- •Высшая школа экономики
- •I. Company law
- •1 Read through the text quickly and decide which of these phrases (a–f) best expresses the topic of each paragraph (1–6).
- •2 Some of the important roles in company management are discussed in Reading 1 above. Which roles are mentioned?
- •3 Here is a more comprehensive list of roles in company management.
- •5 Below is an extract from the articles of incorporation of a us company. Read through the text quickly and tick the issues it addresses.
- •6 Read the text again and decide whether these statements are true or false.
- •7 For each of these words or phrases, find the italicised word(s) in the text on
- •8 Read through the text again, noting how shall and may are used.
- •10 Read the first paragraph of the article. What situation is the bill trying to improve?
- •11 Read through the entire article and decide which of the following headings (a–f) would be most appropriate for each paragraph (1–6).
- •12 Decide whether these statements are true or false.
- •13 Do you agree that the llp is long overdue? In your view, is there also a need for such an institution in your jurisdiction?
- •14 Read the first three paragraphs. What does the dispute specifically involve?
- •15 Read the whole text and choose the best answer to each of these questions.
- •16 Choose the best explanation for each of these words or phrases from the text.
- •17 Answer these questions.
- •18 What is your opinion of the case? Do you think the shareholders’ claim is justified?
- •21 In Reading 4, which deals with a dispute concerning a company’s bylaws,
- •Vocabulary: distinguishing meaning. Which word in each group is the odd one out?
- •Vocabulary: prepositional phrases. Complete these sentences using the prepositional phrase from Exercise 4 that best fits in each. For some of the sentences, there is more than one correct answer.
- •Verb–noun collocations.
- •Increase the pay to staff above a certain percentage?
- •II Contract Law
- •1 Read the text and think of a suitable title for each of the two parts. Compare them with the titles given by your group mates.
- •2 Give Russian equivalents to the following words:
- •3 Complete the sentences (try not to look at the text):
- •4 Speak on the following:
- •5 Read the text about elements that are necessary for a valid contract. The parts of the text are mixed up. Put them in the correct order from 1 - 5.
- •6 Discuss with the partner
- •7 Read the text “Contract Law and Business”
- •8 Comment upon the diagram below.
- •2 Vocabulary. Give synonyms to the following words.
- •3 Match the words with their definitions.
- •Illegal obligation oral performance property signed terms
- •Newspapers write Newspapers write Newspapers write Friendly environment
- •The g8 countries agree on climate change, and more besides
- •Vocabulary
- •Financial times
- •Vocabulary
- •III . Family Law
- •1 Read the texts about different traditions to get married and compare the traditional wedding in Britain and the us with that in Russia.
- •2 Give Russian equivalents of the italicized words and expressions
- •3 Make up a summary of the text above by answering these questions:
- •4 Read through the entire text and decide which of the following headings (a–f) would be most appropriate for each paragraph (1–6).
- •5 Discuss the following questions:
- •6 Choose a topic for a short composition (write 180 – 200 words):
- •7 Before you read the text look up the meaning of the following:
- •8 Read through the entire text and decide which of the following titles (a - g) would be most appropriate for each part (1 - 7 ):
- •9 Discuss the following topics:
- •10 Write your own opinion on the following:
- •11 Vocabulary: Find a match
- •I. Before you read discuss these questions.
- •Vocabulary
- •1. Write what you think of the problem of dividing the assets of spouses.
- •2. Read another article from the Economist. It is about autistic children.
- •Vocabulary
- •Попова Татьяна Петровна Legal Reading Учебно-методическое пособие по чтению для студентов 3-го курса факультета права
- •Часть 1
Newspapers write Newspapers write Newspapers write Friendly environment
Before you read the article discuss these questions:
Why do the G8 gather regularly? Is there usually any positive outcome of their meetings?
What were the main objectives of the meeting in June 2007? If you happen not to remember, read the article and name the 3 main aims that Angela Merkel had set up.
