Two-Party Political System Takes Hold in US

1. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

hold – зд. поддерживать, придерживаться (мнения): I hold strongly to the idea that the university should seek funding from industry and commerce.

belief – вера, мнение: His belief is a fundamental value of parliamentary democracy.

urge – настаивать: Workers in other industries should be urged into actions.

rebel – сопротивляться: The Duke of Monmouth, who rebelled against his uncle James the second in 1685.

misuse – неверно использовать: He wanted to prevent science from being misused.

2. Listen and choose the sentences corresponding to the text:

1. George Washington belonged to the party of Representatives. 2. There were no established organizations that offered candidates for elections. 3. Each group represented the political beliefs of its leaders. 4. Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans did not support the Constitution as a plan of government. 5. Jefferson did not respect Hamilton’s political power. 6. Jefferson's party included only rich men.

3. Listen again and answer the following questions:

1. Did George Washington belong to any political party? 2. What policies were supported by Thomas Jefferson and Republicans? 3. Whose personal disagreements turned in to a public dispute? 4. Who became one of the strongest voices calling for a convention to amend the Articles of the Confederation? 5. Who supported Hamilton?

US Supreme Court to Rule on Voter Rights

1. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

provisional – временный, ориентировочный: Under the law, a voter has to present a government-issued photo identification card at a polling place (such as a driver's license or a passport) to be eligible to cast a ballot. Without it, the voter is given a provisional ballot, which will not be counted unless he or she returns with acceptable proof of identity.

affidavit – аффидавит, письменное показание или заявление под присягой: Other states' polling places accept documents of identification like utility bills or voters' sworn affidavits.

infringe on/upon – нарушать, посягать, ущемлять: No one should infringe upon the rights of other people. The new law infringes on the right of voters.

disenfranchise – лишать избирательного права: If the Indiana law were upheld [by the high court] and applied nationally, we would potentially disenfranchise about 21 million people.

swing – v резкое качание, колебание; n резкий поворот: The polls showed a swing to the left. The latest news may swing the elections.

2. Listen and name the documents belonging to each group:

1) documentation necessary to make that ballot counts;

2) documentation giving a provisional ballot.

Prompts: utility bills; government-issued photo identification card (ID); driver's license; voters' sworn affidavits; passport.

3. Listen again and name as many details as you can on these issues:

1. Voters eligible to cast a ballot under the Indiana law.

2. Social groups affected by the Indiana law.

3. Arguments of the Indiana law advocates.

 

VOCABULARY

accustom – привыкать, приучать

acquire – 1) приобретать; 2) достигать, овладевать

adult – 1) n взрослый, совершеннолетний; 2) a для взрослых

agenda – повестка дня

announce – объявлять, извещать

approve – 1) одобрять; 2) утверждать

assemble – 1) собирать(ся); 2) созывать

assent – 1) согласие; 2) разрешение, санкция

bankrupt – банкрот, несостоятельный должник

bench – 1) скамья;

2) суд, место судьи; 3) место (в парламенте)

bill – законопроект

chairman – председатель

claim – 1) заявлять права; 2) требовать

consequence –

1) (по)следствие; 2) вывод, заключение

constituency – 1) избиратели; 2) избирательный округ

counterpart – 1) двойник; 2) юр. противная сторона

current – текущий, современный

delegate – 1) передавать полномочия; 2) поручать

deliver – 1) доставлять; 2) произносить, читать

depend – зависеть

desire – 1) желать; 2) требовать

determine – 1) определять, устанавливать; 2) решать

discharge – 1) отпускать, освобождать; 2) восстанавливать в правах

disqualify – лишать права

duty – долг, обязанность

eligible – имеющий право быть избранным

empower – 1) уполномочивать; 2) давать возможность

enactment – введение закона в силу

enforce – 1) проводить в жизнь, придавать силу; 2) принуждать, заставлять

entrust – вверять, возлагать, поручать

examine – рассматривать, исследовать

expiry – окончание, истечение срока

explain – объяснять, толковать

fix – 1) закреплять, устанавливать; 2) управлять, регулировать

focus – сосредотачивать (внимание)

handle – 1) делать; 2) управлять, регулировать

imprisonment – заключение (в тюрьму), лишение свободы

inferior – нижестоящий

issue – 1) выпуск, издание; 2) спорный вопрос, проблема

landlord – землевладелец

leave – 1) разрешение; 2) отпуск

leave of absence – отпуск

levy – облагать (налогом)

limit – ограничивать

nature – сущность, характер, природа

office – должность, служба

opinion – мнение, взгляд

particular – 1) особый, специфический; 2) подробный

population – население, жители

prayer – 1) молитва; 2) просьба

present – 1) дарить; 2) представлять

preside – 1) председательствовать; 2) осуществлять, руководство

pronounce – 1) произносить; 2) высказывать; 3) заявлять

propose – 1) предлагать; 2) предполагать

prorogation – перерыв в работе парламента

recall – вспоминать, напоминать

reject – отвергать, отказывать

rely – полагаться, доверять

retire – 1) уходить в отставку, увольняться; 2) удаляться

row – ряд

rule – правило, принцип, норма

salary – жалование, оклад

sentence – осуждать, приговаривать

sole – 1) единственный; 2) исключительный

sovereign – монарх

statute – статут, законодательный акт парламента

suffrage – избирательное право

supply – 1) снабжение, поставка; 2) pl. продовольствие, припасы

supremacy – верховенство, верховная власть

taxation – обложение налогом

temporary – временный

throw out – отвергать

tie – 1) бечевка, шнур; 2) галстук; 3) равный счет (голосов)

