Модуль XIII. Социально-политический портрет сша

Цель: совершенствование навыков диалогической и монологической речи.

Задачи:

- учить строить монологическое высказывание по теме,

- совершенствовать навыки чтения текстов страноведческого характера с общим и полным охватом содержания,

-совершенствование репродуктивных и рецептивных грамматических навыков,

- воспитание чувства патриотизма.

Студент должен знать:

- терминологию лексической темы,

- законодательные и исполнительные ветви власти США,

- грамматическую тему: «Фразовые глаголы».

Студент должен уметь:

- полно и точно понимать содержание аутентичных текстов «Законодательные и исполнительные ветви власти» и «Выборы президента США»,

- анализировать иноязычный текст «Законодательные и исполнительные ветви власти с позиций его структурных и лексических особенностей,

- грамотно выражать свои мысли устно и письменно на иностранном (английском) языке,

- правильно употреблять фразовые глаголы в английском языке.

Тема 13.1. Законодательные и исполнительные ветви власти сша

Грамматическая тема: Предлоги.

Study the words and the word-combinations.

an amendment — поправка, изменение

vest with power — облекать властью

dual — двойной

a branch — отрасль

adopt — принимать (закон, резолюцию)

assign — назначать (на должность)

become permanently disabled — полностью утратить дееспособность

resign — уходить в отставку

a treaty — договор, соглашение

ratify — ратифицировать

possess — владеть

a tax — налог

coin —чеканить

an appointment — назначение

the House of Representatives —палата представителей (в конгрессе США)

remove — смещать (с занимаемого поста)

expire — истекать (о сроке)

evidence — доказательство

draft — проект, законопроект

approve — утверждать, одобрять

a trial — судебный процесс

the Chief Justice — председатель Верховного суда США

a judge — судья

the jury — суд присяжных

inauguration — торжественное вступление в должность

install — официально входить в должность

a participant — участник

a rostrum — трибуна

an oath — клятва, присяга

proclaim — провозглашать, объявлять

I. Give Russian equivalents for the following words and expressions.

to adopt;

to take part;

the highest executive power;

to improve taxes;

appointments;

to make rules.

ІI. Match the English expressions with their Russian equivalents.

1. government	a) законопроект
2. elect	b) власть
3. bill	c) назначать
4. power	d) правительство
5. assign	e) выборы
6. elections	f) выбирать

III. Read and translate the text.

The United States of America is a federal union of 50 states. Its basic law is the Constitution, adopted in 1789 and the amendments to it. Besides, each state has its own government. Thus, all governments in America have the amendment character of both Federal and state Government. The basic principle of all American government is the separation of the three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. Each branch of government holds a certain degree of power over the other, and all take part in the governmental process.

The highest executive power in the United States is vested in the President of the USA, who is elected for a term of 4 years by electors of each state. As a head of the executive branch the President must carry out the government programmes adopted by Congress. He recommends programmes and laws to Congress and requests money for federal government operations. If a president “vetoes” or refuses to sign a bill passed by Congress, his veto may be over-ridden by two-third vote of both Houses of Congress. The President appoints federal judges, ambassadors and hundreds of governmental officials, and assign duties to the elected Vice-President. If a President dies, resigns or becomes permanently disabled, the Vice President takes his duties until the next elections.

Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 100 senators, two from each state. One third of the Senators are elected every two years for six-year terms of office. The Senators represent all of the people in a state and their interests.

The House has 435 members. They are elected every two years for two-year terms. They represent the population of “congressional districts” into which each state is divided. The number of representatives from each state is based upon its population.

The main task of Congress is to make laws. The US Constitution also gives Congress the power to improve taxes, to make rules for trade with foreign countries and states, to coin money, to organize the Armed Forces, to declare war. Another power possessed by Congress is the right to propose amendments to the Constitution whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall consider it necessary.

Under the Constitution US Senate has some special powers not given to the House of Representatives. The Senate approves and disapproves major Presidential appointments of such high officials as ambassadors, Cabinet ministers, and federal judges. The Senate must also ratify, by a two-thirds vote, treaties between the USA and foreign countries.

The House of Representatives has a special power of its own. Only a member of the House can introduce a bill to raise money, but it must also be passed by the Senate before it can become law.

IV. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following words and expressions.

палата представителей,

назначать,

исполнительная ветвь власти,

поправки,

вносить на рассмотрение законопроект,

объявлять войну.

V. Answer the questions.

1. Is the highest executive power vested in the President of the USA?

2. What does the President of the USA recommend and request?

3. Whom does the President appoint?

4. What is Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government made up of?

5. Name at least three functions of Congress.

6. What are some special powers not given to the House of Representatives under the US Constitution?

7. Examine the main functions of the legislative and executive

power in the United States.

VI. Complete the sentences using the following words.

The Constitution, the House of Representatives, Federal and state Government, Congress, to make laws, Presidential appointments

1. Congress is made up of the Senate and …

2. The main task of Congress is …

3. The Senate approves and disapproves major…

4. The President recommends programmes and laws to…

5. The basic law of the United States of America is…

6. All governments in America have the amendment character of both...

VII. Mark the statements below as “True” or “False”.

1. The Constitution was adopted in 1879.

2. The basic principle of all American government is the separation of the two branches: executive and judicial.

3. The highest legislative power in the United States is vested in the President of the USA.

4. The main task of Congress is to make laws.

5. One third of the Senators are elected every three years for six-year terms of office.

6. The Senate disapproves major Presidential appointments.

VIII. Make the following sentences complete by translating the words and phrases in brackets.

The (законодательная ветвь) – (конгресс) – consists of the (Сенат) and the (Палата Представителей). Each (сенатор) is elected for six years and each (представитель) for two years, with no limitation on the number of (сроков).

Each of the 50 states elects two (сенаторов) under a system in which one-third of the (Сенат) is elected every two years. A (сенатор) must be (старше) 30 years old and must have been an American citizen for (по меньшей мере) nine years.

The (Палата Представителей ) has 435 members. Each state is divided into congressional districts of roughly (равное) population, and the (избиратели) of each district elect one (представитель) to (Конгресс). A member must be (старше) 25 years of age and must have been an American citizen for at least seven years.

Both (палаты) of (Конгресс) must (одобрить) bills before they become law. The (Сенат) alone (утверждает) the President’s (кандидаты) for high-level official positions and (ратифицирует) treaties with other nations.