THE CONSTITUTION OF THE USA

The Constitution of the United States in the central instrument of American government and the supreme law of the land.

For 200 years, it has guided the evolution of governmental institution and has provided the basis for political stability, individual freedom, economic growth and social progress.

The American Constitution is the world’s oldest written constitution in force. It serves as the model for a number of other constitutions around the world. The Constitution owes its staying power to its simplicity and flexibility.

The primary aim of the Constitution was to create a strong elected government, directly responsive to the will of the people. The concept of self-government did not originate with the Americans. But the degree to which the Constitution committed the United States to rule by the people was unique, and even revolutionary, in comparison with other government around the world.

No product of human society is perfect. Despite its many amendments, the Constitution of the United States still contains flaws. But two centuries of growth and unrivaled prosperity have proven the foresight of the 55 men who worked through the summer of 1787 to lay the foundation of American government.

Ex.2 Match the words and nouns (according to the text):

Supreme power

Political aim

Economic government

Written stability

Staying prosperity

Primary law

Strong constitution

Unrivaled growth

Ex.3 Form the nouns from the following words:

Flexible; simple; stable; free;

Grow; compare; found; evolve.

Ex.4 Insert the prepositions if necessary:

1. The Constitution provides the basis… political stability.

2. This government is responsive… the will of the people.

3. The concert of self-government did not originate … the Americans.

4. This system is more democratic … comparison with other ones.

5. The Constitution owes its staying power … its simplicity.

Ex. 5 Choose the correct variant from those in brackets:

1. The Constitution has provided the (basis; bases) for social progress.

2. This Constitution is the world’s (older; oldest) written constitution in force.

3. They worked to (lie; lay) the foundation of American government.

Ex. 6 Complete the sentences:

1. The American Constitution owes its staying power to ….

2. No product of human society ….

3. Despite many amendments, this Constitution contains ….

4. Two centuries of growth and prosperity have proven….

5. The American Constitution has provided the basis for….

Ex. 7 Render the following text in English:

Конституція – це головний закон держави, який визначає її суспільний устрій, порядок та принципи утворення представницьких органів влади, виборчу систему, основні права та обов’язки громадян. Конституція – це основа чинного законодавства.

Конституція – це сукупність актів та конституційних звичаїв, які проголошують права та свободи людини і громадянина, визначають форму керування та територіального устрою, основи організації центральних та місцевих органів влади.

Конституція є головним джерелом права в державі. Конституцію поділяють за формою на кодифіковані, некодифіковані та конституції змішаного типу; за засобом внесення змін – на гнучкі та жорсткі; за терміном дії – на постійні та тимчасові.

Ex. 8 Speak on the topic “The Constitution of the United States”

Дата добавления: 2015-10-21