一问一答名词解释

1.What are the main functions of the British Parliament?They are law-making, authorizing taxation and public expenditures, and examining the actions of the government.2. What was the outcome of the English Civil War?King Charles I was defeated and executed. Then a Commonwealth was declared by Oliver Cromwell and he became the Lord Protector.3. What are the three main Christian festivals in the U.K.? They are Christmas, Easter, and Whit Sunday.4. What was the most important document produced between China and the United States when President Nixon visited China in 1972?It was the Shanghai Communiqué.5. What is the most central function of the U.S. Congress? It is the pass of the law.6. What are the two major parties that dominate American politics at the federal, state and local levels?They are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party7. What are the two official languages used in Ireland?They are Irish (or the Gaelic) and English8. Who are the native people living in Australia?They are the Aboriginals1. When did the recorded history of Britain begin?British recorded history began with the Roman invasion around 55 BC.2. What was the military significance of the destruction of the Spanish Armada for Britain?It showed England's superiority as a naval power.3. How many Members of Parliament does the House of Commons in the U.K. consist of?It consists of 651 Members of Parliament.4. Please write any three of the 13 colonies the British established along the east coast of North America between 1607 and 1733?Virginia, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia.5. What are the three branches in the U.S. federal government?They are the legislative, the executive and the judicial branches.6. What does IBM stand for? It stands for International Business Machines.7. On which side did Canada fight during WWⅡ?Canada fought as an ally of Britain (1939-1945).8. What kinds of vegetation are suitable for the hot dry climate in Australia?Small plants such as grasses and shrubs rather than forests are suitable for the hot dry climate in Australia.9. What is partly the reason for New Zealand to have changeable weather and to be often windy?Because New Zealand is an island in southern latitudes, it has changeable weather and it is often windy.10. What was the result of growing Irish nationalism in the early decades of the 20th century?Irish nationalism became stronger and even more violent in the early decades of the 20th century and climaxed in the Eastern Uprising of 1916 in which an Irish Republic was proclaimed.1. What is the official name of Great Britain? The official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.2. What does “Oxbridge” refer to in Grea t Britain? It refers to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.3. What are the responsibilities of British government education departments?They formulate education policies and are also responsible for the supply and training of teachers.4. What does SAT stand for? It stands for Scholastic Aptitude Test, a test taken in the U. S. to measure students’ abilities before their entry into college.5. What are the two most important acts passed in the 1960s that helped to improve the political equality of the black people? The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.6. What is known a s the “winner-take-all” system?The presidential candidate with the highest number of votes in each state wins all the electoral votes of that state.7. What does ACT stand for in Australian political division? It stands for Australian Capital Territory8. Why does New Zealand remain green all the year round? New Zealand native trees are evergreens, so the country remains green all the year round.9. What are the three main groups of settlers living north of 55 degree north latitude in Canada? There are fur trappers, fishers and miners.10. What is the most significant feature of Irish landscape, which covers all the mountains and large areas of lowlands?Bogs remain the most significant feature of Irish landscape.1. What does the British Parliament consist of?It consists of the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons．2. Why is King Alfred known as "the father of the British navy"?Because he founded a strong fleet which first beat the Danes at sea and then protected the coasts and encouraged trade3. Which party did Margaret Thatcher represent in the 1970"s?She represented the Conservative Party4. How was the 1920s in the United States described by many historians?It was described as a period of material success and spiritual frustration and purposelessness．5. What does the term "indentured servants" refer to in American history? It refers to the people who had to work for a fixed term for the masters to repay the cross-Atlantic fare and debts6. What was the most important act passed in 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on color, race, or national origin in places of public accommodation?The Civil Rights Act of l9647. How many provinces and territories is Canada made up of?It is made up of ten provinces and two territories．8. What is Australia also known as in the West?It is also known as the Land Down Under9. What does IRA stand for?IRA stands for Irish Republican Army10. Why is New Zealand considered to be the first country to get the new day?Because it lies just west of the International Date Line and it has one time zone．