英国社会与文化思考题共33页文档
英语国家社会与文化(英6)
10. The presence of superpower bases in Britain
（在英国存在超级大国的军事基地） 11. Its participation in NATO
[积极参与北约(北大西洋公约组织)的活动]
apartheid assign attribute axis baking bloc budget Burma bustling Ceylon commercial complicated contributor conventional
* How many today?
1) There are still 16 overseas possessions under the jurisdiction of the British: 2) Overseas Territory (9): Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, St. Helena and its subsidiary Island, Turks and Caicos Islands .
The UK --British Foreign Relations
Part I Warm-up questions
1. The Second World War, which country was the largest military power in Western Europe? Great Britain 2. What countries are the permanent members of the UN Security Council? Russia, P.R. China, the US, France and the UK.
英语国家社会与文化入门课后题答案
Book1 Unit 11.What was the British Empire? What do you know about it? In what way is the “Empire” still felt in Britain and in the international field?The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom, that had originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.In the international field, Britain has great voice in politics, economy and culture and so on.2.Why impossible to sum up British people with a few simple phrases: The UK is made up of different elements. It includes 4 parts within the one nation-state. It is now a multiracial society with different religion believes. It is divided economically and it is a society with a class-structure. And within each of the four countries there are different regions. Since this country was so complicated both in history or humanity, it is impossible to sum up their people.3.tribal kindoms of Celtic people. They brought the central Europen culture to Britain. Then in 43AD, Roman Empire invaded Britain and controlled it for slave society but also disseminated their Catholicism. (2)However, in the 5th century, the Roman Empire rapidly waned in power and Britain was conquered by the Angles and the Saxons. In order to defend the Saxons, a great leader—King Arthur appeared. He created the "round table" to satisfy all the knights' requirement of having equal precedence. Thus it gradually formed the monarchy in Britain as a more democratic system. Whether Arthur's a real person in the history or not, Anglo-Saxons did succeed in invading Britain and they were the forefathers of the English. (3)In the 8th century, the Vikings from Denmark controlled the nothern and eastern England. A Anglo-Saxon herio, king Alfred the Great fought against the vikings with the truly English. And that's why there's a certain cultural difference between northerners and southerners in England (4)Later, the Nomans from northern France, under the leading of William of Normandy, killed the king and William became the Frist of England. They imported a rulling class that French-speaking Norman aristocracy rulled Saxon and English-speaking population. In this condition, there weren't a lot of rebellions among the English people. That directly formed an English unique character: a richly unconventional interior life hidden by an external conformity. Even today, we can still find this personality from the British people through their lifestyles.How did they influence culture:[接着上边一起看] (2) a lot of stories of King Arthur, which brought a lot of singers, poets, novelists and filmmakers. Places associated with his legend. Round table was ween as an indicator of the way in which the English have wished to see their monarch as something other than a remote dictator. (3)anglo-saxon invaders were the forefathers of the English. By Vikings' settlements the Enlish heroes were truly English. There remains to this day a certain cultural divide between northerners and southerners in england.(4)Norman aristocracy ruling a largely Saxon and English-speaking population. the legend of Robin Hood.4.General characteristic of Scotland: Scotland is the second largest of the four nations, both in population and in geographical area. It is also the most confident of its own identity because alone amongst the non-English components of the UK it has previously spent a substantial period of history as a unified state independent of the UK. (1) rugged. (2) not conquered by the Romans (3) maintain its separate political identity for more than a hundred years.(4) eager for independence.How Scotland became part of the union of Great Britain: in 1707 by agreement of the English and Scottish parliaments, Scotland joined the Union. In 1745 there was a brutal military response from the British army. The rebel army was destroyed at the battle of Culloden in northern Scotland.5.Describe Wales and the unification with Britain: (1) wales was an important element in Britain's industrial revolution, as it had rich coal deposits. It is successful in attracting investment from abroad. Wales has been dominated by England for longer than the other nations of the union. Despite this nearness and long-standing political integration Wales retains a powerful sense of its difference from England. (2)Wales has been dominated by England for longer than the other nations of the union. Despite this nearness and long-standing political integration Wales retains a powerful sense of its difference from England. In 1536, wales was brought legally, administratively, and politically into the UK by an act of the British parliament. This close long-standing relationship means that modern wales lacks some of the outward signs of difference which Scotland possesses --- its legal system and its education system are exactly the same as in England.6.Differences between England, Scotland and Wales in terms of cultural tradition: [书上说的比较散，建议参考festival那章的答案，这里只有一些零散的不系统的比较] (1) English character: a richly unconventional interior life hidden by an external conformity. But young people are not all stereotypes. But it is certainly true that the lifeless fronts of many english houses conceal beautiful back gardens. (2)The dream of an independent Scotland has not vanished. They are always eager for freedom. Scotland has a great tradition of innovation in the arts, philosophy and science. "Superficially fully integrated into the UK, but concealed beneath this is a still-strong Scottish identity." Some people speak Gaelic.(3)Wales is different, and one of the key markers of that diffenece is the Welsh language -- the old British Celtic tongue which is still in daily use. Modern wales lacks some of the outward signs of difference which Scotland possesses. (its legal system and education system are exactly the same as in England)Unit 21.Why is Northern Ireland so significant in the UK: Though Northern Ireland is small it is significant because of the political troubles there.Its political problem: The problem is in Northern Ireland in 1921 in southern Ireland independence from Britain, Ireland North and South following the separation of issues left over by history, mixed it with historical, political, ethnic and religious conflicts, extremely complex. Ireland’s independence, to remain under British rule within the framework of the 6 in the northern island of Ireland residents of the pro-British Protestant majority (about 51%), the Catholic nationalist minority (about 38%), as a result of the two major forces in Northern Ireland On the contrary position of ownership and lead to confrontation, conflict. [因为发现实在太难sum up了，所以就搜了一下，以下是wikipedia版本]Northern Ireland was for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict —the Troubles —which was caused by divisions between nationalists, who are predominantly Roman Catholic, and unionists, who are predominantly Protestant. Unionists want Northern Ireland to remain as a part of the United Kingdom,[6] while nationalists wish for it to be politically reunited with the rest of Ireland, independent of British rule. [网络其它版本]Until 1921 the full name of the UK was "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland", not only "Northern Ireland", because the whole island of Ireland was politically integrated with Great Britain, and had been since 1801, while Britain's domination of the Irish dated back centuries even before that date. But Irish desires for an independent Irish state were never lost, and one of the key issues in late nineteenth century British politics was a campaign in parliament for what was called "home-rule"—Irish political control of Irish affairs. The Home Rule Bill was finally passed in 1914, but the process was overtaken by the First World War and was suspended for the duration of the war.2.Factors in Irish and English history that affect the situation in Northern Ireland today: Along with the political campaign for home-rule there were groups who followed a more direct method of pursuing Irish independence, engaging in guerilla or terrorist activities against British institutions and the British military forces. During the First World War and immediately after, this activity increased, sometimes brutally suppressed by British forces.3.Sum up solutions to NI's political problems of different parties and groups in the UK: Margaret Thatcher's government did not give in to this demand for political status and 11 prisoners starved to death. This event revitalised the political campaign of Sinn Fein, the legal political party which supports the IRA's right to fight. Its leaders spoke of a twin campaign for union with Ireland, both political and military, which they called the policy of "The Bullet and the Ballot Box".4.What do you think should be the right solution to the political problem in Northern Ireland: I think they can ask the UN for help. / Keep the present status. Turn to other countries for help. [自由发挥啦]Unit 31.Characteristics of the British constitutional monarchy: The monarch of the country has limited rights because of Bill of Right. For example, while the official head of state is the queen, her powers are largely traditional and symbolic. The government at national and local levels is elected by the people and governs according to British constitutional principles.How the English monarchy evolved to present constitutional monarchy: Originally the power of the monarch was largely derived from the ancient doctrine of the "divine right of kings". For a thousand years Britain has had a hereditary king or queen as the head of the state. While the King in theory had God on his side, in practice even in medieval times it was thought that he should not exercise absolute power. King John was unwilling to receive advice from prominent men, which led battles between the king and other powerful groups. Finally the king granted them a charter, named Magna Carta, of liverty and political rights. The civil war2.The civil war was rooted in a dispute over the power of the king vis-a-vis Parliament. James I and his successor Charles I both insisted on their divine right as kings. They felt Parliament had no real political right to exist, but only existed because the king allowed it to do so. It was the effort to reassert the rights of parliament that led to the civil war.English Revolution: "English Revolution" has been used to describe two different events in English history. The first was the Glorious Revolution of 1688, whereby James II was replaced by William III and Mary II as monarch and a constitutional monarchy established, was described by Whig historians as the English Revolution.[1]In the twentieth-century, however, Marxist historians used the term "English Revolution" to describe the period of the English Civil Wars and Commonwealth period (1640-1660), in which Parliament challenged King Charles I's authority, engaged in civil conflict against his forces, and executed him in 1649. This was followed by a ten-year period of bourgeois republican government, the "Commonwealth", before monarchy was restored in the shape of Charles' son, Charles II, in 1660.3.History of English parliament: Traditionally, when medieval kings wanted to raise money he would try to persuade the Great Council, a gathering of leading, wealthy barons which the kings summoned several times a year. Later kings found this group was so small that they could not make ends meet. So they widened the Great Council to include representatives of counties, cities and towns and get them to contribute. It was in this way that the Great Council came to include the House of Lords(who were summoned) and the House of Commons(representatives of communities).What role did the parliament play in the Civil War: Since James I and Charles I both thought that Parliament didn't need to exist, the Parliament was enraged. Leading politicians and church authorities asked William of Orange to replace them two. In 1689 Parliament passed the bill of Rights which ensured that the King would never be able to ignore Parliament.4.Characteristics of British constitution: Unlike many nations, Britain has no core constitutional documents.Contents: Statute laws(laws passed by Parliament); the common laws(laws which have been established through common practice in the courts); and conventions(rules and practices which do not exist legally but are nevertheless regarded as vital to the workings of government).5.Why parliament is supreme: because it alone has the power to change the terms of the Constitution. There are no legal restraints upon Parliament.Parliament's function: First, it passes laws. Second, it provides the means of carrying on the work of government by voting for taxation. Third, it scrutinises government policy, administration and expenditure. Fourth, it debates the major issues of the day.Queen/King's role: To symbolise the tradition and unity of the British state. To represent Britain at home and broad. To set standards of good citizenship and family life. She is legally head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, commander in chief of the armed forces and "supreme governor" of the Church of England.PM's role: The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party which wins the most seats in a general election. He/She chose usually around 20 MPs to become government ministers in the Cabinet. Together they carry our the functions of policy-making, the coordination of government departments and the supreme control of government.6.The House of Lords: It was below the Queen, consisting of the Lords Spiritual(who are the Archbishops and most prominent bishops of the Church of England) and the Lords Temporal(which refers to those lords who either have inherited the seat from their forefathers of they have been appointed). The lords mainly represent themselves instead of the interests of the public. It is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom's national legislature. It remains the relationship with government, debates legislation and has some power to amend or reject bills (has some legislative functions).Unit 41.Anyone who is eligible to vote can stand as an MP. It is necessary only to make a deposit of 500 pounds.Why small parties and independent candidates powerless: V oters will see it as a wasted vote because even if they were to win the seat they would be powerless in parliament against the big parties' representatives. V oting them will prevent the voters from contributing to the competition between the big parties as to which of them will form a government.2.Three big parties in the UK: the Labour party, the Conservative party, the Liberal Democrats.Similarities: Since Conservative began to have a "fartherly" sense of obligation to the less fortunate in society, they didn't dismantle principles the Labour set up. That indicates that thus the difference between the Labour and Conservative is one of degree, not an absolute.Dissimilarities: (1) Labour is a socialist party. They believe a society should be relatively equal in economic terms and that part of the role of government is to act as a "redistributive" agent. They think government should provide a range of public services, therefore high taxes. (2) Conservative is the party that spent most time in power. They are seen as the party of the individual, protectingindividual's right to acquire wealth and to spend it how they choose, therefore low taxes. (3) Liberal Democrats is a party of the "middle", occupying the ideological ground between the two main parties. They are comparatively flexible and pragmatic in their balance of the individual and the social.3.Recent political trends [注意下一小问]: (1) Conservatives won the election under their leader Margaret Thatcher in the 1970s. During that time the economy did badly, with high inflation and low growth. (2) she dismissed being "fartherly", encourages entrepreneurship. One of the major policies was the privatisazion of nationalised industry. (3)part of the mechanism of change was a less redistributive taxation system. Tax rate were cut to allow people to keep more of what they earned.Author's opinion: The 1980s have seen British politics move to the "right", away from the "pulic" and toward the "private"; away from the "social", and toward the "individual", and all parties have had to adjust to those changes.4.How people are divided into different classes: (1) employment: manual(or blue-collar) workers usually call themselves working-class, and office(or white-collar) workers would usually call themselves middle-class. (2) cultural differences: like what newspaper they read. Working-class often read THE SUN, a newspaper with little hard news and more about soap operas, royal family and sports. Middle-class often read THE GUARDIAN, a larger newspaper with longer stories, covering national and international events. (3) education: private school or public school. (4) the UK has also retained a hereditary aristocracy. (5) the way they speak.Compare with the US and China: not similar at all. The UK has also retained a hereditary aristocracy. Among the students at the private schools attended by the upper-middle-class above would be a thin scattering of aristocratic children, who will inherit titles like baronets. This is due to Britain's different history and convention.Unit 51.Absolute decline means recession, developing in a minus speed.Relative decline means that although the UK improved, other countries developed more rapidly than the UK, which made it slid from being the second largest economy to being the sixth.Reasons: (1) The UK had gone into debt after WWII. (2) Britain spent a higher proportion of its national wealth on the military than most of its competitors. (Joining NATO and UN Security Council) (3)The era of empire was over. Former colonial countries announced independence, leaving Britain as a medium-size Euporean country. (4)Britain's industry survived comparatively unaffected, but its competitors did not. So the competitors invested in modern equipment and new products while British industry still continue with older ones.(5) Low rates of investment. The UK lacks a close relationship between industry and banks due to its history. A low rate of domestic industrial investment coupled with a very high rate of overseas investment.2.What did the conservative party under Mrs. Thatcher promise to do to the UK national economy in 1979:A radical programme of reform.What was her radical reform programme: Bureaucracy was reduced, (foreign exchange controls were lifted, rules governing banks loosened, for example). Throughout the 1980s an extensive programme of privatisation was carried out.Was is successful: It seemed in some ways to be successful in that inflation came under control, and business made profits. The negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. The national economy as a whole continued to grow at lower rates than its competitors.3.Main areas in national economies: Primary industries such as agriculture, fishing and mining; secondary industries which manufacture complex goods from those primary products; tertiary/service industries such as banking, insurance, tourism and the retailing.Development of each: (1) agricultural sector is small but efficient. Energy production is an important part of the UK economy. (2)in the secondary sector, manufacturing industry remains important, producing 22% of national wealth.(3)tertiary or service industries produce 65% of national wealth.4.Why relatively shrinking of the important secondary industry and a spectacular growth in tertiary or service industries: A lot of the tertiary or service industries is domestic activity, accounting for about 10% of the world's exports of such services. 70% of the UK's workforce are employed in the service sector.Compare tertiary industries in China in the past 20 years or so: Chinese tertiary industries didn't grow as fast as the UK, though the portion was increasing.How is this growth related to the reform and opening up to the outside world: China was famous for the name of "world factory", which means Chinese workforces can produce products at low paid. China is a developing country, experiencing the transfer of manufacturing is reasonable. However, as China is developing, wages of workforces are also increasing. Comparing to India, we may lose our "advantage" gradually.Unit 61.Why Geoffrey Chaucer's work written in Middle English can still read and studied today: It is notable for its diversity, both in the range of social types amongst the 31pilgrims, and the range in style of the stories they tell.2.Do you think Elizabethan Drama occupies a significant position in British literature: Yes. Elizabethan drama, and Shakespeare in particular, is considered to be among the earliest work to display a "modern" perception of the world: full of moral doubts and political insecurities, where the right of those who wield power to do so is put in question.The most important figure in Elizabethan Drama: William ShakespeareSome of his well-known plays: (tragedies)Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth; (comedies)The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, the Tempest; (history plays)Richard III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V jJulius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra.3.Some of the features of Romantic Literature: writers of romantic literature are more concerned with imagination and feeling than with the power of reason.4.Modernism: it refers to a form of literature mainly written before WWII. It is characterized by a high degree of experimentation. It can be seen as a reaction against the 19th century forms of Realism. Modernist writers express the difficulty they see in understanding and communicating how the world works. Often they seem disorganized, hard to understand. It often portrays the action from the viewpoint of a single confused individual, rather than from the viewpoint of an all-knowing impersonal narrator outside the action.Postmodernism: After WWII. Postmodernist can be thought of as abandoning the search of buried meaning below confusing surfaces.Examples to illustrate: (modernist) Virginia Woolf "Mrs.Dalloway""to the Lighthouse""Orlando"; wrence "Sons and Lovers" and E.M.Forster "a Passage to India"; (postmodernist)George Orwell "1984", John Fowles "the French Lieutenant's woman"Book I Unit 7, British Education System1.What are the purposes of the British education system? Please comment on thesepurposes. What are the main purposes of the Chinese education system? Are there any differences or similarities in the education of the two nations?Schools in Britain do not just teach the students 3 Rs, (reading, writing and arithmetic), but to provide children with literacy and the other basic skills they will need to become active members of society.2.How does the British education system reflect social class?Firstly, in Britain, the school you attend can refer to your social status.And the school tie is a clear market of social class,3.What are the major changes that have taken place since World War II? Is Britisheducation moving towards more progress or more equality? Pick up some examples from the text to illustrate your points.1)The old education system has disrupted due to the war. So with the help of thechurch and newly powerful trade unions began to reconstruct a new education system.2)The new system emphasizes equality. 