- our special world – another needs, priorities and duties
- live for music, discos, parties, love, friends, drugs, no matter about anything else
- friends, freedom, nice clothes, friends, looking smart
- not pay bills, not go to work, enjoy life without concerns
- parents and old people we don’t want to obey, school and future why?
- generation gap – they don’t understand me, hey mother, father, teacher listen to me
- I’m not less then you, look at you, you old ugly duck
- adult leave me alone I don’t need your care, just give some money and go away
- I have my own world you can even imagine or understand
Drugs, spirits, tobacco… – our big problems
- learn how to use them, face them, thing about them, make our opinion about
- very danger, very simply make mistake – big mistake that costs our life
- every help, information or discussion can’t avoid us to tray it, it only helps
- our curiosity is invincible, everyone must face it on his own
- we learn about everything, about living in this world – very hard
- our ideals disappear very fast
- we must fight our way into society
Little problems
- friends – who is and who isn’t, closest people in our world
- it’s easier with more people than alone, we need to share our problems
- we argue, change opinions and experiences and we betray ourselves
- love – we need to share our feelings, trying to find the best girl in the world
- we need to love and to be loved
- it hurts to lose someone to be alone again
- why doesn’t she listen to me and who is that guy next to her
- problems with dressing, with our visage, feelings, school, teachers…
Weather seasons climate
- Czech Rep. – moderate climate
- four seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter, each lasts about 3 months
- seasons are balanced, winters aren’t much cold and summers are beautiful not too hot
- spring and summer are considered to be the most beautiful
- nature begins to awake, it is getting warmer and warmer and soon the smoke from chimneys stops to rise, first flowers appear, it comes earlier to the lowlands than to the hills, a lot of water from melting snow, very often floods
- birds sing again, flowers, grass and trees begin to be green and healthy again,
- in April very unpredictable weather, sunshine becomes into snowing very fast
- summer – it’s often very hot days, the grass is green, there are leafs on trees and shadows under them, flowers can be seen everywhere and all kinds of insect too, water is good for swimming and the swimming pools are overcrowded
- there can be storms, sometimes very tough with heavy rain, flashes of lightings and thunders, when it dies out, there can appear a rainbow
- it’s the time for gathering some fruits like strawberries or raspberries
- autumn – days get shorter, nice weather breaks, sometimes there is a nice day, it’s time to harvest in the gardens or fields, grass turns yellow and gets dry, the leaves turn into fantastic colours and fall down, we can go mushrooming, birds set out on the journeys to the south
- weather is often very bad, the sky is cloudy, sometimes it’s chilly and it may drizzle, people very often don’t like it, it’s awful
- cold wind blows often the temperatures go low and sometimes it may snow
- winter – hard frost, snow and icy wind, we can enjoy skiing in the mountains and hills covered by snow, winter pleasures for children, lakes, ponds and rivers are covered by ice and we must cut a holes to let fish breathe, roads become icy and slippery and have to be cleared from the snow, we must wear warm clothes, caps and gloves
- nowadays we miss real winter more and more, sometimes there is only little of snow
- finally springs come, the snow melts and everything becomes covered with mud and water
- weather is for us very important, it’s still changing, and according to the weather we choose our clothes, affects our moods, work and activities outside
- can be danger, if change too quick, we can die of cold, or be blasted by a flesh, or get sunburnt by a sun
- four seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter, each lasts about 3 months
- seasons are balanced, winters aren’t much cold and summers are beautiful not too hot
- spring and summer are considered to be the most beautiful
- nature begins to awake, it is getting warmer and warmer and soon the smoke from chimneys stops to rise, first flowers appear, it comes earlier to the lowlands than to the hills, a lot of water from melting snow, very often floods
- birds sing again, flowers, grass and trees begin to be green and healthy again,
- in April very unpredictable weather, sunshine becomes into snowing very fast
- summer – it’s often very hot days, the grass is green, there are leafs on trees and shadows under them, flowers can be seen everywhere and all kinds of insect too, water is good for swimming and the swimming pools are overcrowded
- there can be storms, sometimes very tough with heavy rain, flashes of lightings and thunders, when it dies out, there can appear a rainbow
- it’s the time for gathering some fruits like strawberries or raspberries
- autumn – days get shorter, nice weather breaks, sometimes there is a nice day, it’s time to harvest in the gardens or fields, grass turns yellow and gets dry, the leaves turn into fantastic colours and fall down, we can go mushrooming, birds set out on the journeys to the south
- weather is often very bad, the sky is cloudy, sometimes it’s chilly and it may drizzle, people very often don’t like it, it’s awful
- cold wind blows often the temperatures go low and sometimes it may snow
- winter – hard frost, snow and icy wind, we can enjoy skiing in the mountains and hills covered by snow, winter pleasures for children, lakes, ponds and rivers are covered by ice and we must cut a holes to let fish breathe, roads become icy and slippery and have to be cleared from the snow, we must wear warm clothes, caps and gloves
- nowadays we miss real winter more and more, sometimes there is only little of snow
- finally springs come, the snow melts and everything becomes covered with mud and water
- weather is for us very important, it’s still changing, and according to the weather we choose our clothes, affects our moods, work and activities outside
- can be danger, if change too quick, we can die of cold, or be blasted by a flesh, or get sunburnt by a sun
Shopping
Shopping, food and clothes
- shopping – just buying something, anything, very important in our world
- we make money in work and then spend it in shops, without money – no shopping
- in the olden days, there was no money, no shopping, people only exchanged their goods
- there are a lot of kinds of shops – food stores or groceries, butcheries, bakeries, drugstores, stationeries, music shops, bookstores, toyshops, sexshops…
- shopping in my life: takes a lot of time
- I buy mostly food and clothes
- both my parents work, brother out, so I must often buy food for dinner and breakfast
- must make decision what to eat
- there is a small grocery in our village – small selection, but fresh food round the corner
- must count the exact number of rolls (don’t like waste of food)
- very often half loaf of bread and some cheese or sausage, I like ham and bacon the best
- sometimes I forget - eat all the remains, or do something of flour like pancakes
- for breakfast I’m able to bake a ginger-bread – really good at it – I always do it for a visit
- my parents or me if they give me a list do a big shopping sometimes
- we take a car and go to the city to the supermarket
- there is everything: food, clothes, electronics, things for cars, for animals – anything
- the goods there are very often cheaper than in a small shops, but less choice than in specialized little shops
- we buy things with long expiry date – milk, sweets, mineral waters, spirits, eggs, pet-food, anything frozen, tins with anything and so on
- I don’t like buying so I don’t buy clothes very often
- I like advertising clothes – free, no troubles with choosing it, sometimes nice
- my dad sometimes give me what he gets in his work
- I very often buy them when I’m in a city waiting for a bus and having nothing to do, or if I really need some
- Very important for me is the price – I don’t like stall-keepers with their low prices
- I don’t buy expensive clothes but sometimes if I like something I go and buy it no matter about the cost
- very hard for me to choose what to take, many goods to look at and many shops to visit
- quality very important, very difficult do recognize the quality before I buy it
- I don’t like shopping – takes a lot of time, man must thing what to choose
- it’s an activity that we must do, we must queue, pay and, sometimes visit a lot of shops until we find the one where they have what we want, I hate to go to the shop and find that it’s closed…
- shopping – just buying something, anything, very important in our world
- we make money in work and then spend it in shops, without money – no shopping
- in the olden days, there was no money, no shopping, people only exchanged their goods
- there are a lot of kinds of shops – food stores or groceries, butcheries, bakeries, drugstores, stationeries, music shops, bookstores, toyshops, sexshops…
- shopping in my life: takes a lot of time
- I buy mostly food and clothes
- both my parents work, brother out, so I must often buy food for dinner and breakfast
- must make decision what to eat
- there is a small grocery in our village – small selection, but fresh food round the corner
- must count the exact number of rolls (don’t like waste of food)
- very often half loaf of bread and some cheese or sausage, I like ham and bacon the best
- sometimes I forget - eat all the remains, or do something of flour like pancakes
- for breakfast I’m able to bake a ginger-bread – really good at it – I always do it for a visit
- my parents or me if they give me a list do a big shopping sometimes
- we take a car and go to the city to the supermarket
- there is everything: food, clothes, electronics, things for cars, for animals – anything
- the goods there are very often cheaper than in a small shops, but less choice than in specialized little shops
- we buy things with long expiry date – milk, sweets, mineral waters, spirits, eggs, pet-food, anything frozen, tins with anything and so on
- I don’t like buying so I don’t buy clothes very often
- I like advertising clothes – free, no troubles with choosing it, sometimes nice
- my dad sometimes give me what he gets in his work
- I very often buy them when I’m in a city waiting for a bus and having nothing to do, or if I really need some
- Very important for me is the price – I don’t like stall-keepers with their low prices
- I don’t buy expensive clothes but sometimes if I like something I go and buy it no matter about the cost
- very hard for me to choose what to take, many goods to look at and many shops to visit
- quality very important, very difficult do recognize the quality before I buy it
- I don’t like shopping – takes a lot of time, man must thing what to choose
- it’s an activity that we must do, we must queue, pay and, sometimes visit a lot of shops until we find the one where they have what we want, I hate to go to the shop and find that it’s closed…
London
- capital of GB, very large city
- population about 10 million
- situated on the river Thames in south east of England. Founded by Romans
- 1666 nearly all the city destroyed by the great fire
- famous for its transports
- double-deckers – red buses there
- oldest underground in the world and one of the largest
- black taxis
- three airports (Heathrow and Gatwick)
- Places of Interest:
The Houses of Parliament with Big Ben – clock tower
- the seat of parliament
Westminster Abbey – kings and queens are crowned here
- poet’s corner – there are buried poets
- royal wedding and ceremonies take place here
St. Pauls Cathedral – one of the largest
- in WW2 badly damaged by bombs
- around is The City – the oldest part of London – banks
The Tower – was a prison and now it is a museum
- The Crown Jewels are there guarded by befeaters
Tower Bridge – famous symbol of London
- two towers on both sides there is a museum
- it opens in the middle to let the large ships move through
Trafalgar Square – named after the Battle of Trafalgar (defeat of Napoleon)
- largest square in London
- Nelson’s Columb surrounded by four lions
- some fountains, famous for meetings and demonstrations
- there is National Gallery
Piccadilly Circus – small and busy square
- statue of Eros, meeting place in London
The British Museum – the largest in the world
- all kinds of old things there
- British Museum Library – the largest in the world
Buckingham Palace – Queen’s residence in London
Hyde Park – largest park in London
- speakers corner, where anybody can have a spech
- population about 10 million
- situated on the river Thames in south east of England. Founded by Romans
- 1666 nearly all the city destroyed by the great fire
- famous for its transports
- double-deckers – red buses there
- oldest underground in the world and one of the largest
- black taxis
- three airports (Heathrow and Gatwick)
- Places of Interest:
The Houses of Parliament with Big Ben – clock tower
- the seat of parliament
Westminster Abbey – kings and queens are crowned here
- poet’s corner – there are buried poets
- royal wedding and ceremonies take place here
St. Pauls Cathedral – one of the largest
- in WW2 badly damaged by bombs
- around is The City – the oldest part of London – banks
The Tower – was a prison and now it is a museum
- The Crown Jewels are there guarded by befeaters
Tower Bridge – famous symbol of London
- two towers on both sides there is a museum
- it opens in the middle to let the large ships move through
Trafalgar Square – named after the Battle of Trafalgar (defeat of Napoleon)
- largest square in London
- Nelson’s Columb surrounded by four lions
- some fountains, famous for meetings and demonstrations
- there is National Gallery
Piccadilly Circus – small and busy square
- statue of Eros, meeting place in London
The British Museum – the largest in the world
- all kinds of old things there
- British Museum Library – the largest in the world
Buckingham Palace – Queen’s residence in London
Hyde Park – largest park in London
- speakers corner, where anybody can have a spech
Holidays and travel
- Holidays have landed – there are more than 2 months full of free time
- We don’t want to stay at home, we must travel – anywhere and anyhow
- We go on foot (short distances), by bike, by car, by bus, by train, by plane…
- Travelling takes up a lot of time in our lives and a lot of money
- So just imagine having a lot of money and travel for ex. to the USA for our holidays
- pack everything, go by bus or by car to Prague, to the airport – first time so full of fear and thrill, looking for the entrance way, then board a plane then it takes of. You are very high, see the clouds from window, drink spirits and travel in comfort
- after a few hours it lands in the USA, we travel by a cab to the station – a big building full of shops and ticket offices, a lot of people, very busy and noisy we must buy our tickets and find a right platform. Then enter the train and go to the nature a conductor will check our tickets. We can have a chat, look out from the window or just sleep. I like trains, moving on tracks, its sound is calming, you can walk, look out from the window, there is a lot of space, it stops only in stations…
- so we are there, now we must go on foot some km to our camp with our luggage on our back or in our hand
- there we borrow bikes and go to the nature. There are cycle tracks and we use them
- we borrow a car and go further, where we park it and continue by foot up to the hills and mountains, visiting places of interests and so on
- we go to the sea and there we board a ship and sail somewhere to the sea and then back just to know what it is like to sail in the sea
- after a few weeks we don’t have any money, we don’t want to go home yet so we go hitchhiking around the USA – just stop next to the road and wave to the cars to bring us somewhere, anywhere, we try to work for a while somewhere, sometimes go by bus for a while and when it’s all enough for us, we board a plane and fly home
- full of new experiences and impressions
- we visited a lot of places, saw a lot – everything in our memories and photos, we had taken
- it was very tough and tiring so all of us look forward having a great and long rest
- We don’t want to stay at home, we must travel – anywhere and anyhow
- We go on foot (short distances), by bike, by car, by bus, by train, by plane…
- Travelling takes up a lot of time in our lives and a lot of money
- So just imagine having a lot of money and travel for ex. to the USA for our holidays
- pack everything, go by bus or by car to Prague, to the airport – first time so full of fear and thrill, looking for the entrance way, then board a plane then it takes of. You are very high, see the clouds from window, drink spirits and travel in comfort
- after a few hours it lands in the USA, we travel by a cab to the station – a big building full of shops and ticket offices, a lot of people, very busy and noisy we must buy our tickets and find a right platform. Then enter the train and go to the nature a conductor will check our tickets. We can have a chat, look out from the window or just sleep. I like trains, moving on tracks, its sound is calming, you can walk, look out from the window, there is a lot of space, it stops only in stations…
- so we are there, now we must go on foot some km to our camp with our luggage on our back or in our hand
- there we borrow bikes and go to the nature. There are cycle tracks and we use them
- we borrow a car and go further, where we park it and continue by foot up to the hills and mountains, visiting places of interests and so on
- we go to the sea and there we board a ship and sail somewhere to the sea and then back just to know what it is like to sail in the sea
- after a few weeks we don’t have any money, we don’t want to go home yet so we go hitchhiking around the USA – just stop next to the road and wave to the cars to bring us somewhere, anywhere, we try to work for a while somewhere, sometimes go by bus for a while and when it’s all enough for us, we board a plane and fly home
- full of new experiences and impressions
- we visited a lot of places, saw a lot – everything in our memories and photos, we had taken
- it was very tough and tiring so all of us look forward having a great and long rest
Meals
Food, cooking, eating out, national food, healthy eating
It is said that the Czechs and the Moravians love eating and they are able to talk about it a long time.
