The capital city of Canada is Ottawa. The biggest city is Toronto.
- Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Quebec City
Quebec-more than 95%population is French speaking. Montreal is the largest city in Quebec, it is the second largest city in Canada, around 3 mil people live there, and 80% of the population is French speaking (with old spelling) in Montreal. It was center of the fur trade-later became industrial and financial center. Old city in center is surrounded by modern architecture with skyscrapers. There is very large park in the middle of the city is very popular-it’s called Mont-royal Park. In winter people practice skiing and skating there. Interesting building is Olympic stadium that was built in 1976.
Quebec city is center of French speaking civilization of Canada. In the past it was retiqicaly=very important place. There is forticipation-it has shape of star it’s old city. There are many important buildings. We can find there the most famous hotel-Chateau Frontmac Hotel. Near the city we can find famous falls- Montmerency Falls are higher than Niagara Falls. Every year there is held an international festival of music and songs.
Flag
There is white square with red maple leaf in the center of the flag. On the both sides there are red stripes. This red color symbolizes the blood of people who died in WWI. The white color is a symbol of snow.
National Anthem is OH CANADA
Economy
Canada has vast natural resources. Most of the metallic minerals are found in the Shield region. The country is among the chief producers of zinc, lead, copper, gold, silver, asbestos, soft coal, and possesses rich fields of oil and natural gas. There is still a wealth of game in Canada and especially the fur-bearers are economically very important. Canada’s fishing grounds are extremely productive. Principal manufactures include foodstuffs, iron and steel, machinery, metal products, wood pulp, electricity and textiles. The chief Canadian exports are newsprint, paper, wood, wheat, beef, fish and minerals.
It's economy is based on agriculture. Agriculture is source of income-more than industry. Important industry-steel, chemical, building, motorcar, foodstuffs, machinery, wood industry, ships is built there. There is made paper, furniture. Canada is no. 1 producer of lumber, timber, paper and minerals. Production of wheat is for export, corn, tobacco, fruits (Great Lake region). Production of life stock, vegetable, dairy products and leather.
Official currency: Canadian dollar
It's economy is based on agriculture. Agriculture is source of income-more than industry. Important industry-steel, chemical, building, motorcar, foodstuffs, machinery, wood industry, ships is built there. There is made paper, furniture. Canada is no. 1 producer of lumber, timber, paper and minerals. Production of wheat is for export, corn, tobacco, fruits (Great Lake region). Production of life stock, vegetable, dairy products and leather.
Official currency: Canadian dollar
History
The original inhabitants came from Asia across Bering strait - it was land. America and Asia were connected 1000 years ago.
1.people came from Europe. There were Vikings.
2.people came from Europe too. It was ages of discoveries in 15th and 16th centuries. John Cabot explored Canada in 1457. Some sailors became to Canada-for example John Cabot from Italy, French sailor Jacque Cartier. Later many immigrants came there. Teeming population of fox, beaver, and bears-good for hunting-colony was founded (called New France). In 1767 France lost control over Canada-taken by British (1763 was war between French and British). Founded Upper and Lower Canada (now Quebec) for better control. English speaking people came during the time of American Revolution, because they didn’t agree with it. Canada was loyal to Great Britain. So there made 2 big provinces-
• 1. Upper Canada - land of Ontario province
• 2.Lower Canada - Now it’s Quebec.
=>They were united in 1800, and whole area was called Province of CANADA. Many immigrants came and economy rose. Growing wheat, wood->became rich. This area was occupied by England, France. Fear of USA->proclaimed as a Dominium of Canada 1867 (1st July). It is celebrated as Canada day. The French and the English came to Canada-mainly they wanted to make money because Canada had a lot of animals- foxes, bears, beavers. So their furs are very expensive. There are many forests-lumber industries and they are very important for economy.
The last province was joined to Canada in 1949. It is Newfoundland. The biggest province is Quebec-Quebec city-Population is mainly French speaking.
Canada is member of international organizations. OSN-united nation, the Commonwealth, NATO.
1.people came from Europe. There were Vikings.
2.people came from Europe too. It was ages of discoveries in 15th and 16th centuries. John Cabot explored Canada in 1457. Some sailors became to Canada-for example John Cabot from Italy, French sailor Jacque Cartier. Later many immigrants came there. Teeming population of fox, beaver, and bears-good for hunting-colony was founded (called New France). In 1767 France lost control over Canada-taken by British (1763 was war between French and British). Founded Upper and Lower Canada (now Quebec) for better control. English speaking people came during the time of American Revolution, because they didn’t agree with it. Canada was loyal to Great Britain. So there made 2 big provinces-
• 1. Upper Canada - land of Ontario province
• 2.Lower Canada - Now it’s Quebec.
=>They were united in 1800, and whole area was called Province of CANADA. Many immigrants came and economy rose. Growing wheat, wood->became rich. This area was occupied by England, France. Fear of USA->proclaimed as a Dominium of Canada 1867 (1st July). It is celebrated as Canada day. The French and the English came to Canada-mainly they wanted to make money because Canada had a lot of animals- foxes, bears, beavers. So their furs are very expensive. There are many forests-lumber industries and they are very important for economy.
The last province was joined to Canada in 1949. It is Newfoundland. The biggest province is Quebec-Quebec city-Population is mainly French speaking.
Canada is member of international organizations. OSN-united nation, the Commonwealth, NATO.
Cities and provinces
Maritime provinces: Nova Scotia, New Foundland, and New Brunswick, Prince Edward Islands-politic region.
Nova Scotia-economically the most successful province. Source of income is transport. Halifax-2nd largest natural harbor in the world.
New Brunswick-is the province where Arcadians still live. They celebrate Cajun festivals, such as Festival by The Sea
Prince Edward Island-is the most beautiful province. Major source of income is tourism. It became known for literature-Lucy Montgomery wrote the most famous Canadian novel "Anne from Green Gables". It was the last province to join Canada.
Central provinces include Quebec and Ontario.
Quebec is mainly French speaking. Originally it was called New France, it was the first French colony. 80% of its population are French speakers, the others are bilinguals. It tried to be separated, in the 60's there was a referendum but people decided to retain the union. Montreal is the largest city, Quebec City is the capital. The symbol of Quebec City is Chateaux Frontenac Hotel -it looks like a gothic castle. Montreal is famous for nightlife, it has many nightclubs. In 1967 it hosted Expo (100th anniversary of Dominion). In 1976 Montreal hosted the Olympic summer games-Olympic stadium is a symbol of the city. Festival of Renaissance and Middle Ages-actors come from all over the world and perform dramas of GB Show and Shakespeare. Snow and Ice sculpture exhibition.
Ontario-economically the most important province. You may find there Toronto, the largest city of Canada. Toronto is being called Modern Miracle - it has really high population but is safe and clean. CNN Tower=TV tower, Sky Dome-in which matches are played, stadium built of crystal, sports venue center, Hockey Hall of Fame-related to NHL. Toronto is home of University of Toronto-the best school in the country (Škvorecký became a professor there, teaches am. Literature and creative writing).
Prairie provinces: Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia
Manitoba is a province of lakes. Canada has 1/3 of fresh water sources in the word. Lake Agassia is known as the polar bear capital of the world.
In Alberta there's Dinosaurs provincial park-the largest foundation of dinosaur’s fesiles in the world. Calgary hosted the Olympic Winter Games. It's located in high mountains with great skiing condition (7 mouths of years), good for both downhill and cross-country skiing.
British Columbia-its largest city is Vancouver. It resembles Seattle, lies in the water, it doesn't offer many job opportunities
Saskatchewan is a swampy province
Nova Scotia-economically the most successful province. Source of income is transport. Halifax-2nd largest natural harbor in the world.
New Brunswick-is the province where Arcadians still live. They celebrate Cajun festivals, such as Festival by The Sea
Prince Edward Island-is the most beautiful province. Major source of income is tourism. It became known for literature-Lucy Montgomery wrote the most famous Canadian novel "Anne from Green Gables". It was the last province to join Canada.
Central provinces include Quebec and Ontario.
Quebec is mainly French speaking. Originally it was called New France, it was the first French colony. 80% of its population are French speakers, the others are bilinguals. It tried to be separated, in the 60's there was a referendum but people decided to retain the union. Montreal is the largest city, Quebec City is the capital. The symbol of Quebec City is Chateaux Frontenac Hotel -it looks like a gothic castle. Montreal is famous for nightlife, it has many nightclubs. In 1967 it hosted Expo (100th anniversary of Dominion). In 1976 Montreal hosted the Olympic summer games-Olympic stadium is a symbol of the city. Festival of Renaissance and Middle Ages-actors come from all over the world and perform dramas of GB Show and Shakespeare. Snow and Ice sculpture exhibition.
Ontario-economically the most important province. You may find there Toronto, the largest city of Canada. Toronto is being called Modern Miracle - it has really high population but is safe and clean. CNN Tower=TV tower, Sky Dome-in which matches are played, stadium built of crystal, sports venue center, Hockey Hall of Fame-related to NHL. Toronto is home of University of Toronto-the best school in the country (Škvorecký became a professor there, teaches am. Literature and creative writing).
Prairie provinces: Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia
Manitoba is a province of lakes. Canada has 1/3 of fresh water sources in the word. Lake Agassia is known as the polar bear capital of the world.
In Alberta there's Dinosaurs provincial park-the largest foundation of dinosaur’s fesiles in the world. Calgary hosted the Olympic Winter Games. It's located in high mountains with great skiing condition (7 mouths of years), good for both downhill and cross-country skiing.
British Columbia-its largest city is Vancouver. It resembles Seattle, lies in the water, it doesn't offer many job opportunities
Saskatchewan is a swampy province
Population
Population is about 28 mil inhabitants. Over 30% of population lives in three largest cities Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver.
The large areas with forests are not populated. People live in southern part. But in northern part of Canada there is less and less people. Half of the population is of British origin, almost one third is of French origin (French-speaking descendants of the original French colonists), there is 1% of Indians and Eskimos (also called Innuits=natives, hunters, fishermen, trappers) and there are German, Ukrainian, Scandinavian, Dutch, Polish and other minorities. Inuits make chilkat blankets-from cedar bark. Inuitian colors are red and green, they decorate houses, totem poles, bird-cage baskets-have a lid (for carrying fish).
Canada's official languages are English and French. They have equal status (a new law may make French the only official language of Quebec). Other European languages are also spoken in Canada - Greek, Italian, Chinese, German, because there are many immigrant families. The majority of immigrants prefer to learn English rather than French and to enroll their children in schools in which the language of instruction is English.
Canada has no official religion. The largest religious denomination is the Roman Catholic Church. Second is the United church of Canada and third is the Anglican Church. In addition, Canada has many Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Baptists church members. There is freedom of religion.
Most of Canada’s people live in the southern part of the country, in elongated, discontinuous belt of settlement parallel to the U.S.-Canada border. About 76% of Canada’s population is classified as urban, and 24% as rural. Canada is one of the world’s most sparsely populated nations, with very low density. This overall figure is misleading, however, and obscures the fact that nine-tenths of the country is virtually uninhabited and the population is concentrated in the other one-tenth. The most densely populated province is Prince Edward Island.
Each of the provinces and territories administers its own educational system. Schools are operated by local education authorities.
Dual system of education - there are schools for women Catholics and schools for Protestants. Other religions attend those schools but don’t have to attend religious classes. The best schools are in Ontario. The freedom from/of religion. University of Toronto is the best. In Quebec there’s McGill’s University (French). Education is compulsory until the age of 15 and is similar to American school system.
Society is multicultural, multiracial and antiracist. No. 1 in human developed index-extremely advanced in health, social programs (very developed society). Health services are the concern of the provincial governments, and all participate in the national insurance program.
The large areas with forests are not populated. People live in southern part. But in northern part of Canada there is less and less people. Half of the population is of British origin, almost one third is of French origin (French-speaking descendants of the original French colonists), there is 1% of Indians and Eskimos (also called Innuits=natives, hunters, fishermen, trappers) and there are German, Ukrainian, Scandinavian, Dutch, Polish and other minorities. Inuits make chilkat blankets-from cedar bark. Inuitian colors are red and green, they decorate houses, totem poles, bird-cage baskets-have a lid (for carrying fish).
Canada's official languages are English and French. They have equal status (a new law may make French the only official language of Quebec). Other European languages are also spoken in Canada - Greek, Italian, Chinese, German, because there are many immigrant families. The majority of immigrants prefer to learn English rather than French and to enroll their children in schools in which the language of instruction is English.
Canada has no official religion. The largest religious denomination is the Roman Catholic Church. Second is the United church of Canada and third is the Anglican Church. In addition, Canada has many Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Baptists church members. There is freedom of religion.
Most of Canada’s people live in the southern part of the country, in elongated, discontinuous belt of settlement parallel to the U.S.-Canada border. About 76% of Canada’s population is classified as urban, and 24% as rural. Canada is one of the world’s most sparsely populated nations, with very low density. This overall figure is misleading, however, and obscures the fact that nine-tenths of the country is virtually uninhabited and the population is concentrated in the other one-tenth. The most densely populated province is Prince Edward Island.
Each of the provinces and territories administers its own educational system. Schools are operated by local education authorities.
Dual system of education - there are schools for women Catholics and schools for Protestants. Other religions attend those schools but don’t have to attend religious classes. The best schools are in Ontario. The freedom from/of religion. University of Toronto is the best. In Quebec there’s McGill’s University (French). Education is compulsory until the age of 15 and is similar to American school system.
Society is multicultural, multiracial and antiracist. No. 1 in human developed index-extremely advanced in health, social programs (very developed society). Health services are the concern of the provincial governments, and all participate in the national insurance program.
Government and administrative
Canada is a federal dominion of ten provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan) and three territories (Northwest territories, Yukon, New territory) within the British Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II. is, as Queen of Canada, the head of the Canadian state. Her representative in Canada is the Governor-General. The ten provinces of Canada are united under a Federal Government, which controls matters concerning the country as a whole. Each province has a provincial government with a Lieutenant Governor at its head. The Yukon and Northwest Territories are governed by commissioners appointed by the federal Government. The Canadian Parliament consists of the Queen, the Senate (with 104 members=Senators are appointed by governor general. The prime minister-on the advice. And he is head of parliament (government)) and the House of Commons (with 282 elected members). National elections are held at least once every 5 years or whenever the majority party is voted down or calls an election. The leader of the political party with the largest number of seats in the House of Commons usually serves as prime minister.
Provincial legislative power, which extends to education, municipal affairs, direct taxation, and civil law, is vested in unicameral, elected legislatures known as legislative assemblies except in Newfoundland, where it is the House of Assembly, and Quebec, where it is the National Assembly.
The principal political parties are the Liberal party, Progressive Conservatives, the New Democratic party, the Social Credit party.
Provincial legislative power, which extends to education, municipal affairs, direct taxation, and civil law, is vested in unicameral, elected legislatures known as legislative assemblies except in Newfoundland, where it is the House of Assembly, and Quebec, where it is the National Assembly.
The principal political parties are the Liberal party, Progressive Conservatives, the New Democratic party, the Social Credit party.
CANADA
The name of this country came from Indian language from the word canata - this word is village or settlement. Indians live now mainly in territories in north Quebec.
Canada is situated in northern part of North America. There are many islands - New Foundland, Prince Edward Island, Vancouver. The area is about 10 000 000 square km - it is the second largest country in the world. Canada is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic Ocean ino the north. Its neighbour are the USA - both in the south and in the west - because Alaska is a part of the USA. Geographically Canada can be divided into 5 major regions:
• The Appalachian region, most of which is forested, with farmland being concentrated in coastal New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. There are many mountains along the coast in this region. It's hilly woodland (wood, timber, lumber)
• The second region comprises the lowlands near the Great Lakes and the River St. Lawrence. The temperate climate (mild climate) and fertile soil make the area suitable for dairy farming and specialized crops, such as fruit and tobacco. Cheap hydroelectric power from the St. Lawrence waterway has helped to concentrate industrial development (=center of industry). The Lakes are connected together and create water system together with the St.Lawrence. Cattle are raised there. It’s the most important part and only industrial region - because power is cheap here. There is iron and steel industry, foodstuff i., machinery i.
• The Canadian Shield constitutes almost half of Canada. This horseshoe-shaped area of ancient rock, surrounding Hudson Bay, and stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arctic Ocean (very cold climate), is made up of rounded hills, a profusion of lakes and areas of swamps. Most of this region is unsuitable for agriculture but its richness lies in its forests and minerals (nickel, platinum, cobalt, uranium, gold, silver, copper and iron) -rich natural resources (oil, coal) and its waterpower. Part of it is forested; they take share in production of wood.
• West of the Shield lie the interior (central) plains. The southern part is known as the Prairies, which are the great Canadian wheat lands. (It is similar to Great Planes in the USA). The remainder of the area is largely forested. In the higher and rougher country cattle are raised. Barley and oats are grown as well. The northern part is very hilly.
• The Cordilleran region is a strip of mountainous terrain, which includes most of British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, Nunavat (established in 1999) and the islands off the west coast of Canada. The highest mountain in Canada is Mount Logan in Yukon Territory. This region doesn't almost have any inhabitants. It's ideal place for fishing and hunting. People hunt fur bearers - all animals hunted for fur (esp. grizzly).
Rivers and lakes
Canada has about one third of the world’s known fresh water areas. Part of 4 of the Great Lakes, namely Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, lie in Canadian territory. The St. Lawrence - Great Lakes waterway system carries shipping from the Atlantic Ocean to the center of Canada. The large lakes lying entirely in Canada include Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, Lake Winnipeg and Athabasca. The longest Canadian river, the Mackenzie, flows into the Arctic Ocean. The Yukon, the Columbia, and the Fraser flow into the Pacific and the Saskatchewan, Churchill and Nelson Rivers flow into Hudson Bay.
Canada is situated in northern part of North America. There are many islands - New Foundland, Prince Edward Island, Vancouver. The area is about 10 000 000 square km - it is the second largest country in the world. Canada is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Arctic Ocean ino the north. Its neighbour are the USA - both in the south and in the west - because Alaska is a part of the USA. Geographically Canada can be divided into 5 major regions:
• The Appalachian region, most of which is forested, with farmland being concentrated in coastal New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. There are many mountains along the coast in this region. It's hilly woodland (wood, timber, lumber)
• The second region comprises the lowlands near the Great Lakes and the River St. Lawrence. The temperate climate (mild climate) and fertile soil make the area suitable for dairy farming and specialized crops, such as fruit and tobacco. Cheap hydroelectric power from the St. Lawrence waterway has helped to concentrate industrial development (=center of industry). The Lakes are connected together and create water system together with the St.Lawrence. Cattle are raised there. It’s the most important part and only industrial region - because power is cheap here. There is iron and steel industry, foodstuff i., machinery i.
