Englisch für Anfänger. Hannelore Gottschalk

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with the Constitution. Each of the fifty states has its own government. The chief executive in each state is the Governor. His position is similar to that of the President in the Federal Government.

      40 A Washington D.C.

      (J = Jane, R = Russell, S = Senator Gatewater, P = Miss Pendlebury)

	(Massachusetts Avenue in Washington D.C.)
J	Where are we?
R	We’re on Massachusetts Avenue.
J	No. It must be “K” Street. What do the street signs say?
R	That one says “Ped X-ing”. That doesn’t mean anything.
J	Yes, it does. It means “Pedestrian Crossing”.
R	It’s no use trying to find your way with such a small map.
	We don’t even know where we are.
J	Yes, look, there’s another sign – “H” Street.
R	Ah, “H” Street.
	Good! Now, I’m going to walk from here to the National Portrait Gallery. I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures there.
J	Aren’t you getting tired?
	Is it really worth walking around Washington all day?
R	I like sightseeing, and I prefer to walk. I hate going on buses.
J	So do I. I prefer taking a taxi. And I’m going to take one now – to the Capitol.
R	Ah, yes. You’ve got to interview a Senator.
J	Senator Gatewater.
	I’ve got to be at the Senator’s office in ten minutes.
	(Senator’s office)
S	Yeah!
P	Excuse me interrupting, Senator, but Miss Egan is here, from the London Weekend Chronicle.
S	Show her in and bring us some tea.
	(Jane comes in)
S	Ah! Miss Egan. It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Washington D.C. and to Capitol Hill.
J	And it’s a pleasure being here, Senator Gatewater. Thank you for giving me some of your time.
S	You’re welcome. I’ve been looking forward to giving an interview to such a charming lady.
The Capitol, Washington D.C.
	(secretary comes in with tea and cookies)
S	Thank you, Miss Pendlebury. And as of now, no more interruptions, please. We’re busy. Have some tea, and a cookie.
J	Cookie? I don’t understand.
S	This is a cookie!
J	Oh, I see. A biscuit!
S	Yes. A cookie! Take two.
J	Er – thank you.
S	I enjoy eating cookies. And they’re very important politically.
J	Really?
S	Yes. The President – President Turpin – eats cookies – he insists on eating them all day long. Sometimes they stop him from talking.
J	I see what you mean.
S	So everyone in Washington eats cookies. Well, everyone who needs the support of the President.
J	I don’t mind eating them, but you see –
S	Young lady, there’s no denying that cookies are important for the defense of freedom and the American way of life.
J	I’m pleased to hear that because my boy-friend makes biscuits – er – cookies.
S	You don’t say!
	He manufactures cookies! Gee! Where is he? Is he here, in Washington?
J	Yes. He’s busy sightseeing.
	By now he’s probably touring the FBI building.
S	I insist on meeting him. He could be very valuable politically.
J	Why?
S	Because this is election year.
J	But you don’t have Presidential elections this year, do you?
S	No. We elect the President every four years. But there are some elections every two years.
J	I’m afraid you’ll have to explain.
S	I’d be delighted to explain, Miss Egan. And it’s perhaps worth mentioning for the readers of your paper that I’m running for Governor of my State this year.
J	But you’re a Senator.
S	You’re not letting me explain!
	I’ve been in Congress for twelve years.
	(secretary puts her head round the door)
P	I apologise for interrupting you, Mr Gatewater.
S	Miss Pendlebury, I asked you –
P	It’s a Mr Russell Grant calling Miss Egan. He says he’s lost –
S	What has he lost?
P	He hasn’t lost anything, Senator. He’s gotten lost somewhere in Washington.
J	That’s my boy-friend, Senator.
S	Well, help him, Miss Pendlebury! See that he gets where he wants to go! Take him there! Get him a car! Find a helicopter! Mr Grant is important.
J	That’s very good of you, Senator.
S	Your boy-friend’s cookies, Miss Egan, are going to help me win the support of the President. How long are you thinking of staying in Washington?
J	We intend to stay here two weeks.
S	And I intend to be frontrunner in the race for Governor. I’ll be ahead of the other candidates. I ran for Governor last time, but this time I’ll succeed in becoming Governor. You’ll see.
J	I’d like to know more about your political system, Senator Gatewater.
S	Yes. Well. Now, where shall I start?
J	Would you mind explaining the Constitution?
S	Well, in 1787 …
	(secretary interrupts again)
P	Excuse me –
S	Stop interrupting, Miss Pendlebury.
P	There was a call from the White House, sir.
S	Why didn’t you tell me?
P	I didn’t want to disturb you, sir.
S	Well, you’ve begun disturbing me now, Miss Pendlebury. Carry on!
P	The President called –
S	Oh, my God! Give me another cookie, Miss Pendlebury.
P	He said, “Thank you for sending Mr Grant to the White House.”
S	But I didn’t send him to the White House.
P	No, Senator. I sent him. Mr Grant was sightseeing, and he wanted to go to the White House, and you told me –
S	Well, what happened? Go on!
	You keep stopping.
P	You keep stopping me, sir.
	Mr Grant is having tea with the President and the First Lady –
S	Mr and Mrs Turpin having tea with Mr Grant?
P	Yes. The President is going to make a new trade agreement with Great Britain, for importing Mr Grant’s cookies –
J	So you’ll get the President’s support –
S	Maybe I’ll be Trade Secretary or …
J	(interrupting) Secretary of State. After all, this will be an important international agreement ….
The White House, Washington D.C.

       40 B Questions

      What are the two Houses of Congress called?

      What is the American parliament called?

      Where is the seat of the American parliament?

      What’s the official residence of the American President?

      How often can the President be re-elected?

      When do Presidential elections take place?

      Name the two main political parties in the United States.

      Who is the chief executive in each state?

      How

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