most serious cases in Scotland, such as murder, are heard at a High Court with a judge
and jury. A jury is made up of members of the public chosen at random from the local electoral
register. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a jury has 12 members, and in Scotland a jury has 15
members. Everyone who is summoned to do jury service must do it unless they are not eligible (for
example, because they have a criminal conviction) or they provide a good reason to be excused, such
as ill health.
The jury has to listen to the evidence presented at the trial and then decide a verdict of ‘guilty’ or ‘not
guilty’ based of what they have heard. In Scotland, a third verdict of ‘not proven’ is also possible. If
the jury finds a defendant guilty, the judge decides the penalty.
Youth Courts
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if an accused person is aged 10 to 17, the case is normally
heard in a Youth Court in front of up to three specially trained magistrates or a District Judge. The
most serious cases will go the Crown Court. The parents or carers of the young person are expected to
attend the hearing. Members of the public are not allowed in Youth Courts, and the name or
photographs of the accused young person cannot be published in newspapers or used by the media.
In Scotland a system called the Children’s Hearings System is used to deal with children and young
people who have committed an offence.
Northern Ireland has a system of youth conferencing to consider how a child should be dealt with when
they have committed an offence.
The Old Bailey is probably the most famous criminal court in the world
Civil courts
County Courts
County Courts deal with a wide range of civil disputes. These include people trying to get back money
that is owed to them, cases involving personal injury, family matters, breaches of contract, and divorce.
In Scotland, most of these matters are dealt with in the Sheriff Court. More serious civil cases – for
example, when a large amount of compensation is being claimed – are dealt with in the High Court of
England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, they are dealt with in the Court of Session in
Edinburgh.
The small claims procedure
The small claims procedure is an informal way of helping people to settle minor disputes without
spending a lot of time and money using a lawyer. This procedure is used for claims of less than
£10,000 in England and Wales and £3,000 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The hearing is held in
front of a judge in an ordinary room, and people from both sides of the dispute sit around a table. Small
claims can also be issued online through Money Claims Online。
Legal advice
Solicitors
Solicitors are trained lawyers who give advice on legal matters, take action for their clients and
represent their clients in court.
There are solicitors’ offices throughout the UK. It is important to find out which aspects of law a
solicitor specialises in and to check that they have the right experience to help you with your case.
Many advertise in local newspapers and in Yellow Pages. The Citizens Advice Bureau
(www.citizensadvice.org.uk) can give you names of local solicitors and which areas of law they
specialise in. You can also get this information from the Law Society (www.lawsociety.org.uk) in
England and Wales, the Law Society of Scotland (www.lawscot.org.uk) or the Law Society of
Northern Ireland (www.lawsoc-ni.org). Solicitors’ charges are usually based on how much time they
spend of a case. It is very important to find out at the start how much a case is likely to cost.
 CHAPTER 12: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is an association of countries that support each other and work together towards
shared goals in democracy and development. Most member states were once part of the British Empire,
although a few countries which were not have also joined.
The Queen is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, which currently has 52 member states.
Membership is voluntary. The Commonwealth has no power over its members, although it can suspend
membership. The Commonwealth is based on the core values of democracy, good government and the
rule of law.
Commonwealth members

1. Antigua y Barbuda 20. Barbados 39. Cameroon

