My town and its surrounding

1) Introduction
•    it is lied in Moravian gate, in region Nový Jičín
•    there live 23 000 inhabitants
•    our town is famous because of car company Tatra, a.s.
•    mark: it is divided into 2 parts one is red and the second is white, it is because Kopřivnice is lied between White mountain and mountain Red stone, in the middle is gold carriage and in white half is leaf of nettle (= kopřiva)

2) History
•    first we know about life here is in older stone age because of archaeological discoveries around today Kopřivnice
•    very important was discovery of jaw-bone of Neanderthal’s child in 1880 by profesor Maška in cave Šipka, Neanderthal’s child lived in 40 000 years before Christ
•    Kopřivnice lies in Moravian gate, it was centre between Baltic and Střední sea because of business
•    in 13th century people started settle this land and our town started grow
-    when feudalists built castle Šostýn, Kopřivnice became settlement (=osada)
•    Kopřinice’s settlement was in Middle age under control of the other towns
•    the first turning point (= přelom) was in 1812 – the factory for stoneware (= kamenina) was established
-    founder was Ignác Raška
-    production was reduced through world wars
-    in 1962 factory was abandoned
•    the second turning point (= přelom) was in 1850, when Ignác Schustala established first manufactory
-    he built carriages
-    in 1897 the first car President was built in Kopřivnice, it was the first car in Middle Europe 
-    car’s exams (if everything is OK) were in High Tatra and people who are living here say: “Look, Tatra!” and factory like it
•    in 1910 Kopřivnice promoted (= povýšena) to village
•    in 1935 Kopřivnice was occupied and it was changed the name to Nesselsdorf
•    in 1945 Tatra factory was nationalized by Soviet army
•    in 1948 Kopřivnice promoted (= povýšena) to town
-    in this year there were 6 000 inhabitants and after 50 years there were 21 500 inhabitants
-    there was more schools, shops, health services, culture and so one

3) Interests
•    there is church of Saint Bartoloměj – wonderful and modern, it was rebuilt recently, at Christmas we are going here midnight celebration
 •    there is very small square – it is square of T.G. Masaryk, in the middle of square is statue of him made by brass
 •    really wonderful is building of basic school Náměstí, it is white and in Baroque style
 •    very old building is Marionette theatre (= Loutkové divadlo) it is in Renaissance style and a roof is decorated by wood
 •    there is park of Edvard Beneš, there are carrousels, swings for children and building in Baroque style where you can buy ice cream and cold beer in summer, you can sit there and relaxed

•    in centre of town
-    fountain, you can sit around and relaxed
-    House of culture – there is culture actions, balls, concerts, on 2nd floor, there is library, cinema
-    there are shops like chemist, stationer's shop, florist, silver and gold and sweetshop (I love it, they have 15 kinds of ice cream, desserts, great coffee and it is one place in region Nový Jičín, where they have Bananas or Strawberry milk shake)
-    there is Hotel, it name is Tatra, on 1st floor is restaurant (very elegant for celebration) and on 2nd floor is solarium, manicure and cosmetic salon
-    and last is Tatra
        in 1897 the first car President was built in Kopřivnice, it was the first car in Middle Europe, year later was built the first truck here and in 1934 there was established air department,
        Tatra have produced only trucks since 1998
        it is very successful because of army orders (= armádní objedávky)

•    there are museums
 -    Technical museum – it was built in 1997, it is very modern, it shows all history of Tatra, the car President, trucks, planes, projects of cars, prize in competition,
-    part of Technical museum is exhibition Emil and Dana Zátopkovi, there are their autobiographies, prizes, medals, there is documentary film too, it is long 14 minutes and 6 seconds, because it was his record for 5km
-    Fojtství museum – the oldest building in Kopřivnice, it was rebuilt in 1985 by Tatra, Ignác Schustala established first manufactory in this house in 1850

•    sports and activities
 -    swimming pool – there are 2 basins and one small for children, meadow for sunbathing or play football, there is beach volleyball (we played it all summer with friend), switchback (= tobogan) and refreshment of course
-    covered swimming pool too, with sauna, solarium, massages
-    minigolf (I don’t like it)
-    summer stadium – there are football and athletic trainings, motocross races, in this day there is U-ramp for skateboarders
-    ice stadium – there are ice skating and ice-hockey trainings
-    Bubla city ranch – it is very modern and young, there are horses and celebrations
-    squash, bowling, fitness, cycling, tennis court, handball gym and stadium
(I was athlete and I have trainings on our summer stadium and in winter we were in gym, my brother is handball player, he is 13-year-old, Kopřivnice is known like handball town too)

•    town and villages around us
 -    Štramberk it is 4 km away, there live my grandparent, my grandfather was born here and he say: “It is town of wood and hills”, its nick is Moravian Bethlehem, there is Trúba and cave Šipka, my grandmother prepare the best Štramberks ears
-    Ženklava it is 6 km away, there live my second grandparent, I like it very much, our house here and our garden
-    Lubina – it is a part of Kopřivnice, there is industrial park – there are a lot of factories (my mother works here and I have brigade-work here)
•    native of Kopřivnice
Emil Zátopek
-    was born on 19th September 1922 in Kopřivnice
-    he is Czech athlete, 4 times Olympic winner, 8 times world record holder, the best athlete of 20th century
-    he works in Baťa factory and he let him to run on one race – he was the 2nd
-    he started with athletic but he didn’t win, he prepared own training plane (I try to used it to, when I was athlete, it was horrible)
-    he married with Dana Ingrová (she was born in the same date and year like him), she was throwing the javelin (= hod oštěpěm)
-    on one Olympic Games he won 3 gold medals – it was first time in sport’s history
-    he dead on 21st November 2000 in Prague
-    my basic school name after him and I shook hand with him
Zdeněk Burian
-    was born on 11th February 1905 in Kopřivnice
-    he was 14-year-old and they got him to Academy of Graphic Art to 2nd class
-    in 16 he became illustrator
-    he created 10 000 pictures – for books, calendars, magazines, he illustrated book wrapper of Jules Verne, Karel Maye, Jack London, Jaroslav Foglar and so on
-    with Josef Augusta he started to draw extinct animals and plant
-    in this day, he is the most important illustrator of primeval ages on the world
-    he dead on 1st July 1981 in Prague

Course of Life, Autobiography, Friends

•    I was born in Nový Jičín on 23rd April 1989 (the same date when was born Shakespeare and the same date when England celebrate St. George’s Day)
•    I have 2 halfbrothers and 2 stepbrothers but in reality I am only child
•    my parents were together 5 years before me but they were 20 and 22-year-old when I was born, they were so young
•    they divorced when I was 5
•    I live with my mother, stepfather and halfbrother in Kopřivnice

1) The person who really influenced my life
•    is my mum
•    she is the best person who I know, when I was child she loved me, when I am older she is my best friend (I can talk with her about everything: about my boyfriend, about my dad, about school, about my problems)
•    my mum wanted to be seller and now she is worker in factory, but she is so clever
•    judge said I would live with my mother and I would be with father once a 2 weeks
•    my father had the other family and though I was small I knew I was surplus – I stopped to go there
•    I started to be with my mum and stepfather and my small halfbrother was born
•    there are days when we quarrel and sometime I say myself: “Mum, you are horrible I don’t want to be like you.”
•    I am on this world 19 years and one person who was with me all the time is my mum

