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The state structures of the USA and the UK

Lessons 34–35 · 2 lessons · L. Jurayev, M. Abdullayeva, H. Tuhtarova, S. Khan, L. Tsoy, K. Inogamova, L. Matskevich, R. Ziryanova. Fly High English 9 (English, Grade 9), revised and expanded 2nd edition. “Yangiyo‘l Poligraf Servis”, Tashkent, 2014
35

The UK is a constitutional monarchy

Textbook: pp. 53–54
GoalThe UK as a constitutional monarchy: the monarch, the royal family, the palace; when to use the definite article the.
New words
monarch · monarxdynasty · sulolathrone · taxtpalace · qasr, saroy
Explanation

The UK is a constitutional monarchy: the head of state is the monarch, but the country is governed by Parliament and the Prime Minister. Queen Elizabeth II reigned from 1952 to 2022; since September 2022 the monarch is King Charles III. His heir is Prince William, the Prince of Wales. The royal family belongs to the House of Windsor (a dynasty). Buckingham Palace in London is the monarch’s best-known official residence. We use the article the with unique things (the monarch, the Mall), superlatives (the best-known palace), titles (the Prince of Wales) and some names (the United Kingdom, the USA). There is usually no article before city and country names: London, Britain.

Worked examples
Buckingham Palace, the King’s official residence in London, stands at the end of the Mall. – William is the Prince of Wales and Catherine is the Princess of Wales.
Windsor Castle is the oldest royal home that is still used. The throne is a royal chair. A dynasty is a family of rulers. The anthem is now “God Save the King”.
Class activity

“Article or not?”: the teacher says a name (Mall, London, Prince of Wales, UK) and pupils show whether the is needed (hand up / no).

Practice
1
Add the article: ___ oldest castle in England that is still used
2
Who is the head of state of the UK today?
3
What is a dynasty?
4
Why do we say London but the United Kingdom?