Топик: Occurring with a writer, who write books about Australian animals
And what have you been doing all this time?
- I’ve been on a trip to Great Britain, - to the land of Kings and Queens. My knowledge of the British history has increased.
For example, do you know why this country is called Britain?
- No, that’s very interesting. Can you tell me?
- Sure. It was called Britain because the tribes of the first people who lived on the island were called Britons; so Britain was the land of the Britons.
- But the name of the USA isn’t connected with American tribes. On the contrary, one of the first settlers were English.
The group of people who had decided to make homes for themselves in the new land across the ocean, believing that they would have a better life there, left England for America. After a stormy voyage across the Atlantic ocean on board the “Mayflower” ship early settlers, reached new land, built their first colonies and were called colonists. The prosperous colonies grew bigger and bigger, but were ruled by England for a long time.
- And what happened then? Didn’t they want to become independent?
- Yes, In 1776 the 13 young American colonies united and began a war against England for freedom and independence (the war was called the War of Independence) , which they won, a new country was born which became the United States of America.
- Ooh! How interesting! However, the UK development absolutely differs from what you have said.
- Really?
- Yes, In the 5th century some tribes from the northern part of the continent of Europe landed in Britain. They were Angels, the Saxons and the Jutes, who were wild and fearless people. They settled down in the land they had conquered and became the forefathers of the people of England and part of Scotland. Several states were formed; one of them was east Anglia, the land where the Angels lived. Some time later the people began to call the whole of the southern part of the country the land of the Angels (Angle Land) , which became England.
- And in 1066 the Normans, people who came from the north of France, conquered England. As the years passed, the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons formed the English people.
- How do you know that?!
- From the school lessons, when we learned the history of the UK.
OK. But what about the wars. Were there any?
- Sure there were many of them, when little by little England became the strongest of all the states on the British Isles. In the 15th century it conquered Wales. And in general there were many wars between England and Scotland until in 1707, when they were united under one king, and became the powerful state. Its name has been Great Britain since then.
- O, I’m sorry, but I have to run. I must prepare for a school exam that I have at 5 o’clock today.
- OK, see you later, bye!
- Bye.
Feeling Good At School
- Hello, Dan.
- Hi, Sam. Well, how do you feel at your new school?
- You know, there are some things that I’m satisfied and to the contrary disappointed with.
- Yeah!? What do you mean talking in that way? Can you explain me all in details?
- All right. You know, I’d like it at all. Educational level is high, what is very important nowadays, teachers are well knowledgeable and kind in all ways, however still give us a lot of homework, pupils are very easygoing, gentle and thoughtful.
- However, with what thing does your upset related? Maybe it’s the whole conditions that environ you: for example the manner of coloring walls in classrooms or disliked design of desks; otherwise perhaps you’ve no acquaintances with your classmates and neighbors?
- I don’t quit agree with even one of your suggestions. Think easier. I’m completely fulfilled with all of this things that you’ve just now listed and got many friends of mine, sitting at the desk colored so that I really keen on it. Don’t you know since I’ve been graduated to the new school, I start spending very much time on my mathematics, for the reason that it’s very hard for me to solve some problems.
- Well, Sam, we all make mistakes at first, so don’t let it get you down and hope for the best, no more than. A little practice and, in no doubt, you’ll be more successful next time. And do not forget teacher’s help that can be very useful.