2) Family
•    ideal family:
-    when children are small parents love them and nurture them
-    when children are older parents help them in school and praise them for marks
-    when children aren’t children, but “almost” adult parents must be your friends
-    one a week you are with your grandparents
-    now and again you must quarrel because it’s important say what is bad
•    to be a child
-    see only advantages: you go to kindergarten, you haven’t duties (in grammar school you haven’t so much duties too), you can bother but mummy said: “It’s OK, she is small.”
-    you can eat a lot of sweets and if you didn’t eat a lunch, mummy said: “It’s OK, she is small.”
-    your grandparents cocker up you very much
-    some disadvantages: you can’t drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, go to club but when your are child you don’t need it
•    ideal size for family
-    ideal size for family is 4 people, parents and 2 children, because cars are for 4 people, holiday is for 4 people (they write: room for 3 people and 1 additional bed
-    we are 4 people at home, me, my mum, halfbrother and my stepfather
-    me and my halfbrother, his mane is Joseph, we have the same mum, but we have different fathers
-    my father live in Bartošovice with his wife, she has 2 children from the first marriage, they are twins and 20-year-old, and my father and his wife (I say her: aunt) they have children, he is my halfbrother too and his name is David
-    want to have 3 children, I want to have twins and after 5 years have the last children
•    full-time jobs
-    in this days is typical women have jobs like men, when children are small, she must be home with child I think, when child is 3-year-old mother can get him to kindergarten and go to work
-    in same families where are 3 children or more, where isn’t father or when father has low wage, mother must go to work
-    when mother can go to work like men or fathers, it’s better, family have more money by month, but it can’t be at the expense of (= na úkor) family
•    adults know what is best for children
-    who is adult?
-    by law you are adult in 18 years but you are not prepare for children
-    by biology you are prepare for children between 20 and 30 years
-    today is typical have children between 35 and 40 years or haven’t children
-    people are prepare when they have flat or house, funding (= fin. zajištění) and love
-    when are people prepare for children, they have a time for them and they know what the best for them
•    qualities of partner
-    my partner is Ondra for 3 years
-    it isn’t original I know but he is clever, frank, nice, sportsman, no drink, no smoke, he wants children, he understand me, he hear me when I have a problem and help me, he can set me laughing
-    he is a little bit shy but now it is better
-    he learn me relaxed and don’t learn 24 hours
-    I learn him to learn and to be not so shy
3) Friends
•    friend is person who is frank, talkative, I can talk him everything and he says it nobody, he can set me laughing, he help me, go with me everywhere
•    friend is very important for all people on the world
-    if you are child you need friend for playing a games
-    if you are older you need friend for talk about problems
-    if you are adult you need friend because you are all time with family or with your boyfriend, you need talk about girls problem (make up, nice boys, small babies, ugly collaborator from work)
-    I prefer one best friend before a lot of usual friends
-    one of my best friend is Soňa, I know her 13 years, she is very clever, nice, frank and amusing, she help me and heart me when I have a problem

Halloween

•    is celebrating on the 31 October
•    from Hallowe’en – old Celtic word for Hallows evening

History
•    Celtic News Year was on the 31 October, Celts (ancestors of Irish, Scottish and Welsh) believed ghosts and witches are free, they walk and mingle with living
•    townspeople baked food all that day for them, in the evening dressed – resemble dead soul
•    but Christianity – 31October isn’t last day in year → celebration for children
•    in 1840s Irish people have gone to USA and it started to celebrate in USA too

Symbols
•    witches flying on broom, cats, ghosts, goblins, skeletons, spiders

Costumes
•    children dress costumes like witch, ghosts, skeleton, but supermen, batman too

Day
•    adult go to work and children go to school and at the evening children dress to costumes and adult (parents) stay at home
•    children come from door to door and say: “trick or treat “ – it means give me something or I will make dirty your house (ketchup, eggs) and adult give them sweets
•    people play game bobbing – prepare basket with water and apples, get hands behind back and try to take by mouth apples from water

Pumpkin
•    take knife and cut top of pumpkin
•    put over what is inside and seeds too
•    cut out eyes, mouth, nose
•    put top on pumpkin
•    now it isn’t pumpkin but jack-o’-lantern
•    can put inside candle or sweets

places Prague

Krizik’s Fountain
•    the biggest sight of Výstaviště, European unique
•    at the end of 19. century František Křižík built Krizik’s Fountain on the occasion of anniversary industrial exhibition (where they exposed electric, modern and industrial news)
•    100 years later (at the end of 20. century) it was rebuilt
•    some numbers:
­    3000 nozzles
­    1250 water lights with a lot of colours
­    2 km pipes
•    computer has control over program,
•    program it means light, water and music
•    it can be only music (music of classical or modern authors) or music and dance together – dance it mean mostly ballet
•    program can watch 6000 people

Horologe
•    Prague holologe is best-know horologe on the world
•    it’s on south wall of Old-Town Town Hall (staroměstká radnice)
•    build in 1410
•    there are 3 parts:
1.    astronomical part
2.    calendar
3.    figures

1.    astronomical part
­    there is location sun and month, moon period (growing, full moon, leaving)
­    clock face show old czech time too
­    zodiac – star sky, zodiac turns around one of day
2.    calendar
­    at the end of 19. century – there is new calendar – author is Mánes
­    there are pictures of all 12 month, on picture there are work in village
­    it’s around calendar, not hand
3.    figures
­    every hour in 2 windows appear 12 apostles – sv. Petr, Matěj, Jan , Ondřej (kříž ve tvaru X), Filip, Jakub, sv. Pavel, sv. Tomáš, sv. Šimon, sv. Tadeáš, sv. Bartoloměj a sv. Barnabáš

legend:
Master Hanuš built Horologe and councilmen were afrait he can built it for the other town. At the evening they have come and blinded him. He knew it was their plan and he has gone inside Horologe and he has taken hand inside to machine and stopped it for 100 years.

Vyšehrad’s burial-place
•    at church st. Peter and Paul on Vyšehrad
•    it was built in 13. centuries and in 19. centuries it happened burial-place czech personalities
•    the most famous common crypt – Slavín (there are f.e. Myslbek, Zeyer, Sládek, Vrchliclý, Hynais)
•    composers: f.e. Smetana, Dvořák
•    singer: Destinová
•    writers: Čapek, Neruda, Němcová
•    actor: Burian
•    scientist: Křižík etc.

Plot of Washington, DC

•    introduction
•    was chosen by G. Washington
•    600 000 people
•    District of Columbia
•    centre of legislative, administrative and judicial
•    1,2,3 → N-S, A,B,C → E-W, major avenues after some of the 50 states
•    The US Capitol – seat of Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate
•    The Pantagon – the centre of military forces
•    The Library of Congress – the nation's oldest federal cultural institution, 29 milion books, 12 million
 photographs, 4.8 million maps, and 58 million manuscripts
•    The Mall – park, Capitol-Washington Monument, 7 Smithsonian Instution museums: National Air and Space Museum
•    The Washington Monument – white obelisk, marble, 45m
•    The Jefferson Memorial – bronze staue of Jefferson (stand), outside are cherry trees (City Tokyo presented to DC)
•    The Lincoln Memorial – Greek temple, 36 columns, white marble statue (seated)
•    The White House – residence of President, 132 rooms
•    Arlington National Cemetery – Veterans buried there, Kennedy Memorial Grave
•    Vietnam Veterans Memorial – people, who dead in Vietnam War, polished black granite walls
•    Democratic – donkey, Republicant - elephant

Plot of New York City:
•    introduction
•    history – indians → Dutchmans → New Yorkers
•    nicknames: melting pot, big apple and city, that never sleep
•    inhabitants + surround
•    5 parts
•    rivers
•    avenues → N-S, streets → E-W, 5th avenue – fashion, Wall street, Broodway – theater
•    skyscraper
•    traffic transport
•    famous place (Empire State Building, Central park, Macy – world’s largest store)

Patriot

This film is a war drama. It is in 80’s and 90’s years of 18th century when 13 American colonies want to separate from Great Britain and they fight because of it. On July 4, 1776 Congress accepted Declaration of Independence but Great Britain did not accept it and sent soldiers to American colonies.
In the beginning Benjamin Martin is father of wonderful family, he lives with his 7 children on his farm. But war starts and his oldest children Gabriel enters the forces. Martin was in war and he does not go there, because he knows what it is.
One day Gabriel returns but because of the war is in front of their farm. At the morning Martin nurses American and British soldiers too. But colonel Tavigton (British army) burns his farm, kills his second oldest son Thomas and he wants to halter Gabriel. Martin kills all soldiers and he sets free Gabriel, when they lead away him.
Aunt Charlotte looks after the children and Martin and Gabriel go to war. Martin becomes a colonel and he and Gabriel try to get soldiers for home defence. Gabriel meets his love. He is married her.
Home defence with Martin win a lot of battles and Tavington’s major is angry. He lets Tavington hurts the home defence’s families and Tavington kills them and Gabriels’s wife too.
Gabriel and the other men are angry and they aggress on Tavington and his soldiers. They fight and Tavington kills Gabriel.
The last and the biggest battle is in Yorktown, where Americans win. After that the French come and help Americans. The war is over and all of them are starting new life.

