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HORIZ-ON-line EFL resource from Linguapress.com ©
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2002 - BRITAIN'S ROYAL JUBILEE
In February next year, Britain will celebrate the Queen's 50th anniversary (not her 50th birthday !). The year 2002 will be the "Golden Jubilee" year, and there will be lots of celebrations - including a special public holiday in June.
Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in February 1952, after the sudden death of her father, King George VI.
Throughout her years on the throne, the Queen has usually been a very popular person. Most people in Britain respect her, and she also has a very good international reputation.
Recently, many people have complained because the Queen is very rich, and does not have to pay taxes. In actual fact, she is not as rich as some people say; a lot of the wealth that she has is not personal, but belongs to "the monarch" as an institution. She cannot spend it. Most people in Britain accept that the Queen has to work very hard, and that she does her job well.
But how long will she last? And how long will the monarchy last, as an institution?
The Queen has often said that she will not abdicate; but she is 75 years old, and her eldest son, Prince Charles, is 52. Yet the Queen's Mother is now 101, and is still going strong and living an active life! And the Queen has not been on the throne for as long as her great great grandmother, Queen Victoria. She was queen for 64 years!
Will the British monarchy continue for a long time, however? Most people in Britain do not think so. In a recent opinion poll, people were asked: "Do you think Britain's last monarch has already been born?" More than 50% of the people who answered said "Yes".
What exactly does the Queen do? As Head of State, she has a lot of official jobs to do, and she has to sign mountains of papers. She also has to receive foreign heads of state, and to make official visits. She does not have an easy life! Being Queen is not a 9 to 5 job; the Queen often 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!
Few people work in the same job for fifty years; very few! But Queen Elizabeth II will probably continue for a few more years!
WORDS: in actual fact:
in reality - wealth: richness, money - last:
survive, continue - abdicate: stop being queen - go
strong: be in good condition - throne: the official
seat of the monarch; be on the throne: be queen - -
opinion
poll: a study of people's opinions - foreign: from
another country.
Question forming: Read through the article on the Queen, then make up six questions based on the text.
Explaining: Can you explain the difference between an anniversary and a birthday?
Vocabulary: Pay attention to the following expressions used in the article:
Example: In actual fact, she is not as rich as some people say
Sample answer: She does not really have as much money as some men and women say.
Now also write sentences in your own words, beginning:
1. When King George IV ......
2. Most people in Britain think .....
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