INTRODUCTION English is an official or semi-official in over 60 countries and has a predominant place in a further 20. It is either dominant or well-established in all the continents. English is the mother tongue in the following countries:

United Kingdom Republic of Ireland United States of America (U.S.A.) Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies and Guyana In several other countries it´s an official or semiofficial language: India, Pakistan, the Republic of Philippines, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Sierra Leone…

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND British Isles situated in the Northwest of Europe. Main island: Great Britain (England+Scotland+Wales). Second important island: Ireland (Northern Ireland + Republic of Ireland) N & W : mountainous and hilly. Britain S & E: flat, better agricultural conditions. Ireland= The Emerald Island Weather: humid and cool/ Gulf stream.

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UNITED KINGDOM UK= England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. London Edinburg Cardiff Belfast 39 counties 12 regions 8 counties 6 counties Constitutional monarchy: Queen Elizabeth II Prime Minister: David Cameron British Parliament= The House of Commons + Lords. Currency: Pound sterling

ENGLISH PEOPLE UK: 60 million inhabitants. Immigrants from Asia, West Indies and Africa. English, main language *Welsh, Gaelic. 3/5 Church of England. 1/8 Roman Catholic. Geoffrey Chaucer, Ben Jonson, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 26 counties Capital city: Dublin. Parliamentary Democratic Constitutional Republic. President: Mary McAleese. Prime Minister: Brian Cowen. Two legislative houses: The Senate + Representatives. Currency: Euro.

IRISH PEOPLE 4.5 million inhabitant. 13%immigrants. Two official languages: English and Irish. 95% Roman Catholic. James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, William Buttler Yeats and Samuel Beckett.

FESTIVALS February: St Valentine´s Day (14 th ). March: St Patrick´s Day (17 th in Ireland). October: Halloween (31 st ). November: Guy Fawkes' Day. (5 th in UK). December: Christmas and the New Year.

WAY OF LIFE Food and drinks - Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. - Fish and chips. - Tea. - Beer (Guinness). Pubs (Public houses)

WAY OF LIFE Living accommodation houses: terraced or town houses semi-detached detached Attitude towards life They are known for their love of animals, hobbies and spare-time occupations.

QUIZ 1.Which countries make up the United Kingdom?  a. England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.  b. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  c. England, Wales, The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  d. England, Wales, Scotland, The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

QUIZ 1.Which countries make up the United Kingdom?  a. England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.  b. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  c. England, Wales, The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.  d. England, Wales, Scotland, The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

QUIZ 2. Which of the following authors is not from the British Isles?  a. William Shakespeare  b. James Joyce  c. Charles Dickens  d. Ernest Hemmingway

QUIZ 2. Which of the following authors is not from the British Isles?  a. William Shakespeare  b. James Joyce  c. Charles Dickens  d. Ernest Hemmingway

QUIZ 3. Why was Guy Fawkes famous?  a. He was a King  b. He was an author  c. He was a terrorist  d. He was a soldier

QUIZ 3. Why was Guy Fawkes famous?  a. He was a King  b. He was an author  c. He was a terrorist  d. He was a soldier

QUIZ 4. In the following picture, which festival is shown?  a. St. Valentine´s day  b. St Patrick´s day  c. Shamrock´s day  d. Daffodil´s day

QUIZ 4. In the following picture, which festival is shown?  a. St. Valentine´s day  b. St Patrick´s day  c. Shamrock´s day  d. Daffodil´s day

QUIZ 5. Do you think that this is a typical Irish landscape?  a. Yes.  b. No.

QUIZ 5. Do you think that this is a typical Irish landscape?  a. Yes.  b. No.

QUIZ 6. Could you recognize this writer?  a. James Joyce  b. Charles Dickens  c. William Shakespeare  d. Oscar Wilde

QUIZ 6. Could you recognize this writer?  a. James Joyce  b. Charles Dickens  c. William Shakespeare  d. Oscar Wilde

QUIZ 7. The Irish Republic has:  a. Two legislative houses: The Senate and The House of Representatives  b. Two houses: The House of Commons and The House of the Lords.  c. Three houses: The House of Commons, The House of the Lords and The House of Representatives.  d. Three houses: The House of Commons, The House of the Lords and The Senate.

QUIZ 7. The Irish Republic has:  a. Two legislative houses: The Senate and The House of Representatives  b. Two houses: The House of Commons and The House of the Lords.  c. Three houses: The House of Commons, The House of the Lords and The House of Representatives.  d. Three houses: The House of Commons, The House of the Lords and The Senate.

QUIZ 8. Could you say where is Guinness Storehouse?  a. Ireland (Belfast)  b. Ireland (Cork)  c. Ireland (Galway)  d. Ireland (Dublin)

QUIZ 8. Could you say where is Guinness Storehouse?  a. Ireland (Belfast)  b. Ireland (Cork)  c. Ireland (Galway)  d. Ireland (Dublin)