Mel Gibson (Benjamin Martin) is excellent actor; he is great like a father, like a patriot and like soldier. You believe him, he loves his family, he likes his friends and he is furious avenger.
Heath Ledger (Gabriel Martin) is in background of Mel Gibson, only like a son of 7 children, but after that he fallen in love and there he starts to be important not only like a son but like a husband of one girl and the other family.
Jason Isaacs (colonel Tavigton) is demonology, he makes everything for success and satisfaction with dead pan and sometimes I thought, he is immortal but at the end he died (thank God!).
Joely Richardson (aunt Charlotte), she is wonderful and unwed woman (untypical in this time), who look after sister’s children and fallen in love with Martin. She is loving and brave mother all film.
Dialogues were funny, realistic and now and then emotive or instructive.
There are wonderful houses, churches and all villages, costumes are excellent and the big crowd is great.
I have read about it and it says: It is stupid, false and romantic drama where Mel Gibson argues into all Americans and they won. It is only for Americans.
I don’t think so it is wonderful part of history. It is not documentary film about war; it is drama and war film. The man, who lost 2 sons and a lot of friends, he wants win for better future. He wants to defeat men who are bad people and avenges oneself.
In this film, there is something for everybody: romantic, patriotism, action, funny, exciting and so one. I can recommend it.

Thanksgiving

Throughout the United States and Canada Thanksgiving Day is an annual (každoroční) legal holiday. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States and on the second Monday in October in Canada. There are also (také) Thanksgiving holidays celebrated every year in Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Laos, Liberia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Grenada, and the Virgin Islands.
As celebrated in the United States, Thanksgiving was originally a harvest (žně, sklizeň) festival, one of the oldest and most widespread (rozšířený) of celebrations. The American holiday commemorates (připomínají) a harvest (žně, sklizeň) celebration held by the Pilgrims of Plymouth colony in 1621.
The Pilgrims had come ashore (na souš) from the Mayflower on Dec. 21, 1620 (see `Mayflower' ; Plymouth, Mass .). The winter had been heartbreaking (srdcervoucí). Only about half the original group had survived. Fortunately the harvest (žně, sklizeň) was good. There were 20 acres (8 hectares) of the strange Indian corn, for which the Indians had furnished seeds (zařídit semena). There were also barley (ječmen) and plenty (hojnost) of meat. Governor William Bradford sent four men to hunt (hon) for fowl (slepice). They returned with enough waterfowl and wild turkeys to last a week. Fishermen brought in cod (legrace) and bass (okoun). Indian hunters contributed five deer (lovci přinesli 5 jelenů). Ninety Indians, with their chief, Massasoit, feasted (hostil) with the colonists for three days.
The date of the feast (svátek) is not known. Bradford wrote in his history `Of Plimoth Plantation' that on September 18 some men set out (vyrazit) in a small boat for Massachusetts Bay to trade with the Indians. The harvest was gathered after they returned. The feast must have occurred before December 11. It was described in a letter written on that date by Edward Winslow.
There is also no record that the feast was called a "thanksgiving." Appointing (jmenováni) certain (jistý, spolehlivý) days for giving special thanks was a custom of the Puritans, but the first record of such a day was two years later in 1623. Then the Pilgrims "set apart a day of thanksgiving" for rain that ended a terrible drought.
President Abraham Lincoln. On Oct. 3, 1863, during the Civil War, Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26 and he declared thangsgiving a holiday. He also named the last Thursday in November as the day to be observed every year.
Lincoln and every president who followed him proclaimed the holiday each year. The date chosen, with few exceptions, was the last Thursday in November. President Franklin D. Roosevelt thought Thanksgiving fell too close to Christmas. In 1939 he proclaimed the third Thursday Thanksgiving Day. Not all states complied, however. In December 1941 a joint resolution (rozhodnutí, řešení) of Congress specified the fourth Thursday in November (which is not always the last Thursday) as Thanksgiving Day.  
Dinner
First and foremost (především), turkey is usually the featured (rys) item on any Thanksgiving feast (svátek) table (so much so that Thanksgiving is sometimes referred to as "Turkey Day"). Stuffing, mashed (rozmačkané) potatoes with gravy (omáčka), sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, Indian corn, other fall vegetables, and pumpkin pie are commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner. 
Česky
Thanksgiving, Den díkůvzdání se ve Spojených státech slaví čtvrtý listopadový čtvrtek, následující den je také volno. Ve Spojených státech se některé svátky slaví přesně na den (Den nezávislosti, Vánoce), jiné (Labor day, Martin Luther King) jsou stanoveny na den v týdnu měsíce (podobně jako české Velikonoce, i když u těch je to ještě složitější) a často spojeny s několikadenními prázdninami.
Původně jsem myslel, že Thanksgiving souvisí s přistáním otců poutníků  (Pilgrim Fathers) na Mayflower k americkému břehu v Plymouth 21. prosince 1620. Poté, co jsem zjistil, že v Kanadě slaví Thanksgiving druhé říjnové pondělí jsem byl ještě více zmaten, takže jsem využil služeb mého oblíbeného zdroje, Compton's Encyklopedia Online a zjistil jak to tedy je. Thanksgiving byl původně dožínkovou slavností, připomínající velkou žranici na podzim 1621, kdy se poutníci po třeskuté zimě, kterou přežila pouhá polovina poutníků dočkali bohatých úlovků a sklizně z políček osetých osivem věnovaným Indiány (ti také přinesli 5 jelenů). Název 'thansgiving' se objevuje dva roky poté; zda byl použit už při původní hostině není jisté.

The American Declaration of Independence

Dates
1642 – The English Civil War begins
1649 – The execution of Charles I.
1660 – The Restoration of the monarchy
1861 – death of Prince Albert
1897 – Victoria celebrates 60 years on the throne
1936 – Edward VIII becomes king
1936 – Edward VIII abdicates
1952 – Elizabeth II become queen
1981 – Prince Charles marries Princess Diana
1996 – Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorce
1997 – Princess Diana dies
2002 – Elizabeth II celebrates 50 years on the throne

Charles I.
•    1629 dismissed the parliament
•    1642 Civil war – Royalists (king power) X Roundheads (parliament power)
•    Roundheads – won it → 11 years England republic
•    1660 Charles II became king

Victoria
•    her husband Prince Albert dead in 1861 → depression
•    20 years performed no duties
•    1897 – Jubilee 60 years on throne

Edward VIII
•    1936 on throne but his love is twice-divorced American woman
•    he abandon throne → brother George VI

Princess Diana
•    drop in popularity of royal family after her death


The American Declaration of Independence
•    on 4th July, in 1776
•    document of 13 colonies
author: Thomas Jefferson (John Adams and Benjamin Franklin )
56 signatures
•    history:
high taxation + Americans can’t to be in Congress → 1773 – Boston Tea Party → fights → on 4th July, in 1776 was signed Declaration → 1783 – piece

The American Constitution
•    the oldest constitution on the world
•    the highest law
•    author: Delegates of the Philadelphia Convention
signed on 17th September, in 1787 in Phildelphia
•    officially adopted in 1790 by the original 13 states
•    separate to: executive (President), legislative (Congress) and judicial (Supreme Court)

II. Amendments
•    to have a guns
•    people above 18 years can buy a gun (20 years – specials guns)

Celebrations
Burns Night Supper
•    January 25th, in Scotland
•    celebrate the birthday of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns
•    3 toasts: to haggis with whisky, to the ladies, The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns

St. Patrick’s Day
•    March 17th, in Ireland
•    celebrate day of patron of Ireland
•    parades, fireworks, green color

Independence Day
•    July 4th, in USA
•    celebrate independence (separate and freedom) of 13 colonies of Great Britain
•    barbecue, parades, fireworks, American football

Tsotsi

 The plot of this film takes place in South Africa of these days. Tsotsi is black and poor young man. He lives in Soweto, which is a place in Johannesburg, where poor people live. There are only black people in Soweto, because of apartheid, which was here in the past. He didn’t have happy childhood. His mother died of illness and his father was very cruel so Tsotsi ran away from home and lived in big pipe with other children without home.

In these days he lives in a small “room” made from junk. He is a gang leader. They steal to survive. They aren’t afraid to kill somebody. Once Tsotsi wounds a woman and steals her car. Suddenly he discovers a baby in the back seat, but  it was too late to return. He left the car, took the baby into big paper bag and went home.

He wanted to take care of the baby, however he didn’t know how. He found some young woman in his neighbourhood. She also has a baby, but her husband is dead. Tsotsi with “his” baby in the bag follows her in secrecy to her house. He threatens her with gun, so she full of fear fed the baby. He repeated this several times. Although the woman knew from news, who Tsotsi was, she didn’t call police. Tsotsi decided to return the baby back, maybe due to the woman, who had asked him for that. He gives the baby to its real parents and gives up to police, which surrounded him. And this is the end of the story. 

 I like this film, but it’s sad, because it could be real and that’s horrible.

