Ex. 1. Read the words and translate them into Russian.

Parliamentary monarchy, nation, system of justice, armed forces, politics, bill, lord, speaker, leader, Prime Minister, Cabinet of Ministers, official opposition, party, police, department.

Ex. 2. Form the nouns from the verbs and translate them into Russian.

To govern, to form, to decide, to constitute, to preside, to elect, to educate, to commit.

Ex. 3. Give the corresponding adjectives.

Constitution, parliament, nation, policy, election, difference, independence, society, democracy.

Ex. 4. Translate the words given in the brackets into English.

1. The Queen (не принимает участие) in politics of the country.

2. The Queen (созывает) Parliament.

3. Lord Chancellor (возглавляет) the House of Lords.

4. The House of Commons is (выборная) and more powerful.

5. The Government is formed by the party that (набирает большинство голосов) in the House of Commons.

Ex. 5. Translate the sentences into Russian. Pay attention to the usage of the Passive Voice.

1. The work of the government is carried out through the various government departments.

2. The system of government has long been established and well tried.

3. The government decisions are being discussed in the press and broadcasting systems.

4. The government will have been formed by the beginning of Parliament vocations.

5. The English criminal law has never been reduced to a single code.

6. The State Budget had been adopted by the end of last year.

7. The House of Commons is presided over by the Speaker.

8. You have the right to a lawyer and to have one present while you are being questioned.

9. The man was convicted for what he had not done.

10. That house was being built when we came here.

Ex. 6. Put the sentences into the Passive Voice.

1. The Queen heads the nation.

2. Parliament makes laws.

3. The Queen summons Parliament.

4. The Speaker presides over the House of Commons.

5. Elected councils carry out local government.

Ex. 7. Add the necessary words.

1. The Queen is at the … of the nation.

2. The Queen is the … head of Church of England.

3. She is the head of the system of … and of the armed … .

4. Laws are made by … .

5. The House of Lords is formed on a … basis.

6. The House of Commons is … .

7. Elections are held by … .

8. The party that … a majority in the House of … forms the Government.

9. The second largest party becomes … .

Ex. 8. Agree or disagree with the following statements.

1. The Queen is like a living symbol for Englishmen.

2. The Queen makes laws and her Royal Assent is needed before any Bill becomes law as an Act of Parliament.

3. The House of Lords is formed partly on a hereditary basis.

4. The people’s achievements give opportunity to earn the life membership.

5. The members of the House of Commons are elected every five years by secret ballot.

6. Prime Minister is the head of the Government.

7. Prime Minister is responsible for all government decisions.

Ex. 9. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the political statues of Great Britain?

2. Who is the head of the nation?

3. What is the role of the Queen in the country?

4. Who are the laws made by?

5. What does the Parliament consist of?

6. Who is the head of the House of Lords? Who belongs to the House of Lords?

7. Who is the House of Commons presided over?

8. How often are elections held?

9. What are the main parties of Great Britain?

10. What is the Government formed by?

Ex. 10. Speak on the following topics.

1. The Queen and her role in the country.

2. The House of Lords.

3. The House of Commons.

4. The structure of the Government.

Unit 5

	Topic: The political system of the USA.
	Grammar: Согласование времен. Косвенный вопрос

POLITICAL SYSTEM

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The United States of America is a federative republic. The independence of the USA was declared in 1776, and thir­teen states entered the federation. From 1959 the federation comprises 50 states. The federal district of Columbia with the capital of the country, Washington, is an independent territorial unit.

The United States Constitution, written in 1787, established a government of three branches – legislative, executive and judicial. The president carries out many duties as head of the executive branch of the government. He is also Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the USA. The president and vice-president are elected for a term of four years. No person can be elected to the office of president more than twice. The White House is the president’s official residence.

The Congress is the legislative body of the United States. It consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of the House of Representatives, 435 in number, are chosen every second year. Senators are elected for a term of six years, two senators from each state. One-third of the Senate is renewed every two years.

The Constitution guarantees rights, freedom and justice to all. It consists of a Preamble, seven articles and twenty six amendments. The first ten of them are called the Bill of Rights. Because of the Bill of Rights, police cannot stop and search or arrest a person without good reason, nor can they search anyone’s home without clear cause and the permission of a court.

The states have legislative and executive bodies of their own. Their structure, function and competence are determined by the constitution of each state. But state laws must not conflict with the Constitution of the country.

There are two main parties in the United States: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. They have no permanent membership, nor their programs differ greatly. Membership is determined by election vote.