методичка 1999г

7.Correct the following wrong statements. Use the phrases: “You are wrong” or “I can’t agree with you” and “As far as I know...” or “According to the text...”.

1.In fact the executive power belongs to the Sovereign.

2.The members to the House of Commons are appointed sometimes by the Queen.

3.The members to the House of Lords are elected.

4.The Prime Minister is the leader of the Opposition.

5.A bill may be introduced to he Parliament only by members of the House of Commons.

6.A bill may become an Act of Parliaments only after the assent of the House of Lords.

8.Be ready to speak on the topic. Use the questions as a plan.

Text 4. How Britain is Run.

Every state has to have a Head, and Britain has the Queen. On the whole, the British people do not want to change from a monarchy to a republic. The Queen establishes continuity in the country, no matter which political party is in power. The Prime Minister and other Ministers receive their appointment from the Queen. The Queen is the Head of the Church of England. She is Commander0in0Chief of the armed forces. She makes treaties and declares war and peace.

Britain is a democracy: men and women over 18 years have a vote. Voting is not compulsory. They have the right to elect a representative to Parliament. The representative is their Member of Parliament or M.P. Any M.P. tries to be of use to all the people living in his electoral area, but he does not take orders from them. Elections in Britain are decided on a simple majority in each constituency - the candidate with most votes is elected. And the party with the most elected members wins the Election. So the number of seats in Parliament held by each political party is not directly related to the total number of votes it receives.

According to the law the Civil Service carries out what government and Ministers order. In Britain it is not political; it has a tradition of serving and giving advice to whatever government is in power. Civil servants are in fact “servants of the Crown” - of the Queen.

Central government affects the citizen in many ways; for example, it provides him with hospital treatment when he is ill, and with a pension in old age. Local government probably affects him even more closely. Many services are provided by the local authority or council. Among them education, housing, highways and public lightening, parks and recreational services. The people elect Councillors for both County and District Councils. Counci-

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lors usually represent a political party; serving on a local council is one way of showing that you could be a good candidate for Parliament. The Councils elect their Chairman to preside over meetings.

A large number of local government officers work at Town Halls in the various districts; they carry out the Councils’ decisions, just as the civil servants act for the central government.

Central government services (such as the Military Forces) are paid chiefly from “Income Tax”, “Corporation Tax on the profits of companies”, “Value Added Tax” (VAT) paid when goods and services are sold, “Inheritance Tax on wealth” transferred from one person to another after death.

Local government services are paid for from the local tax and the money from central government for local purposes.

Sometimes a citizen feels that he has been unjustly treated by a government department and its civil servants. In this case he may lodge a complaint about central government officials. Such complaints are investigated by the “Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration”. The citizen may also have reason to complain about the actions of local government. He can try to get the help of his area Commissioner for Local Government.

3. Translate the following word-combinations: on the whole; to establish continuity; to declare peace; to elect a representative; to be in power; a simple majority; the party with the most elected members; according to the

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law; to carry out; recreational services; public lightening; chiefly; profits of companies; local purposes; officials; hospital treatment.

4.Find in the text the equivalents in the following: глава; получать назначение; объявить войну; член парламента; быть полезным; победить на выборах; общее число голосов; фактически; в старости; председательствовать на собраниях; наследство; вооруженные силы; обходиться несправедливо; доверенный от парламента.

5.Find the answers in the text.

1.What can you say about the role of Queen in Britain?

2.Who has the right in Britain to elect a representative to Parliament?

3.How are elections decided?

4.What can you say about the work of the Civil Service?

5.What governments in Britain affect the citizen?

6.In what way do central and local governments affect the citizen?

7.How are County and District Councils elected? What can you say about them?

8.What work do local government offices carry out?

9.How are central government services paid?

10.How are local government services financed?

11.Who may investigate citizens’complaints about central government officials and about the actions of local government.

6.Finish the following sentences using the text

1.The British people don’t want to change from..

2.The Prime Minister receives his or her appointment from..

3.The Queen establishes continuity in the country no matter..

4.British people have a vote at the age of...

5.Any MP tries to be of use to all people...

6.Elections in Britain are decided on...

7.The party with the most elected members...

8.Civil servants in Britain are in fact...

9.The local authority or council provides the work of...

10.The Councils elect...

11.Local government officers carry out...

12.Local government services are paid for from the local tax and the money from...

13.The complains about central government officials are investigated by...

14.The complaints about the actions of local government are investigated by...

7.Correct the following wrong statements. Use the phrases: “You are wrong” or “I can’t agree with you” and “As far as I know...” or “According to the text...”.

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1.The position of the Queen in Britain depends on the policy of the party which is in power.

2.Every MP takes orders from the people living in his electoral area.

3.The Civil service carries out what government and Ministers order and their servant are “servants of the Prime Minister”

4.Education, housing, parks and recreational are some of the services of central government which very closely affects the citizen.

