New York

New York is one of the largest cities in the world. It was founded three hundred years ago in the mouth of the Hudson River.

The centre of New York is Manhattan Island. In 1626 it was bought from the Indians for twenty-four dollars. Today Manhattan is the centre of business and commercial life of the country. There are many skyscrapers, banks and offices of American businessmen in Manhattan. Broadway begins here; the Stock Exchange is located here. Not many people live in Manhattan, although the majority work here. Numerous bridges link Manhattan Island with the other parts of New York.

People from almost all parts of the world live New York. It is even called “Modern Babylon”. A lot of immigrants came to the USA from different countries at the beginning of the 20-th century. They entered the USA through New York – the Gateway of America.

New York is one of the leading manufacturing cities in the world. The most important branches of industry are those producing paper products, vehicles, glass, chemicals, and machinery. The city traffic is very busy.

Questions:

1. When was New York founded?

2. What was the price of the Manhattan Island in 1626?

3. What is Manhattan like today?

4. Do many people live in Manhattan?

5. What is Broadway famous for?

6. Why is NewYork called “Modern Babylon”?

7. What are the most important branches of industry in New York?

Глава 3. The Russian Federation

Текст 1.

Federal Assembly

The Federal Assembly – the Parliament of the Russian Federation is

the representative and legislative body of the Russian Federation. The

Federal Assembly consists of two houses: a Federation Council and a State

Duma. The Federation Council is composed of two representatives from each

member of the Russian Federation – one from its representative and one from

its executive body of state authority. The State Duma consists of 450

deputies. The Federal Assembly is a permanently working body. The

Federation Council and the State Duma have their sessions separately. Their

sessions are public, but in the cases stipulated by their code of procedure,

they may hold their sessions in camera. Each of the houses forms committees

and commissions and holds hearings on the appropriate issues. To supervise

the execution of the federal budget the Federation Council and the State

Duma form an Accounting Chamber. Its composition and procedure of work

is determined by federal legislation.

The Federation Council has power:

- to approve changes of borders between members of the Russian

Federation;

- to approve the decree of the President of the Russian Federation on

the introduction of martial law;

to approve the decree of the President on the introduction of the state

of emergency;

- to decide the possibility of using the Armed Forces of the Russian

Federation beyond its territory;

- to call the elections of the President of the Russian Federation;

- to remove the President of Russia from office by impeachment;

- to appoint the judges of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court

and the Supreme Court of Arbitration of the Russian Federation;

- to appoint and remove from office the Prosecutor-General of the

Russian Federation;

- to appoint the Deputy Chairman of the Accounting Chamber and

half of its auditors and to remove them from office.

The State Duma has power:

- to approve the nominee of the President of the Russian Federation to

the office of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation;

to appoint the Chairman of the Central Bank of the Russian

Federation and to remove him from office;

- to appoint the Chairman of the Accounting Chamber and half of its

auditors and to remove them from office;

- to appoint an Office for Human Rights, who acts in accordance with

a federal constitutional law, and to remove him from office;

- to declare amnesty;

- to bring charges against the President of the Russian Federation for

the purpose of removing him from office by impeachment.

The Government (executive power) of the Russian Federation is

composed of the Chairman of the Government (the Prime Minister), Deputy

Chairmen of the Government and the federal ministers. The Chairman of the

Government is appointed by the President of the Russian Federation with the

consent of the State Duma. The State Duma considers the candidate for the

office of Chairman of the Government proposed by the President of the Russian

Federation within a week of the submission of the nomination of the candidate.

After the State Duma rejects three candidates to the office of Chairman of the

Government, the President of the Russian Federation appoints the Chairman of

the Government of the Russian Federation, dissolves the State Duma, and calls

new elections. The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation

proposes to the President his candidates to the offices of Deputy Chairmen of the

Government of the Russian Federation and federal ministers.

The Government of the Russian Federation has power:

- to prepare and submit to the State Duma the federal budget and

ensure its execution; submit to the State Duma a report on the

implementation of the federal budget;

- to ensure the pursuit in the Russian Federation of a uniform

financial, credit, and monetary policy;

- to ensure the pursuit in the Russian Federation of a uniform state

policy in the fields of culture, science, education, health protection, social

security, and ecology;

- to manage federal property;

- to carry out measures aimed to ensure the defense and state security

of the country and the pursuit of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation;

- to carry out measures aimed to ensure legality, protect human rights,

personal freedoms and property, maintain public order, and combat crime.

Текст 2.