In our country daily meals usually start with breakfast which consist of something to drink - tea, coffee, cacao etc. - and something to eat - bread, butter, cheese, eggs, but also fruit, cakes, cornflakes etc. The Czechs hurry with their morning cups of tea or coffee, or miss them at all, very often.
Around noon we have our lunch which is usually warm and consist of some soup, a main dish , salad or dessert and something to drink. Most people go to a school, office or factory canteen but some of them prefer going to the restaurants or having a lunch in buffet or fast food (Mc’Donald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken etc.), buying some hamburgers, chickens, chips or pizza at street stalls .
Soups are mainly vegetable (potato, bean, celery, carrot etc.) or meat (beef, chicken, hen, goulash etc.).
The main dish is usually some meat or fish or poultry with potatoes, rice, dumplings, pasta or bread etc. The meat is usually of following kinds: beef, pork, veal , mutton , lamb etc., and we can prepared it in various ways - roast it , grill it, boil it, bake it 7 or stew it . Lot of people in our country eat rabbits, but also fish (carps, trouts, salmon, shark), poultry is things like chicken, hen, duck, turkey, goose etc. But the dish can be also sweet - e.g. fruit dumplings, fruit rice pudding etc.
While cooking we may add various spices so that the meal will have a unique flavour - e.g. garlic , thyme, marjoram, curry, pepper, ginger etc.
After the main dishes we may drink lemonade, beer, juice, mineral water etc.
An evening meal can be warm or cold what depends on the time of the year very often. Cold and quick supper may consist of some bread or pastry (ban , twist , roll ) and some salami, butter, cheese etc. We can also cook some soup or have some dish from a tin.
The Czech national meal is roasted pork, sauerkraut and dumplings, typical Czech meals are e.g. ‘Moravian sparrows’ (roasted pork) or roasted beef in sour cream and dumplings.
Nowadays some people try to cook some kind of foreign (Chinese, Italian, Spanish) food and many families prefer to cook more healthy vegetable meals.
However the Czechs hurry with breakfast, the British often start with a cup of tea still in bed.
Traditional British breakfast consist of a glass of fruit juice and cornflakes with milk. Of course they drink the morning tea or coffee. Big cooked breakfast morning meals are often called ‘brunch’ - breakfast and lunch together - and consisting of boiled or scrambled eggs or fried bacon and egg with bread. Lot of people like toasts with butter and marmalade or honey.
About 1 o’clock there is usually lunch time in Britain. The British eating habits have changed over last thirty years - many families now prefer to eat out in restaurants or cafés.
The typical British break time - teatime - is about 4 or 5 o’clock p.m. but nowadays it is more a social occasion than a regular meal-time. This 5 o’clock tea is usually fairly strong and eaten together with some cakes or biscuits.
About 6 o’clock most family have their evening meal - ‘dinner’. It may be cooked or cold as well as in Bohemia.
Typical British meal is pudding . They have many kinds of puddings and the preparation of this meal usually last several weeks (or months). Especially Christmas pudding, made of eggs, chopped candied peel , mixed dried fruit and shredded suet , and finally poured over by strong brandy and lighted, belongs to the famous British speciality.
It is said that the Czechs and the Moravians love eating and they are able to talk about it a long time.
In our country daily meals usually start with breakfast which consist of something to drink - tea, coffee, cacao etc. - and something to eat - bread, butter, cheese, eggs, but also fruit, cakes, cornflakes etc. The Czechs hurry with their morning cups of tea or coffee, or miss them at all, very often.
Around noon we have our lunch which is usually warm and consist of some soup, a main dish , salad or dessert and something to drink. Most people go to a school, office or factory canteen but some of them prefer going to the restaurants or having a lunch in buffet or fast food (Mc’Donald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken etc.), buying some hamburgers, chickens, chips or pizza at street stalls .
Soups are mainly vegetable (potato, bean, celery, carrot etc.) or meat (beef, chicken, hen, goulash etc.).
The main dish is usually some meat or fish or poultry with potatoes, rice, dumplings, pasta or bread etc. The meat is usually of following kinds: beef, pork, veal , mutton , lamb etc., and we can prepared it in various ways - roast it , grill it, boil it, bake it 7 or stew it . Lot of people in our country eat rabbits, but also fish (carps, trouts, salmon, shark), poultry is things like chicken, hen, duck, turkey, goose etc. But the dish can be also sweet - e.g. fruit dumplings, fruit rice pudding etc.
While cooking we may add various spices so that the meal will have a unique flavour - e.g. garlic , thyme, marjoram, curry, pepper, ginger etc.
After the main dishes we may drink lemonade, beer, juice, mineral water etc.
An evening meal can be warm or cold what depends on the time of the year very often. Cold and quick supper may consist of some bread or pastry (ban , twist , roll ) and some salami, butter, cheese etc. We can also cook some soup or have some dish from a tin.
The Czech national meal is roasted pork, sauerkraut and dumplings, typical Czech meals are e.g. ‘Moravian sparrows’ (roasted pork) or roasted beef in sour cream and dumplings.
Nowadays some people try to cook some kind of foreign (Chinese, Italian, Spanish) food and many families prefer to cook more healthy vegetable meals.
However the Czechs hurry with breakfast, the British often start with a cup of tea still in bed.
Traditional British breakfast consist of a glass of fruit juice and cornflakes with milk. Of course they drink the morning tea or coffee. Big cooked breakfast morning meals are often called ‘brunch’ - breakfast and lunch together - and consisting of boiled or scrambled eggs or fried bacon and egg with bread. Lot of people like toasts with butter and marmalade or honey.
About 1 o’clock there is usually lunch time in Britain. The British eating habits have changed over last thirty years - many families now prefer to eat out in restaurants or cafés.
The typical British break time - teatime - is about 4 or 5 o’clock p.m. but nowadays it is more a social occasion than a regular meal-time. This 5 o’clock tea is usually fairly strong and eaten together with some cakes or biscuits.
About 6 o’clock most family have their evening meal - ‘dinner’. It may be cooked or cold as well as in Bohemia.
Typical British meal is pudding . They have many kinds of puddings and the preparation of this meal usually last several weeks (or months). Especially Christmas pudding, made of eggs, chopped candied peel , mixed dried fruit and shredded suet , and finally poured over by strong brandy and lighted, belongs to the famous British speciality.
William Shakespeare
The time of the Renaissance
‘Shakespeare’s era’ was the time of Renaissance and the time of ‘Elizabethan Age’. England became the sea power, the trade rapidly grew and there were also big changes in culture. The Renaissance was a period of revival antic ideals, especially ideals of human physical and psychical beauty, ideals of relations between man and woman etc. People began to love and enjoy their life again. The Renaissance and Humanism brought into literature and drama a new wave of realism and satire, which most important representative was W. Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, at Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of seven he started attending the local grammar school and was educated there.
When he was eighteen he married Anne Hathaway, eight years older girl from a nearby village. Six months after the wadding, their first daughter Susanna was born and two years later they had a twins - a boy Hamnet and a girl Judith.
We know only a little about Shakespeare’s life during next seven years but in 1592 he left his wife and children and became an actor and playwright in London where existed two very favourite theatres - The Theatre and The Swan - under the patronage of the King.
Shakespeare joined a group of actors called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 1594 and worked as their leading actor and dramatist. This all-male company of experienced and talented players built their own theatre - the Globe. It was open to the sky and its owners, including Shakespeare, shared its profits. 1
For the next decade the Globe, on the Thames at Bankside, became one of the main London’s theatre and the home of Shakespeare’s work. Many of his greatest plays were written during those ten years, and were acted here.
In 1613 the Globe was destroyed by fire but the former Lord Chamberlain’s Men, by now called the King’s Men (under the patronage of James I), had leased 2 another smaller playhouse.
In 1612, Shakespeare returned home. His son Hamnet had died when only eleven, but his two daughters were in Stratford with his wife Anne. He was now a rich man and he bought a handsome house, New Place, the second largest in Stratford. It had two gardens, two orchards and two barns 3. Here, with his family, he spent the last years of his life and died on April 23, 1616 (the same date he was born; the legend said that Shakespeare died after the noisy birthday celebrations with his friends). He is buried at Hole Trinity Church in Stratford.
William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, mostly in blank verse, which were commonly divided into: tragedies (T) which were mostly written during the first decade of the 17th century and show us the negative side of the new society, the mood of pessimism; comedies (C) express the typically spirit of the Renaissance, the pleasant aspect of the happy an beautiful life; others are historical plays (H) and romances (R).
The best and the most known of them are:
As You Like It (1599) - C
Hamlet (1601) - T
Othello (1604) - T
King Lear (1605) - T
Macbeth (1605) - T
Anthony and Cleopatra (1606) - H/T
The Winter’s Tale (1610) - R
The Tempest (1611) - R
Richard III (1592) - T
The Taming of the Shrew (1594) - C 4
Romeo and Juliet (1594) - T
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595) - C 5
The Merchant of Venice (1596) - C
Henry IV (1597) - H
The Merry Wives of Windsor (1598) - C
Julius Caesar (1599) - H
Beside the plays Shakespeare wrote also sonnets in his own special forms.