• The Canadian Shield constitutes almost half of Canada. This horseshoe-shaped area of ancient rock, surrounding Hudson Bay, and stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arctic Ocean (very cold climate), is made up of rounded hills, a profusion of lakes and areas of swamps. Most of this region is unsuitable for agriculture but its richness lies in its forests and minerals (nickel, platinum, cobalt, uranium, gold, silver, copper and iron) -rich natural resources (oil, coal) and its waterpower. Part of it is forested; they take share in production of wood.
• West of the Shield lie the interior (central) plains. The southern part is known as the Prairies, which are the great Canadian wheat lands. (It is similar to Great Planes in the USA). The remainder of the area is largely forested. In the higher and rougher country cattle are raised. Barley and oats are grown as well. The northern part is very hilly.
• The Cordilleran region is a strip of mountainous terrain, which includes most of British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, Nunavat (established in 1999) and the islands off the west coast of Canada. The highest mountain in Canada is Mount Logan in Yukon Territory. This region doesn't almost have any inhabitants. It's ideal place for fishing and hunting. People hunt fur bearers - all animals hunted for fur (esp. grizzly).
Rivers and lakes
Canada has about one third of the world’s known fresh water areas. Part of 4 of the Great Lakes, namely Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, lie in Canadian territory. The St. Lawrence - Great Lakes waterway system carries shipping from the Atlantic Ocean to the center of Canada. The large lakes lying entirely in Canada include Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, Lake Winnipeg and Athabasca. The longest Canadian river, the Mackenzie, flows into the Arctic Ocean. The Yukon, the Columbia, and the Fraser flow into the Pacific and the Saskatchewan, Churchill and Nelson Rivers flow into Hudson Bay.
Climate
Climate can divided into 3 belts.
• Sparsely settled northern areas have an arctic or tundra type of climate on the islands and northern coastal areas. Arctic climate is characterized by long, cold winters and no summer month.
• The vast transitional area-there is subarctic type of climate is between the frozen north and the settled south. Winters are similarly long and bitterly cold, but summers are warm enough to support vegetation growth
• South-The populated southern areas have a wide variety of temperate climate.
• The Pacific coastal areas have a temperate marine west coast type of climate, with cool summers and mild winters.
• The interior plains have a middle latitude steppe type of climate in the drier south and north more humid and extreme continental type of climate. There are winters not so mild and short summers.
• The Great Lakes-St.Lawrence Lowlands and the Appalachian Region have a more humid version of continental climate. Both areas have a long, cold winters, short warm summers.
Precipitation is heaviest in the west where moisture-laden winds from the Pacific Ocean are forced to rise over the mountainous coastal regions. Precipitation is the least in the Interior Plains. Except for the low-lying Pacific coast areas, winter precipitation throughout Canada is usually in the form of snow, and thick blankets of accumulated snow cover most of Canada east of the Rockies for 3 to 6 month of the year. Precipitation is generally light in the western areas of the arctic and sub arctic regions and heavier in northern Quebec and Labrador. Despite the low precipitation, snow covers the ground permanently for more than 6 months of every year.
• Sparsely settled northern areas have an arctic or tundra type of climate on the islands and northern coastal areas. Arctic climate is characterized by long, cold winters and no summer month.
• The vast transitional area-there is subarctic type of climate is between the frozen north and the settled south. Winters are similarly long and bitterly cold, but summers are warm enough to support vegetation growth
• South-The populated southern areas have a wide variety of temperate climate.
• The Pacific coastal areas have a temperate marine west coast type of climate, with cool summers and mild winters.
• The interior plains have a middle latitude steppe type of climate in the drier south and north more humid and extreme continental type of climate. There are winters not so mild and short summers.
• The Great Lakes-St.Lawrence Lowlands and the Appalachian Region have a more humid version of continental climate. Both areas have a long, cold winters, short warm summers.
Precipitation is heaviest in the west where moisture-laden winds from the Pacific Ocean are forced to rise over the mountainous coastal regions. Precipitation is the least in the Interior Plains. Except for the low-lying Pacific coast areas, winter precipitation throughout Canada is usually in the form of snow, and thick blankets of accumulated snow cover most of Canada east of the Rockies for 3 to 6 month of the year. Precipitation is generally light in the western areas of the arctic and sub arctic regions and heavier in northern Quebec and Labrador. Despite the low precipitation, snow covers the ground permanently for more than 6 months of every year.
General Certificate of Secondary Education-GCSE
At the age of 16, students must take a national exam called GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). At this age, they take so called O-level (Ordinary level). It consists of 6 or 7 subjects. Students are awarded on a seven point scale, from A to G.
Students who pass this exam and wish to continue their studies usually choose to do A-levels (Advanced levels). They can study three main educational establishment - the sixth form of their school, a Sixth Form College (that provides better education and preparation for university studies), or a College of Further Education (which is specialized in vocational courses such as bussines and administration, tourism, industry and commerce...).
A-level exam is normally taken at the age of 18, after a two year period of full-time study. The exam is written, questions must be answered over a limited period of time. Cheating is severely punished. Students are informed on their results by letter about six weeks later.
Students specialize in two or three (or even four) related subjects, either humanities subjects, such as History, Geography, English, Economics, or science subjects, such as Maths, Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Students are marked on a seven point scale from A (the highest) to E, N (narrow failure) and U (unclassified).
Students who want to attend a university make their application. If the application is accepted, the university makes an offer It usually requires at least two A-level passes at a given grade, fo example at least two B grades and a C. If the student fails to get these grades, his of her application will most likely be rejected. A number of places available is limited so the students are in competition.
In 1989 a new exam called AS level (Advanced Supplementary level) was introduced. It allows students to study a wider range of subjects. The academic value of an AS-level is a half that of an A-level.
Before starting to study at the university, many students take a gap year, a year off. they do it in order to receive job experiences and to save up some extra money or they just need to take a break. Some of them decide to help on voluntary projects at home or overseas.
Students who pass this exam and wish to continue their studies usually choose to do A-levels (Advanced levels). They can study three main educational establishment - the sixth form of their school, a Sixth Form College (that provides better education and preparation for university studies), or a College of Further Education (which is specialized in vocational courses such as bussines and administration, tourism, industry and commerce...).
A-level exam is normally taken at the age of 18, after a two year period of full-time study. The exam is written, questions must be answered over a limited period of time. Cheating is severely punished. Students are informed on their results by letter about six weeks later.
Students specialize in two or three (or even four) related subjects, either humanities subjects, such as History, Geography, English, Economics, or science subjects, such as Maths, Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Students are marked on a seven point scale from A (the highest) to E, N (narrow failure) and U (unclassified).
Students who want to attend a university make their application. If the application is accepted, the university makes an offer It usually requires at least two A-level passes at a given grade, fo example at least two B grades and a C. If the student fails to get these grades, his of her application will most likely be rejected. A number of places available is limited so the students are in competition.
In 1989 a new exam called AS level (Advanced Supplementary level) was introduced. It allows students to study a wider range of subjects. The academic value of an AS-level is a half that of an A-level.
Before starting to study at the university, many students take a gap year, a year off. they do it in order to receive job experiences and to save up some extra money or they just need to take a break. Some of them decide to help on voluntary projects at home or overseas.
47 universities
In the UK there're 47 universities, polytechnics and other institutions. Students must pay tuition but according toi their parents' income, they may receive grants from Local Education Authority to cover their tuition and a part of their living expenses. Many students look for part time or holiday work, anyway.
Graduate courses are full-time and attendance of lectures, seminars and tutorials is compulsory. Students mast take exams during their studies and they are usually not allowed to re-take them if they fail.
Degree courses usually last three years. After the final exams, students are awarded the title of BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science). after two more years, they may acquire the title of MA ( Master of Arts) of MSc (Master of Science). Then, after some research, PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).
The National Curriculum originated in The Education Reform Act accepted by the British government in 1989. It divides subjects into core subjects, foundation subjects and extra subjects.
• Core subjects are English, Maths, Science (it includes Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
• Foundation subjects are History, Geography, Technology, Music, Art, PE, Modern Language (French or German).
• Extra subjects are all electives (religion, civics, craft,...).
Graduate courses are full-time and attendance of lectures, seminars and tutorials is compulsory. Students mast take exams during their studies and they are usually not allowed to re-take them if they fail.
Degree courses usually last three years. After the final exams, students are awarded the title of BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science). after two more years, they may acquire the title of MA ( Master of Arts) of MSc (Master of Science). Then, after some research, PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).
The National Curriculum originated in The Education Reform Act accepted by the British government in 1989. It divides subjects into core subjects, foundation subjects and extra subjects.
• Core subjects are English, Maths, Science (it includes Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
• Foundation subjects are History, Geography, Technology, Music, Art, PE, Modern Language (French or German).
• Extra subjects are all electives (religion, civics, craft,...).
In the UK, school year is divided into three terms
In the UK, school year is divided into three terms: autumn, spring and summer term. Between each two of them are holidays. Between autumn and spring term are 10-day Christmas holidays, between spring and summer term are 10-day Easter holidays and after summer term, before the next school year starts, are 6-week holidays. Halfterm is a 5-day holiday in the middle of each term. Many schools use it to organize trips, which are not compulsory.
At the end of each term, school sends a report to parens.
British pupils attending a comprehensive school have to be at school at 8:45 for registration where form tutor checks attendance. After registration most pupils go to assembly which usually lasts 15 minutes. The headteacher announces important information on organization of the day or on other problems. There's also a kind of religious worship where pupils sing hymns, say prayers or listen to readings from the Bible.
At 9:15, the lessons begin. Lessons usually last 55 minutes. A common timetable consists of two lessons before mid-morning break at 11:05. Pupils can spend this break in the playground or school yard or they can buy sweets and drinks in the school tuck shop. Then one more lesson before lunch at 12:25. Children can eat their lunch in the school canteen or have their own packed lunch. Children of parents on low income are entitled to free school meals. After lunch there are two more lessons before pupils go home at about 3:15.
Students can take part in extra curricular activities that are organized by school and are not compulsory. The most common extra curricular activities are school clubs, daily outings and field trips.
• Clubs are run by teachers outside normal school hours. They include interests such as drama, chess, sport, music...
• Daily outings are organized during school hours. A class may go to a local factory of an office to watch how it works. They also prepere questionaires and later they must report their findings back to the class.
• Field trips may be undertaken over weekly period. Students can gain a more practical knowledge related to subjects such as Geography, History or Biology.
Each school seeks for certain qualities in students, such as honesty, punctuality and courtesy. They must follow certain rules during school hours. Pupils who break the rules are punished by the teachers and in serious cases, they're sent to the headteacher. During breaktime, the corridors are supervised by teachers. Both minor and serious offences must be punished. Offence can be arriving late, not doing homework, cheating, playing truancy, not wearing a uniform, wearing jewellery and make-up, smoking, fighting, stealing, bullying or drug possession.
• At British public school a cane may be used as a punishment. At the other schools, corporal punishments are forbidden.
• Pupils can be in detention and write lines.
• They can also be on report - the pupil gives a report card to the teacher and he or she describes how the pupil behaved. It's then considered by pupil's form tutor or even headteacher.
• In case of serious effences, pupils may be temporary excluded from school and parents of him or her are invited to school for a serious talk., or even expelled (he has to choose another school)
At the end of each term, school sends a report to parens.
British pupils attending a comprehensive school have to be at school at 8:45 for registration where form tutor checks attendance. After registration most pupils go to assembly which usually lasts 15 minutes. The headteacher announces important information on organization of the day or on other problems. There's also a kind of religious worship where pupils sing hymns, say prayers or listen to readings from the Bible.
At 9:15, the lessons begin. Lessons usually last 55 minutes. A common timetable consists of two lessons before mid-morning break at 11:05. Pupils can spend this break in the playground or school yard or they can buy sweets and drinks in the school tuck shop. Then one more lesson before lunch at 12:25. Children can eat their lunch in the school canteen or have their own packed lunch. Children of parents on low income are entitled to free school meals. After lunch there are two more lessons before pupils go home at about 3:15.
Students can take part in extra curricular activities that are organized by school and are not compulsory. The most common extra curricular activities are school clubs, daily outings and field trips.
• Clubs are run by teachers outside normal school hours. They include interests such as drama, chess, sport, music...
• Daily outings are organized during school hours. A class may go to a local factory of an office to watch how it works. They also prepere questionaires and later they must report their findings back to the class.
• Field trips may be undertaken over weekly period. Students can gain a more practical knowledge related to subjects such as Geography, History or Biology.
Each school seeks for certain qualities in students, such as honesty, punctuality and courtesy. They must follow certain rules during school hours. Pupils who break the rules are punished by the teachers and in serious cases, they're sent to the headteacher. During breaktime, the corridors are supervised by teachers. Both minor and serious offences must be punished. Offence can be arriving late, not doing homework, cheating, playing truancy, not wearing a uniform, wearing jewellery and make-up, smoking, fighting, stealing, bullying or drug possession.
• At British public school a cane may be used as a punishment. At the other schools, corporal punishments are forbidden.
• Pupils can be in detention and write lines.
• They can also be on report - the pupil gives a report card to the teacher and he or she describes how the pupil behaved. It's then considered by pupil's form tutor or even headteacher.
• In case of serious effences, pupils may be temporary excluded from school and parents of him or her are invited to school for a serious talk., or even expelled (he has to choose another school)
There are three kinds of tertiary education
There are three kinds of tertiary education - university, college and community college. + technical training institute.
• University provides all three kinds of degrees - undergraduate programme, graduate programme and post graduate programme
• College - provides only one degree - Bachelor's degree
• Community College - provides vocational training and prepares for practical profession.
• Technical training institute - - II -
At the university, students usually study general course of Arts or Sciences and then choose a subject of and area, a major, they will specialize for the following two years.
The best and most prestigeous universities in the USA are called Ivy League. Ivy should remind us of the old British universities that were covered with ivy. Those are 8 universities located in the NE of the USA (Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth College, Princeton, Pennsylvania). They are very expensive and selective. Excellent but poor students are entitled to scholarship. The most famous and the oldest university in the USA is Harvard University. It's situated in Massachusetts. It was founded by John Harvard in 1636 in the town of Cambridge. He was born in London.
The American universities have high academic reputation because they have excellent libraries and research facilities. But the problem is that they ask private foundations and federal government for financial support and therefore jeopardise their political and cultural autonomy.
There're also interest groups, so called sororities/fraternities. You must go through initiation rites and pay fees. Each of the societies has a name that consists of two or three Greek letters.
Nowadays, positive discrimination at the universities exists. They support minorities (black students and women). they were discriminated in the past. It lasted from 1898 when the Supreme Court ruled on segregation and segregated schools became constitutional. It lasted to 1954 when they made decision that segregated schools are unconstitutional. Since that time, the schools are integrated. (Elizabeth Eckford was the first black woman who attended Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The first woman at Harvard University started attending it in 1969 - before, women had had special college - Rattcliff College).
• University provides all three kinds of degrees - undergraduate programme, graduate programme and post graduate programme
• College - provides only one degree - Bachelor's degree
• Community College - provides vocational training and prepares for practical profession.
• Technical training institute - - II -
At the university, students usually study general course of Arts or Sciences and then choose a subject of and area, a major, they will specialize for the following two years.
The best and most prestigeous universities in the USA are called Ivy League. Ivy should remind us of the old British universities that were covered with ivy. Those are 8 universities located in the NE of the USA (Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth College, Princeton, Pennsylvania). They are very expensive and selective. Excellent but poor students are entitled to scholarship. The most famous and the oldest university in the USA is Harvard University. It's situated in Massachusetts. It was founded by John Harvard in 1636 in the town of Cambridge. He was born in London.
The American universities have high academic reputation because they have excellent libraries and research facilities. But the problem is that they ask private foundations and federal government for financial support and therefore jeopardise their political and cultural autonomy.
There're also interest groups, so called sororities/fraternities. You must go through initiation rites and pay fees. Each of the societies has a name that consists of two or three Greek letters.
Nowadays, positive discrimination at the universities exists. They support minorities (black students and women). they were discriminated in the past. It lasted from 1898 when the Supreme Court ruled on segregation and segregated schools became constitutional. It lasted to 1954 when they made decision that segregated schools are unconstitutional. Since that time, the schools are integrated. (Elizabeth Eckford was the first black woman who attended Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The first woman at Harvard University started attending it in 1969 - before, women had had special college - Rattcliff College).
Education in Great Britain
Compulsory education in the UK starts at the age of 5 and ends at the age of 16.
There are three means of education in the UK. Pupils can attend either state schools, or independent (private) schools, or they can be educated in an alternative way.
Alternative education means that parents have the right to educate their chidren at home. Tehy don't need any teaching qualification. But they are under the control of Local Education Authority.
Independent (private) schools provide better education than state schools and students have therefore better job opportunities. That's why these schools are expensive. Students must pay fee so mainly children from very rich families attend them. These schools are situated mainly in England. They are also boarding schools (it means that students can live there). They are usually single-sex, not co-educational. The most famous schools are Eton, Harrow and Rugby. they have their system:
• 5-8 = pre-preparatory school
• 8-13 = preparatory school - it prepares students for Common Entrance Exam which is necessary to be passed if a pupil wants to attend public school
• 13-18 = public school
State schools are divided into levels according to a system. These schools are free and co-educational.
System A
• primary school, which has two levels, infant (5-7) where children learn reading, writing and basic maths, and junior (7-11) where other subject such as history, geography or science are added.
• secondary school (12-16/18, according to one's choice) can be divided into three types. Grammar schools are very selective, students must pass an entrance exam. They receive more academic education. Comprehensive schools are where most of children go. There are children with mixed abilities, bright as well as not gifted, from various social backgrounds. Secondary modern schools provide alternative education.
System B
• First school (5-8)
• Middle school (8-13)
• Secondary school (13-16/18)
There are three means of education in the UK. Pupils can attend either state schools, or independent (private) schools, or they can be educated in an alternative way.
Alternative education means that parents have the right to educate their chidren at home. Tehy don't need any teaching qualification. But they are under the control of Local Education Authority.