treaty – договор

tribunal – суд

try – 1) пытаться, стараться; 2) расследовать, судить; 3) добиваться

universal – всеобщий

vest – 1) облекать; 2) наделять

violation – нарушение

vote – голосовать

warn – предупреждать, предостерегать

writ – судебный приказ

writ of summons – приказ о вызове в суд

LESSON EIGHT

 

Grammar: Sequence of Tenses. Word-building: Affixes -ism, dis-. Reading and Oral Speech Practice: The Executive Branch of Power in Great Britain and the USA. Conversational Formulas: Ways of Expressing Surprise.

 

GRAMMAR

Sequence of Tenses

(Согласование времен)

 

Правило согласования времен распространяется в основном на употребление времен в придаточных дополнительных. Если глагол-сказуемое главного предложения стоит в одной из форм прошедшего времени, то глагол-сказуемое придаточного предложения может быть употреблен только в одной из форм прошедшего времени.

 

Время совершения действия	Пример	Перевод
Одновременные действия в главном и придаточном предложениях	We knew that he studied civil law. We knew he was studying civil law for two years.	Мы знали, что он изучает гражданское право. Мы знали, что он изучает гражданское право 2 года.
Действие в придаточном предложении предшествует действию в главном предложении	I knew that she had written a letter to her friend. I knew that she had been writing a letter in the morning.	Я знал, что она написала письмо своему другу.   Я знал, что она писала письмо утром.
Действие в придаточном предложении следует за действием в главном предложении	I knew that he would write a letter to his friend. I knew that he would be writing a letter to his friend next morning. I knew he would have written the report by the end of the week.	Я знал, что он будет писать письмо своему другу. Я знал, что он будет писать письмо своему другу завтра утром. Я знал, что он напишет доклад к концу недели.

Notes: Для выражения действия, следующего за действием главного предложения в прошедшем времени, используется время Future in the Past (будущее в прошедшем), которое образуется с помощью вспомогательного глагола should (для 1 лица ед. и мн. числа) и would (для остальных лиц) и инфинитива смыслового глагола без частицы to.

 

Необходимые изменения в структуре предложения
при переводе прямой речи в косвенную

 

При переводе прямой речи в косвенную, если глагол-сказуемое главного предложения стоит в одном из прошедших времен, время глагола-сказуемого в при­даточном предложении изменяется таким образом:
Present Indefinite Present Continuous Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous Past Indefinite Past Continuous Future Indefinite Future Continuous Future Perfect Future Perfect Continuous		Past Indefinite Past Continuous Past Perfect Past Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Past Perfect Continuous Future Indefinite in the Past Future Continuous in the Past Future Perfect in the Past Future Perfect Continuous in the Past
Обстоятельства времени меняются следующим обра­зом:
this these here now on Saturday today yesterday ago last tomorrow the day after tomorrow next		that those there then/at that time that Saturday that day the day before before the previous the next day in two days following

Note: О других изменениях см. урок 1 основного курса(Reported Speech).

 

Exercises

1. Translate the sentences:

a) 1. They said that they had been discussing provisions of a new criminal code for several days. 2. Ann said that she was studying the report of the trial at that time. 3. Jack said that he had performed his duty. 4. Pete said that Sam Williams had been removed from his post. 5. She said that she had been practicing law in that firm for two years. 6. The attorney said that a lot of crimes had been prevented by the police.

b) 1. He said that much effort would be made to settle the problem. 2. They declared that they would set an independent law society. 3. I said that I should have been interviewing the witnesses till the trial began. 4. Jane said that we should prevent Tom from making such a decision. 5. The police officer told us that the crime would have been discovered by the end of the week. 6. They said that he would be preparing for his report the next day long.

 

2. Open the brackets using the correct tense-form of the verb:

1. She said that Professor N. (to tell) about the legal system in Great Britain at that time. 2. Professor N. told us that the students (to listen) to all his lectures with great interest. 3. He said that they already (to discuss) the matter in details and (to sign) the contract the next day. 4. He said that he (to read) that document, when John came to him. 5. The newspaper reported that the day before yesterday many cars (to get) into a traffic accident because it (to snow) all day long. 6. He said that he (to finish) his practice at this law office by the end of the month. 7. They declared that considerable changes (to make) in legislation in recent years.