1944 education act made entry tosecondary schools and universities meritocratic. Children would be able admitted to schools not because they were of a certain social class or because their parents possessed a certain amount of money, but because of the abilities they displayed. All children were given right to a free secondary education and the main concern was to make sure more children had access to a good education.3)1989, a national curriculum was introduced by the government.4.Why does the author say that universities in Britain have rather elitist?Most students in British universities are from the middle classes, attend good schools, perform well in their A-levels and receive a fully-funded place in a university. And when they graduate, they can become very influential in banking, the media, the arts, education or even the government.5.What is the Open University in Britain? What do you think of this system?The opening university offers a non-traditional route for people to take university level courses and receive a university degree. People can register without having any formal educational qualifications. They follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, videos, residential schools and a network of study centre.I think the system has been quite successful. Thanks to the system, tens ofthousands of Britons, from various statuses attend the Open University each year.And this has improve the equali ty in Britain’s high education.Unit 8 British Foreign Relations1.What and how did the British Empire end? How did the Britain react to thisreality? How did the end of British imperialism influence the psychology of the British and the making of Britain’s foreign policy?1)After the World War II the British could no longer afford to maintain its empire;while Britain had won the war, it had paid a terrible price in terms of lives and in terms of economic destruction. And the British realized that countries should be granted the independence and left to run their own affairs. People and territory should not just be treated as a source of economic resources for the ruling centers of commerce in Europe.2)Many people are still alive who can remember when Britain was one of the mostpowerful and rich nations on earth. It is sometimes hard to think about Britain as it really is today.3)Because Britain lost its empire so recently, british policy makers frequentlyforget that Britain is not as influential as it used to be in world affairs. Historians argue that the British foreign policy makers retain very conservative and traditional views of Britain’s role as a world power and point to many major foreign policy decisions as examples.2.What are the foundations of Brita in’s foreign policy?It is greatly influenced by its imperial history and also by its geopolitical traits.Britain’s imperial history made the policy maker very conservative and traditional.And its geopolitical traits created a sense of psychological isolation in its inhabitants. And as Britain is an island state, it naturally developed as a nation of seafarers who roamed the globe looking for territory and economic opportunities.3.How is Britain’s foreign policy made? Does the government’s foreign policyrepresent the desires of British citizen?1)The prime minister and cabinet decide on the general direction of Britain’sforeign policy. The main government department involved is of course the foreign and commonwealth office but many other government ministries also play a part in formulating and executing the government’s decisions.2)Since Britain is a parliamentary democracy, the government’s foreign policy intheory represented the desires of its electorate , but in fact british citizens are more concerned about issues closer to home. On the whole, they are not very inclined to try to influence the direction of Britain’s foreign policy. There are a number of different interest groups however, and it is interesting that rare occurrences of civil disobedience in the UK often involve foreign policy issues.4.Why does the author say that the decision to join the EC was and remainscontroversial in Britain?1)It is an important psychological decision for the nation because traditionallyBritain had looked beyond its European neighbors felling that really it had more common with the United States on the one hand and the commonwealth on the other. To many Britons, membership in the European community meant turning its back on these “old friends”.。
英国社会与文化知识点试题
chapter1Ageneralsurvey1、UK全称:Officialname---theUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland.----theUnitedKingdomoftheUK每个nation的capitalCapitalcity NationalEmblemEngland London roseScotland Edinburgh Thistle蓟花Wales Cardiff加的夫Daffodil水仙花NorthernIreland Belfast贝尔法斯特Shamrock三叶草2、NorthernIreland:LoughNeagh:thelargestlake inBritainwhichcoversanareaof396k㎡(内伊湖)3、Scotland:BenNevis:thehighestmountain inBritain（本尼维斯山）4、Edinburgh:1.thecapitalcityofScotland2.economiccenterofScotland3.atouristcitysecondonlytoLondoninUK(RoyalMiles&PrincesStreet)皇家英里大道&王子大街（1）Edinburghcastle(十字皇宫）:symbolofEdinburgh&situatedona moundofVol（2）Windsorcastle(温莎城堡）:largestoccupiedcastle（3）Holyroodpalace（荷里路德宫）：theofficialresidence（住处）oftheMonarch oftheUnitedKingdominScotland,locatedatthebottomoftheRoyalMileinEdinburgh,attheoppo siteendtoEdinburghCastleThestoneofdestiny命运之石Coronationstone加冕石==referredtoinEnglandReferendum苏格兰公投5、EnglandMountain-thePennines(北乃恩山脉)BackboneofthecentralNorthernEnglandLondonEast-poorWest-richimportantriverinLondon：Thames泰晤士河LondonEye：thelargestFerrisWheel摩天轮inEurope/BigBen=ElizabethTowerthelargestfour-facedchimingclockWestminsterAbbey威斯敏斯特教堂PalaceofWestminster威斯敏斯特宫HouseofParliament国会大厦BuckinghamPalace白金汉宫3、FurtherinformationNationalcurrency（本国货币）：GBP=GreatBritainPound（英镑）Nationalday：Queen’sBirthday2nd SaturdayofJunesince1952实际=April21,1926Nationalflag：UnionFlagadoptedonJan1st1801Nationalflower：roseLocation：WesternEurope6、Geography(Q:DescribethegeographicalpositionofBritain?).Location---LocatedoffthenorthwestcoastofEurope ---anislandcountrysurroundedbyfourseas.tothesouthbytheEnglishChannel,whichseparatesitfromcontinentalEurope .totheeastbytheNorthSea .tothewestbytheIrishsea.tothenorthbytheAtlanticOcean 7、Land&People.veryunevenlydistributed:90%urban10%rural.Britain multiracial societyand1in20peopleareof non-European ethnicity 8、Climate :a Favorable MaritimeClimate （海洋性气候） Q:.arainy,changeableandunpredictableweather .mild （温和的）wintersandcoolsummers.asteadyandreliable （稳定的）rainfallthroughouttheyear.asmallrangeoftemperature(4-6℃inthenorthinWinter,and12-17℃inthesouthinsummer) AndFactor 影响因素.Thesurroundingwaters Q:.south-westwinds.NorthAtlanticDrift （北大西洋漂流）9、TheBritishIsles,GreatBritain,England,theUnitedKingdomandtheBritishCommonwealth Officialname+TheBritishIsles-----GreatBritain(England,Wales,Scotland) -----NorthernIreland(alsoknownasUlster)-----TheRepublicofIreland(alsotheIrishRepublic,formerly Eire) -----Numerous smallerislandsernment1、政治体制--议会制君主立宪制ConstitutionalMonarchy 君主立宪制ParliamentaryDemocracy 议会民主制 2、Monarch 君主:QueenElizabeth Ⅱ Born:April21,1926QueensinceJune2,1952 Officiallytheheadofstate,thecountryisactuallyrun BythegovernmentandledbythePrimeMinister3、MagnaCarta(=GreatCharter)大宪章KingJohn(agreedin)1215 Q:WhatpowersdoestheQueenhave? -Shereignsbutdoesnotrule(临朝不理政)Theoretically,sheisthesourceofallgovernmentpowers: .anintegralpartofthelegislature.headoftheexecutive,legislativeandjudiciarybranches .thecommander-in-chiefofallarmedforcesoftheCrown .”supremegove rn or”oftheChurchofEnglan d4、Parliament :Legislativebody Locatedin WestminsterQ:Parliamentconsistsof theSovereign,theHouseofLords&theHouseofCommons Parliament （aFrenchwordforatalking-place) .Femalesallowedtovoteuntil1918 BritishIslesUnitedKingdomIreland RepublicNorthern OfIrelandIreland GreatBritainScotlandWalesEngland WalesEngland.Aby-electionisheldwhenaMemberofParliamentdies,retiresorresigns(递补选举)Q:MainFunctionofParliament:.tomakelaws.tocontrolandcriticizetheexecutivegovernment.tocontroltheraisingandthespendingofmoney.todebatethemajorissuesofthedayTheHouseofLords上议院ConsistsoftheLordsSpiritual(神职议员)andthelordsTemporal(世俗议员）withtheLord chancellor（大法官）asthePresidentoftheHouseTheheadoftheHouseofCommons--theSpeaker议长NextonlytothePrimeMinisterHouseofCommonsnumberofmembers6505.Executive行政Executivebody:theSovereign,PrimeMinister&CabinetNo.10DowningStreet唐宁街10号→Legislature-Parliament→HouseofLords(semi-political)→HouseofCommons(Political)Monarch(non-political)→Executive:PrimeMinister&Cabinet(Political)→Judiciary:HouseofLords(non-political)Chapter3GeneralElection&PoliticalParties1.GeneralElection(1)Theelectorate(选民，有选举权者):About99%ofthepopulation(excludingcriminals,insane(疯的）people,etc)intheUKhaverighttovote.(2)Constituencies(选区):about650(3)Thetermofaparliament:5years(4)Thepartywhichholdsa majority oftheseatsinparliamentformsagovernment,withitspartyleader asPrimeMi nster(5)InBritainthecitizensaged18orover havetherighttovote.(6)InBritainacandidatemustbeatleast21orover withthedeposit（押金）of500pounds.(7)TheUK’s First-Past-the-Post(简单多数票当选)electoralsystem.Q:Itwascoinedasananalogytohorseracing1).Thewinneroftheraceisthefirsttopassaparticularpointonthetrack.2).Allotherrunnersautomaticallyandcompletelylose.3).Itis“winner-takes-all”(赢者统吃)4).Thecandidatemustreceivethelargestnumberofvoteswins.UnitedKingdomgeneralelection,2010The ConservativeParty,ledbyDavidCameron,wonthelargestnumberofvotesandseatsbutstillfelltwentyseat sshort.Thisresultedina hungparliament（悬垂议会）wherenopartywasabletocommandamajorityintheHouseofCommons.Coalitiontalks（联合声明）beganimmediatelybetweentheConservativesandtheLiberalDemocratsandlastedforfivedays.OnTuesday11M ay,BrownannouncedhisresignationasPrimeMinister,makingtheendof13yearsofLabourgovernment.Thiswas acceptedbyQueenElizabethⅡ,whotheninvitedDavidCamerontoformagovernmentandbecomePrimeMiniste r2.PoliticalPartiesHistoryofPoliticalParties---Priortothemid-19th:TheTory(托利党)TheWhig(辉格党)---Betweenthemid19th centuryand1920s:TheTories--theConservativeParty(保守党)TheWhig--theLiberalParty(自由党)---Post1920s:TheConservativePartyTheLabourPartyQ:.relativelyrichandprivileged.thepartyofthecentral-right.opposedtogreatchangesinsociety.haveabeliefinprivateenterpriseandfreedomfromstatecontrol.maintenanceoftheexistinginstitutionsasitspolicyBigNames.WinstonChurchill:PM1940-1945&1951-1955.MargretThatcher:PM1979-1990.DavidCameron:PM2010-presentQ:.relativelypoorandunderprivileged.thepartyofcentral-left(thereformist,non-revolutionary).aimingatthenationalizationasthemeansofproductionanddistribution.fewresourcesandheavilydependentonthetradeunions.haveamajoreffectonUK’s NationalHealthServiceBigNamesTonyBlair1997-2007GordonBrown2007-2010EdwardMiliband2010-2015JeremyCorbyn2015-presentChapter4Economy Introduction:1.Factoryoftheworld2.BritishDisease---amockingtermQ:Whatis“BritishDisease”?(1)atermusedtocharacterizeBritain’s economicdecline afterthewars.(2)Britain’s slowgrowth ofproductivity,soaringinflation,and largeunemployment3.a majordeveloped capitalistcountry4.6th largesteconomyin20125.3periodsofBritain economicevolution.Steadydevelopmentinthe50sand60s;.Economicrecessioninthe70s;.Economicrecoveryinthe80s;.Bythe1880s,dominant intheworld,*onethirdof thewo rld’smanufacturedgoods*half itscoalandiron*half itscotton.By1900,overtakenby USandGermany6.ReasonsforRelativeDeclineQ:WhatcausestherelativedeclineofUKEconomy?(1).heavilyintodebtinordertofinancethewar.(2).theeraoftheBritishEmpirewasover-decolonization殖民地独立(lossesofrawmaterial&market).(3).militaryexpense(untiltheprocessofdecolonizationcompletedinthe1960s).$.lackedinvestmentinmodernequipmentandnewproducts.$.lowratesofdomesticindustrialinvestment$.highrateofoverseasinvestment$.lackofacloserelationshipbetweenindustryandbanks.Absolutedeclinea.Introductionandrelativedeclineb.ReasonsforrelativedeclineEconomyc.RecentHistoryThecurrent PrimaryIndustriesUKeconomy SecondaryIndustriesTertiaryIndustriesCasesAnalysisPositiveEffectsNegativeEffects7.Primaryindustries--EnergyProduction.5%ofnationalwealth.Coal.oilandgas:NorthSea(decline since1999).producerandexporter.offshoreoilindustry8.Secondaryindustries*manufacturing(20%ofnationalwealth)Pharmaceuticals(GlaxoSmithKline),chemicals(ICI)Aerospace航天(3rd largestintheworld)Electronicsindustry(4th largestintheworld)9.Tertiaryindustries.Serviceindustries(65ofnationalwealth).Domesticactivity:retailing,tourism.Internationalservices(10%~70%).Financialandbusinessservices10.LondonStockExchange(伦敦证券交易所)In2010,amarketcapitalization(资本总额)ofUS$2.63trillion,madeitthefourthlargeststockexchangeintheworldandthelargestin EuropeChapter5literature1.OldEnglishPeriod(449-1066)Background:TheAnglo-SaxonsfromNorthernEuropebroughttheirlanguage,thebasisofModernEnglish,asw ellasaspecific poetictradition.OldEnglishliteratureisalsocalledAnglo-SaxonLiterature.✓Beowulf《贝奥武夫》:thenationalepicoftheAnglo-Saxons北欧大陆盎人迁移英格兰的英雄史诗，杀死海怪(seamonsterGrendel)teMedieval(中世纪)EnglishLiterature(1066-14thcentury)difficultiesandcalamities(灾害),suchasfamine,plague,andwar,(darkage)theBlackDeathfolkliterature(民间文学)✓RobinHood《罗宾汉》*GeoffreyChaucer杰弗里.乔叟-thefatherofEnglishpoetry(wisdom,humor,humanity)✓TheCanterburyTales．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．．《坎特伯雷故事集》(26stories) Itismadeupofaseriesofstoriestoldby pilgrims(朝圣者）toentertaineachotherontheirwaytotheChristianChurchatCanterbury3.EnglishRenaissancePeriod(15thcentury-early17th century)Staredin ItalyTheRenaissance-a Frenchword whichmeans rebirthorrevivalHumanism人文主义-theessence(本质)oftheRenaissance,thedignityofhumanbeing(人的尊严)&theimportanceofthepresentlife(珍惜当下).PeakofEnglishRenaissance:ElizabethanDrama英国文艺复兴时期的巅峰:伊丽莎白戏剧*WilliamShakespeare威廉·莎士比亚(1564-1616)✓Tragedies:RomeoandJuliet,Hamlet,Othello,KingLear李尔王,Macbeth麦克白✓HistoricalPlays:RichardⅢ,RichardⅡ,HenryⅣ,HenryⅤ✓Comedies:TheTamingoftheShrew悍妇,AMidsummerNight’sDream仲夏夜之梦,TwelfthNight,TheTempest,TheMerchantofVenice威尼斯商人Sonnet十四行诗(Afourteen-linelyricpoemwithasingletheme,usuallywritteniniambicpentameter)抑扬格五步格诗*ThomasMore托马斯.莫尔(1478-1535)✓Utopia《乌托邦》*JohnMilton约翰.弥尔顿(1608-1674)✓ParadiseLost《失乐园》*FrancisBacon弗兰西斯.培根✓Essays《随笔》4.TheNeoclassicalPeriod(新古典主义时期1660-1798)*AlexanderPope亚历山大.蒲伯(1688-1744)✓AnEssayonMan人论(=ParadiseLost)*SamuelJohnson塞缪尔.约翰逊✓TheDictionaryofEnglishLanguage/London(英语辞典)9年*JonathanSwift乔纳森.斯威夫特✓Gulliver'sTravels格列夫游记*DanielDefoe丹尼尔.笛福✓RobinsonCrusoe鲁宾逊漂流记*HenryFielding亨利.菲尔丁英国小说之父✓TheHistoryofTomJones,aFounding弃婴汤姆.琼斯的故事5.TheRomanticPeriod浪漫主义时期(1798-1832).twomajornovelistsoftheRomanticperiodareJaneAusten(realistic)andWalterScott(romantic) *RobertBurns罗伯特.彭斯✓ARed,RedRose一朵红红的玫瑰/AuldLongSyne往昔时光*WilliamWordsworth威廉.华兹华斯(beganwith)LyricalBallads抒情歌谣集/IWanderedLonelyasaCloud✓“湖畔”派诗人:WilliamWordsworth威廉.华兹华斯SamuelTaylorColeridge塞缪尔.泰勒.柯勒律治RobertSouthey骚赛*SamuelTaylorColeridge塞缪尔.泰勒.柯勒律治TheRimeofAncientMariner古舟子咏*GeorgeGordonByron乔治.戈登.拜伦✓DonJuan唐.璜*JohnKeates约翰.济慈✓OdetotheWestWind西风颂*WilliamBlake威廉.布莱克✓SongsofInnocence天真之歌✓SongsofExperience经验之歌SirWalterScott沃尔特.斯科特爵士(endedin)✓Ivanhoe《艾凡赫》(12世纪英国”狮心王”查理)*JaneAusten简.奥斯丁upper-middle-class✓SenseandSensibility理智与情感✓PrideandPrejudice傲慢与偏见✓Emma爱玛6.TheVictorianPeriod(1837-1901)维多利亚时期*CharlesDickens查尔斯.狄更斯✓OliverTwist雾都孤儿✓ATaleofTwoCities双城记✓GreatExpectations远大前程TheBronteSisters*CharlotteBronte✓JaneEyre简爱*EmilyBronte✓WutheringHeights呼啸山庄*AnneBronte✓AgnesGrey安格尼斯.格雷*WilliamThackeray威廉.萨克雷✓VanityFair名利场*ThomasHardy托马斯.哈代✓TessoftheD’Urbervilles德伯家的苔丝*OscarWilde奥斯卡.王尔德✓TheHappyPrinceandOtherTales快乐王子故事集✓TheNightingaleandtheRose夜莺与玫瑰7.TheModernPeriod*GeorgeBernardShaw乔治.伯纳.萧✓SaintJoan圣女贞德✓Pygmalion卖花女(MyFairLady窈窕淑女)Chapter6EducationTheUKSchoolSystem:compulsory(义务)betweenagesof5and16years,totalof11years1、Co-educatedSchools:1).admit bothboysandgirls联合教育学校2).AcademicYear:dividedintothreeterms,withholidays atChristmas,Easter,andinthesummer3).followthe NationalCurriculumguide-lines setdownbygovernment2、StateSchool:totallyfundedbythe government andfree3、IndependentSchool:foundedbythefeeschargedtothe parents(publicschool公学)4、PrimaryEducation:Pre-schoolingwhichcalled NurserySchool5、SecondarySchools:1).GrammarSchools(文法中学3%)：“the11plus”examination,preparingstudentsforhighereducation.2).ComprehensiveSchools(综合中学83%):Noentranceexam,generaleducation.3).SecondaryModernSchool(现代中学7%)6、ThehighSchoolCurriculum:1)16years:GCSE Examination2)16-18years A-LevelCourse:3-4subjectsstudentschoosethesubjectstheywishtostudy.3)18years:A-LevelExaminationGCSE:GeneralCertificateofSecondaryEducation(中学生毕业证书)7、HigherEducation:receivefundsfromthe centralgovernment.Theamountoffundingisbasedon itssize,thenu mberofstudentsitteaches,andtheresearchitconducts8、EntranceProcedures:1).Studentscanapplytoamaximumof6universities/institutions.2).Admission--selectiononbasisof Alevelresults&aninterview9、FamousUniversities:1)TheUniversityofOxford:1.The oldestuniversity intheEnglishspeakingword.2.TeachingexistedatOxfordin1096anddevelopedrapidlyfrom1167.2)TheUniversityofCambridge:second-oldest (1281)---TwocharacteristicsofOxfordandCambridgeCollegesystem(学院制度)Tutorialsystem(导师制度)3)TheUniversityofLondon:1.Itwasfoundedin1836.(联邦制大学)2.a federation ofcolleges4)BuckinghamUniversity:theonly independent university5)OpenUniversity:UKlargestuniversityfor part-time higherChinese&BritishEducationSystemChineseHigherEducationEliteedu.VSMassedu.EnrollmentexpansionResourcesarestrainingEducationqualityissuffering IntensecompetitioninthejobmarketUnit7BritishForeignRelation1.---imperialhistory---geopoliticaltraits 地缘政治特点 2.HowForeignPolicyismade? ForeignPolicy→ThePM&Cabinet →Governmentdepartments3.Whenthesecondworldwarended,itwasstillthelargestmilitarypowerinwesternEurope.4.TheNuclearClubRussia,USA,France,Britain,Israel,China,India,Pakistan,NorthKorea 5.WhydoesBritainhaveitsnuclearnavalforce? ---Becauseit’satraditionalseapower. YearChina Age Britain Year5PrimarySchool1 1 Elementary School6 2 27 3 38 4 49 5 5 106 6 11 SecondarySchool7 7 JuniorMiddle School12 8 8 139 9 14 GCSECourseGCSEExaminations10 10 SeniorMiddleSchoo l15 11 11 16 A-LevelCourse A-LevelExaminations12 1217 136.MemberofUNSecurityCouncil联合国安理会---oneofthefivepermanentmembers(greatinfluence)---othermembers--Russia,China,theUS,France7.MemberoftheEuropeanUnionSince19738.MemberofNATO北约---NorthAtlanticTreatyOrganization---asystemofcollectivedefense9.TheCommonwealthofNations英联邦国家---TheBritishcommonwealthisafreeassociationofindependentcountriesthatwereoncecoloniesofBritain.殖民地10.TheUKanditsrelationwiththeUSA.AlliedduringWWⅡ√.WorkedtogetheragainstUUSR√.The1956SuezCrisis×11.Conclusion.Britainisnolongerasuperpower,butitstillhasgreatinfluenceinmilitarypowerintheworld(navy,nuclear).Britainforeignpolicyinfluencedmainlybyitshistoryandgeopoliticaltraits..Britainsitsataveryimportantseatinmanyinternationalinstitutions,suchastheUN,theEU,NATO,Common wealth,etc.Chapter8TheBritishMedia1.Whatfunctionsdoyouthinkthemediahave?.providepeoplewithinformationaboutpoliticalandsocialissues.provideweatherreports.carryadvertising.usedforeducationalpurposes.provideaforumforpeopletoexpresstheirviews.seekadvice.givepeopleentertainment.serveforthepoliticalandeconomicsystem.workasamonitor2.Newspaper(types)(1)Thequalitypress(thebroadsheets)严肃类大版面报纸(2)Thetabloids(thegutterpress)通俗类小版面报纸3.SomequalitynewspaperinUK(1)Times《泰晤士报》oldestdailynewspaper(2)TheDailyTelegraph《每日电讯报》--工党右(3)TheGuardian《卫报》(4)TheObserver《观察家报》oldestSundaynewspaper4.SometabloidsinUK(1).TheDailyMail《每日邮报》--保守党(2)DailyMirror《每日镜报》--工党(3)TheSun《太阳报》Chapter9Sports1.Football1)FootballAssociation(FA)2)FootballHooligans流氓，恶棍Policepatrolthestreets,pubsnearthefootballgroundsareclosed,andshopslocktheirdoor.2.TennisWimbledon温布尔顿3.GolfByScottishatSt.Andrew’s圣安德鲁斯4.HorseRacingRoyalAscot英国皇家爱斯科赛马会5.Equestrianism马术Chapter10Festival1.Religionsholiday:Christmas/Easter2.Nationalholiday:Queen'sbirthday3.Regionalholiday:EnglandBonfireNight篝火之夜NorthernIreland:St.Patrick’sDay圣帕特里克节3.17Scotland:Hogmanay除夕12.31Wales:Eisteddfod诗歌音乐比赛会Chapter4.2作家作品时代作者作品OldEnglishPeriod Beowulf《贝奥武夫》LateMedieval(中世)EnglishLiterature( 1066-14thcentury)RobinHood《罗宾汉》GeoffreyChaucer杰弗里.乔叟thefatherofEnglishpoetryTheCanterburyTales《坎特伯雷故事集》EnglishRenaissancePer iod(15thcentury-early 17thcentury) WilliamShakespeare莎士比亚Tragedies:RomeoandJulietHamletOthelloKingLear李尔王Macbeth麦克白HistoricalPlaysRichard3,Richard2Henry4,Henry5Comedies:TheTamingoftheShrew悍妇AMidsummerNight’sDream仲夏夜之梦TwelfthNightTheTempestTheMerchantofVenice威尼斯商人Sonnet十四行诗抑扬格五步格诗ThomasMore托马斯.莫尔(1478-1535)Utopia乌托邦JohnMilton约翰.弥尔顿(1608-1674)ParadiseLost失乐园FrancisBacon弗兰西斯.培根Essays《随笔》TheNeoclassical新古典主义Period(1660-1798) AlexanderPope亚历山大.蒲伯(1688-1744)AnEssayonMan人论，人性本恶SamuelJohnson塞缪尔.约翰逊TheDictionaryofEnglishLanguageLondonJonathanSwift乔纳森.斯威夫特Gulliver'sTravels格列夫游记DanielDefoe丹尼尔.笛福RobinsonCrusoe鲁宾逊漂流记HenryFielding亨利.菲尔丁英国小说之父TheHistoryofTomJones,aFounding弃婴汤姆.琼斯的故事TheRomanticPeriod浪漫主义时期RobertBurns罗伯特.彭斯ARed,RedRose一朵红红的玫瑰AuldLongSyne往昔时光WilliamWordsworth威廉.华兹华斯LyricalBallads抒情歌谣集IWanderedLonelyasaCloudSamuelTaylorColeridgeTheRimeofAncientMariner古舟子咏GeorgeGordonByronDonJuan唐.璜JohnKeats约翰.济慈OdetoaNightingale夜莺颂PersyByssheShelley雪莱OdetotheWestWind西风颂WilliamBlake威廉.布莱克SongsofInnocence天真之歌SongofExperience经验之歌SirWalterScott斯科特爵士Ivanhoe艾凡赫JaneAusten简.奥斯丁SenseandSensibility理智与情感PrideandPrejudice傲慢与偏见Emma艾玛TheVictorianPeriod(18 37-1901) CharlesDickens查尔斯.狄更斯OliverTwist雾都孤儿ATaleofTwoCities双城记GreatExpectations远大前程CharlotteBronteJaneEyre简爱EmilyBronte WutheringHeights呼啸山庄AnneBronte AgnesGrey安格尼斯.格雷WilliamThackeray威廉.萨克雷VanityFair名利场ThomasHardy托马斯.哈代TessoftheD’Urbervilles德伯家的苔丝OscarWilde奥斯卡.王尔德TheHappyPrinceandOtherTales快乐王子故事集TheNightingaleandtheRose夜莺与玫瑰TheModernPeriod GeorgeBernardShaw萧伯纳SaintJoan圣女贞德Pygmalion卖花女(MyFairLady窈窕淑女)。
英国社会与文化第一单元自测
B.lowlands
C.uplands
你的答案：
B正确
标准答案：
B
解答过程：
17.