2. Bangladesh 21. Brunei Darussalam 40. Dominica
3. Botswana 22. Cyprus 41. Grenada
4. Canada 23. Ghana 42. Jamaica
5. Fiji (currently 24. India 43. Lesotho
separated) 25. Kiribati 44. Maldives
6. Guyana 26. Malaysia 45. Mozambique
7. Kenya 27. Mauritius 46. New Zealand
8. Malawi 28. Nauru 47. Papua New Guine
9. Malta 29. Pakistan 48. Seychelles
10. Namibia 30. Samoa 49. Solomon Islands
11. Nigeria 31. Singapure 50. St Kitts and Nevis
12. Rwanda 32. Sri Lanka 51. Swaziland
13. Sierra Leone 33. St Vincent and the 52. Trinidad y Tobago
14. South Africa Grenadines 53. UK
15. St Lucia 34. Tonga 54. The Gambia left the
16. Tanzania 35. Uganda Commonwealth in
17. Tuvalu 36. Zambia 2013.
18. Vanuatu 37. The Bahamas 55. The Maldives left in
19. Australia 38. Belize October 2016
The European Union
The European Union (EU), originally called the European Economic Community (EEC), was set
up by six western European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the
Netherlands) who signed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957. The UK originally decided not to
join this group but it became a member in 1973. There are now 28 EU member states. In a
referendum held on 23 June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union.
EU member states
Austria                              Belgium                              Bulgaria
Croatia                              Cyprus                              Czech Republic
Denmark                          Estonia                              Finland
France                               Germany                           Greece
Hungary                           Ireland                                 Italy
Latvia                                Lithuania                             Luxembourg
Malta                                 Netherlands                        Poland
Portugal                             Romania                             Slovakia
Slovenia                             Spain                                   Sweden
UK
EU law is legally binding in the UK and all the EU member states. European laws are called
directives, regulations or framework decisions.
The Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is separate from the EU. It has 47 member countries, including the UK, and
is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights in those countries. It has no power
to make laws but draws up conventions and charters, the most well-known of which is the
European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, usually called the European
Convention on Human Rights.
The United Nations
The UK is part of the United Nations (UN), an international organization with more than 190
countries as members.
The UN was set up after the Second World War and aims to prevent war and promote international
peace and security. There are 15 members on the UN Security Council, which recommends action
when there are international crises and threats to peace. The UK is one of five permanent members
of the Security Council.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
The UK is also a member of NATO. NATO is a group of European and North American countries
that have agreed to help each other if they come under attack. It also aims to maintain peace
between all of its members.
 CHAPTER 16: MEDIA
UK newspapers can generally be split into two distinct categories: broadsheet newspaper and
tabloidnewspaper.
Tabloid:A smaller than standard newspaper which focuses on less "serious" content, especially
celebrities, sports, and sensationalist crime stories.
Broadsheet:A standard or full sized newspaper that takes a serious look at majornews stories.
BROADSHEET NEWSPAPERS TABLOID NEWSPAPER
More fact than emotion Mix fact and emotion
Longer sentences Shorter sentences
Unbiased and clear language Use biased and emotional language
Divided into clear sections Stories are mixed together
Complicated vocabularies Less complex vocabularies
Focus on major national and international Focus on famous people, private life and
events scandal
Formal: use of metaphor, rhetorical questions, Informal: use of pun, alliteration, exaggeration,
complex sentences statistics, politician’s slang, colloquial, heightened language, sexual
comments, description of people’s personality overtone, elision (won’t, don’t)
and position

TEN TOP UK NEWSPAPERS

1. Metro
Metro is the United Kingdom’s highest-circulation print newspaper. It is published in tabloid
format by DMG Media.
2. The Sun
A tabloid newspaper founded in 1964 and published in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
3. The Sun on Sunday
The Sun on Sunday was launched to replace the defunct News of the World.
4. Daily Mail
A daily middle-market tabloid newspaper published in London.
5. Mail On Sunday
Launched in 1982 as a sister paper to the Daily Mail, it’s a conservative newspaper published in
a tabloid format.
6. The Sunday Times
The largest-selling British national newspaper in the “quality press” market category.
7. Daily Mirror
A national daily tabloid newspaper founded in 1903. Unlike other major British tabloids, it has no
separate Scottish edition.
8. The Times
Launched in 1785 (renamed in 1788 when it became the first paper in the world to bear the name
“Times”).
9. Sunday Mirror
The Sunday sister paper of the Daily Mirror. It aims to strike a balance between “socially
responsible reporting of great issues of the day and sheer entertainment.”
