Тема 8.2. Выборы президента сша.

І. Read and translate the text.

The USA. The President’s elections

The President of the United States is elected every four years to a four-year term of office, with no more than two full terms allowed. He must be a native-born citizen at least 35 years old. As is true with Senators and Representatives, the President is elected directly by the voters. In other words, the political party with the most Senators and Representatives does not choose the President. This means that the President can be from one party, and the majority of those in the House of Representatives or Senate from another.

Under the US Constitution a sitting President may be removed from office before his term expires only by an impeachment process that begins with the House of Representatives. If upon sufficient evidence, the House drafts a “bill of impeachment”, which must be approved by two-thirds of its membership, a trial in the Senate, with the Chief Justice of the United States, acting as the judge, and the Senators, as the jury, follows.

Inauguration is an official act of installing the President of the United States in office. It is also the occasion for extensive ceremonies. By 12 o’clock on January 20, the participants of the ceremony and guests take their places on a rostrum especially erected in front of the Capitol. The central point of the ceremony is the taking of an oath by the President and the delivery of his inaugural speech. The President’s Inauguration speech is regarded as a declaration of principles proclaimed by the new Administration. The ceremony ends in a military parade.

The residence of the President of the United States is the White House.

II. Answer the questions.

1. How many terms may the President of the United States serve?

2. The President is elected directly by the voters, isn’t he?

3. Who must approve a “bill of impeachment”?

4. What is inauguration?

5. What is the central point of the ceremony?

6. The ceremony ends in a military parade, doesn’t it?

7. What is the residence of the President of the United States?

III. Complete the sentences with the best answer ( a, b or с).

1. The President of the United States is elected … to a four-year term of office.

a) every five years

b) every four years

c) every three years

2. Inauguration always takes place at noon … .

a) June 20

b) February 20

c) January 20

3. The President is elected directly by … .

a) the Senate

b) the voters

c) the Chief Justice

4. The participants of the ceremony and guests take their places on a rostrum especially erected in front of … .

a) the Capitol

b) the White House

c) University College

5. The President of the USA must be… at least 35 years old.

a) an Englishman

b) an Irish American

c) a native-born citizen

IV. Complete the following text by translating the words and expressions in brackets.

The President of the United States is chosen in a national election for a four-year (пребывание у власти), and may be (переизбран) for a second (срок). As head of the Executive Branch, the President must (выполнять) the government programmes (принятые) by Congress. If a President “vetoes” or refuses to sign a bill passed by the Congress, his (вето) may be (отменено) by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress. The President (назначает) federal (судьи), (послы) and hundreds of government (чиновники), and assigns duties to the elected Vice President. If a President dies, (уходит в отставку) or becomes permanently disabled, the Vice President (принимает на себя его обязанности) until the next election.