13. The two main islands of the UK are _______
A.Great Britain and Ireland
B.Great Britain and Scotland
B错误
标准答案：
A
解答过程：
8.
3. The north and west of Britain are mainly_______.
A.lowlands
B.highlands
C.uplands
你的答案：
B正确
标准答案：
B
解答过程：
9.
17. Which part of UK lies in the north of the country?
一、单选题（共有题目33题）
1.
14. ________ is the Scottish flag.
A.The Saint George's cross
B.Union Jack
C.The Saint Andrew's cross
D.The Saint Patrick's cross
你的答案：
C正确
标准答案：
C.Great Britain and Wales
D.Great Britain and England
你的答案：
A正确
标准答案：
A
解答过程：
18.
30. The official London residence of the British royal family is _________
英国社会与文化期末复习资料
英国社会与文化期末复习资料英国概况：一、填空1. The full name of the United Kingdom is The United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and the Northern Ireland.2. The island of Great Britain is made up of England , Scotland andWales.3. The United Kingdom has a member of European Union since 1973.4. Britain is now a Multiracial society which produce a population ofwhich 1 of 20 are of non-European ethnicity.5. London plays a significant role in Britain’s economic and culturallife.It’s not only the financial center of the nation,but also one of thethree major international financial centers in the world.6. The highest mountain in Britain is Ben Nevis.7. Thames river flows through central London and it is a very importantriver.8. Edinburg is the capital of Scotland.9. Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (George Ⅲ) current UnionFlag adopted on Jan.1st ,1801.10. National Day of UK is officially celebrated in Britain on the 2ndSaturday of June each year since February 1952.11. The largest lake in Britain is the Longh Neagh in Northern Irelandwhich covers an area of 396 km2.12. London Eye is the largest Ferris wheel(摩天轮）in Europe.2、选择1. The location of UK is the Europe.A. EasternB. WesternC. SouthernD.Northern2. All the following cities are major deep-water ports of UK , except.A. LondonB. LiverpoolC. BelfastD. Edinburgh3. The national flower of UK is .A.roseB.thistle D.daffodil D.shamrock4. All of the following except for , were tribes from the north whomoved into England in the 400s AD.A. AnglesB.SaxonsC.JutesD.Celts5. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a .A. poem about a hero named BeowulfB.newspaperC. historical recordD.novel6. Beowulf is .A. a long novelB.a long poem written by Geoffrey ChaucerC. a long poem by unknown storytellerD.a long novel written by W.William Shakespeare7. The Canterbury Tales was written by .A.Geoffrey ChaucerB. Thomas BecketC. PalamonD.Griselda8. The frame of The Canterbury Tales is .A. the pilgrims telling stories on their tripsB.the conflict between the friar and the summonerC. King Arthur’s courtD.the differences between the knight and the squire9. The Canterbury Tales is an unusual piece of literature from theMiddle Ages because .A. It d escribes the characters’ personalitiesB.it includes middle class charactersC. both A and BD.neither A and B10. There are stories in The Canterbury Tales.A. 5B. 26C. 15D. 6BDADC CAACB3、简答1. What are the differences between Britain and the British Isles, GreatBritain, England, the United Kingdom and the BritishCommonwealth?2. Describe the geographical position of Britain?3. Does Britain have a favorable climate ? Why?4. What are the factors which influence the climate in Britain？Whichpart of Britain has he most rainfall and which part is the driest?英国教育填空1. State Schools are totally funded by the government and free to allBritish children.2. Schooling is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16 years :totalof 11 years in UK.3. Co-educated Schools admit both boys and girls.4.All British schools - State & Independent are required to followthe National Curriculum guide-lines set down by the government.5.The children begin secondary education at the age of 11 .6. Grammar schools select the children who get high marks in the “Eleven Plus”examination, or show academic potential.7.British universities receive funds from the central government .8.Two characteristics of University of Oxford and Cambridgeis College system and Tutorial system .9. Open University is U.K.’s largest university for part-time higher education.10.University of London is a federation of colleges.单选1. A are funded by the fees charged to the parents.A. Independent SchoolsB.State SchoolsC.Co-educated SchoolsD.Public Schools2. Those wishing to gain entry to university must complete an additionaltwo years of D studies.A.GCSEB.SATC.Eleven PLusD.A Level3. Before primary schooling some chidren have an opportunity to attendthe few kingdergartens,whi ch are called“ C ”.A. Junior sectionB.Infant sectionC.Nursery SchoolsD.Secondary Schools4. Academic Year in UK begins in September, and is divided into threeterms, with holidays at B .A. Christmas, Easter, and in the winter.B.Christmas, Easter, and in the summerC.Christmas, Halloween, and in the summerD.New Year, Easter, and in the summer5. After 5 years of secondary schooling, at about age 16, the students sittheir C exams.A. GCEA(General Cetificate of Education-Advanced)B. GNVQ(General National Vocational Qualifications)C. GCSE(General Certificate of Secondary Education)D. A-Level6. After the students sit their GCSE exams, then they can concentrate onvocational training, and attend B exams.A.GCEA(General Cetificate of Education-Advanced)B.GNVQ(General National Vocational Qualifications)C.GCSE(General Certificate of Secondary Education)D.A-Level7. There is only one privately funded university in UK, that isD .A. the University of ManchesterB. the University of CambridgeC. the University of OxfordD. the University of Buckingham8. Which one is the oldest university in the English-speaking world? CA. the University of ManchesterB.the University of CambridgeC.the University of OxfordD.the University of Buckingham9. The amount of funding each university receives is based on D .A. its sizeB. the number of students it teachesC. the research it conductsD. All of the above10. which university is not in Scotland? AA. the University of YorkB.the University of GlasgowC.the University of EdinburghD.the University of Aberdeen简答1. What is the purpose of the British education system?2. What is the difference between Chinese&British Education Systems?3. What is Open University?1 UK’s largest university for part-time higher education.2 It was founded in 1969 and began its first course in 1970.3 It is open to everybody.4 Courses are taught through TV,radio,英国政党：I.填空1. In Britian, the citizens aged 18 or over have the right to vote.2. In Britain, a candidate must be at least 21 or over with the deposit of ￡500 .3. The Liberal Demorats is the combination of the Social Democratic Partyand the Liberal Party .4. Currently the three dominant political parties in UK are the Conservativeparty , the Labor Party and the Liberal Democrat .5. The Party which holds a majority of the seats in parliament forms agovernment , with its party leader as Prime Minister .6. Churchill is the member of Conservative party .7. The current leader of liberal democratic party is Nick Clegg , who is thedeputy PM.8. A Hung parliament refers to the condition where no party was able tocommand a majority in the House of Commons .9. The class system does exist in British society , which includes Working-class , Middle-class , hereditary aristocracy .10. The majority of recent immigrants are from south Asia —— India ,Pakistan and Sri Lanka and Caribbean coutries —— Jamaica andTrinidad .Ⅱ选择1. Who has the rights to vote for the Members of Parliament forming theHouse ofCommons of the parliament of UK. DA. lordB.criminalsC.the legally insameD.citizens over 182. On Tuesday 11 May , Gordon Brown announced his resignation asPrime Minister ,marking the end of 13 years of A government.A. LabourB. The Conservative partyC. The Liberal DemocratD.the Libaral Party3. In 2010 , Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ, who then invited B to form agovernment andbecome Prime Minister .A. Cordon BrownB. David CameronC. Nick CleggD.Tony Blair4. Coalition talks began immediately between the Conservatives and Candlasted for five days .A.the Liberal PartyB. Labour PartyC. the Liberal DemocratsD.The Tory5. A Refers to where no party was able to command a majority in the House ofCommons .A. hung parliamentB. shadow parliamentC. parliamentD. cabinet6. The Conservative party was foundedin 1834 out of the oldD , whichitselfhad been found in 1678 .A. Labour PartyB. The LiberalC. WhigsD.Tony Party7. She advocated the idea of small government and free-maeketeconomics.During herterm as the Prime Minister , she carried out policies to B and to cut tax rates .A. nationalize the privateB. privatize the nationalized industryC. Establish the private industryD.invest the private industry8. In 1948 ,The Labour government set up the National Health Service toprovide highquality A for all free .A. healthB. educationC. transportD.industry9. If the government loses a B in the House of Commons , that is , if amajority ofMPs agree , then it has effectively lost its ability to govern and is forced to resignand call a general election .A. First-Past-the-PostB. “vote of no confidence”C. Winner-takes-allD.majority of support10.The ideal of the liberal Democrats is to C .A. Provide free welfaresB.cut the taxesC. giving “power to the people”D.solve the unemplaymentⅢ.简答1. What are the effects of Immigramts ?2. What is the meaning of First-Past-the-Post in British election ?3. What are the main policies of the Conservative Party ?4. What are the main policies of the Labour Party ?英国政府：一、填空1. The UK still keeps an old fashioned government on the basis of constitutional monarchy .2. Coronation is a ceremony of crowning a king or queen .3. Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ has crowned since 1952 .4. Elizabeth Ⅱ is the current monarch of UK .5. UK has a democratic government with elected representatives in its parliament .6. King John of England agreed to sign The Magna Carta , in 1215 , to the demands of hisbarons.7. The members of House of Lords consists of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal .8. Windsor Castle 32 kilometers (20 miles) west of London on the Thames , has been theresidence of England’s royal family for 900 years .9. The House of Commons is a democratically elected chamber with elections held at leastevery five years .10. Buckingham Palace in Westminster is the official London residence of the British sovereign.11. The Cabinet meets regularly , usually once a week , in one of the rooms in the PrimeMinister’s official residence No.10 Downing street .12. The House of Commons consists of 651 members elected from the country’s 651constituencies with Mr. Speaker as the chairman in debates .2、选择1. In the United Kingdom , ministers are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation ofC .A.the Lord ChancellorB. the MonarchC.the Prime MinisterD.the King2. During World War Ⅱ,as a war leader , D received massive popular support and led thecountry to final victory in 1945 .A.Harold WilsonB. Margaret ThatcherC.Franklin RooseveltD.Winston Churchill3. On accepting D , the age of constitutional monarchy , of a monarchy with powers limitedby Parliament , began.A.Constitutional LawB. The Declaration of IndependenceC.Civil LawD.Bill of Rights4. In Britain , a B is held when a Member of Parliament dies , retires or resigns .A.civic electionB. by-electionC.popular electionD.general election5. All of the following , except for D were the most imporant provisions of the GreatCharter .A.No tax should be made without the approval of the council.B.No free man should be arrested or imprisoned unless convicted by a jury of his fellowcitizens.C.Merchants should be permitted to move about freely .D.The king renounced his crown .6. Females were allowed to vote in national elections until A .A.1918B. 1916C.1920D.18967. The parliament was a B word for a talking-place ./doc/3a9295007.html,tinB. FrenchC.RomanD.Greek8. Joan of Arc lived during the B century .A.14thB. 15thC.16thD.17th9. Joan lived and fought in B .A.CreeceB.FranceC.RomeD.England10. As soon as William had been crowned , he began to organize the government of England onthe system that had been so successful in Normandy.This is called C system , and it wasbased on the ownership of land.A.the constitutionalB. capitalistC.feudalD.royal3、简答1. Compare the government system of UK with that of UA .2. Describe the power of the queen .3. What are the functions of parliament？4. Elaborate the composition of the parliament.简答题：概况1. What are the differences between Britain and the British Isles,Great Britain,England, the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth?2. Describe the geographical position of Britain?(1)an island country surrounded by four seasto the south by the English Channel, which separates it from continental Europeto the east by the North Seato the west by the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean(2)located off the northwest coast of Europe ,looking west to America3.Does Britain have a favorable climate ? Why?Yes , it does .a steady reliable rainfall throughout the whole yearthe temperature varies within a small range.4. What are the factors which influence the climate in Britain？Whichpart ofBritain has he most rainfall and which part is the driest?(1) The surrounding waters tend to balance the seasonal differences byheating upthe land in winter and cooling it off in summer.The south-west winds blow over the country all the year round , bringing warm and wet air in winter and keeping the temperatures moderate .The North Atlantic Drift passes the western coast of the British isles and warms them .(2)政府1. Compare the government system of UK with that of UA .The System of Government in the UK(1)It is a monarchic 君主政体的 government with the Queen as the head of thestate (constitutional monarchy君主立宪制)(2)It is a democratic government with elected representatives in its parliament(Parliamentary Democracy)(3)It is a unitary government with a strong central governmentThe System of Govenment in the USA(1)The United States is federal country with a presidential government .(2) Federalism联邦制度——the division of the powers of government betweenthe nation and the state in the United States .(3)The Separation of Powers ——the separation of powers among the three departments of the Federal Government.2. Describe the power of the queen .The power of the queen is nowhere defined as Britain has no written constitutionand many of the rules that govern the system are customs or conventions .(1)Theoretically , the Queen has all the power :1 She is the head of the executive branch of government and gives effect to alllaws.2 She may pardon criminal offenses and cancel punishments .3 She is the commander指挥官- in-chief of the armed forces .4 She is the temporal head of the Church of England.5 She also confers all titles of rank and appoints judges , officers of thearmedforces , governors, bishops主教and diplomats .6 She has the power to conclude treaties , to declare war upon and make peacewith other nations .(2)In practice, the role of the monarchy(symbolic):1 symbolise the tradition and unity of the British state ;2 set standards of good citizenship and fimily life ;3 a confidante知己的女友to the Prime Minister .3. What are the functions of parliament?(1)passes laws;(2)provides the means of carrying on the work of government by voting for taxation;(3)scrutinizes仔细检查，详审government policy , administration and expenditure;(4)debates the major issues of the day .4. Elaborate the composition of the parliament.(1)the Queen(2)the House of Lords(3)the House of Commons政党5. What are the effects of Immigrants ?Positive:increases the variety and interest within English culture; a varied cuisine;new forms of popular music; different religious beliefs/contributions to society;Relatively tolerant countryNegative:inequality and discrimination do exist ;depends on the attitude of some oftheir white neighbor;view the newcomers as a threat to their way ofliving/troublein the process of assimilating the immigrants;economically poorer than the whitepopulation6. What is the meaning of First-Past-the-Post in British election ?First-Past-the-Post was coined as an analogy类比to house racing(1)The winner of the race is the first to pass a particular point on the track.(2)All other runners automatically and completely lose .(3)The payoff is “winner-takes-all”赢者统吃(4)The candidate must receive the largest number of votes in their favour wins.7. What are the main policies of the Conservative Party ?4. What are the main policies of the Labour Party ?经济1. What is “British Disease”?(1)a term used to characterize Britain’s economic decline after the wars(2)Britain’s slow growth of productivity, soaring inflation, and large unemployment2. What causes the relative decline of UK Economy?(1)heavily into dedt in order o finance the war(selling many accumulated overseasassest,borrowing large amounts from the US and Canada)(2)the era of the British Empire was over——decolonnization 殖民地独立(lossesof raw material& market)(3)military expense (until the process of decolonization completed in the 1960s)文学4. What does “Byronic Hero” mean ?The “Byronic hero” is a proud, mysterious rebel figure of noble origin.With immense superiority in his passions and powers , this Byronic hero would shoulderthe burden of righting all the wrongs in a corrupt society , and would fight aloneagainst any type of tyrannical rules either in government, in religion, or in moralprinciples with unconquerable wills and inexhaustible energies. The conflict isusually one of rebellious individuals against outworn social systems and conventions.5. Comment on Hamlet .Hamlet is the most popular and controversial tragedy.Shakespeare expresses hisgreat praise of the noble quality of Prince Hamlet as a representative of humanistthinkers and his disillusionment with the corrupt and degenerated society in whichhe lived.Hamlet’s revenge is not a personal matter. What troubles him most is the injustice,conspiracy and betrayal in the wicked society .Hamlet is tragedy of “blood and thunder”.教育1. What is the purpose of the British education system?2. What is the difference between Chinese&British EducationSystems?6. What is Open University?(1)UK’s largest university for part-time higher education.(2)It was founded in 1969 and began its first course in 1970.(3)It is open to everybody.(4)Courses are taught through TV,radio,videos and a network of study centers.。
英国社会与文化习题