 

3. Change the Direct Speech into Indirect:

1. I told John, "I have lost my textbook here". 2. Jim told the policeman, "I was a witness of that accident yesterday". 3. The teacher told the students, "I'm going to give you a test the day after tomorrow". 4. Jane said, "It's necessary to discuss the annual report of this committee today". 5. Professor Smith said to John, "I shall have read your thesis by tomorrow". 6. Sam told us, "I was fined by a policeman two days ago". 7. Pete said, "I shall provide the evidence next week." 8. He said, "We shall be discussing this case from 3 till 5 tomorrow". 9. She said, "I go to the institute by bus every day". 10. Pete said, "I'm studying the investigator's report now".

 

4. Translate the sentences:

1. Мы знали, что сейчас обсуждаются новые положения уголовного законодательства. 2. Я не знал, что Джону уже присвоили степень бакалавра. 3. Она сказала мне, что знает три иностранных языка. 4. Он спросил меня, кто будет рассматривать это сложное дело. 5. Ольга считала, что необходимо дополнить доклад спис­ком литературы. 6. Он полагал, что преступник будет скоро обнаружен. 7. Мне говорили, что этот закон был отменен. 8. Я думал, что его уже приняли в коллегию адвокатов. 9. Я знал, что договор уже подписан. 10. Я думал, что вам понравится его отчет. 11. Профессор сказал, что экзамен будет или во вторник, или в среду. 12. Все полагали, что члены комитета будут утверждены к концу недели. 13. Джим сказал, что он придет завтра.

 

WORD-BUILDING

 

Аффикс	Производящая основа	Производная основа	Словообразовательное значение	Примеры
-ism	Существительное Прилагательное	Существительное Существительное	а) Учение, теория, направление, общественный строй.   б) Опредмеченное действие или его результат.	Darwin - Darwinism capital – capitalism hero – heroism
dis-	Глагол	Глагол	а) Действие, противоположное указанному мотивирующей основой. б) Лишать чего-н.	to agree – to disagree   to colour – to discolour
Прилагательное	Прилагательное	Противоположное качество.	loyal – disloyal

 

Exercises

1. Form the derivatives with the help of the affixes: a) -ism, b) dis-; translate them into Russian.

a) material, human, ideal, individual, real, capital, progressive, evolution, impression, Nazi, colonial, conservative, vandal, moral, union;

b) to agree, to like, to organize, to continue, to interest, to qualify.

2. Give the same notion in one word:

not loyal, not honest, cease to use, cease to continue, cease to connect.

 

READING

A – 1

1. Read the following words; mind their pronunciation:

executive [èg“zekjutèv], policy [“pîlèsè], exercise [“eksåsaèz], chancellor [“÷a:nsålå], exchequer [èks“÷ekå], majesty [“mýdæåstè], treasury [“treæårè].

 

2. Look through the plans and say which one is suitable to speak on the topic “THE GOVERNMENT”:

1. Head of the Government.

2. Cabinet.

3. Ministers.

4. Government Department.

 

1. Prime-Minister.

2. Home Minister.

3. Foreign Minister.

4. Minister of Education.

 

3. Read and translate the text; explain your variants of translation of word-combinations in black type:

 

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT

The Executive branch of power in Great Britain is represented by the Cabinet and other ministers of the crown, Government departments, local authorities and statutory boards.

Her Majesty’s Government is the body of ministers charged with the administration of national affairs. Framing the foreign and home policies is one of the main functions of the government. In recent years the scope of governmental functions has become wider. Now it is also responsible for supervising finance, different social services, etc.

The leader of the party that has a majority in the House of Commons is appointed Prime Minister by the Sovereign. All affairs of the state are conducted in the name of the Queen (King), but really the PM is responsible for every matter submitted to Parliament. He is a virtual ruler of the country. Informing the sovereign of the general business of the Government is what the PM does as well. He also presides over the meetings of the Cabinet, which are always secret.

The Cabinet has no legal existence beyond the powers of the ministers of the Crown. It is simply a committee for carrying out the business of the Government. The functions of the Cabinet are to initiate and decide on policy, to exercise the supreme control of government and to coordinate Government Departments. The chairman of the Cabinet is the PM. It is he who appoints its members, summons it and can dissolve it.

Who usually constitutes the Cabinet are the PM, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Foreign Secretary, the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Secretary of State for Education and Science, etc. Most Cabinet ministers hold posts of heads of Government departments. Each Department specializes in a particular subject. The key government departments are: The Cabinet Office, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defense and the Home Office.

Ministers in charge of Government departments are professional politicians. They are appointed because of their deep knowledge of the subject handled by the Department they are at the head of. They are known as “Secretaries of State” or “Ministers” or may have a traditional title.

 

4. Give the Russian for:

to be represented by, body of ministers, supervise finance, to be conducted in the name of the Queen, virtual ruler of the country, to carry out the business of the country, to exercise the control, to appoint, to summon, to dissolve, the Ministry of Defense, the Home Office, in charge of, deep knowledge of the subject.

5. Give the English for:

местные власти, установленный законом орган управления, государственные дела, закрытое (тайное) заседание, определять политику, составлять кабинет, министр иностранных дел, министр обороны, казначейство её величества, министерство по иностранным делам и делам содружества, профессиональный политик, управлять (осуществлять контроль).

