Part III Supplementary Reading
Read about the British Flag and say which country is not represented in the flag of the U.K.?
The
National Flag of the U.K.
The Union flag is so called because it embodies the emblems of three countries united under one Sovereign. It is colloquially known as the Union Jack. (“Union” for the Union of England and Scotland in 1606, “jack “as flown on the jack staff (a small flagstaff of ships showing their nationality). On the flag appear:
(1) The red cross of Saint George for
England
on the white ground;
(2) The white diagonal cross of Saint
Andrew for Scotland on the blue ground;
(3) The red diagonal cross of Saint Patrick
for Ireland on the white ground.
The Welsh flag (the red dragon on the white and green ground) does not appear on the Union Flag. The Irish cross was put into the flag after the Act of Union of Ireland with England and Wales and Scotland in 1801 and remains there although only Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom; Southern Ireland is an independent republic.
Read information about national emblems and name them.
Each country also has a national “emblem” or a sign. The English emblem is a red rose. The Welsh emblem is a vegetable or a flower – a leek or a daffodil. The Scottish emblem is a wild plant – a thistle. And the Irish emblem is another wild plant – a shamrock.
How many of these traditional songs do you know?
Happy Birthday To You – You sing this song at birthday parties.
People all over the world sing it.
Auld Lang Syne – This is a song from Scotland. Most people only sing it once a year, on New Year’s Eve. “Auld Lang Syne” means “a long time ago”. The song says, “we must never forget old friends”.
God Save the Queen – This is Britain’s national song or “anthem”.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen –
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen.
Read the text “Royal Family Profile”
Britain is a constitutional monarchy. Sovereign is the head of the state, but not the head of the government. On the advice of the biggest political party in the Parliament, the Sovereign officially appoints the head of the government (Prime Minister).
Since the time of King George III in the 18th century, no monarch has attempted to head the Government.
Queen Elizabeth II, the current British monarch, was crowned in 1953 after the death of her father, King George VI. The Queen was born on 25 April 1926. She also has an official birthday in June. This is marked by one of many state occasions – “The Trooping of the Color”. She has an income of 7.9 million pounds a year of taxpayers’ money. In return, she carries cut many public duties. This includes the Opening of Parliament, receiving heads of states from other countries and travelling extensively overseas. She has four children: Prince Charles, the eldest, the heir to the throne; princess Anne; prince Andrew and prince Edward.
The other members of the Royal Family, including the Queen Mother who is 100 years old, also carry out many official visits and public duties.
II. Answer the following questions
Who is the head of the state in Britain?
Who appoints the Prime Minister of Great Britain?
When was the Queen born?
How is her birthday marked in Britain?
What duties does the Queen carry out?
Whom does her family consist of?
III. Tell us what information you’ve learnt about the Royal Family; the power the Royal Family has.
IV. What do you know about the British Parliament? How many of the questions below can you answer?
The first Parliament in Britain was held in … a). 1066; b). 1241; c). 1605
There are two Houses in the British Parliament. One is called the House of Commons. What is the other called?
Members of the House of Commons are called Members of Parliament (MPs). How many MPs are there? a). fewer than 500; b). fewer than 600; c). more than 600
4. Approximately how many of these MPs are women? a). less than 5%; b). less than 10%; c). less than 20%
5. Each MP represents an area of the country. This area is called …a). a place; b). a constituency; c). a post.
6. The head of the British government is called … a). the Prime Minister; b). the President; c). the Leader.
7. Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990.
She was the first woman Prime Minister …a). since 1900; b). since 1800; c). that Britain had had.
8. How old do you have to be to vote in a general election? a). 16; b). 18; c). 21
9. Governments are elected in general elections, where everyone is entitled to vote. In Britain a general election is held … a). every four years; b). every five years; c). whenever the government wants but within five years
10. After every general election MPs elect one of their number to chair their debates and to make sure they obey the rules of Parliament. This MPs is called …a). the Lord Chancellor; b). the speaker; c). the Chairman
11. When a MP dies …a). his/her seat remains vacant until the next general election;b). another MP takes over the seat; c). a local election is held to choose a new MP
12. Which three of the following are the largest British parties? a). Plaid Cymru; b). the Communist Party; c). the Conservative Party; d). the Green Party; e). the Labour Party; f). the Liberal Democrats; g). the Scottish National Party; h). the National Front
V. Read the text and name the things you should do to get to know the English