英美概况期末考简答题

1. In what way did Puritanism influence American culture?New England also established another American tradition—a strain of often intolerant moralism. The Puritans believed that governments should enforce God's morality. They strictly punished drunks, adulterers, violators of the Sabbath and other religious believers different from themselves.Roger Williams, one of the Puritants who protested that the state should not interfere with region, was driven out of Massachusetts. In 1635, he set up Rhode Island colony, which guaranteed religions freedom and the separation of church and state. The Puritans also have left rich cultural heritage to future Americans. The Americans values such as individualism, hard work, respect of education owe very much to the Puritans beliefs.2. What are the two political parties in the United States? Do you think the two political parties arefundamentally different?Democratic Party and the Republican Party. differences :1、The Democratic Party is regarded as liberal, while the Republican Party conservative. 2、The former advocates the government to play an important role in the economy and emphasizing full employment; favors civil rights laws, a strong social security system and less restrictive abortion laws, etc.; It is more disposed to search out a method of living with Russia and China and to look for reduction in arms spending. However, the Republican Party favors economic system which gives enterprises a greater freedom and demands the government to control inflation; stresses the need for law and order; opposes complete governmental social programs and free choice of abortion; favors a strong military posture and assertive stands in international relations.3、Donkey is the symbol of the Democratic Party and the symbol of Republican Party is Elephant.3. What are some of the features in religion that are particularly American? What are some of the major differences between American religion and religion in Europe?Some phenomena in American religion are uniquely American. First of all, Americans with different religions live together under the same law. That is to say, they claim the variety of beliefs. Secondly, the religions beliefs of Americans continue to be strong with social progress. They emphasize on social progblems and humanitarian ideals. Thirdly, in the US every church is a completely independent organization, and concerned with its own finance and its own building.Major differences are:1) In Europe,scientific and economic advance and rising material prosperity have accompanied by a decline in religious observance ,but in the United States this has not happened.2) There has been little concentration on doctrine or religious argument such as in European history.3)Generally speaking,Americans have enjoyed greater religious freedom than European.4、 What is the main theme in American literature? As to this point, it is quite different fromCanadian literature and British literature. How do you understand them?The questing of the American people has indeed been a drama of many parts.In one way or another, however, it has always been a "pursuit of happiness".American literature is the continuous narrative of that pursuit. 第二问American literature has the same themes as any other concentration area, with the exception of The American Dream, but that could translate to The English, Indian, British, African, and so on。

British literature：The latter part of the century is dominated by people like Charles Dickens, and Mrs Gaskell who appealed to a mass audience and raised concerns about social privations in an industrialized society. But there was romance8. What is the goal of education in the United States? We all know that the way in which the high school graduates enter universities is quite different from China. How do you understand them? The goal is to achieve universal literacy and to priovid individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote both their own individual welfare as well as that of the gerneralpublic.(p122-123)In the United States, to go to university,the high school graduates must meet the followingrequirements:(a)their high school records;(b)recommendations from their high school teachers;(c)the impression they make during interviews at the university;and (d)their scores on the ScholasticAptitude Test(SATs).A college at a leading university might receive applications from 2% of these high school graduates,and then accept only one out of every ten who apply. While in China, high school graduates need to attend the College Entrance Examination (CEE) and choose their universities according to their scores.You can choose several universities whose control mark line you haveadmitted and if the first university you chose admit you,then you will be the student of the shool.If not,check the second chosen university,etc.If none of the universities admit you,it means you fail this time. Americans put more attention to helping students learn to solving problems rather than memorizing facts.It makes students more creative.British education ephasize in children’smorality.It has something to do with its long tradition.And Chinese education under apremise-----socialism,which is partiallarly Chinese .10 What were the major social movements of the 1960s? And what was the historicalbackground of the social movements of that decade? Who were the participants of the social movements of the 1960s1、The Civil Rights Movement2、The Youth Anti-War Movement3、The Women's Movement第二问American Negroes experienced different lives in the South and outside the South of America. Young people resented traditional white male values in US society. Women experienced different lives during and after World War II. All these three kinds of people were dissatisfied with their lives.