2. Complete these sentences.

1. Britain is a constitutional ...

2. The head of state is …

3. In the other nations of the Commonwealth of which the Queen is head of State, her representative is the …

4. The Parliament consists of the …, the … and ...

5. A general election must be held every … years.

6. The minimum voting age is …

7. There are four main political parties: …, …, … and … parties.

8. The winning party forms the …

9. The second party becomes official Opposition and forms the …

10. The British constitution is not written as a … document.

The Role of the Monarchy

Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom.

In a monarchy, a king or queen is Head of State. The British monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy. This means that, while The Sovereign is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament.

Although the British Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation.

As Head of State, The Monarch undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history. In addition to these State duties, The Monarch has a less formal role as 'Head of Nation'. The Sovereign acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence; and supports the ideal of voluntary service.

In all these roles The Sovereign is supported by members of their immediate family.

1. Tick the right sentences.

1. The British Queen lives in Buckingham Palace.

2. Queen Anna lives there now.

3. Important visitors often meet the Royal family inside the Palace.

4. Tourists go to Buckingham Palace, too.

5. Tourists often meet the Queen.

6. There are always guardsmen outside the Palace.

7. The Changing of The Guard is a ceremony.

8. The Trooping of The Colour isn’t an important ceremony.

9. The Colour is a flag.

10. The State Opening of Parliament is a big ceremony.

Key: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10.

London

I

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom situated on the Thames river, the largest city in Britain and one of the largest cities in the world.

From the earliest times the Romans, the Saxons, the Danes and the Normans settled there in turn. With the passing years London continued to grow in importance and prosperity. The existence of London depended on its water-born trade which still makes London one of the world’s largest ports. Historical and geographical circumstances have turned London into one of the world’s most important commercial and culturalcentres. The first mayor of London was elected in 1193, but for more than a thousand years before that London had been a place of some importance.

London survived the Plague, which killed nearly 70.000 people, and the Great Fire which followed. Little damage occurred during World War I, but World War II brought tremendous destruction to the city: a great number of buildings of historic value were laid in ruins. Yet much was spared, including the Tower, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey which remain the major tourist attractions of the city.

London manages in a unique way to reflect the past and, at the same time, to live a life of a modern city. There is always something new to be discovered, some fresh approach to a familiar scene, some curious piece of life in the city where the old and new exist side by side in mutual tolerance and respect.