History in Documents and a Document in History - страница 24

3. Decide if the following statements are True (T), False (F) or Not Stated (NS):

1) The Code of Hammurabi is the oldest set of laws in the world.

2) Many ideas of the Code of Hammurabi can be found in modern legal codes.

3) The Code of Hammurabi appeared in Ancient Egypt three thousand years ago.

4) Hammurabi spent all his life on creating his Code.

5) Punishment for most crimes in the Code was death.

6) The Code of Hammurabi had a great impact on the European law systems.

7) Hammurabi`s Code was followed by his descendants.

8) Thanks to the Code the rate of criminality reduced.

4. Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right:

5. Can you translate these words into Russian without a dictionary? Be sure your translation is accurate; check your answers using a dictionary.

1) legal ____________________ ( )

2) site _____________________ ( )

3) credit ___________________ ( )

4) bracket __________________ ( )

5) display __________________ ( )

6) adopt ___________________ ( )

7) chaos ___________________ ( )

8) numerous ________________ ( )

9) document ________________ ( )

10) statue __________________ ( )

11) precedent _______________ ( )

12 descendant ______________ ( )

Point out in brackets what part of speech these words are used in the text.

Magna Carta is one of the most celebrated documents in English history but later interpretations have tended to obscure its real significance in 1215. This iconic document was not intended to be a lasting declaration of legal principle. It was a practical solution to a political crisis which primarily served the interests of the highest ranks of feudal society by reasserting the power of custom to limit despotic behaviour by the king.

The majority of the clauses in Magna Carta dealt with the regulation of feudal customs and the operation of the justice system, not with legal theory and rights. It was King John's extortionate exploitation of his feudal rights and his ruthless administration of justice that were at the core of the barons' grievances.

All but three of Magna Carta's clauses have now become obsolete and been repealed, but the flexible way in which the charter has been reinterpreted through the centuries has guaranteed its status and longevity.