The Physical Face of Great Britain Mountains

EMPLOYMENT. Four in 10 people aged between 16 and 74 in the UK are in full time employment. Just over another one in 10 work part-time, while 8 per cent are self-employed. Of those who do work, the largest proportion are managers and senior officials – almost 15 per cent. Just over 13 per cent of workers are in administrative and secretarial occupations, while a similar number fall into the “associate professional and technical” category, which includes jobs such as engineering technicians, nurses and artists. People with “elementary occupations”, for example mail sorters, hotel porters and traffic wardens, make up almost 12 per cent of the workforce.
TRANSPORT AND TRANSPORTATION. Without any doubt, British people love their cars. Despite years of rising controversy over traffic jams and concern for the environment, they overwhelmingly use their cars to get to and from work. Some 30 per cent of families in the UK own 2 cars. In England, almost half of homes own one car. A quarter own two vehicles. Approximately 1 per cent of homes own four or more cars.The patterns are almost identical in Wales and Northern Ireland, including the number of households which don`t use a car – just over a quarter. In Scotland, there is a higher proportion of households without cars and almost exactly the same number of households with one car. The exeption to all of this is London. A majority of London homes do not own a car. This is by no means suggests it is because they are poorer. London has dramatically higher levels of use of public transport as more people choose to avoid driving in the capital`s near-constant traffic jams and where access to the centre is strictly limited and parking is almost impossible!
EDUCATION. The legal basis of the educational system in the UK until 1988 was the educational act of 1944. It prescribed the duty of government, LEAs and parents in a system which is still compulsory for those aged 5 to 16. Nursery education is provided in nursery schools, day nurseries and pre-school playgrounds for children from 2 to 5.
Most children start school at the age of 5 in a primary school and go on it till 11-12. A primary school may be divided into two departments – infants (5-7) and juniors (7-12). In infant schools children are engaged in playing activities while in junior schools children have set periods of arithmetic, reading and composition. They are graded.
There is usually a move from primary to secondary school at the age of 11. Until 1960s there existed the tripartite system of secondary schools. But for years it was under assault. In early 70s by the Labour government the 11+ exams were abolished and most secondary schools were organized on comprehensive lines. Comprehensive schools admit children without reference to ability or aptitude. They provide courses that focus on practical skills considering them essential for the world we live in.
But comprehensive schools didn’t satisfy the society and that lead to school reform in the 80s. - GCE O-levels and CSEs were replaced with GCSE taken at 16. - AS level exam, the National Curriculum, a programme of Records of Achievements was introduced. For sure advantages of the system are evident but there is no perfect thing in the world.
ENGLISH CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS.
English life is full of traditions and the English are said to be steeped in traditions. Traditions can be divided into different classes: those connected with sports, with entertainments, with holidays and some occasions and those with no particular connection.
What we deal with here is a more or less random collection of customs chosen for their particular interest, their importance, former or present, in lives of the people.
The English are great lovers of sports; and when they are neither playing nor watching games, they like to talk about them. By the way, such sports and games as football, volleyball, basket-ball, tennis and boxing are quite popular in England just as all over the world. But there are games which the English are especially fond of. They are cricket and golf. Cricket is a game impossible to describe to foreigners and they are usually unable to appreciate it. It is at times not so much a game as a kind of dignified public ritual performed by 22 men in white flannels and two stationary old gentlemen in white coats who are the referees.
There are all kinds of racing in England: motor-racing, three-legged racing and even racing for dogs and donkeys.
Boat racing is very popular in England. People started to use boats for racing in the 19th century. This is one event that is fully amateur in the truest sense, with no cups or medals, the only reward being the satisfaction and pride of having had a part in it, win or lose. The annual boat contest between Oxford and Cambridge Universities dates back to 1829. It takes place in London on the Thames.
Much leisure time is devoted to gardening. Most English people like gardens, and this is probably one reason why so many people prefer to live in the Country. The British like making things grow whether it is in a window-box outside the kitchen, or in the garden. Flower-shows and vegetable-shows with prizes for the best exhibits are immensely popular.
Britain is a nation of animal lovers. Everybody knows that. They will speak affectionately to and of their dogs and cats, which is more than they will do concerning their friends and family. In Britain pets can send Christmas cards to their friends, birthday cards, there are even cards available for birds, fish and reptiles.
The most imposing and spectacular traditions are those are connected with Parliament and Government as Parliament is a very old institution and acquired traditions of its Town. One of them is the state opening of Parliament when, as tradition dictates, the Queen reads the speech prepared by the Prime Minister to both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Queen drives in a state coach pulled by six horses from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. The ceremony takes place in the House of Lords with a few leading members of the House of Commons standing close to the end of the chamber^ opposite the throne technically 'outside' the House of Lords. This is also dictated by the tradition.
Another tradition connected with Parliament is known as "Guy Fawkes Day" which dates back to 1605 when some Catholics with Fawkes at the head decided to blow up Parliament. On this day a group of men in black hats and red coats with lanterns in their hands searched the Cellar of Parliament. The origin of this tradition has been forgotten by most people but for children is a day of great fun and merriment because big fireworks are lit' on this day.
The pageantry and glamour of traditions and ceremonies, connected with Parliament serve to catch the popular imagination and divert public attention from questions of vital importance.