Topic 2 The Constitution of Ukraine.

WORD LIST

Governed by --- керуючись

To adopt --- приймати

To assure --- гарантувати, забезпечувати

sovereign --- суверенний

single citizenship --- єдине громадянство

anthem --- гімн

banner --- стяг

stripe --- смуга

obligation --- обов‘язок

restriction --- обмеження

gender --- стать

origin --- походження

ownership --- майновий стан

to guarantee --- гарантувати

inviolability --- недоторканість

dwelling --- житло

medical care --- медична допомога

insurance --- страхування

to specify --- точно визначити

branch --- галузь

legislative --- законодавчий

executive --- виконавчий

judicial --- судовий

Supreme Court --- Верховний Суд

suffrage --- виборче право

law drafting work --- законопроектна робота

voter --- виборець

to exercise --- здійснювати, виконувати

Lexical Exercises

1. Match the given English noun phrases with their Ukrainian equivalents:

sovereign state single citizenship anthem and banner equal rights democratic freedoms full development personality gender and origin place of residence medical care ownership law drafting work taxes and duties executive power 15. obligation

1.законопроектна робота 2.місце проживання 3.податки і збори 4.медична допомога 5.виконавча влада 6.єдине громадянство 7.обов‘язок 8.гімн і стяг 9.майновий стан 10.стать і походження особистість всебічний розвиток суверенна держава рівні права 15.демократичні свободи

2. Match the given verbs and English verbal phrases with their Ukrainian equivalents:

to assert to exercise to guarantee the rights to state to adopt the document to specify the structure to establish to fulfill programs to assure

приймати документ гарантувати, забезпечувати здійснювати програми встановлювати гарантувати права затверджувати заявляти, констатувати точно визначати структуру здійснювати, виконувати

2. Give English equivalents for the words and word combinations given below: недоторканість, виборець, виборче право, затверджувати, законодавча галузь, судова влада, привілеї, житло, здійснювати, обмеження, точно визначати, керуючись, страхування, податки, гарантувати.

2. Translate the following words and word combinations:

to adopt the Constitution, to assure rights, freedoms and duties, to have obligations, to pay taxes and duties, governed by the law, based upon colour of skin, monetary unit, single citizenship, state symbols, the right to free choice of residence, the head of the executive power, universal, equal and direct suffrage, the environment, voter, secret ballot, personal inviolability.

2. Read and translate the text.

The Constitution of Ukraine

Governed by the Act of Ukraine’s Independence of August 24, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Constitution on June 28, 1996.

The Constitution consists of 15 chapters, 161 articles.

It establishes the country’s political system, assures rights, freedoms and duties of citizens.

The Constitution asserts that Ukraine is a sovereign and independent, democratic, legal state with single citizenship.

The state language is Ukrainian.

The capital is Kyiv.

The monetary unit is Hryvna.

The State Symbols of Ukraine are the State Flag, the State Emblem and the State Anthem. The State Flag is a blue and yellow banner made of two horizontal stripes.

The Constitution states that every person has the right to free and full development of his/her personality and has obligations before the society. Citizens have equal Constitutional rights and freedoms, and they are equal before the law. There are no privileges or restrictions based upon colour of skin, gender, social origin, place of residence, ownership, language, religion.

The articles of the Constitution guarantee the rights to life, work, rest, education, free choice of residence, personal inviolability and inviolability of dwelling, medical care and medical insurance, safe and healthy environment.

Defence of the Motherland is the duty of citizens. No person may damage the environment. Every person shall pay taxes and duties.

The Constitution specifies the structure of the national government, its powers and duties. The powers are divided into 3 branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

There are 450 people’s deputies in the Verkhovna Rada. They are elected for a term of 4 years on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The main function of the Verkhovna Rada is making laws. Law drafting work is performed by its Committees.

The President is the head of the executive power. He is elected directly by the voters for a term of 5 years with no more than 2 full terms. The highest body of the executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers. It fulfills national programs on the economic, scientific, social and cultural development of Ukraine.

Justice in Ukraine is exercised by courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court of general jurisdiction in the country. The Constitutional Court is the sole body of constitutional jurisdiction in the state.

The day of the adoption of the Constitution is celebrated as a state holiday.

Comprehension Questions:

1. When was Ukraine proclaimed an independent state?

2. When was the Constitution of Ukraine adopted?

3. How do you understand the meaning of the phrase “a sovereign state”?

4. What does the Constitution establish?

5. What objects of the property right of Ukrainian people do you know?

6. What are the state symbols of Ukraine?

7. What does the Constitution state?

8. What do the articles of the Constitution guarantee?

9. Which duties of Ukrainian citizens do you know?

10. Who is the head of the state?

11. How long is his term of office?

12. What are the three branches of power in the country?

13. What is the task of each of them?

14. How many articles and chapters does the Constitution consist of?

15. How do Ukrainian people celebrate the Constitution Day?