2018-03-09
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When she says: “You’re so sweet to me.” She really means: “I want you to make me a sandwich.”
When she says: “Do you think she is pretty?” She really means: “You deny it, or face a really unpleasant weekend.”
When she says:”Whatever you want is fine, honey.” She really means: “You are doomed.Whatever you choose will be wrong.”
When she says: “I don’t want to talk about it.” She really means:” You had better ask me what is wrong about 50 more times.”
When she says:” You are part of me.” She really means:” I have begun to figure your income into my budget.”
Task 17:
Is it OK to tell jokes about anything and everything? Would any or all of the following offend you? Why?
1. A joke about a physical disabled person
2. A joke that makes fun of women
3. A joke that makes fun of men
4. A joke that makes fun of the elderly
5. A joke that ridicules a particular religion
6. A joke making fun of lawyers
7. A joke that makes fun of blinds
Task 18:
Debates
Organize the debates on the topic: “Political correctness is a linguistic mirage“. Give arguments “for” and “against.” Organize your speech according to speech – making rules.
Unit X.
Language and Nationality
Task1:
How do you understand the concept of “national identity”? To what extend do you think language is a part of it?
Task2:
Read the text and render the context.
Language and Nationality.
Language and nationality were not always so intimately intertwined. Newer in the heyday of rule by sovereign was it a condition of employment that the King be able to speak the language of his subjects. George I spoke no English and spent much of his time away from England, attempting to use the power of his kingship to shore up his German possessions. In the Middle Ages nationalism was not even part of the picture: one owed loyalty to a lord, a prince, a ruler, a farmer, a family, a tribe, a church, a piece of land, but not to a nation and least of all to a nation as a language unit. The capital city of the Austrian Habsburg Empire was Vienna, its ruler a monarch with effective control of peoples of the most varied and incompatible ethnicities, and languages, throughout central and Eastern Europe. The official language and the lingua franca as well, was German. While it stood –and it stood for hundreds of years – the empire was an anachronistic relic of what for most of human history had been the normal relationship between country and language: none.
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In 1846 Jacob Grimm, one of the Brothers Grimm of fairy – tale fame but better known in the linguistic establishment as a forerunner of modern comparative and historical linguists, said that “ a nation is the totality of people who speak the same language.” After midcentury, language was invoked more than any other single criterion to define nationality. Language as a political force helped to bring about the unification of Italy and of Germany and the secession of Norway from its union with Sweden in 1905.Arnold Toynbee observed – unhappily - soon after the First World War that “the growing consciousness of Nationality had attached itself neither to traditional frontiers nor to new geographical associations but almost exclusively to mother tongues.”
And so it remains today. In much of the world, ethnic unity and cultural identification are routinely defined by language.to be Arab is to speak Arabic. Bengal identity is based on language in spite of the division of Bengali-speakers between Hindu India and Muslim Bangladesh. When eastern Pakistan seceded from greater Pakistan in 1971, it named itself Bangladesh: desa means “country”, bangla means not the Bengali people or the Bengali territory but the Bengali language.
Language is an explosive issue in the countries of the former Soviet Union. The language conflict in Estonia has been especially bitter. Ethnic Russians make up almost a third of Estonia’s population, and most of them do not speak or read Estonian, although Russians have lived in Estonia for more than a generation. Estonia has passed legislation requiring knowledge of the Estonian language as a condition of citizenship. Nationalist groups in independent Lithuania sought restrictions on the use of Polish – again, old sins, long shadows.
Unique Otherness
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Is there no hope for language tolerance? Some countries manage to maintain their unity in the face of multilingualism. Examples are Finland, with a Swedish minority, and a number of African and Southeast Asian countries. Two others could not be more unlike as countries go: Switzerland and India.
German, French, Italian, and Romansh are the languages of Switzerland. The first three can be and are used for official purposes; all four are designated “national” languages. Switzerland is politically almost hyper stable. It has language problems (Romansh is losing ground), but they are never allowed to threaten national unity.
Contrary to public perception, India gets along pretty well with a host of different languages. The Indian constitution officially recognizes nineteen languages, English among them. Hindi is specified in the constitution as the national language of India, but that is a pious postcolonial fiction: outside the Hindi-speaking northern heartland of India, people don’t want to learn it. English functions more nearly than Hindi as India’s lingua franca.
From 1947, when India obtained its independence from the British, until the 1960s blood ran in the streets and people died because of language. Hindi absolutes wanted to force Hindi on the entire country, which would have split India between north and south and opened up other fracture lines as well. For as long as possible Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India’s first Prime Minister, resisted nationalist demands to redraw the capricious state boundaries of British India according to language. By the time he capitulated, the country had gained a precious decade to prove its viability as a union.
Why is it that India preserves its unity with not just two languages to contend with, as Belgium, Canada, and Sri Lanka have, but nineteen? The answer is that India, like Switzerland, has a strong national identity. The two countries share something big and almost mystical that holds each together in a union transcending language. That something I call “unique otherness.”
