Test 4 (Variant b)

1. Read the text:

LEGISLATION IN BELARUS

Under the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus the right to initiate the legislative process belongs to President, members of the Chamber of Representatives, Council of the Republic, Government and to the citizens of Belarus numbered not less than 50,000.

If a bill concerns changes or amendments to the Constitution, the legislative process can be initiated only by President or at least 150,000 citizens of Belarus.

Normally there are two stages in the life of a bill. The first stage is the drafting of the bill. The bill is usually prepared in the Ministries or in the corresponding parliamentary committees. This stage is very important, because the quality of preparatory work determines the success of the legislative process in the whole. During this stage consultations with the involved state organs, businesses, legal experts are taken.

Any bill is firstly considered in the Chamber (House) of Representatives and then in the Council of the Republic. Normally a bill has three readings in the house. The first reading is rather formal, it is in fact an introduction of the bill. Then the bill is sent to a corresponding standing or a specially formed committee of the House. In the committee the bill is amended and sent for the second reading to the House. During the second reading the bill is debated and amended by the members of the House. When the opinions and amendments of the representatives are included in the bill it is voted by the House. A bill passes in the House if it is approved by simple majority of representatives.

* The bills approved by the Chamber of Representatives are sent to the Council of the Republic during 5 days, where they may be considered no more than 20 days. In the Council of the Republic a bill is submitted to mostly the same procedure as in the House of Representatives. If the higher house votes down the bill, the Houses may form a conciliatory committee to resolve the differences. After the differences are resolved the bill is sent to both Houses for approval.

* The bill passed in both Houses during 10 days is sent to President for signing. President has the right to veto a bill. To override the presidential veto both houses must reapprove the bill by two-thirds of their members.

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

3. Answer the following questions to the text:

1. What happens during the first stage of the life of a bill? 2. Does a citizen of the Republic of Belarus have the right to initiate a legislation? 3. When is a conciliatory committee formed? 4. How can the presidential veto be overridden?

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

1. She asked where the meeting (to hold) the day before. 2. The agreement between the parties (to arrive at) at the previous meeting. 3. The access code of my computer (to change) every day. 4. The money (to steal) while the office (to redecorate). 5. The financial documents on this transaction already (to send for), they (to bring) in a minute.

5. Change the active constructions into the passive ones:

1. We are considering your plan at the moment. 2. The secretary has just sent the invitations. 3. The team will have completed the adjustments by Tuesday. 4. Mr Goldstein proposed a new plan of the advertising campaign. 5. After the solicitor had announced the details of the deal the parties signed the necessary documents.

6. Put questions to the underlined word combinations and using the prompts:

1. The new product is being successfully promoted in Europe.

2. This candidate has won numerous supporters. (General)

3. The elections will be held next month. (Alternative, Disjunctive)

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

1. It was so pleasant to be driving a car after a long illness. 2. The senior partner dislikes being contradicted. 3. Having adopted the bill the assembly left for a lunch break. 4. The judge listened to the accused without speaking. 5. There are a few letters to be written and submitted for signature. 6. The draft of the declaration written by the committee needs thorough studies.

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. He was to have handed the essay in on Monday, but he didn’t. 2. Will Jerry have one more try? 3. He wants to be a lawyer and I am sure he will be a good one. 4. You will have to pass the driving test if you want to drive an office car. 5. Excuse me! I am to write a report on the Criminal Law of the USA. Could you help me to find the information in the Internet? 6. He has been living in London since childhood. 7. He is living alone now, so he has to cook and clean himself. 8. I have to register the employees every morning.

9. Insert prepositions:

1. You might have paid more attention ... that client. 2. The shoplifter was sentenced ... six months’ imprisonment. 3. The police suspected him ... blackmailing. 4. I’m sure you have nothing to complain ... . 5. I don’t insist ... the immediate tax reduction. 6. They are looking forward ... the moment of your arrival. 7. The governmental programme consists ... three basic stages. 8. The supplier was satisfied ... the terms of payment. 9. The lawyer pointed ... some discrepancies in the contract. 10. You shouldn’t depend ... anybody in your decisions.