 ПОЗНАВАТЕЛЬНОЕ Сила воли ведет к действию, а позитивные действия формируют позитивное отношение Как определить диапазон голоса - ваш вокал Игровые автоматы с быстрым выводом Как самому избавиться от обидчивости Противоречивые взгляды на качества, присущие мужчинам Вкуснейший "Салат из свеклы с чесноком" Натюрморт и его изобразительные возможности Применение, как принимать мумие? Мумие для волос, лица, при переломах, при кровотечении и т.д. Как научиться брать на себя ответственность Зачем нужны границы в отношениях с детьми? Световозвращающие элементы на детской одежде Как победить свой возраст? Восемь уникальных способов, которые помогут достичь долголетия Классификация ожирения по ИМТ (ВОЗ) Глава 3. Завет мужчины с женщиной
Оси и плоскости тела человека - Тело человека состоит из определенных топографических частей и участков, в которых расположены органы, мышцы, сосуды, нервы и т.д.
| Ancient Roots of Belarus and its People
Belarus is a country of rich history and ancient culture. Man first appeared here at the end of the glacial epoch 100-40 thousand years ago. During the Bronze Age, i.e. four thousand years ago, people living on its territory were engaged in field husbandry and live-stock breeding. And 7-6 centuries before our era they learnt to use iron and make agricultural tools and implements. The ethnic origin of the Belarusians is subject to controversy. The earlier theory that these people are of pure Slavic stock has been challenged by proponents of the so-called Baltic-substratum theory which claims that Belarusians represent a fusion of Slavs and Balts. This view, first outlined in the 1890s, has gained wide acceptance since the late 1960s, after the publication of Valentin Sedov’s monograph “The Slavs of the Upper Regions of the Dnieper and Dvina Rivers”. It has been accepted by most of the authoritative Belarusian scholars that, as a result of Slavicization of the Baltic population and merger with it, preconditions were created for the development of the Belarusian language and nationality. This process took a long time – from the beginning of the 8th to the end of the 13th centuries. The name “Belarus” originated in the 13th century but did not refer to the country of today. Only since the 16th century have some eastern Belarusian territories been so named. For several hundred years, the term “Belaya Rus” applied to various parts of present-day Russian territories. From the mid-17th century on, it referred to Vitsebsk and Mahilyow regions, including western parts of Smolensk region, while the lands of present-day central and western Belarus were called Litva. In some cases the entire area of contemporary Belarus was referred to as Litva (Lithuania), because it had been part of the territorial core of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Belarusians were known as “litsviny”.
II. Answer the questions: 1. When did man first appear on the territory of Belarus? 2. Why is the ethnic origin of the Belarusians subject to controversy? 3. What created preconditions for the development of the Belarusian language and nationality? 4. When did the name “Belarus” originate? 5. What territories of contemporary Belarus were called “Litva”?
III. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form (Active or Passive). 1. The history of Belarus (to go) to antiquity. 2. The territory which now (to know) as Belarus (to be) the core of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. 3. New cultural relations between Belarus and other countries (to develop) now. 4. For several hundred years, the term “Belaya Rus” (to apply) to various parts of present-day Russian territories.
IV. Identify the type of clause in the following complex sentences. Translate the sentences into Belarusian/Russian. 1. No one who has seen Khatyn can go away unmoved. 2. The State Art gallery contains all that is best in Belarusian art. 3. The house Yakub Kolas lived in from 1952 to 1956 is a memorial museum now. 4. When the new building was built, the exposition of the Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War was brought there.
V. Use the correct form of the verbs in brackets in the following conditional sentences. 1. If you (to look) at the map of Belarus, you will see a vast plain with some hills. 2. If he (to want) to become a good historian, he would read a lot on history. 3. If Napoleon (not to be) at war with many countries for a long time, he would probably not have decided to advance on Moscow. 4. You will see many wonderful places if you (to come) to Minsk.
