Put questions to the sentences.
1. The Conservative Party was founded in the middle of the 19th century. (When?)
2. The Government is formed by the Prime Minister. (Whom by?)
3. The Conservative Party is supported by the rich people. (What people by?)
4. 650 members are elected to the House of Commons. (How many?)
5. Prime Ministers hold Cabinet meetings at their house at number 10 Downing Street. (Where?)
14. Compose sentences using the following words:
| Prime Minister at the head of majority constitutional monarchy member | to debate to preside over to rule to support to form |
Complete the following sentences.
1) Prime Minister is the leader of the party that...
2) The highest executive power is …
3) A "Shadow Cabinet" is formed by....
4) The official residence of the British Prime Minister is ...
5) Тhе party which has majority of seats in the House of Commons forms ...
Explain the meaning of the following words and word-combinations.
1. The Cabinet; 2.The House of Commons;
3.The Prime Minister; 4. A parliamentary monarchy.
Speech practice
Complete the dialogues.
1) – (Из каких палат состоит парламент?)
– The Parliament consist of 2 chambers: the House of Lords an the House of Commons.
– How many members has the House of Commons?
– ….
2) – Is the Queen at the head of the state?
– ….
– (Чем ограничена власть Королевы?)
– Her powers’ are limited by the Parliament.
– (Какова главная функция Парламента?)
– The main function of Parliament is to make laws, to control the Government, to appropriate funds.
Work in pairs.
Student A Student B
| 1. Great Britain – to be a parliamentary monarchy. What-it-to mean? 2. How many chambers – the British Parliament – to consist of? 3. Both Houses – to be elected? 4. How many members – to be-there House? | 1. There – to be the King or the Queen – and the Parliament. 2. … the House of Commons and the House of Lords. 3. The members of the House of Commons – to be elected by general election. The seats in the House of Lords – to be hereditary. 4. The House of Commons-to have 660 the members. The House of Lords-to have 850 members. |
19. Learn the dialogues.
1) – Is England a monarchy or a parliamentary republic?
– Britain is a parliamentary monarchy.
– How is that?
– It’s simple: there’s the King or the Queen and there’s a parliament enjoying the right to pass laws and elect the government.
2) – There are 2 chambers in British Parliament, aren’t there?
– Yes, the House of Lords and House of Commons.
– The seats in Parliament are hereditary, aren’t they?
– Not exactly. The seats are hereditary in the House of Lords but as to the members of the House of Commons, they are elected every 5 years.
3) – Неllo, Steve. Nice to see you again.
– Hello Paul. Havenʾt seen you for ages. Where have you been?
– Iʾve been in England as matter of fact. Iʾve seen the Houses of Parliament and the Backingham Palace where the Queen lives.
– Does she rule the country?
– The Queen reigns, but doesnʾt rule. Queen Elizabeth II ascended the British throne in 1953.Great Britain is a constitutional monarchу. The Queen acts through Parliament on the advice of her Prime Minister.
– Does she make any political decisions?
– No, she doesnʾt. By the way, no king or queen of England is allowed to enter the House of Commons.
– I see you are full of impression. Would you have time to drop round and have a chat with us this evening? I know my parents would be glad to see you.
– Thanks, Iʾd like to very much.
– Good, see you tonight then.
– Fine.
20. Role play. Work in two groups, one – acting MPs supporting the bills to be introduced the other – rejecting it. Discuss all pros and cons of the bills given below, and give your arguments:
– The UK accepting the "Euro" as payment.
– Canceling the heredity principal of Lords as MPs.
– Restrictions of monarch's powers in the UK.
– Efficiency of the multi-party system.