Match the words from column A with their synonyms from column B.

A	B
1. constitute	a) grow
2. significant	b) remarkable
3. cultivate	c) predominant
4. deposit	d) account for
5. prominent	e) reserve

 

4. Finish the following sentences:

1. Belarus borders on …

a) Russia to the East and Poland to the West.

b) Latvia and Lithuania to the South.

c) Ukraine to the North.

2. The population of Belarus …

a) includes significant number of Poles and Hungarians.

b) consists of representatives of 20 nationalities.

c) constitutes predominantly representatives of indigenous Belarusian nation.

3. The terrain of Belarus …

a) includes 20 000 rivers with average length of 160 meters.

b) predominantly consists of forests.

c) is comprised of hills and plains.

4. Belarus is rich in such mineral resources as …

a) granites, dolomites and gold.

b) potassium salts and construction materials.

c) peat, oil and other fossil fuels.

5. Mark Shagal was a …

a) famous pioneer in book printing.

b) prominent painter who’s motherland was Belarus.

c) remarkable Belarusian author.

5. Answer the following questions:

1. Where is Belarus situated? What is the total area of the country?

2. What countries does Belarus border on?

3. What is the population of the country? Representatives of what nationalities does it comprise?

4. Is the climate of Belarus favourable for developing agriculture?

5. Is Belarus rich in forests, rivers and lakes?

6. What are the most significant deposits of mineral resources discovered in Belarus?

7. What remarkable people have contributed to the cultural heritage of our country?

Unit 2. Political Outline

Discuss with a partner.

1. When did Belarus gain independence?

2. When is the Independence Day of Belarus celebrated?

3. When was the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus adopted?

4. How many articles are there in the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus?

5. What is a principle of separation of power?

Match the following terms with their definitions and translate them.

1. separation of power	a) a course of action that a sate takes regarding its citizens, institutions and organizations
2. legislative	b) a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion
3. executive	c) department that has a particular function
4. judiciary	d) relating to the process of making and passing laws
5. a deputy	e) having the power to put laws into effect
6. domestic policy	f) a minor change or addition designed to improve a law
7. an amendment	g) division of political authority or control
8. a body	h) an organized group of people with a common purpose or function
9. a bill	i) a parliamentary representative
10. a branch	j) concerned with correct execution of laws

Make sure you know the translation and pronunciation of the following words then read the text and explain the functions of these state bodies.

the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, the House of Representatives, the Council of the Republic, the Council of Ministers, the Supreme Court

STATE SYSTEM OF BELARUS

The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, which was adopted on March 15, 1994, proclaimed Belarus an independent unitary democratic legal state. According to the Constitution, the head of the state is the President. The constitution establishes the principle of separation of power into legislative, executive and judiciary branches.

The legislative branch is represented by the parliament, the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, which comprises the 110-deputy House of Representatives (the lower house) and the 64-member Council of the Republic (the upper house) The House of Representatives has the power to appoint the Prime Minister and to make constitutional amendments and additions. The Council of the Republic has the power to select various governmental officials and to accept or reject the bills passed by the lower house.

The executive branch is represented by the government, the Council of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister. The executive bodies are to realize the laws adopted by the parliament and provide their application to everyday life of the society as well as decide on foreign and domestic policy.

The judiciary branch is to legally solve the conflicts and arguments occurring in the society. It is represented by the Supreme Court and specialized courts.

Belarus is a member of United Nations, Commonwealth of Independent States, Union State of Belarus and Russia, and other international organizations.