Exercises to the text

I. Match the following columns.

II. Give Russian equivalents for the following.

to hear appeal cases, to make laws, to put into effect, the leader of the political party, the party with a majority in the House of Commons, the ministers in charge of major governmental departments, to be run by civil servants, permanent officials, senior bishops, services to the nation, judicial functions, to hold judicial office, court of last resort.

III. Give English equivalents for the following

(Государственное) устройство, законодательная власть, исполнительная власть, судебная власть, создавать законы, исполнять законы, толковать законы, не обладать реальной властью, избирательный округ, государственный гражданский служащий, председательствовать, по совету, избираться, назначаться, унаследовать титул, верхняя палата, нижняя палата, предлагать поправки к законопроекту, Верховный суд.

IV. Find the derivatives in the text and translate them.

Vote, lead, major, govern, spirit, appoint.

V. Read and translate the following definitions.

1) law – rule established by authority or custom, regulating the behaviour of members of a community, country.

2) court – place where trials or other law cases are held.

VI. Put the following into the interrogative form.

1. The constitution has three branches.

2. The government puts laws into effect.

3. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the political party with a majority in the House of Commons.

4. The Prime Minister is advised by a Cabinet.

5. The Cabinet includes the ministers in charge of major government departments and ministries.

6. Life peers are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Government for various services to the nation.

VI. Complete this diagram.

The Sovereign

VII. Correct the following statements.

1. The Queen of England has direct power.

2. Parliament interprets laws.

3. Members of Parliament are not elected.

4. If the Government changes all the civil servants are unemployed.

5. Life peers inherit their titles.

6. The Lords Spiritual are appointed by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Government.

7. The Lord Chancellor is a chairperson of the House of Commons.

VIII. Answer the following questions.

1. What are 3 branches of power?

2. What type of state system (government) has the UK?

3. What are the functions of the Sovereign? Name the present-day monarch of the UK.

4. What kind of Parliament does the UK have?

5. How many members are there in the House of Commons?

6. What is the main function of the House of Commons?

7. Who usually becomes the Prime Minister? Name the present-day Prime Minister of the UK.

8. What are main political parties in the UK? What party is the leading one now? What is the opposing party?

9. What are civil servants?

10. What is the difference between life peers and hereditary peers, Lords Temporal and Lords Spiritual?

11. What is the main function of the House of Lords?

12. Which areas of government do these people deal with: the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor?

13. What is now the highest judicial body in the UK? What body served as the court of last resort until 2009?

IX. Work in pairs and discuss the following.

1. What differences are there between Parliament and the Government?

2. What are the similarities and differences between the UK parliamentary system and that of your country?