2. In the sentences below substitute the italicized elements with the words and word combinations from column a in the table above.

1.Under the two-party system functioning in the USA, at the preliminary voting, conducted under the administration of the states, people choose the candidates from the most important and less important political parties for all offices one should win the election for. 2. Those candidates then compete in the following main voting. 3. The parties use their traditional talismans and recognized colors in their marketing and symbolizing. 4. Third political parties are likely to serve

as an instrument to promote strategies that in the end are approved by the two major political parties, may have great local strength for a few years, then they disappear little by little.

3. Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions. What political parties in the USA can you think of? How do the US political parties promote their candidates in elections? Do you know any US party’s colors or symbols and their meaning? What may be the role of minor parties in the political process in the USA?

4. For questions 1-10 read through the following text and then choose from the list A-J the best phrase given below to fill each of the spaces.

Political parties in the usa

The United States have operated under a two-party system (1).

(2), state-administered primary elections choose the major party nominees

(3). (4), the major parties have been the Democratic

Party, and the Republican Party. The traditional mascot of the Republican Party is the elephant,

and the most common mascot symbol (5) is the donkey. __ (6)

(and many minor ones) use the traditional American red, white, and blue colours in their marketing and representations, the colour blue has become the identified colour of the

Democratic Party, while red - (7). Many minor or third political parties

(8). They tend (9) to advocate policies that eventually are

adopted by the two major political parties, • (10) for a few years, then fade away.

1. for the Democratic Party

100. for subsequent general elections

5. have considerable local strength

7. the one of the Republican Party

1. for elective offices at all levels

2. although both major political parties

4. appear from time to time

5. for most of its history

7. to serve a means

J. since the general election of 1856

5. Work in pairs. Tell your partner about the political parties in the USA and their symbols.

6. 0. Major political parties

   Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets. AH sentences refer to the future. There is an example at the beginning (0).

. (choose) nominees this time next year.

Major political parties will be choosing nominees this time next year

1. The politicians believe that the United States (operate) under a two-party

system for the rest of its history.

2. The Green Party _: (never substitute) by its strength the Democrats in

the political arena.

3. For the next four years the Republican Party (advocate) its present policy in

foreign affairs.

4. If nothing happens, the major parties (choose) their nominees at the primary

elections.

5. Many minor parties in the USA definitely (use) the traditional American

red, blue and white colours in their representation and marketing.

6. While the country is evolving, minor political parties (appear) on the

political arena.

7. At the next summer convention the Republican Party (not discuss) their

traditional mascot symbol.

8. The policy of the Democratic Party (have) considerable influence in the future.

9. Two major parties - the Democratic and the Republican leadership during the subsequent general elections.

10. (share) the

    (fade).

    If this nominee fails at the primaries, the status of his party

7. Listen to the text on the Republican Party and fill in the gaps in the sentences. You will hear the text twice.