THE HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

After World War I, many people began to talk about a politically unified Europe. The first Pan-European Congress was held in 1926. In 1929 the French prime minister proposed a federation of European nations for economic and social co-operation. Many people supported this idea, but the start of worl war II interrupted the process.

In 1957, the European Economin Community (EEC) was founded. It began with six members: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany and Italy. Their objectives was to increase economin development and prevent another war. In 1973, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark joined the EEC, making nine member states in all. Greece joined in 1981, and Spain and Portugal joined in 1986. The EEC now had twelve member countries and changed its name to the European Community (EC)

In 1992, the EC changed its name a third time and became the European Union (EU)

Austria, Finland and Sweden joined in 1995. In 2002 most of the countries in the EU began using Europe's single currency the euro.

By the year 2004, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus were also members of the EU, making a total of 26 member states. In the same year, Bulgaria and Romania completed their negotiations to join the Union in January 2007.

Today, the responsibilities of the EU include agriculture, fishing, industrial and social development, culture, environmental issues, external trade, human rights, public health, justice and security.

Questions:

1- Wich were the first countires to create a European Economic Community?

The first countries are France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, West Germany and Italy.

2-What were the aims of the founding member of the EEC?

The objective was to increase econonim development and prevent another war.

3-How many members states did the EEC have in 1973?

Making nine members states in all.

4-When did Bulgaria and Romania join the EU?

The Union in 2007

5-What was significant about 2002?

Using Europe's single currency the europe.

THE RSPCA

Most countries in the world have got organisations to protect and take care of animals, but the first animal protection society was founded in the nineteenth century in England.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( SPCA) was started in 1824 in London. In those days, the SPCA was unusual because mahny people thought it was strange to care about animals. Two years earlier, in 1922, the Houses of Parliament passed a law prohibiting cruelty to cattle, horses and sheep. Because of the new law and the SOCA, people began to chang their ideas about the way they should treat animals. In 1940 Queen Victoria gave her support to the SPCA. She changed the name of the SPCA to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

Today, there are nearly 200 branches of the society in England and Wales, as well as similar organisations in Scotland, Australia, South Africa and the USA. Every 20 seconds someone contacts the RSPCA with a question about animals. The RSPCA prepares educational material for schools and looks after abused animals. RSPCA inspectors check circuses and zoos to make sure the animals are treated properly. The RSPCA's goal is to improve the lives of animals around the world.

EXERCICES: Answer the questions.

1. Where and when was the first animal protection society started?

The first animal protectoin society started at 1824 in London.

2. Why was the SPCA considered unusual?

Because many people thougth it was strange to care about animals.

3. What made people change their ideas about the way animals were treated?

A new law prohibiting cruelty to casttle, horses and sheeps, and the people change their ideas because the laws are important.

4. Why did Queen Victoria change the name of the SPCA?

Because people began to change their ideas about the way they should treat animals.

5. Name at least two jobs the RSPCA does today.

Inspectors check circuses and zoos to make sure the animals are treated properly

QUIZ 1

1. The four countries of the United Kingdom.

a) England

b) Scotland

c) Wales

d) Northern Ireland.

2. Four capitals of the UK countries.

a) London

b) Edinburgh

c) Cardiff

d) Belfast

3. What is the name of the sea that separates the UK from France?

The english Channel

QUIZ 2

1. Who are these kings and queens?

a) Victoria

b) Henry VIII

c) Elizabeth II

2. How many wives did this king (point to King Henry VIII9 have?

And how many were Spanish?

a) six, one (Catherine of Aragon)

3. This woman is the Queen of England today (point to Queen Elizabeth II). Who will be the next king or queen?

a) Prince Charles

QUIZ 3

1. Name the four characters.

a) Oliver Twist

b) Dracula

c) Frankenstein

d) Robinson Crusoe

2. All four have been made into films. Which character has appeared in the most films?

a) Dracula

3. Harry Potter is a popular modern story. What is the name of the school he goes to?

a) Hogwarts

Quiz 4

-Name aech band.

a)Oasis
b)Coldplay
c)Queen

-This band was formed by two brothers.
What are their names?

Lima and Noel Gallagher

-Who was the original single of this band?

Freddie Mercury

QUIZ 5

-Name these people.

a)Ewan McGregor

b)Jude Law

c)Catherine Zeta-Jones

-Each person comes from a different coutry. Can you say which?

a)Ewan McGrgor-----Scotland

b)Jude Law-----England

c)Catherine Zeta-Jones------Wales

-This actress married a famous American actor. What is his name?

Michael Douglas