Reading Comprehension

There are five reading texts available . Each text has multiple-choice questions (just choose your answer and click to find out if you're right). Each text is also followed by a grammar exercise and a summary-writing exercise.

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/reading/index.htm

Free Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises

Jede Menge Lernstoff mit drei unterschiedlichen levels bietet diese Seite:

http://www.speakspeak.com/html/d3_english_resources_grammar_practice.htm

Listening Comprehension - a diagnostic test

Hier ein Test aus dem Bereich Hörverstehen mit 100 Teilen.
Der Test kann online durchgeführt und im Anschluss sofort ausgewertet werden.

http://www.edict.com.hk/Diagnostic/listening.htm

Listening comprehension

Hörverstehensübungen mit worksheets und den jeweiligen Transkripten und Lösungen findest Du auf dieser Seite:

http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/openforum/

Reading comprehension

Du möchtest deinen Zugang zu Texten testen. Du möchtest dein Textverständnis verbessern?
Diese Seite bietet jede Menge Lesestoff. Zu den jeweiligen Texten gibt es Zusatzübungen, deren Resultat nach der Bearbeitung angezeigt wird. Eine runde Sache.

http://www.usingenglish.com/comprehension/

Grammar Exercises

Eine Seite, die eine Unzahl an Grammatikübungen bietet. DieÜbungen sind dem jeweiligen Gebiet untergeordnet, so dass das gewünschte Gebiet leicht auffindbar ist. Have a try!

http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/exercises/main/grammar.html

Transitions with sample sentences

Wie strukturiere ich meinen Text logisch? Diese Seite gibt die Antwort. Alle Connectives sind mit Beispielsätzen versehen, so dass der Anwendungsaspekt Vorrang hat.

http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/transitions.html

I. Nützliche Ausdrücke
Useful expressions.
Stellungnehmen
Gründe angeben
I feel (that)...I am convinced that...I personally believe that...It seems to me (that)...I firmly believe that...As I see...What I mean is...My (point of) view of the matter/problem is...My point of view is that...From my point of view...In my opinion/view...My view/feeling/opinion is that...To my mind...It you ask me...I’m certain, that...I claim, that...I feel strongly about...what I’m getting at...I’m willing to...I must concedeI (dis)approve ...I distinguish betweenI supposeIt evokes the feeling of...I like to emphasize/highlighte...First and foremostI like to point out, that...I dislike...Undoubtedly, ….In the formerIn the latterAt first glance
The (main/basic) reasons is that...The thing/point is...There are many points of view issues to consider here.. There are several questions to think about when discussing...The issues I want to mention/discuss here are...Another point to consider is this: ...A further problem to note is...Not only..., but... also...The reason why... is that...This leads inevitably to...The next item is...both... and.../as well... as...The cause is that...We have to regard, that/Regarding, that...Indeed
Weiterführung
besides....still....also....too...then....above all....what is more ...Moreover/Furthermore...In addition...Due to...Since,…

Liste
Ähnlichkeiten, Analogien
for one thing ... (and) for another (thing) to begin with to start with Secondly, ...; Thirdly, ...; Finally, ...; Last of all, ...First/First of all...in the first/second place..next..then..finally..last but not least..to conclude...last(ly)
equally..likewise..similarly...in the same way...resembling...

Einer Meinung zustimmen
Eine Meinung ablehnen
I agree. That is (quite) right/true.I couldn’t agree more.That is just how I see it.That is exactly my own view/opinion.
I do not agree.As a matter of fact, ...I cannot accept...Actually, ... In fact, I think (that)I doubt, that
Kontrast/Gegensatz
Beispiele
either...or...but...however..yet..nevertheless....in spite of/despite...instead of ...though...on the contrary......in contrast (to ...)by contrast.....on the one hand ...on the other (hand)...Whereas...
for example (e. g.)for instance....such as...that is to say.....Supposing (that)
namely...alternatively

Ergebnisse festhalten
Zusammenfassung und abschließende Bemerkung
As a result...As a consequence...Because of this...The effect of this is that...consequently....hence....thus....accordingly
To sum up...In short/in brief/in general...On the whole, ...All in all, ...In conclusion, then, it is clear that...To conclude, therefore, it seems that...Having considered all these issues...Having outlined the main arguments...Having taken all these factors into account...I come to the conclusion that...