Shakespeare’s heroes, moral questions and human suffering inspired many artists of the periods after him, e.g. G.Verdi, S.Prokofjev, L. van Beethoven etc. The most important Czech translator of Shakespeare’s work was J.V.Sládek in the 2nd half of the 19th century.
• Romeo and Juliet
This tragedy is different from the other Shakespeare’s plays - the heroes aren’t destroyed by faults in their character and nature 6 but by the hate of their families.
The story tells us about the long hate between the two powerful houses in Verona - the House of Montague and the House of Capulet. Romeo, a Montague, falls in love with Juliet, a Capulet, at the ball and secretly marries her. Juliet’s cousin Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel. Romeo refuses 7 but his friend Mercucio fights and is killed. In anger and revenge, Romeo kills Tybalt and has to run from Verona.
Juliet is commanded by her father to marry Paris, a nobleman. The Friar Laurence 8, who had secretly married them, helps Juliet by giving her magic drops which makes her seen dead, so she is put into the family vault. Romeo mistakenly believes 9 that Juliet is really dead, kills Paris at her graveside and than take poison. When Juliet wakes and find her lover’s body beside her, she stabs herself by Romeo’s dagger 10 . After this horrible events the warring families made peace.
In fact, I don’t like this play very much because of the theme - I don’t like emotional and sensitive stories like this and, in my opinion, this theme is now - at the end of the 20th century - quite leftovers 11.
• Hamlet
It is the tragedy of the suffering and hesitation of an honest, strong and responsible man who isn’t able to kill or punish without having a clear proof of guilt. 12
Hamlet, the son of the dead king of Denmark, learns the truth about father’s death from a father’s ghost at Elsinor Castle. But to make sure he pretends madness and tests the ghost’s story by having a play - resembling his father’s murder 13 - acted before his uncle Claudius, who murdered Hamlet’s father and married his mother, the queen.
The king decides to destroyed Hamlet and send him to England to have him killed there. But Hamlet returns and sees Ophelia’s funeral. Ophelia loves Hamlet but they cannot fulfil their love because of Hamlet’s plans. Claudius sends Leartes, Ophelia’s brother, to a match with Hamlet. He is wounded by Leartes’s poisoned sword but he is manages to stab 14 Claudius. The queen dies too after she drinks poisoned wine destined for Hamlet.
(Zda žít či nežít - to je oč tu běží:
zda je to ducha důstojnější snášet
střely a šípy rozkácené sudby,
či proti moři běd se chopit zbraně
a skoncovat je vzpourou. Zemřít - spát -
Nic víc…)
To be or not to be - that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to také arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? - to die, - to sleep -
No more…
• King Lear
King Lear had three daughters and he decided to divided his kingdom among them. He asked them to tell him which of them loved him best. The two elder Goneril and Regan - both already married - said they love him above all, but it wasn’t true. His youngest and most favourite daughter Cornelia, who really loved him wouldn’t tell lie and said that she give half her love to her father and half to her future husband. The king became angry and drove her away from home. All to late he recognised that his two older daughters had not spoken the true. He left their castles, wandered in a terrible storm and became mad 15 .
Cordelia, who had married the king of France, came to the England with an army to help her father. But her army is defeated, she and also her father became prisoners. Cordelia was hanged in prison and after King Lear saw her death, his heart broke and he died too.
‘Shakespeare’s era’ was the time of Renaissance and the time of ‘Elizabethan Age’. England became the sea power, the trade rapidly grew and there were also big changes in culture. The Renaissance was a period of revival antic ideals, especially ideals of human physical and psychical beauty, ideals of relations between man and woman etc. People began to love and enjoy their life again. The Renaissance and Humanism brought into literature and drama a new wave of realism and satire, which most important representative was W. Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, at Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of seven he started attending the local grammar school and was educated there.
When he was eighteen he married Anne Hathaway, eight years older girl from a nearby village. Six months after the wadding, their first daughter Susanna was born and two years later they had a twins - a boy Hamnet and a girl Judith.
We know only a little about Shakespeare’s life during next seven years but in 1592 he left his wife and children and became an actor and playwright in London where existed two very favourite theatres - The Theatre and The Swan - under the patronage of the King.
Shakespeare joined a group of actors called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 1594 and worked as their leading actor and dramatist. This all-male company of experienced and talented players built their own theatre - the Globe. It was open to the sky and its owners, including Shakespeare, shared its profits. 1
For the next decade the Globe, on the Thames at Bankside, became one of the main London’s theatre and the home of Shakespeare’s work. Many of his greatest plays were written during those ten years, and were acted here.
In 1613 the Globe was destroyed by fire but the former Lord Chamberlain’s Men, by now called the King’s Men (under the patronage of James I), had leased 2 another smaller playhouse.
In 1612, Shakespeare returned home. His son Hamnet had died when only eleven, but his two daughters were in Stratford with his wife Anne. He was now a rich man and he bought a handsome house, New Place, the second largest in Stratford. It had two gardens, two orchards and two barns 3. Here, with his family, he spent the last years of his life and died on April 23, 1616 (the same date he was born; the legend said that Shakespeare died after the noisy birthday celebrations with his friends). He is buried at Hole Trinity Church in Stratford.
William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, mostly in blank verse, which were commonly divided into: tragedies (T) which were mostly written during the first decade of the 17th century and show us the negative side of the new society, the mood of pessimism; comedies (C) express the typically spirit of the Renaissance, the pleasant aspect of the happy an beautiful life; others are historical plays (H) and romances (R).
The best and the most known of them are:
As You Like It (1599) - C
Hamlet (1601) - T
Othello (1604) - T
King Lear (1605) - T
Macbeth (1605) - T
Anthony and Cleopatra (1606) - H/T
The Winter’s Tale (1610) - R
The Tempest (1611) - R
Richard III (1592) - T
The Taming of the Shrew (1594) - C 4
Romeo and Juliet (1594) - T
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595) - C 5
The Merchant of Venice (1596) - C
Henry IV (1597) - H
The Merry Wives of Windsor (1598) - C
Julius Caesar (1599) - H
Beside the plays Shakespeare wrote also sonnets in his own special forms.
Shakespeare’s heroes, moral questions and human suffering inspired many artists of the periods after him, e.g. G.Verdi, S.Prokofjev, L. van Beethoven etc. The most important Czech translator of Shakespeare’s work was J.V.Sládek in the 2nd half of the 19th century.
• Romeo and Juliet
This tragedy is different from the other Shakespeare’s plays - the heroes aren’t destroyed by faults in their character and nature 6 but by the hate of their families.
The story tells us about the long hate between the two powerful houses in Verona - the House of Montague and the House of Capulet. Romeo, a Montague, falls in love with Juliet, a Capulet, at the ball and secretly marries her. Juliet’s cousin Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel. Romeo refuses 7 but his friend Mercucio fights and is killed. In anger and revenge, Romeo kills Tybalt and has to run from Verona.
Juliet is commanded by her father to marry Paris, a nobleman. The Friar Laurence 8, who had secretly married them, helps Juliet by giving her magic drops which makes her seen dead, so she is put into the family vault. Romeo mistakenly believes 9 that Juliet is really dead, kills Paris at her graveside and than take poison. When Juliet wakes and find her lover’s body beside her, she stabs herself by Romeo’s dagger 10 . After this horrible events the warring families made peace.
In fact, I don’t like this play very much because of the theme - I don’t like emotional and sensitive stories like this and, in my opinion, this theme is now - at the end of the 20th century - quite leftovers 11.
• Hamlet
It is the tragedy of the suffering and hesitation of an honest, strong and responsible man who isn’t able to kill or punish without having a clear proof of guilt. 12
Hamlet, the son of the dead king of Denmark, learns the truth about father’s death from a father’s ghost at Elsinor Castle. But to make sure he pretends madness and tests the ghost’s story by having a play - resembling his father’s murder 13 - acted before his uncle Claudius, who murdered Hamlet’s father and married his mother, the queen.
The king decides to destroyed Hamlet and send him to England to have him killed there. But Hamlet returns and sees Ophelia’s funeral. Ophelia loves Hamlet but they cannot fulfil their love because of Hamlet’s plans. Claudius sends Leartes, Ophelia’s brother, to a match with Hamlet. He is wounded by Leartes’s poisoned sword but he is manages to stab 14 Claudius. The queen dies too after she drinks poisoned wine destined for Hamlet.
(Zda žít či nežít - to je oč tu běží:
zda je to ducha důstojnější snášet
střely a šípy rozkácené sudby,
či proti moři běd se chopit zbraně
a skoncovat je vzpourou. Zemřít - spát -
Nic víc…)
To be or not to be - that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to také arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? - to die, - to sleep -
No more…
• King Lear
King Lear had three daughters and he decided to divided his kingdom among them. He asked them to tell him which of them loved him best. The two elder Goneril and Regan - both already married - said they love him above all, but it wasn’t true. His youngest and most favourite daughter Cornelia, who really loved him wouldn’t tell lie and said that she give half her love to her father and half to her future husband. The king became angry and drove her away from home. All to late he recognised that his two older daughters had not spoken the true. He left their castles, wandered in a terrible storm and became mad 15 .
Cordelia, who had married the king of France, came to the England with an army to help her father. But her army is defeated, she and also her father became prisoners. Cordelia was hanged in prison and after King Lear saw her death, his heart broke and he died too.
Canada
Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia. The capital city is Ottawa. The official languages are English and French. The national symbols are beaver and 11-pointed maple leaf. It became Canada’s official flag in 1965. The population is about 32 million people. The national groups are European descendants, Asian and native people (the Inuit = Eskimos). Total area of land is about 10 million km square. Canada is situated on the whole northern part of North America. In the south Canada border with the USA.
Canada has 10 provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The territories are the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territory and The Nunavut.
Canada stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean. The longest river is the Mackenzie. Other rivers are for example: the St. Lawrence, the Yukon, the Fraser, the Columbia and the Nelson. The lakes are Huron, Erie, Ontario, Superior, Great Slave Lake and Winnipeg.
The highest Canada’s peak is Mt. Logan. There are lots of mountains for instance: the Coast Mountains, the Rocky Mountains and the Mackenzie Mountains.
The original inhabitants came to Canada about 25.000 years ago from Asia. Canada was discovered twice. First by the Vikings more than a thousand years ago, after by the Europeans in the 15thcentury. The French occupied the territory in the 16th century.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy, in practice a parliamentary democracy with a federal system. The official head of state is the Queen of the United Kingdom. The real head is the Governor General. The Parliament has 2 houses – 104 members appointed Senate and 295 members elected Houses of Commons. House of Commons is much powerful than the Senate.
Canada is industrial country with important agriculture. Agriculture products are wheat, beef, cattle, barley and fishing. Manufacturing products are motor vehicles, machinery, wood, petroleum and food products. Canada’s currency is Canadian dollar.
Interests
- In Nova Scotia Scottish Highland Festival takes place yearly – it is music festival with bagpipes.
- In New Brunswick live a lot of animals – moose, black bear, deer, marten, beaver, mink, fox.
- Alberta is a province named after Queen Victoria’s daughter.
- Quebec is Canada’s only French speaking province.
- Great Slave Lake is situated in the Northwest Territory.
Canada has 10 provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The territories are the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territory and The Nunavut.
Canada stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean. The longest river is the Mackenzie. Other rivers are for example: the St. Lawrence, the Yukon, the Fraser, the Columbia and the Nelson. The lakes are Huron, Erie, Ontario, Superior, Great Slave Lake and Winnipeg.
The highest Canada’s peak is Mt. Logan. There are lots of mountains for instance: the Coast Mountains, the Rocky Mountains and the Mackenzie Mountains.
The original inhabitants came to Canada about 25.000 years ago from Asia. Canada was discovered twice. First by the Vikings more than a thousand years ago, after by the Europeans in the 15thcentury. The French occupied the territory in the 16th century.
Canada is a constitutional monarchy, in practice a parliamentary democracy with a federal system. The official head of state is the Queen of the United Kingdom. The real head is the Governor General. The Parliament has 2 houses – 104 members appointed Senate and 295 members elected Houses of Commons. House of Commons is much powerful than the Senate.
Canada is industrial country with important agriculture. Agriculture products are wheat, beef, cattle, barley and fishing. Manufacturing products are motor vehicles, machinery, wood, petroleum and food products. Canada’s currency is Canadian dollar.
