Maturita school topics (3rd part of the oral exam):
1. LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES, ENGLISH AS A WORLD LANGUAGE
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Give reasons why to learn languages
Name typical features of English
Describe the history of English
Varieties of English – name and give examples of differences
2. THE UNITED KINGDOM – GEOGRAPHY, PLACES OF INTERESTS
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Explain the terms: England, Great Britain, the United Kingdom, the British Isles, the
Commonwealth of Nations
Read the map of the UK (geographical features)
Talk about British industry and agriculture
Talk about places of interest
3. THE UNITED KINGDOM – HISTORY
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Describe the ancient history of Britain (till 1066)
Match some historic events (from 1066 to our century) with historic personalities
Talk about one historic personality in detail
4. MASS MEDIA
 Talk about advantages and disadvantages of different forms of media
 Name some British and American media (press, TV, radio)
 Characterize some kinds of TV programmes
 Name parts and typical characteristics of newspapers
 Compare tabloids and broadsheets
 Trace the development of the internet
5. AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND
 Read the map of A. and N. Z.
 Give basic facts of the countries (geography, population, political system)
 Trace the main historic events
 Describe the unique wildlife
 Choose some places of interest and explain your choice
 Compare and contrast the countries
6. NEW YORK CITY
 Give basic facts about the city (importance, population, location, parts)
 Talk briefly about the history of the city
 Recognize the famous buildings and places of interest (culture, finance, politics, sports, parks)
 Describe some sights in detail
 Mention the city transport
7. WASHINGTON, D.C.
 Give basic facts about the city (importance, population, location, city plan)
 Talk briefly about the history of the city and famous people connected with the city
 Recognize the famous buildings and places of interest (culture, finance, politics, sports)
 Describe some sights in detail
 Compare it with other cities of the US
8. THE OUTLINE OF THE BRITISH LITERATURE AND SOME REPRESENTATIVES (from early beginnings to
18th century)
 Trace the development of British literature
 Name and characterize each period
 Name some representatives of each period and genre
 Talk about one book and its author in detail
9. THE OUTLINE OF THE BRITISH LITERATURE AND SOME REPRESENTATIVES (from 19th century up to
now)
 Trace the development of British literature
 Name and characterize each period
 Name some representatives of each period and genre
 Talk about one book and its author in detail
10. CANADA, IRELAND
 Read the map of C. and I.
 Compare their geography and political systems
 Name the main events from history
 Name some explorers of Canada
 Recognize Irish writers, Irish culture specifics
 Describe the famous Irish holiday – St. Patrick´s Day
11. THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN THE CR AND IN ESC
 Compare the systems, find differences and similarities
 Explain the systems of exams, use appropriate terminology
 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the systems
12. HEALTH CARE, SPORTS AND GAMES
 Describe your health problems and ways you keep fit
 Talk about common illnesses and their cure, medical treatment
 Explain the terms accident, injury, illness, disease
 Explain the Czech system of health insurance and health care
 Talk about sports facilities in your town
 Explain the rules of your favourite sport/game + name the necessary equipment
 Compare the most popular sports in the UK, the USA, and the CR
13. PRAGUE
 Locate and characterize our capital city, explain its importance
 Recognize some places of interest in the pictures and talk about them
 Plan a two-day trip to Prague
 Talk about Prague transport
 Talk about the history of Prague and its famous people
 Talk about one historic personality closely linked to Prague
14. THE CZECH REPUBLIC
 Present your country – its location, political system, importance in Europe
 Read the map of the CR – mention the main geographical features
 Talk about Czech industry and agriculture
 Describe briefly its history
 Talk about one famous Czech personality in detail (monarch, politician, writer, artist,
sportsman etc.)
 Mention some places of interest, describe some of them in detail
 Express your attitudes towards your country – pros and cons of living here
15. TRADITIONS, HOLIDAYS, FEASTDAYS IN THE ESC AND IN OUR COUNTRY
 Discuss the importance of national traditions and holidays
 Name important holidays and feasts in the ESC and explain why they are celebrated
(national, religious, family)
 Describe traditional celebrations in our country and give your opinions about them
 Compare Christmas and Easter traditions in the ESC and the CR
16. KUTNÁ HORA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
 Present the town – its location, size, culture and historic importance
 Recognize the buildings and places in the pictures and talk about them
 Read the plan of KH, give directions
 Talk about the history of KH and its famous people
 Discuss advantages and disadvantages of living/studying in KH
17. THE USA – GEOGRAPHY, PLACES OF INTEREST
 Explain the name of the country, give basic facts (political system, population, international
importance)
 Read the map of the USA (geographical features)
 Compare and contrast different parts of the USA (landscape, weather, the population
density, ethnic groups)
 Talk about American industry and agriculture
 Talk about places of interest (national parks, famous cities, etc.)
18. THE USA – HISTORY
 Describe the early history of the USA, first settlements
 Talk about the first European explorers
 Trace the main historic events and personalities
 Talk about one historic personality in detail
19. LONDON
 Give basic facts about the city (importance, population, location, parts)
 Talk briefly about the history of the city
 Recognize the famous buildings and places of interest (culture, finance, politics, sports, parks)
 Describe some sights in detail
 Mention the city transport
20. FINANCE, POST, BANKING, CURRENCY
 Introduce sectors of national economy (primary, secondary,...) and define each
 Explain the term GDP, state budget, stock market, pay cash/by credit card
 Talk about finance and banking (kinds of banks, payment, bank accounts, ...)
 Discuss services of post office and its long tradition
 Mention services of insurance companies and their products
21. THE OUTLINE OF THE AMERICAN LITERATURE
 Trace the development of American literature
 Name and characterize each period
 Name some representatives of each period and genre
 Talk about one book and its author in detail
22. THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE PLACE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC THERE
 Mention the main events and circumstances leading to the constitution of the EU
 Name the main symbols of the EU
 Trace the historic development (its original purpose, basic treaties)
 Name the founding members of the EU, waves of enlargement and the most recent members
 Name the main institutions and describe their functions
 Discuss advantages and disadvantages of our membership in the EU
23. POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE UK AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH, THE USA, AND
THE CR
 Explain the key terms democracy, constitution, parliament, elections
 Name the branches of political power and characterize them
 Compare the systems
 Contrast right-wing and left-wing policy
 Describe some voting systems and their differences
24. 21ST CENTURY AND ITS PROBLEMS
 Name various problems of these days and explain them (drug addiction, HIV, terrorism, wars,
globalization, xenophobia, racism, etc.)
 Describe social worries in the Czech Republic (homelessness, crime, minorities, charities)
 Name the causes of current or recent wars
 Discuss possible solutions to the problems
25. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
 Name and comment the main environmental problems (water, soil, air pollution, ...)
 Explain the terms global warming, greenhouse effect, the ozone layer
 Explain the causes and effects
 Discuss possible solutions, e. g. alternative sources of energy
 Describe what you personally do to protect the environment