4. Fill in the blanks with the proper words and word combinations from the text:

1. The UK is one of the six constitutional monarchies within ....

2. The British Constitution is based on ... .

3. The Queen takes no part in ... process.

4. Parliament is housed in ... .

5. Britain's Parliament is the oldest Parliament in the world, that is why Great Britain is known as ... .

6. The main Parliament's function is ....

7. Parliament consist of....

8. A proposal for a new law is called ....

9. The House of Commons is made up of 659 members, known as ... .

10. ... is a symbol of British welfare.

11. The nucleus of the government is ....

12. The second largest party becomes ... with its own leader and "Shadow cabinet".

5. Prove that the following statements are right. Use the expressions:

If I am not mistaken..., It follows from the text that..., For all I know..., It is clear from the text.... It's evident..., It is a well-known fact that... .

1. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy.

2. The Queen has little direct power.

3. Great Britain is known as Mother of Parliaments.

4. A bill which has been passed by the House of Commons is almost certain to become law.

5. The Royal Assent is a formality.

6. The Prime Minister has considerable individual power.

6. Explain what is meant by the following:

1. The UK is a parliamentary monarchy.

2. The Queen reigns but does not rule.

3. The United Kingdom has no written constitution.

4. Parliament is known as "Westminster".

5. The House of Commons is a representative body.

6. The House of Lords is a hereditary body.

7. The British parliamentary system depends on political parties.

8. The nucleus of the government is the Cabinet.

7. Answer the following questions:

1. What kind of monarchy is the UK and what does it mean?

2. What documents is the British Constitution based on?

3. What branches does Britain's system of state power include?

4. Has the Queen much direct power?

5. Who is monarch now?

6. When was the last succession to the throne?

7. Where is Parliament housed?

8. What chambers does Parliament consist of?

9. What is the main difference between these chambers?

10. What is a bill?

11. What does the British parliamentary system depend on?

12. What political parties dominate in Great Britain?

13. What are the Prime Minister's main functions?

14. Who is Prime Minister of the UK now? What party does he lead?

15. What do you know about the previous Prime Ministers of the UK?

8. Read the text and answer the questions below it: the crown

The reigning monarch is not only the head of state but for many people a symbol of the nation's unity. The monarchy is Britain's oldest permanent institution. Its continuity for over 1,000 years was broken only once by the republic of Cromwell that lasted 11 years (1649-1660). The traditional announcement "The King is dead, long live the King" typifies the immortality of royal authority. The hereditary principle still operates. By Act of Parliament the monarch must be a Protestant. Succession is automatic on the king's (queen's) death, confirmed later by a formal coronation ceremony. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, for example, took place over a year after she became queen. Her royal title is "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".

In law the monarch is head of the executive and of the judicial branch, head of the Church of England, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. However, since 1689, the monarch's sovereign powers have been formally limited by the idea that national sovereignty resides in "the Crown in Parliament" - the idea that the Crown is only sovereign by the will of Parliament.

But it is perhaps valuable to remember that Parliament was originally created in 1265 in order to assist the king. The House of Lords was to provide a council of nobility for the king, and the Commons - to provide him with money. The more money a king demanded, the more the Commons questioned its use. Because of its growing financial power, its ability to raise or withhold money, the House of Commons from the 17th century onwards gained the power not only in maters of finance but also of legislation over both the monarch and the Lords.

The remaining powers of the monarch are basically: to open and close Parliament; to approve the appointment of the Prime Minister, government ministers, officers of the armed forces, governors and diplomats; to appoint bishops and judges; to give Royal Assent to legislation; to give honours such as peerages, knighthoods and medals; to give mercy, remit sentences passed on convicted criminals. The Queen is visited regularly by her Prime Minister to receive an account of Cabinet decisions and to be consulted on matters of national life.

NOTES:

Crown - корона; престол; королевская власть; король, королева; государство

typify - служить типичным примером, олицетворять

immortality - бессмертие, вечность

realm — королевство

the Commonwealth - Британское Содружество Наций

sovereign - государь

withhold - удерживать, отказывать в

remit — смягчать

sentence - приговор

QUESTIONS:

1. How old is the oldest permanent institution in Great Britain?

2. When was the monarchy broken? How many times has it happened?

3. What does the announcement "The king is dead, long live the king" typify?

4. What is the royal title of Queen Elizabeth II?

5. When and for what purpose was Parliament originally created?

6. How and why did the monarch lose his absolute sovereign powers?

7. What are the remaining powers of the monarch?