(Robert D. King. Should English Be the Law?)
Task3:
Learn the vocabulary from the text. Give the Russian equivalents.
Intertwined
Subjects
Incompatible ethnicities
Rule by sovereign
The growing consciousness of nationality
Frontiers
Mother tongue
Ethnic unity
Cultural identification
Explosive issue
Restrictions
Language tolerance
Multilingualism
Politically hyper stable
National unity
Public as a nation
Task4:
There are some key words in the text that need more thorough acquaintance. Learn more about them.
1) Nationality -1.state of belonging to a particular country, because you were born there or because you have been legally accepted as belonging to it; 2.a group of people who have the same racial origins, especially when they do not have their own independent country.
Collocations
Various nationalities dual nationality
Mixed nationality foreign nationality
Minority nationality take nationality
Have nationality inherit nationality
Acquire nationality change nationality
Adopt nationality give up nationality
Assume nationality grant smb. nationality
Obtain nationality on the grounds of nationality
2) Nationalism- 1.a desire for the political independence of your own nation; 2.love of your nation, which is often associated with the belief that your nation is better than any other; sometimes used showing disapproval.
Derivatives: nationalist; nationalistic.
Collocations:
Aggressive nationalism cultural nationalism
Extreme nationalism economic nationalism
Fierce nationalism political nationalism
Militant nationalism racial nationalism
Revolutionary nationalism the growth of nationalism
Popular nationalism revival of nationalism
Conservative nationalism the rise of nationalism
Radical nationalism a tide of nationalism
Task5:
Give Russian equivalents of the following
1. British nationality
2. I want him to have dual nationality
3. Discussion has taken place among scientists of different nationalities
4. The nationalities inhabiting Tsarist Russia
5. European nationalities struggling for cultural and political autonomy
6. Teams of mixed nationalities
7. A tide of militant nationalism.
8. Chauvinistic nationalism and ethic prejudice
Task 6:
Give answers to the questions on the text
1. Did all the English kings speak English? Who didn’t?
2. What does the term “linqua franca” mean?
3. How is Jacob Grimm known?
4. How does Grimm define the concept of “nation”?
5. What is the language situation in modern Estonia?
6. How many languages are spoken in Switzerland? What is the linguistic situation there?
7. How about India?
8. Why is it the fact that India preserves its unity with nineteen languages?
9. How does the author understand the concept of “unique otherness”?
Task 7: Debates
“Everybody should learn and speak their native language.” Do you agree? Give arguments and counter – arguments.
Unit XI.
Body Language in Politics
Task1:
Think and say how important gestures, manners and body language in general are for creating an image of a person.
Task2:
Ask your classmates to show some gestures so that the rest of the class guess their meanings.
Task 3:
To what extend gestures and manners culturally determined? Can you think of examples?
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Task4:
Imitate the following actions; learn the vocabulary you do not know.
1. Lick your lips
2. Smile
3. Grin
4. Stare at the classmates
5. Peer at them
6. Frown
7. Scowl
8. Wink at a classmate
9. Pout
10. Raise your eyebrows.
11. Point at a classmate.
12. Shrug your shoulders.
13. Make a face.
14. Nod.
15. Stake your head.
16. Blow smb. a kiss.
17. Sneer
18. Beckon to smb.
19. Poke your tongue out at smb.
20. Scratch your head.
21. Wave goodbye.
Task5:
Check that you know the meaning of each of the verbs below. They all describe different way of looking. Then choose the appropriate verb to complete each sentence.
Glanced gazed peered peeped stared
1. He……intently at the piece of paper in front of him, wringing his hands in despair.
2. He stretched to his full height and….over the wall to see what Lady Thackeray-Smyth’s daughter was doing.
3. We…..through the fog, blinking, trying to catch a glimpse of a moving light…
4. She stopped fidgeting and fiddling with her dresses. She just sat, absolutely still, and….out of the window, miles away, just occasionally pursing her lips, and then biting them hard.
5. The referee….at his watch again, made a sign to the linesman, and then blew the final whistle.
Task 6:
The verbs below are in the wrong order. Decide which to use to complete each of the sentences 1-6.
Shook hands with sat cuddling squeezed embraced hugged kissed
1. The freed hostages………their family and friends.
2. The US President………the Prime Minister.
3. I……my mother – in – law on the cheek.
4. Charles……her hand reassuringly as they stepped forward together to the altar.
5. The Pope…..at the President.
6. Jack and Jill…..each other to keep warm.
Task7:
Read the text “Body Language in American Politics”. Prepare to do the tasks that follow.
Body Language in American Politics
Body language plays a big part in all communication. We can hardly say anything without expressing more through the movements of our faces and bodies. It is no wonder, then, that body language has been displayed in American politics.
