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King Juan Carlos of Spain once insistedkings dont abdicate, they die in their sleep. But embarrassing scandals and the popularity of the republicans left in the recent Euro-elections have forced him to eat his words and stand down. So, does the Spanish crisis suggest that monarchy is seeing its last days? Does that mean the writing is on the wall for all European royals, with their magnificent uniforms and majestic lifestyles?

The Spanish case provides arguments both for and against monarchy. When public opinion is particularly polarized, as it was following the end of the France regime, monarchs can rise above mere polities and embody a spirit of national unity.

It is this apparent transcendence of polities that explains monarchys continuing popularity as heads of state. And so, the Middle East expected, Europe is the most monarch-infested region in the world, with 10 kingdoms (not counting Vatican City and Andorra). But unlike their absolutist counterparts in the Gulf and Asia, most royal families have survived because they allow voters to avoid the difficult search for a non-controversial but respected public figure.

Even so, kings and queens undoubtedly have a downside. Symbolic of national unity as they claim to be, their very history-and sometimes the way they behave today-embodies outdated and indefensible privileges and inequalities. At a time when Thomas Piketty and other economists are warming of rising inequality and the increasing power of inherited wealth, it is bizarre that wealthy aristocratic families should still be the symbolic heart of modern democratic states.

The most successful monarchies strive to abandon or hide their old aristocratic ways. Princes and princesses have day-jobs and ride bicycles, not horses (or helicopters). Even so, these are wealthy families who party with the international 1%, and media intrusiveness makes it increasingly difficult to maintain the right image.

While Europes monarchies will no doubt be smart enough to survive for some time to come, it is the British royals who have most to fear from the Spanish example.

It is only the Queen who has preserved the monarchys reputation with her rather ordinary (if well-heeled) granny style. The danger will come with Charles, who has both an expensive taste of lifestyle and a pretty hierarchical view of the world. He has failed to understand that monarchies have largely survived because they provide a service-as non-controversial and non-political heads of state. Charles ought to know that as English history shows, it is kings, not republicans, who are the monarchys worst enemies.

21. According to the first two graphs, King Juan Carlos of Spain

[A]eased his relationship with his rivals.

[B]used to enjoy high public support.

[C]was unpopular among European royals.

[D]ended his reign in embarrassment.

22. Monarchs are kept as head of state in Europe mostly

[A]to give voters more public figures to look up to.

[B]to achieve a balance between tradition and reality.

[C]owing to their undoubted and respectable status.

[D]due to their everlasting political embodiment.

23. Which of the following is shown to be odd, according to graph 4?

[A] The role of the nobility in modern democracies.

[B] Aristocrats excessive reliance on inherited wealth.

[C] The simple lifestyle of the aristocratic families.

[D] The nobilitys adherence to their privileges.

24. The British royals have most to fear because Charles

[A]takes a tough line on political issues.

[B]fails to change his lifestyle as advised.

[C]takes republicans as his potential allies.

[D]fails to adapt himself to his future role.

25. Which of the following is the best title of the text?

[A]Carlos, Glory and Disgrace Combined

[B]Charles, Anxious to Succeed to the Throne

[C]Charles, Slow to React to the Coming Threats

[D]Carlos, a Lesson for All European Monarchs

21.Dended his reign in embarrassment.

22. C owing to the undoubted and respectable status

23. A the role of the nobility in modern democracy

24. B fails to change his lifestyle as advised.

25. D Carlos, a lesson for all Monarchies