11. Check your understanding of the text by marking these statements as True or False. Provide evidence from the text to support your answers.
1. The Republic of Belarus as a sovereign country was formed in 1990, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
2. Our national Constitution was adopted in March 1994 in which the functions of the Prime Minister were given to the President.
3. According to the Constitution, the Republic of Belarus is a presidential republic, governed by the President and the National Assembly.
4. Alexander Lukashenko has been the President of Belarus since 1992.
5. The unicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Republic and the House of Representatives.
6. The Council of Ministers is the legislative branch of state power, and is appointed by the President of Belarus.
7. Control over the constitutional compliance of normative acts in the country is fulfilled by the Supreme Court.
12. Complete the suggested statements.
1. State power is formed and realized through ...
2. Executive power is exercised by ...
3. Legislative power is vested in ...
4. The judicial power is performed by ...
5. In accordance with the Constitution, the President...
13. Give extensive answers to the following questions.
What are the country's supreme legislative, executive and judicial authorities?
What is the official name of the Belarusian Parliament?
What chambers does it consist of?
Who is the country's President at the moment?
Who is the head of the Government nowadays?
What is the function of State Control Committee?
Who appoints the Prime Minister?
14. Give a brief account of the text.
English-Speaking Countries
1. Are you good at the UK? Test yourself.
1. Where is the United Kingdom situated?
2. What is the area of the United Kingdom?
3. What countries does it consist of?
4. What is the highest mountain on the British Isles?
5. What is the longest river?
6. What is the highest mountain in Wales?
7. What is the population of the United Kingdom?
8. What is the population of London?
9. What industry is developed in South Wales?
10. What kind of state is the United Kingdom?
11. What houses does the British Parliament consist of?
12. How is the flag of the United Kingdom called?
2. Here you can see five flags of the English-speaking countries. Name these countries and match each flag with the proper country.
3. Read the texts about some of English-speaking countries and answer the questions. Canada
Canada is situated on the North American continent. In size Canada is the second in the world after Russia. Its area is almost 10 million square kmilometers.
The capital of Canada is Ottawa, which is situated on the bank of the Ottawa River. It is famous for its beautiful parks. It is also known as the city of bridges.
Now Canada is a federal state consisting of 10 provinces and 2 territories. In the east, the four maritime (Atlantic) provinces are Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Quebec and Ontario are Canada’s two largest provinces, situated in central Canada. The three prairie provinces of western Canada are Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Canada's Pacific province is British Columbia. The territories are the Yukon Territory and Northwest Territory.
The population of 27 mln lives only in 1/3 of Canada, besides it's very thinly spread – 2 people per sq km. Most Canadians live close to the USA, within 160 km of the USA border.
Canada is an independent constitutional monarchy and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The monarch of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is also the monarch of Canada and is represented in the country by the office of governor-general. Power on the federal level is exercised by the Canadian Parliament and the cabinet of ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. The Parliament has two houses: the Senate and the House of Commons. There are generally 105 senators, apportioned among the provinces and appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Prime Minister.
Canada's current flag was proclaimed in 1965, in the centre there is a red sugar maple leaf, the side bars represent the ocean boundaries, the colour is not blue, meaning independence from Great Britain and France.
Canada is very rich in forest, minerals and fur-bearing animals. It holds the first place in the world in the amount of forests. It is rich in the following natural resources: non-ferrous metals, uranium, oil, natural gas, coal. Canadian industries produce cars, airliners, locomotives, sea vessels, snow-removal machines, and agricultural equipment. The most developed industries are timber, mining, chemical, meat and milk and food industries. Canada grows wheat, barley, flax, potatoes, vegetables and fruit. Fishing is also one of the prosperous industries.
Canada is a good example of the way peoples of different ways of life and different languages can live side by side under one government. There are many Indians, Pacistanis and Chinese, and also blacks from the USA, among the immigrants who are pouring into Canada now.
Canada's culture draws influences from its broad range of constituent nationalities, and policies that promote multiculturalism are constitutionally protected.
The official languages of Canada are English and French. Nearly 60 percent of the population speaks English and 27 percent speak French. The rest speaks Eskimo, Indian, German, Ukrainian and Italian.
1. What is the area of Canada?
2. What is the capital of Canada?
3. What place does the country hold in the world in the amount of forests?
4. What is one of the prosperous industries?
5. How many percent of the population speak English?