Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603)

Queen Elizabeth I was one of the strongest rulers in England's history. She was the last of the Tudor dynasty, the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth had a difficult early childhood. Her mother was executed when she was only three years old, and during her sister Mary's reign (1553-58) she was a prisoner. Elizabeth received a good education, including foreign languages (French, Latin, Spanish), science, and mathematics. In 1558, after the death of Mary, Elizabeth became Queen. Like her father, Elizabeth I was a Protestant monarch. This meant that she was the head of the church of England. She led her country with great cleverness and courage through the difficult and often dangerous times. She was queen of England for 45 years. During her long and stable reign, she suppressed several Catholic plots against her Protestant regime. In 1587, Elizabeth executed her Catholic cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, for her role in the plot against Elizabeth. The Catholic forces in England and Spain had supported Mary.

In 1588, Elizabeth’s navy defeated the Spanish Armada, sent to invade England. By the time the queen died, England was a wealthy trading nation and a stable Protestant state.

During Elizabeth's reign English culture flourished. The development of the English language reached the height of its power as an instrument of prose and especially of poetry. The English drama is the crowning glory of the Elizabethan age. The most outstanding dramatist and poet of the period was William Shakespeare.

The theatre became a favourite amusement of people, especially in towns. Theatres appeared one after another. At the end of the century there were about 10 theatres in London.

Ex.5 Look through the text again and translate the following words and word-combinations:

Early childhood, to receive good education, head of the church, to lead the country, cleverness and courage, dangerous times, stable reign, to suppress plots, Catholic forces, to support, a wealthy trading nation, Protestant state, to reach the height of, crowning glory, outstanding dramatist, favourite amusement.

Ex.6 Find in the text the English equivalents for the following:

Одна из; последняя из династии Тюдоров; ее мать казнили; Елизавета получила хорошее образование; она управляла своей страной; в период ее длительного правления; она подавила несколько католических заговоров; они поддерживали Марию; развитие английского языка достигло; елизаветинский век (период).

Ex.7 Correct the statements if necessary:

1. Queen Elizabeth I was one of the weakest rulers in England's history. 2. Her mother was executed when she was only ten years old, and during her sister Mary's reign (1553-58) she was a prisoner. 3. In 1587, Elizabeth executed her Orthodox cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, for her role in the plot against Elizabeth. 4. In 1588, Elizabeth’s navy defeated the French Armada, sent to invade England.

Ex.8 Give questions to which the following sentences are the answers:

1. She was the last of the Tudor dynasty, the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. 2. Elizabeth received a good education, including foreign languages (French, Latin, Spanish), science, and mathematics. 3. The Catholic forces in England and Spain had supported Mary. 4. By the time the queen died, England was a wealthy trading nation and a stable Protestant state.

Ex.9 Use the text to enlarge the given statements:

1. Elizabeth received a good education, including … . 2. Like her father, Elizabeth I was a … . 3. She led her country with great cleverness and courage through … . 4. She was queen of England for … . 5. During her long and stable reign, she suppressed several … . 5. The development of the English language reached the height of its power as an … . 6. The most outstanding dramatist and poet of the period was … 7. At the end of the century there were … .

Ex.10 Answer the following questions:

l. What kind of ruler was Queen Elizabeth?

2. What is known about her childhood?

3. How long did she lead the country?

4. What political events took place during her reign?

5. How did English culture change during Elizabeth's reign?

Ex.11 Reorder the items of the plan according to the logic of the text. Describe item 4 of the plan in detail.

1. In 1587, Elizabeth executed her Catholic cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, for her role in the plot against Elizabeth.

2. Like her father, Elizabeth I was a Protestant monarch.

3. In 1588, Elizabeth’s navy defeated the Spanish Armada, sent to invade England.

4. Queen Elizabeth I was one of the strongest rulers in England's history.

5. During Elizabeth's reign English culture flourished.

6. She led her country with great cleverness and courage through the difficult and often dangerous times.

7. The theatre became a favourite amusement of people, especially in towns.

Ex.12 Give a written summary of the text in 5-7 sentences.

Text 3

Ex.1 Translate and memorize the following words:

Certainty, commodity, coach house, customer, fame, fever, nobleness, vanity, considerable, to juggle, to make smb’s living, to draw, to retire, to forbid, to ban.

Ex.2 Insert the words from exercise 1 in the gaps:

1. Charlie Chaplain learnt to … early in the childhood. 2. Supermarkets … customers in by a good choice of goods. 3. He spent a … amount of time in jail. 4. Marilyn Monroe died at the height of her … . 5. … Fair was written by W. Thackeray. 6. Jews were strictly … to engage in any business. 7. At the end of the meal, we all … to the garden. 8. Shakespeare’s father was a dealer in wool and various … . 9. Medieval knights were an example of nobleness. 10. The young actor …his … by playing at a local theatre. 11. There is no … of success. 12. W. Shakespeare died of … .

Ex.3 Translate the following sentences from English into Russian:

1. Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in the small town of Stratford-upon-Avon, about 75 miles from London. 2. William went to grammar school and soon began to develop a keen interest in words and language. 3. When William was eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, nearly eight years older than himself. 4. At twenty-one he left Stratford-upon-Avon for London. where he began his acting career and started to write plays. 5. In the late 90s, Shakespeare became one of the owners of a new theatre called “The Globe”. 6. In 1611 Shakespeare retired to one of the largest houses in his native Stratford. 7. William died of a fever at the age of 52, ironically on the same date as his birthday, 23rd April, and was buried in his native town. 8. Shakespeare is the author of 2 poems, 37 plays and 154 sonnets.

Ex.4 Read the text and give answers to the following questions:

1. Was Shakespeare born in Stratford-upon-Avon? 2. Was William Shakespeare the eldest of eight children? 3. Did Shakespeare show a keen interest in words and language? 4. Did Shakespeare’s career begin in London? 5. Was Shakespeare one of the owners of the “Globe”? 6. Are Shakespeare’s tragedies of great interest to every new generation?