State system. National flag. National anthem.

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. Officially the Head of State is a king or a queen. The hereditary principle upon which the monarchy is founded is strictly observed in Great Britain. Since 1952 the Head of State is Queen Elizabeth the II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor). The Queen reigns with the support of Parliament. As well as carrying out significant constitutional functions, the Queen also acts as a focus for national unity, presiding at ceremonial occasions and representing Britain all over the world. The Queen is also Head of the Commonwealth countries

The most important of all British symbols is the National flag, and it is flown by representatives of the United Kingdom all over the world in the military, in the navy, and in royalty. The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the Union Jack, is made up of three crosses. The upright Red Cross is the cross of St. George, the patron saint of England. The white diagonal cross is the cross of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. The red diagonal cross is the cross of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

In 1606, the first flag of Great Britain was developed, which included the crosses of England and Scotland (at this point Ireland had not been united with England or Scotland). This flag was used until 1801. In this year Ireland became united officially with England, so the Nation's flag had to be changed to include the Irish Cross (red diagonal cross on white).

If a National flag of any country has a little Union Jack in the corner of it, then this country is a member of the Commonwealth Nations which include: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tuvalu, and three Canadian Provinces.

The National Anthem of the United Kingdom is the song «God Save the King». It was a patriotic song first publicly performed in London in 1745, which came to be performed as the National anthem from the beginning of the XIX century. The words and tune are anonymous, and may date back to the XVII century. In September 1745 Prince Charles Edward Stuart defeated the army of King George II near Edinburgh, and to commemorate that patriotic victory the leader of the band at the Royal Theatre in London arranged «God Save the King» for performance after a play. It was a great success, and then it was repeated every night. This practice soon spread to other theatres, and the custom of greeting the Monarch with the song was thus established. The words used are those sung in 1745, substituting «Queen» for «King» where appropriate. On official occasions, only the first verse is usually sung.

References:

The Union Jack-государственный флаг Соединенного Королевства,состоитиз трех крестов на синем фоне: вертикальный красный крест-крест покровителя Англии Св.Георгия,белый диагональный крест-крест покровителя Шотландии Св.Андрея и красный диагональный крест-крест –покровителя Ирландии Св. Патрика.Под собственными флагами( с одним крестом на синем фоне ) команды Англии,Шотландии и Северной Ирландии выступают на различных международных спортивных состязаниях.The Union Jack (в верхнем левом углу) входит как составная часть в национальные флаги многих ныне самостоятельных государств бывшей Британской империи,таких как Австралия,Новая Зеландия,Бермудские острова,Кеймановы острова, Монсеррат,острова Фиджи и других стран.

Exercise 1. Continue the following sentences

1. The United Kingdom is………2. The Head of State is………3. The hereditary principle is……….. 4. Nowadays the Head of State is ………5. The Queen reigns……….. 6. The Queen is also Head of ………The most important of all British symbols is…………… 8. The flag of the United Kingdom is known as…………

…….. 9. It is made of………… .10. The upright red cross is the cross of……….. 11. The white diagonal cross is the cross of…………. …12. The red diagonal……………. cross is the cross of………….. 13. The first National flag of Great Britain was developed in……………… 14. This flag was used until 1801 when……………. 15. If a National flag of any country has a little Union Jack in the corner of it, then ............ ….16. The National anthem of the United Kingdom is………………17. It came to be performed as the National anthem from………………. 18. The words and tune are ………….. 19. The song was arranged to commemorate ………..

Exercise 2. Answer the questions.

1. What is the state system of the United Kingdom? 2. Which principle is strictly observed in Great Britain? 3. Who is the Head of State nowadays? 4. Which Institution supports the Queen during her reign? 5. What are the duties if the Queen? 6. Which symbol is the most important of all British symbols? 7. What is the name of the National flag of the United Kingdom? 8. What is the meaning of three crosses upon the flag? 9. When was the first flag of Great Britain developed? 10. How many crosses did it include at that time? 11. When and why was the National flag of Great Britain changed? 12. What does it mean if a national flag of any country has a little Union Jack in the corner of it? 13. Which song became the National anthem of the United Kingdom? 14. When was this song first publicly performed? 15. From which time was it performed as the National anthem of Great Britain? 16. Who is the author of its words and tune? 17. On which occasion was the anthem for the first time performed? 18. When was a custom to greet the Monarch with the National anthem established? 19. Which words are usually sung on official occasions? 20. Which traditions of Great Britain are reflected in the words of the National anthem?

