Read the following questions and circle the best answer.

1. In paragraph one, what does the word “it” refers to?

(A) Nation

(B) Law

(C) The United States

(D) The constitution

2. In paragraph one, how many amendments have been added to the U.S. constitution to date?

(A) 10

(B) 20

(C) 27

(D) 12

3. In paragraph one, it can be inferred that the Bill of Rights is…

(A) The 10 amendments the first Congress ratified ensuring American's basic rights

(B) The 10 amendments the first Congress ratified ensuring American's fundamental rights

(C) The 10 amendments the first Congress ratified ensuring American's civil liberties

(D) All of the above 1212

4. In paragraph two, how many articles does the U.S. constitution have?

(A) Nine

(B) Eight

(C) Seven

(D) More than 20

5. In paragraph two, the word “places” is closest in meaning to…

(A) Puts

(B) Advertises

(C) Recognizes

(D) Organizes

6. In paragraph two, from the phrase "article VII stipulates that the constitution can only become operational after ratification by nine states," it can be inferred that

(A) Ratification of the constitution by nine states was good

(B) Ratification of the constitution by nine states was optional

(C) Ratification of the constitution by nine states was easy

(D) Ratification of the constitution by nine states was required

7. In paragraph three, president's power to veto laws passed by Congress is an example of

(A)Judicial review

(B) Conflict of interests

(C) Review

(D) Checks and balances

 

 

8. In paragraph three, what does the word “its” refer to?

(A) Power

(B) Branch

(C) One

(D) System

Post-Reading Activities

Language focus

Write off five new words or expressions from the text and make up sentences with them.

Focus on translation/interpretation

INTERPRETATION TASK

Work in pairs changing roles from time to time

Student A

Try your best to sight interpret chunks of the texts above.

Student B

Check the sight interpretation of the Student A for any grammatical, structural and lexical mistakes (be critical).

Task 1

Prepare a speech.

Describe some of the distinctive features of KZ legal system and constitution, first as if to a foreign lawyer, then as if to a foreign lay person.

 

Task 2

Talk on the ‘human rights’ issue in the world. Do you think it’s similar everywhere around the world? Or do some countries honor the human rights more than others?

 

Task

Write an article for an international magazine about constitutional and legal status of a citizen of Kazakhstan. Mention basic human rights and its protection. Are you proud of being a citizen of Kazakhstan?

TIPS

Writing an article for a magazine is slightly different than writing essays. Here are few facts about articles in general.

1) The title needs to be loud, meaning you need to catch the reader’s attention with the headline.

2) Good article is always informative and easy to read at the same time.

3) The conclusion of an article makes people think and leaves with more unanswered questions.