Independent (private) schools provide better education than state schools and students have therefore better job opportunities. That's why these schools are expensive. Students must pay fee so mainly children from very rich families attend them. These schools are situated mainly in England. They are also boarding schools (it means that students can live there). They are usually single-sex, not co-educational. The most famous schools are Eton, Harrow and Rugby. they have their system:
• 5-8 = pre-preparatory school
• 8-13 = preparatory school - it prepares students for Common Entrance Exam which is necessary to be passed if a pupil wants to attend public school
• 13-18 = public school
State schools are divided into levels according to a system. These schools are free and co-educational.
System A
• primary school, which has two levels, infant (5-7) where children learn reading, writing and basic maths, and junior (7-11) where other subject such as history, geography or science are added.
• secondary school (12-16/18, according to one's choice) can be divided into three types. Grammar schools are very selective, students must pass an entrance exam. They receive more academic education. Comprehensive schools are where most of children go. There are children with mixed abilities, bright as well as not gifted, from various social backgrounds. Secondary modern schools provide alternative education.
System B
• First school (5-8)
• Middle school (8-13)
• Secondary school (13-16/18)
Education in the USA
The education in the USA is a national concern, it means that it's very important. There's federal Department of Education. It donates money and it works as a resource, it means that it gets information and provides it to schools. But education is state responsibility. Each state decides on a system and certification of the teachers. The state divides it's area into school districts. In the US we can find 16 000 district. Education has local function because there're school boards in each district formed by elected citizens and the boards decide on curriculum and fund schools.
Education is compulsory from the age of 5 and it lasts for 13 years. Students finish at the age of 17 or 18. The state provides 13 years of free education to everyone, regardless of creed, color or class.
• K-grade - Kindergarten - it's a preparation for elementary school, children learn alfhabet.
• Elementary school - lasts 6 years and to each year we refer as a grade (from the 1st to the 6th grade). Children learn reading, writing and basic maths.
• Junior high school - (grades 7-8) - pupils have wider range of subjects
• Senior high school - (grades 9-12) - at one school there're many elective subject so that students can choose between compehensive education (provides academic education) and vocational courses (more practical).
Private schools (public) are often run by donors and many of them are parochial schools. They are expensive, select their students and school size and class size is limited.
State schools ( public schools) are funded of property taxes. They have many pupils at class and standards are quite low. They are funded of property taxes so the schools in poor area don't provide the same quality of education as schools in rich areas. Students of the state schools don't have to buy their own pens and exercise books. Books are loaned to them for the period of time required.
School in America normally begins at 8:30 or 9:00 and finishes at 3:30. Students in many schools are required to salute the flag before the lessons start. They stand up and put their right hand over their heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The school week lasts from Monday to Friday.
Students must follow certain rules during school hours. Pupils who break the rules are punished by the teachers and in serious cases, they're sent to the headteacher. During breaktime, the corridors are supervised by teachers. Both minor and serious offences must be punished. Offence can be arriving late, not doing homework, cheating, playing truancy, smoking, fighting, stealing, bullying or drug possession.
• Corporal punishments are forbidden.
• Pupils can be in detention and do standards.
• They can also be on report - the pupil gives a report card to the teacher and he or she describes how the pupil behaved. It's then considered by pupil's form tutor or even headteacher.
• In case of serious effences, pupils may be temporary suspended from school and parents of him or her are invited to school for a serious talk., or even suspended (he has to choose another school).
Education is compulsory from the age of 5 and it lasts for 13 years. Students finish at the age of 17 or 18. The state provides 13 years of free education to everyone, regardless of creed, color or class.
• K-grade - Kindergarten - it's a preparation for elementary school, children learn alfhabet.
• Elementary school - lasts 6 years and to each year we refer as a grade (from the 1st to the 6th grade). Children learn reading, writing and basic maths.
• Junior high school - (grades 7-8) - pupils have wider range of subjects
• Senior high school - (grades 9-12) - at one school there're many elective subject so that students can choose between compehensive education (provides academic education) and vocational courses (more practical).
Private schools (public) are often run by donors and many of them are parochial schools. They are expensive, select their students and school size and class size is limited.
State schools ( public schools) are funded of property taxes. They have many pupils at class and standards are quite low. They are funded of property taxes so the schools in poor area don't provide the same quality of education as schools in rich areas. Students of the state schools don't have to buy their own pens and exercise books. Books are loaned to them for the period of time required.
School in America normally begins at 8:30 or 9:00 and finishes at 3:30. Students in many schools are required to salute the flag before the lessons start. They stand up and put their right hand over their heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The school week lasts from Monday to Friday.
Students must follow certain rules during school hours. Pupils who break the rules are punished by the teachers and in serious cases, they're sent to the headteacher. During breaktime, the corridors are supervised by teachers. Both minor and serious offences must be punished. Offence can be arriving late, not doing homework, cheating, playing truancy, smoking, fighting, stealing, bullying or drug possession.
• Corporal punishments are forbidden.
• Pupils can be in detention and do standards.
• They can also be on report - the pupil gives a report card to the teacher and he or she describes how the pupil behaved. It's then considered by pupil's form tutor or even headteacher.
• In case of serious effences, pupils may be temporary suspended from school and parents of him or her are invited to school for a serious talk., or even suspended (he has to choose another school).
In America, basic core subjects
In America, basic core subjects in most high schools are English, Maths, Science, History and a foreign language, usually Spanish. Students can also choose from electives (optional subjects) such as journalism, music, drama, computer studies...
At high school, each grade corresponds to a certain cathegory. A student in 9th grade is called freshman, in 10th - sophomore, 11th - junior, 12th - senior
During their studies, students are awarded credits. They must obtain the minimum number of credits in order to get their high school diploma. Graduation is a public event. Students get diplomas. They wear gown (sleeveless coat) and top hat (ceremonial cap, square with a hanging tassel), both in navy blue.
In the spring, the prom is held. It's a formal occasion. The girls buy dresses and the boys rent tuxedos. The boy buys the girl a small bouquet of flowers that she wears around her wrist or her shoulder. The girl buys him a boutonniere, a flower worn in the buttonhole on the lapel of a jacket. During the evening, queen of the prom is voted.
If you want to be accepted at a university, you need
• Transcript - record of grades, you need good grades in their subjects. Grades vary between A (excellent) to D (passing grade) or F (failed) and each corresonds to a certain number of points. At the end of the studies, you receive GPA (Grade Point Average). They add grades and divide them by a number of subjects.
• SAT score and rating - Result of the standardized test - SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). It's prepared by non-governmental organisation (the same that prepare TOEFL).
• Essay - written on life and interests, reasom why you chose the school and field of study
• LR's - letters of recommendation written by teachers.
• Extra curricular activities are taken into account. American high schools organize wide range of interscholastic competitions. They typically include bsketball, football, swimming, athletics. Sport is considered to encourage notions of teamwork, fair play and competitive spirit.
At high school, each grade corresponds to a certain cathegory. A student in 9th grade is called freshman, in 10th - sophomore, 11th - junior, 12th - senior
During their studies, students are awarded credits. They must obtain the minimum number of credits in order to get their high school diploma. Graduation is a public event. Students get diplomas. They wear gown (sleeveless coat) and top hat (ceremonial cap, square with a hanging tassel), both in navy blue.
In the spring, the prom is held. It's a formal occasion. The girls buy dresses and the boys rent tuxedos. The boy buys the girl a small bouquet of flowers that she wears around her wrist or her shoulder. The girl buys him a boutonniere, a flower worn in the buttonhole on the lapel of a jacket. During the evening, queen of the prom is voted.
If you want to be accepted at a university, you need
• Transcript - record of grades, you need good grades in their subjects. Grades vary between A (excellent) to D (passing grade) or F (failed) and each corresonds to a certain number of points. At the end of the studies, you receive GPA (Grade Point Average). They add grades and divide them by a number of subjects.
• SAT score and rating - Result of the standardized test - SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). It's prepared by non-governmental organisation (the same that prepare TOEFL).
• Essay - written on life and interests, reasom why you chose the school and field of study
• LR's - letters of recommendation written by teachers.
• Extra curricular activities are taken into account. American high schools organize wide range of interscholastic competitions. They typically include bsketball, football, swimming, athletics. Sport is considered to encourage notions of teamwork, fair play and competitive spirit.
Water pollution
Water pollution results from harmful industrial processes and households, from pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals used in agriculture, from waste disposal sites, substandard sewage treatment plants and also from ships, oil wells and rigs. Also concentrations of heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, lead, or copper are increasing.
If we want to have claener waterways, some measures must be taken.
• discharges to watershould be controlled
• the number of sewage treatment plants should be increased
• we should find new technologies which would
• save water
• reduce the amount of chemicals
• develop environmentally friendly pesticides
• pollution occuring from waste silage effluent or slurry, leaking and enterng watercourses, should be minimized or stopped. To prevent nitrate from leaching into water, farmers can grow "green cover" crops in the autumn to take up residual nitrogen.
• oil discharges and dumping of land-generated waste should be controlled
• chemical spills from ships at sea must be dealt with by chemical dispersants spread onto it from specially equiped aircrafts.
Soil
If we want to have claener waterways, some measures must be taken.
• discharges to watershould be controlled
• the number of sewage treatment plants should be increased
• we should find new technologies which would
• save water
• reduce the amount of chemicals
• develop environmentally friendly pesticides
• pollution occuring from waste silage effluent or slurry, leaking and enterng watercourses, should be minimized or stopped. To prevent nitrate from leaching into water, farmers can grow "green cover" crops in the autumn to take up residual nitrogen.
• oil discharges and dumping of land-generated waste should be controlled
• chemical spills from ships at sea must be dealt with by chemical dispersants spread onto it from specially equiped aircrafts.
Soil
Soil
Soil can become contamined as a result of industrial waste. Much domestic rubbish is disposed of in landfills. Waste disposal should should be controlled and maintained properly. Waste can be reduced in a few ways:
• before the waste is landfilled, it can be shredded or compressed in order to reduce its volume
• landfill can be avoided by
• re-using
• recycling
• energy recovery
A great deal of industrial waste has been reclaimed. Not only bottle bins or containers, but also can,
plastic and paper containers should be installed where the public can deposit used glass, cans, plastic
and waste paper for recycling.
• domestic rubbish should be sorted out, too. Kitchen garbage and garden waste of organic origin should be composted and turned into fertilizer
• Organic waste in landfills can be re-used in the form of biogas which comes from natural decay
• People shouldn't litter and the law should be stricter to those who break the rule.
Land can be also contaminated by radioactive substances. More than 80% of radiation the public is exposed to comes from natural sources. Only about a thousandthcomes from the disposal or discharge of radioactive waste.
• Strict controlls should be placed over the storage, use and disposal of radioactive substances
• Spent nuclear fuel should be stored in concrete blocks for at least 50 years to allow the heat and radioactivity to decay.
• People should be aware of naturally occurng radon gas.
• before the waste is landfilled, it can be shredded or compressed in order to reduce its volume
• landfill can be avoided by
• re-using
• recycling
• energy recovery
A great deal of industrial waste has been reclaimed. Not only bottle bins or containers, but also can,
plastic and paper containers should be installed where the public can deposit used glass, cans, plastic
and waste paper for recycling.
• domestic rubbish should be sorted out, too. Kitchen garbage and garden waste of organic origin should be composted and turned into fertilizer
• Organic waste in landfills can be re-used in the form of biogas which comes from natural decay
• People shouldn't litter and the law should be stricter to those who break the rule.
Land can be also contaminated by radioactive substances. More than 80% of radiation the public is exposed to comes from natural sources. Only about a thousandthcomes from the disposal or discharge of radioactive waste.
• Strict controlls should be placed over the storage, use and disposal of radioactive substances
• Spent nuclear fuel should be stored in concrete blocks for at least 50 years to allow the heat and radioactivity to decay.
• People should be aware of naturally occurng radon gas.
Noise
Noise poses a considerable problem. It results in stress, lack of concentration, defective hearing or sleeplessness. To avoid it,
• we should be considerate to one another
• noise from motor vehicles should be regulated
• airport services should be restricted at night
Environmental protection also includes animal and plant protection, because the balance of species has been affected by human activities.
• some animals are protected (badgers, bats)
• others (owls) are bred in captivity for release in the wild
• the introduction of new species of animals (Colorado beetle, grey squirrel) should be controlled or prohibited, because their increase in number may easily slip out of control.
• the establishment of National Parks and nature reserves provides protection and also opportunities for outdoor recreation.
• Contaminated land sites are reclaimed and turned into parks
• Trees are protected and new one s are planted
• in Britain, green belts have been established arund major cities to provide some place for recreation
• we should be considerate to one another
• noise from motor vehicles should be regulated
• airport services should be restricted at night
Environmental protection also includes animal and plant protection, because the balance of species has been affected by human activities.
• some animals are protected (badgers, bats)
• others (owls) are bred in captivity for release in the wild
• the introduction of new species of animals (Colorado beetle, grey squirrel) should be controlled or prohibited, because their increase in number may easily slip out of control.
• the establishment of National Parks and nature reserves provides protection and also opportunities for outdoor recreation.
• Contaminated land sites are reclaimed and turned into parks
• Trees are protected and new one s are planted
• in Britain, green belts have been established arund major cities to provide some place for recreation
Smoke from coal fires also causes smog
Smoke from coal fires also causes smog. It's a considerable problem esp. in big cities.
Problem of air pollution should be solved. People should reduce carbon dioxide emitted by power plants and industrial plants. They can reach it by:
• using alternative sources of energy, such as solar (esp.for domestic heating), water, wind, geothermal or tidal energy, or energy coming from methane from landfill waste sites.
• burn smokeless fuels
• energy efficiency in generation of power
• switching from coal to gas fired plants
• using waste heat more efficiently
We should also reduce polution caused by road traffic.
• It's possible to switch freight from roads to railways
• Public transportation should be supported
• People should be encouraged to drive at speed limit in order to use fuel more efficiently
• New cars should be fitted with three-way catalytic converters in their exhaust system. They turn dangerous gases (nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide) into carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapour.
• Content of lead in petrol should be reduced
• People should be encouraged to use unleaded petrol. developed countries use tax relief to favour the use of it
• In order to lower the amount of carbon dioxide, tree planting should be encouraged because they absorb it.
The way how to lower the amount of sulphur dioxide is
• switching from coal to gas for power generation
• greater use of low-sulphur coal
• installation of flue gas desulphurisation plants at power stations
Problem of air pollution should be solved. People should reduce carbon dioxide emitted by power plants and industrial plants. They can reach it by:
• using alternative sources of energy, such as solar (esp.for domestic heating), water, wind, geothermal or tidal energy, or energy coming from methane from landfill waste sites.
• burn smokeless fuels
• energy efficiency in generation of power
• switching from coal to gas fired plants
• using waste heat more efficiently
We should also reduce polution caused by road traffic.
• It's possible to switch freight from roads to railways
• Public transportation should be supported
• People should be encouraged to drive at speed limit in order to use fuel more efficiently
• New cars should be fitted with three-way catalytic converters in their exhaust system. They turn dangerous gases (nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide) into carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapour.
• Content of lead in petrol should be reduced
• People should be encouraged to use unleaded petrol. developed countries use tax relief to favour the use of it
• In order to lower the amount of carbon dioxide, tree planting should be encouraged because they absorb it.
The way how to lower the amount of sulphur dioxide is
• switching from coal to gas for power generation
• greater use of low-sulphur coal
• installation of flue gas desulphurisation plants at power stations
Environment
Civilization has brought many advantages to all people but it also pollutes and damages the environment in which we live. We must be aware of these problems and try to protect the environment against pollution. Pollution affects land, air, water, forests, animals, plants and even people.
Britain has serious environmental problems. In 1952, more than 4.000 people died in London as a result of smog. The government introduced new laws to stop smog from coal fires and factories. Another problem is smog from cars. In 1991, many people died because of pollution in London.
Part of the problem is "out of town shopping centers" because many people drive to these shopping centers. Britain also needs better and cheaper public transportation.
Many people try to reduce use of cars by cycling to work (some cities have special bicycle paths for them). Some people at least travel to work together in one car. People should call for improvement, take direct action.
In general, population is growing very fast and more factories and roads will be needed soon. But one day, natural resources will finish. There are three ways how to solve the problem:
• recycling rubbish
• reduce the amount of waste which is not biodegradable (= which won't disappear for hundreds of years)
• save natural resources which are not renewable (coal, gas, metals, minerals), and plant new trees because they grow slowly
Technology
• Technology has an important role to play in developing new means for reducing harmful emissions. For this purpose, end-of-pipe systems should be installed to clean up emissions.
• It can also help with developing new ways to recycle materials. Waste materials which were previously dumped can be converted into useful products.
• It can also help to make cleaner and less harmful products.
Britain has serious environmental problems. In 1952, more than 4.000 people died in London as a result of smog. The government introduced new laws to stop smog from coal fires and factories. Another problem is smog from cars. In 1991, many people died because of pollution in London.
Part of the problem is "out of town shopping centers" because many people drive to these shopping centers. Britain also needs better and cheaper public transportation.
Many people try to reduce use of cars by cycling to work (some cities have special bicycle paths for them). Some people at least travel to work together in one car. People should call for improvement, take direct action.
In general, population is growing very fast and more factories and roads will be needed soon. But one day, natural resources will finish. There are three ways how to solve the problem:
• recycling rubbish
• reduce the amount of waste which is not biodegradable (= which won't disappear for hundreds of years)
• save natural resources which are not renewable (coal, gas, metals, minerals), and plant new trees because they grow slowly
Technology
• Technology has an important role to play in developing new means for reducing harmful emissions. For this purpose, end-of-pipe systems should be installed to clean up emissions.
• It can also help with developing new ways to recycle materials. Waste materials which were previously dumped can be converted into useful products.
• It can also help to make cleaner and less harmful products.
Air pollution
Air pollution is the biggest problem in larde cities and industrial areas. Emissions such as smoke, dust, smells and car and lorry exhausts may cause huge problems.
Trees are vitally important for our life because they are lungs of our planet. They absorb carbon dioxide from the air and gives out oxygen in return. But they are threatened both by pollution and by people.
• Smoke from power plants contains sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide which are produced by coal-fired power plants and industrial plants burning fossil fuels. Substances such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mix with water vapour in the atmosphere and form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. Sunlight turns them into poisonous oxidants and they fall onto trees in the form of acid rain or snow and these trees are gradually killed by them.
• In some parts of the Earth, esp.in Asia and South America, trees are not threatened by pollution but by people. The great rain forests are being destroyed for firewood and for building material. The Amazon rain covers the area as large as the whole of Europe, contains about one third of the world's trees and provides about 50% of the world's annual production of oxygen. If we lose tropical forests, it will be difficult or even impossible to breathe. If there's more carbon dioxide in the air, the temperature will rise and it will cause melting of the ice-caps at the North and South Poles. As a result, the sea level will rise and many coastal areas (including big cities) will be flooded.
