II. Choose the correct equivalent for the word:

1. assent

a) official agreement; b) going up; c) military call.

2. embodiment

a) plastic surgery; b) expression of an idea; c) entering into the spirit of a person.

3. wording

a) choice of words to express meaning; b) ability to express oneself;

c) using the words in a strict sense.

4. to summon

a) to count the final result; b) to reach the highest point; c) to call or send for.

5. dissolution

a) fading away; b) ending smth. c)impossibility to find an answer;

6. exempt

a) obligatory; b) not liable to; free from; c) taxable.

7. grandeur

a) greatness; magnificence; b) self-importance; c) one of grand parent

III. Explain the meaning of the following:

1. to be defeated at an election

2. to command a majority

3.PM

4. MP

5. to pass a bill.

6. to go ahead with policies

.

COMPREHENSION

IV. Correct or justify the following statements:

I......"the people is a very important concept in British law".

2......It's impossible to have a talk with a British citizen.

3......The Queen signs all the documents herself.

4....., It takes the Queen a long time compose the speech for the State Opening of Parliament.

5......The USA and Great Britain have similar symbols of the country?

6......All the ceremonial events in which the Queen participates are reduntant.

7. The glamorous lives of the Windsors provide a source of entertainment for the public. 8......The Queen has become less popular during the last two decades.

9......The Queen is the richest person in the world.

10. Parts of Winsdor Castle were opened for the world visits to raise money to help pay for the repairs of Buckingham Palace.

V. Say if you agree or .Disagree with the following and explain why:

1. The monarchy isn't extremely popular with the British nowadays.

2. The existence of a ruling monarch in Great Britain contributes to the stability in the country.

3. The Queen and her family are quite indispensable for the economy of the country.

4. Nowadays the Windsors can not serve as an example of ideal Christian family life.

5. It is the subject of money spent on the royal family by the state that makes the Queen less popular even among her supporters.

VI. 1708; 1952; 1977; 1992. What happened in those years in Britain?

VII. Express your opinion on the following:

1. Would you advise the British to get rid of their monarchy?

2. Do you think Belarus would benefit from having a figurehead who could perform the functions of a monarch?

Adapt or die?

I. Find out the following.

1. What is the state system in the United Kingdom today? Name its typical features.

2. Why do you think the Monarchy still keeps afloat in the UK?

3. Despite the fact that the Monarchy remains alive, its position is somewhat shaky. What causes dissatisfaction of the British at the existing social order?

4. How can you account for the title of the text?

As history shows monarchies nee to continuously reform themselves if they are to survive. Max de Lotbiniere looks at the British Royal Family's effort to adapt to changing world

Arguments about the Monarchy are as old as the institution itself. But this summer, critics who have been calling for reform were taken by surprise. The Queen, it was revealed, has been asking some searching questions about her role, and the future of Royal institutions.

A door was opened on the secretive world of the Queen's private affairs when it was confirmed that she was meeting with family members and officials to discuss the long-term future of the Monarchy. The group, which includes the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and some of their top-ranking advisers, is known as the "Way Ahead" committee, and it is looking at ways to ensure the Monarchy remains in tune with the modern world.

According to the Political Editor of the Sun newspaper, Trevor Kavanagh, who first revealed details about the group, it is the Queen who has recognised the need for change. "She set up the committee four years ago," he said. "They meet every six months, and she, at the age of 70, is being given the credit for looking into the future and seeing that the Royal Family does have to change to take account of changing times."

Buckingham Palace has not revealed all the details about the group's discussions, but it is clear that the Queen is considering changing some of the Monarchy's more ancient rules.

One proposal is to end the primogeniture law, which means that the title of Monarch passes to sons rather than daughters. The present Queen only inherited the title because there were no male heirs.

The ban on heirs to the throne marrying Roman Catholics is also reported to have come under scrutiny. Under the present law, which is 295 years old, a Royal cannot be crowned if he or she is married to a Catholic. William Oddie, a Catholic theologian, is one of those who is pleased that the Queen is considering changing this law.

"I think this will be greatly welcomed. In practical terms, it's obviously not something that affects very many Catholics, but it is just a kind of niggling piece of hurtfulness that remains from the past and I think Catholics will be glad to see it go."

But even though many people in Britain regard the ban on marriage to Catholics as outdated and unnecessary, changing the law would be very controversial. Catholic parents are obliged to bring up their children as Catholics, so, in theory, this would mean that a Catholic could succeed to the throne. This would be in conflict with the Monarch's role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The latest meeting of the Way Ahead committee was held last September at Balmoral, the Queen's summer residence in Scotland. The meeting was attended by all the Queen's children, and it was the first since the divorces of Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York

According to the BBC's Court Correspondent, Jenny Bond, these recent talks focused on practical matters. "They want to get on with what they say is the business of monarchy, rather than the 'soap opera' that they see in the media."

One issue under discussion, according to press reports was the Monarchy's public image. The Royal Family agrees that it must end the damaging series of recent scandals in the British press. The latest focus of that media attention is Prince Charles' relationship with his long-time friend, Camilla Parker-Bowles.

Now that Charles is free to marry again, there is speculation that he will propose to Camilla. But this could further damage the reputation of the Monarchy.

When Charles becomes King, he will take on the role of Supreme Governor of the Church of England. (He will not have direct control over its affairs but he will be expected to set a good exam­ple). Many Anglicans are worried about Charles' suitability for this role and they think that a second marriage would set a bad example.

One way of avoiding a difficult situation like this would be by changing the relationship between the Monarchy and the Church of England. But the Royal family has said that it is not considering such a fundamental move.

Instead, it was reported that Charles had given assurances to the Queen, at the Balmoral meeting, that he would not marry Camilla Parker-Bowles, and that he will keep their relationship discreet.

In the meantime, the Way Ahead group win continue to look at other aspects of how the Monarchy works. But big changes are not expected soon. It is clear that these meetings are part of an evolutionary, not revolu­tionary process of change and reform. The British Monarchy has, throughout history, been very good at adapting to circum­stances. It has survived wars, political and social turmoil, and ups and downs in its popularity. The fact that the Way Ahead group exists proves mat the Queen, at least, still has a leader's instinct for survival.

WORD STUDY