Comprehension check

I. Look through the texts and give a key sentence to each paragraph.

II. Answer the questions based on the texts:

1. What is the origin of the name Piccadilly Circus?

2. What tragic event is connected with Charring Cross?

3. How Soho was founded and what are the peculiarities of this place?

4. Who was Geoffrey Chaucer and what is he famous for?

5. How is London connected with the famous musicians?

6. What other men of importance are commemorated in London?

3. Find more information about London and its history that might interest the students. Make up a quiz about London for your groupmates.

4. Make up a dialogue between a Londoner and a foreign tourist about the city.

Monarchy in Britain

Pre-reading activity

1. What political system is used in Great Britain?

2. What is British attitude to monarchy?

The monarchy is the oldest secular institution in the United Kingdom, going back at least to the 9^th century. The Queen can trace her descent from King Egbert, who united all England under his sovereignty in 829. For several centuries the monarch personally exercised his supreme ex­ecutive, legislative and judicial power, but with the growth of Parliament and the courts the direct exercise of these functions progressively decreased.

The Queen reigns but does not rule. The United Kingdom is governed by Her Majesty's government in the name of the Queen. There are still many important acts of government which require the participation of the Queen. Normally she opens the session of Parliament programme. When she is unable to be present the Queen speech is read by Lord Chancellor.

The Queen is a source of justice and as such can pardon or show mercy those convicted of crimes under English law.

The Queen as inheritor of a continuous tradition going back 11 centuries is the personal symbol of the State and of national unity. Royal marriage and funerals are still marked by ancient ceremonial although to a lesser degree than in former days.

Hundreds of royal visits to various parts of the country for public functions keep the royal family in close touch with new de­velopment. These often involve visiting lasting more than one day and usually centre around an event of local importance or some national event such as the Royal Agricultural Show or the opening of a new bridge. There are also royal film, variety and concert per-formances in the aid of charity and visits to schools, universities, hospitals and factories. The Queen visits many important sport events.

One of the most important duties the Queen performs is to act as a host to the Heads of States of Commonwealth and other countries when they visit the United Kingdom. When the state visit is involved guests stay at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. Their entertainment includes banquets, receptions, often a special ballet or opera performance and visits to places of particular interest throughout the country.

It is customary at Christmas for the Queen to speak on radio and tele­vision to all people of the Commonwealth as their head.