Test 4 (Variant e)

1. Read the text:

THE EXECUTIVE POWER OF THE UK

The head of the government is the prime minister. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament and has the power to appoint and dismiss ministers. The prime minister is the main representative of the government and recommends the appointment of some senior judges and of senior clergy of the Church of England. The prime minister also draws up the annual list of honours, which are usually awarded on New Year Day.

* The prime minister selects a Cabinet of ministers. The Cabinet develops the government’s policies, which are presented as proposed legislation to Parliament, and exercises control over government departments. Meetings of the Cabinet are held in private, and strict secrecy is maintained. Some matters are discussed by Cabinet committees, which consist of the ministers involved. The Cabinet Office handles the records of Cabinet meetings and provides information to ministers. To maintain liability the Cabinet must act as a collective group and issue unanimous statements and policies. If a minister does not agree with Cabinet policies, that minister must resign.

Ministers head government departments and are responsible for the work of those departments. There are many government departments of various sizes and complexity. Major departments include the Treasury, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Health, the Home Office, the Foreign Office and the Post Office. Most of the work of government departments is carried out by members of the civil service. Because none of the positions held by civil servants is an elective or political appointment a change in government does not affect a department’s staff.

Local government is carried out primarily by locally elected councils. There are numerous administrative divisions, each with its own council. The largest division is a county; it has a county council. There are also borough councils, rural district and urban district councils, district town councils (in Scotland), and parish councils. These councils are responsible for providing such services as garbage disposal, water supplies, sewerage, and street cleaning. They also administer the police and fire services as well as education, certain health services, and housing. Members of councils are elected and generally belong to one of the major political parties. Income for the operation of local government comes partly from the national government and partly from property taxes or domestic rates.

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

3. Answer the following questions to the text:

1. What do the local councils administer? 2. Why doesn’t the change of government affect the department’s stuff? 3. How does the Cabinet propose its policy? 4. How does the Cabinet maintain liability?

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

1. This firm (to run) by the Petersons, it (to found) in 1923. 2. I can’t make a decision on the case, too many mistakes (to make) during the investigation stage. 3. As soon as your luggage (to find) it (to send) to your office or to your hotel. 4. The centre of the town (to rebuild) now: the old buildings (to take down) and the new ones (to construct). The project (to complete) by the end of this century.

5. Change the active constructions into the passive ones:

1. They will give you this job. 2. They asked Mr Brokas to open the ceremony. 3. I have no doubt that Cohen & Blatt will accept our offer. 4. You may not enter the room: they are holding the shareholders’ meeting there. 5. Mr Done has asked Mrs Donson to reorganise the work of the department.

6. Put questions to the underlined words and word combinations. Use the prompts in brackets:

1. All confidential documents are being disposed of now. (Disjunctive)

2. He will be ruined if this information leaks. (General)

3. They have been promised a very profitable contract on the delivery of timber. (Alternative)

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

1. She hates to be sent to the nearest cafe to bring a hot-dog for her boss. 2. Having been fired she sued her former employer for sexual harassment. 3. The signed will was locked in the drawer of the desk never to be found. 4. Many important people are involved in the case, so I feel like walking on a string. 5. We are very grateful for your having accepted our plan.

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 was late for work every other day, so I had to fire him. 2. She has not only to shorthand but to make coffee during the breaks. 3. They had a wonderful possibility to take over that business, but they considered the deal for too long. 5. She is a very capable divorce lawyer. 6. I am to contact Mr Morris as soon as possible: we have serious problems. 7. You will have to take the consequences of your foolish decision. 8. You were to have prepared the room for hearings by 8:00.

9. Insert prepositions:

1. The committee usually spends much time ... preparing a bill. 2. I can’t understand why you insist ... going to the seaside ... train. 3. There is big demand ... experienced lawyers. 4. If there is any problem contact ... me or ... Mr Gutter at once. 5. He is not married, so he is sent ... business very often. 6. Borrowing money ... the bank seems very risky in such situation. 7. I must apologise ... him ... my inadequate behaviour. 8. If you concentrate ... your work you will not make so many silly mistakes. 9. Are you leaving ... Boston or ... New York? 10. I want to draw your attention ... Clause 6 of the Contract.

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Вопросы к зачету (4 семестр):

1. How is the Council of the Republic formed?

2. What is the composition of the House of Representatives?

3. What are the main functions of the National Assembly?

4. Who has the right to initiate legislative process?

5. What is the legislative procedure?

6. How can the presidential veto be overruled?

7. How many tiers does the judiciary in Belarus comprise?

8. How are judges appointed in Belarus?

9. How can the decisions of lower courts in Belarus be appealed?

10. In what cases does the Supreme Court of Belarus have original jurisdiction?

11. How many tiers does the British court system have?

12. What judicial function does the House of Lords have?

13. What is the jurisdiction of magistrates’ courts?

14. What courts of law hear criminal/civil cases?

15. How is British Prime Minister appointed?

16. What are the powers of Prime Minister?

17. What are the functions and responsibilities of the Cabinet?

18. What are the local government bodies and their powers?