41. How long was Britain under the Roman occupation?Britain was under the Roman occupation for nearly 400 years.42. What is the main function of the House of Lords in Britain?The main function of the House of Lords is to bring the wide experience of it’s the process of lawmaking.43. What was the peculiar feature of the feudal system of England?The peculiar feature of the feudal system of England was that all landowners, whether the tenants-in-chief or subtenants, took the oath of allegiance for the land they held, not only to their immediate lord, but also to the king.44. Which sport is regarded as typically English?Cricket is regarded as the typically English of sports45. What are the principal functions of American higher education?The principal functions of American higher education are teaching, research and public service47. Why Americans are always on the move?Americans moves to a new home every year seeking new job opportunities, a better climate or some other goals.48. How will you characterize American foreign policy in the early 1930s?In the early 1930s, the American foreign policy was isolationist.49. What are the main characteristics of Canadian climate?Generally speaking the climate in Canada is unfavorable. Much of Canada has long and cold winters with deep snow.50. Geographically, Australia can be divided into three major regions. What are they?They are the Great western Plateau, the Eastern Highlands and the Central Eastern Lowlands51. On which day does Easter fall? It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that coincides with,or comes after,the spring equinox(春分).53. What kinds of courses require five-year study in British universities?The courses that require five-year study in British universities are medical and veterinary(兽医) courses.54. What was King Edward (1042-1066) known as?He was known as Edward"the Confessor"(忏悔者).56. What was the key problem that affected the progress in U.S.-China relations from 1972 to 1979?It was the Taiwan problem.57. What are the most memorable words Lincoln said in a short speech on the occasion of dedicating(奉献) the national cemetery at Gettysburg(葛底斯堡国家公墓) in 1863?He said that "government of the people,by the people,for the people,shall not perish(消亡) from the earth."58. What is the American tradition of laissez faire(什么是美国传统的自由放任政策)?The government should merely preserve order(仅仅维持秩序) and protect property,leaving the control over the economy to the business people.59. What explains the absence of large forests in Australia?The hot dry conditions that are found over most of the continent are suitable for small plants such as grasses and shrubs灌木rather than forests.60. Who is the head of the Australian government?The Queen of England.51. How many political divisions are there in Britain? What are they? England, Scotland, and Wales and Northern Ireland52. What questions did Elizabeth I treat as personal and private?Elizabeth treated 5 questions as personal and private. These were her religion ,her marriage, her foreign policy, the succession to the throne, and her finance. 53. What were the two events in the world which most alarmed the British ruling classes in the closing decades of the 18th century?American war of independence, and the French revolution.54. Which are the five biggest cities in terms of population in the United States?The biggest city is New York, followed by Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.55. What are the three branches of the American government?The legislative, the executive and the judicial57. When was the name of the country officially changed to Ireland?In 1937, under a new constitution, the Governor-General was replaced by an elected president and the name of the country was officially changed to Ireland.58. Who are easy to immigrate to Canada now?American59. In terms of land area and population, which is the biggest state and which is the smallest state in Australia?West Australia is the largest state in Australia.Tasmania is the smallest of the Australian states60. What are the two active volcanoes in New Zealand?Ruapehu Ngauruhoewhat was Queen Marry known as? She was known as the “Bloody May” and also remembered as the monarch who lost the last British possession on the continent --- French port of Calais.what did Britain become after the Industrial Revolition? Britain became the “Workshop of the world.”what’s the House of Lords make up? It is made of the Lord s Spiritual and Lords Temporal.what is the most important established Church inBritain?It is the Church of England.what are the characteristics of Ireland’s climate?It can be described as “mild, moist and changeable.”what is mean by “Vietnamization”of the war?It meant that South Vietnamese troops would be war-built up to replace American fighting force.who is the only writer in colonial period still read today?He was Benjamin Franklin.what did the real American Literature begin?It began after the American War of Independence.what is “urban sprawl”?It refers to a city that has grown over a large area of land.where is the vocanic activity in New zealand? The Volcano activity can be found on the central plateau in North Island.who were the Loll ards?They were poor priests and itinerant preachers who were John Wyclif’s followers in the 14th century.which war was relatively smooth,witj no bllodshed,nor any execution of the King in Britain?It is the Glorious Revolution.what is a constitutional monarchy?It is a government system in which the head of State is a king or a queen who reigns but does not rule.what is the chief language of instruction in ireland?It is English.which are some of the biggest cities in the U.S?They are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago San Francisco and Philadelphia.who were the Puritans?The Puritans were the members of a Protestant group in England who were wealthy,well-educated and wanted to purify the Church of England.who drafted The Declaration of Independence in the U.S?He was Thomas Jefferson.which three branches is the U.S government divided into?They are the legislative, the executive and judicial.what is adult education also called now?It is also called “continuing education” programs or “lifelong education” programs.what was the consequence of the Seven Year’s War between the British and the French?After the Seven Years’ War, the French were forced to give up every inch of land in North America.what is the difference between the ancestors of the English and Scots,Welsh,and Wales?The ancestors of the English are Anglo-Saxons while the Scots, Welsh and Wales are Celts.what is the significance of the Norman Comquest?The Norman Conquest ended the English history of being invaded.what is the term “parliament”originally mean?The term “parliament” originally meant a meeting for parley or discussion.what is the ethnic composition of Ireland?In Ireland the basic ethnic stock is Celtic, with a mixture of Norse, French, Norman and English.when was the Declaration of Independence adopted?The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July, 4, 1776.what does the Supreme Court consist of?The Supreme Court at present consists of a Chief Justice and eight Associate Justice.what were the two focuses of the Amreican educational reform in the mid-1980s?.The first was raising the standards of teaching and learning; the second was the restructuring of the schools.when did Canada become a member of the Commonwealth of Nations?Since the Statute of Westminster in 1931, Canada became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.what is the capital of Australia?Canburry is the capital of Australia.which country is the first country to give women the vote?New Zealand is the first country to give women the vote What is Heptarchy? By the end of the 6th century, England was divided into seven principal kingdoms of Kent, Essex, Sussex, Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria and they have been given the name of Heptachy.How did the Wars of Roses get its name? Its name was coined by Sir Walter Scott: the House of Lancaster was symbolized by the red roses and the House of York, by the white.When did Ireland established diplomastic with CHINA? Ireland established diplomatic relations with China on June 22, 1979.How will you characterize American foreign policy in the early 1930s? American foreign policy in the early 1930s can be characterized as isolationist.What does ‘Vienamization”of the war mean? Vietnamization of the war means building up South Vietnamese troops to replace American fighting force.What are the two serious weakness of the Article of Confederation? There was no national executives orlaw-enforcing branch; neither was there a national court system.Why did Hawthorne attack transcendentalism? Because he considered that “transcendentalism” glorified absolute individualism with no regard for social impact.What was the result of the conflict between the English and Frenche for the valuable fisheries and for trade in 1713? In 1713, Newfoudland, Hudson Bay and Nova Scotia were lost to England.What is the built environment? The built environment refers to those parts of the environment built by people or changed by people.What is another of New Zealand National Day? New Zealand national Day is also called Waitangi Day.what were the names of two great walls built by the Romans?There were the Hadrian’s wall and the Antonine Wall. what was the direct result of the Glorious Revolution?The result was that a constitutional monarchy was last founded in England.what are the established churches in Britain?There are two estabilshed churches of Britain:the Church of England in England,and the Church of Scotland inScotland.who drafted the Declaration of Independence in the U.S.Thomas Jefferson drafted the declaration of the Independence.what is the aim of the New Deal measures?the aim of the New Deal measure was to save American democracy and all the capitalist system.who made a declaration of the U.S containment policy towards the S oviet Union on March 12.1949?Harry Truman made an open declaration of the U.S containment policy towards the Soviet Union on March 12,1949 According to the Constitution,what judicial powder does the President have?he has the power to give reprieves and pardons in federal criminal cases.What does the outback refer to in Australia?it refers to the interior and the centre of the western plateau and its northern plains.what did the first Aborigine of Australia come from and settle on?it is believed that first Aborigines came from Asia and settles on the Northern coast.what is the most potential serious natural disaster in New Zealand?in New Zealand,earthquakes and volcanoes arethe most serious potential natural disasters.what is the main spirit of the Great Charther?the main spirit was to limit the poewers of King. 12why King George IIIwas nicknamed “Farmer George”?George IIIwas so enthusiastic about farming changes at Windsor that he got the nickname Farmer George.wha t are the two provinces of the Church of England?Canterbury and York are the two province’s of the Church of England.what are two official languages in Ireland?the two official languages in Ireland and Irish and England.what is full name of WASPs?the full name of the WASPs is White Anglo-Saxon Protestants.what is tariff protection?Tariff Protection means to get higher import taxes to protcet domestic production.what is the outstanding characteristic of American education?Diversity is considered to be an outstandingcharacterstic of American education.by what Upper Canada and Lower Canada were created?by an Act of 1791 Upper Canada and Lower Canada were created.why is Australia’s New South Wales called the premier state?because it was the first colony estabished by Britain in1778.what called the land disputes between the Maoris and the setters in New Zealand?the land disputes were mainlycaused by the rapid acquisition of Mari land by the the government and pressure by settlersfor direct purchase.How long was Britian under