As a matter of fact...

3) Nothing of the kind. Actually...

4) To a certain extent. In fact ...

5) This isn’t exactly what I mean. The fact is that ...

6) On the one hand ..., but on the other hand ...

7) Sure.

To begin with ...

In fact...

And besides...

As for ...

9) That’s all right. You’re welcome.

10) As far as I know ...

11) OK. If I am not mistaken...

12) As far as ... are concerned...

To say nothing of ...

To sum it up ...

Frankly speaking ...

14) It was a pleasure.

1) 1. Could you do me a favour and give some information on the British Parliament?

2...............................................................................................................

2) 1. Would you mind telling me ifthe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is an absolute or constitutional monarchy?

2. .............................................................................................................

3) 1. Do you mean to say thatthe monarch is not Head of State?

2. .............................................................................................................

4) 1. From what you say I understand thatit is the monarch that power belongs to.

2. .............................................................................................................

5) 1. Excuse my interrupting you. Did I get you right? Do you meanthat the monarch doesn’t reign at all?

2. .............................................................................................................

6) 1. I see. If I remember rightly, there isn’t any constitution in the United Kingdom at all, is there?

2. .............................................................................................................

7) 1. Sorry, I didn’t quite get you. I wonder if you’d mind explaining to me whatis meant by the term «the United Kingdom constitution»?

2. .............................................................................................................

8) 1.Now we know where we are. By the way, do you think there is an advantage of having such a constitutional system?

2. .............................................................................................................

9) 1. I’m afraid I’ve taken too much of your time. But I’d be much obliged to you if you could answer some more questions.

2. .............................................................................................................

10) 1. Do you by any chance knowwhat principle the British Parliament is based on?

2. .............................................................................................................

11) 1. Could you tell me how they exercise this power, please?

2. .............................................................................................................

12) 1. I hate to bother you again, but could youmention Parliament’s main functions?

2. .............................................................................................................

13) 1. I wonder if you’d mind giving your opinion ofthe British Parliamentary system?

2. .............................................................................................................

14) 1. Thank you, you’ve been very helpful.

2. .............................................................................................................

1. The pleasure was all mine.

UNIT 2

MONARCHY

2. Before reading the text, match a word on the left with a definition on the right.

1. Commonwealth a) a title of nobility which may be granted by the

Crown.

2. dissolve b) to bring a session of Parliament to an end.

3. monarchy c) to end the life of a Parliament by public

announcement of the Sovereign, leading to a General

Election.

4. peerage d) an association of the United Kingdom with

various independent states (previously subject to Britain) and dependencies

5. prerogative of mercy e) the power of the Crown to excuse a criminal

offence or reduce a punishment on the advice of the

Home Secretary.

6. prorogue f) the system of government in which a single person

called King or Queen holds the office of head of

state for life, usually by hereditary right.

7. remit g) the special powers and rights which still belong to

the British Crown and are exercised today by

the Sovereign in person.

8. Royal Assent h) to govern a state.

9. Royal Prerogative i) the approval by the British Sovereign of a Bill

which has been passed by both Houses of Parliament so that it becomes law as an Act of Parliament

10. rule j) to free someone from a punishment or to cancel

part of a prison sentence.

2.1. Test your general knowledge in the quiz below.

1. Parliament is prorogued by the Queen

a) before a new legislature can be elected

b) when the Prime Minister requests a General Election

c) at the end of the year’s session

2. Parliament is summoned by the Queen

a) before a new legislature can be elected

b) when the Prime Minister requests a General Election

c) at the end of the year’s session

3. Parliament is dissolved by the Queen

a) before a new legislature can be elected

b) when the Prime Minister requests a General Election

c) at the end of the year’s session

4. The monarch must be a member of

a) the Protestant Church

b) the Catholic Church

c) the Orthodox Church

d) any Church

2.2. Now read the text and see if you were right.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1203