When George Washington crossed the Delaware, according to famous painting, he was showing a body language of confidence. He did this by standing erect with hands on hips. There is evidence of the same stance by Woodrow Wilson during a time when he was lecturing at a university and by Walter Mondale during his presidential campaign.
Many presidents and presidential hopefuls have shown body language signs of confidence and dominance. In the 1992 presidential debates, much of this was going on. Former President Bill Clinton, Rose Perot, and former President George bush were all showing a palm down gesture that symbolized belief in superiority.
Another nonverbal cue of body language is a way you tilt your head back and hold it there. This has shown up in the speeches by Mussolini, Roosevelt, George Wallace, and even Al Gore. It symbolizes a feeling of being disdainful, arrogant, and superior.
Sometimes, body language shows how uncomfortable a politician is. In 1988, former Vice President Dan Quayle was speaking in a television debate. His opponent came out with a rather cutting remark, and Quayle’s response was an immediate, “Adam’s apple jump.” This is a classic sign of nervousness.
The angle that you put yourself in relationship to others is part of body language. Former President Richard Nixon was known for being uncomfortable around people. This was shown in the way he set himself at a ninety degree angle to others he was dealing with.
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Much has been made of a 1998 Time magazine cover photo. It shows Jessie Jackson, who was making a run for president at the time. He is standing with his arms crossed in front of his chest. Some say this is a classic defensive pose. This may or may not be a correct interpretation of his body language.
A tense, pouting mouth can show uncertainty, frustration, and sadness. Photos were taken of former President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky ordeal. In them he is often displaying such a form of body language.
Former President Ronald Reagan and the Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev had important matters to discuss at summit. There were times when they didn’t agree. However, when they did agree, their body language showed it. At such times, they face each other. They would also sit in similar positions.
A Republican pollster, R.Teeter, did an experiment about body language in politics. He showed people visual footage of political campaigning. They were doing their usual speech-making, hand shaking, and the rest. There is no sound, only video.
As it turned out, those who had only the body language of the candidates to read rated them the same way as those who knew their politics and views. It was shown that a lot is determined about choice of candidate by body language alone. Body language has played a part in American politics and will continue to do so. As long as Americans can see who they are voting for, they will watch as much as they will listen. Thanks to body language, leaders are easier to judge.
Task 8:
Answer the questions based on the text
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1. What is the role of body language in communication?
2. How was George Washington shown when crossing the Delaware?
3. Who was showing the palm down gesture and what did it symbolize?
4. What does tilting your head back and holding it there symbolize?
5. Which politicians were known for this gesture?
6 What does “Adam’s apple jump “mean and what does it signify?
7. How do you interpret” standing with your arms crossed in front of your chest”?
8. What does pouting mouth show?
9. What did body language reveal about Ronal Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev’s relationships?
10. Are leaders easier to judge thanks to body language? Prove it.
Task 9:
President Ronald Reagan was known to be a successful body language master. Do you think this was due to the fact that he was a former Hollywood actor? If so, then to what extend did this fact contribute to his success?
Task 10:
In history there is a famous Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s “shoe banging incident” in the United Nations. This was received by public as a note of cold war between the USSR and the USA. What do you think of this? Give your comments.
Task 11:
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Think of a modern politician – Russian or foreign. Choose the one most to your liking. How successful do you think he is or she is with using their body language?
Task 12:
Give a 3-5 minutes presentation on the topic “Public Speaking and Body Language”.
Task 13:
Match the following verbs to part of the body.
a) clap 1)your head
b) clench 2)your fingers
c) crook 3)your thumbs
d) cup 4)your fist
e) bow 5)your hand
f) shrug 6)your finger
g) cross 7)your face
h) screw up 8)your hands
i) twiddle 9)your shoulders
Try to do the exercise independently. If you have problems, see the answers:
A8, b4, c6, d5, e1, f9, g2, h7, i3.
Task 14:
The following nouns can be used metaphorically as part of certain compound adjectives. Complete the sentences below with suitable word from the list. The first one has been done for you.
Heart finger head face first skin
1. Although he is quite famous now, he has not become big-headed at all.
2. You would have to be very thick -…… to ignore so much criticism.
3. Take care of your belongings. There are some light-….people around.
4. I don’t think my father would be hard-….enough to punish me.
5. Don’t bother asking him for any money. He is extremely tight-…
6. I trusted you! How could you have been so two-….with me?
Task 15:
Here is a list of vocabulary showing what your body does. Learn the words and translate the sentences into Russian.
Sigh: She sighed with relief when she heard her plane had landed safely.
Blink: She blinked several times to try and get the dust out of her eye.
Wink: He winked at me across the room to try and make me laugh.
Frown: Why are you frowning? What is the problem?
Grin: She was so delightful with the present that she grinned from ear to ear.
Blush: He blushed with embarrassment when she smiled at him.
