Different but still the same
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The audio file is in your Google Classroom. Listen to it and take notes. After that, read the text below and answer the questions.
People in England often talk about the big differences between the North and the South. The North and South have different cultures and ways of thinking. People from the North are seen as more friendly and talkative, while people from the South are thought to be more reserved and polite with strangers.
The line between the North and South is not clear, and people might disagree on where it is.
In politics, people in the South usually vote for the Conservative Party, and people in the North often vote for the Labour Party. Some people in the South think people from the North are lazy, while people in the North sometimes think people from the South are snobbish.
the industrial north
The North of England used to be a very industrial area. The West Midlands, near Birmingham, was called the Black Country because of the pollution from coal and other industries. Many people in the North worked in factories, mines, and textile mills. They often worked long hours for low pay and lived in crowded, smoky cities. Liverpool was once a busy port where many men worked, loading and unloading ships trading with Britain’s colonies and North America.
Since the 1970s, the North of England has faced a big economic decline. Most of the coal mines have closed, and Britain no longer has easy access to cheap raw materials because it lost its colonies. Strong competition from other countries also led to less demand for British products. This caused very high unemployment as many industries disappeared.
The future is looking better now. Many northern cities are being renewed, like Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which has been transformed with new buildings and a beautiful city center. Liverpool’s dock area is now a popular spot with museums, art galleries, and restaurants. The North isn’t just about big, industrial cities; it also has national parks, beautiful countryside, and many popular walking areas.
The south
The South of England is known for farming, modern technology, and business. Many new industries, like high-tech and service industries, have grown here. This area is also popular with foreign tourists, mostly because of London. London, with its 7 million people, is the economic and administrative center of the United Kingdom. The City of London is a global center for banking and insurance. In the South’s green countryside, you can find charming villages and gardens that are often seen as typically English.
Questions to answer
- Which part of England is known for being more friendly and talkative?
- What political party do people in the South usually vote for?
- What happened to many factories and mines in the North after the 1970s?
- What is London known for in the South of England?
- What kind of countryside can you find in the South of England?
- Make a list and write down the contrasts between the North and the South.
- Would you have preferred to live up north or down south? Explain your choice.