Farming (Agriculture)

Products (1.4% of GDP): cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables, cattle, sheep, poultry, fish. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. The lowlands support some farming such as wheat, potatoes and vegetables. Dairy and sheep farming are common in the hilly pastures.

Britain's Economy

The UK is the world’s fourth largest economy and has weathered the recent economic downturn better than any other G8 country. The UK Governments economic strategy aims to improve growth and employment by creating economic stability based on low inflation and prudent government borrowing, and a better environment for long-term investment in industry, infrastructure, science and technology, and education and training. Britain's economy is based primarily on private enterprise which accounts for approximately four-fifths of both output and employment. Since the global recession of 1990 – 1992 the UK has experienced continuous growth and low inflation. Employment levels are the highest ever recorded. The UK is Europe's leading business center and has the least restricted business environment within the EU. Economist Intelligence Unit e-readiness rankings, 2003 rate the UK in third place globally, equal to the US and the Netherlands, well ahead of Germany and Japan in 13th and 24th places, respectively. The service sector accounts for about two-thirds of GDP and the UK has easily the largest financial services trade surplus in the world. London remains the largest center in the world for international financial services business and London's pre-eminence in Europe's financial services industry is increasing, with international banks centralizing many of their European operations in London. Britain's absence from the Euro has not prevented London from becoming effectively the international financial capital for the Euro; 31% of global foreign exchange trading of Euros is done in London.

Your foreign colleague has taken you on a sightseeing tour of London. Read the following dialogue in parts and act them it using modifications.

A: There are a lot more beautiful places to be seen in London, you know. After lunch we can go to the Tower of London, one of the most famous buildings in Britain. About a thousand years old.

B:When was it founded?

A:The White Tower, its oldest part, was founded in 1078 by William the Conqueror.

B:Is it a museum now?

A:Now it is. But there is no single answer to the question what the Tower is. It was used as a royal palace and a fortress. And do you know that the Crown jewels and the national collections of arms are kept in the Tower?

B: That sounds extraordinary interesting. I’m eager to go there. What shall we see after that?

A:I think that will do for one day. Next time we’ll take you to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

B: What is it famous for?

A:It is the finest Renaissance church in Europe. It was built by the famous English architect Christopher Wren at the end of the XVII century.

B:Oh, I’m afraid I won’t have time to see all these places.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 984