The usa government

1. Read the following word combinations:

the basic law of the country; on the 4th of March; one third of the Senate; the 22th Amendment; a native-born citizen; with the advice and consent.

2. Use the verbs in brackets in the Active or Passive Voice:

1.The Senate (to compose) of 1OO members. 2.Senators (to elect) for a term of 6 years. 3. One third of the Senate (to elect) every 2 years. 4. House of Representatives (to consist of) 435 members. 5. The cabinet (to form) by the beads of various departments. 6. Secretaries (to appoint) by the President. 7. One Justice (to designate) the Chief Justice.

The usa government

The United States of America is a federal union of 50 states. The capital is Washington D.C. (District of Columbia). The District of Columbia is between the states of Virginia and Maryland, on the Potomac River, not far from the Atlantic Ocean. The basic law of the country is the Constitution adopted in 1787 in Phila­delphia (Pennsylvania). It was put into force on the 4th of March 1789. The nickname of the USA government is Uncle Sam.

Supreme legislative power lies with the Congress which is com­posed of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is composed of 100 members, two from each of the 50 states, who are elected for a term of six years. One third of the Senate is elected every two years. A senator must be at least 30 years old, nine years citizen and an inhabitant of the State which elects him. The President of the Senate is the Vice Presi­dent of the United States.

The Senate represents the states and the House represents the population according to its distribution among the states.

The House of Representatives at the present time consists of 435 members from all states. The number representing each state is based on population of the state. Members of the House of Representatives (Congressmen) are elected, for two-year terms.

The executive power is "... vested in a President of the United States of America." The USA President is both head of state and of government. He is elected for a four-year term together with the Vice-President. He takes his office on the 20^th of January of the following his election, and election are held in November.No person can be elected to the office of Presi­dent more, than twice (the 22nd Amendment, 1951). He must be a native-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old. His chief duties are to carry out the program of the government as directed in the Constitution and in laws made by Congress. His cabinet is formed by the heads of various departments, known as Secretaries, who are appointed by him and confirmed by the Senate.

The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court of the United States, -the highest court in the land. It consists of ni­ne justices appointed for life by the President with the advice and consent of the USA Senate. One Justice is designated the chief justice ( Председатель Верховного суда ).

There are two major political parties in the USA, the Democ­ratic Party founded in 1820s and the Republican Party organized in 1851. There is no clear-cut difference between the two par­ties. Both of them represent the interests of the ruling circles.

3. Select the correct phrases to complete the following senten­ces:

1). Senators are elected for a term of… 2). Congressmen are elected for a term of 3). The President is elected for a term of… 4). The Vice President is elected for a term of… 5). One third of the Senate is elected every...

3. Give English equivalents to: Основной Закон страны; округ Колумбия; шестилетний срок; члены палаты представителей; треть сената; население штата; законодательная власть; 22-я поправка; глава государства; Верховный суд.

4. Answer the following questions:

1. How many states does the USA Include?

2. Where is the District оf Columbia situated?

3. When was the US Constitution adopted?

4. Where does the legislative power lie with?

5.How many senators is the Senate composed of?

6. Why is the House of Representatives composed of more members than the Senate?

7. Who is the President of the Senate?

8. What term is a Senator elected for?

9. Can the US President be elected for three terms?

10. What are major political parties in the USA?

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., the capital of the USA, is situated on the Potomac River and is named after the first American President George Washington.

Washington was founded in 1791. This place was chosen by George Washington. The plot of land of hundred square miles was bought from the private owners by the government and George Washington laid the corner-stone of the Capitol where the Congress sits. The place was called the District of Columbia in honour of Columbus, the discoverer of America. Washington became the federal capital in 1800.

Washington is sometimes called the heart of America. It is the place where the federal government works and where each President lives. It is not a very large capital, only one million people live there. There is a law in Washington against building structures higher the Capitol. The Capitol is a very high and beautiful building with white marble columns. It is in the very center of the city.

Today Washington attracts a lot of tourists by its sightseeings such as “Mount Vernon”, the house of the first president George Washington, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and others. The White House, the residence of the president, is the oldest public structure in the capital and one of the most beautiful. In 1812 the Capitol and the house of the president were set on fire and, to hide the marks of the fire, the brown stone walls of the president’s home were painted white. It has been the “White House” ever since. Now everyone can visit it almost every day of the year. It is opened for tourists since 10 a.m. till noon.

Washington has little industry. The whole city, with its long wide avenues, shady trees on both sides, low buildings and crowds of governmental workers, is unlike New York with its skyscrapers and noisy streets.

New York

New York is the largest city in the USA and one of the largest cities in the world. It was founded three hundred years ago at the mouth of the Hudson River. The center of New York is Manhattan Island. In 1624 Dutch settlers bought the island from local Indians for a handful of trinkets that cost 24 dollars. It was named New Amsterdam. In 1660 under British control it was renamed and became New York.

Nowadays New York City consists of five parts: Manhattan (the centre of business and finance), Brooklyn, Queens (Long Island), the Bronx and Staten Island.

New York is the world financial center and one of the busiest ports. It is the artistic and publishing center of the United States.

There are many world-famous streets and avenues in New York. Wall Street is the street of finance; Broadway is famous for its theaters; Madison Avenue is known for advertising and Fifth Avenue – for shopping.

The major tourist attractions of the city are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Liberty Island with the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island with the Museum of Immigration.

New York’s population is the most ethnically varied of any American city. It is called “modern Babylon”. At the turn of the 20^th century a lot of people came to the USA from different countries of the world. They entered the USA through New York, the Gateway of America. There are large number of African Americans, Puerto Ricans, European and Asian immigrants.

Many people think New York is not a typical American city, although it is the best example of cultural and ethnic diversity in the American society.