Read the text and answer the questions. I. My native town

Read the text and answer the questions.

IV. Great Britain

The full name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. The island of Great Britain consists of three main parts: England (the southern and middle part of the island), Wales (a mountainous peninsula in the West) and Scotland (the northern part of the island). The total area of Great Britain is 244,000 square km.

Great Britain is the fourth most populous country in Europe. Those of English descent constitute about 77% of the nation's inhabitants. The population of the United Kingdom is 63 mln people.

Great Britain is situated on islands. It is washed by seas from all sides. That's why the climate and the nature of Great Britain is very specific. The climate is mild. It often rains and foggy. The winters are in general a bit colder in the east of the country than they are in the west. While in summer, the south is slightly warmer and sunnier than the north.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy. It means that the sovereign reigns but does not rule. Britain does not have a written constitution, but a set of laws. Parliament is the most important authority in Britain. Technically Parliament is made up of three parts: the Monarch, the House of Lords; and the House of Commons. In reality the House of Commons is the only one of the three which has true power. The present sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II. She was crowned in Westminster Abbey in 1953.

There are few political parties in Britain thanks to the British electoral system. The main ones are: the Conservative Party, the Labour Party and the Liberal / Social Democratic Alliance. The party which wins the most seats in Parliament forms the Government. Its leader becomes the Prime Minister. British nation is considered to be the most conservative in Europe. It is not a secret that every nation and every country has its own customs and traditions. In Great Britain people attach greater importance to traditions and customs than in other European countries. Englishmen are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up. The best examples are their queen, money system, their weights and measures.

1. 
   Where is the United Kingdom situated?
   
2. 
   What parts does the island of Great Britain consist of?
   
3. 
   What is the population of the UK?
   
4. 
   What kind of climate has Great Britain?
   
5. 
   How many parts is the Parliament made up?
   
6. 
   Who is the present sovereign in Great Britain?
   
7. 
   When was she crowned?
   
8. 
   What are the main political parties in the country?
   
9. 
   Who is the head of the government in Great Britain?
   
10. 
    What are the examples of conservatism of Great Britain?