Educational systems

U.S. SYSTEM
School attednance is mandatory from 6 to 16. The schools are either public (publicly owned and funded by states) or private (students pay high tuition). School boards are groups of people who control the school.
There are 6 sections of education:
1. Children aged 2-4 attend a pre-school.
2. For children aged 5-6, there are kindergartens.
3. Boys and girls go to an elementary school from 6 to 12 years (1st to 6th grade).
4. From 11 to 15 (6th to 8th grade) they attend a junior high (or middle school).
5. The next four years there is a high school. The students of each grade have names: 9th freshman, 10th sophomore, 11th junior, 12th senior. There are no entrance exams, the students goes to the school of his / her school district. Some courses are required, some are elective. The student also take part in extracurricular activities – sports, clubs, bands, choir. There are rivalries among the sport clubs, which have cheerleaders, mascots, club colors... There is no exam to graduate. Ending a required class, the students gets a H. S. Diploma (passing grades are A, B, C, D, fail is F).
6. People who want a higher education attend colleges or universities. About ⅓ of high school graduates go there. SAT means Scholastic Aptitude Test, which is needed for entering a college or university. At so called community colleges, which are for 2 years, the student gets an AA degree (Associate of Arts). Apart from the tests, to enter a college or university good grades, teacher’s recommendation, essays and interviews are required. The undergraduates are students, who study for 4 years – they get a B.A. or B.S. degree (Bachelor of Arts or Science). The graduate students (1-3 years more) get a Master’s degree. For a Doctoral degree, you must study 1-5 years more. Your most important subject is called the major, the 2nd most important elective subject is called the minor. The most prestigious U.S. universities are Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Princeton...

BRITISH SYSTEM
Children from 5 years attend an infant school and at 7 they go to junior school. These are primary schools.
The secondary schools, where you go from 11, are either state or private. State schools are paid for by public money, they are divided into comprehensive (studying all subjects, anyone can go there – 90% go) and grammar (based on academic ability). Private (or independent) schools are preparatory (Prep, ages 5-7) and public. In public schools, the students pay tuition, wear uniforms, many schools are not co-educational (boys + girls), some are boarding schools (students live there). Famous public schools are Eton College, Harrow, Westminster... At 16, every student takes an exam to get GCSE – General Certificate of Secondary Education, or A level (General Certificate of Education Advanced Level).
About 30% of students go to college or university for higher education. The most prestigious British universities are Oxford, Cambridge, St. Andrews, Edinburgh... The universities built in 19th century are called „red brick“ universities.
CZECH SYSTEM + COMPARISON
In the Czech Republic, there is a 9-year mandatory school attendance. Before, the children usually attend a kindergarten. At 6 years, they go to an elementary school, which is divided into first (1st to 5th class) and second (6th to 9th class) part. Then they can choose a high school (in Czech called middle school). There are grammar schools and specialised high schools. We also have state and private schools. Some grammar schools open classes for 8-year study, available for those who ended the first part of elementary school, and other various types of study. Usually there are entrance exams for a high school, and every high school ends with an exam called maturita. This is an oral exam in four subjects – one is Czech language and literature, one is a foreign language and the others are usually elective.
A student with maturita can go to a college or university (in Czech called high school) for higher education. An entrance exam is required at most universities, but an interview or essay at only few of them. In the last semester of the study, we have to write a diploma work. Then we can get a Bachelor’s (3 years), Master’s or Engineer’s (5 years) or Doctor’s degree. The oldest university in the Czech Republic is the Charles’ University (UK) in Prague. The other prestigious ones are for example Czech High Technical Education (ČVUT) in Prague, Masaryk’s University (MU) in Brno, and other technical, natural scientific and humanitarian universities in the whole country.
Compared with the U.S. system, there are many differences. We don’t have pre-school and kindergarten separated, the compulsory 9 years are at one school. At high schools, there are no names of the classes, no school districts, and usually no sport clubs with cheerleaders. Unlike the American system, there are entrance and graduation exams. Also the marking is different, as we use numbers 1-5 instead of letters. At universities, no majors and minors are used. And there is one more difference connected with education – almost every student of high school attends dancing lessons for one year and learns to dance classics, which does not exist in America!
The British system has more in common with ours than the U.S. However, our grammar schools are not based on academic ability, but they are used by more than 10% of students. Private schools are not many in the CR (and no Preps at all), uniforms are not used and a great majority of schools is co-educational and not boarding. There are differences between GCSE and maturita – the form of the test, the age when it is taken... And in the Czech Republic, we don’t call any school a „red brick“ university!

UK: Geography

Britain lies off the north-west coast of the Europe across the English Channel, the Strait of Dover and the North Sea. It consists of two large islands (Great Britain and Irealnd0 and about 5000 smaller ones (e.g. the Isle of Wight, the Isles of Scilly, the Isle of Man, Anglesey, the Hebrides, the Orkneys, the Shetlands and the Channel Islands). Its neighbours are Ireland to west and France to south-east. It covers the are of about two and a half square kilometres. Britain consists of four countries: England (London capital), Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff) and North Ireland (Belfast). London, the capital is the centre of government for the whole of Britain but local authorities are also partly responsible for education, health care, roads, the police and some other things. England is mostly rolling land, rising to the Uplands of southern Scotland. The main mountain regions here are the Cornish Heights (south-west England), the Cambrians (Wales), the Cambrian Mountains (in the Lake District), the Pennines (the Backbone of England). The Cheviot Hills are on the border between England and Scotland. The Highlands of Scotland are the highest mountains in Britain (with the highest mountain Ben Nevis – 1342 km). Coast is heavily indented especially on the west. The longest rivers are the Severn (354 km), Thames (336 km), Clyde in Scotland, the Humber and the Mersey. Rivers are very important as sources of energy (Tweed). There are beautiful lake areas in Cumbria (Lake Windermere), the Highlands of Scotland (Loch Lomond and Loch Ness) and in Ireland (Lough Neagh). Lakes are not important for freight transport but thy are a big tourist attraction. Britain also has a dense network of canals, which are important for freight transport – Manchester Ship canal. British Isles have milder climate due to the Gulf Stream, which comes from the Gulf of Mexico to Western Europe. That is why winter temperatures are higher and summer temperatures are lower.
Population:
Population is about 57 million people. The density is one of the highest in the world – 232 people to one square kilometre. Most inhabitants live in urban areas. In Britain we can find the following ethnic groups: English (81.5%), Scottish (9.6%), Irish (2.4), Welsh (1.9), Ulster (1.8), Indian, Pakistan and others (Jews, Italian, Chinese, Caribbeans, Cypriots). The majority of people speak English. There are minority languages, which are of Celtic origin – Welsh, Scottish and Irish Gaelic.
National economy:
The main industries are steel, metals, vehicles, ship building, shipping, banking, insurance, textiles, chemicals, electronics, aircraft, machinery, distilling. Important centres of industry are Yorkshire, London, Manchester, South Wales, etc. 30% of land is arable and the main agricultural products are grains, sugar beet, fruit, and vegetables. British cattle and sheep breeding earn lots of money. Britain’s natural riches are mainly coal (black coal in Midland have world significance, this area is called also Black-land), tin, oil and gas (in North Sea), limestone, iron, salt, clay, chalk, zinc and lead. Major economic activities are manufacturing and trade. Main exports: machinery, chemicals, clothing, cars, lorries, jet aircraft, ships, drugs, scientific instruments, arms, books, whisky (scotch whisky). The valid currency in Britain is one pound, which has hundred pence. The best known newspapers and magazines in Britain are The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mirror. There are two main public institutions ensuring television and radio broadcasting in Great Britain: BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority). The best known channels are BBC I, BBC II, ITV and Channel IV. There are also many local televisions, which brings local news, such as Grenada television in Liverpool.
Government:
Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. Parliamentary democracy is practised there. Parliament consists of two houses – the House of Lords (hereditary for life) and the House of Commons. There are 635 seats here. Elections take place after five years. The Prime Minister selects the other ministers. Twenty of them form the Cabinet. The second most powerful party forms the Opposition. British national flag is sometimes called “Union Jack”. It symbolises the Union of England, Scotland and Ireland. Each country has its cross in the flag: England has St. George’s Cross (white oblong and red cross), Scotland has St. Andrew’s Cross (blue with white diagonal) and Ireland has St. Patrick’s Cross (white with red diagonal). National anthem is “God Save the Queen!”. Each part of Great Britain also has its own symbol: England has the red rose, Wales has the leek and daffodil, and Scotland has the thistle and Ireland the shamrock.
Places of interest:

The USA

The United States of America has 50 sates. 48 states are situated in the southern part of North America. Alaska is situated in the North and Hawaii in the Mid-Pacific. Its neighbours are Canada in the north, Mexico in the south.
   
