Read the given text. Match the sentences (A-H) to the passages (1-5). There are three sentences you should not use. Write your answers on the separate answer sheet.
The USA is a federal union of 50 states. The basic law is the constitution, adopted in 1787, which prescribes the structure of national government and lists its rights and fields of authority. Each state has its government and all of them have the dual character of both Federal and State government. The political system of the USA is divided into three branches: judicial, legislative and executive. Each branch holds a certain degree of power over the others, and all take part in the governmental process.
___ (1) Tire flag is called the stars and the stripes and old glory. It was adopted in 1777. The red stripes proclaim courage, the white — liberty, and the field of blue stands for loyalty.
The coat of arms of the US represents an eagle with wings outspread, holding a bangle of rods (the symbol of administer) in the left claw and olive twig (the emblem of love) in the right claw'. The motto of the coat of arms is ‘one out of many’.
___ (2) Although the American system of government is based on Great Britain’s, it differs in having a written constitution that is the bases of all government and law. The constitution of the US was adopted after the War of Independence on the 17th of September 1787. It lists the set of rules, law regulations, which provide the practical norms, regulating the work of the government. The document embodied the practical theories of man of property. The main principle underline the constitution was as follows: ’Private property is the backbone of liberty’. It was put forward by a rich plantation owner from Virginia James Madison, who is known to be a father of the constitution.
___ (3) The constitution consists of Preamble and seven articles. 27 amendments have so far been added to its original text. The first 10 amendments, known as ’the Bill of Rights’, were added in a group in 1791. These amendments establish the individual rights and freedoms to all people of the states, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship etc. Americans fill that of all freedoms, proclaimed in the constitution, there is only one freedom — the freedom of enterprise. But it means freedom of the wealthy people only. The 21st amendment limited the President’s ruling by maximum two terms.
___ (4) Inauguration always takes place on the 20th of January, it is an official act of installing the President of the USA to his office. Inauguration is connected with some traditions. Thus the incumbent.
President gives dinner on the eve in honour of the President elected and to conduct him threw the White House. By 12 o’clock of the 2nd of January two participants of the ceremony and guests take their places in front of the Capitol. The central point of the ceremony is the taking of an oath by the President and the delivering of his Inaugural speech; it is regarded as a declaration of principles, proclaimed by the new administration. The ceremony ends in a military parade.
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___ (5) The US began as a one party political system. But gradually two-party system appeared. The present- day Democratic Party was founded in 1828, representing southern states. It united slave owners. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 and united people from Northeast, who were against slavering. The emblem of the Democratic Party is a donkey. The emblem of the Republican Party is an elephant. The main task of the parties is to win elections. One of the reasons of stability at the two party systems is family tradition to inherit politics from fathers.
A. The rights and freedom of the Americans.
B. How the USA constitution was adopted.
C. The role of the president in the US political system.
D. The political system of the USA.
E. National emblems of the USA.
F. The content of the American constitution.
G. The major political parties of the country.
H. The Senate of the USA.
Task 2
Read the text below. For questions (6-10) choose the correct answer (A,B,C,D).Write your answer on the separate answer sheet.
Joseph Pulitzer
Joseph Pulitzer was born in 1847 in Makó, Hungary. He emigrated to the United States when he was seventeen years old, and was naturalised on his twentieth birthday. He spent his career in journalism working in the mid-west and New York. From 1871 he was also the owner or part-owner of many newspapers. His most famous newspaper was the New York World (which many believe was the model for the Daily Planet of the Superman stories). The World campaigned against corruption, and exposed many scandals. It was also a strong supporter of the rights of the working man.
In later life, Joseph Pulitzer collapsed from overwork, and lost his sight. He became dedicated to improving the quality of journalism in America, and donated $1 million to Columbia University to found a school of journalism. However, his most significant contribution was the establishment of the Pulitzer prizes in his will.
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These prizes for excellence in journalism have been given every year since 1917 by Columbia University. Since 1942 there have been extra categories for press photography, and later still for criticism, feature writing and commentary. The prize was originally for $500, but today the winners of the prize receive a gold medal. However, the real value of the prize is that it confirms that the journalist who has received the award is the best American journalist of the year - a fact that is worth much more than $500 to the journalist and to the newspaper that employs him or her.
6. Joseph Pulitzer came to America because
A. he was with his parents
B. he wanted to be a journalist
C. Hungary was being attacked by Austria
D. the text does not say
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