 

6. Match the words:

to supervise	authorities
to appoint	meeting
local	knowledge
Foreign	policy
secret	Secretary
statutory	members
to dissolve	Minister
Prime	title
home	the Cabinet
traditional	social services
deep	boards

 

7. Make up word-combinations; mind the prepositions:

to be represented	with	governmental functions
to be responsible	on	the Exchequer
to be appointed	by	administration of national affairs
to be charged	at	supervising finance
to decide		policy
the scope	of	the Sovereign
the Chancellor	for	the Cabinet
to be	-	the head of

 

8. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the composition of the executive branch of power in Great Britain? 2. What is the main function of Her Majesty’s Government? 3. Who is appointed Prime Minister by the Sovereign? 4. Who is the virtual ruler of Great Britain? 5. What kind of body is the Cabinet of Ministers in Great Britain? 6. What is the main function of the Cabinet? 7. Who is the chairman of the Cabinet? 8. Who usually constitutes the Cabinet? 9. What posts do most Cabinet ministers hold? 10. What are the main government departments in Great Britain? 11. Are ministers in charge of Government departments professional politicians? 12. What is the ground for the ministerial appointments in Great Britain? 13. What are the traditional titles of the ministers in Great Britain?

 

 

A - 2

1. Read the following words and proper names; mind their pronunciation:

style [staèl], colleague [“kîli:g], bi-lateral [”baè“lýtårål];

Downing Street [“daunèí stri:t], Margaret Thatcher [“ma:gråt “Òý÷å], Tony Blair [“tåunè “blçå], Gordon Brown [“gÎdn “braun].

 

2. Read the following international words and give their Russian equivalents stating differences in meaning of the English and Russian words, if any:

colleague, minister, cabinet, regular, style, personal, ratification, secretariat, Prime Minister.

 

3. Translate the following family words:

member – membership, to oblige – obligatory – obligation, to ratify – ratification.

 

4. Skim the text to complete the following statements:

1. This text deals with … 2. The first paragraph is about … 3. The second paragraph gives details about … 4. The third paragraph is devoted to … 5. In the fourth paragraph there is information about … 6. The main idea of the fifth paragraph is … 7. Finally, there are some facts connected with …

 

MEETINGS OF THE CABINET

In Great Britain “Her Majesty’s Government” or the Cabinet consists of 20 ministers. The number is not strict – it depends on the desire of the Prime Minister, although the membership of senior ministers is obligatory.

The meetings of the Cabinet take place at No. 10 Downing Street. They are regular – every week on Thursday morning but the Prime Minister has the authority to summon the Cabinet to meet at any time if the situation so requires. The length of meetings varies according to the style of the Prime Minister and political conditions. Today meetings can be as little as 30 minutes in length because the Prime Minister often has discussions with individual departmental Cabinet colleagues before the official ratification.

The Ministers discuss the most important issues of government policy and make decisions. They should decide matters concerning their departments, but on important political matters they consult their colleagues collectively. Their decision binds the Government as a whole.

The Cabinet has numerous sub-committees which focus on particular policy areas. These may be permanent committees or those set up for a short period to look at particular issues. The members of these committees are Secretaries of State and Junior Ministers. A small secretariat within the Cabinet office is responsible for the transaction of government business through meetings of the Cabinet and its committees.

In recent years, weekly meetings of the full Cabinet were to be more concerned with the exchange of information and ratification of decisions, major decisions being taken by Cabinet Committees or in informal groups, often bi-laterals between the Prime Minister and an individual minister.

Most Prime Ministers have had a so-called "kitchen cabinet"¹ consisting of their own trusted advisers who may be Cabinet members but are often trusted personal advisers on their own staff. In recent governments (generally from Margaret Thatcher), and especially in that of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, it has been reported that many, or even all major decisions have been said to be made before cabinet meetings.

 

Note: ¹kitchen cabinet - "кухонный" кабинет (группа неофициальных советников главы правительства)

5. Say what you have learned from the text about:

a) the meetings of the Cabinet; b) the functions of the sub-committees; c) the “kitchen cabinet”.

 

A – 3

1. Scan the text and entitle it:

In the United Kingdome of Great Britain and Northern Ireland the Prime Minister is the most senior officer of the government. He is appointed by the Sovereign. Traditionally it is the person who has support of the House of Commons (normally, the leader of the party with a majority in that body). If the Prime Minister loses the confidence of the House of Commons, he or she is morally obliged by similar conventions either to resign (in which case the Sovereign can try to find another Prime Minister who has the House's confidence) or to request the monarch to call a general election.

The Prime Minister holds one of ministerial offices. He is normally First Lord of the Treasury—and indeed receives his or her salary and public accommodation only by virtue of that office.

 

B – 1

1. Read the following words; mind their pronunciation:

appointee [åpîèn“ti:], faithfully [“feèÒfulè], budget [“bàdæåt], solemnly [“sîlåmlè], according [å“kÎdèí], execute [“eksè”kju:t].