第三问Many people who believed the government and the society were wrong joined one or more of the social movements. Black and white young people worked in all the movements, as did many middle-class white women and some men. Those who worked in the civil right movement included older, usually male, Negro leaders; black and white young people, some white professional men and women, and some white housewives.13 、The author says that the United States was founded on the principle of human equality, but inpractice the nation has fallen far short of that ideal. Illustrate this point with what you have learned form this text.Actually, American government has come up many laws to guarantee the human equality. But for many cases, the inequality in society is still a quite serious problem.Unlike most other peoples, Americans are primarily a nation of immigrants, the citizens or their ancestors immigrated from many parts of the globe. It’s because the nation contains so many racial and ethnic subcultures that contributes to racial conflicts. On the other hand, American society is a stratified one in which power, wealth, and prestige are unequally distributed among the population. This equality is not simply a matter of distinction between social classes, it tends to follow racial and ethnic lines as well, with the result that class divisions often parallel racial divisions.Apart from this, the racial and ethnic minorities, mainly refer to the blacks, are still suffering from racial discrimination and injustice. Thus race relations between black and white still leave much to be desired. It’s for these phenomena that we realize that the equality in America should be improved because practice reveal the reality.14. What does poverty mean in the United States?P160 What’s the major social problemsmentioned in the text?It means many old people eating dog and cat food to supplement their diets. It means malnutrition and deprivation for hundreds of thousands of children. It means greater susceptibility to disease, to alcoholism, to victimization by criminals, and to mental disorders. It often means unstable marriages, slum housing, illiteracy, ignorance, inadequate medical facilities, and shortened life expectancy. Poverty can mean low self-esteem, despair, and stunting of human potential.major social problems：racial problems, poverty, drug abuse, crime, and the abuse of power by government and corporations.16. How did the Cold War begin? What role did the US play in Cold War ? Can you explain what is the Cold War in your own words?By the end of WWII, the United States became the strongest country in the world. The policy-maker of the US wanted a world order dominated by the US, a world market free and open to American goods and services and more and more countries modeling on American institution and values. In pursuing this goal, the US encountered determined resistance from the Soviet Union. Gradually the two wartime allies fell apart and the Cold War began.第二问The cold war was a word of ideas between the communists and non-communists.The US was the leader of the non-communists.第三问The cold war is used to describe the relationship between America and the Soviet Union 1945 to 1980. Neither side ever fought the other - the consequences would be too appalling - but they did ‗fight' for their beliefs using client states who fought for their beliefs on their behalf .Such as: South Vietnam was anticommunist and was supplied by America during the war while North Vietnam waspro-Communist and fought the south (and the Americans) using weapons from communist Russia or communist China. In Afghanistan, the Americans supplied the rebel Afghans after the Soviet Union invaded in 1979 while they never physically involved themselves thus avoiding a direct clash with the Soviet Union.18 Why do Canadians seek a national identity?this search for a national identity underlies the history of canada,it is perhaps a natural thing to search for in a country that is so new(canada first became a political entity in 1867;and did not assume itspresent shape until 1949)canada is a former colony that traces its history ,its loyalties and many of its settlers and forefathers to "the old country"that is great britain.and when it gained its independence from britain,it natually fell under the influence of its large,powerful neighbour to the south with which it has so much in common.19 What is so unique about Canadian culture?Canadian is a wilderness nation, with savage beauty and incredible obstacles. A nation founded on European traditions by the English and the French .A nation of Immigrants .A country of diverse and distinctive regions with powerful regional identities - Quebec, the Maritimes, the Prairies, for example.A nation with a strong sense of social welfare committed to providing a social safety net for all. A land of remarkable freedoms with a