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the state from which he is elected. At least one representative of the state must be represented in the House.

In the Senate there are two members from each state (100 members in total). To be a senator a candidate to this position must be at least 30 years old. On the other hand, he must live in state and be the U.S. citizen for not less than nine years.

A term of service of a senator is six years. To confirm appointments, to ratify\approve treaties, to try impeached officials are special duties of senators. In addition to lawmaking, the legislative branch has such important functions as to make rules for trade with foreign countries and between states, to raise money by means of taxes, to organize the Armed Forces, to declare war.

Exercise 3. Speak about the legislative branch of the U.S. government. Use this scheme as a plan.

The legislative branch: The Congress

The Congress (the House of Representatives ) – 435 members + the Senate (100 senators, two from each state). Its main function is to make laws.

The Congress can make laws about: Trade, taxes, citizenship, Army, Navy and Air Force, declare war, establish U.S Post Office, print and borrow money

Exercise 4. Answer the following questions.

1.Can someone be a Senator for 16 years?

2.What is the main function of Congress?

3.How often does the Congress meet?

4.Where are its sessions held?

5.For what term are Senators elected?

Exercise 5. Fill in the gaps.

1.The legislative branch – … – consists of … and the House of … .

2.Senators are elected for a … of … years.

3.There are … members in the …, two from each … .

4.Congress … for its sessions in the … Building in … .

5.The main function of the … branch is to … .

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Unit 5. Executive Branch: President, Vice-President and

the Cabinet

Exercise 1. Read and find Russian equivalents of the words and their combinations. Make your own phrases with them.

The executive branch, president, vice-president, native-born citizen, at least, government, armed forces, office, the White House, to resign.

Exercise 2. Before you read the text, discuss these questions.

1.What is the name of the President of the USA?

2.What branch of the government is represented by the President?

3.If the President dies or resigns, who can become President?

4.What famous Presidents of the USA can you name?

5.What is the name of the President of your country?

Exercise 3. Read and translate the following text. Be ready to discuss it.

The President of the United States must be elected every four years to a four-year term of office, only two terms are possible for each president. He is elected by the people (through state election). The President must be born in the United States, be at least 35 years old and live in the USA not less 14 years old. His salary is 200 000 dollars a year, and he also gets an extra 50 000 for expenses. He is the head of the state and the government and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. He deals with foreign policy, approves or vetoes laws, appoints judges, advisors and ambassadors, gives amnesty. He gives recommendations on programs and laws to Congress and requests money for federal government operations.

The President appoints federal judges and government officials and defines the duties to the elected Vice-President. If the President dies, or resigns, the Vice-President becomes President until the next elections will be held. According to the US Constitution a sitting President can be removed from office before his term only by an impeachment procedure that starts by the House of Representative.

There are 14 executive departments that can be found within the Executive Branch. Each department deals with a specific area on the basis of law.

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Exercise 5. Compare the organization of the executive branch in the USA and in Russia. Discuss the work and the responsibilities of the departments in both countries.

Exercise 6. Fill in the chart.

Exercise 7. Match English words with their Russian equivalents.

Unit 6. The Judicial Branch of the USA

Exercise 1. Read and give Russian equivalents of the following words and word combinations.

Supreme Court, Chief Justice, Court of Appeal, Court of Claims, district court, judicial power, case, associate justices

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Exercise 2. Read the text and say what you have learnt about the US judicial system.

The Judicial system of the United States of America

The Judicial Branch of the government is represented by the Supreme Court, which consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate justices. They are all appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. Every judge i given appointment for life, or until the resignation. The Supreme Court represents the highest judicial organ of the USA. It held meetings in the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. One of the most important duties of the justices is to decide about the constitutionality of laws passed by the Congress.

When the Supreme Court was created and the other Federal Courts were established, the Constitution created the judicial power, and the role of this power is to hear and decide the two classes of cases – criminal and civil. All cases about the violation of Federal criminal laws must be heard in a Federal court.

Below the Supreme Court is placed the Courts of Appeals, created in 1891 to facilitate the disposition of cases. Cases decided in the district courts go next to the appeals courts.

Thereare94districtcourtsinthestates.Mostcasesandcontroversies are heard in district courts. All accused of committing federal crimes are tried there.

The Court of Claims consists of a chief justice and four associate justicesanditwascreatedin1855.Itdealswithclaimsofprivateindividuals against the government and analyses the cases about breach of contracts, unpaid salary, personal injuries, property taken for public use.

Exercise 3. Answer the following questions.

1.How many justices can we find in the Supreme Court?

2.What lower federal courts can you enumerate?

3.What is the name of the highest judicial branch in the USA?

4.Enumerate the functions of the Federal Courts?

5.What can you tell about the Courts of Appeals?

Exercise 4. Complete the following sentences. Use the information you’ve learnt.

1.The Department of … takes care about the right of workers.

2.The Department of Justice gives … advice.

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