 

2. Read and translate the text; explain your variants of translation of the sentences in black type:

 

EXECUTIVE POWER IN THE USA

The executive branch of the government enforces the law. It is vested in the President, who holds office during the term of four years and is elected together with the Vice-President. Article II of the Constitution prescribes that before the president takes office, he or she must solemnly swear to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The executive branch is made up of the President and all that fall under the President’s statute, including appointees, administrative agencies and all departments established to execute the law. The President can neither create legislation, nor encroach upon the legislative branch. Many of the President’s appointees, as well, must be approved by the legislative branch. For example, the President appoints the Judges to the Supreme Court but his nominations must be approved by the Senate. So the branches are not absolutely separate as they should be according to the theory of separation of powers which states that all the branches of power – the legislative (Senate and House of Representatives), the executive (President) and the judiciary (Supreme Court) are discrete bodies. They should not be united in one body if the state is democratic.

Among the duties and powers of the President listed by the Constitution are the following ones: the President is Commander-in Chief of the armed forces, he makes treaties and appoints ambassadors to foreign powers as well as other high officers of the United States. Within his competence is also responsibility for taking care that the laws be faithfully executed.

The administrative business of the nation is conducted by Secretaries who form the Cabinet. They are appointed by the President but their nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. The Cabinet is a kind of an advisory group to the President. The Cabinet members are: the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney-General¹, the Secretary of the Interior, etc. The Vice-President participates in the Cabinet meetings as well.

The executive Officers of the President are represented by a group of agencies. First of all these are the White House Office, the Bureau of the Budget, the National Security Council, the Central Intelligence Agency², etc. These are bodies which carry out administrative functions.

 

Notes:

¹Attorney-General – а) министр юстиции и генеральный прокурор (в США); б) главный прокурор штата (в США)

²Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - ЦРУ

 

3. Give the Russian for:

to be vested in the president, appointee, to fall under the statute, to create legislation, Commander-in-Chief, to make treaties, to be faithfully executed, to be confirmed by the Senate, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of the Interior, to participate in the meetings, to carry out administrative functions.

 

4. Give the English for:

вводить закон в действие, занимать пост, вступить в должность (приступить к выполнению своих обязанностей), исполнять закон, вторгаться в дела законодательной ветви власти, обособленные (отдельные) ведомства, вооружённые силы, назначать послов для службы в иностранных державах, административные дела государства, консультативный совет, госсекретарь.

 

5. Explain what is wrong in the sentences:

1. The Executive branch of power enacts the laws. 2. The head of the Executive branch of power is the Vice-President. 3. Before the President takes office he must swear to “preserve, protect and neglect the Constitution of the United States”. 4. The President is the head of the executive branch of a state government. 5. Many of the President’s appointees must be approved by the judiciary. 6. In the USA the three branches of power are absolutely separated. 7. The main powers of the President are: the President is Commander-in Chief of the armed forces, he makes treaties but he does not appoint ambassadors to foreign powers as well as other high officers of the United States. 8. The administrative business of the nation is conducted by the Supreme Court Judges. 9. The Cabinet members are: the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney-General, the Secretary of the Interior and the Police Officer.10. The executive Officers of the President are not represented by a group of agencies.

 

B – 2

1. Read the following words and proper names; mind their pronunciation:

structure [“stràk÷å], procedure [prå“si:dæå], judiciary [dæu:“dèøårè];

Chicago [øè“ka:gåu], Nebraska [nå“brýskå].

 

2. Read the following international words and give their Russian equivalents stating differences in meaning of the English and Russian words, if any:

budget, procedure, camera, statute, president, theory, democratic, competence.

 

3. Analyse the structure of the following words:

complexity, bicameralism, voter, to enforce, president, democratic, competence.

 

4. Scan the text and its summary and insert the missing words:

There are different layers of government in the USA – federal, state, … and local. Closest to the everyday issues of the citizens is … government. Every state has its own constitution, government and …. The head of state is the …. Within the state government there are many … which are very specialized, i.e. they deal with special issues like traffic or water supply.

 

THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

The governmental system in the United States has several layers – federal, state, county and local. The complexity of the cities’ political and governmental structure is great. For example, the “real Chicago” spreads over 2 states, 6 counties, 10 towns, 30 cities, 49 townships, and over 110 villages. The structure includes 235 tax districts and more than 400 school districts.

The state governments have the greatest influence over most Americans' daily lives because they handle the issues most relevant for an individual in that state. The state also goes through budget cuts at any time the economy is unstable.

Each state has its own written constitution, government, and code of laws. There are sometimes great differences in law and procedure between individual states, concerning issues such as property, crime, health, and education. The highest elected official of each state is the Governor. Each state also has an elected state legislature (bicameralism is a feature of every state except Nebraska), whose members represent the voters of the state. Each state maintains its own state court system. In some states, supreme and lower court judges are elected by the people; in others, they are appointed, as they are in the federal system.

