Change of direction

But now, after long having enjoyed a privileged relationship with America, Britain is gradually turning towards the Continent (be it at its own speed), gently steered by Tony Blair, who regards Britain's place in Europe as a unique occasion to play a dominant role on the world stage. Cunning tacticians that they are, though, the English are waiting to see if the single currency will work and if its national characteristics will be respected within the federal set-up. Especially as the nation's lifestyle has advanced, in the meantime, in leaps and bounds. London is now home to a population that can speak 300 different languages. It has become the European capital of multiculturalism, and draws tourists from across the globe with... its cooking and world music. Today, bridges are being built across Europe as never before. While the idea of the "green, green grass of home" advocated by an elitist layer of society locked in the past is still popular, England, the land of contrast, is busy redefining its image. On the sunny beaches of Spain, France and Greece in summertime. In the Bangladeshi restaurants down Brick Lane and in the clubs of London, Manchester and Birmingham all the year round...!

WORD STUDY

I. Match the following proper names with relevant characteristics:

I.England a) a staunch Anglophile

2.Europe b) the island of liberty

3. Great Britain c) the dark, despotic Continent

4.London d) the country that saw the birth of the Industrial Revolution

5. the English e) cunning tacticians

6. Voltaire f) home to a population that can speak 300 different languages

g) the European capital of multiculturalism

h) the land of contrast

Ш COMPREHENSION

I. Say whether the following statements are true or false. Correct them if necessary.

1. The English have been traditionally suspicious of foreigners.

2. Voltaire admired England and the English.

3. In comparison with Europe, Great Britain has always been more liberal.

4. The journey from Paris to London has always been very comfortable.

5. The British welcomed the launch of the Chunnel.

6. Britain has at last turned away from America to Europe.

7. The British are not particularly willing to give up their currency.

8. The British lifestyle has drastically changed over the past decades.

Monarchy

Vocabulary

accession (n) ~ to the throne

bill (n) a criminal justice ~

a "green" ~

to introduce a ~

to bring forward a ~

to pass a ~

ceremony (n) lack of colour and —

ceremonial (adj) ~ events

to perform the ~ duties consort (n)

the ~ of a king/queen

constitution (n)

constitutional (adj)

constitutionalism (n)

constitutionally (adv)

democracy (n)

democrat (n)

democratic (adj)

democratically elected

election (n) to hold an ~

to call a general ~

to be defeated at an ~

ermine (n,adj,v) an ~ robe

to assume the ~

to wear the ~

He was robed in ~

exhibit (v) to ~ calm determination under very difficult circumstances

to ~ quiet heroism

to ~ variation figure

head (n)

govern (v) to be ~ed in the name of the Queen

government (n) to run ~

dictatorial ~

governor (n) Governor-General

heir, heiress (n) the ~ to the throne

inherit (v)

inheritor (n)

heritage (n.)

inheritance (n)

law (n) written ~, English ~, primogeniture ~

to embody the ~

to become ~

to be above the ~

to make ~s

under the present ~

legal (adj) ~ experts

to institute a ~ framework for...

legally (adv) ~ wrong

monarch (n) legal authority of the ~

monarchy (n) the grandeur of ~

the institution of ~

~'s public image

to abolish the ~

(Syn.: to sweep away)

to be affectionate to ~

nation (n) a ~ of gardeners and housewives

national (adj) ~ pride

~ identity¹

~ character

a symbol of— unity

pageantry (n) Syn.: pomp and circumstance

Parliament (n) to summon ~

to dissolve ~

to open ~

the State Opening of-

Member of- (MP/MPs)

parliamentary - year (adj)

peer, peeress (n)

power (n) to shift the ~ to

to take the - from

to exercise -

to have great - over sth

to strip the monarchy of all ~s

the ~s rest with the PM

Queen (n) to become ~

~ Regnant

regent(n)

reign (n, v) in the-of Queen Victoria

to - with the consent of (the House of Lords)

revere (v) to ~ the giants of English science and philosophy

royal (adj) -institutions

~ style

~ weddings/funerals

- assent to (a bill)

to give the - assent

(Ant.: to refuse)

"the royals" (= the Windsors)

royalist (adj) anti— opinions

royalty (n) to lower the prestige of—

scandal (n) to talk scandal

scandalous (adj) — means

subject (n) - of Her Majesty the Queen

succession (n) the order of —

~ to the throne

throne (n) to take over the —

to succeed to the –

top-ranking (adj) - advisers

truism (n) it is a ~ that...

turmoil (n) political and social —

Phrases

to fill (ministerial) positions

to request a dissolution of Parliament

to threaten the stability of the country

a burning issue

to look up to (the royal family)

to be exempt from (taxation)

to pay taxes on one's income

to raise money

to face danger with (equanimity)

to be intellectually ambitious and unconventional

to make sacrifices in the common good

to dig for victory

to be to one's enrichment

Lo remain in tune with (theге modem world)

to come under scrutiny

to survive ups and downs (in one's popularity)

to value (one's individualism) quite highly

to place great emphasis on (individual differences)

to tend to be trend-setters in life-styles

lo cook "from scratch"

to act on the advise (of the ministers)

to pay official visits overseas

to attach the highest priority to

to be consulted on (every aspect of national life)

Notions to be remembered

the "Way Ahead" committee

Accession Council

the Privy Council

the Privy Purse

the Civil List

the Royal Regalia

the Commonwealth