Test 3 (Variant d)

1. Read the text:

BRITISH LEGISLATURE

A hundred years ago a big proportion of Parliamentary Bills were drafted and introduced by private members. A successful private member’s Bill of any importance is an extreme rarity nowadays; the legislative time of the House is so completely monopolised by the government that a private Bill has no chance of reaching the Statute Book unless the government is prepared to find time for it.

All the work of preparing a government Bill is done by the permanent civil servants in the department responsible for the Bill. It is these officials who play the key role in advising the Minister concerned and drafting a Bill in accordance with the policy of the government.

* There are broadly two stages in the life of a Bill: the period of preparation before it is published and introduced into Parliament, and its subsequent progress through Parliament. The first of these two stages is by far the most important, for it is during this preliminary period that the secret consultations take place with any industrial, commercial, financial or other interests that may be affected. Financial initiative is the sole prerogative of the Cabinet. This means that an ordinary MP cannot move any amendment to a Bill, or make any proposal, which would result in an increased financial charge on the Exchequer; nor can a private member make any proposal for increased taxation.

Legislation is initiated by the introduction of bills in either house. A bill is given three readings in the house in which it is introduced. When a bill is introduced into Parliament there is an opportunity for the moving of the amendments. But in practice the vast majority of bills emerge from the elaborate process of second reading, committee stage, report stage and third reading in substantially their original forms. If a bill is passed in the house in which it is introduced, it is sent to the other house, where it is submitted to the same procedure. If a bill is passed by both houses, it becomes law. In theory the sovereign has a right to veto a bill, but this has not occurred since the 18^th century. Likewise the House of Lords has little power to stop or delay bills that have been passed by the Commons. It is hoped that the members of the Lords - often senior political figures who have been knighted for their services - will use their experience to suggest amendments to a bill. The Lords cannot interfere with a money bill or with a bill that has been passed by the Commons in two consecutive sessions.

2. Translate the marked (*) paragraph into Russian.

3. Answer the questions:

1. Who does all the work of preparing a governmental bill? 2. What are the two stages in the life of a bill? 3. How many readings does a bill have in either house? 4. What is the role of the House of Lords supposed to be?

4. Use the Perfect forms of the verbs in brackets:

1. I (to try) to book a seat at the theatre since 9 a.m., but I can’t get through: the line is engaged. 2. Did you meet him after he (to arrive)? 3. By the time you get to the office they (to make) their verdict. 4. He might be in the cafeteria, I just (to see) him there. 6. By the time he joined the team they (to work) on the project for a year and a half. 7. I (to meet) him much before he married my sister. 8. She looks so tired! - No wonder, she (to work) without a holiday for three years. 9. He never (to write) anything before. 10. By the time you come we (to enjoy) your mother-in-law’s company for two hours. 11. You ever (to work) with the Photoshop application? 12. They (not/to pay) the promissory note yet.

5. Put questions using the words in brackets:

1. They have already filled in the application forms. (Who? What?)

2. Miss Bolton will have prepared the draft before the session begins. (Will? Disjunctive)

3. Judge Flagerthy had studied the case before the lawyers of the both parties arrived. (What? Alternative)

6. Use may or might:

1. He ... be late because of the weather. 2. Kathleen ... have phoned me, but I was out shopping. 3. It was very cruel of you. You ... have considered her state. 4. ... I take a leave for tomorrow, please? 5. Sorry, sir, you ... not use the office phone. 6. You ... see this film: it was on TV last year.

7. Use little, a little, few, a few:

1. There is ... hope for him to recover. 2. Despite heavy advertising only ... people came to the exhibition of modern art. 3. I have ... money, only ... pounds. 4. He has got ... important friends who help him climb up. 5. Unfortunately I had ... time, so I visited ... places. 6. Well, I have got ... minutes, so I’ll listen to your offer, but make it short. 7. The new product provoked ... excitement, but not as much as it was expected. 8. He drinks ... coffee because of his heart problems.

8. Use articles where necessary:

1. They try to promote their new product in ... China. 2. He travelled to ... Azores in summer. 3. What’s the use of selling solaria in ... Sahara? 4. He is a postgraduate of ... London University. 5. The firm supplies ... Bolshoi Theatre with sound equipment. 6. They booked an apartment at ... Savoy. 7. The environmental situation along ... Nile is threatening. 8. From the window of their room they could enjoy the view of ... Mont Blanc.

9. Choose the correct prepositions:

1. He mailed me a cheque ... 103 pounds. (on, with, for) 2. I spoke to her ... the phone yesterday. (by, on, at) 3. I’m suspicious ... this offer. (for, to, of) 4. The firm closed down because there wasn’t enough demand ... its product. (to, for, on) 5. I think they are arriving ... Victoria Station. (in, on, at) 6. They had a serious quarrel ... the party. (in, on, at) 7. I wrote a letter ... she was talking to me. (during, while, till) 8. Mrs Frost has been waiting ... you ... nearly two hours. (at, till, by, for) 9. He made many friends ... his holidays ... the seaside. (at, during, for, on, while)