Study the text and do the exercises below.

Iwona Mikucka The National Symbols of English‑Speaking Countries

A. ____

A national symbolnational symbolnational symbol is a patriotic symbol representing a country or a nation. The function of such a symbol is simple. It intends to uniteuniteunite citizens by creating visual or verbal representations of the local people, values, goals, or history. The symbols are often shown during national celebrations. While they may change over time, they help to bind a nation togetherbind a nation togetherbind a nation together by reminding its people of their history and most important principlesprinciples [principle]principles.

B. ____

The National Emblemnational emblemNational Emblem of Great Britain is called the Royal Crest. It is a lion bearingbearing [bear]bearing the Royal Crown. The lion, called “the king of beasts,” has been used as a symbol of national strengthnational strengthnational strength of the British monarchy for many centuries. You can see the Royal Crest on King’s personal property and goods bearing the Royal WarrantRoyal WarrantRoyal Warrant.

The British National anthemnational anthemNational anthem, just as its emblem, is related to the monarchy. However, it has no official lyricslyricslyrics. Its words are a matter of tradition. On official occasions, it is usual to sing the first verseverseverse only, the words of which are as follows: “God save our graciousgraciousgracious King! Long live our noblenoblenoble King! God save the King! Send him victoriousvictoriousvictorious, happy and gloriousgloriousglorious, long to reign over us: God save the King!”

C. ____

The National emblem of the United States is called The Great SealsealSeal. The sealsealseal has two sides. On one side there is a picture of a white‑headed bald eaglebald eaglebald eagle, the national bird of the U.S.A. It has an olive brancholive brancholive branch, a symbol of peace, in one clawclawclaw and 13 arrows, according to the number of the original 13 states, in the other. Above the eagle’s head there is a motto in Latin “E Pluribus Unum” which means “Many United.” On the other side there is a picture of a Pyramid with an eye above. Both designs are printed on the back of a one‑dollar bill as well as important government documents.

The American National Anthem, a Star‑Spangled Banner, is as grand as its emblem. It is usually sung at the beginning of large public events, especially sports ones. People are expected to stand up and put their right hand over their heartsput their right hand over their heartsput their right hand over their hearts while the song is being sung in order to show respect and support for their country.

D. ____

Canada’s most well known symbol is the maple leafmaple leafmaple leaf, which was first used by French colonists in the 1700s. The maple leaf is prominently depicted ondepicted on [depict on] depicted on the country's current flags, and on the coat of armscoat of armscoat of arms. It was also seen on the penny before it officially went out of circulation in 2013. Canada's official tartantartantartan known as the “Maple Leaf tartan” has four colours which reflect the colours of the maple leaf as it changes through the seasons: green in the spring, golden in the early autumn, red at the first frost, and brown after falling.

Interestingly, Canada’s national anthem, “O’ Canada” does not mention the maple leaf. It does, however, speak of patriotismpatriotismpatriotism and love for the land. Originally, the anthem was in French, and while both the French and the English versions are used today, they are not direct translations of one another.

E. ____

Australia's national floral emblemfloral emblemfloral emblem is the golden wattlegolden wattlegolden wattle and it displays the national colours: green and golden. As one species of a large type of flora growing across Australia, the golden wattle is a symbol of unity. Wattle is ideally suited to withstand Australia's droughtsdroughts [drought]droughts, winds, and bushfiresbushfires [bushfire]bushfires. Its resilienceresilienceresilience represents the spirit of the Australian people.

The country’s national anthem, “Advance Australia Fair”, emphasisesemphasises [emphasise]emphasises the same qualities. Not only does it mention unity, but the cultural importance of the land and its flora. However, the anthem’s history is long and troubled. Its second line was changed in 2021 from “we are young and free” to “we are one and free” to acknowledge the Aboriginal AustraliansAboriginal AustraliansAboriginal Australians.

1 Źródło: Iwona Mikucka, licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.