The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are 64 million people in Great Britain whose first language is English (97% of population). London, the capital of Great Britain, is one of the leading global cities. It is the political, economic and cultural centre of the country. Great Britain has always been a Great Power and contributed a lot to the development of new territories.
The USAThe history of the USA started with 13 British colonies set along the Atlantic coast. On July, 4, 1776 they proclaimed their independence from Great Britain. Today the country consists of 50 states and the federal District of Columbia, where Washington, the capital of the USA, is located. It is one of the most developed countries in the world, with English being the first language for about 80% of its population.
CanadaThe first European colonists came to this country from France. But after that for many years Canada was under British rule until the country gained its independence in the XX century. There are two official languages in Canada. English is the first language for nearly 70% of Canadians. Canada is the second largest country in the world with rich oil, coal and natural gas fields.
AustraliaAustralia is the only country in the world which occupies the whole continent. The exploration of the continent began in the late XVIII century when the first British colonies were formed. Australia was a place where prisoners were serving their sentences in exile. Today the country is among the most developed countries in the world, with 80% of the population speaking Australian English.
New ZealandNew Zealand occupies two large islands and many small ones in the south-western part of the Pacific Ocean. First Europeans started visiting New Zealand in the late XVIII century with the territory being announced as a British colony in 1788. The country gained its independence in the middle of the XX century. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with unique flora and fauna. English is spoken by more than 96% of the population.
1. Put the verbs in brackets in the Present Simple or Present Continuous.
Be quite! The baby sleeping (sleep).
She is (be) always late for breakfast.
Look! A police officer running after (run after) a burglar.
My aunt usually reads (read) newspapers in the evening.
My brothers never watches (watch) TV in the morning.
2. Put the relative adverbs where /why / when.
We will visit the castle where the kings lived.
Winter is the time of the year when many people suffer from flu.
I can’t understand the reason why you have been late for work.
This is the library where you can find even rare books.
I remember the day when I went to school.
3. Put the verbs in brackets in the Past Simple or Past Continuous.
I played (play) computer games yesterday.
I was playing (play) computer games at five o'clock yesterday.
What Nick was doing (do) when you came to him?
What you did (do) when I rang you up?
She was sleeping (sleep) when I came home.
When I came into the kitchen, my mother was cooking (cook) dinner.
He got (get) up at seven o'clock yesterday.
My father was coming (come) home at six o'clock yesterday.
When I came (come) home, Kate was playing (play) the piano.
When I met (meet) John, he was going (go) to the railway station.
4. Put the verbs into the correct future form (will, be going to, Present Simple or Present Continuous).
I love London. I will go (probably / go) there next year.
The examination starts (start) at 9.30. Don't be late!
What are you going to wear (wear / you) at the party tonight?
Look at the clouds – it is going to rain (rain) in a few minutes.
The train leaves (leave) at 11:45.
5. Put the verbs in brackets in the Present Perfect.
She has bought (buy) some really nice roller blades!
Oh, no! I have lost (lose) my money!
My mum has written (write) shopping list. It’s on the kitchen table.
Dad, you has eaten (eat) my biscuit!
Mary has studied (study) hard this year, so she’ll pass her exams.
Oh no! She has dropped (drop) the plate!
Tom is my best friend. I have known (know) him for three years.
They have lived (live) in Moscow for two years.
6. Choose the correct word.
Madonna is more famous than Beyonce.
I prefer classical music because it is more relaxing than rock music.
This film is the most successful film ever!
He is better at playing the violin than his brother.
He is not as good at football as his brother .
The London underground is the oldest in the world.
7. Put the verbs in brackets in the Present Perfect Continuous.
Helen has been washing (wash) the dishes for fifteen minutes.
My classmates have been writing (write) a dictation since the beginning of the lesson.
My grandfather has been collecting (collect) coins since he was a boy.
Andy and Den have been discussing (discuss) the plans for their winter holidays for two hours.
The vegetables have been boiling (boil) since 10 o’clock.
8. Read the text about Gaelic football and decide if the statements are true (T) or false (F).
1 T The Irish are good rugby players.
2 T Gaelic football is a combination of football and rugby.
3 F The players can’t touch the ball with their hands.
4 F The players wear helmets.
5 F Gaelic football is not popular in America.