Ex. 13. Answer the questions
1. What powers does the Queen have in government? 2. Who is next in line to the British crown after Prince Charles? 3. How can Parliament control the Royal Family? 4. What connections can you find between the Royal Family and the world outside Britain? 5. Which member of the Royal Family has the highest number of public engagements?
Ex. 14. Read and translate the dialogue “The Royal Family”. Reproduce the reported version of the conversation. Dialogue The Royal Family - So here we are, Jane. You can see now the most important building. It's Buckingham Palace - the official residence of the Queen. Do you know that the Queen and her family are very popular with people? · Sure I do. But, the monarchy today has no power. - Wel1, but the Queen is the official Head of the state, a symbol of the unity of the nation. For thousand years England has been united under one sovereign. This order was broken only afterthe Civil war by the republic of 1649 - 1660. · So the hereditary principle still operates, doesn’t it? - Yes. The Crown is passed on to the sovereign’s eldest son or daughter. But it’s interesting to know that the Royal Family performs a useful social and political role. · Really? As far as I know she is expected to be " above politics". Her role in state affairs is formal.In reality she performs ceremonial functions such as opening and closing Parliament. Does she have any other functions? - Very many. It should be mentioned that she approves and appoints the Prime Minister and gives her Royal Assent to Bills. The Queen is also the Head of the Commonwealth and the Church of England as well as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. · Well, I see. Do the other members of the Royal Family undertake official duties? -Of course, they do. For example, Princess Ann is Chancellor of the University of London and Colonel - in - Chief of eleven Army regiments. · Thank you very much. I've known many interesting facts about Royal Family and the Queen. It goes without saying that she is the richest woman of the country. By the way where does her money come from? - There are two sources: government funds and her own personal wealth, which is considerable. But don't forget that Parliament has effective control over the monarch’s finances.
Notes: 1. hereditary, adj. - наследственный 2. the Commonwealth – Cодружество 3. Royal Assent – королевское согласие (санкция) 4. Chancellor, n – почетный ректор 5. Army regiment – полк 6. source, n - источник 7. considerable, adj. - значительный
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