Task 2. Paragraph check. Choose the most suitable heading from the list A-G for each paragraph (1-6) of the text. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use

A The structure of the Federal Assembly

B The powers (competence) of the State Duma

C The laws considered by the Federation Council

D The appointment of the Chairman of the Government

E The duties and powers of the government

F The issues within the jurisdiction of the Federation Council

G The procedure of no confidence in the government

Task 3. Match English words and word combinations with their Russian equivalents

a) committee 1. комитет

b) commission 2. Федеральное Собрание

c) the Federal Assembly 3. комиссия

d) supreme body 4. Генеральный Прокурор

e) the General Prosecutor 5. высший орган

f) the Federation Council 6. Совет Министров

g) the deputy Chairman 7. Совет Безопасности

h) the Council of Ministers 8. Счетная Палата

i) the Accounts Chamber 9. Совет Федераций

j) the Security Council 10. заместитель председателя

 

Task 4. Put the missing verbs into these sentences

1. The Federation Council... two representatives from each region.

2. The Federation Council and the State Duma ……. separately but they have the right ……. the decision... closed sessions.

3. The Federal Council ….. decisions on changes of borders between the constituent entities.

4. The State Duma... charges against the President and gives suggestion on his impeachment.

5. Should the selected candidate be rejected three times, the President ……… the Chairman of the Government himself... the State Duma and ……… new elections.

Task 5. Scan the text to choose the best ending to these incomplete sen­tences

1. The Parliament consists of... (one branch only, two chambers, several committees).

2. The Federation Council and the State Duma sit... (separately, together, with other governmental subcommittees).

3. Military forces cannot be used outside the country without the approval of... C The State Duma, the Federation Council, the President).

4. Appointment of the Supreme body of the judicial branch is within the competence of... (the Chairman of the Government, the Federation Council, the Treasury).

5. Charges against the President can be issued by... (the government, the deputy chairmen, the State Duma).

6. The Chairman's candidate is appointed by... (the deputy Chairman, the Federation Council, the President).

Task 6. Say if it is True or False

1. The Federal Council doesn't approve decisions on changes of borders between the constituent entities.

2. It is within the competence of the State Duma to appoint and dismiss the Chairman of the Central Bank.

3. The government consists only of the federal ministers.

4. The Chairman's candidate is not to be approved by the State Duma.

5. Should the selected candidate be rejected three times, the President appoints the Prime Minister himself.

6. A draft budget is to be discussed by the State Duma.

7. Measures to ensure state security are carried out by the govern­ment.

Task 7. Answer the following "Whose-right-is-it” questions

1.... to approve the President's appointment?

2.... to appoint the Accounts Chamber?

3.... to have the final decision on the impeachment of the President"?

4.... to dissolve or decline the power of the Government or dissolve the State Duma?

Task 8. Read the text in detail to answer the following questions

1. What kind of a functioning body is the Federal Assembly?

2. Are there clear limitations of competence in each chamber in the Federal Assembly?

3. What chamber has the right to conduct closed sessions?

4. What chamber is responsible for the consideration of financial problems?

5. In what connection does the word "impeachment" appear in the text?

 

For the next session (Bachelor’s Programme)

Variant I.