Give the summary of the text.

SPEAKING

1. Read the following interview. Focus on the information about the British constitution:

A: Hello, Mr. Brown. How are you today?

B: Hi, Alex. Fine, thanks. It’s a lovely morning, isn’t it?

A: Yes, rather. We’re lucky (нам везет) to have so much sun so early in April this year.

B: I enjoy it so much here. My daughter gave me a call yesterday and she says they have showers (ливни) in London. But I can see a cloud of worry (облачко беспокойства) in your face. Could I possibly help you in any way?

A: I hate to take your time, but the text on the British constitution we are supposed to prepare for our next lesson is difficult to understand.

B: Take it easy (смотри на вещи просто). You’re not the first person to be confused by our constitution, at least many of the Englishmen I know are. Please, don’t feel embarrassed (не стесняйся), go ahead and ask. I’m at your disposal (я в Вашем распоряжении).

A: Thank you ever so much, sir. I won’t take much of your time. First, the text calls the constitution unwritten, and if it’s so, what is there to speak about?

B: I can see your logics. But what the text surely means is that there’s no single (единый)legal document under the title «British Constitution» like in the USA or in Russia.

A: Then, if it’s so, what documents help to run the country (управлять страной)?

B: All life of the kingdom is based on statutes and other important documents, such as the Magna Carta (Великая Хартия Вольностей), case law (прецедентное право), customs and conventions. Do you know what statute law is?

A: As far as I know, statute law is produced by a legislative body, that is by Parliament in the UK.

B: That’s right. Statutes appear in a specific written form and are characterised by the rigidity of the rules (строгостью правил). They are very strict and difficult to change.

A: I know. They often say that England is a country of strict rules, traditions and customs. Can we treat “statute” and “Act of Parliament” as equivalent terms, I wonder?

B: It’s a common practice, but it is incorrect. All Acts of Parliament are statutes, but not all statutes are Acts of Parliament, though Acts of Parliament are the most important kind of statutes.

A: I see. Well, the text explains «case law» as «decisions taken by courts of law on constitutional matters». But what is the Magna Carta?

B: Your questions touch upon the most important aspects of this mysterious phenomenon called «unwritten constitution». «Magna Carta» or «Charta» in Latin means «great Charter» and denotes an important document granting special freedoms to the people.

A: They say their constitution is flexible (гибкая). What do they mean?

B: The UK constitutionis quite flexible because Parliament can “make or unmake” any law by the same procedure and with the same ease.

A: Now some things are falling into their right places (некоторые вещи становятся на свои места). Thank you ever so much for your explanations, sir.

2. Answer the questions on the interview:

1. How is the British Constitution called?

2. Is there a single legal document under the title «British Constitution»?

3. What documents help to run the country?

4. What is “statute law”?

5. Are “statute” and “Act of Parliament” equivalent terms?

6. What does “Magna Carta” denote?

7. The so-called «British Constitution» is based only on statutes and the Magna Carta, isn’t it?

8. What does “case law” mean?

9. What do they mean saying that the constitution is flexible?

3. Complete the remarks of the interview:

1. But I can see a cloud of …………………………

2. Could I possibly …………………………………?

3. You are not the first person to be ……………….

4. But what the text surely means is ………………

5. Then, if it’s so, what is there ……………………?

6. All life of the kingdom is based on ……………..

7. As far as I know, statute law ……………………

8. Well, the text explains «case law» as ……………

9. Your questions touch upon ………………………

10.Now some things are falling into ……………….

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14