Exercise 1 Find words or phrases which go with the following
definitions (the words appear in the text in the same order as the definitions):
About Northern Ireland
Paragraph 2
4) a way of thinking about things
5) to deliberately avoid a person, place or activity
Paragraph 4
6) to form two very different groups that are completely opposite to each other
7) a generalization, not based on specific facts and maybe not completely
correct (2 words)
Text: About Northern Ireland
Great craic, live music and the Ulster fry
Where it is
Northern Ireland is part of the UK but is physically separated from mainland
England, Wales and Scotland by the wild and sometimes treacherous Irish Sea.
Northern Ireland has sea to the north and east, and borders the Republic of Ireland
on the west and south, making it the only UK country with a European border.
Unsurprisingly these physical characteristics affect the mindset of its population,
and it is not unusual to find some people who feel simultaneously a UK citizen, and
Irish citizen and a European citizen. Alternatively, others shun their UK identity and
embrace their Irishness, and many others insist on being ‘British’ and ignore their
Irish neighbours.
In a population of 1.5 million nearly 60% are under 40, making it a country with an
influential youth culture.
Religion and identity
Identity tends to be polarised according to the religious divide – Protestants tend to
see themselves as ‘British’ and part of the UK (except when the Irish rugby team is
in action and allegiance conveniently switches!), and Catholics tend to embrace the
Irish identity and an all-Ireland ethos. As with any such sweeping statement there
are many exceptions to the rule, and Northern Ireland is home to many people of
other religions and cultural identities. There are also a huge number of people from
both the Protestant and Catholic communities who value each other as friends and
fellow citizens, and to whom religion takes a back seat.
Language
In common with the UK, people in Northern Ireland speak English (with a distinctive,
hard to mimic accent). There also exist the lesser-used languages of Irish and
Ulster Scots and many associated cultural activities.
Political devolution
Northern Ireland shares the Westminster government with the UK but has had its
own devolved Assembly, currently suspended, with local control over various issues
including education and arts. The population waits for local politicians to come to
agreement so that the Assembly can be reinstated as independence from
Westminster is valued.
Stereotypes
Stereotypical images of Northern Ireland often centre on its troubled and violent
past: bombs, shootings, brutality, along with the more positive: building the Titanic,
the Giants Causeway World Heritage Site, linen industry and musicians such as
Van Morrison and Ash.