- •Part I the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland Unit 1 geography
- •2. Read and memorize the following proper names:
- •3. Read and translate the text:
- •4. Complete the sentences. Use the map,
- •5. Say what we call the following:
- •6. Choose the right variant:
- •7. Prove that the following statements are wrong. Use the expressions:
- •8. Find the answers to the following questions:
- •Unit 2 general outline
- •4. Complete each definition with one of the following words:
- •5. Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the text:
- •6. Are the statements true or false? Correct the false statements. Use the expressions:
- •7. Answer the following questions:
- •8. Study the tables and answer the questions below them:
- •9. Would you like to learn the uk national anthem? God Save the Queen
- •10. Read and translate the text. National emblems of uk
- •The Royal Coat of Arms
- •11. Complete the sentences with the missing words:
- •12. Check yourseif. Choose the right variant.
- •13. Describe the national flag and the royal coat of arms of the uk.
- •14. What can you tell about the national emblems of your country.
- •15. Sum up everything you have learnt about
- •Unit 3 the system of government
- •1. Practice the pronunciation of the words:
- •2. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:
- •3. Read and translate the text: state system
- •4. Fill in the blanks with the proper words and word combinations from the text:
- •5. Prove that the following statements are right. Use the expressions:
- •6. Explain what is meant by the following:
- •7. Answer the following questions:
- •8. Read the text and answer the questions below it: the crown
- •9. Do you know that?
- •10. Read the text and answer the questions below: political parties
- •11. Speak about the uk system of government according to the plan below. Use the expressions:
- •Unit 4 (industry) economy
- •1. Practise the pronunciation of the words:
- •2. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:
- •3. Read and translate the text:
- •Industry
- •4. Complete the following sentences:
- •5. Match each word in the first column with one in the second in ways that relate to the text:
- •6. Answer the following questions:
- •7. Speak on Britain's economy according to the plan:
- •4. Complete the following sentences:
- •5. Choose the right variant:
- •6. Answer the following questions:
- •7. Work with a partner. Discuss the main sections of Central London.
- •8. Find more facts about London today. Supplementary reading. Text I The Royal Family of Windsor
- •Text 2. Buckingham Palace
- •Text 3 british ways
- •Part II the united states of america Unit 1. Geography and climate
- •1. Read and memorize:
- •2. Remember the pronunciation of the following words:
- •3. Read and translate the text:
- •4. Answer the following questions:
- •5. Finish the following sentences:
- •6. Ask your fellow students what new information he got having read the text. Use the formulas:
- •Unit 2 the political system part 1: the legislative branch.
- •1. Read and memorize:
- •2. Remember the pronunciation of the following words:
- •3. Read and translate the text:
- •4. Answer the following questions:
- •5. Match the words in the left column with their definitions in the right column.
- •6. Complete the following sentences:
- •2. Remember the pronunciation of the following words:
- •3. Read and translate the text:
- •4. Answer the following questions:
- •5. Prove that the following sentences are right:
- •6. Finish the following sentences:
- •Unit 4 washington, d.C.
- •1. Read and memorize:
- •2. Read and translate the text:
- •3. Answer the following questions:
- •5. Speak about the capital of the usa. Use the expressions:
- •Unit 5. Youths and their families
- •2. Discuss the problems facing American families and compare them with the situation in your country . Unit 6. Youth's problems
- •1. Study the text and answer the following questions:
- •2. What do these numbers refer to: 1976; 450,000; 6,9mln; 13,5%; 21
- •2. Prove the fact than American young people are involved in different organizations and activities. Supplementary reading text I. Administrative System of the States
- •Text II. United States Political Parties
- •Vocabulary List
- •Text III. How a bill becomes a law
- •Text IV. Lobbyists1
- •Content
3. Read and translate the text: state system
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is one of the six constitutional (or parliamentary) monarchies within the European Community. The British Constitution is unwritten and is not contained in any single document. It is based on Acts of Parliament (laws).
The system of state power includes three branches: Parliament, which makes Saws (the legislative branch); the government, which puts laws into effect (the executive branch); and the law courts, which interpret Acts of Parliament (the judicial branch). The monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who succeeded to the throne in 1952, is officially head of all three branches. Everything is done in the Queen's name. It is her government, her law courts, her armed forces and so on. She appoints all the Ministers, including the Prime Minister. Everything is done however on the advice of the elected government, and the monarch takes no part in the decision-making process. So it is often said that the Queen reigns but does not rule.
The centre of British politics is Parliament, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and the Queen as its head. Parliament is known as "Westminster", since it is housed in the Palace of Westminster, once a home of the monarchy. Like the monarchy, Parliament is an ancient institution, dating from 1265. It is the oldest Parliament in the world, that is why Great Britain is known as Mother of Parliaments.
Parliament's functions today are to raise money for government through taxation; to examine government policy, administration and spending; to discuss important political questions. But the main function is making laws. A bill (a proposal for a new law) may be introduced by any member of Parliament. But in practice most bills are proposed by the government. When both Houses agree on a text after debating, the bill is sent to the Queen for her Royal Assent, at which point it becomes an Act of Parliament. A bill which has been passed by the House of Commons is almost certain to become law, and about fifty bills become Acts each year. The Lords can only delay the process but cannot stop bills from becoming Acts. The Royal Assent is a formality: no monarch has refused a bill since 1707.
The House of Lords consists of more than 1,000 hereditary and life peers (who are not elected and not paid a salary). But only about 250 take an active part in the work of the House, including the Lords Spiritual (26 bishops of the Church of England) and the Lords Temporal, who undertake the judicial duties. (The chamber also works as the highest and final Court of Appeal). The chairman of the House of Lords is Lord Chancellor, who sits on a special seat called the Woolsack (a symbol of British welfare). The monarch's throne is in the Lords. The Queen sits on it once a year to make her speech at the opening of a new session of Parliament (concerning the government's broad programme).
The House of Commons consists of 659 members known as Members of Parliament (MPs for short). Each of them represents an area in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. MPs are elected by the adult population at a general election every five years. The head of the Commons is the Speaker.
The British parliamentary system depends on political parties. (Nowadays the Conservative and the Labour Parties dominate in the UK). The political parties choose candidates in elections. The party which wins the majority of seats in the House of Commons forms the government (about 100 ministers), and its leader usually becomes Prime Minister. The Prime Minister chooses about 20 MPs from his or her party to become the Cabinet of Ministers. The nucleus of the government, the Cabinet acts as one body with 'collective responsibility'. It meets at №10, Downing Street (the Prime Minister's residence), and its discussions are secret. All major decisions of the government are made by the Cabinet. Therefore, it is the Cabinet that forms government policy.
The Prime Minister has considerable individual power to introduce and control policies, to represent the nation in political matters, to run the government, to appoint Cabinet Ministers and to change the Cabinet. The Prime Minister also continues to lead the majority party. The second largest party becomes the official opposition with its own leader and "Shadow cabinet".