Interests
- In Nova Scotia Scottish Highland Festival takes place yearly – it is music festival with bagpipes.
- In New Brunswick live a lot of animals – moose, black bear, deer, marten, beaver, mink, fox.
- Alberta is a province named after Queen Victoria’s daughter.
- Quebec is Canada’s only French speaking province.
- Great Slave Lake is situated in the Northwest Territory.
New zealand
New Zealand consists of two large islands – North and South Island – in the Pacific Ocean. Its area is about 270 thousand sq. km. Each of two main islands is mainly hilly and mountainous. The highest peak is Mount Cook. The coast consists of fertile plains, especially the large Canterbury Plains on South Island. South Island has glaciers and 15 peaks over 3,000 m. In the centre of North Island is a volcanic plateau. The climate is quite pleasant. There is lots of sun and it often rains there. Summers are not too hot and the winters are mild.
New Zealand was discovered by the Dutch in 17th century. It was explored by James Cook in 1770 and then colonized by the British. In the 19th century there were wars between the British and the Maori. New Zealand acquired the independence in 1947.
New Zealand has a parliamentary system where the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II represented by the Governor – General. The head of government is the Prime Minister. Elections take place every three years. The country is divided into counties. New Zealand is member of UN, OECD and the Commonwealth. The flag consists of the British Union Jack in the left upper corner and four red stars in the Southern Cross constellation.
The population is about 4 million. 85 percent of people are of European origin and about 9 percent are Polynesian. Officially English is spoken here but some people still speak Maori. New Zealanders are known for being friendly and easygoing.
The capital is Wellington that lies on the South Island. It’s not only political but also cultural center of New Zealand. Other big cities are Christchurch and Auckland. Christchurch is also called “Gate to the Antarctica”. You can visit the International Antarctic center and learn more about this continent – you’ll find here arctic animals, you’ll visit model of antarctic base and you’ll experience virtual flight over the glaciers.
As for national economy the main industries are food processing, machinery and forest industry.
New Zealand is rich in oil, gas, iron ore and coal. Only 2% of land is arable and the main crop is grain. The main trading partners of New Zealand are the USA, Australia, Japan and Great Britain.
Since 1960, February 6th is celebrated by New Zealanders as Waitangi Day. It is an occasion for thanksgiving, and for remembering the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Some recognize Anzac Day, a public holiday held on 25th April each year. This is a holiday to honour those New Zealanders who were killed in the two world wars.
New Zealand was cut off from the rest of land on Earth for 80 million years and that’s why it’s got different nature. The tuara is reptile that has survived from the era of dinosaurs. The weta is the largest and heaviest insect in the world and the kiwi is a large bird which can’t fly. It’s also symbol of New Zealand.
New Zealand was discovered by the Dutch in 17th century. It was explored by James Cook in 1770 and then colonized by the British. In the 19th century there were wars between the British and the Maori. New Zealand acquired the independence in 1947.
New Zealand has a parliamentary system where the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II represented by the Governor – General. The head of government is the Prime Minister. Elections take place every three years. The country is divided into counties. New Zealand is member of UN, OECD and the Commonwealth. The flag consists of the British Union Jack in the left upper corner and four red stars in the Southern Cross constellation.
The population is about 4 million. 85 percent of people are of European origin and about 9 percent are Polynesian. Officially English is spoken here but some people still speak Maori. New Zealanders are known for being friendly and easygoing.
The capital is Wellington that lies on the South Island. It’s not only political but also cultural center of New Zealand. Other big cities are Christchurch and Auckland. Christchurch is also called “Gate to the Antarctica”. You can visit the International Antarctic center and learn more about this continent – you’ll find here arctic animals, you’ll visit model of antarctic base and you’ll experience virtual flight over the glaciers.
As for national economy the main industries are food processing, machinery and forest industry.
New Zealand is rich in oil, gas, iron ore and coal. Only 2% of land is arable and the main crop is grain. The main trading partners of New Zealand are the USA, Australia, Japan and Great Britain.
Since 1960, February 6th is celebrated by New Zealanders as Waitangi Day. It is an occasion for thanksgiving, and for remembering the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Some recognize Anzac Day, a public holiday held on 25th April each year. This is a holiday to honour those New Zealanders who were killed in the two world wars.
New Zealand was cut off from the rest of land on Earth for 80 million years and that’s why it’s got different nature. The tuara is reptile that has survived from the era of dinosaurs. The weta is the largest and heaviest insect in the world and the kiwi is a large bird which can’t fly. It’s also symbol of New Zealand.
Australia
Australia is located south-east of Asia. There are two oceans -The Indian Ocean is west and The Pacific Ocean is east. There are also many islands for example: Tasmania, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Australia is the smallest continent in the world. It is bounded on the north by the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea, and the Torres Strait; on the east by the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea.
Australia is an island continent. Its area is about 8 million km sq. The highest Australian mountain is Mt. Kosciusko in the Great Dividing Range. There are arid areas in the Great Sandy and Great Victoria Deserts. The largest rivers are the Murray and the Darling. There are 3 big lakes here: Lake Eyre, Lake Torrens and Lake Gairdner.
The climate is generally pleasant without extremes in temperatures. Broadly there are two climatic zones. In the north, above the Tropic of Capricorn, about 40 percent of Australia is in the tropical zone. The remaining areas lie in the temperate zone. Australia's seasons are the opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere. Spring lasts from September to November. Summer lasts from December to February. Autumn lasts from March to May. Winter lasts from June to August. About one third of the country lies in the tropics. Some forests are covered with eucalyptus. The animals of Australia are numerous like kangaroo, koala bear, dingo, Tasmanian devil.
The population of Australia is about 20 million. The density is one of the lowest in the world. Deserts are practically uninhabited. Australian English and aboriginal languages are spoken here.
Captain James Cook explored the coast in 1770. It became a convict colony in the18th century. The Commonwealth was proclaimed in 1901.
Main industries are iron, steel, textiles, electrical equipment, cars and ship machinery. Australia belongs to the top exporters of beef, lamb, wool and wheat. Other agricultural items are barley, oats, hay, sugar, wine, fruit and vegetables. Among the main trading partners belong Japan, the USA, the UK, and New Zealand. Australia has developed as a major industrial power with a high standard of living and has thus experienced the accompanying problems of water, soil, and air pollution near its cities. The country is a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In Australia there are some big cities – Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne. The capital city is Canberra. The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in the world. The Olympic Games were held in Sydney 11 years ago.
The official name is The Commonwealth of Australia and it is a British dominion. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. represented by the Governor – General. The Commonwealth of Australia consists of 6 states and 2 territories: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmanian, The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.
Australia is an island continent. Its area is about 8 million km sq. The highest Australian mountain is Mt. Kosciusko in the Great Dividing Range. There are arid areas in the Great Sandy and Great Victoria Deserts. The largest rivers are the Murray and the Darling. There are 3 big lakes here: Lake Eyre, Lake Torrens and Lake Gairdner.
The climate is generally pleasant without extremes in temperatures. Broadly there are two climatic zones. In the north, above the Tropic of Capricorn, about 40 percent of Australia is in the tropical zone. The remaining areas lie in the temperate zone. Australia's seasons are the opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere. Spring lasts from September to November. Summer lasts from December to February. Autumn lasts from March to May. Winter lasts from June to August. About one third of the country lies in the tropics. Some forests are covered with eucalyptus. The animals of Australia are numerous like kangaroo, koala bear, dingo, Tasmanian devil.
The population of Australia is about 20 million. The density is one of the lowest in the world. Deserts are practically uninhabited. Australian English and aboriginal languages are spoken here.
Captain James Cook explored the coast in 1770. It became a convict colony in the18th century. The Commonwealth was proclaimed in 1901.
Main industries are iron, steel, textiles, electrical equipment, cars and ship machinery. Australia belongs to the top exporters of beef, lamb, wool and wheat. Other agricultural items are barley, oats, hay, sugar, wine, fruit and vegetables. Among the main trading partners belong Japan, the USA, the UK, and New Zealand. Australia has developed as a major industrial power with a high standard of living and has thus experienced the accompanying problems of water, soil, and air pollution near its cities. The country is a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In Australia there are some big cities – Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne. The capital city is Canberra. The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in the world. The Olympic Games were held in Sydney 11 years ago.
The official name is The Commonwealth of Australia and it is a British dominion. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. represented by the Governor – General. The Commonwealth of Australia consists of 6 states and 2 territories: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmanian, The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.
The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is the state in which we live, and which most of us were also born. It is our native country. The Czech Republic is situated in Central Europe. It is said that it lies in the heart of Europe. The Czech Republic is an inland country. With an area of 79 thousand km2 it is located in the temperate climatic zone.
Our republic has four neighbours. In the north it borders Poland and in the south Austria. The shortest border is with Slovakia in the east and the longest with Germany in the west.
The Czech Republic has a population of about 10.3 million. Some live in Bohemia, other in Moravia and some in Silesia. The three oldest parts of our republic are Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Besides Czechs, Moravians and Silesians, different national minorities live there as well. There are Slovaks, Poles, Germans, Hungarians, Roma and Vietnamese. Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. It is home to more than 1.2 million people.
Mountain ranges form our country´s natural borders. The surface of our country is rather hilly. The Western border is formed by the Krušné Mountains, where the highest peak is called Klínovec. The Šumava range, where we find a lot of marshes, extends to the south. Also two glacial lakes can be found there – Černé and Čertovo. The Šumava range is known for its original virgin forest. There are many old trees and bushes. It is dangerous for tourists to walk there alone. The highest mountains in the Czech Republic are the Giant Mountains. There is located the highest peak in the Czech Republic - Sněžka. The Jizerské Mountains lie on the border with Poland, where the Orlické Mountains are also located. Other mountain ranges visited by tourists are, for example, Beskydy, Hrubý Jeseník and the Little Carpathians along the border with Slovakia. Sandy rocks in Český Ráj or stalactite caves in Moravský Kras are frequent destinations for visitors. The underground rivulet Punkva flows there. The greatest abyss, called Macocha, is also situated in Moravský Kras.
The Czech Republic doesn´t have any seacoast, but it has many navigable rivers. Thanks to the Elbe, Morava and Oder we can use the ports of neighbouring countries. The Elbe has its source in the Giant Mountains and leaves our native country at Hřensko. It flows through Germany and enters the North Sea.
The largest and the most important tributary of the Elbe is the Vltava. Several dams have been built on this river, such as Lipno, Orlík and Slapy. These dams are not only used for the production of electricity, but are in the first place favourite destination for people, who come here for recreation.
South Bohemia is known for its large and numerous ponds. Freshwater fish are farmed there, primarily carp. The largest pond is called Rožmberk. It was created in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Czech Republic has a large number of spas. Spa services have a long tradition. They are visited by healthy as well as sick people from our country and from abroad. Among the most famous are Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Jánské Lázně.
The Czech Republic has 77 districts including Prague. The largest city is Prague with 1.2 million inhabitants. Other large cities are Brno, Plzeň, Liberec, Olomouc etc.
Our country is rich in minerals. Black and brown coal, lignite and sand for glass making are mined there. Among the prominent industrial cities belong Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Kladno, Most etc. To produce energy, thermal power stations (Tušimice, Chvaletice), nuclear power plants (Dukovany, Temelín) and hydroelectric power plants (Lipno, Orlík, Slapy, Dalešice) are utilized. Other industries include metallurgy, the machine tool industry, the building industry, the food industry and others.
Czech beer brewing and wine making have a long tradition and popularity at home and abroad. Agriculture production serves to feed the people of the republic.
In the lowlands the following heat-loving crops are grown – sugar beet, sunflowers, sweet corn, fruits and vegetables. Poultry are also raised here. In the highlands mainly potatoes and some types of grain are grown. Pigs and sheep are bred there.
The most frequently used mean of transport are rail and road.
First dynasty occupying this territory was the Slavonic. In the 9th century power was taken by Přemyslid dynasty. When the Přemyslid dynasty died, the Czech throne got the Luxembourg. Under Charles IV the Czech Kingdom flourished as well. Charles IV built the second oldest bridge in our republic and founded Charles University.
On January 1st 1993 the former Czechoslovakia split into two countries – the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Both countries adopted new constitutions.
On March 12th 1999 the Czech Republic joined NATO and from May 1st 2004 it has been a member of the European Union.