Perspire/Sweat: When it is hot you swear/perspire.
Tremble: My hands tremble when I’ve been drinking too much coffee.
Shiver: Look at him. He is so cold that he is shivering.
Shake: She laughed so much that her whole body shook.
Task 16:
Find the words from those given above to match the dictionary definitions given below.
1. to draw the eyebrows together to express displeasure or puzzlement
2. to go pink from embarrassment
3. to tremble, especially from cold or fear
4. to shut and open both eyes quickly
5. to deliberately shut and open one eye.
Task 17:
Learn some idioms describing and showing feelings and mood:
1. He had a face as long as a fiddle. (looked very depressed, sad)
2. She certainly looked down in the dumps. (looked depressed, sad)
3. Gerry is in a black mood.(a bad mood, temper)
4. Mark was like a bear with a sore head. (extremely irritated)
5. Jo’s as happy as the day is long. (extremely content)
6. Mary seems to be on cloud nine these days. (extremely pleased/happy)
7. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits. (lively, enjoying things)
8. She seems to be keeping her chin up. (happy despite bad things)
9. We were all shaking in our shoes. (trembling with fear)
Task 18:
Read the text “Some Common Body Language Signals.” And ask ten comprehension questions on the text. Ask your peer to give answers.
Some Common Body Language Signals
Everyone is constantly sending nonverbal information to the world through body language. It has been shown that even people blind from birth exhibit complex expressions of body language. Since it is so much a part of the human condition, it is important to know at least a little of this language.
Body language tells others how you feel. If you walk briskly and erect, you exude confidence. If you sit back with your hands behind your head and your legs crossed, it can mean confidence too. However, it can also mean that you feel superior or are arrogant.
Many different body language cues point to a lack of self- confidence. If you are patting your hair or playing with it, you seem self-assured. Most people see nail-biting as a nervous behavior. Yet, you can also suggest a feeling of inferiority.
Body language can help a person to tell if you are interested or bored. If you are bored, you might sit with your legs crossed and you might kick one leg slightly. You could rest your head in you to the r hands and look down. This body language would make you appeal bored.
Your body language can show others if you are thinking. If you hold your hand to your cheek you might be evaluating a situation. If you pinch the bridge of your nose with your eyes closed you might feel a negative evaluation. Making a decision might come when you are stroking your chin. Indecision could be shown by your body language when you tug at an ear.
If you stand with your hands on your hips, your body language indicates that you are at the ready, and maybe even aggressive. If you steeple your fingers, you are showing the body language of authority. If you show an open palm, you are signaling sincerity and openness. Sit with your legs apart and you will also show that you are open and relaxed.
If you are lying, be aware that you will probably show it with your body language. You will most likely rub or touch your nose. You can hardly help it because lying causes blood to rush there. You will also tend to look up and to the right. This body language corresponds to thinking about the future, which you are doing as you think up you lie.
Doubt or disbelief can be shown through your body language as well. You might find yourself rubbing your eye as if you can’t believe what you’re seeing. You might also turn your head completely away, or even look down, as if you want no part of this tale.
Learning what you do in displaying body language can be very important to you. It can keep you from leaving a bad impression. It can help you to get a point across. Even more than that, it is wise to be aware of the same behaviors in other people. Their body language can alert you to problems before any words can ever come close.
Task 19:
Prepare a 3-5 minute summery of the text
Task 20:
Write a comparison – contrast essay comparing two contemporary politicians opposite in their behavioral styles.
Task 21:
Prepare a speech to be made in class on any topic you like, preferably political. While preparing, work over your body language.
Unit XII.
Elections
Task 1:
Read the article and look up the meaning of unknown words and phrases in the dictionary.
Kenyans to elect leader in December
Kenya will hold general elections at the end of December to elect a successor to the president, who has ruled the country for 24 years.
“The elections will be at the end of December,” said the president, who will not be eligible to run under new electoral rules introduced in 2007 that prohibit the head of state from serving more than two five-year terms. He gave no precise date for the elections.
Task 2:
Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases
Eligible; to run; to rule the country; under new rules; to hold general elections; a five-year term; to elect; a successor.
Task 3:
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases. Reproduce the sentences from the article with them.
Пятилетний срок; проводить всеобщие выборы; преемник; имеющий право избираться; выбирать; управлять страной; по новым правилам
Task 4:
Complete the following statements using the active vocabulary.
1)…..at the end of December.
2) Kenya will elect a successor to the president, who……
3)….under the new electoral rules.
4) The new electoral rules prohibit…
Task 5:
Read the article and look up the meanings of the unknown words and phrases in the dictionary.
2nd round of voting held for new President.
Bahrain held a second round of voting Thursday in landmark elections for the kingdom’s first Parliament, with two women candidates.
Results from the last week’s first round of voting showed a mix of secularist and Islamic candidates. Six women were knocked out of the race last week, leaving two women candidates hopeful of winning seats.
