ACADEMIC LISTENING TEST PRACTICE
QUEEN ELIZABETH II
QUEEN ELIZABETH II
For Students Preparing for Academic Tests / IELTS and TOEFL
Listen as you read the script.
Playing Time: 3 minutes 38 seconds
Queen Elizabeth II was on the British throne between 1952 and 2022 and was the longest-reigning monarch in the United Kingdom. This made her one of the most powerful, influential, and recognizable figures in the world. She held a prominent place in politics and diplomacy and was a unifying force both in Britain and in the Commonwealth countries, and was even the subject of multiple films, television shows and books.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926 in London, England. She was born to Prince Albert, Duke of York, who would later become King George VI, and Elizabeth Bowes Lyons. Elizabeth held the title of Princess when she was born and began to learn the duties she would eventually have to fulfill from a very early age. As a child, she attended her parents’ formal events. During the Second World War, she was relocated to Windsor Castle. Elizabeth was educated primarily by tutors. In fact, she and her sister Princess Margaret were the last British royals never to have attended a school or university.
When Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, died in 1952, she succeeded him as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth. She was 25 at the time, and the ceremony of her coronation was held at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. Throughout her reign, Elizabeth traveled the world, and conducted numerous official engagements, building strong ties with the UK, and Commonwealth countries. She has also acted as a symbolic representative of Britain, to the rest of the world, developing relationships with key leaders in international diplomacy and politics.
In her time on the throne, Elizabeth saw enormous social, political and technological change, as well as major conflicts, including the Falklands War, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the continuing War on Terror. Through it all, she remained a tireless worker, promoting peace and understanding, between peoples and cultures. She has also acted as a unifying force, for the Commonwealth of Nations, increasing trade and other ties between countries.
In addition to her role as Queen, and Head of the Commonwealth, Elizabeth had a full and active life outside of her official duties. She was a patron of hundreds of charities, attended state occasions and ceremonies, and regularly met with people, from around the world. She also had a passion for horse racing, and bred racehorses at her estate, Sandringham.
In her long and illustrious reign, Queen Elizabeth II embodied great ambition and commitment. She achieved a great deal in the seven decades that she was on the throne and was undoubtedly one of the most influential figures of our time. Her legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926 in London, England. She was born to Prince Albert, Duke of York, who would later become King George VI, and Elizabeth Bowes Lyons. Elizabeth held the title of Princess when she was born and began to learn the duties she would eventually have to fulfill from a very early age. As a child, she attended her parents’ formal events. During the Second World War, she was relocated to Windsor Castle. Elizabeth was educated primarily by tutors. In fact, she and her sister Princess Margaret were the last British royals never to have attended a school or university.
When Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, died in 1952, she succeeded him as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth. She was 25 at the time, and the ceremony of her coronation was held at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. Throughout her reign, Elizabeth traveled the world, and conducted numerous official engagements, building strong ties with the UK, and Commonwealth countries. She has also acted as a symbolic representative of Britain, to the rest of the world, developing relationships with key leaders in international diplomacy and politics.
In her time on the throne, Elizabeth saw enormous social, political and technological change, as well as major conflicts, including the Falklands War, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the continuing War on Terror. Through it all, she remained a tireless worker, promoting peace and understanding, between peoples and cultures. She has also acted as a unifying force, for the Commonwealth of Nations, increasing trade and other ties between countries.
In addition to her role as Queen, and Head of the Commonwealth, Elizabeth had a full and active life outside of her official duties. She was a patron of hundreds of charities, attended state occasions and ceremonies, and regularly met with people, from around the world. She also had a passion for horse racing, and bred racehorses at her estate, Sandringham.
In her long and illustrious reign, Queen Elizabeth II embodied great ambition and commitment. She achieved a great deal in the seven decades that she was on the throne and was undoubtedly one of the most influential figures of our time. Her legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
The Queen of England presents her husband Prince Philip with an award
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