5.The Councils’ decisions are carried out by the Civil Services.

6.Local government services are paid for only from the local tax.

7.Citizens’ complaints about central and local government officials are investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

8.Be ready to speak on the topic. Use the questions as a plan.

Text 5. Marriage and the Family in Russia

Any man and woman has the right to marry at the age of 18. Marriages may be contracted under 18, however, in certain exceptional circumstances. Special permission is needed for this from the local authorities.

A marriage is legally valid only when registered in the state registrar’s offices. If any of the conditions of registry are violated, the marriage is recognized to be legally null and void.

No restrictions are imposed on marriage by Russian marital law in respect of social, religious, national or racial differences. “Mixed marriages” are common. A child’s nationality is determined by the father or mother.

Marriage is based on love and respect, equality and mutual trust between man and woman. This determines the specific legal relations of a material nature. This implies their common ownership of property acquired during marriage, mutual inheritance rights, and the right to draw a pension or aid in the event of the death of the family’s breadwinner. The law does not specify rights alone, however, and imposes the obligation to support a disabled wife (or husband) for the space of a year even after a divorce.

The first and chief obligation of parents is the children’s upbringing. This is a duty and a right. The parents must support their children until they are 18, take care of their health, see to their education, and prepare them for socially useful work.

The state entere here as an assistant of the parents. It gives financial aid, for instance, to large families and gives every child the possibility to study. If parents are for some reason unable to take care of their children all day, the state is ready to receive them in its nurseries and kindergartens.

The right of parents to bring up their children themselves imposes certain obligations on them. It is understood that they must mould the behaviour of their children in such a way as to conform to the rules of community life.

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Parents are responsible for all damage done by children up to age of 14. Administrative measures may be used against parents who refuse to send their children to school.

Both parents are obliged to support their children. In the event of divorce the parent who keeps the child can compel the other to pay alimony through court.

Divorces are allowed in Russia. The court is exclusively guided by the child’s interests in the event of divorce of parents. Both spouses have equal rights according to law. Either parent is guaranteed the right to see the child after divorce.

2. Make up correct combinations out of the following and translate:

3. Translate the following word-combinations: in respect of; mutual trust; common ownership of property; in the event of; to impose the obliga-

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tion; to take care of; socially useful work; for some reason; to be responsible for all damage; to be obliged to support; according to law.

4.Find in the text the equivalents in the following: в исключитель-

ных обстоятельствах; условия регистрации; семейное право; получить пенсию или помощь; кормилец семьи; содержать; воспитание детей; оказывать денежную помощь; нормы общественной жизни.

5.Find the answers in the text.

1.At what age does any man or woman have the right to marry in our country?

2.Are there any exceptions to this rule?

3.When is marriage legally valid?

4.When is marriage recognized to be null and valid?

5.What restriction are imposed on marriage in respect of social, religious, national or racial differences?

6.What rights does the marital law specify?

7.What obligations are imposed on spouses?

8.In what way must parents carry out their children’s upbringing?

9.How does the state assist the parents in their children’s upbringing?

10.What are parents responsible for while bringing up their children?

11.What measures may be used against parents who refuse to send their children to school?

12.What can you say about divorces in our country?

13.What rights do spouses get after their divorce?

6.Finish the following sentences using the text.

1.Marriages in Russia may be contracted under 18 in...

2.A marriage is legally valid only when registered in...

3.Russian marital law does not impose any restrictions on marriage in respect of...

4.The law specifies some rights and imposes certain...

5.The chief obligation of parents is...

6.If parents can’t take care of their children all day, the state...

7.Parents are responsible for...

8.Administrative measures may be used against...

9.The parent keeping the child after divorce can...

10.After divorce either parent is guaranteed the right...

7.Correct the following wrong statements. Use the phrases: “You are wrong” or “I can’t agree with you” and “As far as I know...” or “According to the text...”.

1.In Russia legal marriages may be contracted at the age of 16.

2.Some restrictions are imposed on marriage in Russia in respect of national differences.

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3.Mixed marriages are very rare in our country.

4.No obligations are imposed on spouses by the law.

5.Parents are responsible for the damage done by their children up to the age of 18.

6.In the event of divorce the parent keeping the children has to support them alone.

7.Women have more rights to their common children than men after divorce.

8.Be ready to speak on the topic. Use the questions as a plan.

Text 6. Family Life in Britain

In the last fifteen or twenty years there have been great changes in family life in Britain. For example, more couples now life together and have children without getting married. Among married couples there has been an increase in divorce and separation with the result that there are many more one-parent families.

But despite these changes most people in Britain decide to get married and start a family. The institution of marriage and family life continues to be important. A legal marriage can be performed in a church of the Church of England; in a chapel or church of another religion, if the building has been licensed for marriages; in a registry office. Though some couples choose the less formal registry office, many still enjoy the ceremony of a church wedding.