VI. Underline the infinitive constructions. Translate the sentences into Belarusian /Russian. 1. A great number of Belarusian woods proved to have been cut down and burned during the years of World War II. 2. Scientists consider the southern lakes of Belarus to be of relic origin. 3. Some enterprises are reported to have been reconstructed. 4. It was difficult for Belarus to restore the economy ruined by the Nazis.
VII. Underline participle I, II in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Belarusian/Russian. 1. Belarus lying in the third time belt, midnight comes to it one hour later than to the countries of Western Europe. 2. Summer here is the longest season lasting about 150 days. 3. There are more than 10,000 lakes on the territory of Belarus, most of them being scattered in the northern lake area. 4. Belarusian forests are beautiful, with pine dominating.
UNIT IV
FROM THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Section I. WORD LIST
Index capture ['kxpCq] v захватывать B connect [kq'nekt] v соединять, связывать C crush [krAS] v уничтожать, сокрушать A defend [dI'fend] v защищать A, B discover [dIs'kAq] v открывать, обнаруживать A disobey [dIsq'beI] v не повиноваться B decision [dI'sIZqn] n решение B densely ['denslI] adv густо, плотно C descendant [dI'endqnt] n потомок C determine [dI'tWmIn] v определять T1 elect [I'lekt] v выбирать T1, T2 establish [Is'txblIS] v основывать, создавать A, T1 expanse[Iks'pxns] n пространство(широкое) C glory ['glOrI] n слава A Hispanic[hIs'pxnIk] n латиноамериканец C honour [Lnq] n честь, слава A impose [Im'pouz] v облагать (пошлиной) A minority [maI'nOrItI ] n меньшинство C measure ['meZq] n мера A opportunity ["Opq'tjHnItI] n благоприятная возможность A oppose [q'pouz] v оказывать сопротивление B protect[prq'tekt] v защищать, покровительствоватьB,T2 provide[prq'vaId] v снабжать, обеспечивать T1 public['pAblIk] а общественный, государственныйB, T1 T2 refuse[rI'fjHz]v отказывать, отвергать A reliable[rI'laIqbl] а надежный, прочный A remain[rI'meIn] v оставаться C, T2 require[rI'kwaIq] v требовать, нуждаться A safeguard['eIfgRd] n охрана, защита С search[sWG] n поиски A serve['sWv] v служить C sign['saIn] v подписывать B stretch[streC] v тянуть(-ся) C weapon['wepqn] n оружие C, T2
Section II. READING MATERIAL TEXT A. The Founding of the United States Task: read the text and do the tasks that follow. About 500 years ago North America was a vast territory inhabited by Indians who perhaps 20 000 years earlier travelled across a land bridge from Asia to America where the Bering Strait is today. Icelandic Viking Leif Ericson sailed to America around the year 1000. Then in 1492 Christopher Columbus, an Italian, sailing under the Spanish flag, set out for Asia and discovered a 'New World'. For the next 100 years English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and French explorers sailed forth looking for the New World, for gold and riches, for honour and glory. But North America brought them little glory and less gold, so most explorers did not stay there. The people who did settle the New World arrived later, and they came in search of different goals – economic opportunity, religious and political freedom. In 1607 the English settlers built the first village which they called Jamestown in commemoration of King James I of England. Bleak, hard and lonely immigrants soon founded colonies all along the Atlantic Coast. Over time settlers from many other nations joined the English in America. German farmers settled in Pennsylvania, French settled in Canada and Spanish explorers established missions and settlements in Florida and American South West. Africans were first brought in Virginia as slaves in 1619. The settlers cleaned the land for farms, built villages and established local governing bodies. By 1733 European settlers occupied 13 colonies along the Atlantic Coast. A series of conflicts between the British and the French culminated in French and Indian War (1754-63) in which the Britain with its American colonial allies won the victory. France ceded Canada and the Ohio territories east of Mississippi River to Britain in the Peace of Paris of 1763. In the following years the British started imposing new taxes on sugar, coffee, textiles and other imported goods. The British required the colonists to house and feed British soldiers. These measures seemed quite fair to the British politicians who had spent large sums of money to defend their American colonies during the French and Indian War. But the Americans feared that the new taxes would make trading difficult and that British troops stationed in the colonies might be used to crush civil liberties which the colonists had enjoyed, that's why they insisted that they could be taxed only by their own colonial assemblies. But the British Parliament needed their protest and sent customs officers to Boston to collect the tariffs. When the colonists refused to obey, the British sent soldiers to Boston. EXERCISES Ex. 1. Pronounce the words correctly. Mind the stress.