10. Daily Telegraph
Daily newspaper published in London and generally accounted as one of Britain’s “big three”
 CHAPTER 20: BRITISH FOOD & DRINK
Why is food in Britain terrible?
 British tastes are different from everybody else’s. (strange, unpleasant taste; little taste;
overcooked )
 Most visitors don’t get the opportunity to sample home cooking. (usually food in institution:
university canteen or eat out: in cheap restaurants and cafe’s)
Attitudes to food: It seems that Britain people simply don’t care enough to bother.
In the society
 There’re no “restaurant culture” nor a “cafe society”.
 People just want to eat up quickly and are not interested much in quality.
 Little effort is made to make the hamburgers tasty because nobody expects them to be.
 The coffee is horrible not because British people prefer it that way but because they
don’t go to a cafe for a delicious, slow cup of coffee-they go there because they need
caffeine.
At home:
 Food and drink given little attention. The coffee often as bad as it is in the cafe.
 Meals tend to be eaten quickly and the table cleared.
 Parties and celebrations are not normally centered around food.
 British consider eating wild animals and domestic animals is exotic
What British people eat?
 Eggs are a basic part of most people’s diet. (fried, soft-boiled, hard-boiled).
 Cold meats are not very popular.
 The British are the world’s biggest consumers of sugar-more than 5 kilograms a person
per year. They also love “sweets”
Eating out
 Going to a restaurant is still a rare event for most British people. Regular restaurant
going is confined mostly to the richest section of society. Being in an expensive
restaurant sometimes seems to be more important than the food eaten in it.
 Snobbery in the menus. All the dishes have non English names, most commonly French
(more exotic and exciting).
 Going to a restaurant is a time to be adventurous.-few are actually British restaurants)
 Eating places which serve British food: pubs, workman’s cafe, fish and chip shop.
Workman’s cafe (pronounced “caff”’):
 Used during the day, most typically by manual workers.
 Also used by anybody else who wants a filling meal, likes the informal atmosphere and
is not over-worried about cleanliness.
 Offers mostly fried food of the “English breakfast” type. (sometimes jokingly called a
“greasy spoon”).
Fish and chip shop: Used in the evening for “take-away” meals. Again, the fish is (deep) fried.
When people eat what meals?
1- Breakfast:
 Full breakfast is a traditional cooked breakfast , comprising at its heart bacon and eggs
 A full breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, mushrooms,
baked beans, hash browns, and half a tomato
  While weekday breakfasts in Britain and Ireland often consist of a brief meal of cereal
and/or toast, the fry-up is commonly eaten in a leisurely fashion on Saturday or Sunday
mornings
2- Elevenses: is, conventionally, a cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits at around eleven
o’clock. In fact, people drink tea or coffee whenever they feel like.
3- Lunch: is typically at 1 o’clock (any shops which close for lunch close from one to two).
4- Supper: is the usual word for the evening meal among most people who don’t call it “tea”.
5 -Dinner: In the United Kingdom, dinner traditionally meant the main meal of the day.
Because of differences in custom as to when this meal was taken, dinner might mean the
evening meal (typically used by upper class people), or the midday meal (typically used by
working class people, who describe their evening meal as tea).
Alcohol
 The attitude to alcohol in Britain is ambivalent:
 It is accepted & welcomed as an integral part of British culture.
 Local pubs play an important role
Drinking beer and spirits
 The puritan tradition thinks that drinking is potentially dangerous; therefore it should be
restricted.
 People can’t be served in pubs until the age of 18 and they aren’t even allowed inside
one until they’re 14.
 Beer is an important part of the lives of many people.
Special character: no waiter service, if you want something you have to go and ask for it at the
bar. (comfortable and relaxed, informal, being in your own house).
- Each pub has its own name, a sign hanging outside, always with old-fashioned associations.
Fish and chips: Fish and chips or fish 'n' chips, a popular take-away food with British origins,
consists of
deep-fried fish in batter or breadcrumbs with deep-fried potatoes.
