The British Royal Family (B2)

📝 Exercise. Complete each sentence with the correct form: Past Simple or Present Perfect.

1. 👑 Since the 1930s, the royal family _____ itself as a “model family” in public life. a) presented b) has presented
2. 🎖️ During the Second World War, the monarchy _____ to appear more informal and relatable to the public. a) tried b) has tried
3. In 1939, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother _____ warmly with crowds during a trip to Canada. a) interacted b) has interacted
4. 🗂️ In the 1960s, “coloured immigrants or foreigners” _____ from clerical posts in the royal household. a) were banned b) have been banned
5. 🧩 Since that era, public debate about inclusion _____ around the institution. a) grew b) has grown
6. ✈️ In 1970, Queen Elizabeth II _____ a major tour of Australia and New Zealand. a) undertook b) has undertaken
7. 🚶 Over the years, the term “walkabout” _____ closely associated with royals meeting the public on tours. a) became b) has become
8. 📰 In 1992, relationship breakdowns _____ the monarchy’s “model family” narrative. a) damaged b) have damaged
9. 🕊️ In 1997, the family’s early response to Diana’s death _____ widely criticised. a) was b) has been
10. 🧭 In the 1990s, the family _____ the Way Ahead Group to discuss modernisation and public expectations. a) formed b) has formed
11. 🔧 Since its creation, the group _____ as a forum for navigating changes in public opinion. a) served b) has served
12. 🎗️ Over the years, senior royals _____ thousands of official engagements in the UK and abroad. a) carried out b) have carried out
13. 📜 For decades, the Court Circular _____ daily appointments and official events. a) listed b) has listed
14. 💒 In April 2011, Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding _____ a surge of public goodwill. a) generated b) has generated
15. 🌍 In recent years, the royal household _____ criticism over environmental impact. a) faced b) has faced
16. 📊 In 2019, a YouGov poll _____ that roughly two-thirds of Britons supported keeping the monarchy. a) showed b) has shown
17. 🧳 In early 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex _____ from royal duties permanently. a) withdrew b) have withdrawn
18. 🔥 Since the scandal interview, arguments about racism and bias  _____ more intense. a) became b) have become
19. 👑 Since Charles III became king in September 2022, the monarchy _____ further pressure. a) faced b) has faced
20. 🎖️ In 2023, the Trooping the Colour balcony appearance _____ a widely circulated symbol. a) became b) has become

👉 Choose the correct preposition (A / B / C) in each sentence.

1. 🎆 During the New Year broadcast, the royal family reflects ___ the past year. A) on  B) at  C) for
2. 🎄 Members of the royal household prepare ___ New Year celebrations at Sandringham. A) to  B) for  C) about
3. 👑 The monarch traditionally speaks ___ the nation on New Year’s Eve. A) with  B) at  C) to
4. 🕯️ The family focuses ___ calmness and reflection after the Christmas period. A) at  B) on  C) for
5. 📜 Royals show respect ___ tradition during New Year ceremonies. A) to  B) for  C) with
6. 🎆 The atmosphere around the palace contributes ___ a sense of elation. A) for  B) to  C) with
7. 🧾 Courtiers are responsible ___ organising official holiday schedules. A) of  B) for  C) about
8. 💤 After late celebrations, even royals may suffer ___ tiredness the next day. A) from  B) of  C) with
9. 😌 The family feels relaxation when they stay ___ public attention. A) away from  B) out  C) aside
10. 😤 Royals are expected to react calmly ___ criticism during the holidays. A) at  B) on  C) to
11. 😞 Disappointment may occur when plans change ___ the last minute. A) in  B) on  C) at
12. ⚡ Repeating formal greetings can lead ___ exasperation. A) for  B) into  C) to
13. 🏰 New Year traditions are deeply rooted ___ royal history. A) at  B) in  C) on
14. 🕊️ Royals try to remain neutral ___ political debates. A) in  B) on  C) to
15. ❄️ The family often stays indoors due ___ low temperatures. A) to  B) for  C) from
16. 📚 Younger royals are educated ___ constitutional traditions. A) about  B) on  C) for
17. 🧠 Calmness helps the royals cope ___ public pressure. A) with  B) from  C) about
18. 🧾 Officials report ___ the monarch after the holidays. A) to  B) for  C) at
19. 🎇 New Year celebrations mark a transition ___ one year to the next. A) into  B) from  C) between
20. 👑 The royal family remains committed ___ duty even during holidays. A) for  B) to  C) with
21. 🎆 The message usually ends ___ hope for the coming year.

A) with  B) in  C) by

Recap: New Year celebrations by the British Royal Family

📝 Gap-Fill Exercise: Past Simple vs Present Perfect. Choose the correct option (Past Simple or Present Perfect).

