The United States Court system

9.24. Read the sentences below. Are they true or false?

1. The President lives in the US Capitol.

2. The US Capitol is in Washington, D.C.

3. A sitting President cannot be removed from office before his term ends.

4. There is no limitation on the number of terms for Senators.

5. The Senators are elected for two years.

6. Despite the Constitutional provision, that all legislative powers shall be vested in Congress, the President, as the chief formulator of public policy, has a major legislative role.

7. The President can veto no bill passed by Congress.

8. Much of the legislation dealt with by Congress is drafted at the initiative of the executive branch.

9. The heads of the departments chosen by the Senate and approved by the President form the President’s Cabinet.

9.25. Complete the following sentences:

1. The President and Vice President are part of the ... branch.

2. The head of the Department of State is called ... of State.

3. The Senate must ... treaties.

4. The highest court in the US is the ... Court.

5. A judge of the Supreme Court is called ... .

6. A sitting President may be removed only by an ... process.

7. A ... must be over 30 years old.

8. If Congress passes a bill and the President signs it, the bill becomes ... .

9. If a President dies, ... assumes the office.

10. The Department of ... collects taxes.

9.26. You need to remember some important numbers in the US Government. Fill in the blanks below with the correct number.

1. Branches in the US Government 3

2. Senators in the US Congress _

3. Supreme Court Justices _

4. Representatives in the Congress _

5. States _

6. Senators from each state _

9.27. Complete the following puzzle with the words connected with the organization of the federal government. The first letters of some words are given to you.

9.28.. Complete the following dialogue.

Your friend: Haven’t seen you for ages! They say, you’ve been to the USA?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: And how long did your visit last?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: For 2 months! It’s a long visit. You had a chance to see many cities, I think.

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: Only Washington! It means that you had some special purpose. Oh, yes. I remember you were interested in the organization of the Federal Government of the country, weren’t you?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: It’s very interesting to know something from the person who’s just returned from the US. I hear that the President may be re-elected for three or four terms of office?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: Is it true that he has a privilege not to pay income tax?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: And what happens if the President «vetoes» or refuses to sign a bill passed by the Congress?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: I see. So his powers are not absolute and Congress plays an important role. What about Senators and Representatives? May they also be re-elected only for a second term like the President?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: What about their age? And must they be native-born citizens like the President?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: I read that the Judicial Branch is headed by the Supreme Court, but don’t remember who it consists of.

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: How can the judges of the federal courts be removed?

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Friend: You told me much interesting information, thank you. Hope to see you later.

You: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9.29. Fill in the chart.

9.30. Talking point.

Compare the organization of the legislative, executive and judicial branches in the USA and in your country. Discuss the responsibilities of the departments in both countries.

UNIT 10

Congress

10. Before reading match a word on the left with a definition on the right.

1. endanger a) give up

2. account b) all conditions influencing the existence of an

organism

3. attitude c) an explanatory statement of facts or events

4. environment d) a mistake

5. advertising e) ask for information about

6. error f) position of a person

7. yield g) call attention to

8. inquire h) put in danger

9. pressure group i) a person holding a post of authority in any public

or private institution

10. officer j) any special interest group that attempts to

influence public opinion through lobbying

10.1. Test your general knowledge in the quiz below.

1. There are sixteen ..., or permanent, committees in the Senate and twenty in the House.

a) special

b) standing

c) joint

2. A ... committee is a temporary body established by Congress to investigate some problem of immediate national concern. When its task is completed it disbands.

a) special

b) standing

c) joint

3. A ... committee consists of Congressmen from both the Senate and the House. It may be permanent or temporary, depending on its specific purpose.

a) special

b) standing

c) joint

10.2.. Before you read, discuss these questions:

1. What is the supreme legislative body in the US?

2. Who can be regarded as a Congressman?

3. How are the Congressmen elected?

4. Name major political parties in the USA.

10.3. Read the text and see if you were right.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1258