Vocabulary

sacred - священный

tomb - катала

pilgrimage - паломничество

to crown - короновать

coronation - коронация

royal - королевский

changing the Guards - смена караула

site - место, площадка

cone - конус •

wisper - шепот

William the Conqeror - Вильгельм завователь

mint - монетный двор

menagerie - зверинец

Yeoman Warder - страж Тауэра

MOSCOW

Moscow is the capital of Russia. It was first mentioned in the records dated back to the year 1147. At that time it was a small frontier post. The history of Moscow is inseparably connected with the history of Russia. In 1237 Moscow fell under the yoke of the Tatars. And it was Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy who led the Russian troops to a decisive victory over the invaders in the battle of Kulikovo field in 1380.

By the 15-th century Moscow turned into a wealthy city. It was under Ivan III that Moscow became the capita) of the state of Moscovy. At that time the Kremlin was rebuilt and the largest Kremlin Cathedrals were erected.

Dung the Troubled Times Moscow was occupied by the Polish invaders. The fight to set Moscow free was identified in the people's mind with the struggle for the national independence. The Polish invaders were routed by the popular levy headed by Minin and Pozharsky-

In 1812 the Napoleonic army entered Moscow. The city was set ablaze. The army had to retreat. That was a-'poor substitute for the military triumph in Russia, su much desired by Napoleon.

Nowadays Moscow is the largest city of Russia. It is a political, administrative, economic, educational and cultural centre of the country. There are many places of interst in Moscow. The city is famous for its historical monuments, museums, art galleries and theatres. The Historical Museum, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the Tretyakov State Picture Gallery are world famous. Moscow is proud of the Bolshoi, Maty and Art theatres. Moscow is an industrial centre with highly developed engineering, electric, light and chemical industries.

Moscow is a scientific centre too. The Academy of sciences of Russia, the oldest university, many schools of higher learning, colleges and scientific institutions are located here.

Moscow is the country's largest sports centre. It often becomes a scene of international sports festivals.

Uk political system

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. Queen Elizabeth II, as head of State. The organs of government are: Parliament, the executive and the judiciary, the legislature.

Parliament, is the supreme authority. It comprises two chambers - the House of Lords and the House of Commons - together with the Queen in her constitutional role.

The executive consists of the central Government - that is the Prime Minister and Cabinet and other ministers, who are responsible for initiating and directing the national policy government departments, local authorities and public corporations.

The judiciary determines common law arid interprets status and is independent of both the legislature and the executive.

The Government derives its authority from the elected House of Commons. A general election, for all seats in the House of Commons, must be held at least every five years. The Government is normally formed by the political party which is supported by the majority in the House of Commons.The party's leader is appointed Prime Minister by the Queen and chooses a team of ministers, of whom 20-or so are in the Cabinet. The second largest party becomes the Official Opposition with its own leader and 'Shadow Cabinet". The House of Commons comprises members from the constituencies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who represent people whose history and traditions differ.

The House of Lords is a hereditary Chamber.

In Great Britain there is no written constitution, only customs, traditions and precedents.