The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. This means that it has a monarch (a king or a queen) as its the Head of State. The monarch reigns with the agreement of Parliament. The powers of the monarch are not defined precisely. Everything is done in the Queens name. It is Her Majestys government, Her Majestys armed forces, Her Majestys law courts and so on. She officially appoints all the Ministers, including the Prime Minister. Everything is done, however, on the advice of the elected Government, and the monarch takes no part in the decision-making process.
Once the British empire included a large number of countries all over the world ruled by Britain. Now there is no longer an empire. But the British ruling classes tried not to lose influence over the former colonies. An association of former members of the British Empire and Britain was founded in 1949. It is called the Commonwealth. It includes many countries such as Ireland, Burma, the Sudan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others. The Queen of Great Britain is also the Head of the Commonwealth, and so the Queen of Canada, Australia, new Zealand. The Queen is very rich, as are other members of the Royal Family. In addition the government pays for her expenses as Head of State, for a royal yacht, train and aircraft, as well as for the upkeep of several palaces. The Queens image appears on stamps, notes and coins.
Since the ninth century there has been only one short interruption in the history of the monarchy. In 1642, a Civil War began in England, and in 1649 King Charles I was defeated by a parliamentary army led by Oliver Cromwell and he was executed. In 1660 the son of the executed Charles I, Charles II, was restored to the throne and Britain has remained a monarchy ever since.
III. Answer the questions.
1) What kind of state is the UK?
2) What are the powers of the monarch in the UK?
3) Who does the real power in the UK belong to?
4) Is the Queen of the UK also the Queen of some other countries?
5) What is the name of free association of independent states members of the former British Empire?
IV. Translate the sentences.
1.Walking along the street I met a friend of mine. 2. Being very busy I couldnt help them. 3.While reading a book, I came across many new words. 4. I saw the ship approaching the cost. 5.When I entered the room, I saw so many people sitting at the table, that I couldnt find my friend among the quests invited. 6. The book discussed was very interesting. 7.A parliamentary army led by Cromwell defeated King Charles I. 8.The man standing by the window is the professor you are looking for. 9. Taking the book from the shelf he sat down to read it. 10. Receiving no reply by the end of the month we shall consider the order cancelled.
V. Translate the sentences paying attention to the function of the underlined words.
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1. The question was discussed recently.
2. The question discussed was difficult.
3. We were discussing the question from 5 till 7 oclock.
4. Discussing the question we came across some problems.
VI. Compose sentences out of the given parts. Pay attention to the place of the participle.
1. left, gaily, the company, the café, chattering.
2. arrived, the telegram, promised, never.
3. asleep, the boy, slipping, immediately, fell, into bed.
4. to him, smiling, turned, she, her face.
5. no answer, we, receiving, a cable, sent.
Unit VII.
Grammar study: The infinitive and The Gerund.
I. Read and translate.
As long as we live, we are taught, we are shown, essential parts, to sort out, we are able to, it is thought, the invention of writing, everyday life, to store up knowledge.
II. Read and translate the text.
HISTORY OF EDUCATION
As long as we live we continue to learn, and the education we receive when we are young helps us to continue learning. We are taught to read and write, and are taught many of the essential facts about the world and are shown how to sort them out so that later in life, we shall be able to find out things ourselves and not to ask other people.
The first teachers were fathers and mothers, but very early in the history of man children began to be taught by people other than their parents. It is thought that schools first started in Egypt 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, and that it was the invention of writing, which made them necessary.
Reading and writing were quite different from the skills used in everyday life, and writing made it possible to store up knowledge, which grew with each generation. Specially trained people were needed to teach it.
