Test 4 (Variant c)

1. Read the text:

THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

Under the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus the judicial power in the Republic is vested in courts of law. The judicial system of the Republic is made up of courts of law of three tiers. On the top of the judicial pyramid is the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus. It is the highest appellate court of the country. It is headed by the Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus who is appointed by the President on the consent of the upper house of the National Assembly - the Council of the Republic. The Supreme Court judges are nominated by the President on the advice of the Chairman and must be approved by the Council of the Republic. Once approved, all members of the Court hold office for life. The Supreme Court includes separate divisions for civil, criminal and military cases. It has original jurisdiction in cases involving foreign dignitaries and those in which the state is a party. It also may decide most serious criminal cases and hear appeals from lower courts.

The middle tier of the republican judicial system is made up of six regional courts and the Minsk Town Court. The composition of those courts is similar to that of the Supreme Court. All judges of the regional courts including their chairmen are nominated by the President on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Supreme Court and the Minister of Justice for life. These courts deal with major criminal, civil and military cases and hear appeals from inferior courts. The decisions of the regional courts may be appealed only to the Supreme Court.

* At the bottom of the judicial pyramid are district and town courts spread all over the country. Most litigation starts in these courts. A district or town court usually consists of a chairman and a number of judges, depending on the size and the population of the district. In a trial one judge and two public representatives take part. All judges of these inferior courts are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice. The first term of office of an inferior court judge is five years; all other judges are appointed for life. District and town courts decide both criminal and civil cases and deal with administrative matters involving disputes between individuals and individuals and government departments. The decisions of district and town courts may be appealed to the corresponding regional courts and further up to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus.

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

3. Answer the following questions to the text:

1. How many tiers does the judicial system of the RB consist of? 2. In what kind of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction? 3. How are the judges of the middle tier appointed? 4. How can the decisions of the lower courts be appealed?

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

1. Your case (to hear) next week. 2. The conditions of the transaction (to discuss) when we entered the room. 3. The agreement on co-operation already (to sign). 4. It is a successful firm and it (to buy) by the end of the week. 5. The salary of the workers (to remit) to the firm’s bank account every two weeks.

5. Change the active constructions into the active ones:

1. We have already bought all necessary equipment for the firm. 2. Mr Marcus will fix all formalities. 3. The bank sends account balances to its clients every month. 4. They are working on the web-site for their firm now. 5. The secretary informed the chief manager about the accident.

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

1. The copier is being repaired now. (Disjunctive)

2. They will be sent to investigate the crime. (General)

3. The damage has already been repaired by the insurance company. (Alternative)

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

1. I have a few things to be fixed. 2. The delivered goods were not the ones indicated in the specification. 3. It is so nice to have been invited to spend a fortnight in your country home. 4. He complains of having been mistreated by the police. 5. Having completed the work he asked for a week’s leave. 6. Before leaving she made several phone calls.

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. You will have to correct your mistake yourself. 2. He is good at making people angry. 3. I had to rent a flat because the conditions in the dormitory were not ideal. 4. I couldn’t pay in time as I had problems with my bank. 5. Excuse me, is it you who does registration of the delegates? 6. You are to be at the station at 9:30. 7. He has to do the work of two people because his partner is on leave. 8. Mr Cage was to have delivered the samples, but he hasn’t shown up yet.

9. Insert prepositions:

1. We are quite satisfied ... the results of the tests. 2. We are looking forward ... the new Tax Code. 3. The police searched ... the weapon of the crime. 4. The procurator insisted ... two years’ imprisonment. 5. The decision of the jury must not depend ... their emotions. 6. His son was accused ... theft. 7. It is odd but in our country only very rich people can borrow money ... the bank. 8. You may apply ... this job but one needs experience to get it. 9. A man and a woman were arrested and charged ... robbery. 10. He says he is leaving ... Jamaica on business with his secretary.