The institutions that are responsible for local government in states are typically town, city, or county boards, water management districts, fire management districts, library districts, and other similar governmental units which make laws that affect their particular area. These laws concern issues such as traffic, the sale of alcohol, and the keeping of animals, etc. The highest elected official of a town or city is usually the mayor.

 

5. Scan the text once again and retell it.

 

B – 3

1. Read the following words; mind their pronunciation:

eligible [“elèdæåbl], vary [“veårè], literacy [“lètåråsè], clerk [kla:k], nominee [”nîmè“ni:], campaign [kým“peèn], ex officio [eks å“fèøèåu].

 

2. Read the following international words and give their Russian equivalents stating differences in meaning of the English and Russian words, if any:

campaign, platform, commission, clerk, candidate, delegation, to combine, convention.

3. Analyse the structure of the following words:

citizenship, qualification, indirectly, nominee.

 

4. Remember the following words:

residence - местожительство; местонахождение, местопребывание

1. This is the official residence of the President. 2. There is a good residence for sale.

to be eligible for – соответствовать (чему-н.), иметь право (на что-н.)

1. He is eligible to be elected a deputy. 2. He is eligible for the post.

literacy – грамотность

1. Computer-literacy is required for our employees. 2. The government started literacy campaign.

precinct - административный округ, относящийся к определённому полицейскому или избирательному участку в городе

1. Precinct is a division of a town or a city for election or police purposes.

polling – голосование

1. Polling was quite heavy. 2. We are going to the polling place.

 

5. Scan the text and say if the system of election is direct or indirect in the USA; explain what it means.

 

ELECTIONS IN THE USA

The USA Constitution includes certain requirements for candidates for a post of a president, a vice-president, a senator or a representative. The requirements usually concern age, residence and citizenship. The candidates who meet all these requirements are considered eligible for office.

A residence qualification requires a permanent residence of a person in order to get the right to vote and to be elected. The duration of the residence qualification is in general a few months, though it may vary from state to state.

Besides, some states have the so-called literacy qualification (the voter should be able to read and speak English, he (she) must know how to interpret the USA constitution, etc.)

The voters are registered by clerks of counties or towns and by local election commissions which are usually composed of two members, one representing each of the major parties and a third ex officio¹ member: a sheriff, a county judge, or a clerk. Prior to holding primary or general election the commission appoints election officers for each precinct and also arranges for polling places. After the ballots have been cast, they are counted and the results obtained are tabulated and returned to the election commission which officially counts them.

Unlike most other countries using the presidential system, presidents are elected indirectly in the United States. A number of electors, collectively known as the United States Electoral College², select the president instead. Each state is allocated a number of electors, equal to the size of its delegation in both houses of Congress combined. Electors are appointed by state legislators.

The modern presidential campaign begins before the primary elections, which the two major political parties use to clear the field of candidates in advance of their national nominating conventions, where the most successful candidate is made the party's nominee for president. By convention the party's presidential candidate chooses a vice presidential nominee. Also, the party establishes a platform on which to base its campaign. Although nominating conventions have a long history in the United States, their substantive importance in the political process has greatly diminished; however, they remain important as a way of energizing the parties for the general election and focusing public attention on the nominees.

^Notes:

¹ex officio - по должности, в силу занимаемой должности, должностной, официальный

²electoral college - 1) коллегия выборщиков (президента и вице-президента США); 2) избирательная коллегия

6. Scan the text once again and find English sentences which correspond to the Russian ones:

1. Кандидаты, отвечающие всем предъявленным требованиям, могут претендовать на эту должность. 2. В среднем кандидат на должность обязан постоянно проживать в одном месте несколько месяцев, хотя в разных штатах это требование может не совпадать. 3. Прежде чем проводить предварительные или всеобщие выборы, комиссия назначает главу избирательной комиссии каждого административного округа, а также готовит пункты для голосования. 4. Количество избирателей от каждого штата пропорционально сумме количества мест в обеих палатах Конгресса. 5. Партия разрабатывает платформу, на которой будет строиться избирательная кампания.

 

ORAL SPEECH PRACTICE

I. Mind your grammar when you speak

1. You are listening to a report on TV. You can't hear properly some of the phrases, ask your friend to repeat them:

Model: A: What did he say?

B: He said that 160,000 pounds had been stolen.

Prompts: 1. The modern presidential campaign begins before the primary election. 2. The voters are registered by clerks. 3. Each state is allocated a number of electors. 4. He is not eligible for the office. 5. The duration of the residence qualification is in general a few months.

 

2. You are investigating a serious crime. Telegrams you found are good evidence. Read them and explain to your colleague what each would be in full:

Model: Your letter received. Thanks for presents. Expect you soon. Laura.

Laura said in the telegram that the letter had been received and thanked somebody for the presents. Laura added that she expected somebody.

Prompts: 1. No telegram. Sam detained. Come immediate­ly. Frank. 2. Documents lost. Staying here dangerous. Sam. 3. Life in danger. Frank. 4. Your presence necessary. Come without delay. Friend. 5. Meet tomorrow. "Red Arrow " train. Frank. 6. Expecting you Monday-Wednesday. Bring all papers. Sam.