Exercises of ChapterⅠⅠ.Filling the blanks.1. The full name of the United Kingdom is ___ and ___.2. The island of Great Britain is made up of ___, ___ and ___.3.The United Kingdom has been a member of ___ since 1973.4.Britain is now a ___ society which produces a population of which 1 in 20 are of___ ethnicity.5.London plays a significant role in ___ economic and cultural life. It’s not onlythe financial ___ of the nation, but also one of the ___ major internationalfinancial centers ___.6.The highest mountain in Britain is___7._____flows through central London and it is a very important river.8.____is the capital of Scotland.9.Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (George III) current Union Flag adopted onJan. 1st, _____.10. National Day of UK is officially celebrated in Britain on the 2nd Saturday of_____each year since February 1952.11.The largest lake in Britain is the _____in Northern Ireland which covers an area of 396 km2.12._____is the largest Ferris wheel (摩天轮)in Europe.Ⅱ. Multiple choice1.The location of UK is in the ____ Europe.A.EasternB. WesternC. SouthernD. Northern2.All the following cities are major deep-water ports of UK, except_______.A.LondonB.LiverpoolC. BelfastD. Edinburgh3.The national flower of UK is_______.A.roseB. thistleC. daffodilD. shamrock4.All of the following, except for______, were tribes from the north who movedinto England in the 400s AD.A.AnglesB. SaxonsC. JutesD. Celts5.The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a_______.A.poem about a hero named BeowulfB.newspaperC.historical recordD.novel6.Beowulf is __________.A.a long novelB. a long poem written by Geoffrey ChaucerC. a long poem by unknown storytellerD.a long novel written by W. William Shakespeare7.The Canterbury Tales was written by_______.A.Geoffrey ChaucerB. Thomas BecketC. PalamonD. Griselda8. The frame of The Canterbury Tales is________.A. the pilgrims telling stories on their tripB. the conflict between the friar and the summonerC. King Arthur’s courtD. the differences between the knight and the squire9. The Canterbury Tales is an unusual piece of literature from the Middle Ages because ________.A. it describes the characters’ personalitiesB. it includes middle class charactersC. both A and BD. neither A nor B10. There are______ stories in The Canterbury Tales.A.5B.26C.15D.6Ⅲ.Questions1.What are the differences between Britain and the British Isles, Great Britain, England, the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth?2. Describe the geographical position of Britain?3. Does Britain have a favorable climate? Why?4. What are the factors which influence the climate in Britain? Which part of Britain has the most rainfall and which part is the driest?KeysⅠ.Filling the blanks.1.The United Kingdom of Great Britain ; the Northern Ireland2.England, Scotland, Wales3.European Union4.Multiracial, non-European5.Britain’s, center, three, in the world6.Ben Nevis7.Thames river8.Edinburgh9.180110. June11. Lough Neagh12.The London EyeⅡ. Multiple choice1. B2. D3. A4. D5. C6. C7. A8. A9. C10.B。
英国社会与文化重点
1.Britain had been invaded by many invaders before 1066. Who are the invaders, and what were the consequences of each invasion?1.Romans’s loading(55BC):Celts inhabited the southern England. They helped fight the Romans alongside tribes who had stayed behind in Gaul. This led to the Romans invasion in Britain.. The Romans brought many innovations and ideas to the Britain. One of the great social changes was Christianity.The Romans conquered most of the country.Britain was a part of the Roman empire for almost 400 years.2.The Angelo-Saxons’ invision:the Anglo-Saxons,Angeles,Saxons and Jutes.Anglo-Saxons pushed the original, Celtic-speaking inhabitants out of England, leaving behind a few Celtic words. The Angelo-Saxons came to rule most of Britain,except that they never conquered Cornwall and Wales in the west and Scotland in the north.The country was divided into kingdoms.King Alfred the Great from the kingdom of Wessex become the first king to rule most of the England.The Anglo-saxons gradually converted to Christianity after the St.Augustine was sent from Rome in 597 AD.3.The Vikings and Danish Invision:Vikings.Norwegian Vikings sailed to northern and western Scotland, seizing land for their farms (some were fierce pirate raiders who stealed goods and animals or enslaved local people)around the coast and islands. They also settled in the Isle of Man and parts of Wales.They srarted from three countries of scandinavian:Denmark,Norway,Sweden.they may even reached America.The battle started by Danish Vikings ended with the Vikings conquering all of nothern central and eastern England,and seizing much of the land for their own farms.However the Anglo-Saxons won back most of the England afterwards.4.The Norman conquest(1066):The Anglo-Saxons lost the battle and the King Harold was killed.William became the new king of England.They made French the official language.2. The UK architecture has gone through a variety of phases. Explain it in detail.①Neolithic age, neolithic monuments such as Stonehenge and Avebury②Anglo-Saxons period，often built initially of wood, speed of erection being of greater concernthan design or appearance. The most well-known Tower of London,such as those at Stewkley and Buckinghamshire.③The Civil War, after this date houses were built purely for living, and design and appearancewere for ever more important than defense. St Paul’s Cathedral④Early 18th century baroque architecture，a style exemplified by heavy embellishment and masswas very popular in Europe,was an envolved form of Palladianism.It was during this period that comfort and style became truly popular.⑤18th century The Georgian architecture :was evolved form of Palladianism ,was an envolvedform of Palladianism.It was during this period that comfort and style became truly popular.⑥In the early 19C the romantic medieval gothic style:appeared as a backlash to the symmetry ofPalladianism.⑦The middle Age of the 19 C:construct was able to develop incorporating steel as a buildingcomponent.⑧The beginning of the 20th century, Arts and crafts in architecture were symbolized by aninformal, non symmetrical form, often with mullioned or lattice windows, multiple gables andtallchimneys.This style continued to involve until World War II.⑨Following the Second World War reconstruction was heavily influenced by modernism.Suchas the Hayward Gallery.3. The UK is a two-party nation. How does this kind of system work in terms of the balance of political power?The effectiveness of the party system in Parliament rests largely on the relationship between the Government and the opposition parties. Depending on the relative strengths of the parties in the House of Commons, the Opposition may seek to overthrow the Government by defeating it in a vote on a “matter of confidence”.In general,it aims to contribute to the formulation of policy and legislation by constructive criticism;to oppose the government proposals it considers objectionable;to seek amendments to government Bills;and to put forward its own policies in order to improve its chances of winning the next general election.The Opposition performs this role both by debating issues and puting questions on the floor of both Houses and through the committe system.4. The UK has been a leading trading power and financial center in Europe. What are the essential elements that make this possible?Large energy resources:The UK has large coal ,natural gas and oil reserves.highly mechanized agriculture :Agriculture is intensive,highly mechanized,and efficient by European standards,producing about 60% of food needs with only 1% of the labor force. Manufacturing;Other factors:The government target measure,state enterprises were nationalized in the 1940s have been privatized. Inflectional banks centralizing many of their European operations in London,5. What significant role does the Sino-British Joint Declaration play in the relations between China and the UK?The declaration led to the sound development of the relations between China and UK. The two countries exchanged of important visits and signed many agreements for cooperation in various field after the declaration.There has been various exchanges of high official visits.At present,close contacts and fequent exchange of visits at a high level are mantained between the two countries.and there is dynamic exchange and cooperation at all levels in the fields of politics ,trade ,economy ,culture ,and military.6. What is the relationship between Oxford and Cambridge and what are their respective strengths?①Both of the 2 are attracting students and experts from around the world to study and work there. Annual Boat Race between them has become one of the greatest sporting events in Britain drawing nationwide atention. The twin stars have always been mentioned in the same breath, known as “Oxbridge”.--nearly a synonym of upper class intelligentsia in England.②Oxford is famous mainly for its social science and humanities, producing numerous political figures; Cambridge is more accomplished in mathematics and sciences, being the Alma Mater of many Nobel Prize winners.In nature ,the two universities share much in common in terms of their size ,culture and even curricula.7. How was Britain converted into Christianity?The Roman legions invaded Britain and brought with Britain Christianity, and that made the overwhelming majority of the Romano-British population converted to Christianity.In 43,the Roman armies conquered England(Aulus Plautius),and then the Roman captured Wales and Scotland ,and started their rules in Britain,lasting as long as 400 years.The roman legions brought with them Christianity and that made the overwhelming majority of the Romano-British population converted to Christianity.Augustine ,an Italian-born missionaryand prelate who was sent in 597 by Pope Gregory I to britain for missionary propaganda,and formally introduced Christianity to southern britain.8. Why was Mary I nicknamed as “Blood Mary”?The Times have been rather independent in views, with a tradition of recording history in a truthful and objective way. It gained public praise in the spheres of politics and finance.She abolished all laws and religions reform laid down by her father and stepbrother.and briught England back under subjection to Vatican,She even married Spanish King Philip II,a Catholic bigot,to show her determination to restore Cathlicism in England.During her resign,she excuted as many as 300 Protestants ,including Thomas Cranmer,the archbishop of Canterbury(who was burnt on the state),and hence earned a nickname as “blood Mary”.10.What factors do you think contribute to the great influence of The Times?(1)It is the earlist national daily newspaper.(2)The very beginning ,the times has been very independent in views,with a tradition of recording history in a truthful and objective way ,yet it is foundamentally a conservative paper.(3)It involves many fields,such as politics and finance,science,literature and arts.(4)It’s guiding principle in running the newspaper remains quite consistant.(5)Rupert Murdoch wished to maintain its traditional style and taste.(6)More city news and more photo reports have been added to it.11. What is the relationship between British popular culture and that in the U.S.?The complicated process of the 2 countries popular culture interaction can be summarized as the early American imitation and absorption of British models and the gradual reversal of the process to a more reciprocal interrelationship.For example,Americans imitated British sports and games and entertainments until the early 20th C.After the world war I,american popular music and motion pictures won a general popularity in british.In 1950s,American rock and roll was imitated by british bands,who then refined it by adding their them own characterists.12. Since the late half of the 20th century, there has been significant change in the British people’s conception of marriage. What are the factors that have contributed to this change?Because widespread indifference to religious taboos against sexual intercourse and cohabitation prior to marriage and the combined effects of medical advances in general and more sophisticatedcontraception in particular. The longer period of time spent by young women in education and rise in the employment of women.Because widespread indifference to religious taboos against sexual intercourse and cohabitation prior to marriage and the combined effects of medical advances in general and more sophisticated contraception in particular. The longer period of time spent by young women in education and rise in the employment of women.The liberited ethos of the 1960s produced a climate of opinion,which made possible major legislation relating to abortion ,another development which was to effect the average age at first marriage.two other factors which also had a major impact on the average age at first marriage were the longer period of time spent by young women in education and the rise in the employment of women.13. How did the multi-ethic culture come into being in the UK?The multi-ethic culture is a result of a history, which has included invasion, expansion, empire and Commonwealth, and Britain’s role as a haven for people of all races.Britain government has taken steps to tackle problems of discrimination and disadvantage through pioneering such things as race relations legislation which makes racial discrimination an unacceptable ,an illgal, practice,and through policy to redress disadvantage.14.What are the major impacts of the British Empire in the world.The British Empire was the first global power and largest empire in world history. Colonial expansion and imperial holdings spread British influence across the globe and increased wealth and prestige for the mother country.The empire facilitated the spread of british technology,commerce,language,and government around much of the globe.Imperial hegemony contributed to britain’s economic grownth,and greatly strengthed its voice in world affairs.From the perspective of the colonies,the colonies received from britain english language ,an administrative and legal framework on the british model,and technological and economic development.Novertheless,British policies based on comparative advantage left many developing economics dangerously reliant on a single cash crop.15. What significant role does the Commonwealth play in linking its members?The Commonwealth represents significant cultural and historical links between wealthy first-world countries and poorer developing nations with diverse social and religious monwealth countries share many links at non-governmental levels ,with over a hundred nn-governmental organizations that are orginazed on a commonwealth wide basis ,notably in the areas of sport,culture ,education,and other charitable sectors.Before the establishment of the commonwealth’s law,the commonwealth collective actions had been limited by the principle of non-interference inthe internal affairs of other members.16.What is the major purpose of primary education in Britain?What is important in this stage is not how many specific things they learnt but the cultivation of their imagination and curiosity.The purpose of all these are to facilitate their studies in junior education which will involve normal curriculum and more class teaching.17.How did Open University come into being and what kind of role does it play in britain education?The idea of Open University was first proposed by the leader of the Labor Party Harold Wilson who declared that once his party won the election ,he would estabish a university of the air to provide educational oppotunities to a larger number of people who were not able to go to collage for one reason or another .succeeding in the 1964 election ,he put it into practice and named it as “Open University”.Open University ,with its great convenience ,high flexibility ,and low expenses,immediately attracted people of all trades to apply for this program and take the training courses in social science ,arts ,and mathmatics.Among the paticipants in open university ,nearly one third are actually not qualified to get enrolled in collage according to the traditional demand in britain.once the originally rigid requrement in diploma is removed ,these people have access to continue their studiesand thus become better equipped for job competition.18.What is impacts of thatcherism on the economic of Britain?Thatcherism's impact on the UK economy?Definition: Margaret thatcher came to power in the party after the emergence of a dominant ideology of the forces of the "new right".Positive impact: promoted the increase the employment rate in a decade or two years, reduces the rate of inflation, fundamentally promoted the prosperity of the economy. Negative effects: after the boom, the British economy in the financial crisisOverall tendency: economic inequality phenomenon more and more serious, resulting in the disparity, in terms of social status and other fields.She surrounded herself with sycophantic adviors and courtiers ,and was allowed to push through a number of completely potty laws like Poll Tax.Microsoft jas black in the 1980 s, when economic downturn in the UK and hughton thatcher, push forward the reform of privatization, including mass privatisation of state-owned industries and utilities, with an iron fist crackdown on the unions, and sweeping cuts in public spending and social welfare.Margaret thatcher administration advocates privatization, monetarism, deregulation, tax cuts, union power and praise creation wealth rather than redistribution, and reforming the welfare system, such as "the Keynesian" concept, with the ocean the other shore "reaganism" from afar: try to rely on the "small government, big market" for the economy. Supporters praised her bold and radical measures not only saved the British society, more think her privatisation measures can improve the overall competitiveness of UK business success, make its economic growth in developed countries in Europe and the United States after the 1980 s.In fact, in 1988, Britain's economy started to improve: the rate of inflation fell from 18% to8%, the employment rate increase, per capita income have improved, fiscal surplus, exports increased, actual economic growth rate of output per capita than the United States, Germany and France; And Britain's international standing, also began to rebound, one of the most famous example, beat Argentina than in the falklands war in 1982, nationalist or cheer "come back" the British empire.Chinese academy of social sciences researcher at the institute of European Tian Dewen for "first financial daily" said that Mrs Thatcher's approach over a period of time to the UK economy has very positive, but the tension isn't completely can be attributed to her reform, and debate in academia at present. During her administration, Britain's economic structure changed a lot, from the traditional industrial products trade transformation for the financial industry, the transformation is an important in the development of the thatcher period the UK economy background, Margaret thatcher did reform created relatively good conditions for Britain's economic transformation.And Margaret thatcher as "destroyer" britons argues that Britain's in recent years become more economic collapse, social unrest caused by polarization, and Margaret thatcher that mass privatisation, economic policies such as opposed to tax increases have close relationship.Tian Dewen also said privatisation really in a period is considered to improve the efficiency of the enterprise, but now a lot of debate about this issue, as the British railway privatisation came after a lot of problems, including the old equipment, service quality drop, because the private enterprise pursuit of immediate interests, more investment is insufficient, may cause considerable negative impacts.For a few years ago the financial tsunami, western countries, represented by America and Britain also began to generally think the free market theory is the concrete practice of the problem. "The pursuit of the free market is the capital benefit maximization, rather than the social benefit maximization" voice started to flash, and the London riots happened two years ago, is to let the world marvel at social rage "gentleman"."But anyway, Margaret thatcher as a character of time have a significant impact, she did these is definitely worth to remember, and now she's a set of economic ideology in the world bank and international monetary fund or play a leading role." Tian Dewen said, "thatcherism" until now have been accepted by most of the country's rulers, like the European Union and the United States, to curb inflation and maintain financial balance as the basis of all economic policy. Illustrations/Su Yi。
英国社会与文化知识1
British society and culture Ⅰ
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1. What does British Parliament consist of？ • The sovereign， the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Monarch has the prerogative to summon prorogue, and dissolve parliament.
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2. What are the components of British social welfare?
• Yet today, the problem of housing in Britain is still a major one and a focus of public concern. The house price of London is among the highest in the world.
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4.What is Thatcherism?
