Text 2. A letter from Steve

I. Read the letter and do the task following it.

Hello, Alex,

I enjoyed reading your last letter. I am learning more and more about Russia, its people, climate, and also about its problems. To be perfectly frank, we are also worried about the ecological situation in the country and in the whole world. Environmental problems are not easy to solve, but each person should take care of himself. I mean, people should try to lead a healthy life style, give up bad habits, such as drinking, smoking and using drugs. They should eat health food, and not junk food, or fast food, have enough of sleep and physical exercise, and do sports instead of sitting before the computer day and night. They should not drop litter in the streets and dump waste into rivers, lakes, oceans and seas. In a word, we must protect Nature if we want to survive. I hope you agree with me on this matter.

Now for your request. It’s nice to see that you are learning legal English in a serious way, and I am glad to help if I can. I am forwarding some texts which, I think, might prove useful.

Write again soon,

Love,

Steve.

II. Find in the text of the letter equivalents to the following.

1. откровенно говоря

2. экологические проблемы

3. заботиться о себе

4. здоровый образ жизни

5. отказаться от вредных привычек

6. физическая нагрузка

7. бросать мусор

8. сбрасывать отходы

9. одним словом

10. выжить

11. высылать

12. оказаться полезным

Text 3. Common Law

I. Read, translate and retell the text.

Historically, the British legal system is based on church law and common law. Church law is also called cannon law.

Cannon law used the principles of natural law, which is also called God's law, or the Bible.

Common law was based on decisions of judges, traditions, customs and acts of Parliament.

Modern British and American legal systems are based on common law.

Common law consists of two kinds: case law and statutory law.

Case law is based on earlier decisions of courts. Statutory law is based on laws made by legislative bodies, or legislatures of cities, towns or states. These laws are called statutes.

Vocabulary

common law church law cannon law natural law case law statutory law body statute

общее право церковное право каноническое право естественное право прецедентное право статутное право орган статут, закон

II. Questions to be answered.

1. What 2 kinds of law is the British legal system historically based on?

2. What principles did cannon law rely on?

3. What was common law based on?

4. What are the 2 kinds of common law?

5. What is case law based on?

6. What does statutory law consist of?

7. What are statutes?

8. What kind of law are modern British and American systems based on?