235
One of the two accused men (осуждать) at yesterday’s trial. Although his lawyer (защищать)
him very well, he still (признать виновным) by the jury. The judge (приговорить к наказанию) him
to two years in prison. He’ll probably (освобождать) after eighteen months. The other accused man
was luckier. He (оправдать) and left the courtroom smiling broadly.
7. ДИСКУССИЯ - “Capital punishment: For and Against”. Прочитайте текст и аргументы
“за” и “против” применения смертной казни. Выразите свое мнение по данному вопросу,
используя следующие формулы речевого общения.
I strongly believe (that) …
Я твердо убежден, что …
I’m sure (that) …
Я уверен, что …
In my opinion …
По-моему мнению, …
I’m not sure, but …
Я не уверен, но …
I’m keeping an open mind for the moment. Пока у меня нет никакого мнения на этот счет.
In general …
В общем, …
Unfortunately …
К сожалению, …
Furthermore …
Кроме того, …
TEXT 3
Capital Punishment
Vocabulary
1. to suspend
– приостанавливать, временно прекращать
2. to abolish
– отменять
The death penalty by hanging for murder and some other crimes was first suspended in 1965, and was
completely abolished in 1969 in Great Britain. But opinion polls consistently show
that over half of the
public is in favour of the death penalty, especially for terrorist offences and the murder of policemen.
The general public seems to support harsh treatment of criminal offenders, and argues that more
sympathy and aid should be given to the victims of crimes. The UN has declared itself in favour of
abolition, Amnesty International actively campaigns for abolition, and the
issue is now the focus of
great debate.
Supporters of capital punishment believe that death is a just punishment for certain serious
crimes. It deters people from committing such crimes. It must not be abolished.
Opponents argue that execution is cruel and uncivilized. The death penalty can only be
imposed for especially grave crimes against life and may not be imposed against women, men under
eighteen years of age.
The goal of punishment under the new Criminal Code in Russia
is the re-establishment of
social justice, the rehabilitation of the convicted person, and the prevention of the commission of new
crimes (Art. 43 CC). The widely used Soviet punishment of banishment was abolished toward the end
of the perestroika period, but the 1996 Criminal Code still includes the death penalty and other
common forms of punishment: fine, prohibition to engage in a profession, confiscation of property,
and deprivation of liberty among others. The death penalty can only be imposed for especially grave
crimes against life and may
not be imposed against women, men under eighteen years of age at the
time of the commission of the offence, or men over sixty years of age at the time of judgment (Art. 59
CC). Whereas fifteen years was the maximum period of imprisonment under the old code, the 1996
Code introduces life imprisonment as an alternative to the death penalty.
Reasons “for”
Reasons “against”