Thatcherism describes the conviction politics, economic and social policy, and political style of the British Conservative politician Margaret Thatcher, who was leader of her party from 1975 to 1990. It has also been used by some to describe the ideology and wider political culture of the British government while Thatcher was Prime Minister between May 1979 and November 1990. Thatcherism claims to promote low inflation, the small state and free markets through tight control of the money supply, privatization and constraints on the Labor movement. It is often compared with Reaganomics in the United States. Conviction politics： 理想政治（和实干政治对应） conservative 保守的 Reaganomics 里根经济政策（等于Reagan Economics）
英语国家社会与文化入门课后题答案
Book1 Unit 11.What was the British Empire? What do you know about it? In what way is the “Empire” still felt in Britain and in the international field?The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom, that had originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.In the international field, Britain has great voice in politics, economy and culture and so on.2.Why impossible to sum up British people with a few simple phrases: The UK is made up of different elements. It includes 4 parts within the one nation-state. It is now a multiracial society with different religion believes. It is divided economically and it is a society with a class-structure. And within each of the four countries there are different regions. Since this country was so complicated both in history or humanity, it is impossible to sum up their people.3.A history of invasions: (1) Before the 1st century AD Britain was made up of tribal kindoms of Celtic people. They brought the central Europen culture to Britain. Then in 43AD, Roman Empire invaded Britain and controlled it forslave society but also disseminated their Catholicism. (2)However, in the 5th century, the Roman Empire rapidly waned in power and Britain was conquered by the Angles and the Saxons. In order to defend the Saxons, a great leader—King Arthur appeared. He created the "round table" to satisfy all the knights' requirement of having equal precedence. Thus it gradually formed the monarchy in Britain as a more democratic system. Whether Arthur's a real person in the history or not, Anglo-Saxons did succeed in invading Britain and they were the forefathers of the English. (3)In the 8th century, the Vikings from Denmark controlled the nothern and eastern England. A Anglo-Saxon herio, king Alfred the Great fought against the vikings with the truly English. And that's why there's a certain cultural difference between northerners and southerners in England (4)Later, the Nomans from northern France, under the leading of William of Normandy, killed the king and William became the Frist of England. They imported a rulling class that French-speaking Norman aristocracy rulled Saxon and English-speaking population. In this condition, there weren't a lot of rebellions among the English people. That directly formed an English unique character: a richly unconventional interior life hidden by an external conformity. Even today, we can still find this personality from the British people through their lifestyles.How did they influence culture:[接着上边一起看] (2) a lot of stories of King Arthur, which brought a lot of singers, poets, novelists and filmmakers. Places associated with his legend. Round table was ween as an indicator of the way inwhich the English have wished to see their monarch as something other than a remote dictator. (3)anglo-saxon invaders were the forefathers of the English. By Vikings' settlements the Enlish heroes were truly English. There remains to this day a certain cultural divide between northerners and southerners in england. (4)Norman aristocracy ruling a largely Saxon and English-speaking population. the legend of Robin Hood.4.General characteristic of Scotland: Scotland is the second largest of the four nations, both in population and in geographical area. It is also the most confident of its own identity because alone amongst the non-English components of the UK it has previously spent a substantial period of history as a unified state independent of the UK. (1) rugged. (2) not conquered by the Romans (3) maintain its separate political identity for more than a hundred years.(4) eager for independence.How Scotland became part of the union of Great Britain: in 1707 by agreement of the English and Scottish parliaments, Scotland joined the Union. In 1745 there was a brutal military response from the British army. The rebel army was destroyed at the battle of Culloden in northern Scotland.5.Describe Wales and the unification with Britain: (1) wales was an importantelement in Britain's industrial revolution, as it had rich coal deposits. It is successful in attracting investment from abroad. Wales has been dominated by England for longer than the other nations of the union. Despite this nearness and long-standing political integration Wales retains a powerful sense of its difference from England. (2)Wales has been dominated by England for longer than the other nations of the union. Despite this nearness and long-standing political integration Wales retains a powerful sense of its difference from England. In 1536, wales was brought legally, administratively, and politically into the UK by an act of the British parliament. This close long-standing relationship means that modern wales lacks some of the outward signs of difference which Scotland possesses --- its legal system and its education system are exactly the same as in England.6.Differences between England, Scotland and Wales in terms of cultural tradition: [书上说的比较散，建议参考festival那章的答案，这里只有一些零散的不系统的比较] (1) English character: a richly unconventional interior life hidden by an external conformity. But young people are not all stereotypes. But it is certainly true that the lifeless fronts of many english houses conceal beautiful back gardens. (2)The dream of an independent Scotland has not vanished. They are always eager for freedom. Scotland has a great tradition of innovation in the arts, philosophy and science. "Superficially fully integrated into the UK, but concealed beneath this is a still-strong Scottish identity."Some people speak Gaelic.(3)Wales is different, and one of the key markers of that diffenece is the Welsh language -- the old British Celtic tongue which is still in daily use. Modern wales lacks some of the outward signs of difference which Scotland possesses. (its legal system and education system are exactly the same as in England)Unit 21.Why is Northern Ireland so significant in the UK: Though Northern Ireland is small it is significant because of the political troubles there.Its political problem: The problem is in Northern Ireland in 1921 in southern Ireland independence from Britain, Ireland North and South following the separation of issues left over by history, mixed it with historical, political, ethnic and religious conflicts, extremely complex. Ireland’s independence, to remain under British rule within the framework of the 6 in the northern island of Ireland residents of the pro-British Protestant majority (about 51%), the Catholic nationalist minority (about 38%), as a result of the two major forces in Northern Ireland On the contrary position of ownership and lead to confrontation, conflict. [因为发现实在太难sum up了，所以就搜了一下，以下是wikipedia版本]Northern Ireland was for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict — the Troubles — which was caused by divisions between nationalists, who are predominantly Roman Catholic, andunionists, who are predominantly Protestant. Unionists want Northern Ireland to remain as a part of the United Kingdom,[6] while nationalists wish for it to be politically reunited with the rest of Ireland, independent of British rule. [网络其它版本]Until 1921 the full name of the UK was "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland", not only "Northern Ireland", because the whole island of Ireland was politically integrated with Great Britain, and had been since 1801, while Britain's domination of the Irish dated back centuries even before that date. But Irish desires for an independent Irish state were never lost, and one of the key issues in late nineteenth century British politics was a campaign in parliament for what was called "home-rule"—Irish political control of Irish affairs. The Home Rule Bill was finally passed in 1914, but the process was overtaken by the First World War and was suspended for the duration of the war.2.Factors in Irish and English history that affect the situation in Northern Ireland today: Along with the political campaign for home-rule there were groups who followed a more direct method of pursuing Irish independence, engaging in guerilla or terrorist activities against British institutions and the British military forces. During the First World War and immediately after, this activity increased, sometimes brutally suppressed by British forces.3.Sum up solutions to NI's political problems of different parties and groups in the UK: Margaret Thatcher's government did not give in to this demand for political status and 11 prisoners starved to death. This event revitalised the political campaign of Sinn Fein, the legal political party which supports the IRA's right to fight. Its leaders spoke of a twin campaign for union with Ireland, both political and military, which they called the policy of "The Bullet and the Ballot Box".4.What do you think should be the right solution to the political problem in Northern Ireland: I think they can ask the UN for help. / Keep the present status. Turn to other countries for help. [自由发挥啦]Unit 31.Characteristics of the British constitutional monarchy: The monarch of the country has limited rights because of Bill of Right. For example, while the official head of state is the queen, her powers are largely traditional and symbolic. The government at national and local levels is elected by the people and governs according to British constitutional principles.How the English monarchy evolved to present constitutional monarchy: Originally the power of the monarch was largely derived from the ancient doctrine of the "divine right of kings". For a thousand years Britain has had a hereditary king or queen as the head of the state. While the King in theory had God on his side, in practice even in medieval times it was thought that he should not exercise absolute power. King John was unwilling to receive advice from prominent men, which led battles between the king and other powerful groups. Finally the king granted them a charter, named Magna Carta, of liverty and political rights. The civil war2.The civil war was rooted in a dispute over the power of the king vis-a-vis Parliament. James I and his successor Charles I both insisted on their divine right as kings. They felt Parliament had no real political right to exist, but only existed because the king allowed it to do so. It was the effort to reassert the rights of parliament that led to the civil war.English Revolution: "English Revolution" has been used to describe two different events in English history. The first was the Glorious Revolution of 1688, whereby James II was replaced by William III and Mary II as monarch and a constitutional monarchy established, was described by Whig historians as the English Revolution.[1]In the twentieth-century, however, Marxist historians used the term "English Revolution" to describe the period of the English Civil Wars and Commonwealth period (1640-1660), in which Parliament challenged King Charles I's authority, engaged in civil conflict against his forces, and executed him in 1649. This was followed by a ten-year period of bourgeois republican government, the "Commonwealth", before monarchy was restored in the shape of Charles' son, Charles II, in 1660.3.History of English parliament: Traditionally, when medieval kings wanted to raise money he would try to persuade the Great Council, a gathering of leading, wealthy barons which the kings summoned several times a year. Later kings found this group was so small that they could not make ends meet. So they widened the Great Council to include representatives of counties, cities and towns and get them to contribute. It was in this way that the Great Council came to include the House of Lords(who were summoned) and the House of Commons(representatives of communities).What role did the parliament play in the Civil War: Since James I and Charles I both thought that Parliament didn't need to exist, the Parliament was enraged. Leading politicians and church authorities asked William of Orange to replace them two. In 1689 Parliament passed the bill of Rights which ensured that the King would never be able to ignore Parliament.4.Characteristics of British constitution: Unlike many nations, Britain has no core constitutional documents.Contents: Statute laws(laws passed by Parliament); the common laws(laws which have been established through common practice in the courts); and conventions(rules and practices which do not exist legally but are nevertheless regarded as vital to the workings of government).5.Why parliament is supreme: because it alone has the power to change the terms of the Constitution. There are no legal restraints upon Parliament.Parliament's function: First, it passes laws. Second, it provides the means of carrying on the work of government by voting for taxation. Third, it scrutinises government policy, administration and expenditure. Fourth, it debates the major issues of the day.Queen/King's role: To symbolise the tradition and unity of the British state. To represent Britain at home and broad. To set standards of good citizenship and family life. She is legally head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, commander in chief of the armed forces and"supreme governor" of the Church of England.PM's role: The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party which wins the most seats in a general election. He/She chose usually around 20 MPs to become government ministers in the Cabinet. Together they carry our the functions of policy-making, the coordination of government departments and the supreme control of government.6.The House of Lords: It was below the Queen, consisting of the Lords Spiritual(who are the Archbishops and most prominent bishops of the Church of England) and the Lords Temporal(which refers to those lords who either have inherited the seat from their forefathers of they have been appointed). The lords mainly represent themselves instead of the interests of the public. It is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom's national legislature. It remains the relationship with government, debates legislation and has some power to amend or reject bills (has some legislative functions).Unit 41.Anyone who is eligible to vote can stand as an MP. It is necessary only to make a deposit of 500 pounds.Why small parties and independent candidates powerless: V oters will see it as a wasted vote because even if they were to win the seat they would be powerless in parliament against the big parties' representatives. V oting them will prevent the voters from contributing to the competition between the big parties as to which of them will form a government.2.Three big parties in the UK: the Labour party, the Conservative party, the Liberal Democrats.Similarities: Since Conservative began to have a "fartherly" sense of obligation to the less fortunate in society, they didn't dismantle principles the Labour set up. That indicates that thus the difference between the Labour and Conservative is one of degree, not an absolute.Dissimilarities: (1) Labour is a socialist party. They believe a society should be relatively equal in economic terms and that part of the role of government is to act as a "redistributive" agent. They think government should provide a range of public services, therefore high taxes. (2) Conservative is the party that spent most time in power. They are seen as the party of the individual, protecting individual's right to acquire wealth and to spend it how they choose, therefore low taxes. (3) Liberal Democrats is a party of the "middle", occupying theideological ground between the two main parties. They are comparatively flexible and pragmatic in their balance of the individual and the social.3.Recent political trends [注意下一小问]: (1) Conservatives won the election under their leader Margaret Thatcher in the 1970s. During that time the economy did badly, with high inflation and low growth. (2) she dismissed being "fartherly", encourages entrepreneurship. One of the major policies was the privatisazion of nationalised industry. (3)part of the mechanism of change was a less redistributive taxation system. Tax rate were cut to allow people to keep more of what they earned.Author's opinion: The 1980s have seen British politics move to the "right", away from the "pulic" and toward the "private"; away from the "social", and toward the "individual", and all parties have had to adjust to those changes.4.How people are divided into different classes: (1) employment: manual(or blue-collar) workers usually call themselves working-class, and office(or white-collar) workers would usually call themselves middle-class. (2) cultural differences: like what newspaper they read. Working-class often read THE SUN, a newspaper with little hard news and more about soap operas, royal family and sports. Middle-class often read THE GUARDIAN, a largernewspaper with longer stories, covering national and international events. (3) education: private school or public school. (4) the UK has also retained a hereditary aristocracy. (5) the way they speak.Compare with the US and China: not similar at all. The UK has also retained a hereditary aristocracy. Among the students at the private schools attended by the upper-middle-class above would be a thin scattering of aristocratic children, who will inherit titles like baronets. This is due to Britain's different history and convention.Unit 51.Absolute decline means recession, developing in a minus speed.Relative decline means that although the UK improved, other countries developed more rapidly than the UK, which made it slid from being the second largest economy to being the sixth.Reasons: (1) The UK had gone into debt after WWII. (2) Britain spent a higher proportion of its national wealth on the military than most of its competitors. (Joining NATO and UN Security Council) (3)The era of empire was over. Former colonial countries announced independence, leaving Britain as a medium-size Euporean country. (4)Britain's industry survived comparatively unaffected, but its competitors did not. So the competitors invested in modernequipment and new products while British industry still continue with older ones. (5) Low rates of investment. The UK lacks a close relationship between industry and banks due to its history. A low rate of domestic industrial investment coupled with a very high rate of overseas investment.2.What did the conservative party under Mrs. Thatcher promise to do to the UK national economy in 1979: A radical programme of reform.What was her radical reform programme: Bureaucracy was reduced, (foreign exchange controls were lifted, rules governing banks loosened, for example). Throughout the 1980s an extensive programme of privatisation was carried out.Was is successful: It seemed in some ways to be successful in that inflation came under control, and business made profits. The negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. The national economy as a whole continued to grow at lower rates than its competitors.3.Main areas in national economies: Primary industries such as agriculture, fishing and mining; secondary industries which manufacture complex goods from those primary products; tertiary/service industries such as banking, insurance, tourism and the retailing.Development of each: (1) agricultural sector is small but efficient. Energy production is an important part of the UK economy. (2)in the secondary sector, manufacturing industry remains important, producing 22% of national wealth.(3)tertiary or service industries produce 65% of national wealth.4.Why relatively shrinking of the important secondary industry and a spectacular growth in tertiary or service industries: A lot of the tertiary or service industries is domestic activity, accounting for about 10% of the world's exports of such services. 70% of the UK's workforce are employed in the service sector.Compare tertiary industries in China in the past 20 years or so: Chinese tertiary industries didn't grow as fast as the UK, though the portion was increasing.How is this growth related to the reform and opening up to the outside world: China was famous for the name of "world factory", which means Chinese workforces can produce products at low paid. China is a developing country, experiencing the transfer of manufacturing is reasonable. However, as China is developing, wages of workforces are also increasing. Comparing to India, we may lose our "advantage" gradually.Unit 6Why Geoffrey Chaucer's work written in Middle English can still read and studied today: It is notable for its diversity, both in the range of social types amongst the 31pilgrims, and the range in style of the stories they tell.2.Do you think Elizabethan Drama occupies a significant position in British literature: Yes. Elizabethan drama, and Shakespeare in particular, is considered to be among the earliest work to display a "modern" perception of the world: full of moral doubts and political insecurities, where the right of those who wield power to do so is put in question.The most important figure in Elizabethan Drama: William ShakespeareSome of his well-known plays: (tragedies)Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth; (comedies)The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, the Tempest; (history plays)Richard III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V jJulius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra.3.Some of the features of Romantic Literature: writers of romantic literature are more concerned with imagination and feeling than with the power of reason.Modernism: it refers to a form of literature mainly written before WWII. It is characterized by a high degree of experimentation. It can be seen as a reaction against the 19th century forms of Realism. Modernist writers express the difficulty they see in understanding and communicating how the world works.Often they seem disorganized, hard to understand. It often portrays the action from the viewpoint of a single confused individual, rather than from the viewpoint of an all-knowing impersonal narrator outside the action.Postmodernism: After WWII. Postmodernist can be thought of as abandoning the search of buried meaning below confusing surfaces.Examples to illustrate: (modernist) Virginia Woolf "Mrs.Dalloway""to the Lighthouse""Orlando"; wrence "Sons and Lovers" and E.M.Forster "a Passage to India"; (postmodernist)George Orwell "1984", John Fowles "the French Lieutenant's woman"Book I Unit 7, British Education System1.What are the purposes of the British education system? Please comment onthese purposes. What are the main purposes of the Chinese education system?Are there any differences or similarities in the education of the two nations?Schools in Britain do not just teach the students 3 Rs, (reading, writing andarithmetic), but to provide children with literacy and the other basic skills they will need to become active members of society.2.How does the British education system reflect social class?Firstly, in Britain, the school you attend can refer to your social status.And the school tie is a clear market of social class,3.What are the major changes that have taken place since World War II? IsBritish education moving towards more progress or more equality? Pick up some examples from the text to illustrate your points.1)The old education system has disrupted due to the war. So with the help of thechurch and newly powerful trade unions began to reconstruct a new education system.2)The new system emphasizes equality. 1944 education act made entry tosecondary schools and universities meritocratic. Children would be able admitted to schools not because they were of a certain social class or because their parents possessed a certain amount of money, but because of the abilities they displayed. All children were given right to a free secondary education and the main concern was to make sure more children had access to a good education.3)1989, a national curriculum was introduced by the government.4.Why does the author say that universities in Britain have rather elitist?Most students in British universities are from the middle classes, attend good schools, perform well in their A-levels and receive a fully-funded place in a university. And when they graduate, they can become very influential in banking, the media, the arts, education or even the government.5.What is the Open University in Britain? What do you think of this system?The opening university offers a non-traditional route for people to take university level courses and receive a university degree. People can register without having any formal educational qualifications. They follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, videos, residential schools and a network of study centre.I think the system has been quite successful. Thanks to the system, tens ofthousands of Britons, from various statuses attend the Open University each year. And this has improve the equality in Britain’s high education.Unit 8 British Foreign Relations1.What and how did the British Empire end? How did the Britain react to thisreality? How did the end of British imperialism influence the psychology of the British and the making of Britain’s fo reign policy?1)After the World War II the British could no longer afford to maintain its empire;while Britain had won the war, it had paid a terrible price in terms of lives and in terms of economic destruction. And the British realized that countries should be granted the independence and left to run their own affairs. People and territory should not just be treated as a source of economic resources for theruling centers of commerce in Europe.2)Many people are still alive who can remember when Britain was one of themost powerful and rich nations on earth. It is sometimes hard to think about Britain as it really is today.3)Because Britain lost its empire so recently, british policy makers frequentlyforget that Britain is not as influential as it used to be in world affairs.Historians argue that the British foreign policy makers retain very conservative and traditional views of Britain’s role as a world power and point to many major foreign policy decisions as examples.2.What are the foundations of Britain’s foreign policy?It is greatly influenced by its imperial history and also by its geopolitical traits.Britain’s imperial history made the policy maker very conservative and traditional.And its geopolitical traits created a sense of psychological isolation in its inhabitants. And as Britain is an island state, it naturally developed as a nation of seafarers who roamed the globe looking for territory and economic opportunities.3.How is Britain’s foreign policy made? Does the government’s foreign policyrepresent the desires of British citizen?1)The prime minister and cabinet decide on the general direction of Britain’sforeign policy. The main government department involved is of course the。
英语国家社会与文化入门 课后题答案之欧阳育创编