3. You head the department of news in the local newspaper. Consult your chief what information to publish. Tell him about the news received lately:

Model: A woman escaped with 1,500 pounds yesterday after

threatening a shop assistant with a pistol at Leeds Building Society.

Our correspondent from Essex reported that a woman had escaped with 1,500 pounds yesterday after threatening a shop assistant with a pistol at Leeds Building Society.

Prompts: 1. Somali pirates who held a Ukrainian ship for five months free the vessel. 2. On election day, hundreds of Kurds complained that they couldn't find their names on voter registration lists. 3. The Bank of England has reduced interest rates to 1% from 1.5% in an attempt to push the slowing economy. 3. Snow still causes chaos across the UK, bringing school closures. 4. Car giant Ford is to cut up to 850 jobs. 5. Governor OKs $142 million in cuts; thousands of students plan to protest at state capitol. 6. With the theme "a new birth of freedom," Obama has modeled his inauguration after Abraham Lincoln's. 7. Schwarzenegger and Crist are among the governors who sent the President a letter in support of his plan. 8. Pope Benedict XVI spent five days in April of 2008 in the United States. 9. More parents are being held criminally liable for their teens' drinking parties.

 

 

II. Conversational formulas

 

 

Ways of expressing surprise

 

Oh!	– А-а! Ах!
Indeed?	– Неужели?
Really?	– Это действительно так?
Good heavens!	– Боже мой!
Dear me!
What a surprise!	– Подумать только! Удивительно!
Well, I never!	– Никогда бы не подумал!
Oh, are you?
Oh, do you?
Oh, did she?	– Неужели? Что вы говорите?
Oh, were they?
etc.
Get away!	– Перестаньте! Этого не может быть!
You can't be serious!	– Вы шутите!

 

Exercises

 

1. Read and practise the following flashes of conversation, work in pairs:

 

A: Do you remember Bett Devis? She lived next door to me.

B: Yes, I do.

A: She is a filmstar now!

B: Really? I remember that she was fond of acting.

 

A: What do you think about Tom Fox?

B: Tom? What do you mean?

A: Well, haven't you heard? He's just become an Olympic

champion.

B: Has he really? Well, I never! I didn't even know that he

went in for sports.

 

А: I suppose you've heard the sad news about Frank?

B: Has anything happened?

A: I'm sorry, but Frank was injured in a car accident.

B: Oh! Good heavens! It can't be so!

 

A: Hi, Victor! How are you?

B: Fine, thank you! I see you are OK too.

A: You're right! I've just got a letter with the information that I

was awarded a prize.

B: Oh, were you? What a surprise! I congratulate you!

 

A: Oh, mum! Don't forget to take an umbrella, when you go for a walk.

B: Get away, dear. The sun is shining brightly and there are no clouds.

A: But I heard the weather forecast. I know that it will be a rainy day.

A: Oh, darling! I have a surprise for you.

B: You again lost your money, didn't you?

A: No, I have won a car in the lottery!

B: Dear me! You can't be serious! Well, I never!

 

2. Translate the Russian phrases in the following flashes of conversation, work in pairs:

 

A: Hallo, could I speak to Mr. Andrew?

B: I'm sorry, Mr. Andrew is out. He has left for London.

A: Неужели? Что вы говорите! Не promised to give several

consultations to the experts of our firm.

 

A: Sam, haven't you heard the news? Helen will sing in a TV

programme tomorrow!

B: Это действительно так? Рад за нее.

 

A: Dr. Rankins married and has two children now.

B: Вы шутите! Не is sixty.

 

A: Sally, will you come to the dancing party?

B: Я? Боже мой! Конечно, нет! I can't waste time on shaking

and twisting. I'd better sit and read a book.

 

A: Oh, Frankie! I can hardly recognise you. You look terrific! How are you? How are our classmates?

B: Glad to see you, Bob. I'm fine I seldom meet our classmates but Roy Sutcliff. We are colleagues.

А: Никогда бы не подумал! Не can't be working at school as he graduated from the Medical faculty.

3. Express surprise at your friend's statement:

Model: You think that it's easier to lose weight than to stay slim.

A: It's easier to lose weight than to stay slim.

B: Indeed? Get away. I think quite the opposite.

Prompts: 1. You say that you like classical music. 2. You say that Donald has won the competition. 3. You say that you invited the Robertsons to dinner. 4. You say that your classmate was appointed the manager of your firm. 5. You say that Dr. Parker is no longer practising law. 6. You say that Mike turned out to be a good pianist. 7. You say that you prefer work to play. 8. You say that it's difficult to drive a car.

 

III. Dialogue

1. Read the dialogue:

 

Mikhail Petrov, a postgraduate of Saratov State Law Academy Academy, is the Vice-Chairman of the Youth Public Parliament of the Russian Federation. As a member of the Youth Parliament he visited the United Kingdom of Great Britain and took part in a conference. Members of the British Parliament were among the participants of the conference. Mikhail had a talk with Gary Hart, Member of Parliament, representative of the Conservative Party and asked the deputy several questions.

