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| Customs and traditions in Britain |
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Sometimes Britain is called a strange island because some customs and manners differ from those accepted in other countries. There are some tips to help you get on well with the English on your visit to their wonderful country. First of all don’t forget to repeat the phrase ”It’s a nice day today, isn’t it?” It helps you to break ice with strangers. When you are invited to someone’s house, you should either arrive on time or no later than fifteen minutes after the time arranged. In Britain they don’t take off their shoes entering home. Gifts are not supposed to be expensive. In Britain foreigners are usually expected to give typical objects from their country as gift. British people, as a rule, give chocolate or small presents to their relatives or friends, receiving gifts they usually open the box in your presence to express their admiration.
As for queue, wait patiently when a group of people have queues for service. Never jump queue waiting for a bus. Keep your distance talking to a person. Stay at least an arm’s length away. The British are well- mannered people. They like everything to be done properly. So don’t lift a soup bowl to your mouth and eat noisily. It is a joke, of course. Try to avoid saying ‘’ no’’ directly. You may sound rude.
I. Выберите заголовок .
A. British Customs and Manners.
B. British Gifts.
C. British Homes.
D . Jumping the Queue .
II . Какая из пословиц отражает основную идею текста.
A. As the tree, so the fruit.
B. All’s well that ends well.
C. When in Rome do as the Romans do.
D. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
III. Выберите неверное утверждение .
A. British customs and manners are different from those in other countries.
B. Visiting Britain never repeat the phrase “It’s a nice day today, isn’t it?”
C. Always arrive in time if you are invited to someone’s house in Britain .
D. Gifts are not supposed to be expensive in Britain .
IV. Уточните .
British people, as a rule, give …
a) very expensive gifts.
b) typical objects of their country.
c) chocolate and small presents.
d ) strange gifts .
V . Расположите фразы по порядку в соответствии с текстом.
1. Never jump queue waiting for a bus.
2. The English like to speak about the weather.
3. In Britain foreigners are usually expected to give gifts from their country.
4. When you are invited to someone’s house, you should arrive on time.
A . 1432 B . 4132 C . 1423 D . 2431
Every nation and every country has its own traditions and customs. In Britain traditions play a more important role in the life of people than in other countries. They say British people are very conservative . They are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up. But when we speak about British traditions we always remember that there are four parts in Britain — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Traditions are different in these parts of the country.
You already know some of the English traditions and holidays. We hope you remember St. Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Hallowe'en which have also become traditional American holidays. Here are some more facts about old English traditions.
One of the old English legends says that London can be the capital of the country, rich and great until twelve black ravens live in the Tower of London. Each has got its name and the keepers carefully look after them. If one of the birds dies, another younger raven takes its place. Londoners believe this legend and always bring some food to give to the birds when they come to the Tower. The keepers cut the birds' wings a bit as they are afraid that they may fly away.
Another old English tradition is Guy Fawkes Day. Children go out into the streets on the 5th of November with figures like scarecrows. They stand in the streets and squares asking for the usual "Penny for the Guy". Then with the money they have collected they buy fireworks and burn the guy (the figure like a scarecrow) on their bonfire.
People watch fireworks and some people go to parties in the evening.
Though different countries have different traditions and holidays people all over the world know some of them. They are — Easter, Christmas and New Year.
I. True or False.
Every country has its own traditions and customs.
There are no common traditions all over the world.
English people celebrate Maslenitsa.
There are some common holidays in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
London can be great until 10 black ravens live in the Tower.
English people celebrate Guy Fawkes Day on the 5th of November.
II. Choose the best title for the text.
1. BRITISH ARE JUST TRADITIONS CRAZY!
2. MORE ABOUT BRITISH TRADITIONS.
3. GUY FAWKES DAY.
III. Match the words from the left column with their Russian equivalents from the right column.
look after a. фейерверк
scarecrow b. обычай
firework c. заботиться
custom d. костер
bonfire e. чучело
10 435
4 660 