The head of state of the Czech Republic is the President. He is elected for a five-year term. Real power, however, is wielded by parliament and the government. The state flag consists of two horizontal stripes (white on the top, red on the bottom) and a blue wedge.
The Czech crown is the currency. In a few months the Czech Republic may adopt the euro.
Our republic has four neighbours. In the north it borders Poland and in the south Austria. The shortest border is with Slovakia in the east and the longest with Germany in the west.
The Czech Republic has a population of about 10.3 million. Some live in Bohemia, other in Moravia and some in Silesia. The three oldest parts of our republic are Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Besides Czechs, Moravians and Silesians, different national minorities live there as well. There are Slovaks, Poles, Germans, Hungarians, Roma and Vietnamese. Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. It is home to more than 1.2 million people.
Mountain ranges form our country´s natural borders. The surface of our country is rather hilly. The Western border is formed by the Krušné Mountains, where the highest peak is called Klínovec. The Šumava range, where we find a lot of marshes, extends to the south. Also two glacial lakes can be found there – Černé and Čertovo. The Šumava range is known for its original virgin forest. There are many old trees and bushes. It is dangerous for tourists to walk there alone. The highest mountains in the Czech Republic are the Giant Mountains. There is located the highest peak in the Czech Republic - Sněžka. The Jizerské Mountains lie on the border with Poland, where the Orlické Mountains are also located. Other mountain ranges visited by tourists are, for example, Beskydy, Hrubý Jeseník and the Little Carpathians along the border with Slovakia. Sandy rocks in Český Ráj or stalactite caves in Moravský Kras are frequent destinations for visitors. The underground rivulet Punkva flows there. The greatest abyss, called Macocha, is also situated in Moravský Kras.
The Czech Republic doesn´t have any seacoast, but it has many navigable rivers. Thanks to the Elbe, Morava and Oder we can use the ports of neighbouring countries. The Elbe has its source in the Giant Mountains and leaves our native country at Hřensko. It flows through Germany and enters the North Sea.
The largest and the most important tributary of the Elbe is the Vltava. Several dams have been built on this river, such as Lipno, Orlík and Slapy. These dams are not only used for the production of electricity, but are in the first place favourite destination for people, who come here for recreation.
South Bohemia is known for its large and numerous ponds. Freshwater fish are farmed there, primarily carp. The largest pond is called Rožmberk. It was created in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The Czech Republic has a large number of spas. Spa services have a long tradition. They are visited by healthy as well as sick people from our country and from abroad. Among the most famous are Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Jánské Lázně.
The Czech Republic has 77 districts including Prague. The largest city is Prague with 1.2 million inhabitants. Other large cities are Brno, Plzeň, Liberec, Olomouc etc.
Our country is rich in minerals. Black and brown coal, lignite and sand for glass making are mined there. Among the prominent industrial cities belong Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Kladno, Most etc. To produce energy, thermal power stations (Tušimice, Chvaletice), nuclear power plants (Dukovany, Temelín) and hydroelectric power plants (Lipno, Orlík, Slapy, Dalešice) are utilized. Other industries include metallurgy, the machine tool industry, the building industry, the food industry and others.
Czech beer brewing and wine making have a long tradition and popularity at home and abroad. Agriculture production serves to feed the people of the republic.
In the lowlands the following heat-loving crops are grown – sugar beet, sunflowers, sweet corn, fruits and vegetables. Poultry are also raised here. In the highlands mainly potatoes and some types of grain are grown. Pigs and sheep are bred there.
The most frequently used mean of transport are rail and road.
First dynasty occupying this territory was the Slavonic. In the 9th century power was taken by Přemyslid dynasty. When the Přemyslid dynasty died, the Czech throne got the Luxembourg. Under Charles IV the Czech Kingdom flourished as well. Charles IV built the second oldest bridge in our republic and founded Charles University.
On January 1st 1993 the former Czechoslovakia split into two countries – the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Both countries adopted new constitutions.
On March 12th 1999 the Czech Republic joined NATO and from May 1st 2004 it has been a member of the European Union.
The head of state of the Czech Republic is the President. He is elected for a five-year term. Real power, however, is wielded by parliament and the government. The state flag consists of two horizontal stripes (white on the top, red on the bottom) and a blue wedge.
The Czech crown is the currency. In a few months the Czech Republic may adopt the euro.
Prague
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, the seat of the President, government and parliament. It spreads out on both banks of the river Vltava in the centre of Bohemia. It covers an area of almost 500 km². Prague has 1,2 million inhabitants. The whole city consists of 10 administrative districts. The oldest parts are the Old Town, the Lesser Town, the New Town, Josefov, Hradčany and Vyšehrad.
The oldest settlement of this area goes back to the Stone Age but the Slaves came to the Prague valley in the 6th century. In the 9th century Prince Bořivoj founded a castle, which became the seat of the Přemyslid dynasty. In the 10th century castle Vyšehrad was built and it became temporarily the seat of the Přemyslid Princes too.
In the 14th century Prague became the imperial residence of Charles IV and during his reign it flourished and grew. Charles IV established an Archbishopric, founded Charles University and the New Town, and promoted the construction of Charles Bridge and St. Vitus Cathedral.
In 1420 Jan Žižka defeated the first anti-Hussite crusade on Vítkov Hill.
On November 8, 1620 the Czech estates rose up against the Habsburgs and were defeated in the Battle of the White Mountain. In 1621, 27 representatives of the uprising were executed in the Old Town Square. The Thirty Years’ War re-catholicization and germanization followed.
In 1918 Prague was the capital of the independent Czechoslovak Republic. During the WW2 Prague was occupied by German troops. On 9th May, 1945 the town was liberated by the Russian.
On 17th November, 1989, the Velvet Revolution began democratic changes in our society. The federal Czechoslovakia was divided and on 1st January, 1993, Prague became the capital of the CR.
Prague has an important road, rail, air (Ruzyně Airport) and river transport junction. It also has a dense network of local transport which includes trams, buses, and the underground, called the metro.
There are many industries in Prague too. The most important kinds of industry are the engineering (ČKD Works, Tesla, etc.), food industry (meat-processing, dairies, breweries – Staropramen, confectionery – Orion, bakeries and mills), textile, chemical, printing and film (Barrandov) industries.
Prague culture flourishes as well. We can visit there – theatres (National, Na zábradlí, Járy Cimrmana) museums (National Museum), cinemas, concerts, clubs, exhibition and balls.
I was in Prague only three times. In my opinion Prague is full of beautiful and interesting memories. But I wouldn´t live there because its disadvantages are pollution, traffic-jams and overcrowded.
ROYAL ROUTE – nowadays the Royal Route is paid unfortunately.
- the Powder Tower
- Celetna Street
- the Old Town Square - the Kinsky Palace, At the Stone Bell, the John Huss Monument, the Tyn Church, the Old Town Hall, the Church of Saint Nicolas
- Charles Street
- Charles Bridge
- Mostecka Street
- Neruda Street
- the Prague Castle
THE PRAGUE CASTLE
It’s the seat of the President. The monumental complex of the castle includes three courtyards and over 700 rooms which the late Gothic Vladislav Hall, Spanish Hall and Rudolph Gallery. The election of the President takes place in the Vladislav Hall. Spanish Hall and Rudolph Gallery serve for ceremonial and cultural purposes.
ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL
It’s the most impressive building at the Castle. It was completed in 1929. The Gothic cathedral was founded by Charles IV. The present cathedral is the result of the work of two famous architects, Matthias of Arras and Petr Parléř. The most admire parts of the church are the Gothic St. Wenceslas chapel where the coronation jewels are kept and the Royal Crypt which contains the sarcophaguses of the Czech kings and queens.
CHARLES BRIDGE
It lies over the river Vltava. It is from 14th century. It’s 520 m long and is decorates with 30 sculptures and groups of statues mainly of Baroque origin.
WENCESLAS SQUARE
It’s heart of the New Town and present-day Prague. It is a 750 m long boulevard lined with banks, department stores, shops, hotels, restaurants, cafés, theatres and cinemas. There are the National Museum from the end of the 19th century which contains historical and natural history collection. In the upper of square part stands the St. Wenceslas Memorial by J. V. Myslbek.
OLD TOWN SQUARE
It’s the centre of the Old Town. It’s surrounded by beautifully decorated houses. There we can find the Rococo Kinský Palace. The best known building in the square is the Old Town Hall which includes the Prague Orloj. Tourists come to see a horologe with the statues of the Apostles on the tower. Near the town hall 27 representatives of the uprising were executed.
PETŘÍN OBSERVATION TOWER
It was built for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891 as a free copy of the Eiffel Tower. It affords a magnificent view of Prague and its environs.
NATIONAL THEATRE
It is situated on Vltava bank. It’s the most beautiful Neo-Renaissance building.
The oldest settlement of this area goes back to the Stone Age but the Slaves came to the Prague valley in the 6th century. In the 9th century Prince Bořivoj founded a castle, which became the seat of the Přemyslid dynasty. In the 10th century castle Vyšehrad was built and it became temporarily the seat of the Přemyslid Princes too.
In the 14th century Prague became the imperial residence of Charles IV and during his reign it flourished and grew. Charles IV established an Archbishopric, founded Charles University and the New Town, and promoted the construction of Charles Bridge and St. Vitus Cathedral.
In 1420 Jan Žižka defeated the first anti-Hussite crusade on Vítkov Hill.
On November 8, 1620 the Czech estates rose up against the Habsburgs and were defeated in the Battle of the White Mountain. In 1621, 27 representatives of the uprising were executed in the Old Town Square. The Thirty Years’ War re-catholicization and germanization followed.
In 1918 Prague was the capital of the independent Czechoslovak Republic. During the WW2 Prague was occupied by German troops. On 9th May, 1945 the town was liberated by the Russian.
On 17th November, 1989, the Velvet Revolution began democratic changes in our society. The federal Czechoslovakia was divided and on 1st January, 1993, Prague became the capital of the CR.
Prague has an important road, rail, air (Ruzyně Airport) and river transport junction. It also has a dense network of local transport which includes trams, buses, and the underground, called the metro.
There are many industries in Prague too. The most important kinds of industry are the engineering (ČKD Works, Tesla, etc.), food industry (meat-processing, dairies, breweries – Staropramen, confectionery – Orion, bakeries and mills), textile, chemical, printing and film (Barrandov) industries.
Prague culture flourishes as well. We can visit there – theatres (National, Na zábradlí, Járy Cimrmana) museums (National Museum), cinemas, concerts, clubs, exhibition and balls.
I was in Prague only three times. In my opinion Prague is full of beautiful and interesting memories. But I wouldn´t live there because its disadvantages are pollution, traffic-jams and overcrowded.
ROYAL ROUTE – nowadays the Royal Route is paid unfortunately.
- the Powder Tower
- Celetna Street
- the Old Town Square - the Kinsky Palace, At the Stone Bell, the John Huss Monument, the Tyn Church, the Old Town Hall, the Church of Saint Nicolas
- Charles Street
- Charles Bridge
- Mostecka Street
- Neruda Street
- the Prague Castle
THE PRAGUE CASTLE
It’s the seat of the President. The monumental complex of the castle includes three courtyards and over 700 rooms which the late Gothic Vladislav Hall, Spanish Hall and Rudolph Gallery. The election of the President takes place in the Vladislav Hall. Spanish Hall and Rudolph Gallery serve for ceremonial and cultural purposes.
ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL
It’s the most impressive building at the Castle. It was completed in 1929. The Gothic cathedral was founded by Charles IV. The present cathedral is the result of the work of two famous architects, Matthias of Arras and Petr Parléř. The most admire parts of the church are the Gothic St. Wenceslas chapel where the coronation jewels are kept and the Royal Crypt which contains the sarcophaguses of the Czech kings and queens.
CHARLES BRIDGE
It lies over the river Vltava. It is from 14th century. It’s 520 m long and is decorates with 30 sculptures and groups of statues mainly of Baroque origin.
WENCESLAS SQUARE
It’s heart of the New Town and present-day Prague. It is a 750 m long boulevard lined with banks, department stores, shops, hotels, restaurants, cafés, theatres and cinemas. There are the National Museum from the end of the 19th century which contains historical and natural history collection. In the upper of square part stands the St. Wenceslas Memorial by J. V. Myslbek.
