Английский язык (стр. 5 )

3. Who represents the legislative power of the USA?

4. What is the main job of the Congress?

5. What is “the President’s Cabinet”?

6. Who does the highest executive power belong to?

7. Who can become the President of the USA?

8. What are the functions of the President?

9. What is the judicial branch of the US government? What is its job?

10. What is the system of checks and balances?

Text 2.3.

Words and expressions

to honor – чествовать, почитать

legal holiday – официальный праздник (нерабочий день)

independence - независимость

Constitutional Convention – Конституционный конвент

to refuse - отказаться

belief - вера

equality - равенство

slavery - рабство

cruel and evil – жестокий и порочный

to issue - издавать

the Emancipation Proclamation – Прокламация об освобождении рабов

slave – раб

THE GREATEST AMERICAN PRESIDENTS

In February, the United States honors two great American presidents: Abraham Lincoln, on February 12th, and George Washington, on February 22nd. These two days are combined into one legal holiday on the third Monday in February, called Presidents’ Day.

George Washington is known as the “Father of his Country”. He helped to shape the beginning of the United States in three ways. First, he was the commander - in- chief of the Continental Army that won independence for 13 British colonies from Great Britain in the Revolutionary War (1Secondly, in 1787, Washington served as president of the Constitutional Convention that wrote the United States Constitution. Lastly, George Washington was the first elected president of the US. He was the only president to be elected unanimously. He served two terms and refused the third term.

Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States. President Lincoln is remembered for his belief in democracy, in the equality of all men and his fight for freedom for all. He believed slavery to be cruel and evil practice. On January 1st, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves. Two years later, the 13th Amendment of the Constitution ended slavery in all parts of the United States.

Both presidents have been honored in different ways. George Washington is the only president to have a state named after him. The nation’s capital, Washington, D. C., also has his name. There are cities, towns, streets, schools, bridges, and parks named after both President Lincoln and President Washington. . Both have famous memorials in Washington, D. C.

Find in the text the English equivalents for the words and expressions below

- главнокомандующий;

- завоевать независимость;

- первый избранный президент;

- избираться единогласно;

- отказаться от третьего срока;

- вера в демократию;

- равенство всех людей;

- борьба за свободу;

- освободить рабов.

Answer the questions

1. When do the American people have Presidents’ Day?

2. Who was the first president of the USA?

3. Why is George Washington known as the “Father of his Country”?

4. How many terms did George Washington serve?

5. What is President Lincoln remembered for?

6. When was the Emancipation Proclamation issued?

7. In which ways have Washington and Lincoln been honored?

Text 3.3.

Words and expressions

to list –перечислять

set of rules – свод правил

regulation - постановление

to provide - обеспечить

article - статья

amendment - поправка

introduction - введение

to state – излагать, заявлять

the Founders – Основатели

order - порядок

citizens’ liberties – гражданские свободы

body of the Constitution – основная часть Конституции

division - раздел

the Bill of Rights - Билль о правах

popular sovereignty – верховная власть народа

separation of powers – разделение властей

judicial review – судебный надзор

still in use – всё ещё действующая

to influence - влиять

Charter – Хартия

THE US CONSTITUTION

The Constitution of the USA is the “supreme law of the land”. It was adopted after the War of Independence on September 17, 1787. It was written to organize a strong national government for the American states. The Constitution lists the set of rules, laws and regulations, which provide practical norms, regulating the work of the government. The US Constitution consists of the Preamble, seven articles and twenty-seven amendments.

The Preamble, or introduction, states why the Constitution was written. The Founders wanted a government that would provide stability and order, protect citizens’ liberties and serve the people. The body of the Constitution contains seven divisions called articles. The third part of the Constitution consists of amendments, or changes. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments establish the individual rights and freedoms of all people of the state, including freedom of religion, speech and the press.

Major principles of the Constitution are:

- Popular Sovereignty (Government is ruled by the people);

- Federalism (Governmental system in which power is divided between national and state governments);

- Separation of powers (Each of the three branches of government has its own responsibilities);

- Check and Balances (Each branch holds some control over the other branches);

- Judicial Review (Courts have power to declare laws and actions of government unconstitutional);

- Limited Government (The Constitution lists the powers government has and describes powers it does not have).

The Constitution of the USA is the shortest and oldest written constitution still in use by any nation in the world today. It has influenced national constitutions of some other countries and the United Nations Charter. American people have great respect and pride in their Constitution. The Constitution has a central place in United States law and political culture.