Central plains are bounded by the Rocky Mountains and the Coastal Mountains in the west, the Appalachian Mountains in the east and alluvial plains around the Gulf of Mexico. The highest mountain in the USA is Mount McKinley in the Alaska Range, which is 6 194 m high..
   
The largest rivers are the Mississippi and the Missouri. The border with Canada is in its central part made by the Great Lakes Region. The Great Lakes are: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Between Erie and Ontario are all over the World known Niagara falls. There are many national parks in the USA, e. g. Yellowstone NP, Rocky Mountains NP, Grand Canyon NP, etc.
  
 The USA population is about 250.000.000. Around 79 per cent of inhabitants live in urban areas. Now there are 79 per cent of white people, 12 per cent of black people and about and the rest are Asian and Pacific islanders, Indians and Eskimos. The main language spoken here is American English but various ethnic minorities speak their original languages (Chinese, Spanish) American English differs from British English in vocabulary (for example: In British English flat, in American apartment, or lift x elevator or post x mail or cinema x the movies), pronunciation and spelling (colour X color, catalogue x catalog )
   
Now I would like tell you something about the history of the USA. I will start with:
   
First settlements - Till 1400 native Indians were the only inhabitants in the USA. In 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered America. The first English colony was founded in Virginia at Jamestown in 1607. In 1620 the ship named Mayflower brought 102 English men, women and children to the north-east coast where they founded the colony called Plymouth. They were members of a religion sect called Pilgrim Fathers, but in winter about one half of them died. The next year in October 1621 they celebrated good harvest and the day of celebrations they called Thanksgiving day. During the 17th century many colonists settled in the country. From these settlements became the 13 colonies under British rule.
   
The War of Independence - British government started to charge new taxes on the imported goods (for example: sugar, coffee, textiles etc.) to cover the costs of the war against France. The colonists refused to pay taxes, so British soldiers were sent to Boston. In 1773 a group of patriots, dressed as Indians, threw the cargo of British tea into the Boston Harbour. This event is known as Boston Tea Party. Americans began boycotting British trade. In 1775 at Lexington the War began. Later George Washington took over the command of a Continental Army. The Continental Congress began to work as a national government and on July 4th, 1776 they agreed on th Declaration of Independence written mainly by Thomas Jefferson. This is the day, when the USA was founded. The War of independence lasted till 1783. The new constitution was adopted in 1787.
   
Civil War- About 60 years of never ending discuses about slaves freedom led to the Civil War between the North and the South. It started in 1861 after Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. Southern states protested against Lincoln being president and wanted to separate from the Union. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which granted freedom to all slavers. In April 1865 the Union Forces won the War. Only shortly after that Lincoln was assassinated in the theatre.

 The American flag has 13 red and white stripes and on the blue field in the top corner there are 50 white stars. Each star represents one of the 50 states and each strip represents one of original state.

The USA can be divided into four parts:
   
The 1st area The North and the North East with centres of heavy and light industry.

The biggest cities here are New York - the biggest port and Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on 4th July 1776.
   
The 2nd The Middle west, the area of Great Lakes. Here agriculture is closely connected with industry. The biggest city here is Chicago. There is situated the highest skyscraper in the USA. It is named Sears Tower.
   
The 3rd area is the agricultural South with the mainly black population. There is also situated the capital - Washington, D. C. in this area. Other big city here is New Orleans, the home of jazz.
   
The 4th area is the Far West, which is the largest area, but has the smallest number of population. San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego are the largest cities here. There is also situated Las Vegas where you can win much money.

The United Kingdom

The official name of this country is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 It is situated on the British Isles, which lie off the north-west coast of Europe. It consists of two large islands (Great Britain and Ireland) and about 5,000 smaller ones (e.g. the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Scilly, the Isle of Man, Anglesey, the Hebrides, the Orkneys, the Shetlands and the Channel Islands). Its neighbours are Ireland to west and France to south-east. It covers the area of 244,805 square kilometres. We can get there either by air or by ferry (or by faster hovercraft) from Calais to Dover across the Strait of Dover, which is the shortest way. We can get there also through the tunnel under the English Channel. In the east is the North Sea, in the west is the Atlantic Ocean, between Ireland and Great Britain is the Irish Sea and between Great Britain and France is the English Channel. The Great Britain includes four countries: England with its capital London, Scotland with Edinburgh, Wales with Cardiff and Northern Ireland with Belfast.

England is mostly rolling land, rising to the Uplands of southern Scotland. In the north of England are the Pennies (the Backbone of England) – they run north-south through the central part of northern England. There are also the Cheviot Hills on the border with Scotland and the Cumbrian Mountains in the Lake District which is very romantic place for holidays. The South is also a holiday resort so there is a very high density. The patron of whole England is St. George. Scotland is historically and culturally separate country from England. It is the land of many special traditions, which cannot be found elsewhere in the world – playing the pipes, quality tweeds, woollen knitwear, wearing kilts etc. It is a large and magnificent lake and mountains area. The biggest lake is Loch Lomond and Loch Ness is famous for its „Loch Ness Monster“. The Grandpians are the highest mountains in Britain (with the highest mountain Ben Nevis – 1,342m). Wales is also hilly land with its mountain range Snowdonia. Because of number of castles it is often called the land of castles. In Northern Ireland (or Ulster) there are some political problems. They want to separate from Great Britain and IRA did some bomb attacks and terrorist actions in London. There are two longest rivers in Great Britain – Severn and Thames.
A lot of people think that the people who lived in Great Britain are English. But only people in England are English, people in Scotland are Scottish, people in Wales are Welsh and people in Northern Ireland are Irish. Population is about 57,000,000 people. The density is one of the highest in the world – 232 people to one square kilometre.
British national flag is sometimes called „Unions Jack“. It symbolises the Union of England, Scotland and Ireland. Each country has its cross in the flag but Welsh’s flag (the dragon) miss. National anthem is „God save the Queen!“

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. Power is represented by a Monarch and Parliament. A Monarch (a king or a queen) is Head of State but can only reign with a support of Parliament. The role of a sovereign is to represent state and appoint all the Ministers, including the Prime Minister but it is just formal. The present Monarch is the Queen Elizabeth II. She had four descendants – Charles – Prince of Wales, Andrew, Edward and Anne. She had of course a husband – Duke of Edinburgh and a sister – Margaret. The very popular member of the royal family is the Queen Mother (or Queen Mum) who is 97 years old. The heir of the throne is William who is Prince Charles’s and Lady Diana’s son because there were some scandals about Charles.

Parliament has two chambers – the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The first one contains more than 1,000 members but only 250 of them take an active part in the work. They consist of hereditary peers, life peers, 24 bishops and 2 archbishops. The hereditary peers inherit their post from generation to generation and they are mostly noblemen. The life peers become peers when they do something important for the state. The House of commons contains 650 elected members and each MP represents a definite part of a county. They are elected at General Election or By – Election, which is decided on a simple majority. It is held every 5 years and everyone over the age of 18 can vote.

Both Parliament and the Queen represent legislative power. New bills are introduced and debated in the House of Commons. If they are approved by the majority of the members the bills go to the House of Lords to be approved and finally to the monarch to be signed. Only then does it become the law.
The British democratic system depends on the two strongest parties – Conservative and Labour. The party, which wins the majority of seats, forms the Government and its leader becomes the Prime Minister. The present Prime Minister is Tony Blair from Labour Party. The second largest party in the election becomes the Opposition and its role is to criticise the Government. The Prime Minister chooses 20 Ministers to form Cabinet. The leader of the Opposition form Shadow Cabinet.
The United Kingdom constitution is unwritten. It is based on agreement, tradition and common law.

New York

Tourist Attractions: Some big tourist attractions of New York City are the Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty, etc. The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of freedom in this world. This was a gift from France to the United States. Click here to find out about some of the other tourist attractions of New York City. Tourist Attractions of New York City

 Museums: One of the world famous museums of New York City is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The American Museum of Natural History, located in New York City, is also world famous. Click here to find out about some more museums located in New York City. Museums of New York City

Amusement Parks: The United States has more theme parks and family entertainment centers than any other country of the world. Some of the big amusement parks in New York City are Astroland and Deno's Wonder World Amusement Park. Amusement Parks of New York City
Beaches: Some beaches in New York City are the Orchard Beach and Promenade, Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, and Manhattan Beach.

Outdoor Activities: You can enjoy various outdoor activities in New York City ranging from golf, hiking and climbing, water sports to winter sports. If you love horse-riding, the Bronx Equestrian Center is just the right place for you. They provide guided horseback tours of the park and horse-riding lessons.

