Speaking topic 7: English Speaking Countries: Australia, New Zealand and Canada

Australia: 
Physical geography: 
Australia is the smallest and the youngest continent with the lowest population. It is situated in the southern hemisphere, it means that the Australians has summer when we have winter. Australia is washed by the Indian Ocean in west and the south Pacific in east. The highest Australian mountain is Mt. Kosciusko. There are two deserts: the Great Sandy and Great Victoria Deserts. The longest river, the Murray Rivers is flows from New South Wales to the Indian Ocean. There are three big lakes here: Lake Eyre, Lake Torrens and Lake Gairdner. The Australian climate is from warm to subtropical. The nearest island are Tasmania and King Island.

Politicial system: 
The official title is "The Commonwealth of Australia" and it is a British dominion. It has a democratic, federal system and the head of state is Queen which represented by the Governor – General. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The Commonwealth of Australia consists of six states and two territories. National flag consist of the British Flag symbol and a larger blue field with 5 white stars arranged there.

New Zealand: 
Physical geography:
New Zealand is to be found south-east of Australia and south-west Pacific ocean. It consist of two large islands, the North Island and the South Island. New Zealand is mainly mountainous. Mount Cook is the highest mount in New Zealand. The climate is very pleasant all year round in New Zealand.

Politicial system:
New Zealand has a parliamentary system where the head of state is Queen which represented by the Governor General. The head of government is the Prime Minister. The country is dividid into countries. The capital is Wellington, other big cities are Manukau, Christchurch and Auckland. New Zealand was the first country in the world to give the vote to women in 1893, to have old age pensions and the eight-hour working day.

Canada:
Physical geography:
Canada occupies the whole of the northern part of North America and many islands. Canada is as large as Europe – it is the second largest country in the world.
The Great Lakes Region is the largest area of fresh water in the world. There are famous Niagara Falls between Lake Erie and Ontario. The highest mountains in the country are the Rocky mountains. The highest mountain is Mt. Logan. The longest river is the Mackenzie, other big rivers are the Yukon, the Columbia and the River St. Lawrence. The climate varies from Arctic climate in the north to moderate climate in the east and west.

politicial system:
Queen is the head of state but the leading figure in political life is the Prime Minister. The country is divided into 10 provinces and 2 territories. The Canadian anthem is called “Oh, Canada”. A maple leaf is used as Canada’s national symbol.

Speaking topic 2 and 3: Holiday customs and traditions

Christmas in Czech Republic: 
Christmas time in CR started basically at the end of October. Why? Because shops begin selling Christmas decorations etc.. The biggest "madness" is one or two weeks before Christmas Eve. A few days before Christmas Eve people sells a traditional Christmas food - carp. And of course mothers/grandmothers usually bake cookies.

Christmas Eve:
Every family celebrate Christmas Eve differently. Someone is at home for all day, someone visits your loves ones, someone does traditional habits (for example cut apples, decorating Christmas tree). Mothres after that cooked Christmas dinner which should begin at sunrise the first star. After dinner usually comes "Ježíšek" with presents.

25th and 26th December:
People or families usually visits your friends/love ones. Together talks about all year and eat cookies. Some people goes to the moutains where spends rest of the year and celebrate new year.


Christmas habits:
- cuting apples -  if is cored in the shape of a cross marked the coming of death. If it is full of worms cored meant to disease and beautiful star meant health and happiness.

- Fish scales are put under the plate that brought a lot of money.

- Above the flame melts a piece of lead and then suddenly poured into water. According to a shape that casting occurs, it is considered what will come.

- Unmarried girls throwing a slipper over his head, if slipper shows to the door marry and leave home, if showing the heel to the door, stay home.

Speaking Topic 18: Environment and weather conditions

The weather

1. What is your favorite season and why?

Well, my favourite season is summer. I like the sun and heat.  In my opinion when the thermometer shows from 20°C degrees to 30°C or 35°C degrees and the sun is shining, it's ideally weather for everything! I can play for example tennis or football with my friend and after that I can swim in my pool on the garden or I can go to aquapark with someone. I think too that people are more possitive in summer and I like summer because in summer are the longest holiday.

And walking with my girlfriend in warm nights around the city of Prague? It's AWESOME and magic for me. I love it! <3

2.  Do you think that in recent years we are losing our four distinct seasons?  What's the average summer temperature in your hometown?  The average winter temperature?

Yes, I do. In recent years aren't winter, spring, summer and autumn but only summer and winter. This year on October 22nd was in Prague 19°C degrees in the afternoon and on November 22nd was only 3°C degress..it's horrible! Average summer temperature in Prague is around 20°C dergees and average winter temperature is around 0°C degrees.

3.  Do you experience any extreme weather conditions in the Czech Republic?  Have you ever?  What other types of extreme weather do you know about?

Flood in Bohemia this June is I think good example. Other extreme weather..hurricanes in America, floods in Asia. 

4.  Is there a relationship between weather and natural disasters?  Do you think weather patterns are changing?  If so, what do you think is causing these changes?

Yes, of course. Weather patterns is definitely changing (question 2.). 

The environment

Climate changes are very debatabůe topic nowdays. Dwindling supplies of fresh water, increase greenhouse gases and more other problems. BUT what is the solution? It's difficult. Solar paners are very expensive and driving by car is faster than driving by bus/tram/underground. And kill all the cows? Oh, NO "Svíčková" is my favourite food. :D I think that it doesn't exist effective solution. Solar paners or hybrid cars are good but these inventions never overcome the current trend. 

