Durante 2012 se celebra en el Reino Unido y en toda la Commonwealth el 60 aniversario de la subida al trono de Isabel II. Se trata de una celebración histórica para el país, que va más allá de las ideas monárquicas o republicanas de los británicos. Por cierto, en la próxima entrega de Coles Corner explicaremos, para que nos quede bien claro de una vez, qué es Inglaterra, qué es Gran Bretaña y qué es el Reino Unido. Viendo y escuchando estos días los partidos de la Eurocopa, parece que ni siquiera los periodistas con licenciaturas y másters lo tienen claro.

QUEEN ELIZABETH´S DIAMOND JUBILEE

These days Britain is celebrating Queen Elizabeth´s diamond jubilee, which means she has reigned for 60 years. She is the second-longest-serving monarch in Britain after the great Queen Victoria, who was on the throne for 63 years. Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne when she was only 25, after his father´s sudden death (King George VI, whose partial biography can be seen in the superb film “The King´s Speech”). Then, Elizabeth and her family were much loved by the Britons due to the Royal Family´s behaviour during World War II. When the German bombs were falling all over Britain, George VI and his wife resolved to stay in London with their two daughters (Elizabeth and Margaret), supporting the British people, visiting those who were suffering the Nazi bombing raids and going to the devastated places.

During the reign of Elizabeth II, Britain lost its strong influence in the world through de-colonization and there were important social and economic changes in the country. At the same time, the Queen became the most important symbol of Britain: she is the world´s second-most-reproduced figure after Jesus! Despite some recent hard moments (her children´s divorces, Lady Diana´s death, new republican movements, separatism in Scotland), Queen Elizabeth´s popularity is very high as she has a deep sense of civic duty, and the British Monarchy is likely to continue in the future, probably with her grandson Prince William on the throne. In fact, the British Monarchy has turned out to be an example to follow by other European royal families. Unlike some other kings and queens, the Queen´s budget, expenses and activities are common knowledge (you can be informed about those matters through Internet) and the Queen and her relatives started paying taxes many years ago.

Two weeks ago, one million people were on the streets of London celebrating the Queen´s diamond jubilee and Britons, monarchists or republicans, admit that she has gained more respect in recent times and that she is, more than ever, the main symbol of the United Kingdom.

TEST YOUR ENGLISH

A. Are the following statements true or false?

- Queen Victoria reigned for more than 60 years.

- When the Nazi bombing raids over London started, the Royal Family fled to a safe country.

- Britain lost its last colonies under the reign of Elizabeth II.

- The Queen´s expenses are not common knowledge.

- The British Monarchy is unlikely to continue in the future.

B. Translate the following sentences into English (Present simple and Present continuous)

B1- PET

- Los estudiantes están leyendo una novela en francés.

- Nosotros no estamos viendo la tele ahora.

- ¿Está tu hermano jugando al fútbol en el parque?

- La reina va a Escocia a menudo en verano.

- Nuestros amigos italianos no vienen a España en Navidad.

B2- FCE

- A pesar de que estamos estudiando mucho, no creo que aprobemos el examen.

- Me gusta escuchar música cuando voy a correr, especialmente por las mañanas.

- Nuestro nuevo compañero se está poniendo al día con el trabajo rápidamente.

- ¿Estás viendo la película que están poniendo en la tele ahora?

- Si no puedes abrir la puerta con tu llave, intenta abrirla con la mía.

C1- CAE

- Las actividades de la reina de Inglaterra y de su familia son de dominio público.

- A diferencia de otros países europeos, en Gran Bretaña todos conocen el presupuesto y los gastos de la Casa Real.

- Mi hermano deja de fumar varias veces al año, pero siempre recae.

- Ellos no están disfrutando con el concierto porque está lloviendo a cántaros y están empapados.

- Están cancelando todos los vuelos a Dublín a causa de la nieve y de los fuertes vientos que están afectando a las islas.

RESPUESTAS A “TEST YOUR ENGLISH” Nº 1

A. Are the following statements true or false?

- Sheffield is a city in Ireland. FALSE

- Coles Corner is not a real place. FALSE

- Coles Corner is opposite the old Coles Brothers stores. FALSE

- A musician dedicated a song to Coles Corner. TRUE

- English is a difficult language. FALSE

B. Translate the following sentences into English (Present simple)

B1- PET

- Sheffield is in England.

- Sheffield is not a small town.

- Is Sheffield in Scotland?

- They meet on Coles Corner every Sunday.

- Jack´s brother doesn´t live in Liverpool.

B2- FCE

- Sheffield is in the centre of England, not very far from Manchester.

- Mark´s Irish friends come to Spain every summer.

- Jack´s friend´s sister looks after her cousin in Sheffield on Saturdays.

- Does your boss fly to London every week?

- Although Maria can speak English, she hardly ever speaks it.

 C1- CAE

- Sheffield is one of the biggest and most industrial cities in Britain and the steel manufactured there is very famous.

- Coles Corner is a place in the centre of Sheffield where people usually meet.

- Is there a special place like Coles Corner in your town?

- Richard Hawley is a singer-songwriter with a wonderful voice whose album “Coles Corner” was a big success.

- Jane doesn´t like Richard Hawley´s music very much because she says that it is too soft: as usual, she sticks by Springsteen.

NOTA: algunas oraciones y expresiones pueden ser traducidas de varias formas. Si tienes dudas sobre los ejercicios o sobre el texto, puedes consultarme a través de los mensajes de la sección o a través de mi correo: mserranohuguet@gmail.com