XXV. Read the text and determine which of the following statement is:

A. True B. False. C. is not mentioned in the text

1. The British Constitution is typically named «unwritten» because there was no such a written act.

2. Written part of the Constitution includes laws passed by the Parliament which are fixed on paper.

3. Unwritten part of the Constitution comprises judicial decisions, constitutional agreements or customs and views of famous scientists.

4. The British Constitution has advantages and disadvantages.

5. Great Britain began the procedure of drafting a new Constitution based on the Principles of Continental Europe.

The Constitution of Great Britain

There does not exist any complete statement of law acting as the Constitution in GB. The British Constitution is of peculiar character. It is often called «unwritten», because it has never been written in a single act.

The British Constitution consists of two parts «written» and «unwritten». The term «written law» means law formally passed by the Parliament regardless of fixed it on paper or not. And the expression «unwritten law» relates to the acts not passed by the Parliament.

Written part comprises: Statute Laws, that is Acts of Parliament passed in different years or even centuries which regulate constitutional points, e.g. Bill of Rights, Magna Carta, Habeas Corpus.

Unwritten part is composed of: a) judicial decisions (precedents), which exist in written form, but according to the doctrine they are referred to the unwritten part; b) constitutional agreements or customs not judicially fixed but regulating important government issues (for example, Prime Minister – the leader of the party which won elections); c) doctrine sources which are points of view of famous scientists.

The British Constitution is flexible that is changeable in regard with arising circumstances. At the same time the British Constitution is formal, because many regulations, institutions, bodies created several centuries ago are officially still in force being not abolished.

Nowadays many scientists and politicians admit archaic character of the British Constitution. Britain’s joining the European Council encourages the drafting of a new Constitution based on the principles of Continental Europe.

CHECK YOUR WORDS AND GRAMMAR

1. Подберите к подчеркнутым словам синонимы.

a. the sovereign, b. authority, c. levels, d. comprises, e. houses

1. UK Parliament holds both the legislative and the executive power. 2. Parliament is composed of two chambers. 3. The House of Lords includes more than 1,100 members. 4. There are two tiers of government: central and local. 5. The Monarch is a living symbol of the British state.

2. Выберите подходящий по смыслу глагол.

a. possess, b. abolishes, c. divided, d. vote, e. has

1. By its legislative power, Parliament passes or _____ laws. 2. People _____ for candidates in single-member constituencies. 3. Councils ____ responsibilities for environmental health. 4. The winning party _____ majority in the House of Commons. 5. Counties are _____ into districts.

3. Выберите подходящий суффикс.

a. –tion, b. –ary, c. –ly, d. –est, e. –ial

1. The United Kingdom is a (parliament) monarchy. 2. The Sovereign is the (office) head. 3. Regional level is the (high). 4. People elect MPs (direct). 5. The second largest party forms the (oppose).

4. Выберите подходящий предлог.

a. of, b. by, c. between, d. for, e. into

1. Life peers and peeresses are appointed ___ the Queen. 2. Counties are divided ___ districts. 3. The British vote ___ their candidates in constituencies. 4. The functions are divided ___ county councils and district councils. 5. One ___ nine regions is London.

5. Выберите соответствующую форму глагола в активном или пассивном залоге.

a. is, b. are, c. V, d. V+s, e. is Ved(3f) f. are Ved(3f)

1. Parliament (pass) laws. 2. Judicial function (perform) by the House of Lords. 3. Elizabeth II (be) a Constitutional Monarch. 4. Some activities (undertake) by parish council. 5. People (elect) 651 MPs in single-member constituencies.

6. Выберите соответствующую форму инфинитива (активную или пассивную) после модального глагола.

a. V, b. be Ved(3f)

1. Parliament can (perform) executive functions. 2. Monarch must (represent) the supreme authority. 3. A law must (pass) by the House of Commons. 4. A district may (divide) into several parishes. 5. A mayor can (elect).

6. Выберите подходящее действительное или страдательное причастие.

a. Ving, b. Ved(3f)

1. Berkshire is the type of district which has a local council (call) a Borough Council. 2. MPs (represent) 650 constituencies are elected by universal suffrage. 3. Unitary authorities have district councils (possess) some responsibilities. 4. The House (include) MPs is the lower chamber. 5. The Prime Minister chooses the members of the Cabinet (call) ministers.