Exercise 3. Find the English equivalents in the texts.

1. Государственным устройством Великобритании является конституционная монархия. 2. Главой госу­дарства является король или королева, и принцип наследственности строго соблюдается в Великобри­тании. 3. Монархия основана на принципе наследственности. 4. Король или королева Великобритании правят страной при поддержке парламента. 5. Король или королева Великобритании представляют свою страну во всем мире. 6. С 1952 года главой государства является королева Елизавета II. 7. Наци­ональный флаг - важнейший из символов Великобритании. 8. Три креста на синем фоне символизируют союз Англии, Шотландии и Северной Ирландии. 9. Покровителем Англии считается святой Георгий, покровителем Шотландии - святой Андрей, покровителем Ирландии - святой Патрик, покровителем Уэль­са - святой Давид. 10. Национальным гимном Великобритании является патриотическая песня, впер­вые исполненная в Лондоне в 1745 году. 11. Автор текста и музыки национального гимна Великобрита­нии неизвестен. 12. Впервые гимн был исполнен, чтобы ознаменовать историческую победу Англии. 13. С этого времени в Англии была установлена традиция исполнять гимн для приветствия короля или королевы 14. На официальных торжествах исполняется только первая строфа гимна.

Lesson 8

Revesion and development

Test your memory

1.“Great Britain” is a ….expression

a) political b) geographical c) modern

2. “The United Kingdom” is a …..expression

a) political b) geographical c) official

3. What is the official name of Great Britain?

a) The British Isles b) The United Kingdom

c) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and and Northern Ireland

4. When was the name United Kingdom introduced?

a) 1800 b) 1805 c) 1801 d) 1769 e) 1789

5. In Ireland the national musical instrument is the __________

a) guitar b) drum c) flute d) violin e) harp

6. The longest river in England is _______________

a) the Avon b) the Severn c) the Thames

7. England is separated from Scotland by ___________________

a) the Pennines b) the Southern Uplands c) The Cheviot Hills d) ocean

8. Important cities in Scotland are _________________

a) Edinburgh, Dublin b) Glasgow, Toronto c) Edinburgh, Glasgow

9.Wales has its own flag called the ________________

a) the big dragon b) the Red dragon c) the Welsh dragon d) the green dragon

10.What official the language in Wales?

a) English and French b) Welsh and English e) English and ancient English

11.The United Kingdom is a _________________________

a) democratic monarchy b) federal republic c) constitutional monarchy

12.The British Parliament is divided into two ________________________

a) Houses b) countries c) parties d) Ministers e) Governments

13. The National Anthem of the United Kingdom is the song _____________________

a) ‘We trust in God’ b) ‘God save the Queen’ c) ‘Star spangled Banner’

d) ‘Long to reign over us’

14. The flag of the United Kingdom, known as the ________________ is made up of three crosses

a) Union Jack b) Stars and stripes c) National banner d) Red flag

15.Which chamber has the real political power in the country?

a) Houses b) House of Commons c) Prime Minister d) House of Lords

16. What is the national emblem of Scotland?

a) leek b) thistle c) dragon d) red rose e) yellow rose

17.What is the national emblem of Wales?

a) red rose b) thistle c) leek d) yellow rose e) white rose

18. British Parliament exists since ______________

a) 1165 b) 1265 c) 1295 d) 1240 e) 1270

19. Which symbol is the most important of all British symbols?

a) Emblem b) National flag c) National emblem d) National anthem

Lesson 9

The United States of America

Grammar: Passive Voice (Indefinite tenses. Passive voice)

Area -9,826,630 sq km (3,794,083 sq miles)

Country population -307,201,745

Capital city (pop) -Washington DC (8,339,792)

Official language -English

Currency -US dollar

Before start How much do know about The USA? Work in small groups and try to answer the following questions:

What kind of state is the USA?

Where is it situated?

What is the USA washed by in the east and in the west?

What is the total area of the country?

How many states are there in the country?

What is capital of the country?

Name the largest cities of the country

What are the main rivers of the country?

What is the name of American flag?

Who is the US president now?

Where is Washington situated?

To which state does the city of Washington belong?

In whose honor is the District of Columbia named?

Who was the first President of the USA?

Who chose the place for the District?

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