Ex. 2. Analyse the morphological structure of the following words:
Ex. 3. Transform as in the models: Model 1: to discover new territories – the discovery of new territories to found settlements, to establish local governing bodies, to impose new taxes, to defend the colonies; Model 2: the riches of the New World – the New World riches the explorers of the American Continent, the inhabitants of the North America, the requirement of the British.
Ex. 4. Match English and Russian equivalents.
Ex. 5. Choose the right word. 1. Perhaps 20 000 years ago Indians, the inhabitants of North America, came there from ... a) India b) Asia c) Europe 2. In 1492 Christopher Columbus set out for ... and discovered a 'New World'. a) America b) England c) Asia 3. In 1607 the ... settlers built the first village in America, a) Dutch b) Spanish c) English 4. When the colonists ... to obey, the British sent soldiers to Boston. a) decided b) wanted c) refused Ex. 6. Complete the sentences. 1. About 500 years ago the native inhabitants of North America were ... . 2. Icelandic Viking Leif Ericson is believed to be the first European who ... . 3. Christopher Columbus discovered the New World in ... . 4. For the next 100 years explorers from different countries sailed to America looking for ... . 5. By 1733 European settlers occupied .... 6. A series of conflicts between the British and the French culminated in ... . 7. Having won the victory in French and Indian War the British started ... . 8. When the Americans refused to obey the British ... .
Ex. 7. Insert the right word: (obey, cleaned, built, established, founded, 1. North America was ... by Indians who perhaps 20 000 years ago ... there from Asia. 2. Christopher Columbus ... the New World ... to Asia. 3. As it was believed that he reached India the people who lived there were ... Indians. 4. Bleak and lonely immigrants ... colonies all along the Atlantic Ocean.
Ex. 8. Review the following statements and mark them true (T) or false (F). Correct the statements which are false. 1. In 1492 Christopher Columbus, a Spanish, sailing under the Italian flag, set out for Asia and discovered a 'New World'. 2. Africans were first brought in Virginia as slaves in 1619. 3. A series of conflicts between the Spanish and the French culminated in French and Indian War (1754-63) in which the Britain with its American colonial allies won the victory. 4. The French required the colonists to house and feed French soldiers. 5. By 1733 European settlers occupied 15 colonies along the Atlantic Coast. 6 The British politicians spent large sums of money to defend the American colonies during the French and Indian War. Ex. 9. Answer the questions on the text. 1. Who had inhabited North America before the first Europeans came to the continent? 2. Why didn't most of the first explorers stay on the American continent? 3. Why were the inhabitants of the continent called Indians?
Ex. 10. Give a brief summary of the text.
TEXT B. The American War of Independence Task: scan the text to find the answers to the questions that follow. Opposed to what was perceived as British oppression colonial leaders held their first Continental Congress in 1774 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia was a large city in Colonial America at that time founded in 1682 by William Penn, a prominent statesman. Among the delegates of the first Congress were men of great fame, such as George Washington and John Adams, the first and the second President of the USA. The leaders urged Americans to disobey Great Britain and boycott British trade. The main decision of the first Continental Congress was to unite the efforts of all the colonies against Great Britain. Colonies began to organize militias and to collect and store weapons and ammunition. On April 19, 1775 the British soldiers confronted 70 colonial militiamen. Someone fired a shot, and the American War of Independence began. The Second Continental Congress held in Philadelphia in May 1775 decided to organize an army to defend colonies. The Continental Army and navy were founded under the command of George Washington. The Congress named a committee of five to draw up the declaration of Independence. The work was actually done by Thomas Jefferson, then 33 year-old, and on July 4, 1776 the Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration presented a public defense of American Revolution and explained the philosophy behind the revolution – that men have a natural right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that any government may be dissolved when it fails to protect the rights of the people. At first the war went badly for the Americans. The British captured New York City in September 1776 and Philadelphia a year later. Although American troops generally fought well, with few provisions and little training, they might have lost the war if they had not received aid from the French Treasury and the powerful French navy. In 1781 8,000 British troops under Lord Cornwallis were surrounded at Yorktown, Virginia, by a French fleet and a combined French-American Army. Cornwallis surrendered, soon afterward the British Government asked for peace. The Treaty of Paris, signed in September 1783, recognized the independence of the United States and granted the new nation all the territory north of Florida, south of Canada and east of the Mississippi River.
