Lesson 1. The UK Today » 5A

5. A. Read the text below. Match (1—5) with the phrases (A—E). The United Kingdom is the heart D. of the British Commonwealth of Nations (1). It has been ranked among the leading nations of the world for more than 500 years. The British people have been leaders in many fields — science, exploration, government, and arts. The official A. name of the country is (2) the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The island of Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland, which covers about E. one–fifth of Ireland (3), also is part of the United Kingdom. London is the capital and largest city. The face of the land varies C. from one part of the country to another (4). Great manufacturing cities and prosperous farms lie on the green plains of England. Deposits of coal and other valuable minerals are mined B. in the hills and mountains (5) of Wales. The Scottish Lowlands support manufacturing and shipbuilding industries. Great Britain became a world power about 250 years ago, when England was united with Scotland and Wales, but the British people have many traditions that go back thousands of years. They are deeply devoted to their royal family and their form of government.