A typical working day

31. a/ Work in pairs. Student A interviews B to write an essay on the House of Lords. Using the appropriate prompts given below, student B gives answers to A’s questions.

b/ Student B interviews A to write an essay on the House of Commons. Using the appropriate prompts given below, student A gives answers to B’s questions.

? c/ Write an essay on the House of Lords/ the House of Commons (100 – 130 words).

AROUND WHITEHALL

&1. Read the information below about Whitehall and discuss the answers to the questions below with your partner.

Downing Street, the official residence of Prime Ministers for more than 250 years, was built on land where an Abbey brewhouse had been sited. During restoration 30 years ago, remnants of Roman pottery were unearthed, along with Saxon wood and fragments of Whitehall Palace which had its heyday during the reign of Tudor Henry VIII. The famous cul-de-sac of Downing Street was created by Sir George Downing, Member of Parliament, around 1680. He had spent his early years with his parents in America and became a graduate of Harvard University before returning to London and winning the approval of Charles II, who granted him a lease on the land.

Number 10 is one of the original Downing Street houses to survive.

Acquired by the Crown in 1732, it was offered by George II as a gift to Sir Robert Walpole. He accepted it in his office as First Lord of the Treasury (a title which eventually became "Prime Minister"). Among famous incumbents was Sir Robert Peel, who formed the police force - hence the nick-name "bobbies".

No 10, with the most photographed door in the world, is guarded outside by a single policeman. It has seen the most significant comings and goings of the era from riots to suffragettes chaining themselves to the railings to Sir Winston Churchill's celebration at the end of the Wars. In recent years it has witnessed the arrival of the first female Prime Minister Mrs Margaret Thatcher who recently hosted a dinner with the Queen as her guest to celebrate its 250^th anniversary as the residence of the number one politician.

Downing Street leads into Whitehall, home of government ministers and the setting for state processions, and for the annual memorial services at the Cenotaph. This was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens to remember the dead of the First World War, with an inscription added after the Second World War.

Nearby, Charles I was executed in 1649, having walked out from the Banqueting Hall, built 24 years earlier of Portland stone in Palladian architecture by Inigo Jones. Ironically the ceiling was painted by Rubens for Charles I, who granted him a knighthood. Among the allegorical scenes are depictions of the birth and coronation of the unfortunate king. Cromwell's commonwealth with him as Protector lasted a decade. The Monarchy returned with Charles II in 1660.

1. How many years has Downing Street been the official residence of Prime Ministers?

2. Who was the famous cul-de-sac of Downing Street created by?

3. Who was among famous incumbents of Downing Street?

4. What historical events has № 10 witnessed?

5. Where does Downing Street lead into?

6. Who was the Cenotaph designed by?

7. When was Charles I executed?

8. How long did Cromwell's commonwealth last?

—2. Explain the meanings of the following words and word combinations in English and use them to speak about Whitehall. Find the appropriate synonyms for the words:

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 1071