 CHAPTER 21: SPORTS
Sport
Sports of all kinds play an important part in many people’s lives. There are several sports that are
particularly popular in the UK. Many sporting events take place at major stadiums such as
Wembley Stadium in London and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Local governments and private companies provide sports facilities such as swimming pools, tennis
courts, football pitches, dry ski slopes and gymnasiums. Many famous sports, including cricket,
football, lawn tennis, golf and rugby, began in Britain.
The UK has hosted the Olympic games on three occasions: 1908, 1948 and 2012. The main
Olympic site for the 2012 Games was in Stratford, East London. The British team was very
successful, across a wide range of Olympic sports, finishing third in the medal table.
The Paralympic Games for 2012 were also hosted in London. The Paralympics have their origin in
the work of Dr Sir Ludwig Guttman, a German refugee, at the Stoke Mandeville hospital in
Buckinghamshire. Dr Guttman developed new methods of treatment for people with spinal injuries
and encouraged patients to take part in exercise and sport.
Notable British sportsmen and women
 Sir Roger Bannister (1929-) was the first man in the world to run a mile in under four
minutes, in 1954.
 Sir Jackie Stewart (1939-) is a Scottish former racing driver who won the Formula 1 world
championship three times.
 Bobby Moore (1941-93) captained the English football team that won the World Cup in
1966.
 Sir Ian Botham (1955-) captained the English cricket team and holds a number of English
Test cricket records, both for batting and for bowling.
 Jayne Torvill (1957_) and Christopher Dean (1958-) won gold medals for ice dancing at
the Olympic Games in 1984 and is one of Britain’s greatest Olympians.
 Sir Steve Redgrave (1962-) won gold medals in rowing in five consecutive Olympic
Games and is one of Britain’s greatest Olympians.
 Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (1969-) is an athlete who uses a wheelchair and won 16
Paralympic medals, including 11 gold medals, in races over five Paralympic Games. She
won the London Marathon six times and broke a total of 30 world records.
 Dame Kelly Holmes (1970_) won two gold medals for running in the 2004 Olympic
Games. She has held a number of British and European records.
 Dame Ellen MacArthur (1976-) is a yachtswoman and in 2004 became the fastest person
to sail around the world singlehanded.
 Sir Chris Hoy (1976-) is a Scottish cyclist who has won six gold and one silver Olympic
medals. He has also won 11 world championship titles.
 David Weir (1979-) is a Paralympian who uses a wheelchair and has won six gold medals
over two Paralympic Games. He has also won the London Marathon six times.
 Bradley Wiggins (1980-) is a cyclist. In 2012, he became the first Briton to win the Tour de
France. He has won seven Olympic Medals, including gold medals in the 2004, 2008 and
2012 Olympic Games.
 Mo Farah (1983-) is a British distance runner, born in Somalia. He won gold medals in the
2012 Olympics for the 5,000 and 10,000 metres and is the first Briton to win the Olympic
gold medal in the 10,000 metres.
  Jessica Ennis (1986-) is an athlete. She won the 2012 Olympic gold medal in the
heptathlon, which includes seven different track and field events. She also holds a number
of British athletics records.
 Andy Murray (1987-) is a Scottish tennis player who in 2012 won the men’s singles in the
US Open. He is the first British man to win a singles title in a Grand Slam tournament since
1936. In the same year, he won Olympic gold and silver medals and was runner-up in the
men’s singles at Wimbledon.
 Ellie Simmonds (1994-) is a Paralympian who won gold medals for swimming at the 2008
and 2012 Paralympic Games and holds a number of world records. She was the youngest
member of the British team at the 2008 Games.
Cricket
Cricket originated in England and is now played in many countries. Games can last up to five days
but still result in a draw! The idiosyncratic nature of the game and its complex laws are said to
reflect the best of the British character and sense of fair play. You may come across expressions
such as ‘rain stopped play’, ‘batting on a sticky wicket’, ‘playing a straight bat’, ‘bowled a googly’
or ‘it’s just not cricket’, which have passed into everyday usage. The most famous competition is
the Ashes, which is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia.