1. What was the main decision of the first Continental Congress? 2. In what way did the decisions of the second Congress influence the life of the colonies? 3. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? 4. Who was the commander-in-chief in the American War of Independence? 5. How long did the American War of Independence last?
TEXT C. The USA and its Population Task: go through the text and summarise its main points under the following headings: a) the geographical position of the USA; b) the USA is a land of contrasts; c) the US population. The United States of America is a federal union of 50 states plus one independent district – the District of Columbia. Forty-nine states are situated on the continent but the 50th is the state of Hawaii – a group of islands situated in the mid Pacific Ocean. The vast and various territory of the United States stretches from the industrial Atlantic Ocean, across the rich farms of the central plains, over the majestic Rocky Mountains to the fertile, densely populated West coast. The continental US covers an area of about 9,4 million square kilometers. The USA is twice as large as all the countries of Europe combined. It is washed by the Atlantic in the east and the Pacific in the west and controls the Panama Canal connecting these two oceans. These vast expanses of water have always served as reliable safeguards in time of war. In the course of the last hundred years the USA has fought many a war, but ever on foreign soil. Its own land has always remained untouched. America is a land of contrasts, including the weather. The southern parts have warm temperature year round. The northern states have extremely cold winters. The USA is also a country of beautiful rivers and lakes. The Mississippi River, of great historic and economic importance to the USA, runs about 6,000 kilometers from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico – the world's third longest river after the Nile and Amazon. The current USA population is over 311 million people made up of immigrants or their descendants from practically every country of the world. So the United States has the world’s third largest population (following China and India). The largest cities are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco, and others. Ethnic groups of the USA: white 79.96%, Afro-Americans 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, American Indian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61%. About 15.1% of the total US populations are Hispanics. Hispanics, living primarily in the Southwest are the next largest ethnic minority group in the United States. 1,5 million American Indians and Eskimos live in the US, many on tribal lands set aside for them in 31 states. The USA has no official national language, but English has acquired official status in 28 of the 50 states. Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii. Spoken languages are English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census).
TEXT D. Washington, D.C. – Capital of the USA Task: skim the text to get the general idea about the foundation of Washington D.C. and its sights. The United States is a federal republic consisting of 50 states, each of which has its own government. The seat of the central (federal) government is Washington, D. C. According to the Constitution of the USA, the powers of the government are divided into 3 branches: the executive, headed by the President, the legislative, exercised by the Congress, and the juridical. The Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are two main political parties in the USA: the Republican and the Democratic. When the thirteen colonies became states and decided to join in a Union, there was much discussion about the capital. The first President of the U.S., George Washington, took an active part in selecting the area for building the capital of the country. It was decided that the city should be built on the north bank of the Potomac River, the place located midway to keep at close touch as possible between the states. Now the Washington Monument is situated here, on the hill in Potomac Park. The centre of the city is the Capitol Building, where the Congress has its seat. The Capitol stands on Capitol Hill, the highest point in the city. It's a very high and beautiful building with white marble columns. There is a law in Washington against building structures higher than the Capitol. Not far from Capitol is the Library of Congress which holds thirteen million books. Today Washington attracts a lot of tourists by its fashionable hotels, restaurants and sightseeing attractions as "Mount Vernon" – the house of the first president George Washington; the Lincoln Memorial dedicated to the Great Emancipator, the 16th president of the USA; the National Gallery of Art, the Jefferson Memorial, the Tomb of Unknown Soldier and the city's pride – the Union Railway Station. The White House is the Residence of the President and every president except Washington has lived there. The cornerstone of the Executive Mansion, as it was originally known dates from October 13, 1792. Since the administration of Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) the term 'White House' has become official. From the Capitol to the White House runs broad Pennsylvania Avenue. All the diagonal avenues are named after states of the Union. Fortunately for sightseers all the main buildings that make Washington so interesting are to be found in groups. Washington is a city without sky-scrapers, with low buildings and long wide avenues, with the population of more than 3,6 million. It was founded in 1791 as the capital of the USA by the French architect Pierre L'Enfant. Washington is a symbol of the country's unity, history and democratic traditions. Project Get ready to speak about the Belarusians who contributed to the development of the US culture, science, economy etc. Use any sources available.
