Text a state system of great britain and northern ireland part II

The executive power in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK) belongs to the Government. Its main function is to put laws into effect* and plan policy.

The main political parties in the UK are the Labour and the Conservative parties. The leader of the party which wins the most seats* in the House of Commons at a general election becomes Prime Minister. As a head of Government the Prime Minister appoints about 100 ministers, of which about 20 are in the Cabinet. The Prime Minister (PM) heads cabinet meetings, appoints all government ministers and rules the country in the name of King or Queen.

The judicial power in the UK belongs to Magistrates’ Courts, Crown Courts, County Courts, Courts of Appeal and the House of Lords as the Final Court of Appeal. Magistrates’ Courts deal with minor criminal and civil cases. Crown Courts deal with more serious criminal cases and County Courts deal with more serious civil cases. Courts of Appeal deal with criminal and civil cases.

Along with the national government there are local governments for administrative areas known as counties. The people elect representatives to regional and district councils* which are responsible for housing, education, transport, police and other social services.

There is no standard system of local government. In each county the local authorities* have the freedom to organise and administer services as they think will best suit the area.

to put laws into effect – втілювати закони

to win the most seats – набирати найбільшу кількість місць

district councils – районні ради

local authorities – місцеві органи влади

Exercise 6 Read the text again and say, whether the statements are true or false. Correct the false statements and translate them.

1 The executive power in the UK belongs to the Prime Minister.

2 The main function of the executive power is law enforcement.

3 Magistrates’ Courts deal with serious criminal and civil cases.

4 Crown Courts deal with minor criminal cases.

5 There is a standard system of local government in each county

Writing task: write down the answers to the questions according to text A (part I and part II).

1. What is the official name of Britain?

2. Who is the head of the state?

3. Whom does the legislative power in the UK belong to?

4. How many Houses are there in Parliament?

5. How many members are there in the House of Commons?

6. What is the main function of the House of Commons?

7. What is the main function of the House of Lords?

8. Whom does the executive power in the UK belong to?

9. What is the main function of the executive power?

10. Who is the head of the Government?

11. What are the duties of the Prime Minister?

12. What are the main political parties in the UK?

13. What types of courts function in the UK?

14. What is the final court of appeal in the UK?

15. What are the main responsibilities of the local government in the UK?

Speaking task: use the questions from the writing task as a plan to speak about the state system of Great Britain.

Exercise 7 Read the text and translate it.