Football
Football is the UK’s most popular sport. It has a long history in the UK and the first professional
football clubs were formed in the late 19th century.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have separate leagues in which clubs
representing different towns and cities compete. The English Premier League attracts a huge
international audience. Many UK teams also compete in competitions such as the UEFA (Union of
European Football Associations) Champions League, against other teams from Europe. Most
towns and cities have a professional club and people take great pride in supporting their home
team. There can be great pride in supporting their home team. There can be great rivalry between
different football clubs and among fans.
Each country in the UK also has its own national team that competes with other national teams
across the world in tournaments such as the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football
Association) World Cup and UEFA European Football Championships. England’s only
international tournament victory was at the World Cup of 1966, hosted in the UK.
Football is also a popular sport to play in many local communities, with people playing amateur
games every week in parks all over the UK.
Rugby
Rugby originated in England in the early 19th century and is very popular in the UK today. There
are two different types of rugby, which have different rules: union and league. Both have separate
leagues and national teams in England , Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (who play with the
Irish Republic). Teams from all countries compete in a range of competitions. The most famous
rugby union competition is the Six Nations Championship between England, Ireland, Scotland,
Wales, France and Italy. The Super League is the most well-known rugby league (club)
competition.
Horse racing
There is a very long history of horse racing in Britain, with evidence of events taking place as far
back as Roman times. The sport has a long association with royalty. There are racecourses all over
the UK. Famous horse-racing events include: Royal Ascot , a five-day race meeting in Berkshire
attended by members of the Royal Family; the Grand National at Aintree near Liverpool; and the
Scottish Grand National at Ayr. There is a National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, Suffolk.
Golf
The modern game of golf can be traced back to 15th century Scotland. It is a popular sport played
socially as well as professionally. There are public and private golf courses all over the UK. St
Andrews in Scotland is known as the home of golf.
The open championship is the only ‘Major’ tournament held outside the United States. It is hosted
by a different golf course every year.
Tennis
Modern tennis evolved in England in the late 19th century. The first tennis club was founded in
Leamington Spa in 1872. The most famous tournament hosted in Britain is The Wimbledon
Championships, which takes place each year at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. It
is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only ‘Grand Slam’ event played on grass.
Water sports
Sailing continues to be popular in the UK, reflecting our maritime heritage. A British sailor, Sir
Francis Chichester, was the first person to sail singlehanded around the world, in 1966/67. Two
years later, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first person to do this without stopping. Many
sailing events are held throughout the UK, the most famous of which is at Cowes on the Isle of
Wight.
Rowing is also popular, both as a leisure activity and as a competitive sport. There is a popular
yearly race on the Thames between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Motor sports
There is a long history of motor sport in the UK, for both cars and motor cycles. Motor-car racing
in the UK started in 1902. The UK continues to be a world leader in the development and
manufacture of motor-sport technology. A Formula 1 Grand Prix event is held in the UK each year
and a number of British Grand Prix drivers have won the Formula 1 World Championship. Recent
British winners include Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
Skiing
Skiing is increasingly popular in the UK. Many people go abroad to ski and there are also dry
slopes throughout the UK. Skiing on snow may also be possible during the winter. There are five
ski centres in Scotland, as well as Europe’s longest dry ski slope near Edinburgh.
 CHAPTER 23: HOLIDAY AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS
The main Christian festivals
Christmas Day, 25 December, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday. Many
Christians go to church on Christmas Eve (24 December) or on Christmas Day itself.
Christmas is celebrated in a traditional way. People usually spend the day at home and eat a special
meal, which often includes roast turkey, Christmas pudding and mince pies. They give gifts, send
cards and decorate their houses. Christmas is a special time for children. Very young children
believe that Father Christmas (also known as Santa Claus) brings them presents during the night
before Christmas Day. Many people decorate a tree in their home.
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day and is a public holiday.
