England

When you think of England, which symbols/icons come to your mind?

Can you name any of the icons you see in this image?

Watch the video below introducing some "things" you should never do in the UK. Write a list of all the don'ts mentioned and be able to explain orally why those activities are frowned upon.

Take a tour of London by reading the descriptions of some famous sights. Match the pictures with the descriptions, by dragging the picture over the description.

The rivalry between the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge is well known. Watch the video and make a note of the assets of each university, as mentioned by the speakers. Which university would appeal to you the most and why?

William Shakespeare is the most famous British author. Read the text below to find out more about his life and work. Five sentences have been removed. Match each gap (1-5) with a sentence A-F given on the side.

William Shakespeare, the most famous writer in the English language, was born on 23 April 1564 and he died on the same day in 1616.

He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is set in a beautiful rural Warwickshire countryside. (1)

Shakespeare was a poet, playwright and actor for most of his life. He wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets or short poems.

Shakespeare is most famous for his plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. (2)

The word ‘sonnet’ refers to the form of the poem which has a special rhythm and rhyme. Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets were published in a book in 1609. The poems are about many topics including love, beauty and death. (3)

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and the couple had three children. By 1592 Shakespeare was in London, writing plays and probably performing in them too in the Globe Theatre. (4)

Shakespeare retired in 1613 and came back to Stratford from London. (5)

Shakespeare’s plays are performed all over the world and in almost every language.

A) However, his poems were also very popular. Shakespeare wrote a special type of poem, called sonnets.

B) He died at his house in New Place three years later.

C) The town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Britain.

D) The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 and possibly paid for by Shakespeare and other members of his acting company.

E) They are often read together in groups of poems on a similar theme,

called for example the

Dark Lady and Fair Youth.

Now watch the video below and make a note of new information (not mentioned in the text above).

Why do you think W Somerset Maugham had this impression about English food?

British traditional food is commonly known as being rather bland. However, some dishes are widely appreciated and are still served on various occasions. In the exercise below you will have to match the names of some British food 'classics' with their illustration.

Now watch the video below to find out more about British food.

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