OLD TOWN SQUARE
It’s the centre of the Old Town. It’s surrounded by beautifully decorated houses. There we can find the Rococo Kinský Palace. The best known building in the square is the Old Town Hall which includes the Prague Orloj. Tourists come to see a horologe with the statues of the Apostles on the tower. Near the town hall 27 representatives of the uprising were executed.
PETŘÍN OBSERVATION TOWER
It was built for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891 as a free copy of the Eiffel Tower. It affords a magnificent view of Prague and its environs.
NATIONAL THEATRE
It is situated on Vltava bank. It’s the most beautiful Neo-Renaissance building.
Health and body care
Health is very important thing in our life. We have to protect good health and we should be grateful if we have a good health.
I think that we should lead a healthy lifestyle. It means to eat the right breakfast every day. We have to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and not to drink so much alcohol. And also we shouldn’t smoke.
If we don´t suffer from obesity we should do some sport. I often ride a bike and I like playing ball games.
Medical care of any type in our country isn’t free of charge, but there are also many private doctors. We must pay for prescriptions or for some medicines.
If we fall ill or if we have an accident, we go to the Health Centre, Policlinic, hospital or to some Private Doctor. There are various types of medical treatment for our different types of troubles.
A doctor may ask you to strip to the waist before he examines your chest and throat. They check our blood pressure, feel the pulse or put our blood or urine through lab-tests. Sometimes they may X-ray our lungs or bones. We must go through many types of vaccination during our lives. Dentists may check our teeth and sometimes pull out one of them or drill and fill them. For older people they sometimes fit bridges on their teeth or make dentures.
Doctors usually prescribe some medicines to us - pills, antibiotics, gargles, eye wash, ointments, sleeping pills or tell us to go on a diet. After operations, scars remain on our bodies.
There are various types of physicians who treat various diseases and disorders. They are GP (general practitioners), dentists, surgeons, interns, oculists, pediatricians, gynecologists, psychiatrists, dermatologists, ear and throat specialists, orthopedic specialists etc. Each person should undergo a regular check-up at least once a year.
However we usually go to see our doctor when we do not feel well or have a temperature. We can suffer from various illnesses beginning with common children diseases such as: measles, chickenpox, mumps, scarlet-fever and otitis. Usually we suffer from common infections such as cold, runny nose, sore throat, cough, head ache, stomach ache, flu, diarrhea, constipation, tonsillitis, etc. In such cases we usually stay in bed, drink herbal teas, take pills, drops or vitamins and after a week we feel well again.
However the situation may sometimes be more serious and need special treatment in the hospital for instance heart attack, appendicitis, breaking an arm or leg, animal or snake bite, bleeding, poisoning, unconsciousness or in the case of some real dangerous diseases such as tuberculosis, anemia, pneumonia, leukemia, diabetes, hepatitis, etc. The doctors´ care must be very attentive because human life is in danger. It is enough to say that there are still diseases which cannot be cured such as cancer or AIDS.
It´s true that prevention is better than a cure. In other words, the best way to cure yourself of a disease is not to catch it. We should try to live a healthy way of life, which means we should have a good proportion of work to leisure time, between our sleep and up time, to keep our mental state in order.
I think that we should lead a healthy lifestyle. It means to eat the right breakfast every day. We have to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and not to drink so much alcohol. And also we shouldn’t smoke.
If we don´t suffer from obesity we should do some sport. I often ride a bike and I like playing ball games.
Medical care of any type in our country isn’t free of charge, but there are also many private doctors. We must pay for prescriptions or for some medicines.
If we fall ill or if we have an accident, we go to the Health Centre, Policlinic, hospital or to some Private Doctor. There are various types of medical treatment for our different types of troubles.
A doctor may ask you to strip to the waist before he examines your chest and throat. They check our blood pressure, feel the pulse or put our blood or urine through lab-tests. Sometimes they may X-ray our lungs or bones. We must go through many types of vaccination during our lives. Dentists may check our teeth and sometimes pull out one of them or drill and fill them. For older people they sometimes fit bridges on their teeth or make dentures.
Doctors usually prescribe some medicines to us - pills, antibiotics, gargles, eye wash, ointments, sleeping pills or tell us to go on a diet. After operations, scars remain on our bodies.
There are various types of physicians who treat various diseases and disorders. They are GP (general practitioners), dentists, surgeons, interns, oculists, pediatricians, gynecologists, psychiatrists, dermatologists, ear and throat specialists, orthopedic specialists etc. Each person should undergo a regular check-up at least once a year.
However we usually go to see our doctor when we do not feel well or have a temperature. We can suffer from various illnesses beginning with common children diseases such as: measles, chickenpox, mumps, scarlet-fever and otitis. Usually we suffer from common infections such as cold, runny nose, sore throat, cough, head ache, stomach ache, flu, diarrhea, constipation, tonsillitis, etc. In such cases we usually stay in bed, drink herbal teas, take pills, drops or vitamins and after a week we feel well again.
However the situation may sometimes be more serious and need special treatment in the hospital for instance heart attack, appendicitis, breaking an arm or leg, animal or snake bite, bleeding, poisoning, unconsciousness or in the case of some real dangerous diseases such as tuberculosis, anemia, pneumonia, leukemia, diabetes, hepatitis, etc. The doctors´ care must be very attentive because human life is in danger. It is enough to say that there are still diseases which cannot be cured such as cancer or AIDS.
It´s true that prevention is better than a cure. In other words, the best way to cure yourself of a disease is not to catch it. We should try to live a healthy way of life, which means we should have a good proportion of work to leisure time, between our sleep and up time, to keep our mental state in order.
The Massmedia
- MM refer collectively to the internet, TV, newspaper, magazines and radio, which are used for mass communication.
The role of massmedia:
- MM play a significant role in shaping public opinion, culture, values and believes.
- MM are used for business and social purposes such as advertising, marketing, political commentaris, public announcement, entertainment (zábava) and sport
Newspapers and magazines:
- The most typical massmedium is a newspaper. It is published every day or every week. Therefore (proto) we speak of them as dailies and weeklies.
- Newspapers contain: news, information, advertising.
- Sunday editions tend to be larger and have more sections.
Typical articles:
- editorial, editor
- reports – reportáže
- interviews
- crossword puzzles - křížovky
- comic strips – komix
- advertisements (= classified ads – placená inzerce)
- weather forecast
- economic analyses
- We can differenciate national and local newspapers
- Reviews of music, film, etc.
- Obituaries – nekrology – když někdo zemře
- Accidents and crime
- essays
British newspapers:
- The times
- The independent
- The daily telegraph
- The guardian
- The observer
Canada, USA
- Only few national newspapers: The USA today, The wall street journal, The New York times
Internationals newspapers:
- Vydávají se s cílem mít mezinárdní záběr.
- The international Herald Tribune
We can differentiate:
a) Serious press – broadsheet, more intellectual, they focus (zabývat se) on economics politics and worl issues (témata)
b) Tabloids – small size, there are sensational, the cover (pokrývají) the lives of celebrities, social scandals, crime, etc.
GB: The sun (pořád noviny); USA: The NY Post, The national enquirer
- The business success of newspapers depends on circulation (počet výtisku) = it is the number of copies (výtisk) sold
- Two major sources of funding (financování) are an advertising and subscription (předplatné, předložka to).
Magazines:
- There are also called periodicals or glossies (jsou na lesklém papíře) or serials. There are published regularly. They contain a variety of articles. There are distributed through mail, newsstands or newsagents, bookstores and other vendors (prodejce). People can subscribe (předplatit) to MAGS. That the very first magazine was the gentleman’s magazine.
- We have a lot of kinds: gardening, sports, economics magazine...
- Academic journals: They are distributed only for subscribers. For example: Lancet, JAMA
The internet:
- It is a global system of communication between computers. It consist of millions networks. (bussiness, private, economic,...)
- The internet carries a vast (přenáší velký objem) number of information resources such as email and world wide web. The internet enables accelerated (zrychlený) new forms of communication through instant messaging, internet forums and social networks. It also supports online shopping.
- Negatives: It takes our time, cyber bullying (šikana), cyber grooming (lákání dětí), identity theft, online theft
Television
- What’s on television – Co dávají?
- collogural (hovorový) – telly (VB), box (USA)
- it is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving images and sound (vysílání a přijímání)
- we can chose from public service stations (ČT1, ČT2) and commercial station
- on public service station there is much less advertising, advertising on television is called commercial
- this station broadcast (vysílá) programmes targeted at more demanding (náročný) viewers – the programmes are: documentaries, musical programmes, concerts, dramas, news, educational programmes
- commercial stations are less serious – their programmes are often sensational and full of action
- their typical programmes are TV shows, soap opera (telenovela), quiz shoes, comedies, actions, thriller movies, life style shows, series (serial/y)
- if we want to see when a program is broadcast we check a TV guide , some programmes are rerun – we can watch them again
- supplements – přílohy – huge supplement come out (vychází)once a week a small supplements come out on a daily basis – poptávka na auto
The role of massmedia:
- MM play a significant role in shaping public opinion, culture, values and believes.
- MM are used for business and social purposes such as advertising, marketing, political commentaris, public announcement, entertainment (zábava) and sport
Newspapers and magazines:
- The most typical massmedium is a newspaper. It is published every day or every week. Therefore (proto) we speak of them as dailies and weeklies.
- Newspapers contain: news, information, advertising.
- Sunday editions tend to be larger and have more sections.
Typical articles:
- editorial, editor
- reports – reportáže
- interviews
- crossword puzzles - křížovky
- comic strips – komix
- advertisements (= classified ads – placená inzerce)
- weather forecast
- economic analyses
- We can differenciate national and local newspapers
- Reviews of music, film, etc.
- Obituaries – nekrology – když někdo zemře
- Accidents and crime
- essays
British newspapers:
- The times
- The independent
- The daily telegraph
- The guardian
- The observer
Canada, USA
- Only few national newspapers: The USA today, The wall street journal, The New York times
Internationals newspapers:
- Vydávají se s cílem mít mezinárdní záběr.
- The international Herald Tribune
We can differentiate:
a) Serious press – broadsheet, more intellectual, they focus (zabývat se) on economics politics and worl issues (témata)
b) Tabloids – small size, there are sensational, the cover (pokrývají) the lives of celebrities, social scandals, crime, etc.
GB: The sun (pořád noviny); USA: The NY Post, The national enquirer
- The business success of newspapers depends on circulation (počet výtisku) = it is the number of copies (výtisk) sold
- Two major sources of funding (financování) are an advertising and subscription (předplatné, předložka to).
Magazines:
- There are also called periodicals or glossies (jsou na lesklém papíře) or serials. There are published regularly. They contain a variety of articles. There are distributed through mail, newsstands or newsagents, bookstores and other vendors (prodejce). People can subscribe (předplatit) to MAGS. That the very first magazine was the gentleman’s magazine.
- We have a lot of kinds: gardening, sports, economics magazine...
- Academic journals: They are distributed only for subscribers. For example: Lancet, JAMA
The internet:
- It is a global system of communication between computers. It consist of millions networks. (bussiness, private, economic,...)
- The internet carries a vast (přenáší velký objem) number of information resources such as email and world wide web. The internet enables accelerated (zrychlený) new forms of communication through instant messaging, internet forums and social networks. It also supports online shopping.
- Negatives: It takes our time, cyber bullying (šikana), cyber grooming (lákání dětí), identity theft, online theft
Television
- What’s on television – Co dávají?
- collogural (hovorový) – telly (VB), box (USA)
- it is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving images and sound (vysílání a přijímání)
- we can chose from public service stations (ČT1, ČT2) and commercial station
- on public service station there is much less advertising, advertising on television is called commercial
- this station broadcast (vysílá) programmes targeted at more demanding (náročný) viewers – the programmes are: documentaries, musical programmes, concerts, dramas, news, educational programmes
- commercial stations are less serious – their programmes are often sensational and full of action
- their typical programmes are TV shows, soap opera (telenovela), quiz shoes, comedies, actions, thriller movies, life style shows, series (serial/y)
- if we want to see when a program is broadcast we check a TV guide , some programmes are rerun – we can watch them again
- supplements – přílohy – huge supplement come out (vychází)once a week a small supplements come out on a daily basis – poptávka na auto
The United Kingdom
The island country is situated on the north-western coast of mainland Europe. Official name of the country is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom consists of four parts – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The capital city of England is London, the capital city of Scotland is Edinburgh, the capital city of Wales is Cardiff and the capital city of Northern Ireland is Belfast. Britain covers an area of 245 thousand km square. The population is about 60 million inhabitants. It consists of original British as well as many ethnic groups. The largest cities are London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast, Londonderry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Swansea and Cardiff. The official languages are English, Welsh and Gaelic.
