Misha: I've learned something about the beginning of the BritishParliament, but I didn't find anything about the two Parliament buildings.Mark: Don't listen to Black, Misha. He's been teasing you! The British Parliament sits in one building which is called the Palace of Westminster. It's also called the Houses of Parliament because there are two Houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.Misha: So what's the difference between the House of Commons and the House of Lords?Mark: In the House of Commons MPs, or Members of Parliament, make all the important decisions and work on bills, which later become new laws. The Prime Minister is in the House of Commons too.Misha: Why are MPs more important?Mark: Because they represent all the people in the country. We have to have a general election at least every five years. People vote for an MP, and the party which has the most MPs wins the election and forms the government. Their leader becomes the Prime Minister.Misha: I see, and what about the House of Lords? Rob: Oh, well, they don't elect them. Did you know Black's older brother is in the House of Lords? He's a hereditary peer and Black's jealous because there is no place in Parliament for him.Misha: What's a hereditary peer?Mark: I'll explain. Some people in the House of Lords just inherit their placesfrom their fathers and grandfathers. They're hereditary peers. Misha: That's not very fair, is it?Mark: It's a tradition. In the past there used to be a lot of hereditary peers but it has changed and now most people in the House of Lords are life peers. They get the title "Lord" or "Lady" for their personal achievements, and their children can't inherit it. Some of them are very competent. For example, our famous ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher took her place as Lady Thatcher in the House of Lords in 1992.Misha: What happens in the House of Lords?Mark: In the House of Lords people talk about bills before they become laws and sometimes suggest changes to the House of Commons.Misha: And what about the Queen? What does she do?Mark: Oh, the Queen is the head of state. She and the House of Lords have to approve the decisions of the House of Commons. Before a bill becomes law the Queen has to say "La Reine le veut". The Queen uses Norman French as part of tradition.Misha: And can the Queen disagree with a new law? Mark: Not really. The last time it happened was in 1707. Misha: Your system is a bit difficult. Mark: Well, we have been working on it for more than a thousand years.
Поставить true и false 1.The British Parliament sits in two buildings. 2.Members of the House of Commons never make important decisions. 3.There is a general election when the Queen decides. 4.If there was a general election in 2004, the next general election shoul< be in 2009 or earlier. 5.Life peers get into the House of Lords because their parents were rich 6.Every member of the House of Lords and the House of Commons is called an MP. 7. If the House of Commons wants to do something, the House of Lords can't stop them. 8,If the Queen disagrees with a bill, she still (все-таки) has to approve it. 9.Most members of the House of Lords are very clever and competent. 10.Members of Parliament represent everyone in the country. 11.Members of the House of Lords form the British government. 12.The Queen chooses the Prime Minister. 13.The United Kingdom is a monarchy.