PUBLIC LIFE and INSTITUTIONS

THE POLITICAL SYSTEM

Test your knowledge (p. 65)

1. When was the U.S. Constitution adopted?

2. What is the major role of the American Constitution?

3. How many amendments have been added to the Constitution so far?

4. What are the Bills of Rights?

Test your knowledge (p. 66)

1. What is the checks and balances system?

2. What are the three separate branches of U.S. government?

3. What the does the dual system of government mean?

Test your knowledge (p. 67)

1. What is the legislative branch of government composed of?

2. How many senators are there in the Senate?

3. What is the sole authority of the Senate?

4. How many members does the House of Representatives have?

5. What is the sole authority of the House of Representatives?

6. How often are elections to Congress held?

7. Who may introduce a bill?

8. What is the first reading?

9. Can the House override a Presidential veto?

10. What are the powers of the Senate and the House of Representatives?

Test your knowledge (p. 68)

1. Who is head of the executive branch of U.S. government and what are his powers?

2. What is the role of the Vice-president?

3. What are the most important executive departments and what are their roles?

Test your knowledge (p. 70)

1. What is the judicial branch of U.S. government composed of?

2. What is the authority of the Supreme Court?

3. Who appoints federal judges?

4. What do state courts deal with?

Test your knowledge (p. 71)

1. Who has the right to vote in the U.S.A.?

2. How often are presidential elections held?

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Test your knowledge (p. 72)

1. What is the power of the state government?

2. What is the legislature of California composed of?

3. What does the executive branch of the state of California consist of?

4. What is the authority of the state governor?

5. What are the departments of the state government?

6. What are the duties of a county government?

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Test your knowledge (p. 73)

1. Is there a unified police force in the United States?

2. What are the duties of the Attorney General?

3. What are duties of the FBI?

Test your knowledge (p. 74)

1. Which areas are particularly notorious for criminal activity?

2. What is, according to many people, the major cause of violence in the U.S.A.?

3. How many guns are there in private circulation in the U.SA.?

Test your knowledge (p. 74)

1. What is the difference between the state police force and the municipal police force?

2. What is a sheriff?

3. What is the role of the National Guard?

POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS

Test your knowledge (p. 75)

1. What are the differences between the Republican party and the Democratic party?

2. What is the organizational structure of the two major parties?

3. What are the aims of PAC?

THE MEDIA

Test your knowledge (p. 75)

1. What are the most important newspapers in the U.S.A.?

2. What are the leading public affairs magazines?

3. What are the most popular magazines?

Test your knowledge (p. 76)

1. When did radio broadcasting begin in the USA?

2. What are the three nationwide radio networks?

3. What kind of radio station is National Public Radio?

4. What do VOA and RFE stand for?

Test your knowledge (p. 77)

1. When did television replace radio as the main source of information and mass entertainment?

2. What are the largest commercial TV networks in the US?

3. What programs are broadcast by commercial television?

4. What is the function of public television?

DEFENCE STRATEGY AND THE ARMED FORCES

Test your knowledge (p. 78)

1. What are the principles of U.S. defense strategy?

2. Why did the Cold War strategy of containment and deterrence proved ineffective in the late 20th century?

3. Explain briefly the concept of the new “pre-emptive” defense strategy of the United States.

Test your knowledge (p. 79)

1. What are the U.S. armed forces composed of?

2. Can women participate in the US armed forces?

3. What are the insignia of a US army general?

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS

Test your knowledge (p. 81)

1. Which are the largest religious denominations in the U.S.A.?

2. What does the First Amendment say about religion and religious practices?

3. In which state are Quakers particularly numerous?

MORE TESTS AND TASKS

TRUE OR FALSE

Carefully read each statement. If the statement is true according to information in the book, write T after it, if it is false, write F.

Try to give reasons why a statement is false.

1. The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the country.

2. The Constitution has twelve amendments.

3. The powers of the U.S. government are divided into two main executive branches: the

4. executive branch and the legislative branch.

5. The President of the United States is elected every six years.

6. The Vice-president is not elected from the same party as the President.

7. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S.A.

8. Every U.S. citizen aged twenty-one or over may vote.

9. The CIA coordinates the work of federal and state police.

10. There are two leading political parties in the U.S.: the Republican and Democratic parties.

11. There are over 100 senators in the U.S. Senate.

MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST

Complete the sentences below, choosing one of three possibilities: a, b, or c.

1. When was the American Constitution written?

1. 1776 b) 1787 c) 1812

2. The first capital of the United States was ….

1. Boston b) New York c) Philadelphia

3. The House of Representatives has ……….. elected members.

1. 250 b) 435 c) 460

4. The U.S. President must be at least …… years old.

1. 35 b) 45 c) 60

5. The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and ….. associate justices.

1. 8 b) 10 c) 13

6. Which of the following rights is NOT guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution?

1. the right to bear arms (guns) b) the to free speech c) the right to free education

7. U.S.A. Today is a ………

1. popular newspaper b) popular television program c) popular television news channel

8. The Voice of America broadcasts radio programs in ….. languages.

1. 15 b) 30 c) 46

9. The strength of the United States Armed Forces is over …….. million.

1. 1 b) 2 c) 3

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