the Roman occupation? For nearly 400 years Britian under the Roman occupation.when did the Queen Victoria become Empress of India?in 1877 Queen Victoria became Empress of India.What is a “copyright” library in Britain?it is a library which is entitled to receive a free copy every book published inthe United Kingdom.Who was the first king to bring all Ireland under English control?Henry VIII was the first king to bring all Irelandunder English controlwhat was Red Scare?Red Scare referred to the large-scale arrests of suspected Communists and radicals betweenNovwhy is education very important to Amreicans?.because it contributes to developing the national strength andpersonal success.what is The waste Land by T.S Eliot considered?the Waste Land is considered the manifesto of the “Lost Generation”.where are the Rocky Mountains and the Coast Mountains located in?they are located in the British Colimbiawhy has Australia always been a continent with few people? Because most of the continent is hot and dry.where is the highest peak in New Zealand?the highest peak ,Mt cook,is in the center of the mountain range ,which iscalled the Southern Alps.how did the Celts invade Britain? the Celts invade Britain in three waves:the Gaels ,the Brythons and the Belgae.what were the two ecents that most alarmed the British ruling classes in the closing decades of the 18thcentury?they were the American War of Independence and the French Revolution.what is the main function of the House of Lords? its the main function of the House of Lords is to bring the wide experience of its members into the process of law making.how many public holidays are in Great Britain?there are nine public holidays in Great Britain,such as New Year’sDay ,Bank Holiday,Boxing Day,etcwhat was the turning point of the Civil War?the Getttsbury Victory was the turning point the Civil War.when did the normal U.S – China diplomatic relation establish?in January 1979.what are the two special powders of the Senate?one is to confirm presidential appointments and the other is toratify treaties by a two –thirds vote.what is considered to be the fist real American writing?Franklin’s uncompleted Autobi ographyhow is Australia divided geographically?the Great Western Plateau,the Eastern Highlands and the Central Eastern Lowlands.61. Open University:The Open University is a non-residential university. It is so named because it is open to all to becomestudents. The University was founded in 1969 and began its first courses in 1970. The University offers degree and othercourses for adult students of all ages in Britain and the other member countries of the European Union. It uses a combination of specially produced printed texts, correspondence tuition, television and radio broadcasts and audio/video cassettes.62. The Speaker (of the House of Commons in Britain): The Speaker is a member who is acceptable to all shades of opinion inthe House. In carrying out his or her duties the Speaker is required to be impartial; he or she cannot debate or, as a general rule, vote on a measure, and it is his or her duty to see that all points of views have a fair hearing.63.Muckrakers:Muckrakers refer to a group of reform-minded journalists at the turn of the 20th century, who madeinvestigations and exposed various dark sides of the seemingly prosperous society.64.The stock market crash of 1929: On October 24, 1929, the New York stock market crashed. It was called Black Thursdaybecause it was the beginning of a long economic depression. The Great Depression had far-reaching consequences. It swept through the globe quickly. The rate of unemployment increased rapidly. A great deal of companies and businesses closed and went into bankruptcy. American economy didn't recover until the New Deal was put forward.61.Bank holidays are also called official public holidays. The term "Bank Holiday" goes back to the Bank Holidays Act of 1871,which owes its name to the fact that banks are closed on the days specified.62. A constitutional monarchy is a country in which the head of the state is a king or a queen. In practice, the Sovereignreigns but does not rule.63. The people in the British colonies opposed the unfair treatment by the British government. They declared, "No taxationwithout representation", that is, without their representatives taking part in decision-making, they had no obligation to pay taxes to Britain.64. The U.S. Constitution sets up a federal system of government which has two layers of rule. There is central or federalgovernment for the nation which alone has the power to answer questions that affect the nation as a whole. There are also state and local governments. Each layer of government has separate and distinct powers laid down in the Constitution61.The Industrial Revolution: It refers to the mechanization of industry and the consequent changes in social and economicorganization in Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Britain was the first country to industrialize in Europe. 62. The Commonwealth:It is a free association of 50 independent countries that were once colonies of Britain. Membernations are joined together economically and have certain trading arrangements. The Commonwealth has no special powers. The decision to become a member of the Commonwealth is left to each nation. At present there are 50 members within the Commonwealth (1991).63.Checks and balances:The American government is divided into three branches, the legislative, the executive and thejudicial. Each has part of the powers but not all the power. And each branch of government can check, or block, the actions of the other branches. The three branches are thus in balance. Thi s is called “checks and balances”.64. Electoral College:The electors of all 50 states and the District of Columbia-a total of 538 persons---comprise what isknown as the Electoral College. To be successful, a candidate for the Presidency must receive 270 votes. 