Where is It: Lying in the Mid Atlantic and Northeastern regions of United States, New York City is located on the mouth of the River Hudson. This most populated city if United States is primarily built on the three islands of Manhattan, Staten Island, and Long Island.

How to Commute: New York City transportation constitutes of one of the oldest transportation infrastructures in United States. John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, La Guardia Airport, and Teterboro Airport are the four main airports of the city. The city has the largest chain of public transports. New York City subway is the most preferred mode of transportation to reach the tourist destinations of the city.

Where to Stay: New York City is one of the top tourist destinations of the world with outstanding exhibitions, attractions, and global cuisine. There are a variety of New York City hotels to choose from as well as spas, stylish restaurants, and rooftop lounges. Radisson Lexington Hotel New York, Hotel Wolcott in New York City, Comfort Inn JFK, Howard Johnson Express Queens, 70 Park Avenue, Affinia 50 and Affinia Dumont are some of the most famous New York City hotels.

What to See: New York City attractions include a large number of attractive sites which are extremely popular among tourists from all over the world. These attractions include the Statue of Liberty, the Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal and the American Museum of Natural History. Some of the other attractions in the city of New York include the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and others.
About City In terms of size and population, New York City is the largest city in the US, located in the state of New York, near the Hudson River. New York City consists of five boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Among its many attributes, the headquarters of the United Nations is situated in New York City. Nicknamed "The Big Apple", the New York City is one of the most important business, commerce and entertainment Capital of the world. New York City guide provides an extensive coverage of New York City, the largest city in the US. New York City guide also provides its users the benefit of booking flights and hotels in New York City as well as any other place in the world. Start a virtual tour of New York City with our New York City Guide.

London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom. It is the 9th largest city in the world, its population is about 10 million. London is situated on the river Thames in south-east England. It was founded as a Roman settlement. The great fire in 1666 destroyed almost all the city. London is as well as our Prague important industrial city. To London we can get by various means of transport – aeroplane (there are three airport, the most important ones are Heathrow and Gatwick), bus (Victoria Coach Station), train, car or ship. This city is famous for its red double-deckers and old fashioned black taxis. For fast transport you can go by the Underground, which is the oldest one in the world. There are many places of interest. When I was going from Victoria Coach Station I was passing: Buckingham Palace – the Queen’s residence in London since the Queen Victoria’s reign. On of the biggest London’s parades is Changing the Guards. Before the entrance to the Buckingham palace stands a big statue of Queen Victoria – Queen Victoria Monument. There are many parks in London

 – James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park (it is the largest one and it is known for its Speakers Corner, where anybody can have a speech at any theme except criticising the Queen). Piccadilly Circus (there is a nice fountain situated in the centre of the square), Regent Street, Oxford Street are the most famous shopping centres. The National Gallery – situated on the top of Trafalgar Square. There are paintings by nearly all the great European artists. It is free of charge. Trafalgar Square – was named after Admiral Nelson’s victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar. Nelson’s statue is at Trafalgar Square situated on a high column. The square is very popular also for its fountains. Many meetings and demonstrations take place there. At Christmas time a big Christmas tree stands there and on New Year’s Eve people gathered there at midnight, sing and dance. Whitehall – street, leading from Hoses of Parliament to Trafalgar square. Downing Street 10

– the official home of British Prime Ministers, two horse guides stands before the entrance. Today’s Prime Minster is Tony Blair. The Houses of Parliament – gothic style, in 19th century the old building had burnt down. The only part, which escaped the fire, was Westminster Hall. It is the political centre of the United Kingdom, the home of British Parliament. There is also a famous clock-tower with Big Ben situated. It is said that it got its name after one rather fat MP Benjamin. Big Ben striking is known all over the world, because it is used by BBC as a time signal. Westminster Abbey – Britain’s Kings and Queens are crowned there. And England’s greatest poets, artists, statesmen and other famous people are buried there in the Poet’s Corner. It was built in a gothic style. Many stet occasions and also royal wedding take place there. The City of Westminster – the oldest part of London around St. Paul Cathedral. It was founded by Romans in 43 AD. There are many banks and also the most important Bank of England, and offices. St. Paul’s Cathedral – on of the largest cathedral in the world. It is great renaissance dome made by famous architect Sir Christopher Wren in 17th century. The Cathedral is known for its Whispering Gallery. Standing on the Gallery you can clearly gear what is whispered on the opposite side. During the WWII it was badly damaged by bombs. Prince of Wales and Lady Diana were married here. The Monument – it is not far from St. Cathedral. It is commemorating the place where the Great Fire of London started. The Tower of London

– it was founded by William the Conqueror. Following kings added another parts to the fortifications. It served as a royal home, then as a prison, execution site and royal observatory. Now it is a museum where you can see Crown Jewels. The Tower Bridge – one of the most famous symbols of London. It was built last century. It can open in the middle and let large ships go through. The British Museum – the largest museum in the world. There are the biggest collection of all kinds of animal and minerals and rocks. There is also a library, which is the largest in the world as well. Also here the admission is free. The Post Office Tower – the tallest building in Great Britain. The National Theatre – was moved to a new building. There are many other theatres and also the royal Shakespeare Company, which usually play in Stratford. Windsor Castle – is the residence of nearly all the British sovereigns outside London. Greenwich – there is the Royal Observatory and it is situated at the prime meridian.

Holidays and important days

February the 14th, St.Valentine´s Day – it is a lover’s feast. People give gifts or send greeting cards called Valentines to people they like or admire. The day is named for an early Christian martyr. Easter is an ancient symbol of spring and new life. Christians remember Christ’s death and his return to life. In Britain is celebrated as in thFebruary the 14th, St.Valentine´s Day – it is a lover’s feast. People give gifts or send greeting cards called Valentines to people they like or admire. The day is named for an early Christian martyr.

Easter is an ancient symbol of spring and new life. Christians remember Christ’s death and his return to life. In Britain is celebrated as in the rest of Europe. Before Easter boys have to prepare plaited willow canes decorated with ribbons. Girls have to colour, decorate or paint eggs. On Monday morning boys with their canes go from house to house, chase girls and whip them saying traditional rhymes and asking fore Easter eggs. The girls try to hide and pretend to run away. The boys collect their rewards (eggs, sweets, chocolates, and money). In USA children on Sunday morning start hunting for painted eggs around the house.

Halloween is a festival that takes place on October 31st. It is very popular in the United States, but it is celebrated by many people in Great Britain, too. People cut horrible faces in pumpkins and put a candle inside. Children dress up as ghosts and monsters and go round people’s houses asking, “Trick or treat?”. A treat means that they get candies, fruit, nuts or money. If the children do not get a treat, they play a trick on the people. A favourite trick is to put soap on the windows or to make a lot of noise at the door.

November 5th is Guy Fawkes Night when the unsuccessful plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 is commemorated with bonfires, fireworks and burning of guys.

Christmas is marked by fairy lights and brightly illuminated streets, carols and children awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas and his reindeer stopping outside their chimney. They hang up their stockings at the foot of beds and wait for the presents. They open them only on December 25th at breakfast-time. At noon they have their traditional Christmas dinner – roast turkey and Christmas pudding. December 26th is called Boxing Day.

New Year’s Eve is the night of merry-making all over the land, especially in Scotland. They have family parties and at twelve o’clock they sing “Auld Lang Syne”. People gather in squares, link arms and sing. In Scotland they call the last day of the year Hogmanay. Is more celebrated than Christmas. They eat traditional dish haggis (minced heart, lungs and liver or a sheep boiled in a sheep’s stomach with oatmeal).

Every part of Britain has its own holiday:
    St.David’s  Day – March 1st (Wales)
    St. Patrick’s Day – March 17th (Ireland)
    St. George’s Day – April 23rd (England)
    St. Andrew’s Day – November 30th (Scotland)

In the USA there are eight main holidays:

Independence Day – 4th July, the birthday of the USA; The Americans have a holiday, each town has its own parade. After parades people go home and have parties. These days commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Thanksgiving Day – every fourth Thursday in November nearly everyone in the USA tries to get home to spend the day with their families or friends and enjoy the traditional food (roast turkey, apple or pumpkin pie etc.) It remembers the first settlers – Pilgrim Fathers who came in 1620 from England in their ship called Mayflower. This is a day of gifts, charities and food for poor people.