Book1 Unit 1时间：2021.02.04 创作：欧阳育1.What was the British Empire? What do you know about it? In what way is the “Empire” still felt in Britain and in the international field?The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom, that had originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.In the international field, Britain has great voice in politics, economy and culture and so on.2.Why impossible to sum up British people with a few simple phrases: The UK is made up of different elements. It includes 4 parts within the one nation-state. It is now a multiracial society with different religion believes. It is divided economically and it is a society with a class-structure. And within each of the four countries there are different regions. Since this country was so complicated both in history or humanity, it is impossible to sum up their people.3.A history of invasions: (1) Before the 1st century AD Britain was made up of tribal kindoms of Celtic people. They brought the central Europen culture to Britain. Then in 43AD, Roman Empire invaded Britain and controlled it for slave society but also disseminated their Catholicism. (2)However, in the 5th century, the Roman Empire rapidly waned in power and Britain was conquered by the Angles and the Saxons. In order to defend the Saxons, a great leader—King Arthur appeared. He created the "round table" to satisfy all the knights' requirement of having equal precedence. Thus it gradually formed the monarchy in Britain as a more democratic system. Whether Arthur's a real person in the history or not, Anglo-Saxons did succeed in invading Britain and they were the forefathers of the English.(3)In the 8th century, the Vikings from Denmark controlled the nothern and eastern England. A Anglo-Saxon herio, king Alfred the Great fought against the vikings with the truly English. And that's why there's a certain cultural difference between northerners and southerners in England (4)Later, the Nomans from northern France, under the leading of William of Normandy, killed the king and William became the Frist of England. They imported a rulling class that French-speakingNorman aristocracy rulled Saxon and English-speaking population. In this condition, there weren't a lot of rebellions among the English people. That directly formed an English unique character: a richly unconventional interior life hidden by an external conformity. Even today, we can still find this personality from the British people through their lifestyles.How did they influence culture:[接着上边一起看] (2) a lot of stories of King Arthur, which brought a lot of singers, poets, novelists and filmmakers. Places associated with his legend. Round table was ween as an indicator of the way in which the English have wished to see their monarch as something other than a remote dictator. (3)anglo-saxon invaders were the forefathers of the English. By Vikings' settlements the Enlish heroes were truly English. There remains to this day a certain cultural divide between northerners and southerners in england.(4)Norman aristocracy ruling a largely Saxon and English-speaking population. the legend of Robin Hood.4.General characteristic of Scotland: Scotland is the second largest of the four nations, both in population and in geographical area. It is also the most confident of its own identity because alone amongst the non-English components of the UK it haspreviously spent a substantial period of history as a unified state independent of the UK. (1) rugged. (2) not conquered by the Romans (3) maintain its separate political identity for more than a hundred years.(4) eager for independence.How Scotland became part of the union of Great Britain: in 1707 by agreement of the English and Scottish parliaments, Scotland joined the Union. In 1745 there was a brutal military response from the British army. The rebel army was destroyed at the battle of Culloden in northern Scotland.5.Describe Wales and the unification with Britain: (1) wales was an important element in Britain's industrial revolution, as it had rich coal deposits. It is successful in attracting investment from abroad. Wales has been dominated by England for longer than the other nations of the union. Despite this nearness and long-standing political integration Wales retains a powerful sense of its difference from England. (2)Wales has been dominated by England for longer than the other nations of the union. Despite this nearness and long-standing political integration Wales retains a powerful sense of its difference from England. In 1536, wales was brought legally, administratively, and politically into the UK by an act of the British parliament. Thisclose long-standing relationship means that modern wales lacks some of the outward signs of difference which Scotland possesses --- its legal system and its education system are exactly the same as in England.6.Differences between England, Scotland and Wales in terms of cultural tradition: [书上说的比较散，建议参考festival那章的答案，这里只有一些零散的不系统的比较] (1) English character: a richly unconventional interior life hidden by an external conformity. But young people are not all stereotypes. But it is certainly true that the lifeless fronts of many english houses conceal beautiful back gardens. (2)The dream of an independent Scotland has not vanished. They are always eager for freedom. Scotland has a great tradition of innovation in the arts, philosophy and science. "Superficially fully integrated into the UK, but concealed beneath this is a still-strong Scottish identity." Some people speak Gaelic.(3)Wales is different, and one of the key markers of that diffenece is the Welsh language -- the old British Celtic tongue which is still in daily use. Modern wales lacks some of the outward signs of difference which Scotland possesses. (its legal system and education system are exactly the same as in England)Unit 21.Why is Northern Ireland so significant in the UK: Though Northern Ireland is small it is significant because of the political troubles there.Its political problem: The problem is in Northern Ireland in 1921 in southern Ireland independence from Britain, Ireland North and South following the separation of issues left over by history, mixed it with historical, political, ethnic and religious conflicts, extremely complex. Ireland’s independence, to remain under British rule within the framework of the 6 in the northern island of Ireland residents of the pro-British Protestant majority (about 51%), the Catholic nationalist minority (about 38%), as a result of the two major forces in Northern Ireland On the contrary position of ownership and lead to confrontation, conflict. [因为发现实在太难sum up了，所以就搜了一下，以下是wikipedia 版本]Northern Ireland was for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict — the Troubles — which was caused by divisions between nationalists, who are predominantly Roman Catholic, and unionists, who are predominantly Protestant. Unionists want Northern Ireland to remain as a part of the United Kingdom,[6] while nationalists wish for it to bepolitically reunited with the rest of Ireland, independent of British rule. [网络其它版本]Until 1921 the full name of the UK was "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland", not only "Northern Ireland", because the whole island of Ireland was politically integrated with Great Britain, and had been since 1801, while Britain's domination of the Irish dated back centuries even before that date. But Irish desires for an independent Irish state were never lost, and one of the key issues in late nineteenth century British politics was a campaign in parliament for what was called "home-rule"—Irish political control of Irish affairs. The Home Rule Bill was finally passed in 1914, but the process was overtaken by the First World War and was suspended for the duration of the war.2.Factors in Irish and English history that affect the situation in Northern Ireland today: Along with the political campaign for home-rule there were groups who followed a more direct method of pursuing Irish independence, engaging in guerilla or terrorist activities against British institutions and the British military forces. During the First World War and immediately after, this activity increased, sometimes brutally suppressed by British forces.3.Sum up solutions to NI's political problems of different parties and groups in the UK: Margaret Thatcher's government did not give in to this demand for political status and 11 prisoners starved to death. This event revitalised the political campaign of Sinn Fein, the legal political party which supports the IRA's right to fight. Its leaders spoke of a twin campaign for union with Ireland, both political and military, which they called the policy of "The Bullet and the Ballot Box".4.What do you think should be the right solution to the political problem in Northern Ireland: I think they can ask the UN for help. / Keep the present status. Turn to other countries for help. [自由发挥啦]Unit 31.Characteristics of the British constitutional monarchy: The monarch of the country has limited rights because of Bill of Right. For example, while the official head of state is the queen, her powers are largely traditional and symbolic. The government at national and local levels is elected by the people and governs according to British constitutional principles.How the English monarchy evolved to present constitutional monarchy: Originally the power of the monarch was largely derived from the ancient doctrine of the "divine right of kings". For a thousand years Britain has had a hereditary king or queen as the head of the state. While the King in theory had God on his side, in practice even in medieval times it was thought that he should not exercise absolute power. King John was unwilling to receive advice from prominent men, which led battles between the king and other powerful groups. Finally the king granted them a charter, named Magna Carta, of liverty and political rights. The civil war2.The civil war was rooted in a dispute over the power of the king vis-a-vis Parliament. James I and his successor Charles I both insisted on their divine right as kings. They felt Parliament had no real political right to exist, but only existed because the king allowed it to do so. It was the effort to reassert the rights of parliament that led to the civil war.English Revolution: "English Revolution" has been used to describe two different events in English history. The first was the Glorious Revolution of 1688, whereby James II was replaced by William III and Mary II as monarch and a constitutional monarchyestablished, was described by Whig historians as the English Revolution.[1]In the twentieth-century, however, Marxist historians used the term "English Revolution" to describe the period of the English Civil Wars and Commonwealth period (1640-1660), in which Parliament challenged King Charles I's authority, engaged in civil conflict against his forces, and executed him in 1649. This was followed by a ten-year period of bourgeoisrepublican government, the "Commonwealth", before monarchy was restored in the shape of Charles' son, Charles II, in 1660.3.History of English parliament: Traditionally, when medieval kings wanted to raise money he would try to persuade the Great Council, a gathering of leading, wealthy barons which the kings summoned several times a year. Later kings found this group was so small that they could not make ends meet. So they widened the Great Council to include representatives of counties, cities and towns and get them to contribute. It was in this way that the Great Council came to include the House of Lords(who were summoned) and the House of Commons(representatives of communities).What role did the parliament play in the Civil War: Since James Iand Charles I both thought that Parliament didn't need to exist, the Parliament was enraged. Leading politicians and church authorities asked William of Orange to replace them two. In 1689 Parliament passed the bill of Rights which ensured that the King would never be able to ignore Parliament.4.Characteristics of British constitution: Unlike many nations, Britain has no core constitutional documents.Contents: Statute laws(laws passed by Parliament); the common laws(laws which have been established through common practice in the courts); and conventions(rules and practices which do not exist legally but are nevertheless regarded as vital to the workings of government).5.Why parliament is supreme: because it alone has the power to change the terms of the Constitution. There are no legal restraints upon Parliament.Parliament's function: First, it passes laws. Second, it provides the means of carrying on the work of government by voting for taxation. Third, it scrutinises government policy, administration and expenditure. Fourth, it debates the major issues of the day. Queen/King's role: To symbolise the tradition and unity of theBritish state. To represent Britain at home and broad. To set standards of good citizenship and family life. She is legally head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, commander in chief of the armed forces and "supreme governor" of the Church of England.PM's role: The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party which wins the most seats in a general election. He/She chose usually around 20 MPs to become government ministers in the Cabinet. Together they carry our the functions of policy-making, the coordination of government departments and the supreme control of government.6.The House of Lords: It was below the Queen, consisting of the Lords Spiritual(who are the Archbishops and most prominent bishops of the Church of England) and the Lords Temporal(which refers to those lords who either have inherited the seat from their forefathers of they have been appointed). The lords mainly represent themselves instead of the interests of the public. It is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom's national legislature. It remains the relationship with government, debates legislation and has some power to amend or reject bills (has some legislativefunctions).Unit 41.Anyone who is eligible to vote can stand as an MP. It is necessary only to make a deposit of 500 pounds.Why small parties and independent candidates powerless: Voters will see it as a wasted vote because even if they were to win the seat they would be powerless in parliament against the big parties' representatives. Voting them will prevent the voters from contributing to the competition between the big parties as to which of them will form a government.2.Three big parties in the UK: the Labour party, the Conservative party, the Liberal Democrats.Similarities: Since Conservative began to have a "fartherly" sense of obligation to the less fortunate in society, they didn't dismantle principles the Labour set up. That indicates that thus the difference between the Labour and Conservative is one of degree, not an absolute.Dissimilarities: (1) Labour is a socialist party. They believe a society should be relatively equal in economic terms and that part of the role of government is to act as a "redistributive" agent.They think government should provide a range of public services, therefore high taxes. (2) Conservative is the party that spent most time in power. They are seen as the party of the individual, protecting individual's right to acquire wealth and to spend it how they choose, therefore low taxes. (3) Liberal Democrats is a party of the "middle", occupying the ideological ground between the two main parties. They are comparatively flexible and pragmatic in their balance of the individual and the social.3.Recent political trends [注意下一小问]: (1) Conservatives won the election under their leader Margaret Thatcher in the 1970s. During that time the economy did badly, with high inflation and low growth. (2) she dismissed being "fartherly", encourages entrepreneurship. One of the major policies was the privatisazion of nationalised industry. (3)part of the mechanism of change was a less redistributive taxation system. Tax rate were cut to allow people to keep more of what they earned.Author's opinion: The 1980s have seen British politics move to the "right", away from the "pulic" and toward the "private"; away from the "social", and toward the "individual", and all parties have had to adjust to those changes.4.How people are divided into different classes: (1) employment: manual(or blue-collar) workers usually call themselves working-class, and office(or white-collar) workers would usually call themselves middle-class. (2) cultural differences: like what newspaper they read. Working-class often read THE SUN, a newspaper with little hard news and more about soap operas, royal family and sports. Middle-class often read THE GUARDIAN, a larger newspaper with longer stories, covering national and international events. (3) education: private school or public school. (4) the UK has also retained a hereditary aristocracy. (5) the way they speak.Compare with the US and China: not similar at all. The UK has also retained a hereditary aristocracy. Among the students at the private schools attended by the upper-middle-class above would be a thin scattering of aristocratic children, who will inherit titles like baronets. This is due to Britain's different history and convention.Unit 51.Absolute decline means recession, developing in a minus speed. Relative decline means that although the UK improved, other countries developed more rapidly than the UK, which made itslid from being the second largest economy to being the sixth. Reasons: (1) The UK had gone into debt after WWII. (2) Britain spent a higher proportion of its national wealth on the military than most of its competitors. (Joining NATO and UN Security Council) (3)The era of empire was over. Former colonial countries announced independence, leaving Britain as a medium-size Euporean country. (4)Britain's industry survived comparatively unaffected, but its competitors did not. So the competitors invested in modern equipment and new products while British industry still continue with older ones. (5) Low rates of investment. The UK lacks a close relationship between industry and banks due to its history. A low rate of domestic industrial investment coupled with a very high rate of overseas investment. 2.What did the conservative party under Mrs. Thatcher promise to do to the UK national economy in 1979: A radical programme of reform.What was her radical reform programme: Bureaucracy was reduced, (foreign exchange controls were lifted, rules governing banks loosened, for example). Throughout the 1980s an extensive programme of privatisation was carried out.Was is successful: It seemed in some ways to be successful inthat inflation came under control, and business made profits. The negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. The national economy as a whole continued to grow at lower rates than its competitors.3.Main areas in national economies: Primary industries such as agriculture, fishing and mining; secondary industries which manufacture complex goods from those primary products; tertiary/service industries such as banking, insurance, tourism and the retailing.Development of each: (1) agricultural sector is small but efficient. Energy production is an important part of the UK economy. (2)in the secondary sector, manufacturing industry remains important, producing 22% of national wealth. (3)tertiary or service industries produce 65% of national wealth.4.Why relatively shrinking of the important secondary industry and a spectacular growth in tertiary or service industries: A lot of the tertiary or service industries is domestic activity, accounting for about 10% of the world's exports of such services. 70% of the UK's workforce are employed in the service sector.Compare tertiary industries in China in the past 20 years or so:Chinese tertiary industries didn't grow as fast as the UK, though the portion was increasing.How is this growth related to the reform and opening up to the outside world: China was famous for the name of "world factory", which means Chinese workforces can produce products at low paid. China is a developing country, experiencing the transfer of manufacturing is reasonable. However, as China is developing, wages of workforces are also increasing. Comparing to India, we may lose our "advantage" gradually.Unit 61.Why Geoffrey Chaucer's work written in Middle English can still read and studied today: It is notable for its diversity, both in the range of social types amongst the 31pilgrims, and the range in style of the stories they tell.2.Do you think Elizabethan Drama occupies a significant position in British literature: Yes. Elizabethan drama, and Shakespeare in particular, is considered to be among the earliest work to display a "modern" perception of the world: full of moral doubts and political insecurities, where the right of those who wield power to do so is put in question.The most important figure in Elizabethan Drama: William ShakespeareSome of his well-known plays: (tragedies)Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth; (comedies)The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, the Tempest; (history plays)Richard III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V jJulius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra.3.Some of the features of Romantic Literature: writers of romantic literature are more concerned with imagination and feeling than with the power of reason.4.Modernism: it refers to a form of literature mainly written before WWII. It is characterized by a high degree of experimentation. It can be seen as a reaction against the 19th century forms of Realism. Modernist writers express the difficulty they see in understanding and communicating how the world works. Often they seem disorganized, hard to understand. It often portrays the action from the viewpoint of a single confused individual, rather than from the viewpoint of an all-knowing impersonal narrator outside the action.Postmodernism: After WWII. Postmodernist can be thought of asabandoning the search of buried meaning below confusing surfaces.Examples to illustrate: (modernist) Virginia Woolf "Mrs.Dalloway""to the Lighthouse""Orlando"; wrence "Sons and Lovers" and E.M.Forster "a Passage to India";(postmodernist)George Orwell "1984", John Fowles "the French Lieutenant's woman"Book I Unit 7, British Education System1.What are the purposes of the British education system? Pleasecomment on these purposes. What are the main purposes of the Chinese education system? Are there any differences or similarities in the education of the two nations?Schools in Britain do not just teach the students 3 Rs, (reading, writing and arithmetic), but to provide children with literacy and the other basic skills they will need to become active members of society.2.How does the British education system reflect social class?Firstly, in Britain, the school you attend can refer to your social status.And the school tie is a clear market of social class,3.What are the major changes that have taken place since WorldWar II? Is British education moving towards more progress ormore equality? Pick up some examples from the text to illustrate your points.1)The old education system has disrupted due to the war. So withthe help of the church and newly powerful trade unions began to reconstruct a new education system.2)The new system emphasizes equality. 1944 education act madeentry to secondary schools and universities meritocratic. Children would be able admitted to schools not because they were of a certain social class or because their parents possessed a certain amount of money, but because of the abilities they displayed. All children were given right to a free secondary education and the main concern was to make sure more children had access to a good education.3)1989, a national curriculum was introduced by the government.4.Why does the author say that universities in Britain have ratherelitist?Most students in British universities are from the middle classes, attend good schools, perform well in their A-levels and receive a fully-funded place in a university. And when they graduate, they can become very influential in banking, the media, the arts, education or even the government.5.What is the Open University in Britain? What do you think of thissystem?The opening university offers a non-traditional route for people to take university level courses and receive a university degree.People can register without having any formal educational qualifications. They follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, videos, residential schools and a network of study centre.I think the system has been quite successful. Thanks to thesystem, tens of thousands of Britons, from various statuses attend the Open University each year. And this has improve the equality in Britain’s high education.Unit 8 British Foreign Relations1.What and how did the British Empire end? How did the Britainreact to this reality? How did the end of British imperialism influence the psychology of the British and the making of Britain’s foreign policy?1)After the World War II the British could no longer afford tomaintain its empire; while Britain had won the war, it had paid a terrible price in terms of lives and in terms of economic destruction. And the British realized that countries should be granted the independence and left to run their own affairs.People and territory should not just be treated as a source ofeconomic resources for the ruling centers of commerce in Europe.2)Many people are still alive who can remember when Britain wasone of the most powerful and rich nations on earth. It is sometimes hard to think about Britain as it really is today.3)Because Britain lost its empire so recently, british policy makersfrequently forget that Britain is not as influential as it used to be in world affairs. Historians argue that the British foreign policy makers retain very conservative and traditional views of Britain’s role as a world power and point to many major foreign policy decisions as examples.2.What are the foundations of Britain’s foreign policy?It is greatly influenced by its imperial history and also by its geopolitical traits.Britain’s imperial history m ade the policy maker very conservative and traditional.And its geopolitical traits created a sense of psychological isolation in its inhabitants. And as Britain is an island state, it naturally developed as a nation of seafarers who roamed the globe looking for territory and economic opportunities.3.How is Britain’s foreign policy made? Does the government’sforeign policy represent the desires of British citizen?1)The prime minister and cabinet decide on the general directionof Britain’s foreign policy. Th e main government department involved is of course the foreign and commonwealth office but many other government ministries also play a part in formulating and executing the government’s decisions.2)Since Britain is a parliamentary democracy, the government’sforeign policy in theory represented the desires of its electorate , but in fact british citizens are more concerned about issues closer to home. On the whole, they are not very inclined to try to influence the direction of Britain’s foreign policy. The re are a number of different interest groups however, and it is interesting that rare occurrences of civil disobedience in the UK often involve foreign policy issues.4.Why does the author say that the decision to join the EC was andremains controversial in Britain?1)It is an important psychological decision for the nation becausetraditionally Britain had looked beyond its European neighbors felling that really it had more common with the United States on the one hand and the commonwealth on the other. To many Britons, membership in the European community meant turning its back on these “old friends”.2)In fact, it is natural for Britain to join the EC. For British economic,。
英国国家社会与文化（学习资料）
UNIT ONEA BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM ⅠI Name and constituents 1.Physical features1.Full name2.History of invasions2.Constituents V.Introduction to Scotland II.Effects of its imperial past 1.Physical features1.Establishment of the commonwealth2.History2.A multiracial nation3.Retaining strong Scottish identity III. Differences in society VI. Introduction to Wales1.Rsce difference 1.Physical features2.Class difference 2. A history features campaigns3.Region difference for independence of UKIV.Introduction to England1) Name of the country#The Name of the UnionThe full and official name:the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandThe abbreviated name:the United Kingdom / the UK / Great Britain / BritainThe informal name:England2)British national anthem (国歌)#"God Save the Queen/ the King"Used to be an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms;Currently serves as the national anthem of the United Kingdom, one of the two national anthems of New Zealand, and the royal anthem of Canada, Australia, Jamaica and the Isle of Man.#God save the QueenGod save our gracious Queen 帝保佑女王，Long live our noble Queen 祝她万寿无疆，God save the Queen 神佑女王。
英语国家社会与文化(英5)
n. vt. n. n. adj. adj. vi.