Another problem is greenhouse effect. Actually, there could be no life on Earth without it because the Earth is warmed up naturally by the atmosphere which also traps solar radiation. But emissions such as
• carbon dioxide (produced by burning fossil fuels),
• nitrogen oxides (from car exhausts),
• CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons from aerosol and refrigerators),
• methane ( a byproduct of agriculture from rice, cattle and sheep),
• vater vapour
prevent the heat from escaping. The result is the rise in the Earth's temperature, the melting of arctic ice and flooding of areas situated near sea level.
Another pollutant is ozone. But there're two kinds of ozone:
• ozone at lower atmospheric levels can contribute to greenhouse effect, especially in summer. It's produced by reaction of sunlight on car fumes. It can cause
• health problems (asthma attacs),
• corosion of certain materials,
• stunted growth of plants which results in lower yields of some crops.
• the layer in the upper atmosphere protects life against ultraviolet rays which cause skin cancer. But there's a hole in it, especially over Antarctica, caused in part by CFCs.
Trees are vitally important for our life because they are lungs of our planet. They absorb carbon dioxide from the air and gives out oxygen in return. But they are threatened both by pollution and by people.
• Smoke from power plants contains sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide which are produced by coal-fired power plants and industrial plants burning fossil fuels. Substances such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mix with water vapour in the atmosphere and form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. Sunlight turns them into poisonous oxidants and they fall onto trees in the form of acid rain or snow and these trees are gradually killed by them.
• In some parts of the Earth, esp.in Asia and South America, trees are not threatened by pollution but by people. The great rain forests are being destroyed for firewood and for building material. The Amazon rain covers the area as large as the whole of Europe, contains about one third of the world's trees and provides about 50% of the world's annual production of oxygen. If we lose tropical forests, it will be difficult or even impossible to breathe. If there's more carbon dioxide in the air, the temperature will rise and it will cause melting of the ice-caps at the North and South Poles. As a result, the sea level will rise and many coastal areas (including big cities) will be flooded.
Another problem is greenhouse effect. Actually, there could be no life on Earth without it because the Earth is warmed up naturally by the atmosphere which also traps solar radiation. But emissions such as
• carbon dioxide (produced by burning fossil fuels),
• nitrogen oxides (from car exhausts),
• CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons from aerosol and refrigerators),
• methane ( a byproduct of agriculture from rice, cattle and sheep),
• vater vapour
prevent the heat from escaping. The result is the rise in the Earth's temperature, the melting of arctic ice and flooding of areas situated near sea level.
Another pollutant is ozone. But there're two kinds of ozone:
• ozone at lower atmospheric levels can contribute to greenhouse effect, especially in summer. It's produced by reaction of sunlight on car fumes. It can cause
• health problems (asthma attacs),
• corosion of certain materials,
• stunted growth of plants which results in lower yields of some crops.
• the layer in the upper atmosphere protects life against ultraviolet rays which cause skin cancer. But there's a hole in it, especially over Antarctica, caused in part by CFCs.
Teenagers
tips. Boys usually deliver newspapers, mow the lawn or wash cars in the car wash.
All teenagers have a car , they get it from parents in the age of 15 or 16 (Fe in Texas is age of 11 or 12). Children must pay for insurance and gas which can be really expensive
Dating
Boys and girls usually start officially dating around their 16th birthday, because they are old enough to drive. First date can be going to bowling or to the movie. Movie theatres are very popular in USA. It is outside the city in a large grassy area with a big screen. People stay in the car or take sundeck chairs (=skládací sedačky)
Common kind of dating is Dutch treat = each person pay for itself.
If you don't want to go on the date alone (just one pair), you can invite your best friend and her partner and make double date
In USA is very easy to get contraception (=antikoncepce) without recipe and most Americans have sex before 16.
When you are really in like with each other and have decided not do date anyone else, you are going steady .In colleges there is a custom to change between each other pins (=špendlíky) from your fraternity or sorority. It means they get pinned
Engagement
Man propose (požádat o ruku) a girl. Engagement is usually 18 months before the marriage. The couple becomes fiancé (=snoubenec) and fiancée (snoubenka). They celebrate this event in small family circle with parents of both. Both parents announce the engagement in local newspapers, They get there the CV (Curriculum vitae) of fiancés and also write the exact date of wedding
In Church can be only 2 weddings in the day (one at the morning and another in afternoon. You must book the church 18 months in advance. Then it begins large preparations for the wedding….
Wedding
You can have your "big day" anywhere you want and you can be married by anyone you want.
The most traditional (and most typical too) wedding takes place in church = church wedding. You are married by the priest or the vicar. But if you don't want to have your wedding in a church, you can choose :
Rose garden - it's very popular, the ceremony takes place under the gate of roses
On Shakespeare festivals - they wear renaissance costumes.
Civil marriage - is takes place in civil offices or anywhere else. You can be leader of the ceremony (like priest in church wedding) if you fill in the register. This person is responsible for registering the wedding in register office. The wedding is not official if it isn't registered.
Wedding dress
Many women make their own dress. Most women never think of renting a wedding gown (=pronajmout svatební šaty) , but you can buy or borrow it. The wedding gown is usually white and made of silk and lace. The bride has a veil (=závoj) on the face.
The men wear black trousers which are pin-stripe (the stripes are grey ), black tail coat (jacket with 2tails = frak) and waist coat (=vest) under it or tuxedo (=smoking, long jacket without tails) and top hat.
The groom and his bestman(=svědek) are dressed similar
The bride has several bride's maid (=družičky). They wear the same gown as a bride (or in same colour)
There are held 2 parties one week before wedding. For groom and his friends (men) is there a stag night (=pánská jízda) and for bride and her friends is there a hen night. They all celebrate the end of the freedom and drink a lot
Wedding ceremony
When the couple is leaving the church , people used to throw rice.
Procession
The best man makes the first toast (=přípitek) and has a speech. Then speak fathers.
It is tradition for bride to wear something old( usually some jewellery from grandma) , something new (wedding gown), something borrowed and something blue (=garter = podvazek)
There are some traditions and wedding customs which are kept :
Throwing of the grater - at first the bride sits down and the groom lifts up her skirt and it plays seductive (=svádivá) music. The groom takes off the grater. Then the bride turns over and throws the garter. If the man catches the grater, it means than he will get married soon.
Throwing the bouquet - the women are eager (=horlivý) to catch it. They make the next couple
Cutting cake - all quests participate it. The cake has usually 3 layers (=tiers)
New couple is called new livest. Friends tie cans on the string attacked to the exhaust pipe of the car. The new livest leave immediately for their honeymoon
Quickly wedding
In Las Vegas or Reno in Nevada you need for wedding just one piece of ID (identification), birth certificate and 40 dollars . NO blood test and medical test as on regular wedding. In wedding chapel you can rent a gown, tuxedo and lend bouquet and you may buy the rings there.
You can also get married in your car. You drive in wedding chapel.
All teenagers have a car , they get it from parents in the age of 15 or 16 (Fe in Texas is age of 11 or 12). Children must pay for insurance and gas which can be really expensive
Dating
Boys and girls usually start officially dating around their 16th birthday, because they are old enough to drive. First date can be going to bowling or to the movie. Movie theatres are very popular in USA. It is outside the city in a large grassy area with a big screen. People stay in the car or take sundeck chairs (=skládací sedačky)
Common kind of dating is Dutch treat = each person pay for itself.
If you don't want to go on the date alone (just one pair), you can invite your best friend and her partner and make double date
In USA is very easy to get contraception (=antikoncepce) without recipe and most Americans have sex before 16.
When you are really in like with each other and have decided not do date anyone else, you are going steady .In colleges there is a custom to change between each other pins (=špendlíky) from your fraternity or sorority. It means they get pinned
Engagement
Man propose (požádat o ruku) a girl. Engagement is usually 18 months before the marriage. The couple becomes fiancé (=snoubenec) and fiancée (snoubenka). They celebrate this event in small family circle with parents of both. Both parents announce the engagement in local newspapers, They get there the CV (Curriculum vitae) of fiancés and also write the exact date of wedding
In Church can be only 2 weddings in the day (one at the morning and another in afternoon. You must book the church 18 months in advance. Then it begins large preparations for the wedding….
Wedding
You can have your "big day" anywhere you want and you can be married by anyone you want.
The most traditional (and most typical too) wedding takes place in church = church wedding. You are married by the priest or the vicar. But if you don't want to have your wedding in a church, you can choose :
Rose garden - it's very popular, the ceremony takes place under the gate of roses
On Shakespeare festivals - they wear renaissance costumes.
Civil marriage - is takes place in civil offices or anywhere else. You can be leader of the ceremony (like priest in church wedding) if you fill in the register. This person is responsible for registering the wedding in register office. The wedding is not official if it isn't registered.
Wedding dress
Many women make their own dress. Most women never think of renting a wedding gown (=pronajmout svatební šaty) , but you can buy or borrow it. The wedding gown is usually white and made of silk and lace. The bride has a veil (=závoj) on the face.
The men wear black trousers which are pin-stripe (the stripes are grey ), black tail coat (jacket with 2tails = frak) and waist coat (=vest) under it or tuxedo (=smoking, long jacket without tails) and top hat.
The groom and his bestman(=svědek) are dressed similar
The bride has several bride's maid (=družičky). They wear the same gown as a bride (or in same colour)
There are held 2 parties one week before wedding. For groom and his friends (men) is there a stag night (=pánská jízda) and for bride and her friends is there a hen night. They all celebrate the end of the freedom and drink a lot
Wedding ceremony
When the couple is leaving the church , people used to throw rice.
Procession
The best man makes the first toast (=přípitek) and has a speech. Then speak fathers.
It is tradition for bride to wear something old( usually some jewellery from grandma) , something new (wedding gown), something borrowed and something blue (=garter = podvazek)
There are some traditions and wedding customs which are kept :
Throwing of the grater - at first the bride sits down and the groom lifts up her skirt and it plays seductive (=svádivá) music. The groom takes off the grater. Then the bride turns over and throws the garter. If the man catches the grater, it means than he will get married soon.
Throwing the bouquet - the women are eager (=horlivý) to catch it. They make the next couple
Cutting cake - all quests participate it. The cake has usually 3 layers (=tiers)
New couple is called new livest. Friends tie cans on the string attacked to the exhaust pipe of the car. The new livest leave immediately for their honeymoon
Quickly wedding
In Las Vegas or Reno in Nevada you need for wedding just one piece of ID (identification), birth certificate and 40 dollars . NO blood test and medical test as on regular wedding. In wedding chapel you can rent a gown, tuxedo and lend bouquet and you may buy the rings there.
You can also get married in your car. You drive in wedding chapel.
Divorce
Divorce
It usually takes 2 years. They compare money of both and the richer pays alimony to the poorer. About 55% of couples are divorced.
In some states you must receive a special permission and you must undergo marriage counselling. You must explain your reasons why you want divorce, There are many various reasons :
Your partner is querulous (=naříkavý??)
Quarrelsome (=hádavý) and pick up the fights
Fall out with your in-laws (=nevycházet s tchánem/tchýní)
Person has extra marital relation
It is most common that children switch (=change) the parents. Child could has also faster parents (=pěstouni)
Death
Americans sometimes try to ignore the death. They don't want to see the graves. Nobody takes care of graves. These are very simple - usually just a cross with the name or meadow with flowers
There is some Irish custom which Americans keep. It is a displaying the deceased (=zesnulý) in living room in open coffin. Friends go to see him and to say funny stories about him. It is called a wake
Funeral takes place in funeral parlour (=pohřební síň). They prefer funeral than cremation
It usually takes 2 years. They compare money of both and the richer pays alimony to the poorer. About 55% of couples are divorced.
In some states you must receive a special permission and you must undergo marriage counselling. You must explain your reasons why you want divorce, There are many various reasons :
Your partner is querulous (=naříkavý??)
Quarrelsome (=hádavý) and pick up the fights
Fall out with your in-laws (=nevycházet s tchánem/tchýní)
Person has extra marital relation
It is most common that children switch (=change) the parents. Child could has also faster parents (=pěstouni)
Death
Americans sometimes try to ignore the death. They don't want to see the graves. Nobody takes care of graves. These are very simple - usually just a cross with the name or meadow with flowers
There is some Irish custom which Americans keep. It is a displaying the deceased (=zesnulý) in living room in open coffin. Friends go to see him and to say funny stories about him. It is called a wake
Funeral takes place in funeral parlour (=pohřební síň). They prefer funeral than cremation
Great Britain,Pubs
The British love sweet things, they eat them as a snack. Usually at teatime, it should be at 5 - it starts with sandwiches and ends with desserts.
A typical dessert is a pie. A pie looks differently in Am than in GB. As for the British one, pastry case is not only at the bottom but also on top. In the middle there's filling.
-savoury pies - spiced but not too much
Shepherd's pie (shepherd takes care of sheep) is made of mutton, it's very strong in taste and smell.
-sweet pies - most common fillings are pumpkin, apple...
Sandwiches are originally British but they are eaten all over the world. 2 slices of bread, in the middle there's filling - cucumber, tuna fish - the most favourite. History - Earl of Sandwich was a famous gambler. During a long game he ate sandwiches filled with smoked meat. People started immitating him.
Pubs
The name comes from "public houses". Pub has 2 sections - a bar and a restaurant section. Children under 18 cannot enter the bar section and shouldn't enter a pub without a guidance. Pubs close early, before closing they shout "last order" (you may buy the last drink).
British food
The British are very bad cooks. Meals are overcooked, bland, tasteless. They do not use spices and they even save salt.
Traditional meals:
Yorkshire pudding - eaten with roastbeef. It's combination of flour, milk and eggs baked in the oven. They eat it for Sunday lunch.
Wales - lamb with mint sauce.
Scotland - haggis
Ireland - salmon, usually baked.
British cuisine has changed a lot because of ethnic groups. The british discovered that mutton and lamb are not the most delicious meat so they started visiting ethnic restaurants and now they even make it at home.
Indian restaurant
famous indian dish is curry - meat mixed with many spices (esp.curry), extremely spicy, eaten together with indian bread - it's made in form of pancake (in tortilla x thick).
Asian restaurants - compared to Am., variety of food is limited.
Food in pubs
Pubgrub - food you eat with beer - pickles (kysele okurky), onions, bread, cheese.
You can buy:
==lager - european kind of beer - fair in colour, kind of sweet, not strong
==bitter - bitter in taste, dark in color, not strong
Fastfood (br.=takeaway) - originally there were no seats.
The most typical fastfood dish is fish and chips, with salt and vinegar. You can get it either unwrapped = on a piece of paper, or wrapped - into a piece of paper. There was a tradition to wrap it in newspaper but hot fish and chips dissolved ink so it was unhealthy. Now, greese proof paper is used.
Waiter/waitress - brings food, puts alarm clock on your table
Host/hostess - a person who wait behind the door, asks how big your company is (so that he or she can find a table for you), and smoking/non-smoking section.
A typical dessert is a pie. A pie looks differently in Am than in GB. As for the British one, pastry case is not only at the bottom but also on top. In the middle there's filling.
-savoury pies - spiced but not too much
Shepherd's pie (shepherd takes care of sheep) is made of mutton, it's very strong in taste and smell.
-sweet pies - most common fillings are pumpkin, apple...
Sandwiches are originally British but they are eaten all over the world. 2 slices of bread, in the middle there's filling - cucumber, tuna fish - the most favourite. History - Earl of Sandwich was a famous gambler. During a long game he ate sandwiches filled with smoked meat. People started immitating him.
Pubs
The name comes from "public houses". Pub has 2 sections - a bar and a restaurant section. Children under 18 cannot enter the bar section and shouldn't enter a pub without a guidance. Pubs close early, before closing they shout "last order" (you may buy the last drink).
British food
The British are very bad cooks. Meals are overcooked, bland, tasteless. They do not use spices and they even save salt.
Traditional meals:
Yorkshire pudding - eaten with roastbeef. It's combination of flour, milk and eggs baked in the oven. They eat it for Sunday lunch.
Wales - lamb with mint sauce.
Scotland - haggis
Ireland - salmon, usually baked.
British cuisine has changed a lot because of ethnic groups. The british discovered that mutton and lamb are not the most delicious meat so they started visiting ethnic restaurants and now they even make it at home.
Indian restaurant
famous indian dish is curry - meat mixed with many spices (esp.curry), extremely spicy, eaten together with indian bread - it's made in form of pancake (in tortilla x thick).
Asian restaurants - compared to Am., variety of food is limited.
Food in pubs
Pubgrub - food you eat with beer - pickles (kysele okurky), onions, bread, cheese.
You can buy:
==lager - european kind of beer - fair in colour, kind of sweet, not strong
==bitter - bitter in taste, dark in color, not strong
Fastfood (br.=takeaway) - originally there were no seats.
The most typical fastfood dish is fish and chips, with salt and vinegar. You can get it either unwrapped = on a piece of paper, or wrapped - into a piece of paper. There was a tradition to wrap it in newspaper but hot fish and chips dissolved ink so it was unhealthy. Now, greese proof paper is used.
Waiter/waitress - brings food, puts alarm clock on your table
Host/hostess - a person who wait behind the door, asks how big your company is (so that he or she can find a table for you), and smoking/non-smoking section.
FAMILY LIFE
Birth
The women are entitled to 10 sick days a year, so they cumulate sick days in a bank and have children after 30. Because no vacation ,no maternity, no money.. After giving birth to a baby they take 4 weeks of sick leave and then return to the work. Small child must stay with nanny (=older person who takes care of the baby and live with family) or babysitter. American children are not breast feed (=kojit), they get formula (=sunar?) which is prepared by family
Some children (usually from rich families) stay in Day care centres. Rich women could stay at home, but they also have nannies
Baby shower - it is the party which is held before child is born. Mother makes a list of things, which she needs for a baby and her friends brings it as present for baby to the party.
Many women doesn't give birth to a baby in hospital but in birthcentres - there are not doctors, only midwives (=porodní báby). But it's possible only if there are no complications
Mother stay in hospital just one day. If you want to take baby at home you must have a car seat.
If you work for the state you receive an insurance for you, your spouse (=manžel X spouses = manželka) and children. An infant is covered by mother insurance for 2 days and then you must purchase him an insurance. The basic insurance is 250 dollars per month
About 80% people in USA don't have any insurance, because it is very expensive
In Great Britain maternity leave begins 11 week before the birth and 29 days after. It is the shortest period in EU.
