Lenka Sabová English Language Class 2016/2017

ORAL EXAM Task: Read the article about the Queen of the UK

You CAN watch the videos in the article but you DON’T HAVE TO – They are just for your information!

Make a list of new vocabulary

Use dictionaries

Helpful dictionaries/Pomocné slovníky:

a) Prekladový: http://slovnik.azet.sk/ b) Synonymický: http://www.thesaurus.com/ Synonym - a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another in the language (happy=cheerful, fast=swift) c) Kolokačný : http://ozdic.com/ Kolokácia - ustálené slovné spojenie, dvojica slov ktorá sa vyskytuje často spolu (napr. Dobrý deň je kolokácia, ktorú používame každý deň. Dobrý piatok je gramaticky správne, ale v praxi to nikto tak nepoužíva.) Collocation – words that occur together more often than others (strong tea is much more used than powerful tea) d) Výkladový: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

THE POWERS OF ELIZABETH II Original article: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/queen- elizabeth-ii-owns-every-dolphin-in-britain-and-doesnt-need-a-driving- license-here-are-the- a7331266.html?utm_source=mentalfloss&utm_medium=mentalfloss

Most famously, she owns all swans in the . Today this tradition is observed during the annual "," in which swans in the River Thames are caught, ringed, and set free again as part of census of the swan population. It's a highly ceremonial affair, taking place over five days. "Swan uppers" wear traditional uniforms and row upriver in six skiffs accompanied by the Queen's Swan Marker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkqNTx1szFc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swan_Upping

The Sovereign also has dominion over all dolphins in British waters.

The Queen still technically owns all the sturgeons, whales, and dolphins in the waters around the UK.

The Queen can drive without a licence.

Driving licenses are issued in the Queen's name, yet she is the only person in the United Kingdom who doesn't legally need a license to drive or a number plate on her cars.

Queen Elizabeth II isn't afraid to show off her driving skills, either. In 1998, she surprised King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (then still a prince) by driving him around in her country seat of Balmoral. Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, and Abdullah was not used to being driven by a woman, let alone a queen.

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The Queen doesn't need a passport, either.

Unlike other members of the Royal family, the Queen does not require a passport, as they are issued in her name. Despite this lack of travel documents, she has been abroad many times.

She has two birthdays.

When you're the British head of state, one birthday just isn't enough. The Queen's official birthday is celebrated on a Saturday in June, though her actual birthday is on April 21. Official celebrations to mark a sovereign's birthday have often been held on a day other than the actual birthday, particularly when the actual birthday has not been in the summer.

Both birthdays are celebrated in suitable style, too. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip travel by carriage during her birthday parade. Her actual birthday is marked publicly by gun in central at midday.

For her "official" birthday celebrations, meanwhile, she "is joined by other members of the Royal Family at the spectacular parade, which moves between , The Mall, and Horseguards' Parade."

Trooping the Colour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuUcjzYgnn8

Birthday celebration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzhyGQiKnJI

She has her own private cash machine (ATM).

A private cash machine for use by the royal family is installed in the basement of Buckingham Palace. It's provided by Coutts, one of Britain's most prestigious — and exclusive — banks.

The Queen has her own personal poet.

She has to sign laws.

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She can create Lords.

The Queen has the power to appoint Lords, who can then sit in Parliament, the upper house in Britain's legislative system.

She doesn't have to pay tax (but she does anyway).

The Queen has the power to form governments.

She has knights.

Knighthoods are typically given to figures who have made a particular contribution to British society — whether in business, the arts, the military, or elsewhere.

The Queen holds the ability to fire the entire Australian government.

In addition to the UK and Australia, the Queen is also the head of state in Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.

All the above are Commonwealth Realms, or former British colonies. The British sovereign retains the position she holds in the United Kingdom, that of head of state. As in Britain, this is largely a ceremonial role from day to day.

She's the head of a religion.

Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the Church of , Britain's state religion first established after King Henry VIII split away from the Catholic Church in Rome in the 16th century.

An interesting side effect of this is that the Sovereign must be a confirmed member of Church of England. Catholics and those of other religions may not ascend to the British throne. If Prince Charles converted to Islam, for example, he would be unable to become king after Queen Elizabeth II dies. 4