Section III. LEXICAL-GRAMMAR TESTS
Grammar material to be revised: 1. Verb. Tenses in the Active and Passive Voice. 2. Modal Verbs and their Equivalents. 3. Noun. Article. 4. Types of Clauses. 5. Conditionals. 6. Non-finite Forms of the Verb (Infinitive, Participle I, II, Gerund) and their Constructions.
TEST I I. Read and translate the text into Belarusian/Russian. Do the translation in writing. US Education Americans have shown a great concern for education since early colonial times. Among the first settlers there was an unusually high proportion of educated men. Some of these men, many of them graduates from Cambridge, came together and in 1636 founded Harvard College, 140 years before American independence. Before the revolution in 1779 nine colleges had already been opened in the colonies, most of them later becoming universities. In the course of the 17th-18th centuries free public schools and many academies (schools offering a classical education as well as more practical training) were established in many places. At present free education is available in the USA from the elementary grades right up through college. Today about 85 percent of American children attend public and 15 percent go to private elementary (primary) and secondary (high) schools. Elementary and secondary schooling combined consists of 12 years of classes and is compulsory for every child from the age of 6 to the age of 16 (or 18 in some states). Perhaps the most distinctive feature of American education is the absence of the uniform national school organization and curriculum throughout the country and as a result there is no Federal Government direct control over educational system. It is for each state to make its own laws for the system of education and to determine its own program for schools. Therefore standardized (proficiency) tests play a decisive role at almost every level of education, especially in the admission to colleges and universities. One is the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the other is the ACT (American College Testing program). With so many different types of high schools and programs these tests provide common, nationwide measuring sticks, but they are not in any way 'official' or governmentally controlled. Out of more than three million students who graduate from high schools each year, about one million go for "higher education". Successful applicants at colleges and universities are usually chosen on the basis of their high school records, recommendations from their high school teachers, the impression they make during interviews at the university and their scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs). The American educational goal is to achieve universal literacy and provide people with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote both their own individual welfare as well as that of the general public. Though this goal has not yet been fully achieved, it remains an ideal towards which the American educational system is directed. Education in America has also traditionally served the goal of bringing people together that is of "Americanization". Most historians agree that a great deal of the economic, political, scientific and cultural progress has been made by America in its relatively short time thanks to the belief supported in the country that the future of the society depends on the quality and quantity of its educated citizens.
II. Answer the questions: 1. Who founded Harvard College? When did it happen? 2. What kind of schools were established in the 17th-18th centuries? 3. Is free education available at the US universities? 4. How are applicants at colleges and universities usually chosen? 5. What is the American educational goal? 6. What do most historians think about the role of education for the development of society?
III. Put the verb in brackets into the correct form. 1. The Supreme Court in its decision on May 17, 1954 demanded that segregation of races in public schools (to be banned). 2. It’s important that you (to study) the culture and traditions of the American people before you go to work there. 3. If we (to have) an opportunity to go to Harvard University, we (to do) our best not to miss it. 4. If I (to be) you I (to learn) English long ago. 5. I wish I (to see) the sights of Washington and other cities of the USA.