61．Comprehensive schools take pupils without reference to ability or aptitude and provide a wide—ranging secondary education for all or most of the children in a district．62．The name of Whigs originated with the Glorious Revolution．It was known by the nickname．It was a derogatory name for cattle drivers．Loosely speaking, the Whigs were those who opposed absolute monarchy and supported the right to religious freedom for Nonconformists．63．The Puritans were wealthy, well—educated gentlemen．They wanted to purify the Church of England．Dissatisfied with the political corruption in England and threatened with religious persecution, the Puritan leaders saw the New World as the refuge provided by God for those He meant to save．64．(War Power Act)It was an act that limited the President’s power in sending troops abroad and required the President to consult Congress before any such decision．51. Stonehenge: Stonehenge was in Wiltshire, constructed before 2000BC. Exactly why it was built is unknown but it musthave had religious and political significance.52.The metropolitan police: The police service for the United Kingdom is organized and controlled on a local basis under theHome Secretary and the Scottish and Northern Ireland secretaries. London’s Metropolitan Police Force is directly under the control of the Home secretary. At the end of 1993 police strength in the United Kingdom was about 28.000 belonged to the Metropolitan Police Force.53.Foreclosure: Foreclosure is the taking away of properties of the debtor as a result of failure to pay interest.54. Chicano:Chicano is Mexican-Americans, the three major Hispanic groups, historically have had the greatest 61.the Chartist Movement A proletarian movement or campaign in the 19th century in England. It was to call for political changes. The People’s Charter was put forward during the movement. But it ended in a failure.Constitutional MonarchyThe United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy: the head of State is a king or a queen.In practice, the Sovereign reigns, but does not rule: the United Kingdom is governed, in the name of the Sovereign, by His or Her Majesty’s Government---a body of Ministers who are the leading members of whichever political party the electorate has voted into offices, and who are responsible to Parliament.the Bill of Rights of America1.the Bill of Rights—the term used for the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.2. It guarantees: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and petition, freedom from unreasonable searches, right to jury trial, right to due process of law and other legal rights.the Federal System of AmericaThe federal system: the Constitution set up a federal system of government which has two layers of rule—central or federal government, state and local governments.Multiculturalism----The term multiculturalism was coined in Canada in the late 1960s. It was in official use in Australia by 1973. In other words, under multiculturalism migrant groups are able to speak their own language and maintain their own customs. Multiculturalism as a policy recognizes that social cohesion is attained by tolerating differences within an agreed legal and constitutional framework.The Bill of Rights----In 1789, James Madison introduced in the House of Representatives a series of amendments which later were drafted into twelve proposed amendments and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of them were ratified in 1791 and the first ten amendments to the constitution were called the Bills of Rights because they were to insure individual liberties. Domesday Book----It is a book compiled by a group of clerks under the sponsorship of King William the First in 1086. The book was in fact a property record. It was the result of a general survey of England. It recorded the extent, value, state of cultivation, and ownership of the land. It was one of the important measures adopted by William I to establish the full feudal system in England. Today, it is kept in the Public Records Office in LondonThe Gunpowder Plot of 1605火药阴谋案----The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was the most famous of the Catholic conspiracies. On Nov. 5,1605, a few fanatical Catholics attempted to blow King James and his ministers up in the House of Parliament where Guy Fawkes had planted barrels of gun-powder in the cellars. The immediate result was the execution of Fawkes and his fellow-conspirators and imposition of severe anti-Catholic laws. The long-term result has been an annual celebration on Nov. 5, when a bonfire is lit to turn a guy and a firework display is arranged.Blood Mary血腥玛丽----It is the nickname given to Mary I, the English Queen who succeeded to the throne after Henry VIII. She was a devout Catholic and had so many Protestants burnt to death that she is remembered less by her official title Mary I by her nickname Blood Mary.Thatcherism撒切尔主义----The election of 1979 returned the Conservative Party to power and Margaret Thatcher became the first woman prime minister in Britain. Her policies are popularly referred to as state-owned industries, the use of monetarist policies to control inflation, the weaking of trade forces unions, the strengthening of the role of market forces in the economy, and an emphasis on law and order.Waitangi Day----In 1840 the first official governor, William Hobson, was sent to negotiate with Maori leaders. In 1840 Hobson, representing Queen Victoria, and some Maori chiefs, signed the Treaty of Waitangi. Modern New Zealand was founded. The anniversary of the signing, February 6, is celebrated as New Zealand National Day, Waitangi Day, and is a national holiday.。