Childhood
At an early age American children learn to do things in their own. They learn to take care of themselves by cleaning their room and spending time away from their parents (either in day care centre , with baby sitter or alone). Parents usually don't have time for their children, so they must learn how to be independent
When children are about 5 - 6 years old, they are giving chores (=domácí práce - dishes, cleaning, vacuuming ). It means that children help with household and parents pay them. Children get pocket money (=kapesné) , it teaches them how to be thrifty =to be economical (how to save money)
The women are entitled to 10 sick days a year, so they cumulate sick days in a bank and have children after 30. Because no vacation ,no maternity, no money.. After giving birth to a baby they take 4 weeks of sick leave and then return to the work. Small child must stay with nanny (=older person who takes care of the baby and live with family) or babysitter. American children are not breast feed (=kojit), they get formula (=sunar?) which is prepared by family
Some children (usually from rich families) stay in Day care centres. Rich women could stay at home, but they also have nannies
Baby shower - it is the party which is held before child is born. Mother makes a list of things, which she needs for a baby and her friends brings it as present for baby to the party.
Many women doesn't give birth to a baby in hospital but in birthcentres - there are not doctors, only midwives (=porodní báby). But it's possible only if there are no complications
Mother stay in hospital just one day. If you want to take baby at home you must have a car seat.
If you work for the state you receive an insurance for you, your spouse (=manžel X spouses = manželka) and children. An infant is covered by mother insurance for 2 days and then you must purchase him an insurance. The basic insurance is 250 dollars per month
About 80% people in USA don't have any insurance, because it is very expensive
In Great Britain maternity leave begins 11 week before the birth and 29 days after. It is the shortest period in EU.
Childhood
At an early age American children learn to do things in their own. They learn to take care of themselves by cleaning their room and spending time away from their parents (either in day care centre , with baby sitter or alone). Parents usually don't have time for their children, so they must learn how to be independent
When children are about 5 - 6 years old, they are giving chores (=domácí práce - dishes, cleaning, vacuuming ). It means that children help with household and parents pay them. Children get pocket money (=kapesné) , it teaches them how to be thrifty =to be economical (how to save money)
Dinner
Dinner - many Americans dine outside in restaurants because it's very cheap (cheaper than to make dinner at home). There're many small restaurants - it's easy to find place.
Child restaurants - waitresses are dressed in costumes of fairy tale characters and on the table there're papers for drawing pictures.
Planet Hollywood - chain restaurants and family places.
Mexican restaurants are the most expensive ones. The best restaurants are on the south of the US (Cajun, Creole).
Asian restaurants are the least expensive ones.
Chilly - the most typical mexican dish - ground beef with red kidney beans with salsa (hot sauce) and cumin. They eat it with wheat tortillas.
Baked potatoes - by origin come from Idaho, big with high content of sugar. They're baked in their skin in aluminium foil. They cut the skin and fill them with cream.
Southerm fried chicken - pieces of chicken without skin, without fat from poultry, bones, made to a form of steaks. coated in breadcrumbs and mixed with spices (curry, chilli, basil, parsley, rosemary). It's very juicy and seasoned. With french fries and big salads.
Chop Suey - in Chinese restaurants. Invented in America, made of bamboo shoots, bean sproats, mushrooms, water chestnuts, mixed with sea food (shrimps, oysters). Served over rice. Invented during the California Gold Rush.
Dim Sum - In Chinese restaurants, resembles raviolli. It's big pasta case filled with meat and vegetables. Both (Chop Suey and Dim Sum) are served with chop sticks, sometimes fork&spoon, they eat it together with sticky rice.
Clam chowder - thick soup made of clams, celery, potatoes, served with oyster crackers
Sushi - the most expensive. Raw fish (they must be careful, they mustn't cut gall-bladder - bile is poisonous) with vegetables and rice.
Tortilla is a kind of side dish. Tucoes - small tortillas filled with chilli. Burrito - large tortilla filled with meat.
Convenience food = ready-made food. Such dinners called TV dinners because preparation time is the same as commercial time on TV (=12 minutes). It's a tray where you have meal, side order... You microwave it.
Rules - on the table. Dipping ( sour cream, cheese, salsa) & chips. When you're waiting you dip chips into salsa, it's like apetizer.
You pay for the first cup of drink, the other are free (not alcohol). Hard alcohol is not served in restaurants. All drinks come with ice. They have to serve untill 10 minutes - you get an alarm-clock. You leave 10% tip on the table.
Child restaurants - waitresses are dressed in costumes of fairy tale characters and on the table there're papers for drawing pictures.
Planet Hollywood - chain restaurants and family places.
Mexican restaurants are the most expensive ones. The best restaurants are on the south of the US (Cajun, Creole).
Asian restaurants are the least expensive ones.
Chilly - the most typical mexican dish - ground beef with red kidney beans with salsa (hot sauce) and cumin. They eat it with wheat tortillas.
Baked potatoes - by origin come from Idaho, big with high content of sugar. They're baked in their skin in aluminium foil. They cut the skin and fill them with cream.
Southerm fried chicken - pieces of chicken without skin, without fat from poultry, bones, made to a form of steaks. coated in breadcrumbs and mixed with spices (curry, chilli, basil, parsley, rosemary). It's very juicy and seasoned. With french fries and big salads.
Chop Suey - in Chinese restaurants. Invented in America, made of bamboo shoots, bean sproats, mushrooms, water chestnuts, mixed with sea food (shrimps, oysters). Served over rice. Invented during the California Gold Rush.
Dim Sum - In Chinese restaurants, resembles raviolli. It's big pasta case filled with meat and vegetables. Both (Chop Suey and Dim Sum) are served with chop sticks, sometimes fork&spoon, they eat it together with sticky rice.
Clam chowder - thick soup made of clams, celery, potatoes, served with oyster crackers
Sushi - the most expensive. Raw fish (they must be careful, they mustn't cut gall-bladder - bile is poisonous) with vegetables and rice.
Tortilla is a kind of side dish. Tucoes - small tortillas filled with chilli. Burrito - large tortilla filled with meat.
Convenience food = ready-made food. Such dinners called TV dinners because preparation time is the same as commercial time on TV (=12 minutes). It's a tray where you have meal, side order... You microwave it.
Rules - on the table. Dipping ( sour cream, cheese, salsa) & chips. When you're waiting you dip chips into salsa, it's like apetizer.
You pay for the first cup of drink, the other are free (not alcohol). Hard alcohol is not served in restaurants. All drinks come with ice. They have to serve untill 10 minutes - you get an alarm-clock. You leave 10% tip on the table.
Dessert
Desserts are the last course of dinners. Favourite and typical one is apple pie. There're 2 versions of pies
-berry pie (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry..... mixed with brown sugar)
-fruit pie - pumpkin, apple, peach, apricot, rhubarb, cherry....
Pumkin pie is made on Halloween.
Nowadays, the most favourite is pecan pie (eaten esp. on Thanksgiving, Christmas). stuffing is made of pecans.
"Pie" - pastry case (=crust), on top there's stuffing, stuffing is originally inside but not in this case.
Americans love hot pies. Pies are usually eaten warm or heated in microwave.
Pies with ice-cream - originally from Italy. Am. ice-creams are very rich, very fattening (with high content of sugar). They make them in variety of flavours. Popular are french vanilla....
Unusual (for us) are cucumber, carrot or cheesecake (cheesecake is made of cottage cheese - tvaroh).
In restaurants you can either buy sundae = you have toppings - chocolate, nuts, whipped cream... or ice-cream with pie.
Death by chocolate - large bowl filled with crushed chocolate covered with melted milk chocolate. On top there's chocolate whipped cream spread??? with chips of semi-sweet chocolate.
Pennsylvania - speciality
Amish - religious sect that came from Switzerland, they are great farmers but refuse modern inventions, use only organic fertilizers, make money from organic products. They call themselves Pennsylvanian Dutch ????
Shoofly pie - it's sickly (sweeter than sweet). On top, as a stuffing, is molasses (melasa) mixed with brown sugar. Shoofly-because it attracts flies
Smorgasbord (buffet, chuck wagon, All-You-Can-Eat) - at lunchtime or dinnertime - you pay set price and you can eat as much as you want. The same concerns drinks. Esp. at lunchtime because the Am don't usually eat much at lunchtime.
Fastfood places - not designed for health-conscious people (=aware of health). Famous for selling junk food (syn.= trash, garbage). Deep fried food with high content of fat. -> hamburgers. This food causes bowel cancer (rakovina strev). Intestines=streva move human waste to rectum. American chain restaurants can be found all over the world.
-berry pie (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry..... mixed with brown sugar)
-fruit pie - pumpkin, apple, peach, apricot, rhubarb, cherry....
Pumkin pie is made on Halloween.
Nowadays, the most favourite is pecan pie (eaten esp. on Thanksgiving, Christmas). stuffing is made of pecans.
"Pie" - pastry case (=crust), on top there's stuffing, stuffing is originally inside but not in this case.
Americans love hot pies. Pies are usually eaten warm or heated in microwave.
Pies with ice-cream - originally from Italy. Am. ice-creams are very rich, very fattening (with high content of sugar). They make them in variety of flavours. Popular are french vanilla....
Unusual (for us) are cucumber, carrot or cheesecake (cheesecake is made of cottage cheese - tvaroh).
In restaurants you can either buy sundae = you have toppings - chocolate, nuts, whipped cream... or ice-cream with pie.
Death by chocolate - large bowl filled with crushed chocolate covered with melted milk chocolate. On top there's chocolate whipped cream spread??? with chips of semi-sweet chocolate.
Pennsylvania - speciality
Amish - religious sect that came from Switzerland, they are great farmers but refuse modern inventions, use only organic fertilizers, make money from organic products. They call themselves Pennsylvanian Dutch ????
Shoofly pie - it's sickly (sweeter than sweet). On top, as a stuffing, is molasses (melasa) mixed with brown sugar. Shoofly-because it attracts flies
Smorgasbord (buffet, chuck wagon, All-You-Can-Eat) - at lunchtime or dinnertime - you pay set price and you can eat as much as you want. The same concerns drinks. Esp. at lunchtime because the Am don't usually eat much at lunchtime.
Fastfood places - not designed for health-conscious people (=aware of health). Famous for selling junk food (syn.= trash, garbage). Deep fried food with high content of fat. -> hamburgers. This food causes bowel cancer (rakovina strev). Intestines=streva move human waste to rectum. American chain restaurants can be found all over the world.
To avoid diseases
To avoid diseases, we should have regular daily routine, sufficient sleep, avoid excitement, eat wholesome food, go in for sports and harden the body. We shouldn't smoke and drink alcohol.
Not only are we affected by diseases, but we suffer from aches and pains as well. They are sometimes connected with diseases, but often they're not. They can be very unpleasant, especially if someone suffer from them often or chronic.
The most common types of aches and pains affect our sensual organs, such as ears, eyes or nose...
• The most common ache is probably toothache. People who take care of their teeth are rewarded with sound teeth. But those who don't do so or aren't so lucky then find out how painful teeth can be. Problems with teeth are usually connected with rotten teeth (when there's a cavity in the tooth). The only way how to treat them is to drill them and then fill them with fillings or crown them. Another problem is if the tooth is badly wounded or if it comes loose and is going to fall off. Then a dentist pulls a the tooth out. This often happens to wisdom teeth because they don't usually have enough space to grow properly. Usually children suffer from uneven teeth but they may be fixed by bracers. If a patient loses all of his teeth, a denture will be fixed.
• Another problem is connected with eyes. Many people wear glasses of contact lenses. Those people are either short-sighted, or far-sighted, or both. Short-sighted people can't see things in a distance properly. And far-sighted people have the opposite problem. A person can strain his eyes e.g. by watching TV for a long time or by reading with insufficient light. Very serious is if someone is color-blind or even completely blind (it may happen by jabbing an eye or it may be a genetic disease).
• Very common pains are headache, often connected with problems with ears, nose or spine. It often comes from blocked system between a nose and an ear in addition to some other diseases such as cold or flu. But pain killers can cure it in a short time.
• Very unpleasant is backache, often a result of unhealthy lifestyle.
Not only are we affected by diseases, but we suffer from aches and pains as well. They are sometimes connected with diseases, but often they're not. They can be very unpleasant, especially if someone suffer from them often or chronic.
The most common types of aches and pains affect our sensual organs, such as ears, eyes or nose...
• The most common ache is probably toothache. People who take care of their teeth are rewarded with sound teeth. But those who don't do so or aren't so lucky then find out how painful teeth can be. Problems with teeth are usually connected with rotten teeth (when there's a cavity in the tooth). The only way how to treat them is to drill them and then fill them with fillings or crown them. Another problem is if the tooth is badly wounded or if it comes loose and is going to fall off. Then a dentist pulls a the tooth out. This often happens to wisdom teeth because they don't usually have enough space to grow properly. Usually children suffer from uneven teeth but they may be fixed by bracers. If a patient loses all of his teeth, a denture will be fixed.
• Another problem is connected with eyes. Many people wear glasses of contact lenses. Those people are either short-sighted, or far-sighted, or both. Short-sighted people can't see things in a distance properly. And far-sighted people have the opposite problem. A person can strain his eyes e.g. by watching TV for a long time or by reading with insufficient light. Very serious is if someone is color-blind or even completely blind (it may happen by jabbing an eye or it may be a genetic disease).
• Very common pains are headache, often connected with problems with ears, nose or spine. It often comes from blocked system between a nose and an ear in addition to some other diseases such as cold or flu. But pain killers can cure it in a short time.
• Very unpleasant is backache, often a result of unhealthy lifestyle.
Injuries
Not only diseases and aches but also injuries and wounds threaten us.
• Minor injuries occur quite often and they don't need special treatment. If we cut our hand on a knife, get a blister, scrape our knee, burn our hand on an iron or just pinch our finger, we should cleanse the wound in order to avoid blood poisoning and then apply a band aid or a bandage. Children often get a bruise or a bump and there's no need to treat it at all. But if we have a nasty burn or are badly scalded, it's better to see a doctor. You should also be careful if you run a splitter into your finger. If it's inflamed, it may cause blood poisoning.
• More serious injuries often concern our limbs. Usually during sport activity, we can sprain or twist an ankle. It's very painful and it swells. We should bandage it and if it doesn't improve, we should go to the hospital where it may be X-rayed.
• Very serious are various fractures. If you fracture your leg, you must call an ambulance to take you to the hospital. Your leg will probably be fixed into a plaster cast or splints and you will have to walk on crutches several weeks. After the plaster cast is removed, you may undergo remedial exercises or even go to a health resort to cure the aftereffects.
• If you dislocate your arm, you should go to the hospital, too. They'll put your arm in a sling.
• We can also stretch a tendon or even tear a muscle.
• People may even die of their injuries. A dangerous activity is for example swimming. A person may die of drowning. If a person faints and is unconscious, we should give him first aid, such as artificial breathing.
For case we got injured, we should have fully equipped medicine chest at home and also in our car. It should include a bottle of disinfection, bandages, band aid, and elastic bandage, medicinal charcoal, laxative, aspirin, cotton wool and also some other things.
• Minor injuries occur quite often and they don't need special treatment. If we cut our hand on a knife, get a blister, scrape our knee, burn our hand on an iron or just pinch our finger, we should cleanse the wound in order to avoid blood poisoning and then apply a band aid or a bandage. Children often get a bruise or a bump and there's no need to treat it at all. But if we have a nasty burn or are badly scalded, it's better to see a doctor. You should also be careful if you run a splitter into your finger. If it's inflamed, it may cause blood poisoning.
• More serious injuries often concern our limbs. Usually during sport activity, we can sprain or twist an ankle. It's very painful and it swells. We should bandage it and if it doesn't improve, we should go to the hospital where it may be X-rayed.
• Very serious are various fractures. If you fracture your leg, you must call an ambulance to take you to the hospital. Your leg will probably be fixed into a plaster cast or splints and you will have to walk on crutches several weeks. After the plaster cast is removed, you may undergo remedial exercises or even go to a health resort to cure the aftereffects.
• If you dislocate your arm, you should go to the hospital, too. They'll put your arm in a sling.
• We can also stretch a tendon or even tear a muscle.
• People may even die of their injuries. A dangerous activity is for example swimming. A person may die of drowning. If a person faints and is unconscious, we should give him first aid, such as artificial breathing.
For case we got injured, we should have fully equipped medicine chest at home and also in our car. It should include a bottle of disinfection, bandages, band aid, and elastic bandage, medicinal charcoal, laxative, aspirin, cotton wool and also some other things.
Food
Food
American cuisine was originally made by natives (Indians), but now includes all cuisine made by immigrants so it's cuisine from all over the world.
Ethnic food is made by different ethnic groups than Indians. It's more popular than American (Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian). Those people lacked native ingredients so it's only slightly similar to the native cuisine.
Americans love eating. That's why they are roly-poly (plump).
They have different eating habits. They eat two big meals during the day - breakfast and dinner. Dinner is eaten in the evening in the supper time. It is the largest meal. Supper is evening meal. Lunch is small cold meal.
Breakfast is different during weekend and workday. On workday the Americans eat cereal with milk. Oatmeal is heated cereal with milk to a form of porridge. They never eat it with cocoa, with pieces of fruit, with honey. Granola is muesli with chunks of chocolate. They prefer cornflakes to cereal made of wheat. They drink orange juice, coffee with cream (healt-conscious Americans drink caffeine-free coffee for health). On weekends they often eat brunch, usually eaten at 10 o'clock. Americans prefer to go to restaurants for their brunch. It has several courses. Meat-bacon (crispy=it crunches), ham, sausage (ground meat, fried). Bacon is crispy and spicy. With hash browns on side order (grated potoatoes, fried so that they are crispy, with a lot of pepper and salt). Toast - bread - wheat or rye, with salted butter.
Pancakes - like Czech omeletts but sweeter. They are round, 1 cm thick and have 10 or 11 cm in diameter. They are stacked on the plate, they toast them with salted butter. They pour maple syrup over them. (from sap of maple trees, heavy and very sweet. Fruit.
Eggs - small plate with eggs. Eggs are scrambled (not with oli but with milk), soft-boiled (not so common) or fried.
Glass of orang juice, coffee. You pay only for the first cup, refills are free, as much cream as you want.
Lunch is eaten at noon and it's light. Usually it's sandwich - many are prepared at home and brought to work, eaten in canteen. They bring them in brown bag (paper bags are only brown) or lunch box.
