Active words

politician	— политик
to elect	— выбирать, избирать
race	— (предвыборная) борьба, гонка
term	— срок
ballot	— избирательный бюллетень
to select	— выбирать
elector	— выборщик
to vote	— голосовать
Electoral College	— коллегия выборщиков
state	— штат
primary	— первичные, предварительные выборы
total	— общий
to refer to	— относиться (к)
caucus	— совещание членов партии для выдвижения кандидата в президенты
polls	— избирательный пункт
convention	— партийный съезд для выдвижения кандидата на пост президента
campaign	— кампания
Los Angeles	— Лос -Анджелес
costly	— дорогостоящий
to make good points	— говорить по существу. Четко выражать свою позицию
smart	— зд. элегантный
to vote one's choice	— проголосовать за своего избранника
inauguration	— инаугурация, введение президента в должность
to earn	— зарабатывать

PEOPLE, PLACES, CUSTOMS AND CULTURE

LESSON 3

WHAT'S IT LIKE BEING QUEEN?

Being Queen is a really busy job. Elizabeth II gets up early and starts work at 9 a. m. on the dot. She begins the day by looking through the newspapers. Then she reads letters from the public (she gets more than 1000 each week), and tells her staff how she would like them to be answered. The Queen has daily meetings with her Private Secretary who helps her to go through her paperwork, and lots of meetings with ambassadors, new judges, and bishops.

In the afternoon Elizabeth II often goes out on the public engagements - she gets thousands of invitations each year. She opens new hospitals, bridges and factories.

Being Queen is not a 9 to 5 job, and Elizabeth II has to work from early in the morning until late at night. And people watch her all the time.

Of course, she has some free time, and some private life, but less than most people. She has 4 children - Charles, Andrew, Edward and Anne. Although unfortunately, the children don't always bring their crowned mother happiness. This is especially true of Price Charles, who as the heir to the throne, gets smudged by the press more often than the others.

Her Majesty remains not only a symbol of the United Kingdom, but also the richest woman in the world. Her personal property is worth 14 billion dollars. And from her savings she earns a mere matter of 7,9 million pounds per annum. She earns a bit more from bank percentages, valuable papers, leased land etc. Having such wealth, Her Majesty can allow herself a little weakness - having everything, down to the smallest hairbrush, made out of pure gold.

But she can permit herself other things too- such as preferring bacon and eggs to milk pudding. Also, the Queen has trouble putting p with tobacco smoke, banquets and long-winded speeches.

In her spare time Elizabeth II enjoys horse racing, fishing, and walking in the country side. She also enjoys photography and likes taking photos on her travels. In 50 years the Queen has been on 251 official visits to 128 different countries.