Chapter 19 Political institution（政治制度）

1．The American Constitution is the oldest written constitution in the world. It was draw up in 1787 and went into effect in 1789.美國憲法是世界上最早的成文憲法，它起草于1787年，生效于1789年。

2．In 1787,Congress called for a meeting of delegate from all the states to revise the Articles of Confederation.1787年，國會召開各州代表參加的大會，主要目的是修改有明顯缺點的《聯邦條款》。

3．The government is spanided into three branched: the legislative ,the executive ,and the judicial. Each branch has part of the powers but not all the power.美國政府被分為3部分：立法機構，行政機構和司法機構。

4．In either case, amendments must have the approval of three-fourths of the states before they enter into force.有兩種情可以提出修改憲法條款，但不管是哪種，修正案必須經過3/4的批準才能生效。

5．The President of the U.S is the head of the executive branch and the head of the state elected by the whole nation. The Constitution requires the President to be a natural-born American citizen at least 35 years of age. The president election was held every 4 years .憲法規定總統必須是美國本土出生的美國公民，至少年滿35歲，總統選舉每四年舉行一次。

6． In American ,the “winner-take-all” system applies in all states expect Maine.在美國，嬴者全贏的制度適用于除緬因州外的各州。

7．The electors of all fifty states and the District of Columbia-a total of 538 persons-comprise what is known as the Electoral College. To be successful, a candidate for the Presidency must receive 270 votes.50個州加上哥倫比亞特區共有538位總統候選人，他們組成選舉團，要成為美國總統，候選人則要獲得270票。

8．The presidential term of 4 years begin on Jan 20 following the November election, The president publicly takes an oath of office, which is administered by the Chief Justice of the U.S. A president can be elected to office only twice.美國總統任期為4年，每位總統任期最多只能兩屆，總統宣誓就職儀式是由美國首席娃哈哈官主持的。