1. Outline the geographical position of the British Isles in the world referring to its advantages. Examine the territory and composition of the British Isles.
2. Briefly outline the main features of the physical geography of the British Isles referring to the relief features of England, Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland.
3. Give an account of the drainage features of the British Isles, their chief rivers and lakes. Describe the most important characteristic features of Britain’s climate.
4. Give an account of the chief resources of Great Britain. Examine the vegetation and animal world of the British Isles.
5. Examine the main stages in the formation of the population of Great Britain (Ancient Britain, Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Danes).
6. Outline the Norman Conquest and further consolidation of the English state.
7. Give the main characteristics of the modern population of Great Britain.
8. Speak of the national identities of the UK population. Analyze some national traits of the British people.
9. Speak on the cultural events of Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and England. What languages are spoken in Great Britain?
10. Explain what is meant by constitutional monarchy. What are the major functions of the monarchy today? Examine the social and political significance of monarchy in the present-day Britain.
11. Give an outline of the composition and the main functions of the Houses of Parliament and comment on the organization of their work.
12. Examine the legislative procedure of passing a Bill through Parliament.
13. Give an account of the electoral system of Great Britain.
14. Examine the composition of the government referring to the main functions of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
15. Examine the chief industries of Great Britain. Speak on British agriculture. Outline the chief types of transport in Great Britain.
16. Give an account of the structure of school education in Britain referring to all types of schools.
17. Give a general survey of the organization of educational system, nature of public and private sector in the educational system.
18. Discuss the organization of further and higher education in Britain.
19. Give an outline of the British press. Examine the place of radio and television in Great Britain.
20. Describe the main religions in Great Britain referring also to other religious communities.
21. Expand on the British traditions, customs, holidays.
22. Describe London as the world’s leading center of culture.
Part 2 “The USA”
1. Give an account of the geographical position of the USA referring to its advantages and disadvantages. Outline the physical features of the USA, referring to its advantages.
2. Give a survey of the main rivers and lakes of the USA. Outline the climate and weather of the USA.
3. Examine briefly the vegetation and animal life of the USA. Account for the chief mineral resources of the USA.
4. Outline the basis of the formation of the population of the USA, referring to the main constituent parts of the nation, ethnic groups and minority groups.
5. Examine the modern population of the USA, its density, distribution throughout the country.
6. Describe how the New World was settled before the Europeans. Why is the story of Native Americans (or Indians) unique, tragic and inspiring?
7. Examine the beginning of the colonization of North America by the first settlers from Europe. What considerations influenced many people to move to America? Who were the Pilgrim Fathers?
8. Discuss the reasons, development and consequences of the War of Independence. Outline the territorial expansion after the American Revolution.
9. Analyze the growing antagonism between the North and the South. Examine the chief events of the Civil War, its consequences.
10. Explain the notion “the frontier heritage”, its heroes.
11. Speak on the Constitution of the USA. How and when it was adopted, its structure, “The Bill of Rights”.
12. Describe the structure and the main functions of the Congress. Comment on the process of passing a Bill by the Congress.
13. Examine the institution of the American Presidency, its powers and major functions.
14. Describe a process of presidential elections, its indirect character. What is meant by “an electoral college”?
15. Examine the structure and the main functions of the state and local government.
16. Characterize the party system of the USA, commenting on the nature of the two-party system.
17. Give an outline of the Supreme Court and the Court System of the USA.
18. Give an outline of the school education in the USA.
19. Give the outline of the university education in the USA.
20. Examine the American mass media – the press, radio and television.
21. Expand on the American holidays, traditions. Examine the American symbols.
22. Expand on the basic values of the American nation. Outline their importance.