Political system of Great Britain. Royal family.

Political system of Great Britain. Royal family.

The legislative power – законодательная власть

To be exercised by - осуществляться

The executive power – исполнительная власть

The judiciary power – судебная власть

To be elected by the people – избираться народом

A constitutional monarchy – конституционная монархия

A presidential republic – президентская республика

To be appointed by – назначаться кем-либо

To be composed of – состоять из кого-либо

The Houses of Parliament – Парламент

The House of Commons – палата общин

The House of Lords – палата лордов

To make a law – создавать закон

To appoint a justice to the Supreme Court – назначить судью Верховного суда

To enforce laws – проводить законы в жизнь

To be appointed for life – назначаться пожизненно

To protect the Constitution and the rights of people – защищать конституцию и права граждан

Text: The Queen and the parliament.

It is rather difficult to understand the British way of ruling the country. In Britain the Queen is the Head of State, but in fact she doesn’t rule the country as she has no power. The Queen is a symbol of the country history and its traditions. She is very rich. She travels about the United Kingdom, meets different people and visits schools, hospitals and other special places. So do all the members of the Royal family): the Queen’s husband, her son Prince Charles the Queen’s daughter Princess Anna, and Princess Margaret. At the beginning of the century many countries all over the world were ruled by Britain. All of them were included into the British Empire and were its colonies. India, Pakistan, Ceylon, for example, were among them. Now these countries are independent states. But in 1949 Britain and the former colonies founded the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth includes many countries such as Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others. The Queen of Great Britain is also the Head of Commonwealth and the queen of Canada, Australia, New Zealand.

The real power in the country belongs to the British Parliament and to the British Government. The British Parliament has two ‘houses’: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The House of Lords doesn’t have much power but it is very important as it can offer and change laws, it can delay laws too. The House of Commons makes laws about the policy of the country, taxes and many other things.

The members of the House of Lords are not elected. These members are permanent. The members of the House of Commons are elected. The British people elect 650 members of the House of Commons every five years.

Question box ( in this case students must take one of the letters from the box and answer the questions)

1. What is the Queen’s full name?

2. When did she succeed to the throne?

3. When was the Queen born?

4. Who did the Queen marry? When?

5. How many children does she have?

6. How many grandchildren does she have?

7. When is Queen’s birthday?

8. When does the Queen celebrate her official birthday?

9. Where does the Queen live?

10. Who is the first in the line to the British throne?

11. What are the Queen’s duties?

12. What does she do as Head of the Church of England?

13. When did the Queen celebrate her 80^th birthday?