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A Land of Castles and Princes
Wales hasn` t always been part of Great Britain. In the ninth and the eleventh century, Wales was divided into small states. In the thirteenth century the English King, Edward I, decided to conquer Wales. The Welsh surrendered and Edward I of England gave the title of Prince of Wales to his own son, Edward II. Since then the eldest son of the English king or queen has always been given the title ‘Prince of Wales’ and this is why Wales is called ‘Principality’. Wales is famous for its castles. They were built by Romans and English to dominate the Welsh. There are so many of these medieval Castles that they stretch like an iron chain across Wales.
Related topic: “The UK”
1 Where is Wales situated? What is the capital of Wales?
2 How long has Wales been part of the UK?
3 What other countries of the UK do you know? What are their capitals?
4 What is the official name of the UK? What is the official language of the UK?
5 Who rules the country?
6 Who has the title of Prince of Wales?
7 What are the most important industries in the country?
8 What do you know about the climate of the UK? Is it different or the same in different parts of the UK?
9 Why do the British often speak about the weather?
10 What British landmarks would you like to see?
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If You Have Problems
As the old saying goes, you choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. This is great if everyone gets on but you feel unhappy when things go wrong. Most of us have to face family conflicts at least once or twice in our lives. You live with parents who don't understand you; you don` t have enough help from the people around you? The trick is to remember that you're not alone...
If you are trying to deal with any of these things or any of the other family situation that's stressing you out, you could try talking it through with someone you trust. This could be one of your friends, a social worker or a teacher.
Related topic: “Teenagers` Problems”
1 Do you sometimes argue with your parent, grandparents, brothers or sisters? What about?
2 Do you have good relationship with your teachers and classmates? What makes you angry?
3 Are you ready to discuss your problems with your parents or teachers? If not, why?
4 What is important to remember when you are in trouble?
5 Do you think it’s a good idea to give teenagers a lot of freedom? Why? / Why not?
6 Should adults try to teach teenagers lessons, such as the dangerous of drugs, alcohol, etc., or should they leave them alone to find out about these things?
7 What can be done to keep teenagers from drugs and alcohol?
8 What can society do to help teenagers who have problems at home?
9 Should teenager work? Why? /Why not?
10 What is it like to be a teenager in your opinion?
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HEALTHY EATING
Many British schools are taking part in the government’s healthy school programme, set up by the Departments of Education and Health. Topics such as road safety, personal hygiene and healthy eating are covered.
The aim of the healthy eating programme is to discourage children from eating junk food such as crisps and chocolate. Children must eat more fruit, vegetables and protein – the authors of the programme say. Now children can’t buy a bar of chocolate or crisps from a vending machine at school – they are banned. Experts also encourage parents to give their children more healthy packed lunches to have a snack at school.
Related topic: “Healthy Life”
1 What do you think of this healthy programme for schoolchildren?
2 What things are banned at British schools? Are they banned in our schools too?
3 Do you always eat healthy food? What food do you think is healthy?
4 Everybody knows that fast food is unhealthy. Do you often eat it?
5 How often do you exercise? What kind of exercise do you do?
6 Do you smoke? Why is smoking dangerous for people’s health?
7 Do you get enough sleep? Why? / Why not? How many hours do you sleep?
8 Is it necessary to teach children how to be healthy? Who should teach it?
9 Do you think the media plays an important role in how teenagers think and behave? Explain.
10 If you were a doctor what the most important advice would you give people if they want to live a long life?
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The Mousetrap
Agatha Christie’s most famous murder mystery is the world’s longest-running play. The “Mousetrap” opened in 1952, and more than ten million people have seen it.
In the play a police officer arrives at a hotel and says that one of the people there is a murderer. During the play, the audience tries to work out who the murderer is.
What makes it more popular than other murder mysteries? Well, the play has a very surprising ending and the murderer asks the audience to keep it secret. Amazingly they do – so if you want to know who did it, you have to go and see the play!
Related topic: “Theater”
1 Have you seen this play in Russia?
2 What kind of play is it? Do you like this kind of plays?
3 Why do you think the play has been running for a long time?
4 When did you last go to the theatre?
5 What did you see there?
6 Did you sit in the stalls, in the pit or in a box? What seats do you prefer?
7 Who played the leading parts?
8 What did you like most of all: the cast, the scenery, the plot?
9 Do you think the show was a success? Why do/why don’t you think so?
10 What theatre would you like to go to next time?
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MOTHER TERESA
The person I admire most from the twentieth century is Mother Teresa. I regard her as one of the kindest and most caring people the world had ever known.
Mother Teresa was a selfless person. She devoted all of her time to others and never put her own needs first. Her entire life was devoted to charity work. She won many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She donated the money from her awards to fund centres for sick people. Mother Teresa is no longer with us, but centres still operate, offering help to those in need.
Related topic: “Outstanding People”
1 Why do many people remember Mother Teresa?
2 Why was she given the Nobel Peace Prize?
3 Do you know any other Nobel Prize winners in our country or abroad?
4 What Russian outstanding people do you know?
5 Do you know any famous people in Britain and other English-speaking countries?
6 Where do you usually get information about them?
7 Why do people become famous in their own country and all over the world?
8 Why are all countries usually proud of their famous people?
9 How are famous people honoured in their countries?
10 Is it good to be famous? Why / Why not?
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MOSCOW CITY DAY
Since 1995, Moscow City Day is the time for mass performances and carnivals that seem to occupy each and every square of Moscow on the first September weekend. About 5000 various events were in the programme of the City Day celebration in 2007. Moscow celebration opened in Tverskaya Square. The opening ceremony began with the official greetings of the city representative.
After that, the official part of the celebration continued with patriotic performances and pop music shows. For cinema addicts there was an open-air show of the best Russian films.
Related topic: “Moscow”
1 Is Moscow City Day celebrated every year? When is it celebrated?
2 What do people usually do to celebrate the occasion?
3 What was in the programme of 2007 year celebration?
4 Have you ever taken part in such events?
5 Do you know how old Moscow is?
6 Do you know Moscow well? Could you tell your friend from another city or country about Moscow sights?
7 What monuments, museums and theatres do visitors usually prefer to see in Moscow?
8 Do you like old or new districts of Moscow? Why?
9 What are your favourite places in Moscow?
10 Are you proud of your home town?
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