IV. Underline verbals (infinitive, gerund, participle I, II) in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Belarusian/Russian. 1. Knowing that the earth was round Christopher Columbus decided to reach India by sailing to the West. 2. Having made four voyages to American Continent Columbus died in Spain in 1506 being sure that he had reached Asia and not knowing anything of his great discovery of the New World. 3. The tendency to make new products available to everybody is one obvious reason why American business has usually been supported by average Americans.
V. Underline and identify the type of verbal construction in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Belarusian/Russian. 1. Most Americans expect their children to leave home at an earlier age than do parents in many other western countries. 2. It was difficult for Columbus to organize his expedition to the west as nobody wanted to help him and he was able to set sail only on August 3, 1492. 3. The voyage being very difficult and dangerous, his men insisted on returning home, by Columbus did everything he could to make them continue sailing westward. 4. When the United States declared its independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, there were 13 original states each one wanting to be sovereign and to control its own affairs.
VI. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form (Active or Passive). 1. The Declaration of Independence (to adopt) by the Congress on July 4, 1776, and since then this day (to celebrate) as a national holiday in America. 2. In 1832 Abraham Lincoln (to become) a candidate for the President of his state and in 1860 he (to elect) President of the USA. 3. At that time when many workers in Europe (to join) revolutionary labour movements, most Americans were not interested in destroying their basic system but in reforming it for their own benefit. 4. Environmental protection and equal employment laws in the USA (to be) among the strictest in the world. 5. Still, there (to be) many people in the U.S. who never (to work), or never (to be) able to, who (to remain) unemployed for a long period.
VII. Fill in the gaps with: а) the appropriate conjunctions and relative pronouns: that, which, who, when. 1. In 1506, Christopher Columbus died in Spain being sure … he had reached Asia and knowing nothing of his great discovery of the New World. Later the same year, it was decided to name the American continent after the man ... had found ... it was not India. 2. William Bradford’s History of Plymouth Plantation describes the cold greeting ... the passengers on the ship of Mayflower received ... they landed on the coast of America in 1620. 3. It is known ... New York, one of the largest cities in the world, was founded by the Dutch ... had bought Manhattan Island, the central part of the city, from the local Indians for 24 dollars. b) the modal verbs: might, can't, should, may. 1. Write my telephone number in your note-book or you ... forget it. 2. ... I ask you to explain the rule once more? 3. You ... be more careful about your health. 4. I believe her, she ... deceive me. c) the articles: the, a (an), –. 1. Most schools in ... United States are ... public schools paid for by tax money and free to those who attend them. 2. ... American children are taught not to obey blindly what is said to them. 3. Some careers do not require going to ... college, but many young Americans believe that having a degree will help them to obtain ... higher salary on their first job.
TEST II
I. Read and translate the text into Belarusian/Russian. Do the translation in writing. US System of Government The Federal Government of the USA is made up of three branches: Legislative (Congress), Executive (represented by President and the President's Cabinet) and the Judicial Branch (Courts). The Congress of the United States is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Its existence, authority and limitation are provided by the Constitution, the foundation of all law of the USA which was officially adopted on March 4, 1789. The function of the legislative branch of the Government is to make the laws and to finance the operation of the government levying taxes and appropriating money requested by the executive branch of the government. There are 100 Senators in the American Senate and 435 members in the House of Representatives. The Congress makes the laws, each House of Congress having the power to introduce legislation. The Vice-President (elected every four years with the President) presides in the Senate; the presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the Speaker. The President, the head of the Executive Branch, must carry out the government programmes adopted by the Congress. In domestic as well as in foreign policy, the President can seldom count upon the automatic support of the Congress, even when his party has a majority in both the Senate and the House. Therefore he must be able to convince Congressmen of his point of view. Being elected by the people the President must compromise to be supported by the voters. The presidential elections in the USA are held in two stages. First the voters choose the electors who then elect the President. To become laws bills must be approved by both houses of Congress. Any treaty must first be approved by the Senate. They say, "the President proposes, but Congress disposes". But the President can veto (forbid) any bill passed by the Congress. President of the USA is the head of the Senate and the Government, he is also the Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces. The federal judiciary is considered to be the third branch of the Government. Its main instrument is the Supreme Court, which watches over the other two branches. It determines whether or not their laws and acts are in accordance with the Constitution. Neither the President nor Congress can change its decision. In addition to the Supreme Court, Congress has established 11 federal courts of appeal and, below them, 91 federal district courts. The American system of "checks and balances" works in many ways to keep serious mistakes from being done by one branch or another. The Constitution of the USA guarantees basic rights to anyone, anywhere in the country, enormous variety of governmental bodies trying to satisfy the needs and wishes of people at the local level.
