Read the text below about Elizabeth II. According to the text, mark the statements 1-11 true(T), false(F), or unstated(U). Queen
Read the text below about Elizabeth II. According to the text, mark the statements 1-11 true(T), false(F), or unstated(U).
Queen Elizabeth is the queen of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth II is a modern, constitutional monarch. T his means she isn’t the head of Britain’s government, but she is the Head of State. Elizabeth II became the queen in 1952. Her coronation took place in 1953. It was the first coronation to be shown on television.
Queen Elizabeth II has a wide range of duties to perform. Here are some of them. The Queen takes part in many important government processes, for example, the State Opening of Parliament. Among her many royal duties are regular visits abroad, which help to keep friendly links with foreign countries, and especially those of Commonwealth, and to encourage trade. The Queen also supports many charities, using her name and influence to help them to raise money. In January and June the Queen presents medals or “honours” at Buckingham Palace. She gives them to people who have done something special. “The honours list” includes famous people such as top actors, musicians, politicians, scientists as well as ordinary people whose actions have benefited their local community.
When foreign kings, queens and presidents visit Britain, they often stay at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. But the Queen doesn’t just entertain Heads of State. Four times a year there are also “Royal Garden Parties”. The Queen invites all kinds of people. Some are famous, but other people have just worked hard for charities for a long time. Nine thousand people are invited to the parties which take place in the grounds of Buckingham Palace..Prince Philip and other “royal’s” often come too, so the royal family can talk to as many people as possible.
In 1969, the Queen wanted to “ open a window” on to the royal family. That year television cameras came into the royal home and filmed the family in private for the first time. Forty million people watched the programme. They saw a different side of the royal family. The programme brought the royal family closer to people, but it also helped to make problems for the future. Now the public wanted to see more and more of royal private life. It was harder to keep the reporters out. In the last thirty years there have been a lot of documentaries, series and interviews about the royal family. Before the days of television they seemed formal. Today they seem informal and friendly. As well as TV programmes, there are also newspaper stories, books and magazines about the Queen and her family. Hundreds appear every year. Some are good- many are bad, but almost all of them are popular.