PBJ = peanut butter and jelly (liquid) or jam (with pieces [chunks] of fruit) sandwich. Peanut butter is spread on one slice, jam on the other and the 1st slice is put over the other with jelly.
Americans never eat sandwiches without chips. Potato chips were created in 1853 in America. In 40's of the 20th century, flavours were added (sour cream with onion, salt and vinegar, barbecue, ketchup, mustard, cheese). Now they prefer corn chips. Most popular are tortilla chips with large pieces of corn or apple chips (good for those who watch their weight).
Tuna fish sandwich - with smoked sausages.
They drink soda = soft drinks = carbonated drinks with sugar and caffeine (or sugar-free, caffeine-free), many brands - Coca Cola, 7up, many sizes - small, medium, large.
Some people go outside for lunch.
Deli - a place specialized in sandwiches of jewish origin. Deli sandwiches are heated - eaten warm, good in taste.
Bagels - like donuts,they are very dense and chewy, toasted, with cream cheese put on them, or with smoked salmon. But they can also be sweet. They are of Jewish origin.
Beef jerky (dried meat, very salty), rattlesnake jerky (dried rattlesnake meat is good for those who watch their weight).
The Americans do not eat after lunch because they wait for dinner.
American cuisine was originally made by natives (Indians), but now includes all cuisine made by immigrants so it's cuisine from all over the world.
Ethnic food is made by different ethnic groups than Indians. It's more popular than American (Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian). Those people lacked native ingredients so it's only slightly similar to the native cuisine.
Americans love eating. That's why they are roly-poly (plump).
They have different eating habits. They eat two big meals during the day - breakfast and dinner. Dinner is eaten in the evening in the supper time. It is the largest meal. Supper is evening meal. Lunch is small cold meal.
Breakfast is different during weekend and workday. On workday the Americans eat cereal with milk. Oatmeal is heated cereal with milk to a form of porridge. They never eat it with cocoa, with pieces of fruit, with honey. Granola is muesli with chunks of chocolate. They prefer cornflakes to cereal made of wheat. They drink orange juice, coffee with cream (healt-conscious Americans drink caffeine-free coffee for health). On weekends they often eat brunch, usually eaten at 10 o'clock. Americans prefer to go to restaurants for their brunch. It has several courses. Meat-bacon (crispy=it crunches), ham, sausage (ground meat, fried). Bacon is crispy and spicy. With hash browns on side order (grated potoatoes, fried so that they are crispy, with a lot of pepper and salt). Toast - bread - wheat or rye, with salted butter.
Pancakes - like Czech omeletts but sweeter. They are round, 1 cm thick and have 10 or 11 cm in diameter. They are stacked on the plate, they toast them with salted butter. They pour maple syrup over them. (from sap of maple trees, heavy and very sweet. Fruit.
Eggs - small plate with eggs. Eggs are scrambled (not with oli but with milk), soft-boiled (not so common) or fried.
Glass of orang juice, coffee. You pay only for the first cup, refills are free, as much cream as you want.
Lunch is eaten at noon and it's light. Usually it's sandwich - many are prepared at home and brought to work, eaten in canteen. They bring them in brown bag (paper bags are only brown) or lunch box.
PBJ = peanut butter and jelly (liquid) or jam (with pieces [chunks] of fruit) sandwich. Peanut butter is spread on one slice, jam on the other and the 1st slice is put over the other with jelly.
Americans never eat sandwiches without chips. Potato chips were created in 1853 in America. In 40's of the 20th century, flavours were added (sour cream with onion, salt and vinegar, barbecue, ketchup, mustard, cheese). Now they prefer corn chips. Most popular are tortilla chips with large pieces of corn or apple chips (good for those who watch their weight).
Tuna fish sandwich - with smoked sausages.
They drink soda = soft drinks = carbonated drinks with sugar and caffeine (or sugar-free, caffeine-free), many brands - Coca Cola, 7up, many sizes - small, medium, large.
Some people go outside for lunch.
Deli - a place specialized in sandwiches of jewish origin. Deli sandwiches are heated - eaten warm, good in taste.
Bagels - like donuts,they are very dense and chewy, toasted, with cream cheese put on them, or with smoked salmon. But they can also be sweet. They are of Jewish origin.
Beef jerky (dried meat, very salty), rattlesnake jerky (dried rattlesnake meat is good for those who watch their weight).
The Americans do not eat after lunch because they wait for dinner.
Common adults' disease
Common adults' disease is a cold. Its symptoms are fever, cough, runny nose and sometimes also aching muscles. These symptoms are also typical for flu, which can be very dangerous. Another common disease is tonsilitis, symptoms of which are inflamed tonsils and sore throat.
We can also suffer from stomach and intestines diseases such as constipation or diarrhoea. Their symptoms can be vomiting, indigestion and stomachache. Appendicitis may be very serious if it's not recognized in time. The patient must go to hospital as soon as possible. He is then taken to the operating theater and is anaesthetized. Then a doctor operates on him. If the patient looses much blood, he is given blood transfusion. He receives blood the hospital received from blood donors. Later, a doctor removes the stitches and only a small scar remains.
Very serious are jaundice, veneral diseases, typhoid fever, plague, and cholera.
Another group of diseases is connected with weather. We can have sunstroke if we spend too much time in the sun without suntan cream, or heatstroke if it's particularly sultry. In winter, if we are not dressed properly, we can suffer from frostbites.
If we suffer from some of common diseases, we usually go to see a doctor (a GP). It's good to make an appointment with him during his office hours. But we won't probably avoid waiting in the waiting room. Then the nurse says "next please" and invites us to the doctor's consulting room. Then the nurse looks for our medical record and asks as for our insurance card. Then the dostor checks us. He usually asks what the trouble is and askes us to strip to the waist. He examines the chest and throat Then he listens to our lungs and heart and we have to take deep breath or to stop breathing. Then we open our mouth and say "Ah" so that the doctor can see if our tonsils are red. Sometimes he checks the blood pressure, feels the pulse, takes the blood count and throat culture or puts urine through lab tests. He asks us how we feel, if we have headache, a sore throat, a cough or if we are dizzy. Then he diagnoses the case and therapy and prascribes a medicine. Then we must buy at the pharmacy (at the chemist's AM).
We can also suffer from stomach and intestines diseases such as constipation or diarrhoea. Their symptoms can be vomiting, indigestion and stomachache. Appendicitis may be very serious if it's not recognized in time. The patient must go to hospital as soon as possible. He is then taken to the operating theater and is anaesthetized. Then a doctor operates on him. If the patient looses much blood, he is given blood transfusion. He receives blood the hospital received from blood donors. Later, a doctor removes the stitches and only a small scar remains.
Very serious are jaundice, veneral diseases, typhoid fever, plague, and cholera.
Another group of diseases is connected with weather. We can have sunstroke if we spend too much time in the sun without suntan cream, or heatstroke if it's particularly sultry. In winter, if we are not dressed properly, we can suffer from frostbites.
If we suffer from some of common diseases, we usually go to see a doctor (a GP). It's good to make an appointment with him during his office hours. But we won't probably avoid waiting in the waiting room. Then the nurse says "next please" and invites us to the doctor's consulting room. Then the nurse looks for our medical record and asks as for our insurance card. Then the dostor checks us. He usually asks what the trouble is and askes us to strip to the waist. He examines the chest and throat Then he listens to our lungs and heart and we have to take deep breath or to stop breathing. Then we open our mouth and say "Ah" so that the doctor can see if our tonsils are red. Sometimes he checks the blood pressure, feels the pulse, takes the blood count and throat culture or puts urine through lab tests. He asks us how we feel, if we have headache, a sore throat, a cough or if we are dizzy. Then he diagnoses the case and therapy and prascribes a medicine. Then we must buy at the pharmacy (at the chemist's AM).
Civilization diseases
Civilization diseases are stress, depression and insomnia which, if not treated, can lead to serious nervous breakdown and then must be treated in mental hospital or by a psychiatrist. These mental disorders are often caused with hectic lifestyle, lack of vitamins, unhealthy daily routine or insufficient sleep. Also quite common are diseases of blood system. Some of them, such as high blood pressure or varicose veins are common. Varicose veins are large visible and painful veins and usually women suffer from this problem. Very serious diseases are heart attack, leukaemia (which can be mortal disease and can be cured only with a help of bone mirit donor) and anaemia, which is also hard to cure.
Very irritating problem are skin diseases. Symptoms of them are usually rash that can also itch. Doctors usually prescribe some kind of ointment to cure them. Adolescents have often problems with acne, it means that pimples appear in their face. It is usually a result of hormonal inbalance and it cannot be cured easily. Very dangerous is skin cancer - a disease caused with ultra-violet rays that get to the Earth through holes in ozone layer.
Other civilization diseases are allergies, asthma, diabetes, cancer, AIDS or addiction to alcohol, drugs or cigarettes.
Smoking is very dangerous. Yet many teenagers start to smoke. Moreover, their age is lower and lower. Governments in many countries invest large amounts of money in stamping out smoking among the young. An anti-smoking campaign has been aimed at teenagers for generation. But the young are still lighting up. They are inhaling poisons into their lungs, accelerating the risk of heart disease and cancer, in defiance of all the evidence that smoking kills. Health officers believe that the young will continue to smoke as long as they see adults with cigarettes. But teenage smoking has also a deeper cause. It may be a symptom of depression and dissatisfaction. Many teenagers taking up smoking are basically unhappy. And it's necessary to do something about the environment in which they live to help them.
Tobacco kills many people. A child who starts smoking aged 14 or less is 5x more likely to die of lung cancer than a person who starts aged 24 or more, or 15x more likely than a person that never smokes.
Very irritating problem are skin diseases. Symptoms of them are usually rash that can also itch. Doctors usually prescribe some kind of ointment to cure them. Adolescents have often problems with acne, it means that pimples appear in their face. It is usually a result of hormonal inbalance and it cannot be cured easily. Very dangerous is skin cancer - a disease caused with ultra-violet rays that get to the Earth through holes in ozone layer.
Other civilization diseases are allergies, asthma, diabetes, cancer, AIDS or addiction to alcohol, drugs or cigarettes.
Smoking is very dangerous. Yet many teenagers start to smoke. Moreover, their age is lower and lower. Governments in many countries invest large amounts of money in stamping out smoking among the young. An anti-smoking campaign has been aimed at teenagers for generation. But the young are still lighting up. They are inhaling poisons into their lungs, accelerating the risk of heart disease and cancer, in defiance of all the evidence that smoking kills. Health officers believe that the young will continue to smoke as long as they see adults with cigarettes. But teenage smoking has also a deeper cause. It may be a symptom of depression and dissatisfaction. Many teenagers taking up smoking are basically unhappy. And it's necessary to do something about the environment in which they live to help them.
Tobacco kills many people. A child who starts smoking aged 14 or less is 5x more likely to die of lung cancer than a person who starts aged 24 or more, or 15x more likely than a person that never smokes.
Colonization
The American region was colonized by several European countries. They were Spain, France and England. The Spanish settled mainly the central part of the continent, the south and south-west. The French claimed demands for an area along the River Mississippi and Great Lakes area (in the 18th century, they were pushed away by the English and had to move further to the north). The English settled eastern coast, where they step by step founded 13 colonies, Virginia was the first.
The first wave of English colonizers came in 1620. They were the Protestants who escaped religious persecution in England. The group of 78 men and 24 women travelled on the ship Mayflower and arrived in the New World in the winter. The Indians were friendly and helped them to grow local plants . When the “Pilgrim Fathers,” as the first settlers are often called, heard that the Indians held a ceremony each year at harvest time to thank nature for the food they had received, the Pilgrims decided to make a special feast called Thanksgiving. This feast is still celebrated in America. The colony the Pilgrims founded was called Plymouth and it was situated in the area of current Massachusetts. Another area settled by the Protestants (Quakers) was Pennsylvania.
There were two mayor reasons why Europeans decided to settle Northern America. First, they wanted to find new business ways to Asia. For the second, many people from Europe moved to America to start their new life there. The motives were various -- religious groups wanted to escape persecution, former prisoners wanted
The first wave of English colonizers came in 1620. They were the Protestants who escaped religious persecution in England. The group of 78 men and 24 women travelled on the ship Mayflower and arrived in the New World in the winter. The Indians were friendly and helped them to grow local plants . When the “Pilgrim Fathers,” as the first settlers are often called, heard that the Indians held a ceremony each year at harvest time to thank nature for the food they had received, the Pilgrims decided to make a special feast called Thanksgiving. This feast is still celebrated in America. The colony the Pilgrims founded was called Plymouth and it was situated in the area of current Massachusetts. Another area settled by the Protestants (Quakers) was Pennsylvania.
There were two mayor reasons why Europeans decided to settle Northern America. First, they wanted to find new business ways to Asia. For the second, many people from Europe moved to America to start their new life there. The motives were various -- religious groups wanted to escape persecution, former prisoners wanted
Health
Health
Health is essential if we want to live our life to the fullest. We are responsible for our health. In order to be provided proper medical care, all people in the Czech Republic must be insured. Insurance is paid by employers.
Health care in the Czech Republic is provided either by state institutions or by private clinics. Insurance can be used even in the private clinic but people must pay extra for overstandard.
There are three types of health institutions - health center, general hospital and teaching hospital.
Hospital is a facility, usually located in a huge building or large complexes of buildings where ill and wounded people are treated from their diseases and wounds. Each hospital includes several departments such as surgery dept, dermatology dept, internal dept or paediatry. But a core of each hospital are hematology dept, X-ray dept and nuclear medicine dept because these enable doctors to determine diagnose within two hours. If somebody is ill, he must at first go to a GP who examines him and sends him to a certain ward. Only people who can't be healed at home or who are going to be operated are accepted in hospital.
Employees of hospitals are mainly doctors and nurses. Doctors cure seriously ill or injured people and nurses help them and take care of patients. Another important group of employees are ambulance drivers. They must be able to drive at high speed because they must transport seriously ill and injured people to hospital in a short time since each second of their life counts.
Each person is supervised from birth to death, or even before birth. The purpose of prenatal care is to supervise the baby and mother so that they are healthy and the baby can be born without problems. When the time of baby's birth is coming, mother goes to a maternity hospital. When the baby is born, he or she must undergo vaccination against children diseases.
Diseases can be divided into a few cathegories. Those are children's diseases, common diseases, civilisation diseases and fatal diseases.
Some children diseases are common, some are not. Common ones are for example mumps, measles, rubeola or chicken pox. It's really irritating disease because children have rash that itches unbearably and they tend to scratch it. But they shouldn't. Other diseases children are vaccinated against are tuberculosis, scarlet fever, tetanus, polio, smallpox, diphtheria, whooping cough or rabies (we can contract rabies from wild animals). These diseases are more serious and also less common.
Health is essential if we want to live our life to the fullest. We are responsible for our health. In order to be provided proper medical care, all people in the Czech Republic must be insured. Insurance is paid by employers.
Health care in the Czech Republic is provided either by state institutions or by private clinics. Insurance can be used even in the private clinic but people must pay extra for overstandard.
There are three types of health institutions - health center, general hospital and teaching hospital.
Hospital is a facility, usually located in a huge building or large complexes of buildings where ill and wounded people are treated from their diseases and wounds. Each hospital includes several departments such as surgery dept, dermatology dept, internal dept or paediatry. But a core of each hospital are hematology dept, X-ray dept and nuclear medicine dept because these enable doctors to determine diagnose within two hours. If somebody is ill, he must at first go to a GP who examines him and sends him to a certain ward. Only people who can't be healed at home or who are going to be operated are accepted in hospital.
Employees of hospitals are mainly doctors and nurses. Doctors cure seriously ill or injured people and nurses help them and take care of patients. Another important group of employees are ambulance drivers. They must be able to drive at high speed because they must transport seriously ill and injured people to hospital in a short time since each second of their life counts.
Each person is supervised from birth to death, or even before birth. The purpose of prenatal care is to supervise the baby and mother so that they are healthy and the baby can be born without problems. When the time of baby's birth is coming, mother goes to a maternity hospital. When the baby is born, he or she must undergo vaccination against children diseases.
Diseases can be divided into a few cathegories. Those are children's diseases, common diseases, civilisation diseases and fatal diseases.
Some children diseases are common, some are not. Common ones are for example mumps, measles, rubeola or chicken pox. It's really irritating disease because children have rash that itches unbearably and they tend to scratch it. But they shouldn't. Other diseases children are vaccinated against are tuberculosis, scarlet fever, tetanus, polio, smallpox, diphtheria, whooping cough or rabies (we can contract rabies from wild animals). These diseases are more serious and also less common.
The City of London
The City of London
The most important landmark in the City of L. is St.Paul's Cathedral. It's the 2nd largest church in Europe after St.Peter's in Rome. It was built by sir Christopher Wren who was famous for building or rebuilding 52 churches in L. But St.Paul's is his masterpiece. It took him 35 years to build it. It was finished in 1711 and it's is baroque style. The main nave is 180 m long. It's dominated by the dome which is 111 m tall. In the cupola there's Whispering Gallery. What you whisper on one side may be heard on the opposite side.
St.Paul's is being used as the wedding place of the royal family. There are exceptions - funerals of some famous or important people take place here. Winston Churchill's last wish was to have his funeral there - he loved the church. Some people are even buried in St.Paul's. (Admiral Nelson, Chrisropher Wren - there's a latin epitaf thet means "Reader, if you seek a monument, look about you".
Not far from St.Paul's you may find a monument - a column that commemorates the fire of L. in 1666. On top there's an observation desk. To get there, you must climb over 300 steps. Then you may admire the beauty of the City of L. and the blend of modern architecture, represented by steel and crystal bulilding of Lloyd's, the Bank of England and the British Stock Exchange, and historical buildings on the other side.
One of the oldest buildings is the Tower - the capital tourist attraction in L. It was built by William the Conqueror. He built only one part of it - the White Tower. He wanted to impress and frighten the English. The White Tower served as a royal home till the 16th century. The successive kings added other buildings, especially fortification around the Tower. Tower served as a royal mint (where money was engraved), prison and also menagerie. The prison was particularly important during the reign of Henry VIII. when it was also an execution site. Hundreds of people were beheaded there, among them Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two wives of Henry VIII, Thomas Moore and Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess. There's also the Jewel House where crown jewels are.
There was a legend about the Tower. It says that 7 ravens are kept in the Tower so that they cannot fly away. If they do, the kingdom will cease.