goal of equity for all regardless of sex, race, age, color, creed or disability .Peace-keepers for the world and a partner with all nations.20. Try to find the similarities and differences in the government systems between the UnitedKingdom, the United States and Canada.The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of the United States (the head of state and head of government), Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments. Federal and state elections generally take place within a two-party system, although this is not enshrined in law.Two parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.The British political systemAs a parliamentary democracy,the british government is characterized by a division of powers among the legislature,the executive and the judiciary.The three parties in Britain:the conservative party,the labor party and the liberal democratsThe same:1. both have a parliament 1. They are Democratic nations and the Constitution is the basic law.2.There is respective two Houses in the Parliament or Congress which have the supreme authority to pass law or levy taxes. 3. The members of Parliament and Congress, and the executive leaders are elected. 4. Political parties play an important role in politics.The difference:1. The constitution. The United States has a written constitution which is very difficult to change. The UK's constitutional provisions are scattered over various Acts of Parliament, any of which can be changed by a simple majority in the Parliament.2.Vote: In the United States, the Democratic and Republican Parties absolutely dominate federal and state elections with independents securing only small proportions of the vote. In the United Kingdom, the two main political parties - Conservative and Labour - win a smaller and declining share of the total vote.3.Britain is a constitutional monarchy, the United States is The Democratic Republic Britain's head of state is King, there is no real power; President of the United States is the highest executive power and military powerCanada is a constitutional monarchy with a federal system of parliamentary government and strong democratic traditions. Its political system i s the Westminster system. Since Canada‘s political structure is modeled after those of Britain and the United States, it can be described as both a federation like the US and a constitutional monarchy like Britain.21. What are some of the things that make Canada a unique and interesting country?1. Canada‘s vast territory and unique topograp hy result in a climate with wide regional variations.2. In contrast to its physical size, economic power and international prestige, Canada's population is very small.3. Canada has two official languages -- English and French.4.Canada is famous for maples.22. Why is New England sometimes called the birthplace of America?1、The first movements of American literature, philosophy and education originated in New England.The region played a prominent role in the movement to abolish slavery and was the first region of the United States to be transformed by the Industrial Revolution.2、New England was an early center of the industrial revolution. [ The Blackstone Valley in Massachusetts and Rhode Island has been called the birthplace of America's industrial revolution.3、In one of the earliest European settlements in North America, Pilgrims from England first settled in New England in 1620, to form Plymouth Colony.4、New England has the only non-geographic regional name recognized by the federal government.23. What were the features in the colonial period which had influence on later Americandevelopment?1) The first meeting of an elected legislature on July 30, 1619 in Virginia, was thought to be the brilliant example of self-government of Americans;2) Another event also occurred in Virginia, 20 Negroes were brought into American as servants by Dutchmen, which began enslavement.3)puritans' legacies such as: individualism, hard work, respect of education and idealism of "a city upon hill", a strong sense of mission felt by most Americans even nowadays.4) Four colonial patterns in America have developed a similar American pattern in politics, economy and cultural life.24 Boston Tea Party P43 倒数第一段In 1773, a group of patriots responded to the tea tax by staging the ―Boston Tea Party‖. Disguised as Indians, they boarded British merchant ship and tossed 342 crates of tea into Boston harbor. British parliament then passed the Intolerable Acts: the independence of Massachusetts colonial government was sharply curtailed(削减), and more British soldiers were sent to the port of Boston, which was now closed to shipping.25、What were the contributions of President Theodore Roosevelt?1.）In foreign affairs he led us into the arena of international power politics, thrusting aside the American tradition of isolationism, In all his policies as Chief Executive, he expanded the powers and responsibilities of the Presidential office, establishing the model of the modern Presidency which has been followed by most of his successors in the White House.2. ）He provided federal protection for almost 230 million acres, a land area equivalent to that of all the East coast states from Maine to Florida.3. ）Aside from his conservation efforts, he "busted" trusts bringing the large corporations under the