Easter takes place in March or April. It marks the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his
rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. Both Good Friday and the following Monday, called Easter
Monday, are public holidays.
The 40 days before Easter are known as Lent. It is a time when Christians take time to reflect and  
prepare for Easter. Traditionally, people would fast during this period and today many people will
give something up, like a favourite food. The day before Lent starts is called Shrove Tuesday, or
Pancake Day. People eat pancakes, which were traditionally made to use up foods such as eggs, fat
and milk before fasting. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. There are church services where
Christians are marked with an ash cross on their forehead as a symbol of death and sorrow for sin.
Easter is also celebrated by people who are not religious. ‘Easter eggs’ are chocolate eggs given as
presents as a symbol of new life.
Other religious festivals
Diwali normally falls in October or November and lasts for five days. It is often called the Festival
of Lights. It is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. It celebrates the victory of good over evil and the
gaining of knowledge. There are different stories about how the festival came about. There is a
famous celebration of Diwali in Leicester. Diwali is popularly known as the Festival of Lights.
Hannukah is in November or December and is celebrated for eight days. It is to remember the
Jews’ struggle for religious freedom. On each day of the festival a candle is lit on a stand of eight
candles (called a menorah) to remember the story of the festival, where oil that should have lasted
only a day did so for eight.
Eid a-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, when Muslims have fasted for a month. They thank
Allah for giving them the strength to complete the fast. The date when it takes place changes every
year. Muslims attend special services and meals.
Eid ul Adha remembers that the prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son when God
ordered him to. It reminds Muslims of their own commitment to God. Many Muslims sacrifice an
animal to eat during this festival. In Britain this has to be done in a slaughterhouse.
Vaisakhi (also spelled Baisakhi) is a Sikh festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh
community known as the Khalsa. It is celebrated on 14 April each year with parades, dancing and
singing.
Other festivals and traditions
New Year, 1 January, is a public holiday. People usually celebrate on the night of 31 December
(called New Year’s Eve). In Scotland, 31 December is called Hogmanay and 2 January is also a
public holiday. For some Scottish people, Hogmanay is a bigger holiday than Christmas.
Valentine’s Day, 14 February, is when lovers exchange cards and gifts. Sometimes people send
anonymous cards to someone they secretly admire.
April Fool’s Day, 1 April, is a day when people play jokes on each other until midday. The
television and newspapers often have stories that are April Fool jokes.
Mothering Sunday (or Mother’s day) is the Sunday three weeks before Easter. Children send
cards or buy gifts for their mothers.
Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June. Children send cards or buy gifts for their fathers.
Halloween, 31 October, is an ancient festival and has roots in the pagan festival to mark the
beginning of winter. Young people will often dress up in frightening costumes to play ‘trick or
treat’. People give them treats for not them playing tricks on them. A lot of people carve lanterns
out of pumpkins and put a candle inside of them.
Bonfire Night, 5 November, is an occasion when people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home
or in special displays. The origin of this celebration was an event in 1605, when a group of
Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant king with a bomb in the
Houses of Parliament.
Remembrance Day, 11 November, commemorates those who died fighting for the UK and its
allies. Originally it commemorated the dead of the First World War, which ended on 11 November
1918. People wear poppies (the red flower found on the battlefields of the First World War). At
11.00 am there is a two-minute silence and wreaths are laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
Bank holidays
As well as those mentioned previously, there are other public holidays each year called bank
holidays, when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day. These are of no religious
significance. They are at the beginning of May in late May or early June, and in August. In
Northern Ireland, the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in July is also a public holiday.