Kuwait is the only other Arab nation with a Parliament in the gulf region, but women are excluded.
Task 6:
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases.
Светские кандидаты; знаменательный /поворотный; получить место в парламенте; голосование; выборы в парламент; сойти с дистанции.
Task 7:
1) Why do you think the voting in Bahrain is called landmark elections?
2) What did the results of the first round show?
3) Are there any women candidates? Do you think it is typical for Islamic country?
4) What Gulf region countries do you know?
Task8:
Read the article and look up the meaning of unknown words in the dictionary.
Election veteran promises clean-up.
After a lifetime of trying, Deniz Baykal, one of Turkey’s veteran politicians, stands a chance of becoming the country’s next prime minister in Sunday’s general election.
Opinion polls put his Republican People’s party in second place after the pro- Islamic Justice and Development party.
Justice and Development party still enjoys a lead of at least 10 percentage points, but the last few days before the elections may be critical in attracting undecided voters who make up almost a quarter of the electorate.
Mr.Baykal needs to convince these voters that his party is best equipped to manage the economy and fight corruption. Indeed, his campaign promise to lift the immunity that has shielded members of parliament from corruption charges has proven very popular.
Task 9:
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases. Reproduce the sentences from the article with them
Опрос общественного мнения; иметь шанс; управлять экономикой; не принявшие решения избиратели; опережать на 10%; обвинения в коррупции; иметь преимущество; бороться с коррупцией; составлять четверть электората.
Task 10:
Say if the following statements are true or false. Use the introductory phrases for agreement and disagreement.
Agreement: Yes, that’s right. It is absolutely correct.
Disagreement: No, that’s not true. I’m afraid. I’m sorry, I can’t agree with it
1) Deniz Baykal has no chance of winning the elections in Turkey.
2) According to the opinion polls his party takes the second place in the race.
3) Justice and Development Party enjoys the lead of about 30 per cent.
4) The number of undecided voters is very small, it is not more than 5%.
5) Mr.Baykal has to convince the undecided voters that his party will increase spending on social needs.
6) The campaign promise to lift immunity proved very popular.
Task 11:
Render the article in English.
Task12:
Translate the following texts into English using Translation Notes.
ТУРЦИЯ. В стране вчера прошли досрочные выборы в парламент страны. Выборы должны были состояться в 2015 году, однако были перенесены в связи с расколом в правительственной коалиции. Судя по опросам, наибольшие шансы на победу имеет недавно созданная Партия справедливости и развития.
США. Американский президент совершает поездку по южным штатам страны, чтобы поддержать кандидатов от Республиканской партии на предстоящих выборах в Конгресс. Одновременно пройдут выборы губернаторов 36 из 50 штатов.
Президент США подписал законопроект, направленный на усовершенствование избирательной системы США. Документ, одобренный ранее Конгрессом, должен исключить повторение ситуаций, когда путаница с подсчётом голосов поставила страну на грань политического кризиса. Новый закон получил название «Помощь Америке в голосовании» и предусматривает выделение 3,9млрд.долларов в бюджеты штатов. Деньги пойдут на замену устаревших машин для подсчёта результатов голосования, подготовку добровольцев, работающих на избирательных участках, и распространение информации о выборах. Новые компьютерные программы должны предотвратить возможные ошибки. Закон устанавливает единые базовые требования для 50 штатов.
Translation Notes
Were to be held
A bill
To bring the country to the point of
Task 13:
Read the article and look the meaning of unknown words and phrases in the dictionary.
Choosing the Nations President
Every four years Americans participate in a unique and exciting ritual – the selection of the nation’s President. The summer before the election, each of the major political parties holds a convention. Delegates from every state meet together to choose candidates for President and Vice-President and to determine the party’s program (or platform, as it is called).
The number of delegates from each state is determined by its population and its support for the party in previous elections. After routine formalities, convention business usually begins with creation and acceptance of a party platform. A platform is a very general statement of the party’s philosophy, goals, and position on issues of national and international concern. The next business of the convention is the nomination of prospective presidential candidates. When nominations are completed, votes are taken alphabetically by state. Several roll calls nay be necessary before one nominee wins the majority of votes needed to become the party’s candidate.
Once the presidential candidate is selected, his running mate (the vice-presidential candidate) must be chosen. Traditionally, a party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates come from different sections of the country and have somewhat different political views. Thus, the party achieves what is called a balanced ticket, a combination of candidates that will appeal to many different blocks of voters.
Actual campaigning traditionally begins on Labor Day. From that time until Election Day, voters are bombarded from all sides – by radio, television, newspapers and personal communications – with political material. Each candidate tries to convince a majority of American voters that he is best qualified to lead the country for the next four years.
