Maturita 2026

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Stáhnout jako MD

Great Britain 🇬🇧 ​

1. Basic facts ​

  • Official name: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK).
  • Location: north-west Europe, on the British Isles, separated from continental Europe by the English Channel.
  • Population: about 67 million.
  • Capital: London.
  • Currency: Pound Sterling (ÂŁ, GBP).
  • Language: English (with regional dialects), plus Welsh in Wales and Scottish Gaelic in Scotland.
  • Flag: the Union Jack.

2. Four countries ​

  • England – capital London, largest and most populous, seat of political power.
  • Scotland – capital Edinburgh, more mountainous (Highlands), highest UK peak Ben Nevis (1,344 m).
  • Wales – capital Cardiff, Welsh is co-official, popular for rugby.
  • Northern Ireland – capital Belfast, part of the island of Ireland.

3. Geography ​

  • Mostly hilly, very green countryside with fields and pastures.
  • The north is more mountainous (Scotland, Highlands).
  • Longest rivers: River Severn (Wales/England), River Thames (through London).
  • Lakes: Loch Ness (Scotland, largest by volume), Lough Neagh (NI, largest by area).
  • Climate: mild and wet – the UK is famous for rain.

4. Political system ​

  • Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy.
  • Head of state: King Charles III (since 2022).
  • Head of government: Prime Minister.
  • Parliament: House of Commons (elected) + House of Lords (appointed / hereditary).
  • Main parties: Conservative (right wing) and Labour (left wing).

5. Brief history highlights ​

  • Stonehenge – ~5,000 years old, near Salisbury.
  • Roman Britain – Londinium founded ~AD 50.
  • 1066 – Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror.
  • 1215 – Magna Carta.
  • Tudor era – Henry VIII, Elizabeth I.
  • British Empire – 19th century world power.
  • WWII – Churchill, Battle of Britain.
  • 2020 – Brexit (UK left the EU).

6. London – top landmarks ​

  • Westminster: Houses of Parliament + clock tower with Big Ben (the bell).
  • Buckingham Palace – official royal residence since 1837.
  • The Tower of London – former royal residence and prison, houses the Crown Jewels.
  • Tower Bridge, London Eye (Europe’s biggest Ferris wheel).
  • St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey.
  • Museums: British Museum (Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles), National Gallery, Tate Modern, Madame Tussauds.
  • Hyde Park with Speakers’ Corner.
  • Transport: double-decker buses, the Tube (Underground, world’s first, 1863).

7. Other famous cities & places ​

  • Oxford & Cambridge – two of the world’s oldest universities.
  • Liverpool – home of The Beatles.
  • Manchester – football, music, industry.
  • Edinburgh – Edinburgh Castle, Fringe Festival.
  • Cardiff – Millennium Stadium, Welsh rugby.
  • Belfast – capital of Northern Ireland.
  • Stratford-upon-Avon – Shakespeare’s birthplace.
  • Giant’s Causeway – basalt columns in NI.

8. Famous British people ​

  • Writers: William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, George Orwell.
  • Scientists: Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, Alan Turing.
  • Music: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, David Bowie, Adele, Ed Sheeran.
  • Fictional: James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter.
  • Royals: Queen Elizabeth II (1952–2022), King Charles III.

9. Food & drinks ​

  • Fish and chips, full English breakfast (bacon, sausage, eggs, beans, toast).
  • Sunday roast – beef + Yorkshire pudding.
  • Sandwiches, pies, fish pie, shepherd’s pie.
  • Tea culture (afternoon tea).
  • Spreads: marmite (salty yeast spread), brown sauce.
  • Pubs – beer, ale, cider.

10. Holidays & traditions ​

  • Christmas (25 Dec) – Father Christmas, turkey, Boxing Day on 26 Dec.
  • Easter – chocolate eggs, Easter Bunny.
  • Halloween (31 Oct).
  • Bonfire Night (5 Nov) – Guy Fawkes, fireworks.
  • Remembrance Day (11 Nov) – red poppies.
  • St Patrick’s Day (NI), St George’s Day (E), St Andrew’s Day (Scotland), St David’s Day (Wales).

11. Sport ​

  • Football (most popular), rugby, cricket (in summer), polo (rich tradition).
  • Wimbledon – oldest tennis tournament (UK Grand Slam).
  • Horse racing, Formula 1 (Silverstone), Premier League.

12. Speaking strategy ​

Start with structure (4 countries on the British Isles, constitutional monarchy). Cover London landmarks in a list. Mention 2–3 famous Britons (Shakespeare + a scientist + a musician). End with Brexit / current politics to show you’re up to date.