The priciples of government

(20) and are equally

(22) are equal, and none can receive

_ (24) government. Within the limits of the

(26) and (27) the laws of the

the federal (29), must be

(31) resting with the (32).

(34) government

distinct from one another. The

delicately

branch serves as a (10) of the others.

The Constitution, according to its

(33) to change their form of

(36) in the Constitution itself.

(12) and treaties entered into by the (14) by the (15),

(16), executive

(19) before

(4),

All persons are

Although the Constitution has changed in many aspects since it was first

(1), its basic (2) remain the same now as in

1789. The three main branches of (3) —

(5),

(6) - are separate and (7) given to each are

(8) by the powers of the other two. Each (9) on potential

together with laws

(11)

(13) and

stands above all other (17), and

. (18). the

(21) to its protection. All (23) from the

special

(25), each state must

(28) governments,

others.

like

(30) in form, with final

The people have the

by (35) means

5. Fill in the gaps in the sentences below using a, the or (-). Explain your choice.

Provisions for amendment

call

(1) authors of

(2) Constitution were keenly aware

(4) time to (5) time

(6) Constitution was to endure and keep pace with (7)

growth of _ process of

minority could not block (14) action desired by most of

(15) people. Their solution was to devise (16) dual

process by which (17) Constitution could be revised.

(18) Congress, by (19) two-thirds vote in each house, ma;

initiate (20) amendment. Alternatively, (21) legislatures

(22) two-thirds of (23) states may ask (24) Congress to

(10) change should not be easy, permitting

(11) bad and (12) hastily passed amendments. In

(13) same way, they wanted to ensure that (13)

(8) nation. They were also conscious that

changes would be needed from

amendments. In either case, (29) states

(25) national convention to discuss and draft (26)

(27) amendments must have (28) approval of three-fourths of

(30) force.

before they enter into

6. Work in pairs. Fill in the table below on the basis of exercises 1-5. Then use the table to tell your partner everything you know about the US Constitution.

U.S. CONSTITUTION . ‘..S' -ta* 5 ' , 'sir*
The doctrine of constitutional supremacy means
How do the people exercise their authority
How is the power of public officials limited
Why are Supreme Court justices appointed for life
How can people remove public official from office
-if. V * « • • ■ • US COURTS'* . -■■/« ‘
The functions of the Supreme Court
The functions of other US courts
. PR1CIPLES OF GOVERNMENT W ’ ■ ••///■
Constitution on the branches of power
| Constitution on the equality of people
\ ' 1 PROVISIONS FOR THE CON STITUTIONAI^AMEN DMENTS
How can amendments enter into legal force

7. Finish sentences 1-10 paying attention to the asking for/giving reason elements. Read the text on constitutional interpretation first. See the example (0).

Asking for/ giving reason

Connectives for reason giving: because, as, since, owing to, because of, on account of.

Linking adverbials of cause and reason: So, accordingly, hence, consequently, therefore, thus.

Now that... Seeing that...

0.	Constitutional interpretation takes various forms because it devends on the clarity of the
1.	Constitution’s text. Hence the amount of the attention to the Constitution’s wording also depends	on
2.	However the understanding of a "clear" text is not easy owing	to
3.	The different approaches of the Supreme Court’s constitutional interpretation similar since	are
4.	Consequently constitutional law cannot
5.	Therefore we may say that defective laws violate not the Constitution itself,	but
6.	Accordingly the judges have a lot of chances to
7.	in determining what principles underlie the Constitution. Commentators often criticize the Supreme Court as

8. First, the judges’ constitutional activism may be necessary because of .

9. Second, the judges’ constitutional activism may be necessary on account of .

10. So the task of constitutional interpretation has fallen to the courts because