Every evening at the closing time you may watch a ceremony of Keys which is 700 years old. The people who guard the Tower are called Yeoman Warders (of incorrectly Beeffeaters). They are wearing a uniform in Tudor style which consists of long jacket ............
Nearby is the Tower Bridge. It's a drawbridge - it opens in the middle to allow the ships to pass up the river. It takes 90 seconds to rise. You may easily walk on the bridge, there's regular traffic.
Near the Tower Bridge you may find St.Catherine's Docks where you may admire the exhibition of historic ships. Cutty Sark ??? was a famous clipper that sailed to Asia and brought tea to England.
Greenwich observatory is the place where the prime meridian passes London.
Greenwich was originally a hospital for sailors.
London is known as a green city. The most famous and beautiful park is St.James's Park. You may find there many ponds and lakes with swans.
Hyde Park is large and is well known for two places. *Marble arch, which was an execution site from the 12th to the 18th century, *Speaker's corner - if you bring a box or a ladder or a chair, you may step on it and say anything you want except for attacking the royal family.
Another fantastic park is called Kensington Gardens. You may find there Kensington Palace, a place where princess Diana lived. There's a museum of court dresses and uniforms including the wedding dress of princess Di.
Not far from there is Albert Hall - a concert hall.
Not far from there is a statue of prince Albert which was placed there on order of queen Victoria. (he was her husband).
The British love to go to theaters and museums.
Trafalgar Square is the heart of the West End. In the middle there's the Nelson's column that commemorates naval victory of the British fleet led by Admiral Nelson over the Spanish and French fleet at Trafalgar in 1805. Unfortunately, Admiral Nelson died there. The column is topped by statue of Nelson. It's said that he still overlooks the sea - the sea of pigeons.
The National Gallery has a collection of European paintings from the 12th to the 20th century.
The Nationa Portrait Gallery is the place where you can admire paintings and photos of famous people and statesmen.
Piccadilly Circus is the heart of London's might time. It's the place where people go to spend the evening because many night clubs, bars, cinemas.... are located there. In the middle is a fountain with Eros, Greek god of love.
Shopping - Regent Street, Oxford Street. The most popular shop in England is Hamley's in Regent St. (a toyshop). The best market is in Covent Garden.
The most important landmark in the City of L. is St.Paul's Cathedral. It's the 2nd largest church in Europe after St.Peter's in Rome. It was built by sir Christopher Wren who was famous for building or rebuilding 52 churches in L. But St.Paul's is his masterpiece. It took him 35 years to build it. It was finished in 1711 and it's is baroque style. The main nave is 180 m long. It's dominated by the dome which is 111 m tall. In the cupola there's Whispering Gallery. What you whisper on one side may be heard on the opposite side.
St.Paul's is being used as the wedding place of the royal family. There are exceptions - funerals of some famous or important people take place here. Winston Churchill's last wish was to have his funeral there - he loved the church. Some people are even buried in St.Paul's. (Admiral Nelson, Chrisropher Wren - there's a latin epitaf thet means "Reader, if you seek a monument, look about you".
Not far from St.Paul's you may find a monument - a column that commemorates the fire of L. in 1666. On top there's an observation desk. To get there, you must climb over 300 steps. Then you may admire the beauty of the City of L. and the blend of modern architecture, represented by steel and crystal bulilding of Lloyd's, the Bank of England and the British Stock Exchange, and historical buildings on the other side.
One of the oldest buildings is the Tower - the capital tourist attraction in L. It was built by William the Conqueror. He built only one part of it - the White Tower. He wanted to impress and frighten the English. The White Tower served as a royal home till the 16th century. The successive kings added other buildings, especially fortification around the Tower. Tower served as a royal mint (where money was engraved), prison and also menagerie. The prison was particularly important during the reign of Henry VIII. when it was also an execution site. Hundreds of people were beheaded there, among them Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two wives of Henry VIII, Thomas Moore and Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess. There's also the Jewel House where crown jewels are.
There was a legend about the Tower. It says that 7 ravens are kept in the Tower so that they cannot fly away. If they do, the kingdom will cease.
Every evening at the closing time you may watch a ceremony of Keys which is 700 years old. The people who guard the Tower are called Yeoman Warders (of incorrectly Beeffeaters). They are wearing a uniform in Tudor style which consists of long jacket ............
Nearby is the Tower Bridge. It's a drawbridge - it opens in the middle to allow the ships to pass up the river. It takes 90 seconds to rise. You may easily walk on the bridge, there's regular traffic.
Near the Tower Bridge you may find St.Catherine's Docks where you may admire the exhibition of historic ships. Cutty Sark ??? was a famous clipper that sailed to Asia and brought tea to England.
Greenwich observatory is the place where the prime meridian passes London.
Greenwich was originally a hospital for sailors.
London is known as a green city. The most famous and beautiful park is St.James's Park. You may find there many ponds and lakes with swans.
Hyde Park is large and is well known for two places. *Marble arch, which was an execution site from the 12th to the 18th century, *Speaker's corner - if you bring a box or a ladder or a chair, you may step on it and say anything you want except for attacking the royal family.
Another fantastic park is called Kensington Gardens. You may find there Kensington Palace, a place where princess Diana lived. There's a museum of court dresses and uniforms including the wedding dress of princess Di.
Not far from there is Albert Hall - a concert hall.
Not far from there is a statue of prince Albert which was placed there on order of queen Victoria. (he was her husband).
The British love to go to theaters and museums.
Trafalgar Square is the heart of the West End. In the middle there's the Nelson's column that commemorates naval victory of the British fleet led by Admiral Nelson over the Spanish and French fleet at Trafalgar in 1805. Unfortunately, Admiral Nelson died there. The column is topped by statue of Nelson. It's said that he still overlooks the sea - the sea of pigeons.
The National Gallery has a collection of European paintings from the 12th to the 20th century.
The Nationa Portrait Gallery is the place where you can admire paintings and photos of famous people and statesmen.
Piccadilly Circus is the heart of London's might time. It's the place where people go to spend the evening because many night clubs, bars, cinemas.... are located there. In the middle is a fountain with Eros, Greek god of love.
Shopping - Regent Street, Oxford Street. The most popular shop in England is Hamley's in Regent St. (a toyshop). The best market is in Covent Garden.
History of the U.S.A.
I -- Indians, Vikings and Columbus
Although the history of the United States began when the English started forming their first colonies in North America, the history of the continent is much longer and richer. About 15.000 years ago, the territory of what is now Canada and the U.S.A. was colonized by Asian settlers, who had crossed today’s Bering’s Strait. These people are nowadays known as “Native Americans” or just simply “Indians.” 500 years ago, the Indian population contained about 10 million inhabitants, nowadays the number is about two or three million.
According to tradition, the first Europeans who landed in the New World were Vikings (Norsemen) -- the nation of warriors, sailors and shipmakers that settled Northern Europe about 1.000 years ago. At first they sailed along the European coast and attacked other nations, later a group of Vikings led by Eric the Red discovered Greenland and settled there. One day, when Eric’s son named Leif Ericsson wanted to visit his father, a strong gale blew his ship off the course and the ship’s crew landed in the country that had never been seen before. Because they saw many vineyards, where native inhabitants grew vine-grapes, the Vikings named the land Vineland (current New Foundland). But even though this legend was truthful, it wouldn’t diminish the role of Christopher Columbus.
Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy. Although his parents were successful clothmakers and merchants , Christopher didn’t follow the career of his predecessors . He moved to Portugal and lived in the port town of Lisbon with his brother Bartholomew, who owned a shop that sold navigation tools, maps and charts. Christopher had plenty of time to study them and they, as well as near shipyards making caravels (which were much faster than other ships), made him believe there could be easier route to the “spiceland” in Asia. At first he asked the Portuguese king to give him money necessary for the journey, but the king refused. Columbus moved to Spain and asked Isabelle, the Spanish queen. Within next six years, Columbus received enough money to buy three ships (Santa Maria, Niña and Pinta) and everything he needed, and he set out on a dangerous trip to an unknown part of the Earth. On October 12, 1492, Columbus woke up with the cry of “Tierra, tierra!” He landed in Holy Savior, one island of the Bahamas. As a proof he was in Asia (he believed the land he stepped onto was India), he brought a parrot, six natives, gold and an alligator.
Although the history of the United States began when the English started forming their first colonies in North America, the history of the continent is much longer and richer. About 15.000 years ago, the territory of what is now Canada and the U.S.A. was colonized by Asian settlers, who had crossed today’s Bering’s Strait. These people are nowadays known as “Native Americans” or just simply “Indians.” 500 years ago, the Indian population contained about 10 million inhabitants, nowadays the number is about two or three million.
According to tradition, the first Europeans who landed in the New World were Vikings (Norsemen) -- the nation of warriors, sailors and shipmakers that settled Northern Europe about 1.000 years ago. At first they sailed along the European coast and attacked other nations, later a group of Vikings led by Eric the Red discovered Greenland and settled there. One day, when Eric’s son named Leif Ericsson wanted to visit his father, a strong gale blew his ship off the course and the ship’s crew landed in the country that had never been seen before. Because they saw many vineyards, where native inhabitants grew vine-grapes, the Vikings named the land Vineland (current New Foundland). But even though this legend was truthful, it wouldn’t diminish the role of Christopher Columbus.
Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy. Although his parents were successful clothmakers and merchants , Christopher didn’t follow the career of his predecessors . He moved to Portugal and lived in the port town of Lisbon with his brother Bartholomew, who owned a shop that sold navigation tools, maps and charts. Christopher had plenty of time to study them and they, as well as near shipyards making caravels (which were much faster than other ships), made him believe there could be easier route to the “spiceland” in Asia. At first he asked the Portuguese king to give him money necessary for the journey, but the king refused. Columbus moved to Spain and asked Isabelle, the Spanish queen. Within next six years, Columbus received enough money to buy three ships (Santa Maria, Niña and Pinta) and everything he needed, and he set out on a dangerous trip to an unknown part of the Earth. On October 12, 1492, Columbus woke up with the cry of “Tierra, tierra!” He landed in Holy Savior, one island of the Bahamas. As a proof he was in Asia (he believed the land he stepped onto was India), he brought a parrot, six natives, gold and an alligator.
The City of Westminster
The heart of the City of Westminster is Parliament square. On one side, near the river Thames, you may find the buildings of the Houses of Parliament which are built in neo-gothic style. The British Parliament was formed after the year 1215 by a document called British Magna Charta. It was an arrangement between the king John and his noblemen about limiting the powers of the king by improving (or approving) the king's decisions.
The Houses of Parliament have 2 chambers - the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The House of Lords is lavishly decorated in red color. There's a throne of the sovereign, but the Queen is present here only during the state opening of the Parliament. She holds there a speech the writer of which is the Prime Minister. Another important seat is the Woolsack, seat of the Lord Chancellor who presides over the House of Lords.
The House of Commons is more restrained in style. There're paralell rows of green benches around the whole chamber. In the center of the room there's a big table with a mace - it's a symbol of power and leadership. In front of the table there's a seat of the Speaker who presides over the House of Commons.
By the Houses of Parliament there's the most famous landmark of London - a clock tower called Big Ben. Big Ben is the name of the bell (it was named after on minister who donated money for the bell) - Benjamin Hall (he was very tall and the tower is tall too).
Just across the square is the most important cathedral in London - Westminster Abbey. It stands on the place where a benedictine monastery stood. It was called West Monastery and it is the origin of the name Westminster.
They started to build the cathedral in the 12th century but it was finished in the 19th century.
All coronations (and also funerals) of kings and queens take place there.
Some monarchs and other important people are even buried there, among them Elisabeth I, not far from her Mary Stuart, Edward the Confessor (he was the man who decided to build the Abbey).
Famous place in the cathedral is Poets' Corner. You may find there tombstones and memorials of famous poets and writers. But it's misleading because not all of them are buried there (G. Byron, John Milton, William Wordsworth, W.Shakespeare).
In the center of the main nave you can see a throne of sovereign, under which you may find the Stone of Scone - a symbol of Scottish royalty. The stone was brought from Scotland and it symbolizes the union between England and Scotland.
In Front of the Cathedral there's lawn with statues of famous politicians (Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln).
The Houses of Parliament have 2 chambers - the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
The House of Lords is lavishly decorated in red color. There's a throne of the sovereign, but the Queen is present here only during the state opening of the Parliament. She holds there a speech the writer of which is the Prime Minister. Another important seat is the Woolsack, seat of the Lord Chancellor who presides over the House of Lords.
The House of Commons is more restrained in style. There're paralell rows of green benches around the whole chamber. In the center of the room there's a big table with a mace - it's a symbol of power and leadership. In front of the table there's a seat of the Speaker who presides over the House of Commons.
By the Houses of Parliament there's the most famous landmark of London - a clock tower called Big Ben. Big Ben is the name of the bell (it was named after on minister who donated money for the bell) - Benjamin Hall (he was very tall and the tower is tall too).
Just across the square is the most important cathedral in London - Westminster Abbey. It stands on the place where a benedictine monastery stood. It was called West Monastery and it is the origin of the name Westminster.
They started to build the cathedral in the 12th century but it was finished in the 19th century.
All coronations (and also funerals) of kings and queens take place there.
Some monarchs and other important people are even buried there, among them Elisabeth I, not far from her Mary Stuart, Edward the Confessor (he was the man who decided to build the Abbey).
Famous place in the cathedral is Poets' Corner. You may find there tombstones and memorials of famous poets and writers. But it's misleading because not all of them are buried there (G. Byron, John Milton, William Wordsworth, W.Shakespeare).
In the center of the main nave you can see a throne of sovereign, under which you may find the Stone of Scone - a symbol of Scottish royalty. The stone was brought from Scotland and it symbolizes the union between England and Scotland.
In Front of the Cathedral there's lawn with statues of famous politicians (Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln).
From Parliament square to Trafalgar square
If you walk from Parliament square to Trafalgar square, you walk along White Hall (government offices, located on either side). In the middle of White Hall you may see the Headquarters of Horseguard. The entry is guarded by two men on horseback. Twice a day you may watch a ceremony called Mounting of the Guard (chnging guards on horseback).
You can also see a short street called Downing street. Number ten in this street has been the house of Prime Minister since 1735. But you can't get there because it's separated by a gate.
The name White Hall comes from White Hall Palace. You cannot find it any more because it was damaged by the Great Fire of London. The only part that remained is on the opposite side of the Headquarters of Horseguard and is called Banquetting House. Inside you may admire alegorical ceilings painted by Peter Paul Rubens. There's also a window from which king Charles I stpped out to his scaffold (execution).
If you walk throuhg St.James's park, you get to Buckingham Palace. It was built by the duke of Buckingham. Because it has fantastic location, the king George I. purchased this palace for the royal family. But it took many years before the first king of queen resided in it. The first one was queen Victoria.
The royal family occupies the North Wing of Palace, it's also called State appartments.
If royal standard flies over Buckingham Palace, the queen is in residence.
In front of the palace you may watch changing of the guards. The guardmen wear traditional bearskin (originally it was made of bear skin).
In front of the palace is a famous monument - Queen Victoria's Monument. It's a large monument with dominating chair with Queen Victoria on it.
A street that leads from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square is called the Mall. We can find there very exclusive shops and famous gentlemen clubs.
You can also see a short street called Downing street. Number ten in this street has been the house of Prime Minister since 1735. But you can't get there because it's separated by a gate.
The name White Hall comes from White Hall Palace. You cannot find it any more because it was damaged by the Great Fire of London. The only part that remained is on the opposite side of the Headquarters of Horseguard and is called Banquetting House. Inside you may admire alegorical ceilings painted by Peter Paul Rubens. There's also a window from which king Charles I stpped out to his scaffold (execution).
If you walk throuhg St.James's park, you get to Buckingham Palace. It was built by the duke of Buckingham. Because it has fantastic location, the king George I. purchased this palace for the royal family. But it took many years before the first king of queen resided in it. The first one was queen Victoria.
The royal family occupies the North Wing of Palace, it's also called State appartments.
If royal standard flies over Buckingham Palace, the queen is in residence.
In front of the palace you may watch changing of the guards. The guardmen wear traditional bearskin (originally it was made of bear skin).
In front of the palace is a famous monument - Queen Victoria's Monument. It's a large monument with dominating chair with Queen Victoria on it.
A street that leads from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square is called the Mall. We can find there very exclusive shops and famous gentlemen clubs.
Shopping in the UK
Shop assistents have a very strong union which limit their working hours. They open at 9 and close at 6. During the week there're 2 special days - late night shopping - open till 8 pm.
Half day closing - stores close at noon, usually on Monday.
Wales, Ireland - shops can be opened on Sunday, but only for 6 hours. In Scotland there's no limitation but you can't have your hair cut.
In the centers you may find highstreets with shops (London - Oxford St.) with small specialized shops. The problem is that they cannot afford low prices so they're expensive. They don't offer a big variety of goods and don't have any parking facilities. The highstreets are loosing business. Highstreet shops - grocery (grocer's) - food (as supermarket), greengrocer's, newsagent's, fishmonger's, dairy (shop), bakery (Am) - baker's, butcher's, confectioner's, chemist's, pharmacy, electrical appliances, hardware store = ironmonger's, music store, bookstore.
DIY - do it yourself - items for manual activities.
Health food shops - sell wholesome food
The British prefer shopping centers - a string of shops in suburbs, shopping malls, large supermarkets. The only succesful shops remained are corner shops, owned by Pakistanis, ....... localized on corners. Many are newsagents, offlicences (may sell alcohol). They're run by families, open 7 days a week, have very long opening hours (till 10 ot 11 pm).
London - Oxford St., Regent St., Covent Garden, Portobello Rd.
Regent St. - Hamley's the larges toyshop
Harrod's - department store, founded in 1845. It has about 300 departments. It sells exotic food, and in its food halls, you may choose from about 1 000 kinds of cheese.
Liberty's - sells fabric and carpets
Selfridges - sells almost everything. At Christmas time, all shop windows are devoted to a theme, such as Alice in Wonderland or Father Christmas
Covent Garden - open street market (Pygmalion started here)
Portobello road - antique stores with books - literature, fantastic selection of textbooks in many languages.
Chain stores - Laura Ashley - sells clothes, fabric
Boot's - chemist's - medicine, drugstore things
W.G. Smith's - books, stationery
Marks & Spencer - if you buy a thing at one branch, you can return it in another one
Half day closing - stores close at noon, usually on Monday.
Wales, Ireland - shops can be opened on Sunday, but only for 6 hours. In Scotland there's no limitation but you can't have your hair cut.
