Put each of the following or phrases in its correct place in the passage below

proportional representation polling day by-election

Member of Parliament canvassing eligible

call an election secret ballot deposit

House of Commons constituents campaigns

stand for election constituencies turn-out

General Election polling stations

Middleford. Election Result. No. of registered voters: 100,000

Mr G.Smith (Labour) 30,000 votes

Mrs R.Green (Conservative) 25,000 votes

Miss L.Jones (Independent) 10,000 votes

Mr W.Woods (Communist) 5,000 votes

A (a)____ has just taken place all over the United Kingdom. These must take place every five years unless the Prime Ministerdecides to (b)____ earlier. Above is the result in Middleford, one of the approximately 659 (c) ____ into which the country for this purpose.

(d)____ was last Thursday, when the election (e)____ and door-to-door (f)____ stopped and the people of Middleford went to the (g)____ to make their choice, in a (h)____ , from the four candidates (anyone over the age of 21 (i)____ , on payment of a (j)____ of L.5000, which is returned if he or she receives at least 5% of the votes cast). Voting is not compulsory and the number of people (k)____ to vote in Middleford (everyone over 18) was 100,000, so the (l)____ was 70%. Now MrSmith will become the (m)____ for Middleford, which means he will represent the people of Middleford in the (n)____ in London. If he should die or be forced to give up his seat, the people of Middleford will have to vote again, in a (o)____ to replace him. It is a very simple system and Mr Smith will try to represent all his (p)____ fairly, whether they voted for him or not. However, the fact remains that most voters in Middleford voted for candidates (and parties) other than Mr Smith, and their votes are now lost. It is seats which are important in Parliament, not votes, and it is easy to see why the smaller parties would like a system of (q)_____, in which the number of votes they won was reflected in the number of seats they received in Parliament.

Find English equivalents:

Всеобщее избирательное право, всеобщие выборы, довыборы, избирательный округ, избиратели (электорат), границы избирательного округа, баллотироваться на выборах, выдвижение кандидата, избирательный ценз, доверенное лицо кандидата, первым прийти к финишу (вырвать победу), отданные голоса, завоеванные места, система пропорционального представительства, баллотироваться на выборах, председатель окружной избирательной комиссии, агитация на местах, журнал регистрации избирателей, явка избирателей на выборы, день выборов, избирательный участок, бюллетень, кабина для голосования, избирательная урна, зарегистрированный избиратель, прогноз результатов выборов, мошенничество.

Test 1

Choose the most suitable word or phrase:

1.The minister has …… new proposals for discussion with the union.

A) made out B) set down C) drawn up D) worked in

2.The Prime Minister stated that law and order must be …… at all costs.

A) mainstained B) imposed C) suppressed D) conveyed

3.Mr.Jackson challenged the government as to who exactly was …… the

country.

A) reigning B) ministering C) administering D) running

4.Union leaders called for …… between themselves and the government.

A) speeches B) elections C) debates D) consultations

5.The chairman asked the secretary to take the …… of the meeting.

A) minutes B) discussions C) rulings D) notes

6.The generals …… the country in a lightning coup d’ etat.

A) overwhelmed B) took over C) ran over D) overruled

7.The minister had a talent for talking to ordinary people as if they were

her …… .

A) level B) fellows C) counterparts D) equals

8.There are so many rules and …… about importing food that you need

to consult a good lawyer.

A) laws B) regulations C) licences D) orders

9.A politician always needs to protect his or her …… .

A) notoriety B) publicity C) reputation D) rumour

10.Parliament has now …… a law making skateboarding illegal on

Sundays.

A) passed B) legislated C) voted D) billed

Test 2

Match the words given to the explanations:

1. This person may be elected head of state.

2. This person is responsible for a government department.

3. This person leads others to make trouble.

4. This person represents their country abroad.

5. This person loves their country.

6. This person represents others at a meeting or conference.

7. This person betrays their country.

8. This person may be the head of state by birth.

9. This person uses violence rather than the political system for political

ends.

10. This person is the head of a formal meeting.

a) ambassador, b) delegate, c) patriot, d) ringleader, e) terrorist,

f) chairperson, g) minister, h) president, i) sovereign, j) traitor