3 Give definitions of the following words and word combinations; illustrate their meaning in the sentences of your own (macmillanonline.Com):
• to raise (money) • to withhold (money) • to pass (laws) • to enable (the government) • to examine (policy) • to call for (election) • to legislate • to preside over • to render (service to)
4 Answer the following questions. Base your answers on the information in the text.
What is the supreme legislative body in Great Britain?
How old is the British Parliament?
What are the functions of Parliament?
What is the maximum length of term for Parliament?
What chamber of parliament is elected?
How many members are there in the House of Commons and why?
What is the function of the House of Commons?
Why is the role of the Speaker so important?
Who does the House of Lords consist of?
Who is the house of Lords presided over by?
What is the Lord Chancellor responsible for?
What differs the Lord Chancellor from the Speaker?
Why is Parliament, rather than the will of the people, the real sovereign power in the state?
Listening
Listen to two young British people talking about politics. For each person (Jake, Beth) answer these questions.
1. How old are they?
2. Are they interested in politics?
3. Have they ever voted?
4. Are they going to vote in the local elections?
5. Would they like the voting age to be lowed to 16?
6. Why (not)?
Watch
the additional video about the opening ceremony of the Parliament.
Follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1g-RzRh368
Be
ready to answer the questions.
Pair Work
The following article lists arguments in favour of and against the House of Lords. Read the article and Students A completes the table “Arguments in favour” and Student B completes the table “Arguments against” that follow it.
The House of Lords is back at work next week: some say it should never work again
Aristocrats out! *The Lords don’t represent anybody. Nobody can question what they do. If we, the people, don’t like what they get up to we aren’t even allowed to vote against them. *The House of Lords is a dumping ground for failed, old politicians. When you see them on television you would think they’re going to fall down and die at any moment. How can they have any idea about what’s going on the streets, in the real world? *There’s no place for all those ancient traditions in modern politics. What’s the point of people dressing up in gowns every so often, having that silly old bloke sitting on the Woolsack and grown men calling each other “my noble Lord” all the time? *Basically the House of Lords is very unfair. Most of those old aristocrats and landowners are Conservatives. So you end up with a permanent Conservative Party majority that can block the policies of a Labour Government in the House of Commons. |
My dear fellow … *The Lords come from all walks of life. Peerages have been given to Trade Unionists, Clergymen and Industrialists. We represent society as a whole.
*The House of Lords allows some of Britain’s most distinguished people, politicians and otherwise, to have a say in how our country is governed. To have former Prime Ministers and experienced figures still helping the country with their knowledge is important. *The House of Lords is not dominated by old customs. We are prepared to change, indeed we installed television cameras years ago. The traditions we do continue are important links with our country’s heritage. *It is wrong to say we always agree with the Tory government. Because the government has such a huge majority in the Commons, we are providing the only real opposition by questioning and changing its policies when they come before.
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ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR ARGUMENTS AGAINST
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S tates and Systems