II. Wortschatzliste für Comprehension and Comment
II.1 Aufzählen von Ideen, Fakten und Gründen
Enumerating ideas, facts and reasons.
Start
Entwicklung
Schluss
first of all...to begin with...to start with...in the first place....the first point I would like...first and foremost
secondly – thirdly – finally..then...in the second place...moreover...furthermore...besides..in addition to that...apart from that..another factor/problem is...the next point I want to mention is...the next point to be considered is...other factors to be taken in account are....we must also take into account tha..twe should also consider the fact that...another argument is
finally..eventually...in conclusion...last of all..the final point ist..here is only one point left

II.2 Bezugnahme zu den Argumenten des Autors
Referring to the author’s arguments in a text.
the author is of the opinion thatin his opinion/view/he bases his arguments on
the author...
claims..states...suggests..implies.. refers to...alludes to..deals with..discusses..puts forward the thesis that...presents/develops/defends the thesis that...expresses his point of view...holds the view that...agrees to/with.... approves (of), is in favour of
supports/sides with/sympathizes with /criticizes/blames sb. for/ reproaches sb with sb.....accuses sb. of having done sth....questions sb....raises objections to/opposes sb...objects by pointing out....argues that...comments on...assumes a critical attitude towards sb....argues for – against...points out that...bases his arguments on...supports/illustrates his arguments

II.3 Formulierung der eigenen Meinung
Expressing your own view.
with regard to an author’s opinion in a text
his argument does not hold good
he overlooks the fact that
the author’s proposals/arguments are convincing, but he fails to take into account that...
it is true that, but...
despite/in spite all this arguments
in my opinion/from my point of view
when discussing problems in a comment
to weigh the pros and cons
as far as I can see
as for/as to/with regard to
talking of
in contrast to/contrary to
as opposed to
the question of... -->
it should be pointed out that
I would like to point out that
it should be mentioned that
I’d like to emphasize the fact
consequently
the consequence would be
the consequence is whether
the result may be
it seems to me that
on the one hand
on the other hand
in fact
as a matter of fact
strictly speaking
we can draw the conclusion that
to sum up we may say
to sum up and make the point
as far as the question of... is concerned
it might be stated that

Nützliche Satzverknüpfungspartikel
Useful particle for sentence association.
Was?
Beispiele
Gedanken hinzufügen:
in addition, further, furthermore, also, besides, in the same way
Gedanken neu formulieren:
in other words, that means, that is, that is to say
Gedankengang abschließen:
in conclusion, in brief, in short, on the whole
Reihenfolge verdeutlichen:
first, second, next, finally, in the end
Gegenteil/Kontrast ausdrücken:
yet, however, on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast, in spite of, despite, although, though, but,
Vergleich anstellen:
similarly, in the same way, likewise, both, likewise, equally, as well as, as.... as
Schlussfolgerung ausdrücken:
consequently, therefore, as a result, hence, accordingly, thus
Einräumung ausdrücken:
although, though, even if, after all, in any case
Bedingung ausdrücken:
if, unless, provided that, in case that
Begründung/Zweck anführen:
therefore, that is why, for this reason, because, because of, since, on account of, so that, due to
Bezugnahme ausdrücken:
concerning, regarding, related to, referring to
Beispiel anführen:
For example, for instance, in other words, such as
Ort beschreiben:
among, between, here, there, where, on the right/left, in the middle, in front of, behind, nearby, in the distance, in the foreground, in the background
zeitliche Verbindung knüpfen:
now, while, as soon as, before, after, as long as, initially, previously, recently, finally, eventually, meanwhile, at the same time, at the moment, in the end, at last, since, from now on, time and again, off and on, lately, in the past

