Semester 4

Для успешного выполнения контрольной работы N1 необходимо изучить следующий грамматический материал:

Passive Voice (Active and Passive forms)

Gerund

Infinitive

Participles

Verbs to be, to have in their modal meaning

Test 4 (Variant a)

1. Read the text:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF BELARUS

Under the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus the supreme legislative power belongs to the National Assembly, which consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. The House of Representatives is usually referred to as the upper chamber and the House of Representatives - as the lower one.

The House of Representatives consists of 110 members, who are elected on the basis of general free equal direct suffrage by secret ballot. Any citizen of Belarus at least 21 years of age may be elected to the House of Representatives.

* The Council of the Republic is formed in the following way: 6 regions and the capital city of Minsk elect 8 members to the house each. Eight members are appointed directly by President. The total membership of the house is 64 members. Any citizen of Belarus at least 30 years of age and a resident of the corresponding region for at least 5 years may be elected a member of the Council of the Republic.

The term of office of the National Assembly is 4 years. The houses have two sessions a year: the first begins in October, the second session begins in April. Each house elects a chairman and his assistants from its members. They organise the work of the houses. The houses form standing committees and other bodies from their members for legislative work.

* The House considers bills concerning amendments to the Constitution, home and foreign policies, military doctrine, international treaties, rights, freedoms and duties of citizens, country budget, taxation and others. It declares presidential election, approves presidential nominee for the post of Prime Minister, approves the programme of the Government introduced by Prime Minister. The House of Representatives initiates the process of the impeachment and serves other functions.

The Council of the Republic approves the bills concerning changing or amending the Constitution passed by the House of Representatives, approves presidential nominees for the posts of Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Chairman and Judges of the Supreme Court, General Procurator and other higher officials. It appoints six judges of the Constitutional Court and elects six members of the Central Election Committee and serves some other functions.

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

3. Answer the following questions to the text:

1. How are the Representatives elected? 2. How is the upper chamber formed? 3. What chamber approves the governmental programme? 4. What chamber considers amendments to the Constitution?

4. Use the verbs in brackets in their corresponding passive tense forms:

1. This instruction (to refer to) very often, though it (to issue) in 1981. 2. Your plan (to discuss) now and I think it (to approve) by 5 o’clock. 3. When you entered the room the contract already (to sign). 4. He (to offer) several projects but he didn’t choose any. 5. I believe his new business (to register) next week.

5. Change the active constructions into the passive ones :

1. We shall deliver your order next morning. 2. We have already discussed these items. 3. I think the Assembly will have adopted the amendment by the end of the session. 4. The police take measures to prevent drug trafficking. 5. Mr Jones and his assistants are studying you report now.

6. Put questions to the underlined words and word combinations:

1. The news has already been spread by mass media.

2. The construction of this magnificent building was financed by private persons. (General)

3. The above mentioned funds will be remitted next week. (Alternative)

7. Underline and identify (in brackets) the non-finite forms of the verb:

1. There is plenty of work to be done. 2. I am very proud to have met him. 3. They reached London, having been away seven weeks. 4. The lecturer invited by Mike didn’t make any special impression on the guests. 5. The flight having been delayed for two hours was finally announced. 6. She was ashamed for having been suspended from duties.

8. Write the sentences in which the verbs to have and to be are used in their modal meaning and translate them into Russian:

1. Mike has got a new car. 2. They are students of the Law Department. 3. He had to type the report himself because his secretary was on a sick-leave. 4. Have you received the letter yet? 5. Is Mike reading up for his exams? 6. They had to walk to the station in the rain, didn’t they? 7. I understand that you don’t want to do this now, but you will have to sooner or later. 8. John and Alice are to be ready with the costumes on Friday and Jill is to record the soundtrack till Saturday.

9. Insert prepositions:

1. They have been working hard and are looking forward ... holidays. 2. The decision doesn’t depend ... the emotions, it is pure business. 3. They are suspected ... trafficking drugs from Amsterdam. 4. I must have insisted ... his participation in the project. 5. The clients complain ... bad quality of model RX3025 vacuum-cleaners. 6. Unfortunately, they didn’t pay attention ... Clause 23 of the Contract. 7. The resolution is being ... discussion now. 8. The both parties were satisfied ... the verdict. 9. There was no objection ... his part. 10. The question is ... consideration now, but no decision has been made yet.