8 Tell why you study English and in what way it will be useful for you in future. Use the following expressions:

In my opinion…

It is very important…

As to my parents’ content…

As you know…

Speaking about the democratic society…

I should mention…

2.1 Політична система Великобританії

1. Maybe, you have heard that British parliament is very old. Read the text and learn about its start.

THE BEGINNING OF PARLIAMENT IN ENGLAND

In 1272 Edward I took the English throne after his father's death. He brought together the first real English parliament.

Why did he do that? England was a feudal state. It had the king and a council of lords. The lords paid taxes to the king for the lands but he needed more and more money. Where to take them? The king could not raise the taxes further more. The only way out was to ask those people who were wealthy enough to pay the taxes. How to do that? Several kings before Edward I tried to do that but their attempts were not successful. People did not want to give their money to the kings.

Edward I created a "representative institution". Later it became the House of Commons. In the House of Lords there where lords only. In the House of Commons there were knights, other wealthy freemen and merchants.

In 1275 Edward I commanded each town to send two people to his parliament. People did not want to send their representatives because they understood that they had to pay money to the king. But they were afraid of the king's anger and did that.

Only in 150 years after Edward's death the agreement of the House of Commons became necessary to adopt additional taxes.

In some other European countries there were "parliaments" too but they consisted of the richest noble men only.

So British parliament started from the king's decision. Now the British are proud of the fact that they have old democratic traditions.

2 Read and say if the following is true or false. Give the right answer if necessary.

1. The first real English parliament was brought together in the 13th century.

2. At that time England was a capitalist state.

3. The king called parliament because he invented the way to make lords to pay more taxes.

4. In the House of Lords there were lords only.

5. In the House of Commons there were kings, other wealthy freemen and merchants.

6. British parliament started from the king's decision.

7. The British are proud of the fact that they have old democratic traditions.

3. Ask questions to the following answers.

- ...?

- England was a feudal state.

- ...?

- It had the king and a council of lords.

- ...?

- The lords paid taxes to the king for the lands.

- ...?

- No, the king could not raise the taxes further more.

- ...?

- He decided to ask those people who were wealthy enough to pay the taxes.

- ...?

- Edward I created a "representative institution". Later it became the House of Commons. It was the beginning of parliament.