Read the text. Are these sentences true or false? Choose True or False.
BRITAIN – A MIX OF CULTURE
Britain has always been a mixture of different nationalities and cultures. The country itself is made up of four nations – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – each with its own cultural heritage. Back in the 17th century, Britain became a global power and gained an enormous empire. By the 1920s, the empire was home to 458 million people – a fifth of the world's population! But forty years later, most of the colonies had gained their independence, and immigrants from Britain's former colonies had begun to arrive in the UK and contribute to its multicultural society.
The longest-established ethnic minority in Britain is the black Caribbean population. After the Second World War, there was a labour shortage in the UK and people from Jamaica and Trinidad, former British colonies, were encouraged to come and work in Britain. In 1948, five hundred came over on the steamship Empire Windrush, and throughout the following decade, thousands more arrived. Many immigrants experienced some form of racism at that time. However, Caribbean culture – especially food and musical styles such as ska and reggae – gradually became part of British life. The Notting Hill Carnival – the biggest street festival in Europe – was started by Caribbean inmmigrants.
Another wave of immigration to the UK occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. India and Pakistan were formerly part of the British Empire, and many people arrived from those countries. In previous decades, Indians and Pakistanis had also gone to work in British colonies in Africa. But after those African countries gained independence, Asians were forced to leave and came to the UK. Asians in Britain formed a close community and on the whole retained their own customs and languages. However, Indian food is now part of British culture, with Indian restaurants found all over the country. Curry is one of Britain's most popular meals.
Since the expansion of European Union in 2004, the UK has seen more immigrants from continental Europe. Most come to work in Britain and then return home after a few years, but others have chosen to settle in their new homeland.
1. In the 20th century, immigrants to Britain mainly came from countries that used to be part of the British Empire. TrueFalse
2. People from the Caribbean were invited to come and work in Britain. TrueFalse
3. Britain has generally refused to adopt any traditions of immigrant cultures. TrueFalse
4. Many Asian immigrants came from other British colonies. TrueFalse
5. The majority of immigrants to Britain in the 21st century do not settle permanently. TrueFalse