Britain: The government
May 2014- B1/B2
1. Find fifteen words and phrases related to the government of Britain. Use
the clues below to help if necessary. When you have found all the items
match them to the clues.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
B
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K
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K
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B
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GOR
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The collective name of all the most powerful politicians. (10)
The Ministers who meet the Prime Minister to take decisions. (7)
The national treasury; where all the taxes go. (9)
A government made up of more than one party. (9)
Where the Prime Minister lives and works. (7,6)
When the PM changes the heads of the government departments. (9)
The administrative side of government. (5,7)
Where the administrative side of government is. (9)
A politician in local government. (10)
The place used for the administration of local government. (4,4)
k) The name of the “parliament” that meets at j). (5,7)
l) The elected head of a city or town. (5)
m) The largest and oldest units of local government, such as Hampshire and
Middlesex. (6)
n) The smallest unit of local government with very few powers; traditionally a
village with a church. (6)
o) The units of local government in London. (7)
2. Do the quiz. There is one correct answer for each question. You may need
to do some research.
1. In Britain “government” refers to:
a) Parliament.
b) The Prime Minister and the Queen.
c) The national parliament and local councils.
d) The Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
2. The phrase primus inter pares (first among equals) refers to whom?
a) The Prime Minister.
b) The Chancellor of the Exchequer.
c) The Queen.
d) All the Members of Parliament.
3. What happens to the civil service when a government changes after an
election?
a) It changes as well.
b) It doesn’t change.
c) The Permanent Secretary changes but everything else stays the same.
d) The Permanent Secretary stays the same but everything else changes.
4. Where does local government get its money?
a) From the national government.
b) From local council tax.
c) From local income tax and the government.
d) From local council tax and the government.
5. Who has the most power with regard to London?
a) The Prime Minister.
b) The Queen.
c) The Mayor.
d) The Greater London Authority.
3. Put the missing words into the correct line and put the lines into the
correct order to make a text.
politicians
taxes
new
people
civil servants
laws
reverse
public
1____________
called councillors (equivalent to MPs), who meet in the Town Hall or
Local governments only have power because the national government gives them
power because the states have given them power. In Britain it is the 2____________.
of states which have their own government, make their own 3____________ and
County Hall (equivalent to Parliament) and make policies which are carried out by
power. In fact, the national government sometimes abolishes individual local
There are many countries in the world which are federal. They consist of a number
national government.
collect their own 4____________. The national governments in these countries have
governments and creates 5____________ ones.
local government officers (equivalent to 6____________). Local government manages
The system is basically the same as the national government. There are elected
nearly all 7____________ services and employs three times as many 8____________ as the
Text based upon parts of chapter 8 of Britain for learners of English by James O’Driscoll Oxford University Press
4. Talking points:
Does local government affect your life more than central government?
Is it possible for an elected government to have too much power?
Where do your taxes go? Are they used locally or nationally?
For more detail see Britain for Learners of English by James O’Driscoll
Oxford University Press
Teacher’s tips:
1.
Students look for items in the word search using the clues to help them. All items
found in the search should be matched to the clues before comparing
answers/helping each other.
2.
Students choose one correct answer for each question before comparing with
other students. Research may be necessary.
3.
Students can do this task either individually or in groups. It is probably easiest to
insert the missing words first before reconstructing the text.
4.
These questions can be discussed by the whole class together or by students in
small groups. The groups can report back to the class about their discussions.
Students can then write up their answers after the class.
Alternatively, students can first write their answers, either in class or at home, and
discuss afterwards.
Follow up:
How much do students know about the government of their own country? Do they
know the names of the main local and national politicians?
Answers:
1.
B
O
R
O
U
G
H
E
L
F
F
U
H
S
E
R
N
O
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T
I
L
L
L
A
A
H
E
G
C
N
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C
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C
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L
L
O
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V
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L
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V
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C
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Y
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A
B
E
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L
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N
D
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N
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T
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Q
E
H
C
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Y
a) government
e) Downing Street
i) councillor
m) county
b) Cabinet
f) reshuffle
j) Town Hall
n) parish
2.
1. d
4. d
2. a
3. b
5. c
c) Exchequer
g) civil service
k) local council
o) borough
X
E
d) coalition
h) Whitehall
l) mayor
3.
1. politicians
5. new
2. reverse
6. civil servants
3. laws
7. public
4. taxes
8. people
There are many countries in the world which are federal. They consist of a number
of states which have their own government, make their own laws and
collect their own taxes. The national governments in these countries have
power because the states have given them power. In Britain it is the reverse.
Local governments only have power because the national government gives them
power. In fact, the national government sometimes abolishes individual local
governments and creates new ones.
The system is basically the same as the national government. There are elected
politicians called councillors (equivalent to MPs), who meet in the Town Hall or
County Hall (equivalent to Parliament) and make policies which are carried out by
local government officers (equivalent to civil servants). Local government manages
nearly all public services and employs three times as many people as the
national government.
4.
Students’ own answers.