Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister, had a great influence on domestic and international policies. She irritated her communist enemies so much that they called her «Iron Lady».

Thatcher's term in office lasted eleven years, from 1979 until 1990. In that time, she was largely responsible for reforming the British economy through government spending cuts, and uncontrolled pro-business* position. Much of her original policies continues today, but some of her methods are not approved. In 1985, Oxford refused to give her an honorary degree in protest of her budget cuts in education.

The daughter of a politically active grocery store owner, Thatcher ascended the ranks of politics with high intelligence and perseverance.

Although politically conservative, Thatcher broke ranks** with many of her peers and supported the legalization of abortion and capital punishment.

*pro-business – в поддержку бизнеса

**to break ranks – расходиться во мнении

Упр. 2. Определите, в каких предложениях информация соответствует тексту, а в каких нет. Составьте правильный вариант предложений с искаженной информацией на английском языке.

1. Margaret Thatcher is the first British prime minister. 2. Thatcher belonged to the Labour party. 3. She was called by her enemies as «Iron Lady». 4. As the Prime Minister Thatcher was responsible for reforms in the British economy. 5. Thatcher approved large government spending. 6. Oxford gave Thatcher an honorary degree for her activity in office of the Prime Minister. 7. Thatcher was born to a family of a grocery store owner. 8. Thatcher was against capital punishment.