Question

1. Read the text and make up 5 special questions. Remembering Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8th 2022, was one of the best-known people in the world. She lived a life that covered almost a century and a century of enormous change. She was born before the age of television. When she was young, few people had cars, very few people had flown in an aeroplane, few people had telephones, and nobody had a computer. It was a different age. Elizabeth II was the older daughter of King George VI. As a teenager she lived through the Second World War, when she trained as a nurse and as a mechanic. Her father died suddenly at a young age in 1952. At the time Princess Elizabeth (as she was called) was on a trip to Africa. She was just 25 and had two young children, Charles and Anne. Her coronation took place in Westminster Abbey, London, on 2nd June 1953. It was the first big event to be shown live on television to viewers around Britain, and live on radio around the world. When she became Queen in 1952, her first prime minister was Winston Churchill. For over 70 years, she was Britain's head of state. She was also head of the Commonwealth, and the head of state of several Commonwealth countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other smaller nations. As head of state, she took an active part in life, meeting with her prime ministers every week, and undertaking thousands of official functions. She was head of state, but she played no part in politics, and had to remain strictly neutral in all circumstances. It was not an easy life, but she did not think of retiring when she reached the age of 65. She continued with her official business until two days before her death. For most of her life she was very popular with people in Britain and around the world. There was a period in the 1990s, after the death of Princess Diana, when she lost some of her popularity, but her difficult years did not last long In 2002 she celebrated her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the throne. After that, she remained popular, indeed very popular, for the rest of her life. She was like a national figure head, the nation's grandmother. People liked her, and more importantly they respected her. As head of state, she was so much better than any politician!​

Answer 1

1. What was Elizabeth II's relationship to King George VI?

2. What were some of the major technological advancements that occurred during Elizabeth II's lifetime?

3. What was Elizabeth II's role as head of state?

4. How did Elizabeth II's popularity change over time?

5. How did Elizabeth II mark her Golden Jubilee?

Answer 2

1. How did Queen Elizabeth II contribute to the war effort during the Second World War, especially as a nurse and mechanic?

2. What impact did the sudden death of King George VI in 1952 have on the life and responsibilities of Princess Elizabeth?

3. In what ways did Queen Elizabeth II adapt to the changing times, considering she witnessed the advent of television, automobiles, airplanes, and computers during her lifetime?

4. What challenges did Queen Elizabeth II face during the period of declining popularity in the 1990s, particularly after the death of Princess Diana, and how did she overcome them?

5. Can you elaborate on Queen Elizabeth II's role as the head of state and head of the Commonwealth, including her relationships with prime ministers and her commitment to remaining neutral in political matters?