England, occupying most of southern Great Britain, includes the Isles of Silly off the southwest coast and the Isle of Wight off the southern coast. Scotland, occupying northern Great Britain, includes the Orkney and Shetland islands off the northern coast and the Hebrides off the north-western coast. Wales lies west of England and includes the island of Anglesey to the northwest.
Part from the land border with the Irish Republic the United Kingdom is surrounded by sea. Between the United Kingdom and France there is the English Channel. The North Sea lies to the east. The Irish Sea separated Great Britain from Ireland, while south-western England, the north-western coast of Northern Ireland and western Scotland face the Atlantic Ocean.
The largest rivers are the Thames, the Severn and the Trent. Lakes are numerous in the Lake District, the largest is Windermere. Scottish lakes Loch Lomond and Loch Ness are very attractive to tourists.
The country can be divided into two regions – highland and lowland.
The highland zone consists of the following groups of mountains, for example:
o The Highlands of Scotland with the highest peak Ben Nevis
o The Cheviot Hills from the border between England and Scotland
o The Pennines occupy the central part of northern England
o The Cumbrian Mountains is also known as the Lake District
o Exmoor in Cornwall is also known as “the English Riviera”
The lowland zone is generally flat or rolling with limestone or chalk hills. The best known of these hills are the Cotswoods (south-west England).
Climate is modified by the warm Gulf Stream. It isn´t so cold as most places so far north. There are mild summers, cool winters with temperatures close to freezing, except in the colder Scottish highland areas.
Great Britain´s flag is known as the British Union Flag or the Union Jack. It was officially adopted in 1801. The flag is made up of the three crosses. The upright red cross is the St. George´s cross. The white diagonal cross is the cross of St. Andrew and the red diagonal cross is the cross of St. Patrick.
Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. She is formally the head of the executive and judiciary, commander-in-chief of all the armed forces and temporal governor of the Church of England. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The Parliament is legislative brunch. It consists of two houses – the 650 members House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is the lawmaking body. It is presided over by the Speaker. The House of Lords is presided over by the Lord Chancellor, and is made up of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal.
The executive brunch is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Monarch. It is usually the leader of the political party which obtains a majority of seats in a general election.
In the United Kingdom is very important city. There are grown wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, sugar beet, hay and flaw. There are bred cattles, sheep, pigs, horses and poultry. British manufacturing are food and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronic goods, clothing, motor vehicles. Great Britain has large coal, natural gas and oil reserves. Their currency is the pound. The United Kingdom is connected with the Commonwealth. Major exported goods are machinery, petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Major imported goods are food (tea, coffee, fruit, vegetables), metals and paper.
Besides London, there are many other fascinating places:
Oxford and Cambridge are the old university towns.
Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Resorts such as Brighton and Portsmouth have fine sandy beaches.
Canterbury is an ancient city with a majestic cathedral. It is the second largest city in Britain.
England, occupying most of southern Great Britain, includes the Isles of Silly off the southwest coast and the Isle of Wight off the southern coast. Scotland, occupying northern Great Britain, includes the Orkney and Shetland islands off the northern coast and the Hebrides off the north-western coast. Wales lies west of England and includes the island of Anglesey to the northwest.
Part from the land border with the Irish Republic the United Kingdom is surrounded by sea. Between the United Kingdom and France there is the English Channel. The North Sea lies to the east. The Irish Sea separated Great Britain from Ireland, while south-western England, the north-western coast of Northern Ireland and western Scotland face the Atlantic Ocean.
The largest rivers are the Thames, the Severn and the Trent. Lakes are numerous in the Lake District, the largest is Windermere. Scottish lakes Loch Lomond and Loch Ness are very attractive to tourists.
The country can be divided into two regions – highland and lowland.
The highland zone consists of the following groups of mountains, for example:
o The Highlands of Scotland with the highest peak Ben Nevis
o The Cheviot Hills from the border between England and Scotland
o The Pennines occupy the central part of northern England
o The Cumbrian Mountains is also known as the Lake District
o Exmoor in Cornwall is also known as “the English Riviera”
The lowland zone is generally flat or rolling with limestone or chalk hills. The best known of these hills are the Cotswoods (south-west England).
Climate is modified by the warm Gulf Stream. It isn´t so cold as most places so far north. There are mild summers, cool winters with temperatures close to freezing, except in the colder Scottish highland areas.
Great Britain´s flag is known as the British Union Flag or the Union Jack. It was officially adopted in 1801. The flag is made up of the three crosses. The upright red cross is the St. George´s cross. The white diagonal cross is the cross of St. Andrew and the red diagonal cross is the cross of St. Patrick.
Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II. She is formally the head of the executive and judiciary, commander-in-chief of all the armed forces and temporal governor of the Church of England. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The Parliament is legislative brunch. It consists of two houses – the 650 members House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is the lawmaking body. It is presided over by the Speaker. The House of Lords is presided over by the Lord Chancellor, and is made up of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal.
The executive brunch is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Monarch. It is usually the leader of the political party which obtains a majority of seats in a general election.
In the United Kingdom is very important city. There are grown wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, sugar beet, hay and flaw. There are bred cattles, sheep, pigs, horses and poultry. British manufacturing are food and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronic goods, clothing, motor vehicles. Great Britain has large coal, natural gas and oil reserves. Their currency is the pound. The United Kingdom is connected with the Commonwealth. Major exported goods are machinery, petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Major imported goods are food (tea, coffee, fruit, vegetables), metals and paper.
Besides London, there are many other fascinating places:
Oxford and Cambridge are the old university towns.
Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Resorts such as Brighton and Portsmouth have fine sandy beaches.
Canterbury is an ancient city with a majestic cathedral. It is the second largest city in Britain.
New York
New York is the biggest city in the USA. The number of inhabitants is about 8 million. It belongs to the largest cities in the world. The density is one of the highest in the world. It is sometimes called “The Big apple”. New York has five boroughs – the Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island and Brooklyn. The black quarter Harlem is in northern part of Manhattan.
The original inhabitants were Indians, which is resembled by the name of the oldest part – Manhattan Island. This island was bought from the Indians by the Dutch for 25 dollars. The original name was New Amsterdam. Later the British captured the city and renamed it New York. In southern part of Manhattan island there used to be a wall against Indians, now there is Wall Street the centre of financial life.
The city was built on a modern plan of streets and avenues which follow a geometry shape and are numbered. Streets run east-west and avenues north-south (e.g. Fifth Avenues is the shopping centre). Only a few of them- the oldest -have got their names (e.g. Wall Street of Broadway).
Broadway is the centre of cultural life. The island is washed by two rivers- the East river and the Hudson River. In southern Manhattan we can find quarters such as Little Italy, Chinatown, SOHO, (south of Houston-it is centre of contemporary art. East Village is a multi-cultural area with many ethnic restaurants, funky boutiques, rock and jazz clubs. Many musical groups started their career here. Greenwich Village is the home of artists, writers and students. The city is notorious for its crime. There are drug battles, gang wars and homeless people living in te streets. Many believe New York is no longer a healthy place to live and lots of people, especially with small children, are moving away.
New York is famous for a large number of skyscrapers on a small area. They started to build skyscrapers here because of the lack of space and the high price of land on the island. The first skyscrapers here were built in 1903 and 1913. It is a small city itself - it offers residential quarters, office spaces, parking lots, restaurants, shopping facilities, fitness centers, swimming pool - living in a skyscraper is expensive. The World Trade Center (WTC) was built in 19st century. It was 417 meters high, had 110 storey’s and more than 100,000 people came and went here every day.
On Tuesday September 11th 2001 Jet airlines crashed into the twin towers of WTC in New York and one into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Thousands of innocent people died. Hijackers were identified as terrorists whose mastermind is OSAMA BIN LADEN who is now residing in Afghanistan. President Georef Bush started an attack not only against OBL but also against the Taliban Government of Afghanistan who offers him sanctuary. The war against terrorizes continue.
Other interesting and beautiful skyscrapers in New York are the Empire State Building, Trump Tower and others.
The only quiet place, where however it is dangerous to go after dark is Central Park where also famous rock concert take place. There are many attractive places where visitors like to go either on ships or over NY bridges-the most world known is the Brooklyn Bridge. There are many islands in this area e.g. Liberty Island with statue of LIBERTY. It was a gift from France to the people of the U.S.A. commemorating long friendship between the two nations. The high Statue stands near a port and it was usually one of the first sights for many immigrants to the USA. It is consider being symbol of hope and freedom. New York is an important industrial city and business centre (machinery, electronics, chemistry, food) It also the biggest hospital in the USA. There are 4 airports, 15 TV station, over 100 galleries. New York has the largest subway system in the world- about 400 km long.
Washington
It was the first city in the world especially planned and built as the capital and the center of the government. In the city, along the Potomac river, there are the most important buildings in the USA- White House – presidency residence the Capitol - seat of congress the Pentagon-centre of military forces. There are no factories and industry in Washington and that's why the city seems so clean.
The original inhabitants were Indians, which is resembled by the name of the oldest part – Manhattan Island. This island was bought from the Indians by the Dutch for 25 dollars. The original name was New Amsterdam. Later the British captured the city and renamed it New York. In southern part of Manhattan island there used to be a wall against Indians, now there is Wall Street the centre of financial life.
The city was built on a modern plan of streets and avenues which follow a geometry shape and are numbered. Streets run east-west and avenues north-south (e.g. Fifth Avenues is the shopping centre). Only a few of them- the oldest -have got their names (e.g. Wall Street of Broadway).
Broadway is the centre of cultural life. The island is washed by two rivers- the East river and the Hudson River. In southern Manhattan we can find quarters such as Little Italy, Chinatown, SOHO, (south of Houston-it is centre of contemporary art. East Village is a multi-cultural area with many ethnic restaurants, funky boutiques, rock and jazz clubs. Many musical groups started their career here. Greenwich Village is the home of artists, writers and students. The city is notorious for its crime. There are drug battles, gang wars and homeless people living in te streets. Many believe New York is no longer a healthy place to live and lots of people, especially with small children, are moving away.
New York is famous for a large number of skyscrapers on a small area. They started to build skyscrapers here because of the lack of space and the high price of land on the island. The first skyscrapers here were built in 1903 and 1913. It is a small city itself - it offers residential quarters, office spaces, parking lots, restaurants, shopping facilities, fitness centers, swimming pool - living in a skyscraper is expensive. The World Trade Center (WTC) was built in 19st century. It was 417 meters high, had 110 storey’s and more than 100,000 people came and went here every day.
On Tuesday September 11th 2001 Jet airlines crashed into the twin towers of WTC in New York and one into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Thousands of innocent people died. Hijackers were identified as terrorists whose mastermind is OSAMA BIN LADEN who is now residing in Afghanistan. President Georef Bush started an attack not only against OBL but also against the Taliban Government of Afghanistan who offers him sanctuary. The war against terrorizes continue.
Other interesting and beautiful skyscrapers in New York are the Empire State Building, Trump Tower and others.
The only quiet place, where however it is dangerous to go after dark is Central Park where also famous rock concert take place. There are many attractive places where visitors like to go either on ships or over NY bridges-the most world known is the Brooklyn Bridge. There are many islands in this area e.g. Liberty Island with statue of LIBERTY. It was a gift from France to the people of the U.S.A. commemorating long friendship between the two nations. The high Statue stands near a port and it was usually one of the first sights for many immigrants to the USA. It is consider being symbol of hope and freedom. New York is an important industrial city and business centre (machinery, electronics, chemistry, food) It also the biggest hospital in the USA. There are 4 airports, 15 TV station, over 100 galleries. New York has the largest subway system in the world- about 400 km long.
Washington
It was the first city in the world especially planned and built as the capital and the center of the government. In the city, along the Potomac river, there are the most important buildings in the USA- White House – presidency residence the Capitol - seat of congress the Pentagon-centre of military forces. There are no factories and industry in Washington and that's why the city seems so clean.
