back-benchers because they normally sit in the back rows of benches. The two parties sit face to face. If a member wants to take the floor, to speak, he has to stand up, for there is no platform available The Commons meet on four afternoons and one morning each week. They meet every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2: 30 in the afternoon and normally sits until 10: 30 p. m. and occasionally longer even until one or two the next morning. On Friday, it meets from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p. m. Each day they began their meeting with a fifty-minute"Question Time". During this period, members may ask ministers to answer their questions, which had been handed in beforehand. The ministers have already carefully prepared their answers. The"Question Time"is followed by the main debate of the day. There are many debates, but each must relate to a specif ic proposal or ' motion(提案) The announcement of a motion to the house is known as the first read ing. It marks the beginning of the debate on the motion. While some speak in favor of the motion,others argue against it. The essential problem is whether the motion should go to the second reading. If rejected, the motion dies. If it is accepted debates will be switched to what changes to make in the content of the motion. amend ments are proposed and debated on. If the amendments are adopted they will be included in the original motion. Then the amended motion is pronounced to the House and another vote marks the end of the second reading. If accepted, the motion will go to a special group of people for technical consideration and the improvement of word ing. After the finishing touches are put, the motion returns to the House for the third reading. If17 back-benchers because they normally sit in the back rows of benches. The two parties sit face to face. If a member wants to take the floor, to speak, he has to stand up, for there is no platform available. The Commons meet on four afternoons and one morning each week. They meet every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2:30 in the afternoon and normally sits until 10:30 p.m. and occasionally longer even until one or two the next morning. On Friday, it meets from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each day they began their meeting with a fifty-minute “Question Time”. During this period, members may ask ministers to answer their questions, which had been handed in beforehand. The ministers have already carefully prepared their answers. The “Question Time” is followed by the main debate of the day. There are many debates, but each must relate to a specific proposal or ‘motion’ (提案). The announcement of a motion to the House is known as the first reading. It marks the beginning of the debate on the motion. While some speak in favor of the motion, others argue against it. The essential problem is whether the motion should go to the second reading. If rejected, the motion dies. If it is accepted, debates will be switched to what changes to make in the content of the motion. Amendments are proposed and debated on. If the amendments are adopted, they will be included in the original motion. Then the amended motion is pronounced to the House and another vote marks the end of the second reading. If accepted, the motion will go to a special group of people for technical consideration and the improvement of wording. After the finishing touches are put, the motion returns to the House for the third reading. If