 REVIEW
1. The symbol of England: ROSE. The symbol of Wales is daffodil. The symbol of Northern
Ireland is shamrock. The symbol of Scotland is thistle
2. The capital of Wales is Cardiff. The capital of England is London. The capital of Northern
Ireland is Belfast. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh
3. The flag of UK is Union Jack. The flag of England is St. George’s Cross. The flag of
Scotland is St. Andrew’s Cross
4. The flag of Northern Ireland is St. Patrick’s Cross
5. The UK anthem is God saves the queen
6. Ireland is also called Emerald Isle (because of its greenery)
7. The symbols of London: Big Ben Clock Tower, Tower Bridge
8. There are 1200 members in the House of Lords
9. Life peer is a member in the House of Lords who can sit there until death.
10. ‘Bees and honey’ is Cockney rhyming slang for MONEY
11. The English people are originated from The Germanic
12. Driving on the left-hand side of the road shows one of British characteristics of being
different.
13. In the past, London was called ‘Walled City’
14. Literature is Ango Saxon is Beowulf. Literature in Norman is The Caterbury Tales (by
Geoffrey Chaucer)
15. The basic law in feudalism is Domesday (1086)
16. The Black Death (1348) was caused by bubonic plague.
17. Tudor was known as “Early Modern” in British history.
18. “Guy Fawkes Day” is celebrated for the event “The Gunpower Plot” (1605) (5th
November)
19. War of Roses (1455-1485) was between 2 royal families : Lancastrian & Yorkists
20. Poll Tax was the cause of Peasant Revolt (1381). Armada (1588) was between UK and
Spain
21. Captain Cook is the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand
22. Napoleonic war (1803-1815) was at the Battle of Trafalgar.
23. War of Hastings was between Harold & William (1066). King Alfred united Anglo Saxon
kingdoms.
24. Hadrian Wall was built to protect enemy of Scots and Picts.
25. Anglo Saxon heptarchy consists of 7 kingdoms( Essex, Sussex, Wessex, Middlesex, East
Anglia, Northumbria, Mercia)
26. Irish famine(1845-1850) is the result of potato crop failure
27. Battle at Waterloo ended the war with Napoleon.
28. Civil war (1642-1649) was between the King (Cavalier) and Parliament (Roundheads)
29. Henry VIII established Church of England.
30. Wales was fully incorporated in England in 1535
31. The highest mountain in the UK is called Ben Nevis. It is in Scotland. The longest river
is the River Severn in Wales/England. The biggest lake is Lough Neagh in Northern
Ireland. A famous lake with a monster Nessie is Loch Ness in Scotland.
32. The Channel Tunnel was opened in 1944. It allowed cars and passengers to cross the
English Channel in 20 minutes.
33. The UK is a constitutional monarchy. In Britain, the central government has given rights
to the local government.
34. In the UK, driving license can be used for identification.
35. Cockney is those who come from a wider area of the innermost suburbs of London known
for strong accent and particular use of slangs.
36. KILT: Scottish national traditional skirt with a tartan pattern worn by men on special
occasions.
37. The special color of taxi in England: BLACK
38. The Speaker in the House of Commons: The person who controls the debates and checks
if the legal procedure of passing the laws is followed.
39. Shakespeare was born in Southern England in Tudor period.
40. The cabinet meets 4 times a month. To the south of England is the English Channel.
41. The bill has to go through 7 stages to become a law.
42. The full name of the nations on the British Isle is The United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland.
43. LEA is a branch of local government which cares for education.
44. Bagpipe is a traditional musical instrument of Scotland.
45. In Britain, the right to vote is referred as Franchise.
46. The official term (tenure) of the UK government is 5 years.
47. The House of Parliament/The Palace of Westminster is where the British Parliament
works.
48. The House of Commons is more important than the House of Lords.
49. The daily reports of everything said in the Commons are called HANSARD.
50. In Britain, millions of families have Bird Tables in their garden to feed the birds.
51. Halloween is celebrated on 31st October.
52. The British often talk about the weather to start the conversation.
53. The Minister of Finance is called Chancellor of Exchequer/ Secretary of State for
finance.
54. The next heir to Queen Elizabeth II is Prince Charles.
55. The British people usually go to vote on Thursday. The swingometer is a device used by
television on election night.
