- •I. Us government
- •1. Read and translate the text:
- •Vocabulary:
- •Vocabulary notes:
- •Duties of the President and Vice-President
- •5. Match the departments (left column) with their responsibilities (right column):
- •III. Legislative branch: the congress
- •1. Read and translate the text:
- •Vocabulary:
- •5. Complete the following text by translating the words or expressions in brackets:
- •6. Speak on:
- •IV. The judicial system of the u.S.A.
- •Vocabulary:
- •1. Give the English equivalents for the following words and word combinations:
- •4. Speak on:
- •Unit II
- •I. Us constitution I
- •Vocabulary:
- •Us constitution II
- •Vocabulary:
- •10. Find the English equivalents for:
- •11. Speak on:
- •2. Answer the questions:
- •3. Discuss the following questions:
- •1. Read and translate the text:
- •Vocabulary:
- •1. Give the English equivalents for:
- •2. Choose the correct answer:
- •3. Shorten the text above writing out the key sentences from it and try to retell it.
- •4. Read the text without a dictionary. Try to catch the main idea: the separation of powers in state government
- •Vocabulary:
- •5. Say if the following statements are true or false (see the text above):
- •Unit III.
- •Major political parties
- •1. Read and translate the text:
- •Vocabulary:
- •2. Give the English equivalents for:
- •3. Match each word on the left with the right definition on the right:
- •4. Answer the questions:
- •Vocabulary:
- •6. Say what party is spoken about in each sentence:
- •7. Speak on:
- •1. Read and translate the text:
- •Vocabulary:
- •Political attitudes
- •Courts in the united states
- •Cost of government
- •The constitution as a supreme law
- •The lawmaking process
- •Power in international relations
- •Elections
- •Библиографический список
5. Match the departments (left column) with their responsibilities (right column):
1. Education |
takes tax money from our paychecks |
2. Health and Human Services |
acts in legal matters |
3. Treasury |
administers many social programmes |
4. Justice |
administers and co-ordinates financial aid to schools |
Speak on:
The executive branch of your country.
III. Legislative branch: the congress
1. Read and translate the text:
The legislative branch is the Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The main function of the legislative branch is to make laws. The Congress can make laws about trade, taxes, citizenship and about the District of Columbia. It can maintain Army, Navy and Air Force, declare war, establish U.S. Post Office, print and borrow money. The Congress cannot take away the right to a trial, give title to nobility, put a tax on exports, and use tax money without authorization. It cannot make laws about marriage, driver’s licenses, police, etc. (These are done by the states).
The Constitution established that the Congress must meet regularly. A new Congress begins every two years with the election of new Senators and Representatives. The Congress meets for its sessions in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia). The House of Representatives has a large room, the Senate a smaller one and the President has some office for his use.
There are 435 representatives in the House. A Representative must be at least 25, a U.S. citizen for seven years, and live in the state from which he is elected. There is usually one representative for about 580000 people in a state. However, all states must have at least one representative in the House. States with many representatives have more power in the House than states with only a few representatives. Representatives listen to the needs of the people in their districts and their states.
There are 100 members in the Senate, two from each state. Senators must be at least 30 years old; he must live in state and be a U.S. citizen for not less than nine years. Senators are elected for a term of six years. Their special duties are: to ratify or approve treaties, to confirm appointments, to try impeached officials. Only the House of Representatives can impeach officials. Only Senate can try the officials. The Senate decides if the official can stay in office.
In addition to making laws, the main function of the legislative branch, the Constitution also gives Congress the power to raise money by means of taxes or borrowing; to make rules for trade with foreign countries and between states; to organize the Armed Forces; to declare war, etc.
Vocabulary:
authorization разрешение, санкция
a tax налог
a treaty договор
a trial судебное разбирательство
to try officials судить чиновников
Finish the sentences according to the text:
The Congress consists of ……………………………………………
The Congress cannot…………………………………………………
A new Congress begins………………………………………………
The House of Representatives consists of……………………………
The Senate consists of………………………………………………
The main function of the legislative branch is………………….…….
The Constitution gives the Congress the power to…………………...
Find the English equivalents for:
гражданство;
печатать деньги;
наложить налог;
подписывать договор;
собирать деньги;
устанавливать правила.
Make up your own sentences with the following verbs. You may use the text above:
to borrow, to declare, to try, to approve, to impeach.
Answer the following questions:
How is the legislative branch called in America?
What chambers does it consist of?
What is the main function of the Congress?
What cannot the Congress do?
How often does the Congress meet?
For what term are Senators elected?
How many representatives can any state have in the Congress?