3. .. .the long fuse was lit by their great geostrategic defeats of 1939-1942.
4. It might be better to see the break-up of empires as a kind of unraveling, in which failure in one sector sets up intolerable strains in others parts of the system.
5. Adjusting to these (strains) creates further unpredictable stresses, until the whole system breaks up or is absorbed piecemeal (по частям) into a stronger successor.
6. .to relieve the main stresses by conceding self-government and sometimes independence while preserving a prime influence in the old zones of rule.
Unit I. UK: from Empire to Democracy
TASK 4
Write a descriptive summary (~250-300 words) of this extract from the book ‘Unfinished Empire' by John Darwin. You are expected to refer to the author but not too often!
Peer reading
Read a classmate's summary and suggest corrections if necessary. Start with the questions below.
1. Does the summary accurately represent the author's ideas and key points (the author's emphasis)?
2. Is it written in the writer's OWN words? Are quotation marks used if the author is quoted?
3. Are any minor details or new (not the author's!) ideas included?
4. Is it the right length?
Pay attention to style, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
DEVELOPING LISTENING SKILLS
Listening for general understanding, for specific information and emotional charge.
Watch the video “Magna Carta and the Emergence of Parliament” (Stories from Parliament) and do the tasks below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qj2vpp9Wf4
PRE-VIEWING QUESTIONS:
1. What do you know about Magna Carta?
2. Do you know the meaning of these words:
a rebel, a traitor, to seize (land, control), parchment, futile?
TASK 1
Listen for the main ideas: read the questions below before you start, then answer them.
1. What conflict arose in England in 1215 and what was its cause?
2. Who were the participants in the conflict?
3. What demands did the rebels make?
4. What is the greatest significance of Magna Carta?
TASK 2
Listen for specific information in order to answer the questions below.
1. When was Magna Carta signed?
2. How many rules did it contain?
3. How many rules did King John agree to publicly in the film?
4. Which of the rules did he agree to (choose from the list below)?
| 1 | Any punishment must fit the crime | |
| 2 | A committee of 25 barons that could meet and overrule the King if they believed he defied the Charter | |
| 3 | No free man can be seized or imprisoned without charges |
