國家運作的基本規則和法律
A constitution is a set of basic rules and laws that governs how a country or state is run and what rights are given to citizens.
憲法是一套基本規則和法律，規定一個國家或州如何運作以及公民應享有的權利。
constitution(n.)憲法、事物的構造或組成basic(adj.)基本的fundamental(adj.)基礎的、根本的govern(v.)統治、管理、治理=control, regulate, run, managegovernor(n.)州長、(醫院或學校等公共機關的)主管、董事、統治者、管轄者citizen(n.)公民、市民、城鎮居民citizenship(n.)公民資格senior citizen老人、長者global citizen世界公民
Many countries, like the U.S. and Taiwan, have constitutions that are written down in one document.
許多國家（如美國和台灣）的憲法都寫在同一份文件中。
However, other countries, such as the U.K. and Israel, do not have all of their rules written in one place.
然而，其他國家，如英國和以色列，並沒有將所有規則都寫在同一處。
however(conj.)然而=nonetheless, nevertheless
Despite these differences, most constitutions contain similar information.
儘管存在這些差異，但大多數憲法都包含類似的資訊。
despite(prep.)儘管=regardless of, in spite of, notwithstandingcontain(v.)包含、控制、抑制container(n.)容器element(n.)元素
For instance, there are usually descriptions of how power is divided among different parts of the government as well as the responsibilities given to different levels of government.
例如，通常會說明政府各部門之間權力如何分配，以及不同層級政府的責任。
for instance舉例來說=for exampledescribe(v.)描述description(n.)描寫、敘述divide(v.)分割、劃分as well as除…之外還=in addition toas well也
In some countries, this means that the constitution will list the roles of both central and local governments.
在一些國家，這意味著憲法會列出中央和地方政府的職責。
list(n.)名單(v.)列出名單specify(v.)詳細指名、明確說明role(n.)角色play a role扮演角色
It should be noted that in the U.S., each state even has its own constitution that further divides power and responsibilities.
值得注意的是，在美國，每個州甚至都有自己的憲法，進一步劃分權力和責任。
note(n.)筆記、註釋(v.)提到、指明、注意notably(adv.)值得注意地further(adv.)更進一步地
In addition, constitutions also list duties and rights for individuals, promising citizens things like the freedom of speech and the ability to vote in elections.
此外，憲法也會列出個人的義務和權利，承諾公民享有言論自由和選舉投票等權利。
in addition此外=moreover, additionallyduty(n.)責任、義務、職責promise(v.)承諾ensure(v.)保證、擔保freedom(n.)自由
Because of their importance as rule books for countries and states, constitutions — especially written ones — are harder to change than other types of laws.
由於憲法作為國家和州的法律規範書的重要性，憲法（尤其是成文憲法）要比其他類型的法律更難修改。
This is a way to make sure that basic laws can be changed over time, but only through proper consideration and according to specific procedures.
這是為了確保基本法律可以隨著時間而改變，但必須經過適當的考慮，並按照特定的程序進行。
modify(v.)更改、修改proper(adj.)合適的、適合的=appropriateimproper(adj.)不合適的consideration(n.)考慮consider(v.)考慮deliberation(n.)深思熟慮according to根據procedure(n.)程序、手續、步驟=process