Hilfreiche Ausdrücke und Wendungen
Useful expressions and phrases.
Einstieg:
Entwicklung:
Schluss:
Personally, I think/feel...
In my opinion...
I object to...
To my mind...
First of all.../furthermore...
To begin with.../Next....
One reason for this.../Another reason...
Likewise it must be mentioned....
And above all...
This can be seen .../So, for instance, ....
In a word....
To conclude...
As a result...
Consequently

Hinführen zum Thema:
Aufzählen von Gründen:
Ziehen einer Schlussfolgerung:
Most people would agree that
Many people seem to think
It has often been said
For the majority of people
As a general statement
Literally this statement means
In the first place
Apart from that
Above all
Finally
The logical result of this is
In consequence
This suggests
For that reason
That is why

Stilistische Aufwertung mit Adverben
Stylistic revaluation with adverbs.
Englisch
Deutsch
absolutely brilliant deeply hurt entirely different extremely cold extremely interesting highly unusual particularly difficult wonderfully creative severely limited
absolut genial tief verletzt völlig anders extrem kalt äußert interessant höchst ungewöhnlich besonders schwierig wunderbar kreativ streng limitiert

GB System of Government

The British Government
The System of Government
Britain is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as head of the State. The British constitution, unlike those of most countries, is not set out in a single document. Instead it is made up of a combination of laws and practices which are not legally enforceable, but which are regarded as vital to the working of government.
The Monarchy
The stablility of the British government owes much to the monarchy. Its continuity has been interrupted only once (the republic of 1649-60) in over a thousand years.Today the Queen is not only the head of State, but also an important symbol of national unity. Her complete official royal title is 'Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith', but she is usually referred to as Her Royal Highness or Queen Elizabeth.According to the law the Queen is head of the executive branch of the government, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Crown and the 'supreme governor' of the established Church of England. While that sounds like a lot of responsibility, the real power of the monarchy has been steadily reduced over the years to the point where the Queen is uninvolved in the day-to-day operation of the government. She is impartial and acts only on the advice of her ministers.The Queen, the Queen Mother, Prince Charles and the other members of the royal family take part in traditional ceremonies, visit different parts of Britain and many other countries and are closely involved in the work of many charities.
Parliament
Parliament, Britain's legislature, is made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Queen in her constitutional role.The Commons has 651 elected Members of Parliament (MPs), who represent local constituencies. The House of Lords is made up of 1,185 hereditary and life peers and peeresses, and the two archbishops and the 24 most senior bishops of the established Church of England.The center of parliamentary power is the House of Commons. Limitations on the power of the Lords (it rarely uses it power to delay passage of most laws for a year) is based on the principle that the Lords, as a revising chamber, should complement the Commons and not rival it. Once passed through both Houses, legislation requires the Royal Assent to become law.Parliament has a number of ways to exert control over the executive branch. Parliamentary committees question ministers and civil servants before preparing reports on matters of public policy and issues can be debated before decisions are reached. However, ultimate power rests in the ability of the House of Commons to force the government to resign by passing a resolution of 'no confidence'. The government must also resign if the House rejects a proposal so vital to its policy that it has made it a matter of confidence. The proceedings of both Houses of Parliament are broadcast on television and radio, sometimes live or more usually in recorded and edited form.

General elections to choose MPs must be held at least every five years. Voting, which is not compulsory, is by secret ballot and is from the age of 18. The simple majority system of voting is used. Candidates are elected if they have more votes than any of the other candidates, although not necessarily an absolute majority over all candidates.

Political Party System
The political party system is essential to the working of the constitution. Although the parties are not registered or formally recognized in law, most candidates for election belong to one of the main parties. Since 1945 eight general elections have been won by the Conservative Party and six by the Labour Party. A number of smaller parties have national and local organizations outside Parliament, and are also represented in local government.The Government is formed by the party with majority support in the Commons. The Queen appoints its leader as Prime Minister. As head of the Government the Prime Minister appoints about 100 ministers. About 20 ministers make up the Cabinet, the senior group making the major policy decisions. Ministers are collectively responsible for government decisions and individually responsible for their own departments. The second largest party forms the official Opposition, with its own leader and 'shadow cabinet'. The Opposition has a duty to challenge government policies and to present an alternative program.Policies are carried out by government departments and executive agencies staffed by politically neutral civil servants. Over half the Civil Service, about 295,000 civil servants, work in over 75 executive agencies. Agencies perform many of the executive functions of the government, such as the payment of social security benefits and the issuing of passports and drivers' licences. Agencies are headed by chief executives responsible for their performance and who enjoy considerable freedom on financial, pay and personnel matters.