control of the people; he established the Department of Commerce and Labor; he built up the Navy as the "Big Stick", thus establishing America as a major world power; and he secured the passage of the Elkins Act and the Hepburn Act for regulation of the railroads, the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act for consumer protection, and the Federal Employers' Liability Act for Labor.4.）In addition, he successfully mediated international disputes over Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Morocco.26 the Great DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s.It was the longest, most widespread, and deepest depression of the 20th century. The depression originated in the U.S., starting with the fall in stock prices that began around September 4, 1929 and became worldwide news with the stock market crash of October 29, 1929 (known as Black Tuesday). From there, it quickly spread to almost every country in the world. The usual explanations of the cause include numerous factors, especially high consumer debt, ill-regulated markets that permitted overoptimistic loans by banks and investors, the lack of high-growth new industries, and growing wealth inequality, all interacting to create a downward economic spiral of reduced spending, falling confidence, and lowered production. Personal income, tax revenue, profits and prices dropped, while international trade plunged by more than 50%. Unemployment in the U.S. rose to 25%, and in some countries rose as high as 33%.Cities al around the world were hit hard, especially those dependent on heavy industry. Construction was virtually halted in many countries. Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell by approximately 60%.Facing plummeting demand with few alternate sources of jobs, areas dependent on primary sector industries such as cash cropping, mining and logging suffered the most.15、Boston Tea PartyBoston Tea Party refers to the incident in 1773 when Boston residents threw the tea from the British ships into the harbor to protest the British monopoly of the colonial tea trade.27、the New DealPresident Roosevelt’s New Deal (新政)was popular with the electorate (选民) and led to a successful reelection in 1936.It ensured that economic opportunities are fair and accessible to the people and prevented flagrant (公然的) abuses of the system. It also Dampened (抑制) the effects of inflation and stimulated growth.28. Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments which were added to the Constitution in 1791. It was passed to guarantee freedom and individual rights such as freedom of speech, the right to assemble in public places, the right to own weapon and so on.29. What are the characteristics of American education?Firstly .Education in America is a local matter , each of the 50 states in America has its own laws regulating education. and America students pass through several levels of schooling. They attend Elementary School and Secondary School. secondly .in America higher education is on the college level，and selecting a c ollege or University need to know ‗what degrees does the school offer?‘ and ‗what curricula does a college or university offer?‘ also the mass of the education and the flourish of the college. Thirdly, America education trends in degree programs and education for all .30、Why was education reform stressed again in the 1980s and early 1990s? What are some of the problems associated with American education today.In the 1980s, the problem in education again grew the attention of many people. In 1983, a repor t ―A. Nation At Risk‖ was issued which cited high rates of adult illiteracy, declining SAT scores and low scores on international comparison of knowledge by American students as examples of the decline of educational standards. Violence is still a serious problem in American schools and the number of students who take drugs doing up. By the MID-1980S, a wave of educational reform swept the country. These reforms had two focuses: the first was the raising of the standards of teaching and learning. The second was the restructuring of the schools. In 1991, President Bush issued his plan ‖American 2000: An Education Strategy‖. Some improvement has been made in American Schools.32. Why is Ernest Hemingway considered the spokesman of the “Lost Generation”?Because American writers caught in WWI and cut off from the old values; unable to come to terms with the new era. Hemingway‘s world is chaotic and meaningless. Having seen violence and death close at hand, Hemingway adopted a moral code exalting simple survival and the basic values of strength, courage and honesty. His writing style is colloquialism, which is accepted easier. He eventually won the Nobel Prize and is considered one of the greatest American writers.（借鉴）His first important novel The Sun Also Rise, which is a description of young people in thepost-war era, is a novel about the ―Lost Generation‖. The characters in the novel are young Americans living in Paris. Some of them have fought bravely for their country, but now they are completely useless in peacetime. Others are simply ―Expatriates‖, people without a homeland. These ―Expatriates‖ have no hope or ambition, they try to enjoy each day as it comes. All characters in the novel are ―lost‖. Thus, the whole genera tion becomes the ―Lost Generation。