Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland) lies in the northeast of the island of Ireland (Ireland) and takes 1/6 of it. It includes 6 of 9 areas of historical province of Ulster (Ulster). The East Coast region goes to North Channel (North Channel) and the Irish Sea (Irish Sea), which separates it from the island of Great Britain (Great Britain). The northern coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and to the west and south are land borders with the Republic of Ireland. The capital and the largest city in Northern Ireland - Belfast (Belfast).Speaking about the topography of Northern Ireland, this part of the kingdom is sometimes compared to a saucer: its relief at the boundaries mainly formed by mountains, and the central part is occupied by fertile plains. Here lies the biggest freshwater lake in the British Isles (British Isles) - Lough Neagh (Lough Neagh), covers an area of 391 square meters. km. It is especially popular among bird lovers: winter arrives here 100 000 birds from Canada, Iceland, Greenland and the Arctic.The highest point of the region is the 850-meter high mountain Drain-Donard (Slieve Donard) in the mountain range Morne (Mourne Mountains), which is south-east. Guests who decide to spend their holidays in the UK study of its natural beauty, is worth visiting, and the north-east - on the plateau of Antrim (Antrim Plateau). Its main attraction - the natural basalt columns up to 12 meters, known as the Giant's
St. Valentine's Day has its origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, observed on February 15. Lupercalia celebrated the coming of spring in the Roman calendar (February was observed later in the year than it is today). Lupercalia was associated with the Roman gods Lupercus and Faunus. Lupercus watched over shepherds and their flocks and the festival of Lupercalia became a celebration intended to ensure the fertility of flocks, fields and people.The celebration of Lupercalia spread as the Roman Empire grew. When the Romans conquered France, the first Valentine-like cards were used, in which women had written their names (possibly accompanied by love notes) that later could be used in a lottery to search someone favours.From its association with Lupercalia, St. Valentine's Day associates with love and romance. This led Valentine's enthusiasts to appoint the Roman god Cupid as a patron of Valentine's Day. Cupid is also known as Amour or Eros in Greek mythology. The ancient Greeks believed Eros was the force of «love» that is why Eros seems to have been responsible for impregnating a number of goddesses and mortals.There are several legends about St. Valentine's Day. Each legend stems from real-life martyr known as Valentines who lived in the time of Roman Empire. It is unsure who St. Valentine was, but there are several possible candidates. One of these Valentines is believed to have been a Roman priest and physician. He was put into prison by roman authorities for his teachings and was beheaded on February 14 in the third century A. D. According to the legend he performed a miracle -he cured the blindness of his jailer's daughter. Before the execution, he wrote her a letter signed «From Your Valentine> Another legend says that the same Valentine wrote to children and friends who loved him from the jail. After his death this Valentine was buried in the Roman road Via Flaminia. Pope Julius I is said to have later built a basilica above his grave. One more Saint Valentine candidate, believed to be a bishop of Teni (a province in central Italy), was executed in Rome.According to another legend, Valentine was an Italian bishop who lived at about the same time. He was thrown into prison because he secretly married couples, contrary to the laws of the Roman Empire. The legend says that he was burnt at the stake.February 14 was also a Roman holiday. On this day, young men randomly chose the name of the girl to escort to the festival. The custom of choosing a sweetheart on this day became very popular in the medieval Europe. Later this custom spread to American colonies.Now, St. Valentine's Day is the day of all sweethearts. On this day, people send presents or flowers to those whom they love. Most people send «valentines», greeting cards, named after St. Valentine's letters written in the jail. Valentines can be sentimental and romantic, or funny and friendly. Valentines can be anonymous. Valentines can be heart-shaped. People buy valentines or make them themselves.
А.
1was
2were
3was
4was
5were
6was
7was
8was
9were
10was
11were
12were
B.
1 drinking
2 reading
3 hunting
4 exercising
5 painting
6watching
7talking
8 chasing
9 running
10snowing
C.
1 barking
2 was
3 laughing
4 was not snowing
5 not watching
6 not
7 were not listening
8 was not doing
9were
10 was not chasing
D.
1 were ... eating
2 was... listening
3 was ... snowing
4 were... watching
5 were ... painting
6 was... doing
7 was ... barking
8 was ... taking
9 was... playing
10 were... running