Precis writing

Ex. 26. a) Read the passage, b) write 3-5 questions covering the basic points of the passage, c) give a title to the passage and write a precis.

The British State is a capitalist state. Not only is economic power firmly in the hands of the capitalist trusts, the entire constitutional and state apparatus remains firmly in their hands no matter which gov­ernment rules. The British constituticnal system is one which has de­veloped over the years as an expression of the rule of capitalism and for the protection of the capitalist social order.

Traditionally the Tory Party is the business men's party. In fact, however, the Labour Government also administered the country in the interest of big business. It functioned as the second party of capitalism in the so-called traditional British two-party system.

Despite the democratic rights won by the struggles of the people the real power in Britain is concentrated in the hands of the great trusts and banks and the tiny section of rich property owners. They control the land, industry, finance and trade. The State is their state, the judges, the higher civil servants, the diplomats, the generals and the police chiefs are drawn from their social circles. They own the newspapers, dominate the broadcasting system. Democracy under present conditions is re­stricted for the majority of the people by the power and the privilege of the wealthy few.

The trusts and the state apparatus become one at all imporlant and commanding points. The directors of the trusts, landowners and bankers, staff the Cabinet, Parliament^* and Lords,^** and sit in the key positions of the State. Men of their social class staff the state apparatus, the armed forces, the police and the judiciary. And when the top-ranking men in these positions reach retiring age they formally join the trusts as direc­tors of highly-paid servants. Their political instrument for controlling the state is the Tory Party.

(after "The British Political System" by J. Gollan)

Speech exercises

Ex. 27. Answer the following questions using the active vocabulary. Sum up your answers.

1. A Meeting

1. How often are meetings held in your group? What does it depend on? 2. What kind of arrangements are made? 3. How do you let people know of the day and time of the meeting? What is done in case a meeting is postponed or cancelled? 4. What can the reason for a postponement be? 5. What are the duties of a chairman? 6. Who usually takes the min­utes^* at your meetings? Why is it necessary that minutes should be taken? 7. How many points (items) are there on the agenda as a rule? 8. What do you do if you want to take the floor? 9. How long are you allowed to speak in debate? 10. In what case is a vote taken? 11. What happens if there is an equal number of votes for and against a motion?

2. The General Election

1. What is the voting age set by the Constitution? 2. What are the purposes of the election campaign? 3. How often are elections to the Su­preme Soviet held in our country? 4. What is a constituency? 5. How are candidates chosen to the local Soviet (the Supreme Soviet)?