Exercise 1. Read text. Use the dictionary when necessary. While reading the text: a) pay attention to the prepositions underlined; b) write down the predicates. Organize them in three columns: Present, Past and Future. Determine their times and tenses.
Exercise 2. Make your own questions to the text.

Federal Court System

Under the federal system of government, the United States has two court systems. One is the federal court system. The other is the system of state courts. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time establish. The First Congress used this constitutional power to set up a system of federal courts.

In 1789 Congress passed the Judiciary Act, which established what has grown into one of the great court systems of the world. This system of federal courts makes up the judicial branch – the third branch – of the federal government.

Federal courts are organized in several levels. They are also classified according to their jurisdiction. The lowest courts are trial courts, which have original jurisdiction. This means they are the first courts in which most federal cases are heard.

Above these trial courts are courts that have appellate jurisdiction. That is, they review decisions made by lower courts. “Appellate” means “dealing with appeals.” Every convicted person has the right to appeal his or her case to an appellate court. An appeal is usually made when lawyers believe the law was not applied correctly in the lower court. A case can also be appealed if new evidence is found.

The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch of the federal government. It is the only court actually established by the Constitution. Decisions of the Supreme Court affect the lives of all Americans.

The Supreme Court has the power to study and review any law passed by Congress. Before it may do so, however, someone must challenge the law and bring a case to court.

The most unique feature of the Supreme Court is its power of judicial review. This means that the Court can determine whether a law passed by Congress or a Presidential action is in accord with the Constitution. If the Supreme Court decides that a law is in conflict with the Constitution, that law is declared unconstitutional. That is, the law is no longer in force.

The Supreme Court cannot begin a case itself. It must wait until a person files an appeal or a lawsuit. All cases heard by the Court involve real legal disputes. A person cannot simply ask the Supreme Court for an opinion about whether or not a law is constitutional.

The Supreme Court itself decides what cases it will hear. Several thousand cases are appealed to the Court each year. However, the Court turns down about 80 percent of the applications it receives for review.

The Justices accept only those cases that involve issues of significant public interest. Cases heard by the Supreme Court generally deal with important constitutional or national questions. At least four of the nine Justices must vote to hear a case. If the Supreme Court refuses to review a case, the decision of the lower court remains in effect.

My favorite country is Italy.Моя любимая страна – это Италия.I visited Italy last summer when I was on holiday with my friends.Я была в Италии летом, когда ездила в отпуск с друзьями.Italy is a European country, situated on the shores of few seas including the Mediterranean Sea.Италия – это европейская страна, расположенная на берегах нескольких морей, одно из которых — Средиземное.We lived in a small family hotel on the seashore.Мы жили в маленьком семейном отеле на побережье.The weather was fine every day and we enjoyed sunbathing  and swimming in the warm sea all day long.Погода каждый день была отличной, и мы загорали и купались в теплом море все дни напролет.During my holiday in Italy I visited an ancient town Pompeii which was destroyed by awful volcano eruption.Во время моего пребывания в Италии я посетила древний город Помпеи, который был разрушен ужасным извержением вулкана.I also spent two days in the capital of Italy — Rome.Я также провела два дня в столице Италии — Риме.This magnificent city impressed me very much.Этот величественный город произвел на меня огромное впечатление.I managed to visit two museums, do some shopping, buy nice souvenirs for my relatives and eat excellent original Italian pizza and pasta.Мне удалось посетить два музея, пройтись по магазинам, приобрести милые сувениры для родственников и съесть отличную настоящую итальянскую пиццу и пасту.I threw a coin in Trevi Fountain to come back to Rome.Я бросила монетку в фонтан Треви, чтобы вернуться в Рим.I hope that soon I will visit my favorite country again.Надеюсь, что скоро я вновь посещу мою любимую страну.

Напишу сочинение в форме высказываний по плану. 

1. What is the role of books in our life? 

To begin with, that the educated person must read a lot to be an interesting conversationalist. A person who doesn't know the literature of his or her people, isn't interesting and pathetic. Nowadays  computer replaces books and even a theater. But people still continue to read and watch the performances. Cultured man realizes that ignorance decorates nobody. My parents still visit a library, although there are a lot of books in our house. They read a lot and taught me to love reading. 

Какова роль книг в нашей жизни? Начну с того, что образованный человек должен много читать, чтобы  быть интересным собеседником. Человек, который не знает литературы своего народа, не интересен и вызывает жалость. В наши дни компьютер заменил нам книги и театр. Но люди все равно продолжают читать и смотреть спектакли. Культурный человек понимает, что невежество никого не украшает. Мои родители до сих пор посещают библиотеку, хотя очень много книг в нашем доме. Они читают много и научили меня любить чтение.

2. What genres of literature do you know? 

There are many genres of literature. The most famous gendre is detective literature, which is very popular in our country. Science-fiction books and articles are used by teachers and students, scientists and politicians. Lirics, prose and poetry are studied at schools and different institutes. Women like to read poetry. Historical works are read by people who are interested in the past of our planet. Fiction is popular among young people. For example, I hate fiction.
Какие жанры литературы вы знаете? Существует очень много   жанров литературы. Самые известные это детективы, которые очень популярны в нашей стране. Научно-популярные книги и статьи используются учителями и студентами, учеными и политиками. Лирика, проза и поэзия изучается в школе или институте. Женщины любят читать стихи. Исторические произведения читаются людьми, которые интересуются нашей планеты. Научная фантастика популярна среди молодежи. Я, например, ненавижу фантастику.

3. Are you interested in reading?  

I love reading. I began to read, when I was only 4. Now I read everything, that comes across me. I read verses and prose, newspaper articles and articles in magazines. There are a lot of books in my house and I have already read them all.
Вы заинтересованы в чтении?  Я люблю чтение. Я начала читать, когда мне было всего 4. С тех пор я читаю все, что мне попадается на пути. Я читаю стихи и прозу, газетные статьи и статьи в журналах. В моем доме очень много книг, и я прочитал все.

4. What kinds of stories do you enjoy most? 

Most of all I like detective stories and novels. I like to investigate crimes together with an author. I like to predict events in a novel and I'm very glad, when my predictions come true. Unique, whatever I never read, it is fantasy. I hate it and does not understand.
Больше всего мне нравятся детективные истории и романы. Мне очень нравится вместе с автором расследовать преступления. Я люблю предсказывать события в романе и очень радуюсь, когда мои предсказания сбываются. Единственное, что я никогда не читаю, это фантастика. Я ее ненавижу и не понимаю.

5) Do you have a favourite book and for a favourite author? 

My favourite children's book is about Winnie the Pooh and his friends written by Alan Alexander Miln. It is so merry to travel together with the heroes of this glad fairy-tale. Winnie the Pooh is very kind and reliable friend, though a bit cunning. He always gets in funny situations and his life is full of adventures.

Есть ли у вас любимая книга и для любимого автора? Моя любимая детская книга про Винни Пуха и его друзей. Это так весело путешествовать вместе с героями этой радостной сказки. Винни Пух очень добрый и надежный друг, хотя и немного хитрый. Он всегда попадает в какие-нибудь смешные ситуации и его жизнь полна приключений.