设备；设施 保证；担保 圣歌；赞歌 第一步；着手 完全的；缺一不可的 伊斯兰教的 开始
literacy
on an ad hoc basis participate peers polytechnics prayer proficient
n.
vi. n. n. n. adj.
识字；有学问
临时权宜地 参加；参与 同事；伙伴 工艺学校 祷告者；恳求者 熟练的；精通的
Part III Words & Expressions
register
religion sociologist truancy
vt.
n. n. n.
登记
宗教；信仰 社会学家 逃学；旷课
Part IV Language Points
11. GNVQs --- General National Vocational Qualifications
(国家专业资格证书) 12. Old Universities (古老的大学)
13. Open University (开放大学)
abolish access ad hoc
vt. n. a.
*To attend the “” universities is still the single best way to guarantee a successful career.
Public Schools — Eton College 伊顿公学
2) the school tie is a clear marker of social class 校服的领带是社会阶级的一个明显标志 * Educational opportunities for working-class and middle-class people can be very different. * In Britain, the accent you speak with, the clothes you wear, and the schools you attend are all markers that identify your social class.
英国社会与文化
Name: 黄婷亭（0801011009）Class: 102. Since 1960s, British economy has been declining. What are the factors behind this decline? How can Britain recover its economic competitiveness in the world?The Decline of British EconomyIf we want to know the reason for the decline of British economy and the way out, we need to look at its flourishing at first. There are three factors contributing to the success of British economy. The most significant one is the Industrial Revolution. During that period, the emergence of numerous new technology and machines especially the steam engine brought prosperity to Britain. Another is its overseas colonies. They both provided raw material and served as markets, which helped to elevate the British economy to a great deal. The last reason is the strong military strength. Since Britain defeated Spanish fleets, it gained the control over the sea. The powerful military forces guaranteed the stable environment for its development. All these factors lead to a economically powerful nation, however, they are also related to the declining of Britain.After the WWⅡ, the whole situation changed and finally resulted in the declining of British economy. Firstly, the war weakened Britain. Although Britain belonged to the winning side, it lost quite much. The war did huge harm to its economy. Secondly, a lot of colonial countries gained independence. Due to thevictory of the WWⅡ, many colonial nations began to fight for independence and succeeded, which affected Britain greatly. What’s more, it had took large amount of money to administrate colonies. It was not a small deal to a country. Thirdly, the unwillingness to change is an important factor. As is known to all, Britain is the first country going through the Industrial Revolution. So it owned the most advanced technology at that time. However, British people were not fond of changes. They did not have much enthusiasm in exploring new technology, but stuck to the old ones. After the WWⅡ, America and Germany saw that the su ccess of a nation’s economy lay in the innovation in science and technology, especially industry. They grasped the chance to develop their economy and gradually Britain was left behind. In addition, the management model in British companies is not as advanced as that of other developed countries. It weakens the international competitiveness of British industry and quickens the outflow of capital. Fourthly, the heavy dependence on finance is not good for UK. London depends heavily on the success of financial and business services, and the UK depends heavily on London. Once the health of this industry is affected, London will be effected and even the UK. The financial crisis in 2008 is a good example. Fifthly, the social welfare system is a great burden for Britain. The comprehensive system of social insurance “from cradle to grave” and National Health Service (NHS) are quite costly for a government to shoulder. They slow the growth of economy to some extent.All in all, many reasons account for the decline of British economy since 1960s. To recover its competitiveness, here are some suggestions. First of all, keep updatewith new technology. The UK should be glad to embrace changes, encourage innovation as well as invest more in scientific research. Next, diversify its industry. Obviously, too much dependence on its finance is not reasonable. Thus, it had better make its economy diversified and explore new fields. A balanced economic pattern is much safer and more beneficial. Thirdly, reduce the expense on social welfare. This system is undoubtedly a heavy burden. Therefore, the government should take measures to cut the expense and invest the money in other aspects.In conclusion, there exist problems for British economy, however, there should always be solutions. I believe the government will find the way out and bring new prosperity to this country.。
英国维多利亚时代的社会与文化变迁
英国维多利亚时代的社会与文化变迁英国维多利亚时代是历史上一段非常重要的时期，它不仅改变了英国，也影响了整个世界。
在这段时间里，英国经历了巨大的社会和文化转变，这些转变在今天依然影响着我们的生活。
本文将对英国维多利亚时代的社会和文化变迁进行探讨。
一、维多利亚时代的社会变迁在维多利亚时代，英国从传统社会逐渐向现代社会转变。
这个时期，英国工业化程度不断提高，科技进步迅速，道路和运输设施的发展使得交流变得更加快捷。
这些变化给社会生活带来了全新的面貌，城市化进程也越来越快。
在这个时期，社会结构也发生了很多变化。
中产阶级的崛起使得社会结构更加复杂，财富、地位和稳定的职业成为人们所追求的目标。
由于工业革命的进程，农村人口逐渐向城市迁移，城市化带来了工业化、商业化和现代化的发展，也造成了许多社会问题，比如劳工问题、贫困问题、住房问题等等。
二、维多利亚时代的文化变迁在文化方面，维多利亚时代也发生了很多的转变和变革。
在这个时期，人们开始关注人文主义、艺术和文学。
诗歌、小说和戏剧的创作都得到了极大的推动，维多利亚时代被誉为英国文学的黄金时代。
同时，由于社会和经济的变革，文化与艺术也变得更加多样化。
新颖的音乐、艺术品和文化活动逐渐填补了人们的生活空白。
维多利亚时代成为了艺术、文化与科技并存的时期，各种类型的艺术活动风靡英国。
三、维多利亚时代的女性地位提升维多利亚时代的女性开始在社会中扮演更为重要的角色。
在这个时期，女性逐渐获得了更多的教育和知识，参与社会活动的机会也越来越多。
她们开始关注教育和医疗的重要性，并成立了一系列的机构和协会去为此奋斗。
同时，女性也开始发挥在劳动力市场、政治和社会事务上的重要作用。
主张妇女参政和妇女平等的组织也陆续成立。
四、维多利亚时代的道德观念和宗教信仰尽管维多利亚时代是一个科技和经济进步的时代，但它也是一个道德观念与宗教理念盛行的时期。
当时的人们非常重视道德和伦理的教育，伦敦经常是道德的焦点所在。
英美社会与文化试题参考答案(仅供参考)教学内容
1.what are the general features of Britain`s independent schools？An independent school in the United Kingdom is a school relying upon private sources for all of its funding, predominantly in the form of school fees. In England and Wales the term public school is often used to refer to what is normally called in other countries a "private" school, a term which originally referred to those schools named in the Public Schools Act 1868. These schools themselves tend to prefer the term "independent school".2.why is the United States regarded as a "melting pot" and a "salad"？The melting pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, the different elements "melting together" into a harmonious whole with a common culture. It is particularly used to describe the assimilation of immigrants to the United States; the melting-together metaphor was in use by the 1780s.After 1970 the desirability of assimilation and the melting pot model was challenged by proponents of multiculturalism, who assert that cultural differences within society are valuable and should be preserved, proposing the alternative metaphor of the salad bowl –different cultures mix, but remain distinct.3.why did America change its policy and enter world war two?Because the Great Depression lead a worldwide warfare crisis . But in the face of the Warfare crisis，the thinking of isolationism and anthropocentrism filled the society of America,most of American pay no attention on the war of other countries. It was until March of 1941 when the warfare fo west Europe is become incandescent the Capitol Hill adopt the Act of Lease. This marked US was no longer neutral state but a member of Allies. Than the Pearl Harbor incident finally made the United States enter The World War II on the side of the Allies.4.what were Nixon's well-known contributions during his presidency?Nixon is noted for his diplomatic foreign policy, especially with the Soviet Union and China, and his efforts to end the Vietnam War. He is also noted for his middle-of-the-road domestic policy that combined conservative rhetoric and, in many cases, liberal action, as in his environmental policy.As president, Nixon imposed wage and price controls, indexed Social Security for inflation, and created Supplemental Security Income. The number of pages added to the Federal Register each year doubled under Nixon. He advocated gun control, reduced speed limits, and eradicated the last remnants of the gold standard. Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration and implemented the Philadelphia Plan, the first significant federal affirmative action program.5.what was the cause of the American civil war?1. Economic and social differences between the North and the South.2. States versus federal rights3. The fight between Slave and Non-Slave State Proponents.4. Growth of the Abolition Movement.5. The election of Abraham Lincoln.6.what are the two characteristics of the U.S construction?the Statue of Liberty The Capitol7.what are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectively? Senator:1) each senator must be at least 30 years old, 2) must have been a citizen of the United States for at least the past nine years, and 3) must be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant ofthe state he or she seeks to represent.Each representative must: (1) be at least twenty-five years old; (2) have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years; and (3) be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the state they represent.8.what are the Major powers of the supreme court?The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States, and leads the federal judiciary. It consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices, who are nominated by the President and confirmed with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. Justices serve "during good Behaviour," which terminates at death, resignation, retirement, or conviction on impeachment. The Court meets in Washington, D.C. in the United States Supreme Court building. The Supreme Court is primarily an appellate court, but has original jurisdiction in a small number of cases.9.how does an American university choose its applicants?It will through some aspects：transcript，academic performance，extra-curricular achievements，personnel，inherence，artistic skills10.what are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. The date and whereabouts of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention, though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida. Despite any scholarly research to the contrary, however, the traditional "first Thanksgiving" presented by Chief Massasoit is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.11.what is the essence of American puritanism?1，puritanism is a strict religious doctrine.2, puritanism also has practical aspects. Puritans have to work hard, and prepare for the obstacles they will meet in their life.American puritanism contains origional sin, predestination,total depravity，limited atonement of God's grace12.what is the lost generation?The Lost Generation is a term used to refer to a collective group of artists and writers who settled in Europe in the wake of the First World War. Members of the Lost Generation lived in Europe in the 1920s and early 1930s, and they had a profound impact on society and the arts. This generation is referred to as “lost” not because it has faded from memory, but because the individuals in the Lost Generation often expressed a sense of emotional confusion, feeling lost in their own society.13.what are the characteristics of American writing during the romantic period? reaction against logic and reason; antiscientific in its bent; faith in something inherently good and transcendent in the human spirit in no need of salvation, but rather in need of awakening..."In this romantic period, writers put more emphasis on moral enthusiasm, and their masterpieces were full of passion, emotion, fancy and imagination. They also had a faith in the value of individualism and intuitive perception, they displayed personalities, express feelings and ideas, emphasize men’s rights for freedom and happiness.For their part human nature is of good will. Men can learn the world through their own ability, conscience and intuition. The romantic showed a deep admiration and love for nature. Theypraised America’s landscape of its primitive forests, meadows, vast plains, seas and blue oceans. The beauty and perfection of nature could enable them to have unutterable joy and exuberance. And nature was regarded as a source of goodness while man’s societies a source o f corruption. Writers like Freneau, Cooper and Bryant took a great interest in external nature in their respective works.14.state the background for the American civil rights movement.The Civil Rights Movement in the United States has been a long, primarily nonviolent struggle to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to primarily African American citizens of United States. There have been many movements on behalf of other groups in the U.S. over time, but the term is often used to refer to the struggles between 1955 and 1968 to end discrimination against African-Americans and to end racial segregation, especially in the U.S. South. See African American for information on how various terms have been used at that time period for African Americans.15.make comments on women's liberation movement.The changes women worked for included changes in economic practices, such as not only asking equal work, but also equal opportunity for jobs in fields such as science and technology, management and politics.They wanted changes in social practices and attitudes which would acknowledge that women were not inferior to men in intelligence or abilityLegal segregation ended in the South as a result of the civil rights movement.The women's movement continues to gain more rights and opportunities for women.The social movements of the 1960s had a strong effect on the way people think and caused changes in many laws.16.what is the lvy league?name at least 4 of its members.The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The term is most commonly used to refer to those eight schools considered as a group. The term also has connotations of academic excellence, selectivity in admissions, and a reputation for social elitism.Brown UniversityHarvard UniversityYale UniversityColumbia University。
英国社会与文化课后练习
英国社会与文化课后练习I. Multiple Choices: Choose one right answer from the four choices:1. The Norman Conquest happened in ____A. 55BCB.1066C.700D.9662. Which of the following is not true about London?A. it’s a political, economic and cultural center of the country.B. it has a larger population than all other cities in England.C. it is not only the largest city in the country, but also the largest in the world.D. it has played a significant role in the economic construction of the country.3. British Recorded history began with _____.A. Roman invasionB. the Norman ConquestC. the Viking and Danish invasionD. the Anglo-Saxons invasion4. The English Civil War is also called _____.A. the Glorious RevolutionB. the Bloody RevolutionC. the Catholic RevolutionD. the Puritan Revolution5. The Tower of London, a historical sight, located in the center of London, was built byA. King ArthurB. Robin HoodC. Oliver CromwellD. William the conqueror6. In the 18th century, there appeared ____ in England, which owed a great deal to the invention of machines.A. the Industrial RevolutionB. the Bourgeois RevolutionC. the Wars of the RosesD. the Religious Reformation7. _____ was famous for his abdication because of his marriage with a divorced American.A. Edward VIIIB. Edward VIIC. George VID. George VII8. The House of Lords is presided over by _____.A. the Lord ChancellorB. the QueenC. the Archbishop of CanterburyD. the Prime Minister9. The Prime Minister is appointed by _____ and he or she always sits in _____.A. the Archbishop of Canterbury, the House of CommonsB. the Archbishop of Canterbury, the House of LordsC. the Queen, the House of CommonsD. the Queen, the House of Lords10. Which of the following is Not a characteristic of British government?A. It offers the Queen high political status and supreme power.B. It is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.C. It is the oldest representative democracy in the world.D. It has no written form of Constitution.11. The ultimate authority for law-making resides in _____.A. the QueenB. the CabinetC. the House of LordsD. the House of Commons12. The sources of British law include _____.A. statutes, common law, equity law and European Community lawB. statutes, common law and equity lawC. statutes, common law and European Community lawD. a complete code and statutes13. The National Health Service was established in the UK in _____ and based at first on _____.A. 1948, Acts of ParliamentB. 1958, Acts of ParliamentC. 1948, the Bill of RightsD. 1958, the Bill of Rights14. Which of the following is Not related to the Constitution?A. It is a written document which lists out the basic principles for government.B. It is the foundation of British governance todayC. Conventions and Laws passed by Parliament are part of the Constitution.D. The common laws are part of the Constitution.15. Which of the following is NOT a true description of the Queen’s role?A. The Queen selects the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.B. The Queen symbolizes the tradation and the Cabinet.C. The Queen acts as a cofidante to the Prime Minister.D. The Queen is the temporal head of the Church of England.16. Which of the following is Not a feature of the House of Lords?A. Lords do not receive salaries and many do not attend Parliament sittings.B. It consists of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal.C. The Lords are expected to present the interests of the public.D. Most of the Lords in the House of Lords are male.17. Which of the following is NOT based on the fact?A. Members of Parliament elect the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.B. MPs receive salaries and some other allowances.C. MPs are expected to represent the interests of the public.D. Most MPs belong to the major political parties.18. In Britain, children from the age of 5 to 16 can _____ by law.A. receive completely free educationB. receive partly free educationC. receive no free education if their families are richD. receive no free education at all19. In Britain, the great majority of parents send their children to ___.A. private schoolsB. independent schoolsC. state schoolsD. public schools.20. Which of the following is a privately funded university in Britain?A. the University of Cambridge.B. the University of OxfordC. the University of EdinburghD. the University of Buckingham21. Which of the following is NOT true?• A. Parents send their children to public schools because they are rich.• B. Parents send their children to public schools because their children can get better jobs when they leave school.• C. Parents send their children to public schools because their children can have a better chance of getting into a good university. • D. Parents send their children to public schools because their children prefer to go to public schools.22. Which of the following is Not a characteristic of the open University?A. It’s open to everybodyB. It requires no formal education qualification.C. No university degree is awarded.D. University courses are followed through TV, radio, correspondence, etc.23. In the examination called “the 11 plus”, students with academic potential go to ___.A. grammar schoolsB. comprehensive schoolsC. public schoolsD. technical schools24. Which of the following is NOT included in the National Curriculum?A. Children must study the subjects like English, mathematics, science and so on.B. Children must sit in A-level exams.C. Children must pass national tests.D. Teachers must teach what they are told.25. Which of the following is NOT true about British education system?A. It’s run by the state.B. It’s funded by the state.C. It’s supervised by the state.D. It’s dominated by the state.26. Which of the following schools would admit children without reference to their academic abilities?A. Comprehensive schoolsB. Secondary schoolsC. Independent schoolsD. Grammar schoolsExplain the following terms.Norman Conquest----The Norman Conquest of 1066 is perhaps the best-known event in English history. William the conqueror confiscated almost all the land and gave it to his Norman followers. He replaced the weak Saxon rule with a strong Norman government. So the feudal system was completely established in England.Alfred the Great----He was king of Wessex, one of the seven Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms. It was he who led the Anglo-Saxon to flight against the invading Danes and maintained peace for a long time. Alfred was not only a brave king at wartime, but also a wise king at peacetime. He encouraged education and introdu ced a legal system. He is known as “the father of the British navy”.Geoffrey Chaucer----He was an important English poet in the fourteenth century. His best known is The Canterbury Tales, which describes a group of pilgrims travelling to Canterbury to vi sit Thomas Becket’s tomb. Because he was the first important English poet to write in English. He has been known as the “Father of English Poetry”.The Black Death----It is a modern name given to the dearly bubonic plague, an epidemic disease spread through Europe in the fourteenth century particularly in 1348-1349. It came without warning, and without any cue. In England, it killed almost half of the total population, causing far-reaching economic consequences.The Wars of Roses ----the name Wars of the Roses was refer to the battles between the House of Lancaster, symbolized by the read rose, and that of York, symbolized by the white, from 1455 to 1485. Henry Tudor, descendant of Duke of Lancaster won victory at Bosworth Fireld in 1485 and put ht country under the rule of the Tudors. From these Wars, English feudalism received its death blow. The great medieval nobility was much weakened.The Glorious Revolution of 1688 ---- (1) It refers to the event of 1688 in the English Revolution, when the Catholic king James II was forced to flee with his baby son to France. (2) The throne was offered to his Protestant daughter and her husband Dutch king William. (3) The bill of Rights was passed by Parliament to restrict the power of the Monarchy. (4) This was the beginning of the Constitutional Monarchy in Britain.The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 ----(1) It refers to the most famous of a number of Catholic conspiracies in English history which occurred in the reign of James I (2) It was the plot to blow up the King and Parliament, (3) in which a man called Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars of the House of Commons in the very act of preparing the explosives. (4) "Guy Fawkes' Night" is still celebrated on November 5th each year.the Protestant Church - (1) It refers to the Christian church whose faith and practice originated with the principles of the Reformation. (2) As the Pope’s political power and religious authority declined in the sixteenth century, (3) Protestant churches sprang up in Northern Europe in opposition to the established Roman Catholic Church. (4) In Britain, Protestantism gradually became the dominant faith in the Elizabethan age.the Church of England - (1) Also called Anglican Church, it is one of the many "Protestant'' sects which broke away from Roman Catholic Church during the Religious Reformation. (2) It is an established Church, which means that it represents the official state religion, (3) having certain duties towards the state, and receiving certain privileges from it. (4) Its temporal head is the Queen, and twenty-six of its highest priests sit in the House of Lords.the Protestant Reformation - (1) A religious movement started in 1517, when the German monk Martin Luther posted for debate, (2) a series of theses that challenged Roman Catholic teaching. (3) Many Protestant sects broke away from the central organization of Roman Catholic Church.(4) Most of the Protestants stressed the Bible as the source and the norm of their teaching instead of the Pope as a Source of authority.Privy Council ---- (1) A consultative body of the British monarch. (2) Its origin can be traced back to the times of the Norman Kings. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, its importance was gradually diminished and replaced by the Cabinet. (3) Today, it is still a consultation body of the British monarch. (4) Its membership is about 400, and includes al Cabinet ministers, the speaker of the House of Commons, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and senior British and Commonwealth statesmen.the English Civil War - (1) One of the most important events in the whole of British history. (2) It is a bitter power struggle (1642--1648) between the monarchy and Parliament. (3) The victory of the Parliament led to the execution (1649) of Charles I and the temporary overthrow of the monarchy, and (4) the country became for more than ten years a sort of republic founded by Oliver Cromwell.the Industrial Revolution - (1) It refers to the period in British history from 1750 to 1850. (2) Great changes took place with the invention of the steam engine. (3) More factories and big towns were built. (4) It made Britain stronger and richer, and at the same time it also created entirely new social class, the industrial workers.the Victorian age - (I) It refers to the monarch of Britain under the great Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, the longest reign in British history. (2) The Victorian age was an age of national development and national optimism. (3) The Victorians were very religious and conservative in family life.