Assignments

I. Read and translate the text into Ukrainian. II. Render the text in English.

III. Imagine that you have been invited to an English/Ameri­can school and you have been asked to tell the students about your country, its agriculture, industry and promi­nent people.

Political system in ukraine

The highest legislative body in Ukraine is the Verkhovna Rada. The people's deputies are elected on the basis of uni­versal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The depu­ties of the Verkhovna Rada are elected for 5 years. The Verkhovna Rada's main function is making laws.

The President of Ukraine is the head of the state and speaks on behalf of it. He is elected directly by the voters for a term of five years with no more than two full terms.

The "highest body of the executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers. It is responsible to the President and is accounta­ble to the Verkhovna Rada. The Cabinet of Ministers carries out domestic and foreign policy of the state, the fulfilment of the Constitution, as well as the acts of the President, deve­lops and fulfils national programs on the economic, scientif­ic, technological and cultural development of Ukraine.

In August, 1991 Ukraine became independent. The inde­pendence was proclaimed on the 24th of August 1991. On the 1st of December 90 per cent of the people voted for the independence of Ukraine.

Ukraine established diplomatic relations with many for­eign countries. One of them was Great Britain.

Notes

legislative – законодавчий

suffrage – виборче право

ballot – голосування

executive – виконавчий

accountable – підзвітний

Assignments

I. Read and translate the text into Ukrainian.

II. Render the text in English.

3. Imagine that you are writing an article about Ukraine. Give the facts about population, territory, climate, poli­tical system.

The constitution of ukraine

On June 28, 1996 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopt­ed the Constitution, the Fundamental Law of the state.

` The Constitution guarantees political rights of the citi­zens. Besides, it asserts Ukraine as an independent and dem­ocratic state.

According to the Constitution the Ukrainian people have the right to work, to education, to rest, social security, hous­ing, health protection, medical care and medical insurance, etc.

Besides, the Constitution guarantees the rights of the people to property, ownership, language, religion. There are no privileges or restrictions based upon colour of skin, po­litical or other beliefs.

Chapter II of the Constitution of Ukraine assures human and civil rights and freedoms. Citizens have equal rights and freedoms before the law. Citizens of Ukraine have also equal rights to protect their rights and freedoms. They have the right to participate in state affairs, in local referendums. Besides, they may be elected to any bodies of state power and local self-government.

Every citizen have the right to any property and to use the results of the intellectual and creative work. Every per­son has to pay taxes. The citizens of Ukraine shouldn't dam­age the environment and contaminate the air, the soil, the plants, etc.

Every citizen should respect the state symbols and terri­torial integrity of the country.

The state language is Ukrainian. The state symbols of Ukraine are the State Flag, the State Emblem and the State Anthem of Ukraine. The State Flag is a blue and yellow banner. The main element of the Great State Emblem of Ukraine is the Sign of the State of Prince Volodymyr the Great. The State Anthem of Ukraine is the national anthem with the music of M. Verbytsky.

Defence of the Motherland, of independence and territory is the sacred duty of every citizen of Ukraine.

The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 15 chapters, 161 articles. The Day of the Constitution of Ukraine is a state holiday.

Notes

to guarantee – гарантувати

security – безпека

restriction – обмеження

chapter – розділ

to assure – забезпечувати, гарантувати

to contaminate – забруднювати

integrity – цілісність

anthem – гімн

sacred – священний