Vocabulary Notes

to register to vote — зарегистрироваться для голосования

procedure — процедура

minority — меньшинство (зд. национальное)

dramatically — значительно

that is — т.е.

to set a law — создать закон

county — избирательный округ

to cast a ballot — проголосовать

nomination — выдвижение кандитата

Ex, 10. Найдите в тексте эквиваленты следующих слов и выражений, голосовать; процедура; избиратели; партийный съезд

Ex. 11. Просмотрите упомянутые в тексте цифры и проверьте, пра­вильно ли они объяснены в упражнении; при необходимости дайте правильный вариант

1. American citizens under 18 may vote.

2. In 1988, at the Presidential elections, only 86 per cent of the registered voters took part in the elections.

3. There are 40 registration laws in the USA which are obligatory for the country.

4. In 1990 only 50 per cent cast their ballots.

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Ex. 12. А. Изучите схему, представляющую порядок проведения вы­боров в США. Проверьте термины по словарю. В. Расположите предложения, описывающие порядок прове­дения выборов, в логической последовательности.

1. U.S. adult citizens vote for a President in a national election.

2. At first, there are two or more candidates for the Republican Party and two or more candidates for the Democratic Party.

3. After the party conventions, the candidates continue to campaign.

4. The inauguration of the President is on January 20th.

5. In the summer, each party has a convention to choose one candidate.

Democratic Party Republican Party

Spring Campaing

Summer

Democratic Convention

Primary elections Primary elections

Republican Convention Campaing

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/ Ж1АЖГ

I *ftm* i / ряевюент /

(3 (3

GOLD

General election

OELANEY

Inauguration Day January 20th _w

January

		Ja	■шагу
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31

Ex. S3. Перестройте предложения так, чтобы получился краткий пе­ресказ Текста 2.

1. Americans who want to vote must put down their names in a register before the election.

2. Each state can determine its own registration procedure.

3. Any American citizen, over 18 years of age has the rights to vote.

4. There is always a number of citizens who can vote but don't.

5. There is a different registration law for each state.

Ex. 14. Прочитайте текст без словаря и расскажите его содержание по-русски. The Electoral College (Коллегия выборщиков)

When the citizens vote for the President, they are really voting for state electiors. These electors form the Electoral College. Every state has elec­tors. The number of electors equals the number of senators + the number of trepresentatives in a state. For example, Alaska has two senators and one representatives. So, Florida has 21 electors. This is what happens:

1. Citizens of a state vote.

2. Their votes are counted.

3. One candidate has 51% or more of the votes.

4. This candidate wins all the electoral votes of that state.

5. The electoral votes of all the states are counted.

1. The candidate with the most electoral votes becomes the President.

Ex. 15. Расскажите по-английски, как проходят выборы в России, Используйте данные вопросы.

1. How many political parties are there in Russia?

2. Who can vote in this country?

3. How do people vote in this country?

4. How often do we have elections?

5. Does the law say, "All adult citizens must vote"?

6. Is there a fine or punishment if you do not vote?

7. Is the election process in Russia the same as in the USA?

8. What election process is more democratic? Give your reasons.

Ex» 16. Вспомните или выучите следующие слова и выражения.

the system of checks and balances — система сдержек и про­тивовесов

to favour — зд. поддерживать extremes - крайности

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in comparison with — по сравнению с

powers, separation of powers - полномочия, разделение полно­мочий

to request — требовать to reject — отклонять to approve — одобрять to make laws - создавать законы

Ex. 17. А. Прочитайте текст без словаря.

Text3

CHECKS AND BALANCES

The U.S.Constitution establishes three branches for the federal gov­ernment: executive, legislative, and judicial. The three branches work to­gether to help the country. Each branch has its own responsibilities and powers. No branch has more power than the other branches. They have balanced powers. Each branch has separate duties to check the powers of the other branches.

When a new state - the USA - was born, the Founders of the state thought that if there was no balance of power among different branches of a government it would lead to tyranny. The problem was how to create a system of government with balanced powers. That's why James Madison (1751-1836) favoured the constitution that limited government by means of

1. separation of powers

2. a system of checks and balances, where checks — limitation of the duties of each branch, and balances — separate powers to each branch

Congress has the power to make laws, but the President may veto any act of Congress. Congress, in its turn, can pass a law over a veto by a two-thirds vote in each house. Congress can also refuse to provide funds requested by the President. The President can appoint important officials of his administration, but they must be approved by the Senate. The Presi­dent also has the power to name all federal judges: they, too must be ap­proved by the Senate.

The system of checks and balances makes compromise and consensus necessary. This system protects against extremes. It means, for example, that new presidents cannot radically change governmental policies just as they wish. In the US, therefore, when people think of "the government", they usually mean the whole system, that is, the Executive Branch and the President, Congress, and the courts.

In fact and in practice, therefore, the President (i.e. "the Administra­tion") is not as powerful as many people think he is. In comparison with other leaders in systems where the majority party forms "the government", he is even less powerful.

В. Выберите правильный ответ.

1. Why is the system of checks and balances necessary?

1. because it separates the executive, legislature and judicial branches of government

2. because it keeps any branch from using too much power or misusing it and makes each branch check on the others

3. because it limits the President's powers.

2. What is the role of compromise in the American system of running a country?

1. it helps the Congress to pass a law

2. it protects against extreme in government policies

3. it helps the President to veto any act of Congress

Ex. 18. Прочитайте текст еще раз со словарем и выделите предложе­ния, которые непосредственно раскрывают смысл заглавия текста.

Ex. 19. Объясние по-английски:

1. unconstitutional law

2. a rejected law

3. a law passed over the President's veto

Ex. 20. Используя данную схему, расскажите о системе сдержек и

противовесов.