Reading tasks

A Answer these questions.

1 What kind of a functioning body is the Federal Assembly?

2 Are there clear limitations of competence in each chamber in the Federal

Assembly?

3 What chamber has the right to conduct closed sessions?

4 What chamber is responsible for the consideration of financial problems?

5 In what connection does the word "impeachment" appear in the text?

6 What does the text say about the insurance of state security?

Whose duty is it?

B Answer these “Whose – right – is – it” questions.

1 …to approve the President's appointment?

2 …to appoint the Accounts Chamber?

3 …to have the final decision on the impeachment of the President?

4 …to dissolve or decline the power of the Government or dissolve the State Duma?

C Choose the most suitable heading from the list A – G for each paragraph of the text. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use.

A. The structure of the Federal Assembly

B. The powers (competence) of the State Duma

C. The laws considered by the Federation Council

D. The appointment of the Chairman of the Government

E. The duties and powers of the government

F. The issues within the jurisdiction of the Federation Council

G. The procedure of no confidence in the government

D Decide which of statements a), b) or c) in the exercise below corresponds exactly to the meaning of the text and best completes each statement.

1 The Russian Parliament consists of…

a) one branch only

b) two chambers

c) several committees.

2 The Federation Council and the State Duma sit…

a) separately

b) together

c) with other governmental subcommittees.

3 Military forces cannot be used outside the country without the approval of…

a) the State Duma

b) the Federation Council

c) the President.

4 Appointment of the Supreme body of the judicial branch is within the competence of…

a) the Chairman of the Government

b) the Federation Council

c) the Treasury.

5 Charges against the President can be used by…

a) the government

b) deputy chairmen

c) the State Duma.

6 The Chairman’s candidate is appointed by…

a) the deputy Chairman

b) the Federation Council

c) the President.

E Read the articles of the Russian Constitution to define the rights and duties of thedeputies of the State Duma.

Article 97

1 Any citizen of the Russian Federation who has reached 21 years of age and who has the right to participate in elections may be elected deputy of the State Duma.

2 One and the same person may not be simultaneously a member of the Federation Council and a deputy of the State Duma. A deputy of the State Duma may not be a deputy of other representative State government bodies and local government bodies.

3 Deputies of the State Duma shall work on a professional permanent basis. Deputies of the State Duma may not be employed in State service or engaged in other paid activities, except for teaching and scientific and other creative work.

Article 98

1 Members of the Federation Council and deputies of the State Duma shall enjoy immunity during the whole term of their office. They may not be detained, arrested or searched, except in the event of detention at the scene of a crime. They may not be subjected to personal searches, except in instances where this is provided for by federal law in order to ensure the safety of other people.

2 The issue of the removal of immunity shall be resolved by an appropriate chamber of the Federal Assembly upon submission of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation.

Article 99

The Federal Assembly shall be a permanently functioning body.

The State Duma shall convene its first session on the thirtieth day after election. The President of the Russian Federation may convene a session of the State Duma earlier than this date.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14