Because campaigning is extremely expensive and a candidate must receive a majority of electoral votes, presidential politics has, to a large extend, been limited to two major parties – the Democratic and Republican parties. A great number of votes are needed to win a national election. No candidates can hope to survive by appealing to one or two classes of voters. Each party has a familiar symbol: for Democrats it is a donkey, and for the Republicans – an elephant.
On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, voters cast their ballots for President and Vice-President. Some members of Congress and many state and local officials are also elected at this time. Thanks to voting machines and computers, Americans usually know the winners by late evening.
The President and Vice –President are not actually chosen by popular votes but by electoral votes. That is, the people vote for electors who are, as a group, known as the Electoral College. This group selects the President and Vice-President. When a citizen casts his vote for a presidential candidate, he is really choosing electors. Each elector is expected (although not obliged) to vote for the candidate who wins the majority of popular votes in his state. Thus, states with larger populations have more electoral votes. The candidate who receives a majority of the votes in a particular state rives all of that state’s electoral votes. It is, therefore, possible for a presidential candidate to win a majority of popular votes but not a majority of electoral votes, thereby losing the election. This can happen. If the opponent wins by small margins in states with many electoral votes and loses by large margins in states with few electoral votes. At least two presidential elections have been decided this way.
To be elected, candidates for President and Vice-President must receive a majority of votes in the Election College. If no candidate receives a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President from the top three candidates, and the senate chooses the Vice –President from the top two candidates having the highest number of electoral votes.
The newly –elected President is inaugurated in January during a solemn, nationally – televised ceremony. He then moves into the White House, appoints members of his Cabinet, and begins the difficult task of trying to persuade Congress to help him fulfill his campaign promises.
Task 14:
Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.
Party platform; to lose the election; to win the election; to cast one’s ballot; to lose by large margins; to win by small margins; to hold a convention; a balanced ticket; a running mate; to appeal to smb.; to choose by popular vote; nomination of prospective presidential candidates.
Task 15:
Read the article again and answer the questions using the active vocabulary
1) What is a party platform? Where is it determined?
2) Who is the running mate?
3) Why do presidential and vice-presidential candidates have a bit different political views?
4) Why do you think the list of candidates is limited to two major political parties?
5) When is the Election Day?
6) Is the president chosen by popular votes? What’s the Electoral College?
7) Is it possible for a president to win a majority of popular votes, but not a majority of electoral votes?
8) Compare the electoral systems of the USA and Russia. Are there any similarities? What are the differences?
Task 16:
Translate the following text into English.
Выборы президента республики
Предстоящие выборы президента республики станут главным событием года в Чехии. Таково мнение чешских политологов, о котором сообщает пражская печать. Преемник нынешнего президента займёт пост главы государства на ближайшие пять лет
Чешского президента избирает парламент на совместном заседании обеих палат. Предусмотрено три тура выборов. В первом туре победитель должен получить большинство голосов в обеих палатах от общего числа присутствующих на совместном заседании депутатов каждой из палат, в третьем туре достаточно заручиться поддержкой простого большинства голосов присутствующих на заседании парламента.
Task 17:
Read the article and look up the unknown words and phrases in the dictionary.
Republicans win Senate and hold the House
Republicans have swept to victory in midterm elections in United States, gaining control of the Senate. The Republicans captured high –profile Senate races from North Carolina to New Hampshire while winning governors’ races in what traditionally had been Democratic Party states. In Georgia, a little –known former state senator, Sonny P., upset the incumbent Democratic governor, Roy B.
The Republicans also solidified their hold on the House of Representatives. The results mean that a single party, the republicans, will once again control both houses of Congress and the White House. The party lost the Senate in June 2006, when Senator James J. of Vermont defected from it and became an independent, though mostly voting with the Democrats. “We made history tonight,” Representative Thomas D., chairman of the Republican Congressional Campaign committee, said as results came in late Tuesday. “It was a great win for the president of the United States.”
Norm C., a Republican, sent former Vice – President Walter Mondale back into political retirement after beating him in the Senate race in Minnesota. In a brief, emotional speech Wednesday morning, Mondale said he had “no regrets at all” over the campaign, which he described as “electric.”
The US president planned no public statements Wednesday on the election results. The Republicans emerged Wednesday with 51 Senate seats to the Democrats ‘46, with two races still awaiting final outcomes and an independent holding one seat. The democrats’ incumbent in South Dakota tentatively appeared to have won, but the margin of victory was so small – about 500 votes- that the Republicans challenger was seeking a recount. The Democratic incumbent in Louisiana fell a bit short of the 50 per cent margin needed to avoid a runoff election in December after running well ahead of three Republican challengers.
Meanwhile, the republicans won 227 House seats to the Democrats’203, with four races still undecided shortly before midday Wednesday and an independent holding one seat. The outcome of the balloting on Tuesday marked a break with historic patterns in which the party that controls the White House almost invariably lost seats in midterm congressional elections
The result signaled a major change in the way Washington does business, removing what president had repeatedly complained in recent days was democratic opposition that had prevented him from winning permanent tax cut and a homeland security bill.
