2. Complete the following text with suitable words or phrases from the text above.

When the Constitution was written in 1787, there were only 13 states. Because the (a)________ of the Constitution saw that the future might bring a __________________ need for changes, they (b)_________a method of adding (c)__________. Over the years 26 amendments have been added, but the basic (d)____________ has not been (e)_____. The pattern of government planned so long ago for 13 states today meets the needs of 50 states and more than 57 times as many people. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, called the (f)___________ assure individual (g)_______and (h)__________. Added in 1791, they include provisions for freedom of the (i)________and of (j)_________; the right of citizens to (k)_____________ peacefully; the right to be (1)__________in one's own home against unreasonable (m)_________and (n)____________ of person or property; and the right of any person charged with (o) _________ the law to have a speedy trial by a (p)____________ fellow (q)___________.

The Constitution (r) __________branches: the (s)________ includes both houses the powers of the government into three headed by the (t)_________; the (u)______, which of (v)________ (the Senate and the House of Representatives) and the (w)________which is headed by the Supreme Court. The Constitution limits the role of each (x)_______to prevent any one branch from gaining undue (y)________.

3. Find the English equivalents for the expressions below in the text.

- вносити поправки до конституції;

- переглянути документ;

- діяти відповідно до угоди;

- свобода совісті;

- управляти своїми власними справами;

- прийняти конституцію;

- визначити будь-чиї повноваження;

- діяти в рамках конституції;

- одержати необґрунтовано велику владу;

- незаконний арешт;

- свобода зборів;

- захоплення власності;

- задовольняти вимоги.

4. Answer the questions.

1. How does the American Constitution separate the powers of the government?

2. Has the text of the Constitution ever been changed? How did it become possible?

3. Does any governmental organ or official in the US have the ultimate power? Why?

4. What is the Bill of Rights?

1. Read and translate the text Congress

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. For instance, California, the state with the largest population, has 45 Representatives, while Delaware has one. There is no limit to the number of terms a Senator or a Representative may serve.

Almost all elections in the United States follow the "winner-take-all" principle: the candidate who wins the largest number of votes in a Congressional district is the winner. Congress makes all laws, and each house of Congress has the power to introduce legislation. Each can also vote against legislation passed by the other. Because legislation only becomes law if both houses agree, compromise between them is necessary. Congress decides upon taxes and how money is spent. In addition, it regulates commerce among the states and with foreign countries. It also sets rules for the naturalization of foreign citizens.