In the centers you may find highstreets with shops (London - Oxford St.) with small specialized shops. The problem is that they cannot afford low prices so they're expensive. They don't offer a big variety of goods and don't have any parking facilities. The highstreets are loosing business. Highstreet shops - grocery (grocer's) - food (as supermarket), greengrocer's, newsagent's, fishmonger's, dairy (shop), bakery (Am) - baker's, butcher's, confectioner's, chemist's, pharmacy, electrical appliances, hardware store = ironmonger's, music store, bookstore.
DIY - do it yourself - items for manual activities.
Health food shops - sell wholesome food
The British prefer shopping centers - a string of shops in suburbs, shopping malls, large supermarkets. The only succesful shops remained are corner shops, owned by Pakistanis, ....... localized on corners. Many are newsagents, offlicences (may sell alcohol). They're run by families, open 7 days a week, have very long opening hours (till 10 ot 11 pm).
London - Oxford St., Regent St., Covent Garden, Portobello Rd.
Regent St. - Hamley's the larges toyshop
Harrod's - department store, founded in 1845. It has about 300 departments. It sells exotic food, and in its food halls, you may choose from about 1 000 kinds of cheese.
Liberty's - sells fabric and carpets
Selfridges - sells almost everything. At Christmas time, all shop windows are devoted to a theme, such as Alice in Wonderland or Father Christmas
Covent Garden - open street market (Pygmalion started here)
Portobello road - antique stores with books - literature, fantastic selection of textbooks in many languages.
Chain stores - Laura Ashley - sells clothes, fabric
Boot's - chemist's - medicine, drugstore things
W.G. Smith's - books, stationery
Marks & Spencer - if you buy a thing at one branch, you can return it in another one
LONDON
London is the capital of the United Kingdom. It has 7 mil. people, but in the whole conurbation it has about 12 mil. people.
London grew rich as a port. It was founded as a port. Nowadays, L is the most efficient port in Europe and it belongs among the most important ports in the world.
It's also center of foodstuff industry, chemical industry and since the 18th century it's famous for furniture making.
Major part of L is called Center London and it's surrounded by the circular line of the tube.
The center of L is divided into the City of London, City of Westminster, East End and West End.
The City of London is commercial and financial heart of L.
The City of Westminster is the place where you may find the most important political institutions of the UK such as Buckingham Palace, White Hall (government offices), the Houses of Parliament (symbol of the English democracy).
In the East End many immigrants started their new life in England. It's one of the poorest parts of L, it's also the only place with working class architecture (which is represented by terraced houses made of red bricks).
The West End is the center of entertainment, place where theatres, cinemas and nightclubs are located.
L has 32 boroughs (suburbs) beside Center London. The most important ones are Chelsea and ............bridge, as the most stylish boroughs. They are also home of politicians, actors.....
London grew rich as a port. It was founded as a port. Nowadays, L is the most efficient port in Europe and it belongs among the most important ports in the world.
It's also center of foodstuff industry, chemical industry and since the 18th century it's famous for furniture making.
Major part of L is called Center London and it's surrounded by the circular line of the tube.
The center of L is divided into the City of London, City of Westminster, East End and West End.
The City of London is commercial and financial heart of L.
The City of Westminster is the place where you may find the most important political institutions of the UK such as Buckingham Palace, White Hall (government offices), the Houses of Parliament (symbol of the English democracy).
In the East End many immigrants started their new life in England. It's one of the poorest parts of L, it's also the only place with working class architecture (which is represented by terraced houses made of red bricks).
The West End is the center of entertainment, place where theatres, cinemas and nightclubs are located.
L has 32 boroughs (suburbs) beside Center London. The most important ones are Chelsea and ............bridge, as the most stylish boroughs. They are also home of politicians, actors.....
SHOPPING
SHOPPING
Consumer societies have two elements on which society is based - material goods and consumers. The society produce material goods to satisfy the consumers. (the consumer society is a society in which material goods are very important and and in which the consumers themselves are important and have a lot of power. Consumer is someone who uses the product)
The first consumer society developed in the world is the USA. The whole life is just about money.
Shopping in the USA
Real shopping days in the USA are Saturday and Sunday.
Sales clerks have no union as in the UK so their working hours are very long and the shops are opened even 24 hours a day. They work in shifts.
open right around the clock = 24 hours a day
People look for places where shopping is concentrated.
shopping malls (in suburbs. )Shopping mall is a large complex of small shops and department stores underground or above ground. It looks like a small town, it has streets, avenues, swimming pools, ice-rinks, many restaurants and fastfood places, hairdresser's, nailstudios, place where you leave your child, cinemas...
Xmas - Santa, Easter - egg hunt
You can spend there the whole day.
The largest one is in Chicago, there're 800 different places to go, it's underground. It also has fantastic parking facilities, free.
supermarkets, usually a chain store, it has many branches (filialky).
Their advantages are large volume of goods, a big variety of goods and large parking lots nearby.
They can afford to hire people who are at service of customers, for example a bagger stands behind the cashdesk and fills paper bags with goods (the Americans don't use plastic carrier bags for grocery goods) Trained people, sort out the goods.
Box boy, box girl is usually a student. He/she wheels one's car, puts tha sacks into the trunk of the car. You don't tip them, they are paid from the supermarket. There are so many supermarkets in each city that they are in competition (some items for reduced prices, long opening hours).
Consumer societies have two elements on which society is based - material goods and consumers. The society produce material goods to satisfy the consumers. (the consumer society is a society in which material goods are very important and and in which the consumers themselves are important and have a lot of power. Consumer is someone who uses the product)
The first consumer society developed in the world is the USA. The whole life is just about money.
Shopping in the USA
Real shopping days in the USA are Saturday and Sunday.
Sales clerks have no union as in the UK so their working hours are very long and the shops are opened even 24 hours a day. They work in shifts.
open right around the clock = 24 hours a day
People look for places where shopping is concentrated.
shopping malls (in suburbs. )Shopping mall is a large complex of small shops and department stores underground or above ground. It looks like a small town, it has streets, avenues, swimming pools, ice-rinks, many restaurants and fastfood places, hairdresser's, nailstudios, place where you leave your child, cinemas...
Xmas - Santa, Easter - egg hunt
You can spend there the whole day.
The largest one is in Chicago, there're 800 different places to go, it's underground. It also has fantastic parking facilities, free.
supermarkets, usually a chain store, it has many branches (filialky).
Their advantages are large volume of goods, a big variety of goods and large parking lots nearby.
They can afford to hire people who are at service of customers, for example a bagger stands behind the cashdesk and fills paper bags with goods (the Americans don't use plastic carrier bags for grocery goods) Trained people, sort out the goods.
Box boy, box girl is usually a student. He/she wheels one's car, puts tha sacks into the trunk of the car. You don't tip them, they are paid from the supermarket. There are so many supermarkets in each city that they are in competition (some items for reduced prices, long opening hours).
Department stores
Department stores
don't offer food, ( If they do, it's alcohol, chocolate boxes) , under one roof ; may be a part of a shopping mall - Tesco
There's one rule in retail trade in America - service with a smile - staff must smile at you and greet you (hello, how are you doing), start conversation. The store wants to keep the customer happy enough to keep coming back.
to be sacked = byt vyhozen z prace
They offer a big variety of sales - goods are sold for reduced prices, e.g. two or three items for one.
Coupones - they publish a magazine with coupones, e.g. with a picture and 15% off.
Rain checks (come from 1944 when baseball match in St.Louis was cancelled because of heavy dounpour. They gave the people rain checks (cards) and they could come next time for free.
If and item is sold out in a sale and isn't on a stock, you ask for a rain check and when there's no sale anymore, you get it for the sale price.
Shopping is a leisure activity in the USA, they go for killing time - browsing - you go shopping but don't buy anything, you just look.. It's very popular activity.
Window shopping - you go and select something what you plan to buy.
American shops are happy with browsers, they prepare fantastic conditions for them. E.g. bookstores - there's a coffeeshop where you can buy variety of coffees.
Mail order - you order items through a cathaloge - you get cathaloges in mail, you order by mail (you send a mail order with a number of your credit card and a check or you order by phone (toll free number - you don't pay after dialing it).
It's very efficient, quick and reliable.
98% of people try to use internet, mostly for CDs, videos. But there's a problem - hackers. It's forbidden to give a number of a debit card (you use your credit card)
A debit card - the price is taken immediately from your bank account.
Credit cards - shops send the bill to a credit company, on the end of the month the credit company sends you the final bill, you fill a check and send it to the credit company.
To be in debt - you don't pay checks
Many people go bankrupt as a result of using credit card. You may pay with credit cards or debit cards or with checks. The Americans don't pay cash.
In the 70's, 80's in centers were small shops without parking facilities and the people went shopping to the suburbs where malls or mini-malls were located. The centers were dying. Now they try to revitalize centers - they started to build large shopping malls, try to make the stores exclusive (to bring rich people), to add large parking lots underground. It was succesful in Chicago, Seattle, Dallas. But in LA the center is run down, shabby, full of homeless people, center of crime and violence.
Many Americans buy American - made items because they believe they can help the American economy to become stronger. But some people say it can actually harm the economy. The USA exports a huge amount of goods to other countries. Leaders of some countries could become upset that Americans are not buying their goods and cut back on their trade with the USA.
don't offer food, ( If they do, it's alcohol, chocolate boxes) , under one roof ; may be a part of a shopping mall - Tesco
There's one rule in retail trade in America - service with a smile - staff must smile at you and greet you (hello, how are you doing), start conversation. The store wants to keep the customer happy enough to keep coming back.
to be sacked = byt vyhozen z prace
They offer a big variety of sales - goods are sold for reduced prices, e.g. two or three items for one.
Coupones - they publish a magazine with coupones, e.g. with a picture and 15% off.
Rain checks (come from 1944 when baseball match in St.Louis was cancelled because of heavy dounpour. They gave the people rain checks (cards) and they could come next time for free.
If and item is sold out in a sale and isn't on a stock, you ask for a rain check and when there's no sale anymore, you get it for the sale price.
Shopping is a leisure activity in the USA, they go for killing time - browsing - you go shopping but don't buy anything, you just look.. It's very popular activity.
Window shopping - you go and select something what you plan to buy.
American shops are happy with browsers, they prepare fantastic conditions for them. E.g. bookstores - there's a coffeeshop where you can buy variety of coffees.
Mail order - you order items through a cathaloge - you get cathaloges in mail, you order by mail (you send a mail order with a number of your credit card and a check or you order by phone (toll free number - you don't pay after dialing it).
It's very efficient, quick and reliable.
98% of people try to use internet, mostly for CDs, videos. But there's a problem - hackers. It's forbidden to give a number of a debit card (you use your credit card)
A debit card - the price is taken immediately from your bank account.
Credit cards - shops send the bill to a credit company, on the end of the month the credit company sends you the final bill, you fill a check and send it to the credit company.
To be in debt - you don't pay checks
Many people go bankrupt as a result of using credit card. You may pay with credit cards or debit cards or with checks. The Americans don't pay cash.
In the 70's, 80's in centers were small shops without parking facilities and the people went shopping to the suburbs where malls or mini-malls were located. The centers were dying. Now they try to revitalize centers - they started to build large shopping malls, try to make the stores exclusive (to bring rich people), to add large parking lots underground. It was succesful in Chicago, Seattle, Dallas. But in LA the center is run down, shabby, full of homeless people, center of crime and violence.
Many Americans buy American - made items because they believe they can help the American economy to become stronger. But some people say it can actually harm the economy. The USA exports a huge amount of goods to other countries. Leaders of some countries could become upset that Americans are not buying their goods and cut back on their trade with the USA.
The North of the United States of America and Alaska
The United States of America can be divided into two parts which are the North and the South. But these terms are political and the border between the North and the South is artificial.
The term the North refers to the Northeast Corridor, Great Lake states, Prairie states and Mountain statesand Northwest states.
The Northeast Corridor includes New England states. Those are states where the 13 original colonies were located. The landscape resembles the landscape in England. The states are small, they are extremely densely populated and have the highest level ov education. The Ivy League universities can be found here, for example Harvard u., Yale, NY u., Princeton, ... MIT. (ivy should remind us the English tradition). Education almost became business because many people are involved. NE is also a tourist destination. People visit New England in the fall to view the impressive colors of changing leaves. Vermont, the Green Mountain State, is a popular ski resort.
New England is the most historic place in the USA because many historic events took place here. One of the most important events that happened was the Boston Tea Party. The colonists had to pay taxes to the British and were governed by British law but had no representation in the British Parliament. A few angry colonists disguised themselves as Indians (who were workers in the harbour) and dumped all the tea from the ships to the sea. The Americans expected British military revenge but they didn't know if it comes by land or by sea. Paul Revere should have lit one beacon on the steepletop of the church of Boston if the British came by land or two beacons if they came by sea. Finally, they came by sea and the revolution began... The document that proclaimed America as a free country is the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson.
The term the North refers to the Northeast Corridor, Great Lake states, Prairie states and Mountain statesand Northwest states.
The Northeast Corridor includes New England states. Those are states where the 13 original colonies were located. The landscape resembles the landscape in England. The states are small, they are extremely densely populated and have the highest level ov education. The Ivy League universities can be found here, for example Harvard u., Yale, NY u., Princeton, ... MIT. (ivy should remind us the English tradition). Education almost became business because many people are involved. NE is also a tourist destination. People visit New England in the fall to view the impressive colors of changing leaves. Vermont, the Green Mountain State, is a popular ski resort.
New England is the most historic place in the USA because many historic events took place here. One of the most important events that happened was the Boston Tea Party. The colonists had to pay taxes to the British and were governed by British law but had no representation in the British Parliament. A few angry colonists disguised themselves as Indians (who were workers in the harbour) and dumped all the tea from the ships to the sea. The Americans expected British military revenge but they didn't know if it comes by land or by sea. Paul Revere should have lit one beacon on the steepletop of the church of Boston if the British came by land or two beacons if they came by sea. Finally, they came by sea and the revolution began... The document that proclaimed America as a free country is the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson.
The Great Lake Region
The Great Lake Region includes states along the lakes of Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior. It's again an importatnt tourist destination because of the Niagara Falls. Tourists can admire the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the American side and Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. One of the biggest cities in this area is Chicago. In the past it was famous for its slaughter houses. The slaughter houses aren't there any longer but Chicago remained the center of food industry. Wrigley's headquarters is there, McDonald's has its Hamburger University there - people who want to run McDonald's restaurant must attend this course. Michigan grows a lot of grain so it's home of cereal manufacturers, including Kellog's. Chicago is also hub of American transport, its O'Hare airport is the busies one in the world. Many ethnic minorities live in Chicago. More than 50% of population is black and it's the largest Polish city after Warsaw. It's also the place where the Czech minority lives. The name of the Czech neighborhood is Berwyn. We can see there sculptures of famous Czechs, e.g. KH Borovsky in front of the Planetarium or TGM in front of the University of Chicago, where he partly taught. Chicago has beautiful skyline, certainly because of skyscrapers such as Sears Tower of John Hangcock tower.
Detroit, another city in Michigan, is also called Motortown or Motown because it's the center of automobile industry. It was founded by Monsieur Cadillac and it's the seat of Chrysler, General Motors and Ford.
Wisconsin is specialized in dairy production. That's why the people of Wisconsin are sometimes called cowheads or cheeseheads.
The Great Plains are called the Breadbasket of the Nation because huge amount of wheat, oats and soy beans is produced right here. In the past, a part of the Plains was known as the Dust Bowl. In 1929, stock market crashed and prices dropped. Moreover, rain stopped and and great dust storms blew the fertile soil away. Many farmers, known as Oakies, lost their livelihoods and had to move away (mainly to California) and start new life.
The Mountain states are Colorado, Montana , Wyoming. The main source of income, esp. in Colorado, is mining. Oil, coal and gas are mined there. Colorado is the only mining state in this region. Montana and Wyoming have the highest concentration of gas stations in the USA. The agriculture of M and W is based on sheep and cattle raising. Colorado is also a popular ski resort. Denver, Colorado, is called the Mile High City because it is in a high elevation.
The Northwest includes the states of Oregon and Washington. The backbone of the region is the Cascade mountain range running from north to south. It includes several snowcapped mountains which are dormant volcanoes.One of them, Mount St. Helen, erupted in 1980 and saused total destruction up to 20 miles away.
Seattle, Washington state, is surrounded by Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Its architecture is built on water and many people must take a boat to get to work. As a result, there's no air pollution. Olympic Mts. NP.
The Oregon coast is wild and beautiful, with fiords and inlets, and it resembles the coast in Norway. People can watch there gray whales migrating from north to south. People of Oregon want to protect the coast from visitors and started an anti-tourist campaign. They try to persuade them to relax somewhere else.
Alaska
Detroit, another city in Michigan, is also called Motortown or Motown because it's the center of automobile industry. It was founded by Monsieur Cadillac and it's the seat of Chrysler, General Motors and Ford.
Wisconsin is specialized in dairy production. That's why the people of Wisconsin are sometimes called cowheads or cheeseheads.
The Great Plains are called the Breadbasket of the Nation because huge amount of wheat, oats and soy beans is produced right here. In the past, a part of the Plains was known as the Dust Bowl. In 1929, stock market crashed and prices dropped. Moreover, rain stopped and and great dust storms blew the fertile soil away. Many farmers, known as Oakies, lost their livelihoods and had to move away (mainly to California) and start new life.
The Mountain states are Colorado, Montana , Wyoming. The main source of income, esp. in Colorado, is mining. Oil, coal and gas are mined there. Colorado is the only mining state in this region. Montana and Wyoming have the highest concentration of gas stations in the USA. The agriculture of M and W is based on sheep and cattle raising. Colorado is also a popular ski resort. Denver, Colorado, is called the Mile High City because it is in a high elevation.
The Northwest includes the states of Oregon and Washington. The backbone of the region is the Cascade mountain range running from north to south. It includes several snowcapped mountains which are dormant volcanoes.One of them, Mount St. Helen, erupted in 1980 and saused total destruction up to 20 miles away.
Seattle, Washington state, is surrounded by Puget Sound and Lake Washington. Its architecture is built on water and many people must take a boat to get to work. As a result, there's no air pollution. Olympic Mts. NP.
The Oregon coast is wild and beautiful, with fiords and inlets, and it resembles the coast in Norway. People can watch there gray whales migrating from north to south. People of Oregon want to protect the coast from visitors and started an anti-tourist campaign. They try to persuade them to relax somewhere else.
Alaska
Přihlásit se k odběru:
Příspěvky (Atom)