Find in the text the English equivalents for the words and expressions below

- верховный закон страны;

- перечислять свод правил;

- регулировать работу правительства;

- обеспечить стабильность и порядок;

- установить личные права и свободы;

- свобода слова;

- система сдержек и противовесов;

- Хартия Организации Объединенных Наций;

- уважать и гордиться;

Answer the questions

1. When was the Constitution of the USA adopted?

2. What parts does the Constitution consist of?

3. What does the Preamble state?

4. What is the Bill of Rights?

5. What are major principles of the Constitution?

6. What can you say about the influence of the US Constitution?

Text 4.3.

Words and expressions

to share - делить

to interfere with – мешать

local communities – местные общины

sales tax – налог с продаж

unemployment benefits – пособия по безработице

gambling – азартные игры

income tax –подоходный налог

to settle – решать, регулировать

to apply – относиться, касаться

national taxes – общегосударственные налоги

to threaten – угрожать

concern – забота

AMERICAN FEDERALISM

Federalism is a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between state governments and the federal government of the United States of America. The fifty states are different in size, population, climate, economy, history, and interests. The fifty state governments often differ from one another, too. However, they share certain basic structures. The individual states all have republican forms of government with a senate and a house. All have executive branches headed by state governor and independent court systems. Each state has also its own constitution. But all must respect the federal laws and not make laws which interfere with those of the other states (e. g., someone who is divorced under the laws of one state is legally divorced in all).

The Constitution limits the federal government to specific powers. All others automatically belong to the states and to the local communities. The states and the local communities in the US have rights that in other countries generally belong to the central government. Individual states make all the laws concerning sales taxes, education, speed limits, environmental protection, unemployment benefits, gambling, drinking and selling alcohol, and divorce. Every state and every city also has its own police force. Most states and some cities have their own income taxes. Many cities and counties also have their own laws saying who may and may not own a gun. Finally, a great many of the most hotly debated questions, which in other countries are decided at the national level, are in America settled by the individual states and communities. Among these are, for example, laws about drug use, capital punishment, abortion, and homosexuality.

Federal laws apply to all citizens, wherever they live. The armed forces and national taxes are controlled by the federal government. Federal crimes, such as kidnapping, drug offenses, or threatening the president, are the concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI is the only nationwide police force.

Find in the text the English equivalents for the words and expressions below

- различаться в размерах;

- независимая судебная система;

- разводиться;

- ограничивать федеральное правительство;

- принадлежать штатам;

- ограничение скорости;

- защита окружающей среды;

- иметь оружие;

- решать на федеральном уровне;

- смертная казнь;

- вооруженные силы.

Answer the questions

1. What is American federalism?

2. What are the common principles in the structures of governments of individual states?

3. Who is the head of executive branch of government in each state?

4. Give at least five examples of areas of public life that the states are responsible for?

5. Are income taxes the same in different states?

6. Are the armed forces controlled by the states or by the federal government?

7. What is the only nationwide police force?

Text 5.3.

Words and expressions

to run – руководить, управлять

to coexist – сосуществовать

to resolve – решать

tribunal – суд

a court of original jurisdiction – суд первой инстанции

final judicial arbiter – третейский судья

THE COURT SYSTEM OF THE USA

The American court system is complex, because of the federal system of government in the USA. Each state runs its own court system, and no two are identical. The character and names of the courts differ from state to state. In addition, there is a system of courts for the national government. These federal courts coexist with the state courts.

Individuals fall under the jurisdiction of two different court systems, the state courts and federal courts. The majority of cases are resolved in the state courts.

The federal courts are organized like a pyramid. At the bottom of the pyramid are the US district courts. There are ninety-four district courts in the country. In the middle are the US courts of appeal. All cases can be appealed to one of the thirteen courts of appeal. At the top is the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest appellate tribunal in the country and is a court of original jurisdiction in some cases. The Supreme Court is also the final judicial arbiter of federal constitutional question.

All these federal courts are known as constitutional courts. Judges of constitutional courts are appointed for life by the President with the approval of the Senate.

Find in the text the English equivalents for the words and expressions below

- управлять своей системой судов;

- юрисдикция;

- решаться в судах штата;

- у подножия пирамиды;

- окружной суд;

- апелляционный су;

- Верховный суд;

- конституционный суд;

- назначаться пожизненно;

- одобрение Сената.

Answer the questions

1. What are the two principle court systems in the USA?

2. What courts resolve the majority of cases?

3. What are the US federal courts?

4. What are the functions of the Supreme Court?

5. Who appoints judges of federal courts?

Text 6.3.

Words and expressions

term of office – срок полномочий

the unemployed - безработные