 

Mikhail: Mr. Hart, I’d like to ask you a question about the British Shadow Cabinet. I heard much about this body but know little.

Mr. Hart: My dear friend, the Shadow Cabinet, also called the Opposition Front Bench, is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster System of government who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the government’s. Since May 1997, the Official Opposition has been the Conservative Party.

Mikhail: Why do you use the word “shadow” and not just the term opposition?

Mr. Hart: You see, members of such a cabinet shadow or mark each individual member of the government. The shadow cabinet is, in effect, the alternative administration. Members of a shadow cabinet are often but not always appointed to a Cabinet post, if and when their party gets into government.

Mikhail: Mr. Hart, several times I’ve come across such a title – Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

Mr. Hart: You’re right, in the United Kingdom and Canada the major opposition party is often called Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. The word “loyal” is used because while there are policy differences, everyone acknowledges the role of the opposition in the system. However, in other countries that use the Westminster System the opposition is known simply as The Parliamentary Opposition.

Mikhail: Mr. Hart, what is the most public parliamentary function of the Leader of the Opposition and the Opposition itself?

Mr. Hart: The most public parliamentary function of the Leader of the Opposition is Prime Minister’s Questions. The Leader of the Opposition has six questions which he asks during an opposition day. As for the other ministers’ questions I can say that every government department is subjected to questions in the House of Commons, and the House of Lords. The official opposition spokesmen can ask a number of questions. Backbench MPs are free to ask questions too. In the House of Lords opposition spokesmen also question the government.

Mikhail: Are special conferences held in the British Parliament when the opposition’s questions may be asked and answered?

Mr. Hart: You see, the British Parliament has a tradition of frequent “Opposition Days”. Out of a total some 160 days per session, every eighth day is an opposition day. This means that on those days issues proposed for consideration by the opposition shall have precedence over Government business.

Mikhail: Can we speak about cooperation between the government and the opposition?

Mr. Hart: Dear friend, I want you to get the main idea of the loyal opposition in Parliament. Opposition and government are not at war. Both sides have a common goal – the country’s stability, happiness and prosperity. Disagreements are only in methods which are employed to achieve these goals. A Shadow Cabinet helps keep the government accountable and thus raise the quality of decision-making in the country.

Mikhail: How are opposition parties financed?

Mr. Hart: Opposition parties in the UK have access to two sources of public funding. The first, known as “short money”, is only available to opposition parties and includes funding to assist an opposition party in carrying out its Parliamentary business. The second source of public funding is the Policy Development Grant. Under the provisions of the Parliamentary Act, 2 million pounds are allocated among all political parties with more than two MPs in the House of Commons.

Mikhail: Mr. Hart, thank you very much for such an interesting piece of information.

 

2. Say what you have learned from the dialogue about:

a) Sadow Cabinet, b) the most public parliamentary function of the Leader of the Opposition; c) sources of public funding of the opposition.

 

3. Act out the dialogue.

 

IV. Problem solving

 

1. Compare the structure of the state power of Great Britain and that of the Russian Federation and comment on their differences and similarities.

 

2. Read Article 114 of the RF Constitution and discuss the functions of the Government of the Russian Federation.

 

Article 114

 

1. The Government of the Russian Federation shall:

a. work out and submit to the State Duma the federal budget and ensure its implementation, submit to the State Duma a report on the implementation of the federal budget;

b. ensure the implementation in the Russian Federation of a single financial, credit and monetary policy;

c. ensure the implementation in the Russian Federation of a single policy in the sphere of culture, science, education, health protection, ecology;

d. manage the federal property;

e. carry out measures to secure the defense of the country, the state security, and the implementation of the foreign policy of the Russian federation;

f. implement measures to ensure the rule of the law, human rights and freedoms, protection of property and public order, and crime control;

g. exercise other powers vested in it by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the federal laws and decrees of the President of the Russian Federation.

 

2. The rules of activities of the Government of the Russian Federation shall be determined by the federal constitutional law.

 

3. Take the test. Compare the results with those of your friend.

 

TEST “POLITICAL SYSTEMS”

 

1. Political system of Great Britain is…

a) a Democratic republic;

b) a Monarchy;

c) a Parliamentary republic.

 

2. The British Parliament consists if … Houses.

a) two;

b) three;

c) four.

 

3. The official Head of State in Britain is…

a) the Prime Minister;

b) the Queen;

c) the Assembly of People’s Representatives.

4. The British Prime Minister is appointed by …

a) the State Law;

b) the Queen;

c) the Parliament.

 

5. The Official Opposition in the British Parliament forms …

a) Opposition Front;

b) Government in exile;

c) Shadow Cabinet.

 

6. The judicial branch of power in Britain is represented by …

a) the Queen;

b) the House of Lords;

c) the House of Commons.

 

7. American Parliament is called …

a) the Federal Assembly;

b) the State Council;

c) Congress.

 

8. The main Court in the USA is …

a) the Congress;

b) the Supreme Court;

c) the Assembly of Judges.

 

9. Political system of the Russian federation is …

a) presiden