Jun 8th 2007 | HEILIGENDAMM, GERMANY From Economist.com
The g8 countries agree on climate change, and more besides
DESPITE the row over Russian missiles that preceded it and the mob of angry protestors outside, the G8 meeting probably helped in the quest for global stability. The top industrial countries ended their summit in Heiligendamm on Friday June 8th with a handful of agreements aimed at just that goal. The most positive outcome of the three-day summit was America's apparent shift closer to the G8 mainstream.
The most important agreement was on climate change: a commitment at least to “consider seriously” the goal of halving global greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050. There was also a pledge of $60 billion to combat HIV and AIDS, with the aim of giving all victims access to treatment by 2010.
The G8, without surrendering their status as the world’s most powerful countries, also invited leaders of the strongest developing economies—Brazil, Mexico, India, China and South Africa—to join them in four initiatives: on climate change, safeguarding intellectual property, encouraging cross-border investment, and developing Africa. Africa was in the spotlight at the final day of meetings.
The German hosts coined the term “Heiligendamm Process” to describe the inclusion of the big developing countries, in some of the G8’s endeavours. The intention is to bind these countries, particularly China, more closely to policies of the G8, and to avoid “China-bashing”, according to German officials. It was not clear, after meetings of this quasi G13, whether the Heiligendamm Process would catch on.
The summit, held at a wedding-cake hotel on the Baltic coast, brought a surprise offer from Russia's president, Vladimir Putin. Russia's threat to target Europe if America put its planned missile-defence stations there had looked as if it might overshadow proceedings. But in bilateral talks with America's president, George Bush, Mr Putin proposed joint use of radar stations in Azerbaijan, as an answer to American defence concerns east of Europe. Mr Bush said he would consider the offer.
The agreement on climate change is a modest triumph for Angela Merkel, the German chancellor and the summit's host. Although there was no firm commitment on numbers, the agreement accepts the need to develop a global framework, under UN auspices, by the end of next year, ready to replace the Kyoto protocol on climate change when it expires in 2012. There had been fears that Mr Bush would reject a UN-sponsored programme just as America has refused to ratify the Kyoto protocol whereby leading countries pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions at least 5% below 1990 levels.
Another German initiative, to introduce a code of conduct for hedge funds in the interests of financial stability, got no further. American and British financial regulators, and the financial firms they oversee, believe that improving best practice and their own vigilance are enough to prevent a problem in the $1.6 trillion hedge-fund industry from triggering a wider financial crisis.
Beyond the smooth lawns and swish setting of Heiligendamm, well-organised bands of anti-G8 protesters kept a 16,000-strong police force busy. Several times they evaded the police and occupied areas near a specially built perimeter fence. The protests were mainly peaceful, though they had been heralded at the weekend in nearby Rostock by violent clashes between police and black-clad radical protesters known as Autonomen.
The main message of the protesters was rejection of policy-making that kow-tows to “global capitalism”. As helicopters roared overhead, and water cannon readied for action, they pleaded for more debt forgiveness for the world’s poorest countries, as did a rock concert against poverty in Rostock, led by the combined vocal talents Bob Geldof, Bono and Herbert Grönemeyer. Non-governmental organisations said the G8 pledges fell short. Oxfam, an aid group, argued that the $60 billion proffered to combat disease added only $3 billion a year to what had already been promised up to 2010. Greenpeace, an environmental group, said that despite the inclusion of America in work to reduce emissions, the Bush administration was “as far away as ever” from agreeing such reductions itself.
For Ms Merkel, at any rate, such objections are swept away. The headline in Bild, a popular daily newspaper, hailed her as “Miss World” for achieving three goals: on climate change, more money for Africa, and détente between Mr Bush and Mr Putin. And, given the inauspicious lead up to the meeting, she may well have earned the title.
Understanding main points
Ask your partner the following questions. Say whether you agree with the given answers or not.
Where and when did the top industrial countries end their summit?
What was the positive outcome of the summit?
What was called Heiligendamm Process?
What surprise did the summit bring?
What is the main issue of the Kyoto protocol?
Who was against the summit? What was the main message of the protest?
Understanding details
Answer these questions
Why were there fears that Mr. Bush would reject the program devoted to climate change?
What did the “antiglobalists” want to achieve by their actions?
Why did the newspaper Bild call Angela Merkel ‘Miss World’?