XIV. Fill in the right preposition.

1. The Republic of Belarus carries … independently its domestic and foreign policy.

2. State power is exercised … the basis of its division … legislative, executive and judicial branches.

3. The President is elected … general, free, equal, direct and secret ballot.

4. The Parliament consists … two Chambers — the Chamber of Representatives and the Council of the Republic.

5. The Government is subordinated … the President and reports … the Parliament.

6. The judicial power in the Republic of Belarus belongs … courts.

7. Everybody is equal … the law.

8. Every citizen has the right … health protection, social security at old age, etc.

9. The Republic of Belarus proceeds … the principles of the equality of states, inviolability … borders, non-interference … domestic affairs and others.

10. In accordance … the Constitutional norm the Republic of Belarus may grant refuge … persons being persecuted in other countries … their political and religious convictions or … account of their nationality.

XV. Agree or disagree with the following statements.

1. The Republic of Belarus is a parliamentary monarchy.

2. The Parliament is represented by the Council of Ministers.

3. Government is the executive power in the Republic of Belarus.

4. The judicial power is exercised by general, economic and other courts.

5. The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus establishes the principle of the supremacy of personal rights and freedoms.

6. The President is elected for a four-year term.

7. Each person has the right to obtain education in state educational institutions but he has to pay for it.

8. According to the Constitution everybody is equal before the law.

XVI. Complete the following sentences.

1. The Republic of Belarus is … .

2. The symbols are … .

3. State power is exercised on the basis of … .

4. The ultimate goal of the State is … .

5. The Constitution guarantees the citizens the right to … .

6. The Republic of Belarus exercises democracy by … .

7. In its foreign policy the Republic of Belarus proceeds from … .

XVII. Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Республика Беларусь - унитарное демократическое социальное правовое государство.

2. Государственная власть осуществляется на основе разделения властей на законодательную, исполнительную и судебную.

3. Парламент состоит из Палаты Представителей и Совета Республики.

4. Совет Министров – это исполнительная власть Республики Беларусь, а также является центральным органом государственного управления.

5. Судебная власть осуществляется общими, хозяйственными и другими судами.

6. Республика Беларусь самостоятельно осуществляет свою внутреннюю и внешнюю политику.

7. В своей внешней политике Республика Беларусь исходит из принципов равенства государств, неприменения силы или угрозы применения силы, нерушимости границ, мирного урегулирования споров, невмешательства во внутренние дела и других общепризнанных принципов и норм международного права.

8. Республика Беларусь ставит целью сделать свою территорию зоной свободной от ядерного оружия.

9. Гражданам Республики Беларусь гарантируется право на социальное обеспечение в старости, в случае болезни, инвалидности, потери кормильца и в других случаях, предусмотренных законом.

Problems for discussion

Ø What is (are) national language(s) in our republic? Are any other languages spoken here? Do you agree that it is necessary to have at least two languages spoken in the country? Why? Why not? Give your arguments.

Ø You are willing to participate in the international conference “Belarus today and tomorrow”. The organizers require a short abstract. You are to represent social and political situation in our country to the international participants.

Ø Imagine you are a teacher of History. The topic of your lesson is “The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”. You are to tell your pupils what rights the Constitution grants every citizen.

Ø Discuss in your group what changes you would like to introduce into the Constitution.

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND: SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS

Warm- up

What do you know about the United Kingdom?

· What is the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain?

· How is the British flag called?

· What are the British national emblems (flowers)?

Read about the British Flag and say which country is not represented on the flag of the U.K.?

The Union flag, popularly known as the ‘Union Jack’*, is the national flag of the United Kingdom. It is called the Union Flag because it symbolizes the administrative union of the countries of the United Kingdom. It is made up of the individual flags of three of the Kingdom’s countries all united under one Sovereign¹ – the countries of England, of Scotland and of Northern Ireland (since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom; Southern Ireland is an independent republic). As Wales was not a Kingdom but a Principality² it couldn’t be included on the flag.

* ‘Union Jack’ was officially accepted as an alternative name for the Union Flag by the Admiralty³ and parliament in the early 20^th century. The term ‘jack’⁴ refers to the flag that is flown from the bowsprit⁵ of a ship, often denoting⁶ nationality.

* Union Jack - государственный флаг Соединённого Королевства

¹ sovereign [′sÉvrın] – монарх, правитель

² principality [‚prınsı′pælıtı] - княжество

³ admiralty [′ædm(ə)rəltı] – адмиралтейство; военно-морское министерство (Великобритании до 1964 г.)

⁴ jack [dZæk] – мор. гюйс, флаг

⁵ bowsprit [′bəυ‚sprıt] – мор. бушприт

⁶ denote [dı′nəυt] – показывать, обозначать

The flags that appear on the Union Flag are the crosses of three patron¹ saints² :

This is England's Flag.

It is called the "St. Georges Flag".

The red cross of Saint George for England on the white ground.

This is Scotland's Flag.
It is called the "St. Andrews Flag".

The white diagonal cross of Saint Andrew for Scotland on the blue ground.

On the Union Flag, Northern Ireland is represented by the flag of St. Patrick.

The red diagonal cross of Saint Patrick for Ireland on the white ground.

This is Wales’s Flag.

The Welsh flag (the red dragon on the white and green ground) doesn’t appear on the Union Flag.

¹ patron [′peıtr(ə)n] - покровитель, патрон, заступник

² saint [seınt] - святой