II. Answer the questions: 1. What are three branches that make up the Federal government of the USA? 2. How can you explain the saying: The President proposes but Congress disposes? 3. Is the American President elected directly by the voters or by the Congress? 4. Who can change the decisions of the Supreme Court?
III. Put the verb in brackets into the correct form. 1. William Penn insisted that the Indians (to be given) the same treatment as the settlers. 2. It is desirable that people always (to help) each other in difficult life situations. 3. If I (to go) to New Plymouth, a small town in the US, I (to see) the rock to which many tourists come to think of the first English settlers who landed near it more than three hundred years ago. 4. I wished I (to take part) in the Third International Congress "The World after Chernobyl" which was held in Minsk.
IV. Underline verbals (infinitive, gerund, participle I, II) in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Belarusian/Russian. 1. Anyone trying to start a business in the USA is faced with regulations, restrictions and laws from the level of government, state and local. 2. There seemed to be some truth in the observation that Americans are too proud to ask for help and welfare. 3. The decade of Great Depression ended with the break of World War II as America’s factories started turning out the weapons of war. 4. In 1814 to hide the marks of the fire the brown stone walls of the President home were painted white and it has been the ‘White House’ ever since.
V. Underline and identify the type of verbal construction in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Belarusian/Russian. 1. The family expected Henry Longfellow to choose a career of public service. 2. Some of the buildings including the Capitol and the house of President are said to be set on fire in 1812 when England was at war with America. 3. The American economy is a capitalist economy, private enterprises flourishing there. 4. His passing the exam in American History was unexpected to all of us.
VI. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form (Active or Passive). 1. Philadelphia was the city where the U.S. Constitution (to adopt) and it remained the capital of the country for the next 10 years while Washington (to build). 2. The American Constitution (to formulate) in a way that allows it to evolve and change as a nation itself has grown and developed. 3. Today more than 200 years after it (to write), the Constitution remains vital, alive and the centre of American political ideal and practices. 4. Being afraid of a powerful Federal Government the Americans (to add) 10 amendments guaranteeing liberties of the people – the Bill of Rights – to the Constitution in 1791 and since then 16 more amendments (to add) to the American Constitution.
VII. Fill in the gaps with: а)the appropriate conjunctions and relative pronouns: that, which when, who. 1. For a long time there was a law ... did not allow the Indians to leave the reservations. 2. The first national park in America was established in 1872 ... President Grant signed a law of creating Yellowstone National Park. 3. Most Americans think ... the rise of their nation as a leading producer of manufactured goods, food and services could not have occurred under any other system except capitalism. 4. George Washington’s father Augustine was a slave-owning tobacco planter … later tried his hand in iron-mining ventures. b) the modal verbs: may, must, should, ought. 1. He was a lawyer and thought that things ... to be done according to juridical formulas which he had learned. 2. Why do you ask my opinion, you have been in business much longer, you ... know everything better. 3. You ... stay at home and finish this work today.4. The American President is elected for four years of service and ... be reelected for four additional years. c) the articles: the, a(an), – . 1. Supreme Court of ... USA consists of a chief justice and eight associate justices. 2. The public’s right to know is one of ... central principles of American society. 3. “Knowledge will forever govern ... ignorance”, said James Madison, ... fourth president and an early proponent of press freedom. |