Veteran’s Day
Columbus Day
Memorial Day
President’s Day
Martin Luther King Day
Labor Day

In the Czech Republic, Christmas is also the most popular family holiday. People buy Christmas trees, hang various decorations and Christmas sweets on it. On 24th December we have the traditional Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Some people follow the old tradition of fasting all day before the meal. We have fish soup and the main meal is fried carp and potato salad. Children expect the bell signal from the "Infant Jesus" after the Christmas dinner to unwrap their presents under the Christmas tree.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Abraham Lincoln was born on 12th.February 1809 in Hodgenvill in Kentucky. His father was farmer and worker. His mother Nancy died, when he was nine. But his father married Sarah Bush again. Abraham didn´t go to school very often, because he has to help on a farm.He learned mainly from books, which he read. He started a new life, when he came to a businessman. This man opened a shop and young Lincoln worked as a shop assistant. In his free time he read books and citiziens of New Salem consired him as a clever man. When the shopkeeper closed the shop, Lincoln got to the chamber of state Illinois. There he was to 1840. In that time, he sAbraham Lincoln was born on 12th.February 1809 in Hodgenvill in Kentucky. His father was farmer and worker. His mother Nancy died, when he was nine. But his father married Sarah Bush again. Abraham didn´t go to school very often, because he has to help on a farm.He learned mainly from books, which he read. He started a new life, when he came to a businessman. This man opened a shop and young Lincoln worked as a shop assistant. In his free time he read books and citiziens of New Salem consired him as a clever man. When the shopkeeper closed the shop, Lincoln got to the chamber of state Illinois. There he was to 1840. In that time, he studied law and in 1837 he and J.T. Stuart established an advocate company. Then he married Mary Todd. They had four children, but only one survived.
In 1846 he became the congressman of USA. His policy was again slavery and against the war with Mexico. Mainly for the second reason, he wasn´t elected again.

He came back to policy in 1858. He became famous mainly of his speaking fights with demokrat Douglas. The power of republicans grew by 1860 and Lincoln was elected the prezident of USA in 1860.

But Southern states were afraid of cancelling the slavery. Therefore South Carolina in head, Georgie, Loisiana and Texas left Union and associated in Confederate States of America. Lincoln tried to prevent war, but on 12th.April 1861 was bombed fortress near Charleston. The war started.

Arkansas, Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina joined the state of Confederation. In head of army of Confederation was General Lee. In head of union army changed many officers, but general Grant was the best. At the beginning of war Union lost many battles, because majority of officers went on a side of Confederation. Reversal of war became in 1863 at Gettysburg. From that time, Confederation just defended themselves and on 9th.April 1865 General Lee had to capitulate at Appomattox Courthouse. Confederation officially capitulated two days later. 600 000 soldiers died in civil war.

A bill was passed before war, which ment freedom for black slaves on area, which was under Union. Lincoln became the prezident of USA for the second time in 1865.
He planed to restore and to creat cabinets in South states. He always wanted just unity. It was his priority.

But on 14th.April 1865 he was schot twice in head in Ford Theater. The shooter was actor John Wilkes Booth. It was planed by him and nine other men, who sympathized with South. Secretary was assassined in hospital too, but he survived.
John Wilkes Booth was cautght and shot. The next day Lincoln died. Corpse of Lincoln was exhibited in white White House and Capitol. Then he was transfered to Springfield, where he was buried at cemetery Oak Ridge on 4th.Mai 1865. Lincoln was so important, that his birthday is observed as a state feast up to now.
tudied law and in 1837 he and J.T. Stuart established an advocate company. Then he married Mary Todd. They had four children, but only one survived. In 1846 he became the congressman of USA. His policy was again slavery and against the war with Mexico. Mainly for the second reason, he wasn´t elected again. He came back to policy in 1858. He became famous mainly of his speaking fights with demokrat Douglas. The power of republicans grew by 1860 and Lincoln was elected the prezident of USA in 1860. But Southern states were afraid of cancelling the slavery. Therefore South Carolina in head, Georgie, Loisiana and Texas left Union and associated in Confederate States of America. Lincoln tried to prevent war, but on 12th.April 1861 was bombed fortress near Charleston. The war started. Arkansas, Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina joined the state of Confederation. In head of army of Confederation was General Lee. In head of union army changed many officers, but general Grant was the best. At the beginning of war Union lost many battles, because majority of officers went on a side of Confederation. Reversal of war became in 1863 at Gettysburg. From that time, Confederation just defended themselves and on 9th.April 1865 General Lee had to capitulate at Appomattox Courthouse. Confederation officially capitulated two days later. 600 000 soldiers died in civil war. A bill was passed before war, which ment freedom for black slaves on area, which was under Union. Lincoln became the prezident of USA for the second time in 1865. He planed to restore and to creat cabinets in South states. He always wanted just unity. It was his priority. But on 14th.April 1865 he was schot twice in head in Ford Theater. The shooter was actor John Wilkes Booth. It was planed by him and nine other men, who sympathized with South. Secretary was assassined in hospital too, but he survived. John Wilkes Booth was cautght and shot. The next day Lincoln died. Corpse of Lincoln was exhibited in white White House and Capitol. Then he was transfered to Springfield, where he was buried at cemetery Oak Ridge on 4th.Mai 1865. Lincoln was so important, that his birthday is observed as a state feast up to now.

My future career

It is very hard to say, what my future job will be, because I don't know university in which I will study. I want to experience many professions, but I will study only one thing. I want to have a job, which will entertain me. First of all, I want to finish secondary school. When I was younger I wanted to be mum, a teacher, an actress or a detective, a writer, a vet, a journalist, an archaeologist, or a film director, a doctor, secretary a shop assistaIt is very hard to say, what my future job will be, because I don't know university in which I will study. I want to experience many professions, but I will study only one thing. I want to have a job, which will entertain me. First of all, I want to finish secondary school.

When I was younger I wanted to be mum, a teacher, an actress or a detective, a writer, a vet, a journalist, an archaeologist, or a film director, a doctor, secretary a shop assistant in a shop with clothes and a astronomer. Now, when I have to decide, what I want to study next, I can´t choose it. Because I am interested in a lot of diference things, so I make decision very hardly. I am interested in nature, in animals, in reading, in history, in art, in cycling, in culture, in travelling, in playing the guitar,  in universe, in psychology, in volunteer working…

I want a profession which will satisfy me, challenge me and bring me joy. I believe that a job should be a hobby. I thought about a psychologist, a journalist, or a judge, but these jobs are very freguent last few years. So I think about my career out of the country. I am not sure what I want to do, but I know that I have to work very hard. In this time are languages very important  to get a good job. So first i want to become better in my English and Germany. Than I will have more possibilities. nt in a shop with clothes and a astronomer. Now, when I have to decide, what I want to study next, I can´t choose it. Because I am interested in a lot of diference things, so I make decision very hardly. I am interested in nature, in animals, in reading, in history, in art, in cycling, in culture, in travelling, in playing the guitar, in universe, in psychology, in volunteer working… I want a profession which will satisfy me, challenge me and bring me joy. I believe that a job should be a hobby. I thought about a psychologist, a journalist, or a judge, but these jobs are very freguent last few years. So I think about my career out of the country. I am not sure what I want to do, but I know that I have to work very hard. In this time are languages very important to get a good job. So first i want to become better in my English and Germany. Than I will have more possibilities.

Jane Austen

I chose this person, this exceptional woman, because I admire her. I thing, she had to be very wise, ambitious and brave, because the women weren't appreciate at the time. I love her novels. There are independent, intelligent and witty heroine, like Jane was. There are described bearings and opinions of the society of the 19th century. The Importance of property, all prejudice about women and marriage. A lot of her novels was cinematized as well as her life. She belived in power of love and that is why she didn't marry. She never met the right man. Her the best friend was her older sister Cassandra, who so Jane as didn't marry. They like I chose this person, this exceptional woman, because I admire her. I thing, she had to be very wise, ambitious and brave, because the women weren't appreciate at the time. I love her novels. There are independent, intelligent and witty heroine, like Jane was. There are described bearings and opinions of the society of the 19th century. The Importance of property, all prejudice about women and marriage.
A lot of her novels was cinematized as well as her life. She belived in power of love and that is why she didn't marry. She never met the right man.
Her the best friend was her older sister Cassandra, who so Jane as didn't marry. They like reading, balls, visiting their relatives and friends and walking.
Her first literary work was First Impressions, but it didn't succeed and she had to rewrite it- so arose the most famous work Pride and Prejudice. One year before Sense and Sensibility appeared. It was successful, because of her anonymity. If somebody knew that it wrote woman, they wouldn't read it. It was the prejudice about which she wrote.
After those two novels came another: Mansfiel Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and The Persuation.
About her life was maked film Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway who played Jane. I think that it  is nice and credible film about her life.
reading, balls, visiting their relatives and friends and walking. Her first literary work was First Impressions, but it didn't succeed and she had to rewrite it- so arose the most famous work Pride and Prejudice. One year before Sense and Sensibility appeared. It was successful, because of her anonymity. If somebody knew that it wrote woman, they wouldn't read it. It was the prejudice about which she wrote. After those two novels came another: Mansfiel Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and The Persuation. About her life was maked film Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway who played Jane. I think that it is nice and credible film about her life.

