The russian federation

The State System. The Russian Federation was set up by the Constitution of 1993 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. According to the Constitution, Russia is a Presidential Republic. The President is the head of the State. The President is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, he signs treaties, enforces laws and appoints ministers. The State System consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. All of them are checked by the President.

The legislative power is represented by the Federal Assembly. It consists of two chambers. The Upper Chamber is the Council of Federation. The Lower Chamber is the State Duma. To become a law, a bill must be approved of by both chambers and signed by the President. The President may veto the bill.

The executive power belongs to the President and the Government which is headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister forms his Cabinet.

The judicial branch is represented by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and regional courts.

The state symbol of Russia is a three-coloured banner with three horizontal stripes. The National Emblem, the Coat of Arms, is a two-headed eagle which is the most ancient symbol of Russia.

Notes: Coat of Arms – герб

Supreme Commander-in-Chief – Верховный Главнокомандующий

Federal Assembly – Федеральное собрание

Constitutional Court – Конституционный cуд

sign a treaty – заключать договор

enforce a law – проводить закон в жизнь

1.What is the official name of our country? 2.What is the structure of the Russian state system? 3.What chambers does the Federal Assembly consist of? 4.Who is the head of the Government? 5.What is the National Emblem of Russia?

3.3 Complete the sentences.

1.The greater part of the territory of Russia is … . 2.The Urals divide Russia into … . 3.Lake Baikal is … . 4.The Arctic Ocean influences … . 5.Our country is very rich in … . 6.In 1957 …was launched in Russia. 7.On the 12^th of April we celebrate … . 8.The Russian Federation is … . 9.The legislative branch is … . 10.The executive branch is … . 11.The judicial branch is headed by … .

3.4 Look at the title of the text. Why is Novgorod called the Father of Russian cities? Read the text again and match the paragraphs to the headings: History, Trade, Famous Citizens, Novgorod today, Art and Education.

The father of russian cities, novgorod

1. Novgorod is one of the most ancient cities in Russia. The town was founded in the 10^th century, near the Volkhov river and Lake Ilmen. Later it became the Centre of the independent Novgorod Republic.

2. In medieval times Novgorod was one of the greatest art centres in Europe. Its architecture, jewellery, painted icons and decorative art became famous all over the world. In the 1100s Prince Yaroslav the Wise opened the first school in the city. Documents written on birch-bark, found by archaeologists, prove that the citizens of Novgorod had a high level of literacy and culture.

3. Novgorod’s good geographical position meant that the city was able to establish economic and cultural links with Western Europe. It became a go-between in the trade of Europe with oriental countries.

4. Novgorod is associated with many great people. One of these people is Alexander Nevsky, the famous prince of Novgorod who defeated the Swedes and defended Russia in the 13^th century. After this victory he was given the nickname ‘Nevsky’ because the battle had taken place on the Neva river.

5. Visitors to Novgorod will be fascinated by the cathedral of St. Sophia, the oldest surviving stone monument in Russia, built in 1045, and the Kremlin of Novgorod, which is Russia’s oldest Kremlin. You can also visit a unique complex of ancient Russian architectural monuments from the 11^th to 17^th centuries. Novgorod is a beautiful town, full of history and culture.

3.5 Read and complete the dialogue with the phrases given.

a) OK.

b) Yes, it was

c) Red Square and the Kremlin.

d) Of course, we will.

e) You see,

f) Of course not.

g) I see,

h) Spasskaya.

Misha: Haven’t you forgotten we are going sightseeing today? Colin: ____(1). What will be the starting point of our sightseeing? Misha: ____(2). I think it is the most interesting place in Moscow. Colin: When was it built? Misha: ____(3), Moscow began with the Kremlin. And it was founded in 1147. Colin: I was told that the Kremlin had been rebuilt many times. Misha: ____(4). Originally the Kremlin was a fortress.			Colin: _____(5), its walls are very high and thick. What is the biggest tower of the Kremlin? Misha: ____(6). It often serves as a symbol of the country. We can hear the bells of the clock on the radio. Colin: Just like Big Ben in London. Can we go inside the Kremlin? Misha: _____(7). You’ll see many interesting things there. Colin: _____(8). Let’s go.
Grammar: Perfect Tenses
	Active			Passive
	to have + Past Participle			to have + been + Past Participle
Present	have built has			have been built has
Past	had built			had been built
Future	will have built			will have been built
They have built a new school.				A new school has been built.
Они построили новую школу.				Была построена новая школа.
They had restored the city by 1948. Они восстановили город к 1948.				The city had been restored by 1948. Город был восстановлен к 1948.
They will have built a new school by the end of the year. Они построят новую школу к концу года.				A new school will have been built by the end of the year. Новая школа будет построена к концу года.

Note: Present Perfect is used with adverbs: ever (когда-либо), never (никогда), just (только что), already (уже), not yet (еще не); with word combinations: this week, this year, today, recently; with prepositions: for (в течение), since (с, со времени).