The registry office wedding is a civil marriage rather than a religious ceremony. A divorced person who wants to get married again normally has to have a registry office wedding if his or her religion forbids remarriage.

Since the Reform Act of 1969 it has been easier to get a divorce in Britain and the divorce rate has increased. There is now one divorce for every three marriages. The result of a divorce or separation, if there are children in the family, is a “broken home”. It is usual for the children to live with their mother. Their father will probably have the legal right to visit the children and have them to stay with him for part of the school holidays. About 14 per cent of all families with dependent children have only one parent. A one- parent-family may be headed by a divorced father or mother, by a widow or widower, by a married woman separated from her husband. Or it may be headed by an unmarried mother.

These days, an unmarried mother may choose to have a baby without marrying the father. She wants to keep the baby rather than have it adopted. An organization which can help her is The National Council for One-parent Families. It helps all families where there is only one parent - father, mother, unmarried, divorced or widowed.

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An unmarried mother may decide that her child will have a better chance in life if it is adopted by a family. The child then belongs legally to the new parents. Many married couples who have no children of their own want to adopt babies.

2. Make up correct combinations out of the following and translate:

3.Translate the following word-combinations: without getting married; one-parent families; despite these changes; civil marriage; a divorced person; the divorce rate; dependent children; to keep the baby; to have a better chance in life; married couples.

4.Find in the text the equivalents in the following: большие переме-

ны; увеличение числа разводов; законный брак; венчание в церкви; религиозный обряд; повторный брак; получить развод; иметь законное право; юридически принадлежать; не иметь своих собственных детей.

5.Find the answers in the text.

1.What changes have taken place in the family life lately in Britain?

2.What do most people prefer to start a family or to remain single?

3.Where can a legal marriage be performed?

4.What do most couples choose - a civil marriage or a religious ceremony?

5.What can you say about the divorce rate in Britain today?

6.Who keeps children after divorce?

7.What is a one-parent family?

8.What can you say about adoption of a child in Britain?

6.Finish the following sentences using the text.

1.More couples in Britain live together now without...

2.As a result of an increase in divorce there are...

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3.Despite these changes the institution of marriage and family live...

4.Some couples in Britain choose the less formal registry office, but still many enjoy...

5.The divorce rate has increased since...

6.A broken home is the result of a divorce if...

7.After divorce of presents the children usually live...

8.A one-parent family is usually headed by...

9.The National Council for One-parent Families is the organizations which...

10.If an unmarried mother’s child is adopted by a family it may have...

11.The child belongs legally to the new parents if...

7.Correct the following wrong statements. Use the phrases: “You are wrong” or “I can’t agree with you” and “As far as I know...” or “According to the text...”.

1.A divorce rate among married couples is very low in Britain and there are very few one-parent families.

2.Marriage is legally valid in Britain only if it is performed in a registry office.

3.A church wedding is not so popular among couples as a civil marriage.

4.It is not so easy to get a divorce now in Britain as it was before the Reform Act of 1969.

5.As a rule fathers prefer and usually live with their children after divorce.

6.An unmarried mother with dependent children can’t be considered as comprising a family.

7.Nobody in Britain helps one-parent families.

8.In Britain it is very difficult to find married couples who would like to adopt babies.

8.Be ready to speak on the topic. Use the questions as a plan.

Text 7. The Trade Unions in Britain

High unemployment has reduced the number of trade union members. The trade union movement in Britain is very complex because there are

so many unions and some are so much bigger than others. In some industries - and in some factories - the employees do not all belong to the same union.

Matters involving a whole industry - such as higher wages for everyone - will be discussed by the employers and the full time trade union officials who work at the Head Office of the union.

Trade unions and employers’ associations tend to negotiate at national level about matters concerning a whole industry. But trade union officials leave shop stewards and the management of individual firms a lot of freedom

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to bargain about local matters. There are also local branches of trade unions. As a result, the number of local agreements is increasing. The shop stewards’ independence can lead to unofficial strikes - strikes not authorized by the union Head Office.

If there are two or more unions in a factory, they may compete for members. Many union members leave the work of setting disputes in their factory entirely to their shop stewards and local union branch officials. Most members often do not attend branch meetings.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is the central institution which looks after trade union interests. The TUC does not seem very powerful. But it gives the powerful leaders of the big unions a chance to meet and it gives the trade union movement a chance to publicize its activities.

The TUC would like to influence the Government, whatever party is in power. Naturally it is consulted more by a Labour government. The TUC discusses industrial problems with the Government and employers. The TUC strengthens the bargaining power of industrial unions when they bargain with the Government and employers. It receives a grant of money from the Government to train full-time union officials. Some MPs receive special payment from their union and in return they are expected to look after its interests in Parliament. The number of sponsored MPs is decreasing.

3. Translate the following word-combinations: high unemployment; to belong to the same union; full-time trade union officials; to leave shop ste-

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