William Shakespeare

W.S. is probably the greatest dramatist of England. He lived and worked in the 16th century, in the period of Renaissance. The Renaissance humanists played a great role in the development of mankind when they acknowledged man as the centre of universe. They fought against the dogmatism of the Catholic Church; it was the era of fight against feudal backwardness. It was the time when people began to believe in their own reason and senses, when the great works of ancient artists and philosophers were admired. In this time the Tudor monarchs (Henry VII, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I) were ruling the country with support of the bourgeoisie and it was a period of stability and prosperity. In this time many literary genres developed, e.g. poetry, essays, and, above all, - brilliant drama. W.S. was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, six years after Elizabeth I became Queen. He was one of eight children of Mary Arden and John Shakespeare, who was a successful tradesman. W.S. attended the local grammar school in Stratford, which was the most common form of education. He would also have learnt the Catechism and studied the Bible. Although he was brought up with these orthodox Protestant teachings, he managed to remain open-minded and a freethinker. Stratford-upon-Avon was a flourishing market town, which became busy on fair days. In Elizabeth times, England was known as Merry England for different celebrations and festivals. Acting was part of local village culture. Amateur actors would come to town and their performances gave people a release from the problems of everyday life. William as a young boy had plenty of opportunity to see plays and players from various travelling companies, so all this must have been a wonderful experience for his personality and imagination. When he was 18, he married Ann Hathaway, who was eight years older. They had three children. In spite of his love for his family, he went to London because only there he can make a career. He worked there first as an actor, then as a reviser and writer of plays. The theatres were very popular being the only places where people could hear honest comments about life. The company of his fellow players was made up of about a dozen actors, and the company came to be called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men because of patronage of the Lord Chamberlain. His plays may well have been popular with Queen Elizabeth I, who loved music and drama. When James I came to the throne, the company was known from then as the King’s Men. In   W.S. is probably the greatest dramatist of England. He lived and worked in the 16th century, in the period of Renaissance. The Renaissance humanists played a great role in the development of mankind when they acknowledged man as the centre of universe. They fought against the dogmatism of the Catholic Church; it was the era of fight against feudal backwardness. It was the time when people began to believe in their own reason and senses, when the great works of ancient artists and philosophers were admired. In this time the Tudor monarchs (Henry VII, Henry VIII, Elizabeth I) were ruling the country with support of the bourgeoisie and it was a period of stability and prosperity. In this time many literary genres developed, e.g. poetry, essays, and, above all, - brilliant drama.

 W.S. was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, six years after Elizabeth I became Queen. He was one of eight children of Mary Arden and John Shakespeare, who was a successful tradesman. W.S. attended the local grammar school in Stratford, which was the most common form of education. He would also have learnt the Catechism and studied the Bible. Although he was brought up with these orthodox Protestant teachings, he managed to remain open-minded and a freethinker. Stratford-upon-Avon was a flourishing market town, which became busy on fair days. In Elizabeth times, England was known as Merry England for different celebrations and festivals. Acting was part of local village culture. Amateur actors would come to town and their performances gave people a release from the problems of everyday life. William as a young boy had plenty of opportunity to see plays and players from various travelling companies, so all this must have been a wonderful experience for his personality and imagination.

When he was 18, he married Ann Hathaway, who was eight years older. They had three children. In spite of his love for his family, he went to London because only there he can make a career. He worked there first as an actor, then as a reviser and writer of plays. The theatres were very popular being the only places where people could hear honest comments about life. The company of his fellow players was made up of about a dozen actors, and the company came to be called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men because of patronage of the Lord Chamberlain. His plays may well have been popular with Queen Elizabeth I, who loved music and drama. When James I came to the throne, the company was known from then as the King’s Men. In those times Shakespeare made enough money to build a comfortable life.
 In 1616 he made his will and a month later he fell ill with a temperature. He did not recover and died on the same day as his birth. He was exactly 52 years old.
 W. S. wrote a lot of dramas, both comedies and tragedies – for example Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and, above all, Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark.
Hamlet
Prince Hamlet is heir to the Danish throne and is in love with Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius, the Lord Chamberlain. Hamlet’s father, the King of Denmark, suddenly dies. Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, immediately marries the dead king’s brother, Claudius, who makes himself king. Hamlet is confused and deeply unhappy about these events. When the play opens, some guards are talking about a ghost they have seen on the castle walls. The ghost looks like Hamlet’s father. Hamlet hears about the ghost and decides to see for himself. At midnight, the ghost appears and tells Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius. The ghost makes Hamlet promise to take revenge for his murder and Hamlet agrees to kill Claudius.
 However, Hamlet cannot make up his mind to do it. He wants proof of his father’s murder and asks a group of actors to perform a play about the murder of a king by his brother. When Claudius sees the play, he rushes out of the room during the murder scene. Hamlet is now convinced that his uncle is guilty and goes to accuse his mother.
While Hamlet is telling his mother that he knows the truth, he hears a noise behind a curtain. He thinks Claudius is secretly listening to their conversation. He stabs and kills the person behind the curtain who is, in fact, Polonius, Ophelia’s father. Now King Claudius has a good excuse to send Hamlet away and he orders him to go to the England.    
Hamlet leaves for England, not realising that Claudius has secretly planned his murder during the journey. Meanwhile Ophelia, who has been rejected by Hamlet, drowns herself from grief in a stream. Hamlet manages to escape and returns to Denmark. Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, wants revenge for the deaths of his father and sister, so he challenges Hamlet to a duel. King Claudius gives Laertes a poisoned sword to use against Hamlet in the duel but the plan goes wrong and both Hamlet and Laertes are wounded by the same sword.
As the poison from the sword slowly begins to take effect on Hamlet and Laertes, Queen Gertrude drinks from a cup of poisoned wine, which Claudius prepared for Hamlet. As Laertes is dying, he tells Hamlet the truth about the poisoned sword. In the final scene, Hamlet stabs his uncle with the same sword just before he dies.
those times Shakespeare made enough money to build a comfortable life. In 1616 he made his will and a month later he fell ill with a temperature. He did not recover and died on the same day as his birth. He was exactly 52 years old. W. S. wrote a lot of dramas, both comedies and tragedies – for example Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and, above all, Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark. Hamlet Prince Hamlet is heir to the Danish throne and is in love with Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius, the Lord Chamberlain. Hamlet’s father, the King of Denmark, suddenly dies. Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, immediately marries the dead king’s brother, Claudius, who makes himself king. Hamlet is confused and deeply unhappy about these events. When the play opens, some guards are talking about a ghost they have seen on the castle walls. The ghost looks like Hamlet’s father. Hamlet hears about the ghost and decides to see for himself. At midnight, the ghost appears and tells Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius. The ghost makes Hamlet promise to take revenge for his murder and Hamlet agrees to kill Claudius. However, Hamlet cannot make up his mind to do it. He wants proof of his father’s murder and asks a group of actors to perform a play about the murder of a king by his brother. When Claudius sees the play, he rushes out of the room during the murder scene. Hamlet is now convinced that his uncle is guilty and goes to accuse his mother. While Hamlet is telling his mother that he knows the truth, he hears a noise behind a curtain. He thinks Claudius is secretly listening to their conversation. He stabs and kills the person behind the curtain who is, in fact, Polonius, Ophelia’s father. Now King Claudius has a good excuse to send Hamlet away and he orders him to go to the England. Hamlet leaves for England, not realising that Claudius has secretly planned his murder during the journey. Meanwhile Ophelia, who has been rejected by Hamlet, drowns herself from grief in a stream. Hamlet manages to escape and returns to Denmark. Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, wants revenge for the deaths of his father and sister, so he challenges Hamlet to a duel. King Claudius gives Laertes a poisoned sword to use against Hamlet in the duel but the plan goes wrong and both Hamlet and Laertes are wounded by the same sword. As the poison from the sword slowly begins to take effect on Hamlet and Laertes, Queen Gertrude drinks from a cup of poisoned wine, which Claudius prepared for Hamlet. As Laertes is dying, he tells Hamlet the truth about the poisoned sword. In the final scene, Hamlet stabs his uncle with the same sword just before he dies.