Language practice and comprehension check

USEFUL INFORMATION:

The Democratic Party - one of the two main political parties in the US, tracing the history to the time of Andrew Jackson in the 1820s. It was founded in 1828 and was considered to be more liberal.

The Republican Party is considered to be more conservative than the Democratic Party. It was organized in 1854 to combat slavery. The first Republican President was Abraham Lincoln.

The Vietnam War (1964 - 1975) - a long civil war between the Communist forces of North Vietnam and non-Communist forces of South Vietnam. It ended in 1975 when South Vietnam was finally defeated, and Vietnam was united as one country. US soldiers fought in Vietnam to support the army of South Vietnam. American people have very divided feelings about this war.

terms and notions:

Bylaw n -. 1 the written rules for conduct of a corporation, association, partnership or any organization. 2 a law made by the local government.

Caucus n.- (pl. -es)- 1 US meeting of party members esp. in the Senate to decide policy. 2 representatives from a political party who assemble to nominate candidates.

TASK I a) Study the following words from the text:

label n.- 1 piece of paper etc. attached to an object to give information about it. 2. short classifying phrase applied to a person etc. 3. logo, title, or trademark of a company. —v. (-ll-; US -l-) 1 attach a label to. 2 (usu. foll. by as) assign to a category.

disparate adj. -. essentially different; not comparable.

allocate v. (-ting) -(usu. foll. by to) assign or devote to (a purpose, person, or place).

allocation n. - a designation or apportionment for a specific purpose (of funds etc.).

meld v. - merge, blend, unite.

assign v. – 1. appoint someone to a job or task; 2. give money to someone or decide it should be used for a particular purpose.

assignment n.- 1 task or mission. 2 the transfer of rights or property.

run v. – (for) offer oneself for election (run for President, Governor, etc.)

hammer out phr.v. –1. work out details of a plan, etc.;2. talk about something and come to a decision about it.

b) Use the active vocabulary and terms and notions to complete the following sentences:

1. The main parties are known under the ... "Democrats and Republicans".

2. A certain sum of money was ... for disaster relief.

3. Different interests must be ... to advance legislation.

4. The government ... a particular part of its foreign aid budget to African countries.

5. George Bush-junior ... ... President twice.

6. The challenge is to make ... computer systems work together.

7. The Democratic Party elects its candidates at a Party ... .

8. A rule made by an organization for governing its own affairs is called ... .

9. The committee tried to ... ... the proper solution.

10. The Government provided some ... to the job creation programme.

TASK II a). Match the nouns on the left with their synonyms on the right.

consensus	description
label	government
politics	agreement
allocation	understanding
caucus	allotment
perception	forum
policy	power
extent	action
governance	i. degree

TASK III Use the following phrases in your own sentences:

To run for office; to exist separately; to achieve power; to make up the caucus; to hammer out differences; to be for or against government decisions; to protect the environment; to meld disparate interests.

TASK IV Define the following notions:

By-laws and customs; the Steering and Policy Committee: committee assignments; gubernatorial politics; legislative governance; an institution of governance.

TASK V Complete the following sentences paying attention to the comparative degree of the adjectives:

1. The larger the majority the greater… .

2. The broader the perception the better ... .

3. The higher the taxes the lower … .

4. The more aid to the poor the more … .

5. The more regulation of industry the better … .

TASK VI In which meaning are the following words used in the text.

1. run v. – 1) to move quickly, 2) to compete in an election, 3) to control.

2. steer v. – 1) to make a boat go in a particular direction, 2) to guide and to direct a particular piece of activity.

3. party n. – 1) a social gathering for pleasure, 2) a group of people with common political aims, 3) a side in a lawsuit.

4. staff n. – 1) people who work for an organization, 2) a long stick to help you walk.

5. make up phr. v. – 1) to invent a story, 2) to use special paint, 3) to constitute, to form.

TASK VII Answer the following questions:

1. How important is the party system in Congress?

2. How do legislators organize themselves?

3. What is a caucus? What are the functions of caucuses?

4. What is the role of the committees set up by caucuses?

5. Compare the sources of power for national and state parties and those for legislative caucuses.

6. What are the functions of the legislative party system? Describe them.

7. Why do individuals choose to become Democrats or Republicans?

8. Why is it so important to achieve consensus on various issues among party members in Congress?

TASK VIII Translate. Ask five questions: