The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland comprises England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England is the biggest of the four countries. The capital city of England is London.
The English Channel is in the south between England and France. People travel to France by ferry across the English Channel or by train through the Channel Tunnel which goes under the sea.
There are many large cities in England. They are Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol. Outside cities, England is a very green country and has many rural areas of natural beauty such as the Lake District, an area with lots of lakes in the north, and the New Forest, a big area of forest in the south of the country.
The national flag of England is white with a red cross. It is called the St George’s Cross and Saint George is the patron saint of England. St George’s Day is on 23 April, but it’s not a public holiday. The rose is the national flower of England.
The official language of England is English, which is spoken today by millions of people all over the world. Many students go to England from other countries to study the language and learn about the culture.
The climate is mild, wet and the weather is changeable in England. The weather often changes in England. This is because of the Atlantic Ocean. The winds blowing from the Atlantic are warm and wet.

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This text deals with …
1.  City attractions.
2.  A London cinema.
3.  A London theatre.
4.  A London street.
5.  Nature sights.
6.  A London museum.
A.  The Lake District, in the northwest of England, is a small area, but extremely beautiful, with the varied delights of soft hills and woodland and the panoramas of the great lakes. The Lake District is more often visited, both by day tourists and holidaymakers, than any other region of outstanding natural beauty in the British Isles.
B.  England's most ancient northern city lies on the River Ouse in the centre of the Vale of York between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. It was once the principal town of Yorkshire, and it remains the seat of the Archbishop of York. A child-friendly city, its Viking, Castle and Railway museums have plenty to engage young people as well as adults.
C.  Along the north part of Trafalgar Square is the famous National Gallery. Founded in 1824, the gallery has since grown into one of the most outstanding and comprehensive collections in the world, with a list of masters ranging from Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt to El Greco and Van Gogh.
D.  The London Coliseum famous for its richly decorated interiors was used for variety shows, musical comedies, and stage plays for many years. In 1974 its name was changed to the English National Opera. Today it is used primarily for opera as well as being the London home of the English National Ballet. When not on tour they perform regular seasons throughout the year.
E.  The Mall is London's impressive ceremonial way, a broad tree-lined avenue. The spectacular parade takes place here each June to celebrate the official Birthday of the Sovereign. Over 1,000 officers and men are on parade, together with two hundred horses; over two hundred musicians march and play as one.

Sport is very important in England, and people enjoy going to big sports events or watching them on TV and playing sport in their free time. Some of 14 ________ world sports are football, rugby, cricket, golf and tennis – 15____________ started in England, and 16_________ from all around the world come here for some of its great sports events. In 2012, the Olympics 17___________ in England, and millions of people from around the world came to London to watch many different sports of the Olympics and the Paralympics. New sports stadiums were built, including the main Olympic stadium, a basketball arena and a velopark, for 18_________. It was a very 19_____________ year for the country.

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A. breakfast
B. traditionally
C. festivals
D. always
E. dessert
F. dried
G. desert
H. religious

There are special days and 20__________ throughout the year in England, but only a few are bank holidays – days when people do not have to work. Christmas in one of the most important 21__________ festivals in England. Christmas Day, 25th December, and the next day, Boxing Day, are 22__________ bank holidays, and most people spend this time with family or friends. 23____________, people eat turkey on Christmas Day. For the 24__________ there is usually Christmas pudding, a type of cake made with 25__________ fruit.