The Royal Family

For more than a thousand years Britain has always had kings or queens except for the ten years between 1649 and 1659. In the past, kings had great power and they really helped to make history. They started wars, made laws, and did things in their own way. But gradually more and more power went to Parliament. What does the Queen do now? Why does Britain need monarchy? And does it?

Elizabeth II calls the Windsor family a ‘Firm’. She thinks of it as a business rather than a family. And the main business of the royal family is … well, probably being royal. And they are paid for it. The Queen is one of the richest women in the world and yet she gets about 8 million pounds a year to be Queen. But many people agree that she does her job well and she deserves her salary.

Being Queen is a really busy job. Elizabeth II gets up early and begins the day by looking through the newspapers. Then she reads letters from the public (she gets more than 1000 each week), and tells her staff how she would like them to be answered. The Queen has daily meetings with her Private Secretary who helps her to go through her paperwork, and lots of meetings with ambassadors, new judges, and bishops.

In the afternoon Elizabeth II often goes out on public engagements – she gets thousands of invitations each year. She opens new hospitals, bridges and factories.

Once a week, the Queen has a meeting with the Prime Minister and they discuss government business and important things that are happening in the country.

In the evening the Queen reads the report of the day from Parliament. She isn’t a politician, and in modern Britain the power belongs to the government, but she must agree to every new law. It’s formal agreement: no king or queen has refused a new law since 1701!

Being a Queen is not a 9 to 5 job, and Elizabeth II has to work from early in the morning until late at night. And people watch her all the time.

Of course, she has some free time, and some private life, but less than most people.

In her spare time Elizabeth II enjoys horse racing, fishing, and walking in the countryside. She also enjoys photography and likes taking photos on her travels.

Many people think that the Royals are useless and monarchy is outdated. But… the British people seem to like them that way. They like to read about the royal family, royal scandals and shocking secrets. They like to watch royal ceremonies, they are proud of the tradition of monarchy. Britain has had kings and queens for a thousand years – probably they’ll have them for another thousand.

Задание 6. Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы.

London

London is the capital of Great Britain. London is more than two thousand and five hundred years old. More than eight million people live there. The river Thames divides London into two parts. There are three main parts in London: the City, the West End and the East End. The City is a very small part of London but it is known as the heart of business and financial life of the country. St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was built by sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century, is situated in the City. It was destroyed during World War II and then restored.

Trafalgar Square is in the centre of London. It is the finest place in the city. It is the place of meetings and demonstrations. Nelson’s column is in the centre of the Square. This column was built in memory of Admiral Nelson. He destroyed the French fleet in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and became a national English hero.

The West End is the richest part of the capital. Large museums and art galleries, most theatres and cinemas are to be found here. The famous Hyde Park is also situated in the West End. Here one can see Westminster Abbey where all British kings and queens are crowned. Many great Englishmen, Newton, Darwin, Dickens and others, are buried there.

To the west of Westminster Abbey there is Buckingham Palace, the residence of the English Queen. Some guardians stand on guard in front of the Palace. It is very interesting to see the Changing of the Guard. It is a tradition.

Not far from the Abbey you can also see the Houses of Parliament with the famous Big Ben and a huge clock. Everybody knows the British Museum with its finest collection of books from all over the world.

The Tower of London is on the Thames. Since the 11^th century it was a royal palace and a fortress. It has played an important role in the English history. For many years English kings and queens lived there. Then it became a prison. Now it is a museum. The famous collection of jewels is kept here. Every night at 9.53 pm the chief warder locks up the Tower. This is known as the Ceremony of the Keys and it has been taking place almost without any break for 700 years. A number of ravens have their home at the tower. They are on guard here.

On Sundays most Londoners do not work. Some people spend their weekend at home, some go to Hyde Park, where they can lie on the grass, ride on horseback or listen to speakers at the Speakers’ Corner.

The East End used to be the poorest part of London. Now it is home to small industries, blocks of flats and many houses. It has become a desirable place for business.

There is so much to see in London that even Londoners can always find new sights. They like to say, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”.

1) Where is London situated?

2) What are the main parts of London?

3) What is the financial and business center of the country?

4) What places of interest can be found in the West End?

5) Where is the residence of the English Queen?

6) What are the Houses of Parliament famous for?

7) What is the role of the Tower of London in the English history?

8) Where do most Londoners prefer to spend their weekend?

9) What is the East End?

ТЕМА 8. HOLIDAY

Задание 1. Прочитайте тексты и ответьте на вопросы.