In Maryland, Kathleen K., a Democrat and a daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, lost her bid for governor to Representative Robert E. Jr. - the first time a Republican was elected governor of the state since Spiro Agnew in 1996.
In Alabama, the governor’s race was thrown into chaos when both the Democratic incumbent Don S., and his Republican challenger, representative Bob R., claimed victory – a situation that most likely will take a court ruling to untangle. That predicament came about when election officials in Baldwin County, which is considered a Republican stronghold, initially showed Dons. With 19.070 votes but later cut that tally to 12.736 votes. That challenge, if allowed to stand, would put Bob R. ahead by 2.752 votes.
In California, the Democratic incumbent, Gray D., withstood an unexpectedly tough challenge from Bill S., a Republican, to win a second term
Democrats tried to put the best light on the outcomes, arguing that they had faced a tough task from the beginning because of Bush’s high approval rating and the financial advantage enjoyed by Republicans But the result was particularly distressing for the Democratic congressional leaders: Tom D., Senate majority leader, and Richard G., House minority leader. They are viewed as prospects for president.
“What you’ve got to look at is the incredible amount of special interest money that was on their side,” Richard G. said. “There were races where we were outspent 4 to 1,5 to 1. The pharmaceutical companies probably spent $60 million across the country.
A runoff election - это последний тур выборов, когда ни один из кандидатов не получил абсолютного большинства.
Task 18:
Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases
To sweep to victory; midterm elections; high profile; to solidify one’s hold on smth; to beat; an outcome; the margin of victory to be small; to fall short of the margin; a runoff election; to run well ahead of smb.; to prevent smb. From doing smth.;a nomination; to lose one’s bid for; to take a court ruling; incumbent; to put smb. ahead; to withstand; to win a second term; to put the best light on smth.
Task 19:
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases.
Назначение; требуется судебное решение; выдержать; выдвинуть кого-либо вперёд; имеющий большое значение; быть ниже допустимого предела; результат; победа с небольшим преимуществом; мешать кому-либо что –либо делать; промежуточные выборы; потерпеть поражение на выборах на должность; укрепить свой контроль над чем-либо; победить; выиграть второй срок; приукрасить; одержать полную победу; действующий (губернатор); опережать.
Task 20:
Read the text again and finish the following statements.
1) The Republicans have swept to……..
2) The Republicans captured……
3) The Republicans also solidified…..
4) In South Dakota the margin of victory of the Democratic candidate was……
5) The Democratic candidate in Louisiana fells a bit short of…..
6) The outcome of the balloting Tuesday marked a break…..
7) Democratic opposition prevented president…..
8) Kathleen K., a democrat and a daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, lost her…….
9) In Alabama, the governor’s race was thrown into chaos so the situation most likely will take…..
10) In California, the Democratic candidate, Gray D., withstood…..
11) Democrats tried to put the best light on…..
Unit XIII.
Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues
Task 1:
Read the text and look up the unknown words and phrases in the dictionary
Systematic Violations of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
Women in Afghanistan have suffered a catastrophic assault on their human rights during more than twenty years of war and under the repressive rule of the Taliban. Now, as women face further peril with the intensification of conflict following the September 11 attacks on the United States, the international community must take a firm commitment to support women’s human rights.
Throughout Afghanistan’s civil war, the major armed factions – primarily the Taliban and the United National Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan, a coalition of mainly Tajik, Uzbek, and ethnic Hazara parties – have repeatedly committed serious abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law. Women have borne the major part of this violence and discrimination. In the civil war, women have suffered massive and systematic human rights abuses.
Task2:
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases
Опасность/риск; наступление; жестокое обращение; взять на себя обязательство/пообещать; международное сообщество; группировка; столкнуться с чем-либо; насилие; совершать
Task 3:
Read the article and answer the questions
1) What have women suffered in Afghanistan for more than 20 years?
2) What are the Afghan women facing now and why?
3) What commitments should the international community make? Why?
4) What abuses did the women suffer during the war?
5) Why do you think women have borne the major part of violence and discrimination?
Task 4:
Sri Lanka: 180,000 Refugees Return Home
For 19 years northern Sri Lanka was closed to the world as a civil conflict developed, claiming 64,000 lives and displacing more than 800,000 people. Last year, both sides declared a ceasefire, and prospects for peace grew. In January, the government lifted embargo against the north and in September the first round of formal peace talks was held in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, the displaced people began to return, voluntarily, to their former homes in the Vanni, the northern land controlled by the guerrilla army called the Tamil Tigers. By October, 180,000people had gone back. Relief activities began in Vanni for the first time in 19 years – giving food aid to farming families, orphans, traumatized children and war widows.
Task 5:
Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases.
