How to understand the difference between the UK and Great Britain
Tasks
Instructions
Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the task. If you need help, you can read the transcript at any time.
Preparation task
Match the definitions (a–f) with the vocabulary (1–6).
Vocabulary
a. The group of people who control a country
b. A group of people who share a common culture
c. The group or groups of people who make up the government
d. An area represented and recognised by one government
e. The leader of the government (in some countries)
f. The official leader of a country – often with no real political power
Definition
…… prime minister
2. …… parliament
3. …… head of state
4. …… government
5. …… nation
6. …… state
Task 1 – True or false?
Are the sentences true or false?
1. The woman is English.
2. Scotland is a bit of England.
3. Wales and England are not the same nation.
4. The UK is Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
5. The UK has one head of state, the Queen.
6. The UK has one parliament.
7. It’s complicated.
Transcript
Man: So where are you from?
Woman: Scotland. Are you Scottish too?
Man: Well, no, I’m English actually, but … you know … it’s all, like, the same thing, isn’t it?
Woman: Not exactly.
Man: Go on! Isn’t Scotland just like well, a bit of England?
Woman: No, it is not!
Man: Sorry, Britain I mean.
Woman: Britain is not England!
Man: Well yeah … I know that, I’m not stupid or anything … but Britain’s, like, England, Scotland and Wales, isn’t it?
Woman: Not exactly.
Man: Yeah, it is; the UK, the United Kingdom.
Woman: The United Kingdom is Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Man: Oh, I see, but we’re all, like, the same nation, aren’t we?
Woman: Not really. Four nations, one state.
Man: Oh, I get it! So the UK (is), like, the same as Great Britain ...
Woman: Great Britain is a geographical term – it’s a big island with Scotland, England and Wales on it.
Man: All right, but we all have the same prime minister, don’t we?
Woman: Yes, and the same head of state.
Man: The Queen!
Woman: Exactly.
Man: And the same government?
Woman: Well, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own local parliaments.
Man: Oh. I see.
Woman: It’s complicated.
Man: Yeah, I can see that.
Answers
Preparation
1. e
2. c
3. f
4. a
5. b
6. d
Task 1
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. True