(4) It was also, in its later stages, an age of imperialism.Constitutional Monarchy - (1) The Constitutional Monarchy is one in which the Monarch respects the Constitution. (2) In law, the monarch is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature: head of the judiciary; commander-in-chief of all the armed forces and head of the Church of England. In practice, the real power of monarchy has gradually been reduced and today the Queen acts solely on the advice of her ministers. (3) In the Glorious Revolution, William and Mary became the joint rulers of Britain, and the Constitutional Monarchy began. (4) The Bill of Rights which was passed in 1689 restricted the power of the monarchy.the British Constitution - (1) It is unwritten. (2) Its components include Acts of Parliament, the Prerogative of the Crown, Conventions of the Constitution, Common Law and Parliamentary Privilege. (3) It is more flexible than the written ones in other countries.the Bill of Rights in 1689 - (1) it was the Bill passed by the Parliament in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution. (2) It laid down a number of things that future monarchs could not do. (3) It marked a sharp decline in powers of the Monarch. (4) It marked the beginning of the British Constitutional Monarchy.General Election - (1) General Election is held at least every five years. (2) The country is divided into 635 constituencies, each of which returns one Member of Parliament. (3) The one who has the most votes in a constituency becomes a Member of Parliament. (4) The leader of the party with the largest number of members returned to the House of Commons becomes Prime Minister.British Parliament - (1) It includes three elements: the Crown, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. (2) It is the supreme law-making authority in Birtain. (3) The real centre of parliamentary power is in the House of Commons. (4) Other' functions include: to control and criticize the executive government; to control the raising and the spending of money.the House of Lords - (1) It is an important part of Parliament. (2) Its members are peers, most of whom are hereditary. (3) Its powers have been severely reduced by the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949. (4)It must pass all financial legislation sent to it from the House of Commons, and can delay other Bills for only one year. (5) It has a special judicial function.the House of Commons - (1) It consists of 635 elected Members of Parliament. (2) MPs have a number of privileges, eg. the freedom of speech in Parliament. (3) It is by far the most powerful and important element in Parliament, therefore plays the key role in the activities of Parliament as a whole.English reserve - (1) English reserve is the best known quality of the British, and in particular, of the English, to other Europeans. (2) The English are on the whole reserved: they do not talk very much to strangers, (3) do not show much emotion, and seldom get excited. (4) This reluctance to communicate with others is an unfortunate quality in some ways, since it tends to give the impression of coldness.English modesty - (1) English modesty is a quality closely related to English reserve. (2) Within their heart, the English are perhaps no less conceited than anybody else, (3) but in their relations with others they value at least a show of modesty. (4) Self-praise is felt to be ill-bred, and the English are typical of self-deprecation.English sense of humour - (1) English Sense of humour is a quality that is similar to English modesty. Its starting point is self-deprecation, and its great enemy is conceit. (2) Its ideal is to laught at oneself--at one's own faults, one's own failures and embarrassments, even at one's own ideals.(3) It is an attitude to life rather than the mere ability to laugh at jokes. This attitude is never cruel or disrespectful or malicious.English sportsmanship - (1) Sportsmanship is an English ideal that is highly valued in Britain. (2) Sportsmanship is the ability to practise a sport in obedience to its rules, while also showing generosity to one's opponent and good temper in defeat. (3) Sportsmanship as an ideal is applied to life in general. This is proved by the number of sporting terms used in ordinary speech.English class system - (1) As a social convention, the English class system is much less rigid than it was, but it still exists below the surface. (2) Broadly speaking, it means there are two classes, the "middle class" and the "working class". The middle class consists chiefly of well-to-do business men and professional people of all kinds; the working class consists chiefly of manual and unskilled workers. (3) The most obvious difference between them is in their accent. The middle classes also tend to live a more formal life than working-class people, and are usually more cultured.The National Health Service---- (1) It is a very important part of the welfare system in Britain. (2) It is a nationwide organization based on Acts of Parliament. (3) It provides all kinds of free or nearly free medical treatment both in hospital and outside. (4) It is financed mainly by payments by the state out of general taxation. People are not obliged to use this service. The service is achieving its main objectives with outstanding success.Answer briefly the following questions.What were the consequences of the Norman Conquest?The Norman Conquest of 1066 is one of the best known events in English history. It brought about many consequences. William confiscated almost all the land and gave it to his Norman followers. He replaced the weak Saxon rule with a strong Norman government. So the feudal system was completely established in England. Relations with the Continent were opened, and civilization and commerce were extended. Norman-French culture, language, manners, and architecture were been introduced. The church was brought into closer connection with Rome, and the church courts were separated from the civil courts.4. What were the contents and the significance of the Great Charter?The Great Charter, or the Magna Carta, was document signed in 1215 between the barons and king John. It had altogether 63 clauses, of which the most important contents were these: (1) no tax should be made without the approval of the Grand Council; (2) no freeman should be arrested, imprisoned, or deprived of his property except by the law of the land; (3) the church should possess all its rights and privileges; (4) London and other towns should retain their ancient rights and privileges; (5) there should be the same weights and measures throughout the country. The Great Charter was a statement of the feudal and legal relationship between the Crown and the barons, a guarantee of the freedom of the Church and a limitation of the powers of the king. The spirit of the Great Charter was the limitation of the powers of the king, but it has long been regarded as the foundation of English liberties.What do you know about the English Renaissance?Renaissance was the revival of classical literature and artistic styles in European history. It began in Italy in the early 14th century and spread toEngland in the late 15th century. The English Renaissance had 5 characteristics: (1) English culture was revitalized not so much directly by the classics as by contemporary Europeans under the influence of the classics; (2) England as an insular country followed a course of social and political history which was to a great extent independent of the course of history else where in Europe; (3) Owning to the great genius of the 14th century poet chaucer, the native literature was vigorous enough and experienced in assimilating foreign influences without being subjected by them; (4) English Renaissance literature is chiefly artistic, rather than philosophical and scholarly; (5) the Renaissance coincided with the Reformation in England. The English Renaissance was largely literary, and achieved its finest expression in the so-called Elizabethan drama. Its finest exponents were Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare.How did the “Glorious Revolution” break out? What was the significance of it?In 1685 Charles II died and was succeeded by his brother James II. James, who was brought up in exile in Europe, was a Catholic, He hoped to rule without giving up his personal religious views. But England was no more tolerant of a Catholic king in 1688 than 40 years. So the English politicians rejected James II, and appealed to a Protestant king, William of Orange, to invade and take the English throne. William landed in England in 1688. The takeover was relatively smooth, with no bloodshed, no any execution of the king. This was known as the Glorious Revolution. William and his wife Mary were both protestants and became co-monarchs. They accepted the Bill of Rights. It’s the beginning of the age of constitutional monarchy.What is your comment on land enclosures in England?Agricultural enclosure became frequent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It has good as well as bad results: (1) Farms became bigger and bigger units as the great bought up the small; (2) more vegetables, more milk and more dairy produce were consumed, and diet became more varied; (3) enclosure was a disaster for the tenants evicted from their lands by the enclosures. They were forced to look for work in towns, which rapidly became hopelessly over crowded. It also lead to mass emigration, particularly to the New World; (4) a new class hostility was introduced into rural relationships. Concentration of land in fewer hands increased the price of land and dashed the labourers’ hopes of even owning his own l and. Many became wage labourers, earning low rates in spite of agriculture’s new prosperity.How did the English Industrial Revolution proceed?The Industrial Revolution began with the textile industry. It’s characterized by a series of inventions and im provements of machines, such as John Ray’s flying shuttle, James Hargreaves’ spinning Jenny, Richard Arkwright’s waterframe and Samuel Cropton’s mule. The Scottis h inventor James Watt produced a very efficient steam engine in 1765, which could be applied to textile and other machinery. The most important element in speeding industrialization was the breakthrough in smelting iron with coke instead of charcoal in 1709. Similar developments occurred in the forging side of the iron industry which enabled iron to replace wool and stone in many sectors of the economy. Improved transporation ran parallel with production. As a result of the industrial revolution, Britain was by 1830 the “workshop of the world”; no other country could compete with her in industrial production.What do you know about the Chartist Movement and the People’s Charter? What’s your comment on them?The Chartist Movement was an industrial working class movement that happened in England from 1836 to 1848. In 1836 a group of skilled workers an d small shopkeepers formed the London Working Men’s Association. They drew up a charter of political demands (known as the People’s Charter) in 1838, which had six points: (1) the vote for all adult males, (2) voting by secret ballot, (3) equal ele ctoral districts, (4) abolition of property qualifications for members of Parliament, (5) payment of members of Parliament, and (6) annual Parliament, with a General Election every June. Support for these six demands was loudly voiced all over the country. Other working men formed Chartist groups throughout the country to press Parliament to accept the 6 points. But Parliament rejected them for three times. In the end, the Chartist Movement failed. It failed because of its weak and divided leadership, and its lack of coordination with trade-unionism. The working class was still immature. The Chartist Movement, however, the first nation wide working class movement and drew attention to serious problems. The 6 points were achieved very gradually over the period of 1858-1918, although the sixth has never been practical.How did the Labour Party come into being?As the new working class became established in the industrial towns in the late 18th century, they became aware of the power which they could possess if they acted together instead of separately. So various working class organizations were formed which brought about the formation of the Labour Party. The Labour Party had its origins in the Independent Labour Party, which was formed in January, 1893 and Led by Keir Hardie, a Scottish miner. The foundation of an effective party for labour depended on the trade unions. In 1900, representatives of trade unions, the ILP, and a number of small societies set up the Labour Representation Committee (LRC). The LRC changed its name to be Labour Party in time for the general election which was called for 1906. The Labour Party remains one of the two major parties in Britain until today.What is a constitutional monarchy? When did it begin in Britain?A constitutional monarchy is a governmental system in which the head of State is a king or a queen who reigns but does not rule. The country is namely reigned by the Sovereign, but virtually 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 office, and who are responsible to Parliament. The Constitutional Monarchy in Britain beganin 1689, when king William and Queen Mary jointly accepted the Bill of Rights, which guaranteed free speech within both the House of Lords and the House of Commons and constitutional monarchy, of a monarchy with power limited by Parliament began.What is the role of the Monarchy in the British government?The sovereign is the symbol of the whole nation. In law, he/she is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the crown and the “supreme governor” of the established church of England.What are the main functions of Parliament?The main functions of Parliament are: (1) to pass laws; (2) to provide the means of carrying on the work of government by voting for taxation; (3) to examine government policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure; (4) to debate the major issues of the day.Why do the criminal convicts like to be tried first before the magistrates’ courts?A Magistrates’ court tries summary offences and “either way” offences. It is open to the public and the media and usually con sists of three unpaid “lay” magistrates. A magistrates’ court sits without a jury. The criminal law presumes the innocence of the accused until he has been proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt; every possible step is taken to deny to the prosecution any advantage over the defence. No accused person has to answer the questions of the police before trials; he is not compelled to give evidence or to submit to cross-examination in court.What does the civil courts system do?The civil courts system does the following jurisdiction: (1) actions founded upon contract and tort; (2) trust and mortgages cases; (3) actions for the recovery of land; (4) cases involving disputes between landlords and tenants; (5) admiralty cases and patent cases; and (7) divorce cases and other family matters.What is meant by the term “welfare state” in Britain?The welfare state is a system of government by which the state provides the economic and social security of its citizens through its organization of health services, pensions and other facilities. The system is funded out of national insurance contributions and taxation. In Britain the term applies mainly to National Health Service (NHS), national insurance and social security.What is the most important established Church in Britain? How is it related to the Crown and linked with the State?The most important established Church in Britain is the Church of England. It is uniquely related to the Crown in that the Sovereign must be a member of that church and, as “Defender of the Faith”, must p romise on his or her accession to uphold it. Church of England archbishops, bishops and deans of cathedrals are appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Church is also linked with the State through the House of Lords, in which the two archbishops (of Canterbury and York), the bishops of London, Durham and Winchester, and 21 other senior bishops of London, Durham and Winchester, and 21 other senior bishops have seatsWhat distinguishes the Open University from all other British Universities?The Open University is non-residential university which is “open” to all to become students. It offers degree and other courses for adult students of all ages in Britain and other member countries of the EU. It was founded in 1969 and began its first courses in 1970. It was a combination of specially produced printed texts, correspondence tuition, television and radio broadcasts and audio/video cassettes. For some courses, there are residential schools. There is a network of study centers for contact with part-time tutors and counselors, and with fellow students.。
英美社会与文化试题参考答案(仅供参考)
1.what are the general features of Britain`s independent schools？An independent school in the United Kingdom is a school relying upon private sources for all of its funding, predominantly in the form of school fees. In England and Wales the term public school is often used to refer to what is normally called in other countries a "private" school, a term which originally referred to those schools named in the Public Schools Act 1868. These schools themselves tend to prefer the term "independent school".2.why is the United States regarded as a "melting pot" and a "salad"？The melting pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, the different elements "melting together" into a harmonious whole with a common culture. It is particularly used to describe the assimilation of immigrants to the United States; the melting-together metaphor was in use by the 1780s.After 1970 the desirability of assimilation and the melting pot model was challenged by proponents of multiculturalism, who assert that cultural differences within society are valuable and should be preserved, proposing the alternative metaphor of the salad bowl –different cultures mix, but remain distinct.3.why did America change its policy and enter world war two?Because the Great Depression lead a worldwide warfare crisis . But in the face of the Warfare crisis，the thinking of isolationism and anthropocentrism filled the society of America,most of American pay no attention on the war of other countries. It was until March of 1941 when the warfare fo west Europe is become incandescent the Capitol Hill adopt the Act of Lease. This marked US was no longer neutral state but a member of Allies. Than the Pearl Harbor incident finally made the United States enter The World War II on the side of the Allies.4.what were Nixon's well-known contributions during his presidency?Nixon is noted for his diplomatic foreign policy, especially with the Soviet Union and China, and his efforts to end the Vietnam War. He is also noted for his middle-of-the-road domestic policy that combined conservative rhetoric and, in many cases, liberal action, as in his environmental policy.As president, Nixon imposed wage and price controls, indexed Social Security for inflation, and created Supplemental Security Income. The number of pages added to the Federal Register each year doubled under Nixon. He advocated gun control, reduced speed limits, and eradicated the last remnants of the gold standard. Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration and implemented the Philadelphia Plan, the first significant federal affirmative action program.5.what was the cause of the American civil war?1. Economic and social differences between the North and the South.2. States versus federal rights3. The fight between Slave and Non-Slave State Proponents.4. Growth of the Abolition Movement.5. The election of Abraham Lincoln.6.what are the two characteristics of the U.S construction?the Statue of Liberty The Capitol7.what are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectively? Senator:1) each senator must be at least 30 years old, 2) must have been a citizen of the United States for at least the past nine years, and 3) must be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant ofthe state he or she seeks to represent.Each representative must: (1) be at least twenty-five years old; (2) have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years; and (3) be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the state they represent.8.what are the Major powers of the supreme court?The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States, and leads the federal judiciary. It consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associate Justices, who are nominated by the President and confirmed with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. Justices serve "during good Behaviour," which terminates at death, resignation, retirement, or conviction on impeachment. The Court meets in Washington, D.C. in the United States Supreme Court building. The Supreme Court is primarily an appellate court, but has original jurisdiction in a small number of cases.9.how does an American university choose its applicants?It will through some aspects：transcript，academic performance，extra-curricular achievements，personnel，inherence，artistic skills10.what are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. The date and whereabouts of the first Thanksgiving celebration is a topic of modest contention, though the earliest attested Thanksgiving celebration was on September 8, 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida. Despite any scholarly research to the contrary, however, the traditional "first Thanksgiving" presented by Chief Massasoit is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621.11.what is the essence of American puritanism?1，puritanism is a strict religious doctrine.2, puritanism also has practical aspects. Puritans have to work hard, and prepare for the obstacles they will meet in their life.American puritanism contains origional sin, predestination,total depravity，limited atonement of God's grace12.what is the lost generation?The Lost Generation is a term used to refer to a collective group of artists and writers who settled in Europe in the wake of the First World War. Members of the Lost Generation lived in Europe in the 1920s and early 1930s, and they had a profound impact on society and the arts. This generation is referred to as “lost” not because it has faded from memory, but because the individuals in the Lost Generation often expressed a sense of emotional confusion, feeling lost in their own society.13.what are the characteristics of American writing during the romantic period? reaction against logic and reason; antiscientific in its bent; faith in something inherently good and transcendent in the human spirit in no need of salvation, but rather in need of awakening..."In this romantic period, writers put more emphasis on moral enthusiasm, and their masterpieces were full of passion, emotion, fancy and imagination. They also had a faith in the value of individualism and intuitive perception, they displayed personalities, express feelings and ideas, emphasize men’s rights for freedom and happiness.For their part human nature is of good will. Men can learn the world through their own ability, conscience and intuition. The romantic showed a deep admiration and love for nature. Theypraised America’s landscape of its primitive forests, meadows, vast plains, seas and blue oceans. The beauty and perfection of nature could enable them to have unutterable joy and exuberance. And nature was regarded as a source of goodness while man’s societies a source of corruption. Writers like Freneau, Cooper and Bryant took a great interest in external nature in their respective works.14.state the background for the American civil rights movement.The Civil Rights Movement in the United States has been a long, primarily nonviolent struggle to bring full civil rights and equality under the law to primarily African American citizens of United States. There have been many movements on behalf of other groups in the U.S. over time, but the term is often used to refer to the struggles between 1955 and 1968 to end discrimination against African-Americans and to end racial segregation, especially in the U.S. South. See African American for information on how various terms have been used at that time period for African Americans.15.make comments on women's liberation movement.The changes women worked for included changes in economic practices, such as not only asking equal work, but also equal opportunity for jobs in fields such as science and technology, management and politics.They wanted changes in social practices and attitudes which would acknowledge that women were not inferior to men in intelligence or abilityLegal segregation ended in the South as a result of the civil rights movement.The women's movement continues to gain more rights and opportunities for women.The social movements of the 1960s had a strong effect on the way people think and caused changes in many laws.16.what is the lvy league?name at least 4 of its members.The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The term is most commonly used to refer to those eight schools considered as a group. The term also has connotations of academic excellence, selectivity in admissions, and a reputation for social elitism.Brown UniversityHarvard UniversityYale UniversityColumbia University。