Moscow

Founded in 1147 by Yury Dolgoruky, Moscow has become the largest political, administrative, economic and cultural centre in the country. Moscow is one of the world’s scientific and arts centres. It is the seat of the Academy of Sciences of Russia, the home of many colleges, thousands of schools, lots of research institutes. There are over 100 museums and exhibition halls, dozens of theatres, hundreds of cinemas and libraries. Moscow is rich in historical and architectural monuments.

The heart of Moscow is the Kremlin. The cathedrals, palaces, towers and buildings of the Kremlin are remarkable museums containing unique exhibits associated with Russian history. The Czar Bell and the Czar Cannon are the sights that attract many tourists as well.

There are many towers in the Kremlin. The Spassky Tower is the tallest tower and it has become one of the symbols of Moscow.

Red Square is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. In the 17^th century the square was called “red” which means “beautiful” in old Slavic. The square has witnessed many historic events. Here ceremonies, national celebrations and executions took place. In the centre of it can see the Mausoleum near the Kremlin wall. On the south side of the square is St Basil’s Cathedral was built under Ivan IV (the Terrible) to celebrate the annexation of Kazan and Astrakhan. The Russian masters Posnik and Barma built this architectural masterpiece.

The monument to Minin and Pozharsky is situated in front of the Cathedral. The monument was sculptured by Ivan Martos in classical style. It is devoted to the victory of 1612 war against the Polish invaders.

On the east side of the square is the largest department store of the capital. On the north side of the square is the Historical Museum. Its collection covers the Russian history from ancient times to the end of the 19^th century.

Not far in the Alexandrovsky Garden is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier made of marble. It is a holy place in Moscow. A perpertual flame burns on the tombstone which has the following inscription: “ Your name is unknown but your heroic deed is immortal”

Teatralnaya Square is the centre of Russian theatrical culture, with the famous Bolshoy Theatre, the Maly Theatre, which is the oldest and largest drama theatre in the country, and with the Children’s Theatre built in 1921.

In the square we can see the monument to A.N.Ostrovsky in front of the Maly Theatre, and the monument to Karl Marx in the centre of the square opposite to the Bolshoy Theatre.

Moscow is famous for its monuments. You can find here monuments to outstanding writers, poets, scientists, revolutionaries. Perhaps, the most beautiful is the monument to Pushkin, the great Russian poet. It is situated in the centre of Pushkinskaya Square opposite to “Rossia” cinema. There are always many people around, some of them bring flowers to the monument.

The most popular museums in Moscow are probably the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery. The Pushkin Museum is situated in Volkhonka street. It has a fine collection of European painting and sculptures. The Pushkin Museum periodically holds exhibitions of the art of various countries. The Tretyakov Gallery is famous for its unique collection of Russian art. Its founder, Pavel Tretyakov, began collecting the finest works of Russian artists in 1856. Thirty –six years later he presented the whole collection to the city of Moscow.

In the South- West of Moscow we can see a 32 – storey building of Moscow. University with the monument to M.Lomonosov in front of it. The University was named after the great Russian scientist. The University was constructed in 1949-53. Later in the 70-ties several new buildings were added.

If you turn your back on the University, you will have a remarkable view of the capital. Across the Moskva-river the central stadium in Luzhniki is situated, one of the biggest sport centres in Europe. There are many sport facilities in Moscow, among them are the Olympic complex, various stadiums, a number of swimming pools.

Questions:

1. When was Moscow founded?

2. Who was it founded by?

3. Why do we call Moscow a political centre? (a cultural centre, a scientific centre)

4. What is the heart of Moscow?

5. What can we see in the Kremlin?

6. Do you think Red Square is the most beautiful square in the country?

7. Can you explain what the name “Red” means?

8. What is situated on Red Square?

9. What is the monument to Minin and Pozharsky devoted to?

10. Where is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier situated?

11. What is Teatralnaya Square famous for?

12. Is Moscow rich in monuments? What monuments in Moscow do you know?

13. What are the most popular museums in Moscow?

14. Where is Moscow University situated?

15. What sport facilities are there in Moscow?

Литература

1. Прохорова О.Л. Сборник иноязычных профессионально-ориентированных заданий для студентов неязыковых вузов (при изучении темы “Government in Great Britain and in the USA”) материалы для организации самостоятельной работы студентов неязыковых вузов – Челябинск: Изд-во ЧГПУ, 2007. -48 c.

2. Федорова Л.М., Немчина Н.Н., Никитаев С.Н. Английский язык для юристов – М.: Изд-во «Экзамен», 2003. – 128 с.

3. Куценко Л.И., Тимофеева Г.И. Английский язык. Учебное пособие для юридических учебных заведений. Центр юридической литературы – М.: «Щит – М», 2001 – 288с.