60 Unit 04 | Checks and balances Read the text about politics trivia. Some words are missing. Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for each gap (1–10). Put a cross ( ) in the correct box. The first one (0) has been done for you. LANGUAGE IN USE 13 Can you take your pony to the polls? Running a government is a (0) business, but here are some fun facts about British and US politics. Did you know it’s a tradition in the UK for general elections to be held on a Thursday? One theory suggests that in the past, Friday was pay day, so Thursday votes (1) turnout as people weren’t too drunk. Also, markets were often held on Thursdays, which is why people (2) going into town anyway. In recent years, it has been suggested that polling day should be at the weekend to improve turnout. In the US, however, (3) day was designated as a Tuesday in November back in 1845. The (4) for this was that officials calculated that farmers needed a day to get to the administrative centre, where they could cast their votes. They didn’t want people travelling on Sunday, which was church day, so they chose Tuesday. In the UK, you can take your dog to the polling station (5) Fido doesn’t cause a disruption. Anyone with two or more dogs can ask polling station staff to look after them during the voting process. If voters ride, their horses and ponies need to be (6) outside the station. In the US, a dog didn’t just go to an election, he won one and became Mayor of Sunol, California. Bosco (7) two humans to win the 1981 election, running as a ‘re-pup-lican’ with campaign promises including “a bone in every dish, a cat in every tree, and a fire hydrant on every corner.” Bosco served his town, which had about 1,000 residents, for 13 years, (8) he died in 1994. Finally, if you fancy your chances (9) President of the USA, be aware that, to be a presidential candidate, you need to be at least 35 years old, have been a permanent US resident for at least 14 years and be considered a natural US born citizen. In the UK, on the other hand, the only (10) for being Prime Minister are to be able to command the confidence of the House of Commons and be invited by the Monarch to form a government. So, what are you waiting for? 0 A serious B severe C sad D sensitive 1 A maximum B mostly C maximised D made 2 A had been B might be C will be D would have been 3 A voter B voting C poll D election 4 A justification B alternative C way D manner 5 A unless B while C however D as long as 6 A rescued B secured C saved D abandoned 7 A defeated B captured C outran D destroyed 8 A once B as C until D after 9 A of becoming B to become C of turning D to make 10 A clarifications B requirements C demands D needs What kinds of restrictions apply when you want to become a candidate for different political offices in Austria and/or other countries? Do you think these restrictions are appropriate? Do some research online and share your findings in class. SPEAKING 14 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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