Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch (君主), died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, on Sept 8. Elizabeth became queen in 1952. Her eldest son, Charles, 74, has now become Britain’s new monarch, known as King Charles III.
The UK began a 10-day mourning period (哀悼期) on Sept 9. Flags flying from government buildings were half-staff (下半旗). People have been able to see the queen’s coffin (灵柩), first in Edinburgh and then in London.
“It’s just so heartbreaking,” said Laura Lang, from Georgia, US, seeing the queen’s cortege (送葬队伍) pass her in Edinburgh. “Look, I know the queen is ‘Britain’. But she’s the queen of the world,” Laura told Sky News.
In her 70-year reign (在位), the queen committed (致力于) her life to serving her country. She supported over 600 charities (慈善机构) and had a close link with the public. In the UK, every Christmas day, people would turn on their TVs to listen to the queen’s heart-warming Christmas speech.
Her death has been felt across the globe. In Washington, the US flag was lowered to half staff to mark the passing of the queen. French President Emmanuel Macron said, “The woman who stood alongside the giants of the 20th century on the path of history has left to join them.”
41. How old was Queen Elizabeth II when she became the monarch?
A.26 years old.. | B.74 years old. | C.96 years old. | D.70 years old. |
42. What do we know about Queen Elizabeth II?
A.Her funeral was set on Sept 9. |
B.Her eldest son took over her position. |
C.Flags were half-staff for one day to mourn her. |
D.She became the UK monarch 96 years ago. |
43. What can we learn from Lang’s words?
A.All countries should have such a queen. |
B.She doesn’t take the queen as her role model. |
C.People all over the world respect the queen. |
D.The queen once wanted to rule the whole world. |
44. What does the writer want to show by the example of Christmas speeches?
A.The queen liked to do charity. |
B.The queen loved giving speeches. |
C.The queen was close to the public. |
D.The queen often showed up on TV. |
45. What is the last paragraph mainly about?
A.Powerful countries of the 20th century. |
B.Why the passing of the queen is a pity. |
C.Other countries’ reactions to the queen’s death. |
D.How the giants in the world remember the queen. |