1. 🎆 Over the years, the Royal Family ___ more relatable by sharing simple New Year wishes. A) appeared B) have appeared
2. 👥 Yesterday evening, they ___ with crowds outside the palace after the service. A) interacted B) have interacted
3. ✈️ In December 2023, the King ___ a major royal tour before returning for New Year. A) undertook B) have undertaken
4. 👑 Since 2022, Camilla ___ closely associated with several winter charities. A) became B) has become
5. 💍 In 2011, Catherine ___ a royal title, and the public got acquainted with her new role. A) shared B) has shared
6. 🕯️ After the death of a senior royal in 2022, the family ___ quickly and publicly. A) responded B) have responded
7. 🧯 This week, the Palace ___ crisis-planning seriously because of security concerns. A) treated B) has treated
8. 🏛️ Recently, Buckingham Palace ___ as a forum for national unity in the holiday season. A) served B) has served
9. 🤝 Two years ago, the Prince ___ a charity focused on youth wellbeing. A) established B) has established
10. 🌟 So far this winter, the royals ___ a surge of goodwill through calm public appearances. A) generated B) have generated
11. ❄️ Last New Year’s Eve, the temperature dropped sharply, so the family ___ indoors and felt more relaxed. A) stayed B) have stayed
12. 🎄 Today, I ___ relaxation while watching the royal New Year message at home. A) felt B) have felt
13. 📚 This month, I ___ overwhelmed because I still ___ an assignment to submit. A) felt / had B) have felt / have had
14. 🧩 When I felt anxious yesterday, I ___ problems into small steps and solved them one by one. A) broke B) have broken
15. ➗ This morning, I ___ calmer because I ___ equations without rushing. A) felt / solved B) have felt / have solved
16. 🧾 After the long rehearsal last night, the staff ___ fatigue. A) noticed B) have noticed
17. 💤 Since the celebrations started this week, many guests ___ real tiredness the next day. A) noticed B) have noticed
18. 😞 When the schedule changed on 31 December, we ___ disappointment because plans were cancelled at the last minute. A) felt B) have felt
19. 🌍 In recent years, the royals ___ public criticism more often online. A) faced B) have faced
20. 🔥 In 2020, tabloids ___ arguments, ___ criticism, and ___ concerns about the “model family” image. A) intensified / attracted / raised B) have intensified / have attracted / have raised

New Year Celebration by the British Royal Family

📝 Exercise. Prepositions in collocations

👉 Choose the correct preposition (A / B / C) in each sentence.

1. 🎆 During the New Year broadcast, the royal family reflects ___ the past year and the get-togethers at Sandringham. A) on  B) at  C) for
2. 🎄 Members of the royal household prepare ___ New Year celebrations, including a feast and small gifts. A) to  B) for  C) about
3. 👑 The monarch traditionally speaks ___ the nation on New Year’s Eve and thanks people for their support. A) with  B) at  C) to
4. 🕯️ The family focuses ___ calmness and reflection, preferring a quiet evening at home after midnight. A) at  B) on  C) for
5. 📜 Royals show respect ___ tradition: they raise a toast at midnight and open a bottle of sparkling wine. A) to  B) for  C) with
6. 🎆 The atmosphere around the palace contributes ___ a festive mood that fades by the next morning. A) for  B) to  C) with
7. 🧾 Courtiers are responsible ___ organising holiday schedules and checking the inbox on Monday morning. A) of  B) for  C) about
8. 💤 After late celebrations and listening to music late into the night, even royals may suffer ___ tiredness. A) from  B) of  C) with
9. 😌 The family feels relaxation when they stay ___ loud music late at night and public attention. A) away from  B) out  C) aside
10. 😤 Royals are expected to react calmly ___ criticism, even if plans fall apart at the last minute. A) at  B) on  C) to
11. 🎇 Members of the royal household prepare ___ welcoming the New Year with friends at Sandringham. A) to  B) for  C) about
12. 🥂 Royals show respect ___ their guests by raising a toast at midnight. A) for  B) to  C) with
13. 🍾 Courtiers are responsible ___ opening a bottle of sparkling wine at the right moment. A) about  B) for  C) of
14. 📸 During the celebration, staff focus ___ taking photos and keeping everything discreet. A) at  B) on  C) for
15. 🎁 The family often speaks ___ gratitude when they exchange small gifts. A) at  B) of  C) to
16. 📬 On the first working day, the palace reflects ___ its priorities while checking the inbox on Monday morning. A) on  B) at  C) for
17. 🕯️ After the fireworks, the festive mood fades ___ the early hours, and the palace becomes quiet. A) in  B) at  C) on
18. 🧹 After the feast, courtiers suffer ___ tiredness but still clean up after guests. A) from  B) of  C) with
19. 🕛 The royals stay up past midnight, yet they remain calm ___ sudden changes in the schedule. A) to  B) at  C) on
20. 😤 Even if plans fall apart at the last minute, the family reacts calmly ___ the situation and makes plans for the coming year. A) at  B) to  C) on