Holidays and festivals in GB and USA
THE UNITED STATES
St. Valentine’s Day – it is lovers’ day, which is celebrated on February 14th. People give gifts or send
greeting cards called Valentines to people they like or admire. Originally this day commemorated the Roman priest who gave aid and comfort to the persecuted Christians before he was put to death.
Easter – it is not national holiday. Most Americans spend Easter Sunday with the family. Many children give children dyed eggs and sweets. In some families they organize an egg hunt – children look for eggs which the adults hid somewhere in the house, yard and garden. There is a traditional Easter Egg Roll in front of the White House in Washington on Easter Monday.
Independence Day – it is celebrated on July 4th. This day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, thus establishing the USA. Each city has its own ceremony and parades, band concerts and firework displays in the evening.
Halloween – it is celebrated on 31st October. Among the old Celts it was the last day of the year and the beginning of winter. It’s a night of traditional fun and games. People decorate their houses with ghosts, witches, cats and they light jack-o’-lantern from a pumpkin. Children celebrate it by dressing up in Halloween costumes with masks over their faces. Carrying baskets and bags they go to their friends’ and neighbours’ houses and they knock at the door or ring the bell. When people come to the door, children say ‘’Trick or treat’’. The most common trick is soaping the windows of houses and cars. The people treat children with sweets, fruit or money.
Veterans’Day – it is celebrated on November 11th. The veterans of all wars are honored.
Thanksgiving Day – it is celebrated 4th Thursday in November. It’s national holiday, first celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrim settlers on their first harvest. Families are together and prepare roast turkey.
Christmas – is not a national holiday, but all shops are closed. Families invite friends to join them at Christmas dinner and often give parties. Besides the Christmas tree the Americans also decorate their houses with garlands, wreaths and electric coloured lights inside and outside the house. On January most shops sell off their old stock at low or ‘’bargain’’ prices.
GREAT BRITAIN
St. Valentine’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day – this day is celebrated on March 17th. It is a public holiday in Ireland. People often wear shamrocks on that day.
Easter – it is celebrated on April. It’s spring feast of the Christian Church. Good Friday commemorates Jesus’crucifxion while Easter Sunday commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus. Originally it was a festival celebrating the spring equinox. Easter eggs, dyed and decorated or made of confectionery, symbolizing new life, are given as present. It is celebrated on Easter Sunday in Britain.
Halloween
Christmas
December 24 – this day is called Christmas Eve. A lot of people spend the day shopping. Before children go to the bed, they hang up Christmas stocking at the end of their beds and believe that Santa Claus or Father Christmas rides through the air on a sledge drawn by reindeer and comes down the chimney and fills up the stocking with presents and toys. Larger things are found at the foot of their beds or under the Christmas tree. Sometimes people leave out mince pies for Father Christmas. Christmas tree in Britain is decorated with fairy lights and bright coloured ornaments.
December 25 – this day is called Christmas Day. In the morning children enjoy unwrapping presents. Christmas dinner consists of roast turkey with chestnut stuffing and roast potatoes. Christmas pudding consists of dried fruit, eggs, suet and very little flour. There is also an old custom of stirring into the pudding a coin, a thimble and a ring to bring wealth, work and a wedding to those who find it. There are plenty of carols on the radio and TV.
December 26 – this day is called Boxing Day. In earlier times people gave small sums of money to postmen, milkmen and newspaper boys, which they collected in their Christmas boxes. For children it marks the beginning of the pantomime season which ends at Easter (Peter Pan, Cinderella).
New Year’s Eve – it is celebrated on December 31st. People are together and celebrate the coming of the New Year with singing and dancing. The Scottish name for New Year’s Eve is Hogmanay.
St. Valentine’s Day – it is lovers’ day, which is celebrated on February 14th. People give gifts or send
greeting cards called Valentines to people they like or admire. Originally this day commemorated the Roman priest who gave aid and comfort to the persecuted Christians before he was put to death.
Easter – it is not national holiday. Most Americans spend Easter Sunday with the family. Many children give children dyed eggs and sweets. In some families they organize an egg hunt – children look for eggs which the adults hid somewhere in the house, yard and garden. There is a traditional Easter Egg Roll in front of the White House in Washington on Easter Monday.
Independence Day – it is celebrated on July 4th. This day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, thus establishing the USA. Each city has its own ceremony and parades, band concerts and firework displays in the evening.
Halloween – it is celebrated on 31st October. Among the old Celts it was the last day of the year and the beginning of winter. It’s a night of traditional fun and games. People decorate their houses with ghosts, witches, cats and they light jack-o’-lantern from a pumpkin. Children celebrate it by dressing up in Halloween costumes with masks over their faces. Carrying baskets and bags they go to their friends’ and neighbours’ houses and they knock at the door or ring the bell. When people come to the door, children say ‘’Trick or treat’’. The most common trick is soaping the windows of houses and cars. The people treat children with sweets, fruit or money.
Veterans’Day – it is celebrated on November 11th. The veterans of all wars are honored.
Thanksgiving Day – it is celebrated 4th Thursday in November. It’s national holiday, first celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrim settlers on their first harvest. Families are together and prepare roast turkey.
Christmas – is not a national holiday, but all shops are closed. Families invite friends to join them at Christmas dinner and often give parties. Besides the Christmas tree the Americans also decorate their houses with garlands, wreaths and electric coloured lights inside and outside the house. On January most shops sell off their old stock at low or ‘’bargain’’ prices.
GREAT BRITAIN
St. Valentine’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day – this day is celebrated on March 17th. It is a public holiday in Ireland. People often wear shamrocks on that day.
Easter – it is celebrated on April. It’s spring feast of the Christian Church. Good Friday commemorates Jesus’crucifxion while Easter Sunday commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus. Originally it was a festival celebrating the spring equinox. Easter eggs, dyed and decorated or made of confectionery, symbolizing new life, are given as present. It is celebrated on Easter Sunday in Britain.
Halloween
Christmas
December 24 – this day is called Christmas Eve. A lot of people spend the day shopping. Before children go to the bed, they hang up Christmas stocking at the end of their beds and believe that Santa Claus or Father Christmas rides through the air on a sledge drawn by reindeer and comes down the chimney and fills up the stocking with presents and toys. Larger things are found at the foot of their beds or under the Christmas tree. Sometimes people leave out mince pies for Father Christmas. Christmas tree in Britain is decorated with fairy lights and bright coloured ornaments.
December 25 – this day is called Christmas Day. In the morning children enjoy unwrapping presents. Christmas dinner consists of roast turkey with chestnut stuffing and roast potatoes. Christmas pudding consists of dried fruit, eggs, suet and very little flour. There is also an old custom of stirring into the pudding a coin, a thimble and a ring to bring wealth, work and a wedding to those who find it. There are plenty of carols on the radio and TV.
December 26 – this day is called Boxing Day. In earlier times people gave small sums of money to postmen, milkmen and newspaper boys, which they collected in their Christmas boxes. For children it marks the beginning of the pantomime season which ends at Easter (Peter Pan, Cinderella).
New Year’s Eve – it is celebrated on December 31st. People are together and celebrate the coming of the New Year with singing and dancing. The Scottish name for New Year’s Eve is Hogmanay.
Ireland
Ireland is an island, which consists of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is situated in the west of Great Britain, in the North Atlantic Ocean. The capital of Republic of Ireland is Dublin and the capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. The whole Ireland has an area of about 84 thousand sq. km. The population of Ireland is predominately of Celtic origin. It is about 3,5 million inhabitants, but many of Irish people live abroad.
The first people settled in Ireland about 6000 B.C. During the Dark ages of Europe (500-800) Ireland became a great candle of education and scholarship. In 800 started the Viking’s era. They started their invasion by attacking the coastline places. Vikings began to develop trade, married into Irish families and, eventually, became Christians. In 1846 came the Great Potatoes Famine. Hundreds of thousands died and were buried in common graves. During the years 1919 – 1921 there was a War of Independence, finally the Treaty was signed and 26 countries were constituted the Irish Free State and given the status of a dominion. In 1937 parliament accepted the own Constitution, which described Ireland as a „sovereign, independent, democratic state. In 1949 the country became a Republic.
Ireland has also been called the Emerald Island thanks to its verdure, beautiful romantic spots. It is involved by the moderate climate. There are mild winters, cool summers, about half the time overcast – it means lots of rain.
The whole landscape consists mainly of the lowlands or plateaus. There are almost no mountains but the range of mountains along the cost, which also isn´t very high. The highest peak is called Carrantuohill. The longest and also the most celebrated river is the Shannon. Some lakes we can find in the west of Ireland.
Irish people have very specific music made by violins, flutes or backpipes. They don´t use their hands while dancing. The national sports are hurling. It is a game similar to field hockey, and gaelic football, which can be considered as a mix of rugby, soccer and basketball. Horse racing is highly popular sport throughout the republic. Thank to its level landscape there are good conditions to play golf.
The government is based on the constitution of 1937. This document proclaims Ireland a sovereign, independent and democratic state. The head of state is the president – Marie McAleese from 1997, elected by direct popular vote for a 7-year term, maximum for 14 years. The government is responsible for the national legislature and is headed by the prime minister. Legislative brunch is vested in a Parliament consists of the Senate, which has 60 members, and the Houses of Representatives, which has 166 members. The most important party is republicans. The flag consists of three bands – green color presents old Gaelic and Anglo-Saxon origins, orange color presents William of Orange, white color presents peace and truth. Judicial branch is vested in a supreme court. Judges are appointed by the president, than high court, court of criminal appeal and the district courts.
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-independent economy with very big growth, one of the most quickly developing countries. There are bred the animal husbandry like cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. Poultry production is also important. The field crops are wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, sugar beets, beef and dairy products. The fishing industry is expanding. They are produce of energy, represented generally by the fossil fuel, but also hydro energy and other. Their major trading partners are Great Britain, Germany, the USA, France and Japan.
The first people settled in Ireland about 6000 B.C. During the Dark ages of Europe (500-800) Ireland became a great candle of education and scholarship. In 800 started the Viking’s era. They started their invasion by attacking the coastline places. Vikings began to develop trade, married into Irish families and, eventually, became Christians. In 1846 came the Great Potatoes Famine. Hundreds of thousands died and were buried in common graves. During the years 1919 – 1921 there was a War of Independence, finally the Treaty was signed and 26 countries were constituted the Irish Free State and given the status of a dominion. In 1937 parliament accepted the own Constitution, which described Ireland as a „sovereign, independent, democratic state. In 1949 the country became a Republic.
Ireland has also been called the Emerald Island thanks to its verdure, beautiful romantic spots. It is involved by the moderate climate. There are mild winters, cool summers, about half the time overcast – it means lots of rain.
The whole landscape consists mainly of the lowlands or plateaus. There are almost no mountains but the range of mountains along the cost, which also isn´t very high. The highest peak is called Carrantuohill. The longest and also the most celebrated river is the Shannon. Some lakes we can find in the west of Ireland.
Irish people have very specific music made by violins, flutes or backpipes. They don´t use their hands while dancing. The national sports are hurling. It is a game similar to field hockey, and gaelic football, which can be considered as a mix of rugby, soccer and basketball. Horse racing is highly popular sport throughout the republic. Thank to its level landscape there are good conditions to play golf.
The government is based on the constitution of 1937. This document proclaims Ireland a sovereign, independent and democratic state. The head of state is the president – Marie McAleese from 1997, elected by direct popular vote for a 7-year term, maximum for 14 years. The government is responsible for the national legislature and is headed by the prime minister. Legislative brunch is vested in a Parliament consists of the Senate, which has 60 members, and the Houses of Representatives, which has 166 members. The most important party is republicans. The flag consists of three bands – green color presents old Gaelic and Anglo-Saxon origins, orange color presents William of Orange, white color presents peace and truth. Judicial branch is vested in a supreme court. Judges are appointed by the president, than high court, court of criminal appeal and the district courts.
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-independent economy with very big growth, one of the most quickly developing countries. There are bred the animal husbandry like cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. Poultry production is also important. The field crops are wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, sugar beets, beef and dairy products. The fishing industry is expanding. They are produce of energy, represented generally by the fossil fuel, but also hydro energy and other. Their major trading partners are Great Britain, Germany, the USA, France and Japan.
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