Lesson2 Heads of State
In America , the President is the Head of the States. He makes the mostimportant decisions and chooses the members of his cabinet who will help himgovern the country.
The President also represents the United States on official occasions. Hereceives ambassadors from other countries, gives parties for importantvisitors from abroad, and takes the first place in any national ceremony.
Americans are always interested in the President's wife and children — the“first lady” and the “first family”. They expect their Presidents tohave a good family life and to be an example to the country.
In Britain , the Queen is the head of State. She represents Britain (and theCommonwealth). She travels about the UK , meeting people, visiting schoolsand hospitals, and going to important local events. She and her husband, andother members of her family, also travel abroad as rather specialambassadors to other countries.
British people enjoy their “royals”. They like reading about them innewspapers, and seeing them on TV. To some they are like film stars,interesting just because they are famous.
Most people feel that the Queen is a symbol of Britain 's long history andnational traditions.
Ambassador 大使
ceremony 典礼，仪式
国家元首
在美国，总统是国家元首，他决定最重要的事情并挑选能帮其治理国家的内阁成员。
美国总统也是在官方场合代表美国的人。他接见外国大使，为国外重要访客举行宴会，并主持所有国家典礼。美国人一贯对总统的妻子和孩子感兴趣——“第一夫人”和“第一家庭”。他们期望他们的总统家庭幸福，为全国树立榜样。
女王是英国的国家元首。她代表英国（和英联邦）。她走遍英国的每一个角落，会见民众、参观学校和医院，视察发生重大事件的地区。女王和她的丈夫，以及女王家庭的其他成员，也作为特殊的使者出访其他国家。
英国人喜欢他们的“王室成员”。他们喜欢阅读有关王室成员的新闻，看到他们在电视上露面。对他们来说，王室成员就像电影明星，因为有名而吸引人。人们大多觉得女王是英国悠久历史和国家传统的象征。 |