Speaking topic 6: The United States of America

USA is a federal presidential republic in North America, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY:

The United States of America is the third largest country in the world (after Russia and Canada). in USA lived over 310 milion people. in USA are two big rivers - Mississippi and Misouri, Misouri flows into the Mississippi river and the Mississippi river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The largest mountain is Mount Mc Kinley which is part of the Coldilleras mountain. In USA are big lakes (for example Lake Huron or Lake Michigan).

MAJOR CITIES:

In USA are a lot of big cities and i will write about one of them - about The New York City. The city was founded by the Dutch in 1625. NYC is the largest city in USA with over 8 milion inhabitants and next 18 milion people live in agglomeration. NYC located in the east of USA. Town River is Hudson River.
New York is one of the few American cities where the baseball is more popular than american football. Baseball teams are NY Mets a Yankees. in NFL are playing NY Jets and Giants, in NHL NY Rangers and Islanders and in NLS NY Bulls. One of the tennis grandslams is playing in the NYC too and it's U.S. Open in Queens areal.
In NYC are many interesting places. For example:

1) Statue of Liberty

2) Wall Street

3) Madison Square Garden

POLITICAL SYSTEM:
I think it's unnecessary write now about political system because I saved your presentation from Zatlanka website which is very good and clear. If I write about political system I think that I copied everything from presentation. :-)

Speaking topic 18: The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is located in Central Europe between Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria. The Czech Republic is landlocked country which consists from three major areas: Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia or from 13 (or 14) regions. CR has more than 10 milion inhabitants and the capital city  is a Prague. CR has four large rivers - the Vltava river which flows into the Elbe river, the Elbe river which flows into the Notrh Sea, the Odra river which floes into the Baltic Sea and the Moravia river which flows into the Danube river and the Dunabe river flows into the Black Sea. The biggest mountains in the CR are the Krkonose on the north. The biggest mountain is the Snežka (1602 meters above sea level).  In the CR is temperate belt - summer is hot X winter is cold.

Politicial system: 

CR is a parlamenty democracy. The highest law is constitution which has 3 branches:

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH:
- parliament which is made from Chamber of Deputies and Senate.
- Chamber od Deputies has 200 members (more than 21 years) which are selected in elections every 4 years. Powers are approving of bills and drafting a bills.
- Senate has 81 members (more than 40 years) which are selected for 6 years.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH:
- The Government of The Czech Republic is made from ministers and in charge of it's prime-minister.- President is the head of our state. He is selected in the direct election.He has several smaller powers.
JUDICIAL BRANCH:
- The court system is made of the Supreme court, Supreme Administrative, Supreme and Regional and District courts.
- Consititutional court is made from 15 judges which are selected from president of CR.

Speaking topic 4: Housing

For my housing topic I chose describing my house and area where I live.

I live in detached house in southern part of Prague 5 in a quiet area which is called "Baně". We have got a big house with a big garden next to the police station. (:D)  We have got living room, kitchen, bedroom for my parents, hall, my brother's room, bathroom, toilet and big balcony. Equipment of our house is like everywhere.
Of course I have got my own room where I spend most of the time. My room is in first floor. In my room I have got my own TV, computer or Wi-fi (:D).

Around all my room are posters of hockey or football players. I have got about 250 big posters but on the walls there are "only" about 100.

Area where I live is for me ideal place for living. It's quiet area, supermarket is about 800 meters from my house, bus stop is 50 meters away and to the  centre of Prague is 20 minutes. Post office, restaurants, tennis courts and other shops are 5 minutes by bus.

I prefer living in house with garden and in my opinion it has a lot of advantages.
In summer I can swim in my own pool, in winter I can bulid snowman or make my skating rink. In house I can make noise or listen to loud music.

Speaking topic 6: Sports

For this topic I want write about one of my favourite sport - about tennis. Tennis is summer and ball sport. Tennis played on a court and players needs racket, balls and net. Tennis is very popular around the world. Tennis play on three different surfaces - on clay, concete and grass.

 Scoring system is very very specific (I write about scoring systems in singles) - one rallye between two players is "fifteen. Fifteens are 15, 30, 40 and "game". 40 because 45 is difficult pronunciaton. When it's 40:40, it's deuce. Next won rallye is advantage for some player and next win rallye is a game. If you are six games you have a set. BUT you must won at least 2 games (6:4 or 7:5). When it's 6:6, players played special game - tiebreak. Tiebreak played to 7 points (player must win at least 2 points).
Men play on three winning sets on Grandslam tournaments (it's four biggest - Australian Open in Melbourne, French Open in Paris, Wimbledon in London and U.S. Open in New York) and on Davis Cup (it's national team competition) and on other tournaments play on two winning sets. Women always play on two winnig sets.



I really like watching tennis on TV and it's usually very emotional bacuse I love bet on tennis matches.
Actually number one is Rafael Nadal from Spain (since monday). I don't like him. I think he is very arrogant and sometimes unfair. And his rituals before every rallye? It's HORRIBLE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxM00GcLKyk

My favourite players are Novak Djokovic and of course best player in Czech Republic - Tomáš Berdych. Novak was number one for 2 years. His best shots are return (shot after serve) and drop shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOMOBH9ZKfo