QUEEN AMONG KINGS. Text 1. Daughter and Father

Queen among Kings

Her father was a reluctant king, her son has spent his life waiting to take charge, and her grandson is just starting to map his own path towards the throne. We explore the Queen`s diverse relationships with her past, and her future male heirs.

 Text 1.   Daughter and Father

The King ensured she understood matters of state in a rapidly changing  world

 In George VI, the young Elizabeth had an outstanding example of duty. It was not a role he sought, but he gave body and soul to his kingship. He served in the Navy during the World War One, and World War Two, as King, showed solidarity with the British people and boosted morale by visiting military forces abroad, and bomb-ravaged cities at home, often with his wife and the princesses in tow.

   Just 11 years old at her father`s coronation, Elizabeth was well aware of his immense impact, as well as the principles, resilience, loyalty and sacrifice required of a monarch. As a father, George VI was hands-on, enjoying games of charades and play-acting with his children. Once Elizabeth became heirs presumptive, however, their relationship took on a new dimension.

   On the day of his coronation in May 1937, Elizabeth and Margaret`s governess “Crawfie”, explained they would have to curtsy to their father when he returned home. And so began Elizabeth`s constitutional education.

   The King ensured she understood matters of state in a rapidly changing world. She would not be Empress of India, but she would be the figurehead of a newly forming Commonwealth – an institution in which her diplomacy skills were outstanding.

   Modestly, she once said: “I didn`t have an apprenticeship. My father died much too young and so it was all a very sudden kind of taking on and making the best job you can.”

  By the good fortune of nature, training and example, Elizabeth made an ideal monarch-in-waiting, and her father`s words to her on her wedding day sum up their relationship: “I was so proud of you and thrilled at having you so close to me on our long walk in Westminster Abbey, but when I handed your hand to the Archbishop, I felt I had lost something very precious.”

Vocabulary

1.     Find the synonyms or definitions for the following words and expressions from the text:

1. coronation
2. resilience
3. figurehead
4. loyalty
5. apprenticeship
6. to give body and soul
7. to be well aware
8. to be hands-on
9. to boost smth.

  2)  Choose the correct answer :                          

1. What was George VI role during World War Two?

 a)He commanded the Royal Navy on active duty.

 b)He visited military forces and bomb-ravaged cities to boost morale.

 c)He served as a general in the British Army.

 d)He avoided direct in volvement in war time efforts.

 2. At what age did Elizabeth witness her father’s coronation?

 a) 5 years old

 b) 11 years old

c) 15 years old

d) 18 years old

3. What began Elizabeth’s constitutional education?

a) her father’s coronation day

b)  her wedding day

c) her formal studies abroad

d) her coronation as queen

 4. What was Elizabeth being prepared for by her father?

a)  becoming Empress of India

b) being a leader of a global military alliance

c)  representing the newly forming Common wealth

d)  governing individual British colonies

5. How did George VI feel about Elizabeth on her wedding day?

a) indifference to the ceremony

b) pride and a deep sense of loss

c) anxiety about her responsibilities

d) relief that his duty as a father was complete

6. What did Elizabeth modestly say about her early reign?

a) “I had the best preparation from my father.”

b) “It all happened suddenly, and I just tried to do my best.”

c) “I had no preparation, and it was overwhelming.”

d) “I was fully ready to lead thanks to my father’s example.”

3)   True or False statements:

1. George VI served as King during both World Wars.

2. George VI visited bomb-ravaged cities to show solidarity with the British people.

3. Elizabeth’s governess told her and Margaret to curtsy to their father after his coronation.

4. Elizabeth was being prepared to become the Empress of India.

5. George VI enjoyed spending time with his daughters playing games and acting.

6. Elizabeth felt fully prepared to become queen due to her father’s long mentoring.

 4)  Match the Columns:

Match the descriptions in Column A with the correct terms in Column B:

5) Fill in the blanks:

1. During World War Two, George VI visited _______ and _______ to show solidarity with the British people.
2. Elizabeth’s governess explained to her and Margaret that they needed to _______ to their father on his coronation day.
3. George VI prepared Elizabeth for her role as a _______ of the newly forming Commonwealth.
4. On her wedding day, George VI expressed that he was _______ of Elizabeth but also felt a deep _______.
5. Elizabeth modestly stated that her father’s sudden death left her _______ for the role of queen.

6) Writing Task

Prompt: Based on the text, explain how George VI influenced Elizabeth’s preparation for her role as queen. Write a short paragraph discussing his personal example, his hands-on approach as a father, and the values he instilled in her.

 QUEEN AMONG KINGS.      Text 1.   Daughter and Father       (KEYS)

Task 1

1.     – a ceremony at which a person is made a king or a queen
2.     – strength, persistence
3.     – a person who has position of a leader but has no real power
4.     - faithfulness, devotion, patriotism
5.     – training, schooling, education
6.     – to be completely dedicated to…
7.     – having knowledge, awareness
8.     – to participate, to interact
9.     – to help

Task 2      1b     2b   3a   4c   5b   6b

Task 3      1T   2T   3T   4F   5T   6F

Task 4      1b   2a   3d   4c   5e

Task 5

1.         …military forces abroad …bomb-ravaged cities … .
2.         … curtsy … .
3.         … figurehead … .
4.         … proud … sense of loss .
5.         … unprepared … .