56. Before 1965, students finishing primary stage had to take an exam called ELEVEN PLUS.
57. The two systems of education in the UK are public school and state school.
58. The oldest universities in the UK are Oxford and Cambridge.
59. There are 659 members in the House of Commons.
60. ‘APPLES AND PEARS’ is Cockney rhyming slang for STAIRS.
61. Keeping the same political systems shows one of British characteristics of being
conservative.
62. West End is well known as a place for rich people in London.
63. Easter is celebrated on 1st Sunday in April following the full moon.
64. The systems of education financed by the individuals in the UK is called public system.
65. The UK is located in North-West coast of Europe.
66. ‘TROUBLE AND STRIFE’ is Cockney rhyming slang for WIFE.
67. The current political power: Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats.
68. The head of the monarchy presently is Queen Elizabeth II.
69. The head of the Education Department is called Secretary of State for Education.
70. The head of the Treasury is referred as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
 71. The cabinet consists of 20 members. The official residence of the Prime Minister: 10
Downing Street.
72. The two House of Britain Parliament are the House of Commons and the House of
Lords.
73. Mr/Mrs Speaker: one who chairs the House of Commons.
74. The members of the Upper House are called peers.
75. The members of the Lower House are called MPs (Members of Parliament).
76. Life peerages: those who are entitled by the House of Lords.
77. The head of the Upper House is called Chancellor of Lords.
78. The function of the House of Commons: making law
79. The Whips: intermediaries between front and backbenchers make sure that they vote in the
same way.
80. The schools organized by the government are called: State School.
81. Private education in the UK is known as public school.
82. The compulsory age for full time education in the UK: from 5 to 16.
83. LEA stands for Local Education Authority.
84. Name some famous public school: Eton College, Rugby, Harrow.
85. Comprehensive school: a school in Britain for children of all different levels of ability
who are over the age of 11.
86. GCSEO stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education Ordinary.
87. The 6th form: Education where students (beyond age of 16) can prepare for A level and
university.
88. Name some famous universities in the UK: Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh.
89. The Open university is for people who can’t be ordinary students.
90. The sandwich courses: studies interrupted by periods of time outside education.
91. The two popular categories of the British national newspaper: broadsheet & tabloid.
92. BBC stands for British Broadcasting Corporation.
93. Benefit that the retired people can receive: pension (old age pension).
94. GPs: General practitioners (a doctor provides medical treatment for people who live in a
particular area).
95. Boxing day in the UK: 26th December.
96. Public holidays are usually known as bank holidays.
97. Panto (Pantomime): silent drama
98. The three compulsory core subjects made by National Curriculum: English, Maths,
Science.
99. Pre-school prepares for the start of compulsory education. The national exam taken at 18 is
A level.
100. TV sets have 4 programs: BBC1, ITV, Channel 3, Channel 5. The famous newspaper
street: Fleet Street.
101. Quality papers give deep coverage to politic and other serious news.
102. The BBC depends neither on advertisement nor government.
103. License fee: money TV set has to pay.
100. Department of Social Security: the department in charge of giving financial help to
needy people.
101. Unemployment benefit is known colloquially as the dole.
102. The retirement age: 65 for man, 60 for woman
106. The arrangement of the benches facing everyone in the House of Commons reflects British
belief in and against formation.
107. Councils are known as local government, authority.
108. Peerages are conferred by the Queen on the advice of Prime Minister.
109. The British people look to the Queen as figurehead.
110. The Windsors refer to the name of Royal Family. The first Prime Minister of Britain:
Robert Walpole
112. Benefit can help people cover funeral expenses: death grant.
113. NHS stands for National Health Service. The way GPs (General Practitioners) are paid is
called capitation system.
116. A charity for the mentally handicapped: MENCAP.
117. There is a high turnover of nursing staff because nursing profession has always been rather
badly paid.
118. There is no water service in pubs. If you want something, you have to go and ask for it at
the bar.
119. In Scotland, New Year is called Hogmanay.
120. Lords in House of Lord consist of The lord Spiritual and Lords Temporal.