USA System of Government

USA – system of governmentThe United States is the world's oldest surviving federation. It is a constitutional republic, "in which majority rule is tempered by minority rights protected by law." It is fundamentally structured as a representative democracy.The government is regulated by a system of checks and balances defined by the U.S. Constitution, which serves as the country's supreme legal document and as a social contract for the American people. In the American federalist system, citizens are usually subject to three levels of government, federal, state, and local; the local government's duties are commonly split between county and municipal governments. In almost all cases, executive and legislative officials are elected by a plurality vote of citizens by district. There is no proportional representation at the federal level, and it is very rare at lower levels. Federal and state judicial and cabinet officials are typically nominated by the executive branch and approved by the legislature, although some state judges and officials are elected by popular vote.
The federal government is composed of three branches:
Legislative: The bicameral Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, makes federal law, declares war, approves treaties, has the power of the purse, and has the power of impeachment, by which it can remove sitting members of the government.
Executive: The president is the commander-in-chief of the military, can veto legislative bills before they become law, and appoints the Cabinet and other officers, who administer and enforce federal laws and policies.
Judicial: The Supreme Court and lower federal courts, whose judges are appointed by the president with Senate approval, appoints, interpret laws, and can overturn laws they deem unconstitutional.
The House of Representatives has 435 members, each representing a congressional district for a two-year term. House seats are apportioned among the states by population every tenth year. As of the 2000 census, seven states have the minimum of one representative, while California, the most populous state, has fifty-three. The Senate has 100 members with each state having two senators, elected at-large to six-year terms; one third of Senate seats are up for election every other year. The president serves a four-year term and may be elected to the office no more than twice. The president is not elected by direct vote, but by an indirect electoral college system in which the determining votes are apportioned by state. The Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of the United States, has nine members, who serve for life. The state governments are structured in roughly similar fashion; Nebraska uniquely has a unicameral legislature. The governor (chief executive) of each state is directly elected.
All laws and procedures of both state and federal governments are subject to review, and any law ruled in violation of the Constitution by the judiciary is voided. The original text of the Constitution establishes the structure and responsibilities of the federal government and its relationship with the individual states. Article One protects the right to the "great writ" of habeas corpus, and Article Three guarantees the right to a jury trial in all criminal cases. Amendments to the Constitution require the approval of three-fourths of the states. The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times; the first ten amendments, which make up the Bill of Rights, and the Fourteenth Amendment form the central basis of Americans' individual rights.


Parties, ideology, and politics
The United States has operated under a two-party system for most of its history. For elective offices at all levels, state-administered primary elections choose the major party nominees for subsequent general elections. Since the general election of 1856, the major parties have been the Democratic Party, founded in 1824, and the Republican Party, founded in 1854. Since the Civil War, only one third-party presidential candidate—former president Theodore Roosevelt, running as a Progressive in 1912—has won as much as 20% of the popular vote.

Within American political culture, the Republican Party is considered "center-right" or conservative and the Democratic Party is considered "center-left" or liberal. The states of the Northeast and West Coast and some of the Great Lakes states, known as "blue states", are relatively liberal. The "red states" of the South and much of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains are relatively conservative. A plurality of Americans identify as Democrats, yet significantly more Americans identify as conservative than liberal. Among the rights explicitly addressed in the Constitution, gun ownership is the subject of particularly contentious debate.

The incumbent president, Republican George W. Bush, is the 43rd U.S. president. All presidents to date have been men of European descent. After winning the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama will be the first president of mixed European and African descent. The 2008 elections also saw the Democratic Party strengthen its control of both the House and the Senate. Every member of the U.S. Congress is a Democrat or a Republican except two independent members of the Senate. An overwhelming majority of state and local officials are also Democrats or Republicans.