9. Weather and the seasons

The weather is a very popular topic of conversation in Britain. That's because the weather changes a lot.

Sixty -five per cent of all the days in Britain are overcast - dull, grey and often cold. That's 260 dull days. What do people find to talk about?

When the weather is good, people complain that it's too hot.

When it rains, they say it's too wet. When it isn't sunny, they say it's too cold.

It's not surprising that Britains has got one of the most important weather centres in the world. The Met Office omploys over a thousand people. Tey provide weather forecasts for radio, television and newspapers - and on the Internet.

The Met Office also looks at environmental issues such as global warming and climate change. The computers can predict the tropical stroms and hurricanes that cause so much damage around the world.

The trouble is weather chages very quickly and so nobody ever believes the weather forecast. They still go out in their shorts and get wet! But at least it's something to talk about.

8. Libraries and reading

British people read a lot. They read books, newspapers and magazines. And of course they read text messages on their mobile phones. Sixty-five per cent of British people list reading for pleasure as a major hobby. A quarter of the population reads more than 20 books each year.

So where do these books come from? Well, there are bookshops where you can buy books.

And there are lots of public libraries where you can borrow books for free.

The British Library is one of the world's greatest libraries. The Queen opened its new building in 1998. It receives a copy of every book published in Britain and adds 3 million new items every year. It's got books of course, but also sound recordings, music, maps, newspapers and magazines.

People predicted that radio, then television, then the Internet would kill reading, but it is still a very popular activity.

7. Sports

At the weekend in Britain, millions of peopole take part in some kind of sporting activity. Half of all men over 16 regularly participate in sport.
Even more people spend part of the weekend wathcing sport - especially football. From August to April football is everywhere.

Cricket is the main summer sport in Britain. Local teams play in towns and villages every Saturday and Sunday from April to September.

Tennis is another popular sport, especially in the summer after the famous Wimbledon championships. There are tennis courts all over Britain.

Other popular sports are golf, swimming, cycling, keep fit and walking. But there is no doubt that for most people football is the national sport.

6. Worldwide Fund for Nature

People love animals, but some of the world's animals are in danger of extinction.
The most serious threat to animals is from man.
People collect rhino horn for use in medicine.
Shark's fin soup is a favorite in many restaurants.
The Worldwide Fund for Nature is an international organization, is started in Britain in 1961.
Here at Part Lympne Animal Park there are elephants, lions, and others.
Animals born in Britain.

5. Homes in Britain

90% of the people live in towns. There are lots of different kinds of houses. There are as many semi-detached houses in Britain as terraced houses. Sixty per cent of the population live in terraced or semi-detached houses. Lots of people live in flats, especially in big towns and cities. Houses in different parts of Britain. Cottage is the name for a small house in the country. British people spend a lot of time and money on their homes and gardens. A famous traditional saying is An English man's homes is his castle!

4. Shopping

People in Britain really live shopping.
They often go shopping every day!
They sell different things like food, medicines and cosmetics, clothes and books.
They are called department stores.
There are big shopping center like Bluewater near London.

It's the largest shopping complex in Europe, with over 330 different shops and three departments stores.
But people are not going there to buy.
Many people never spend any money, it's social event.

3 The school day

The school starts between eight thirty and nine o'clock.
There are there possible ways go to school:

1-By bike
2-By bus
3-Or foot

The school starts by registration.
This is 15 minutes when students go out into the playground.
Students have homework everyday.