To lift an embargo; displaced people; a ceasefire; a widow; guerilla army; relief activities; voluntarily; a prospect for.
Task 6:
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases
Перемещённые лица; добровольно; снять эмбарго; прекращение огня; партизанская армия; действия по оказанию помощи; перспектива; вдова
Task 7:
Render the article in English using the active words and phrases.
Task 8:
Read the article and look up the unknown words and phrases
Afghanistan Delays Speedy Return of Refugees
Afghanistan’s interim government has delayed signing an agreement with Iran and the United Nations on the return of several hundred thousand refugees, just weeks before the scheduled start of a program of assisted repatriations.
However, the UN refugee agency says it is still hopeful that, with or without a former agreement, organized voluntary returns will begin next month. The three sides are proceeding on the basis that an estimated 400,000 Afghans could go back to their homeland from Iran within a year.
Relief workers suggested Kabul was concerned about the impact of a sudden influx of refugees, as well as Iran’s stated intention to deport Afghans who have refused to take part in its registration program.
Over the course of nearly two years, Iran has registered 2.35 million Afghans and estimates that several hundred thousand remain unregistered.
The representative of the UN High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR)in Iran said that they were preparing transport and relief supplies for the returnees in coordination with the Afghan government. He added that he did not expect Iran to carry out mass expulsions.
More than 100,000 Afghans have already left Iran before the start of the UN-assisted program.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees –Верховный комиссар ООН по делам беженцев
Task 9:
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases.
Выдворенные (из страны); приток беженцев; оценивать/предполагать; переходное/временное правительство; откладывать; помощь(беженцам); беженец; производить/выполнять; влияние
Task 10:
Read the article again and express your agreement or disagreement with the following statements
Agreement: Yes, you are right/ It’s OK. I agree/ yes, it’s true
Disagreement/ I’m afraid, you are not quite right./ No, I can’t agree with you./ I’m sorry, but that’s wrong.
1) Afghanistan has signed an agreement with Iran and the UN on the return of its refugees.
2) The UN refugee agency says the return will begin next month.
3) The three sides estimate that about 200,000 people will be able to return home within a year.
4) Kabul is concerned about the relief workers acting in the country.
5) All Afghans living in Iran have been registered.
6) Iran is going to carry out mass expulsions from the country.
Task 11:
Read the text and look up the unknown words in the dictionary.
Helping poor nations
The US president’s plan to add $5billion to the foreign aid budget shows that his administration is rethinking the importance of helping underdeveloped countries. Obviously, that is a good thing – not only because the money may ease the hopelessness that breeds terrorism. Foreign aid, well spent, will also liberate entrepreneurial energies, protect human rights and help millions achieve better lives.
The president’s vision, however, is larger than his financial commitments. He wants to spend the extra $5 billion over three years. Shamefully, America, once this world’s most generous aid giver, now gives less, relative to the size of its economy, than any other developed country, and much of what it does provide goes to military rather than humanitarian purposes. Many Americans have supported the retreat from foreign aid under the assumption that the money is wasted anyway. The president’s plan would use economic development funds as a reward for countries that agree to combat corruption, strengthen the rule of law, respect human rights and maintain open markets.
And after a decade in which foreign assistance spending remained virtually flat, this proposal marls a significant advance. A three-year rise of $5billion can do much good fighting AIDS and other infectious diseases, ridding of malnutrition, spreading computer literacy and helping Third World business to market their goods in the developed world.
Washington’s leadership cannot be reduced to a show of military might. This proposal could help lead America back towards its traditional role as a generous partner in spreading economic development.
Task12:
Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases
Компьютерная грамотность; зря тратить деньги: предпринимательская активность; развитая страна; страна с низким уровнем развития экономики; права человека; бороться с коррупцией; обязательства; иностранная помощь; СПИД; плохое питание; верховенство закона.
Task 13:
Answer the following questions.
1) What fact shows that US administration is rethinking the importance of helping poor countries?
2) What can money ease and what results can it bring if spent well?
3) Does the USA spend as much money on foreign aid as other developed countries?
4) Where does most of the American money go?
5) Why did many Americans support the retreat from foreign aid?
6) What countries will be rewarded from the economic development funds according to the president’s plan?
7) What can this $5 billion aid bring to the underdeveloped countries?
Task 14:
Questions for discussion.
1) Why do you think the US administration began rethinking the importance of helping poor nation?
2) Do you think developed countries should help underdeveloped ones? What kind of help should it be? What amount is appropriate to your mind?
3) Why do you think American aid goes mostly to military purposes but not humanitarian ones?
4) Why do you think Americans consider that foreign aid is wasted in the underdeveloped countries? Do you agree?
5) Do you agree with the author that the US leadership cannot be reduced to showing military might?
6) Do you agree that the US has traditionally been a generous partner in spreading economic development? Give reasons.
Task 15:
Civil and political rights, including the questions of freedom of expression.
