An interview with the author of “Harry Potter”

Today is Canada Day

Quiz answers part 5

English people as they are. Ways of living.

44. What do you know about the British school today? (3 stages, LEA, subjects, types of schools, a system of marking)

The education system is divided into nursery (ages 3–4), primary education (ages 4–11), secondary education (ages 11–18) and tertiary education (ages 18+). Full-time education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 16, with a child beginning primary education during the school year he or she turns 5. Students may then continue their secondary studies for a further two years (sixth form), leading most typically to A-level qualifications, although other qualifications and courses exist, including Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Cambridge Pre-U. The leaving age for compulsory education was raised to 18 by the Education and Skills Act 2008. The change will take effect in 2013 for 16-year-olds and 2015 for 17-year-olds.State-provided schooling and sixth form education is paid for by taxes. England also has a tradition of independent schooling, but parents may choose to educate their children by any suitable means.

Higher education often begins with a three-year bachelor's degree. Postgraduate degrees include master's degrees, either taught or by research, and the doctorate, a research degree that usually takes at least three years. Universities require a Royal Charter in order to issue degrees, and all but one are financed by the state via tuition fees, which are increasing in size for both home and European Union students.
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Quiz answers part 4

They are Britain's pride...

35. Who is often called by the people "Our National Bard" and "The Great Unknown"? What is this person famous for?

Every year Scots across the globe celebrate our national bard, Robert Burns. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a "light" Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. He also wrote in standard English, and in these his political or civil commentary is often at its most blunt. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish Diaspora around the world.

Quiz answers part 3

Places to visit in Britain

21. What is the Tower of London? Which part of the Tower was built the first? What will happen if the ravens living in the Tower leave this place?
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite. At least six ravens are kept at the Tower at all times, in accordance with the belief that if they are absent, the kingdom will fall.

Quiz answers part 2

BRITISH STATE SYSTEM

13. Name the main branches (bodies) of the British state system. What are their main functions?

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, which means that the powers of the monarch are limited the country constitution.
In theory the Constitution safeguards the separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
The legislature, which consists of both Houses of Parliament and formally the monarch, is the supreme authority, the supreme lawmaking body.
The executive consists of the Government - Cabinet and government ministries (or departments) headed by ministers (or secretaries of state). The government is responsible for putting laws into effect and directing national policy and acts formally in the name of the monarch.

The judiciary is composed mainly of the judges of the higher courts, who determine the common law and interpret Acts of Parliament and decide on cases arising out of the laws. The judiciary is supposed to be independent of the legislative and executive branches of government. The organs of government are clearly distinguishable, although their functions often intermingle and overlap. The monarch is formally the head of executive, the legislature and the judiciary. A Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons and a member of the House of Lords may both be in the government of the day. A Law Lord in the House of Lords also serves the House of Lords as the highest appeal court.
The division of powers is shown below:

Legislature: Monarch - > House of Lords -> House of Commons

Executive : Government -> Cabinet -> Ministries

Judiciary: Judges -> Courts

The main functions of British Parliament today are as follow:
To pass laws 
To vote on financial bills so that the government could carry on this work
To discuss the government's administrative, educational problems, etc.
To debate important political issues of the day.

Quiz answers part 1

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION
1. Is Great Britain the same as the UK? Explain the differences and give the definitions of these both terms.
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. The name United Kingdom refers to the union of what were once four separate countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (though most of Ireland is now independent, only Northern Ireland remains part of the UK). The UK's full and official name is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
2. What countries does the UK consist of? Name the main symbols of every country (a flag, a national flower, a capital and a patron saint).
The United Kingdom is made up of:
England - The capital is London; flag: The Royal Arms of England, Union Jack; flower: the Tudor rose; St George is the patron saint of England
Scotland - The capital is Edinburgh; flag: Saint Andrew's Cross or the Saltire; Royal banner; flower: the thistle, saint: St Andrew
Wales - The capital is Cardiff; flag: "The Red Dragon", Flag of Saint David; flower: the daffodil and the leek; saint: St David
Northern Ireland - The capital is Belfast; flag: Union Flag; flower: clever; saint: St Patrick