Read the following text and say who the country is really governed by.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. The head of the state is the monarch, who reigns but does not govern. The country is actually ruled by a Cabinet of democratically elected officials called ministers.

The government is chosen from the majority party in the House of Commons. The head of the government is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the monarch. But the monarch must choose the leader of the majority party. The Prime Minister chooses all the other ministers.

About 20 senior ministers form the Cabinet, which meets under the prime minister’s chairmanship. The Cabinet determines government policy as a whole.

Ministers who are in charge of the most important government departments are always included in the Cabinet. These departments include the Treasury, the Home Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Defense.

The Cabinet is responsible for the general conduct of government affairs, and it sees that the country’s laws are carried out. The Cabinet is also responsible for presenting proposed new laws and tax measures to Parliament.

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1. Who governs the state?

2. Are the members of the government appointed?

3. Who chooses the Prime Minister?

4. Who determines policy?

5. What are the ministers in charge of?

6. What is the Cabinet responsible for?

Exercise 2. Complete the following sentences:

1. The sovereign is…

2. The British Parliament consists of…

3. New Bills are introduced and debated in …

4. If a Bill is passed it is…

5. The duration of Parliament is…

6. The main functions of Parliament are…

7. The head of state is…

8. The government is chosen from…

9. The Cabinet is responsible for…

10. The important government departments are…

11. The leader of the majority party is…

Exercise 3. Compare the state structure of Russia and the UK. Say one complex sentence.

Russia is a Presidential while The UK is a constitutional

Republic. but monarchy.

and

just like

whereas

Model: Russia is a Presidential Republic whereas the UK is a constitutional monarchy.

1. The federal power of the Russian Federation consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial.

2. The legislative power in Russia is vested in the Federal Assembly.

3. The Russian parliament consists of two chambers: the Federation Council and the State Duma.

4. To become a law a bill must be approved by both chambers and signed by President of Russia.

5. The executive power in Russia belongs to the government which is headed by the chairman of the government.

6. President of the RF is a commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20