英语复习题名词解释

HistoryExplain the following terms.1. The Anglo-SaxonsIn the 5th century, the tribes called the Angles and Saxons invaded Britain, coming from northern Europe. By the end of the 5th century, the Anglo-Saxons ruled most of Britain. Their language was called Old English. From them comes the name of “England” and “English”; England came from “Angle-land” meaning the land of the Anglo-Saxons.2. Norman ConquestAfter King Edward died, Duke William of Normandy, from northern France, declared that Edward had promised to let him become the king. On October 14, 1066, William and his army invaded England and defeated the English army. He was made king and crowned in Westminster Abby on Christmas Day, 1066. William is often referred to as William the Conqueror in English history.3. Robin HoodEngland's best-loved legend of Robin Hood is an outlawed Saxon nobleman oppressed by the Normans. He hid in the forest near Sherwood with his band of followers, called “merry men”. From this secret wood, they went out to rob from the rich to give to the poor with their longbows. Robin Hood has been a popular subject of numerous films, television series, books, comics and plays.4. The Hundred Years’ WarAt the beginning of the 14th century, England developed into a stronger state in Europe. Consequently, the rich wanted to control more markets and the nobles wanted to regain their lost land. When King Edward III of England declared that he should become the French king, the French rejected his claim so he declared war on France in 1337. The war lasted intermittently for 116 years, hence being known as the Hundred Years’ War.5. The Civil WarIn January 1642 the Civil War broke out between the Roundheads (supporters of Parliament) and the Cavaliers (supporters of the King). The Civil War ended with the Parliamentary victory and it led to the execution of Charles I, and his son Charles II was driven out of the country in 1649. In addition to that, Oliver Cromwell, the leader of the Roundheads,formed republican England, known as the Commonwealth of England and the English monarchy was abolished.6. American IndiansThe American Indians were the descendants of the Mongoloid. The name “Indians” was given by Columbus when he mistook them for the people of India. It is believed that about 25,000 years ago the Indians crossed the Bering Strait land bridge to Alaska. The American Indians developed the brilliant civilizations of the Aztecs, the Incas and the Mayas.7. Columbus’ “discovery ” of AmericaIn 1492, Columbus persuaded the king and queen of Spain to finance his voyage. He believed that by sailing west from Europe, he could reach India. Columbus failed to reach India but landed at one of the Caribbean islands instead. He mistook these islands for part of India and called the local people Indians.8. The MayflowerThe Mayflower has a famous position in American history as a symbol of early European colonization. With their religion oppressed by the Church of England, in the autumn of 1620, 102 people sailed to the New World in a ship named the “Mayflower”. Late in December, the Mayflower finally landed in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts.9. Declaration of IndependenceOn July 2, 1776, the Congress finally determined that these United Colonies ought to be free and independentstates. Thomas Jefferson, assisted by Benjamin Franklin, drafted the Declaration of Independence, which the Congress adopted on July 4, 1776. It announced the independence of 13 North American colonies and the birth ofa new nation.10. Abraham LincolnIn March 1861 Abraham Lincoln took the office of president. He realized that by making the war a battle against slavery, he could win support for the Union at home and abroad. On January 1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which granted freedom to all slaves.Geography1.The British IslesThe British Isles is the name of some islands in Western Europe, separated from the European continent by the North Sea, the Strait of Dover and the English Channel. Among the islands, Great Britain and Ireland are the two main ones. The country of the U.K. mainly consists of these two islands.2.LondonLondon is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the world’s ninth largest city. As one of the world's most important business, financial and cultural centers, it carries a lot of influence in aspect of politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts. The city is also a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors.3.Edinburgh FestivalEdinburgh is well known for the annual Edinburgh Festival, the world’s largest arts festival. Established in 1947, it takes place in the city during three weeks every August alongside several other arts and cultural festivals, collectively known as the Edinburgh Festival.4. New York CityThe city of New York, the largest city in the United States, is known for its status as a financial, cultural, transportation, and manufacturing center. The city consists of five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Among American cities, New York is unique for its 24-hour mass transit, so the city is sometimes referred to as "The City that Never Sleeps". New York City is the most populous city in the United States, and it is unique for the density and diversity of its population.5. White HouseThe White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. It was built between 1792 and 1800 in the late Georgian style and has been the executive residence of every U.S. President since John Adams, the 2nd president of the U.S.6.HollywoodHollywood is a district in Los Angeles, California. Because it is well known as the historical center of movie studios and stars, the word "Hollywood" is often used as a symbol for the American film and television industry. Many historic Hollywood theaters are used as venues to premiere major theatrical releases and host the Academy Awards. Hollywood is a popular destination for nightlife and tourism and home to the Walk of Fame.Chapter 5 Educationprehensive schoolComprehensive schools were established before 1960, when pupils were not separated by the criterion of academic ability. Such schools provide general education. The pupils study a wide variety of subjects at first and after two or three years they may give up some of them and only study the subject they like.2.Grammar schoolGrammar schools are the oldest schools in the U.K. Grammar schools select children; the children who get high marks in the“Eleven Plus” examination can attend them. The students who show academic potential can attendgrammar schools in which the emphasis is advanced academic work rather than the more general curriculum of comprehensive schools.3.Independent schoolIndependent schools are also confusingly called public schools. Independent schools are funded through the private sector, tuition fees and minimal government assistance. Independent schools generally recruit the best teachers and provide advanced facilities. As a result, graduates of independent schools are more likely than those of state schools to be accepted by famous universities.4.OxbridgeThe term Oxbridge is used to refer both Oxford University and Cambridge University as a single entity.5.Open UniversityThe Open University （OU）is the U.K.’s larg est university for part-time higher education. It was founded in 1969 and began its first courses in 1970. It is open to everybody and doesn’t require the same formal educational qualifications as the other universities. University courses are taught through TV, radio, videos and a network of study centers.6.creditCredit is used to measure an undergraduate in academic progress. A credit equals to one hour of classroom lecture, or two or three hours of experiments per week in a semester.7.higher educationHigher education in the United Stated began with the founding of Harvard College in 1636. When the students have finished high school (twelfth grade), they may go on to a college or a university. College or university study is known as “higher education”.8.Harvard UniversityHarvard University, the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, was established in l636, and named for its first benefactor，John Harvard. Harvard University is known around the world for its outstanding academic achievements. It has produced more than 40 Nobel laureates.Leisure Life1. TabloidTabloids always deal in some scandals and gossip of the famous people in politics, sports or entertainment.2. BBCFor a long period, the only television programs in Britain were produced by the BBC, the British Broadcasting Company, which was funded by the sale of TV licenses. The BBC was sponsored by the national government, which broadcasts radio and television programs for domestic and foreign markets.3. WimbledonWimbledon is the place now where the best tennis players gather to compete for a championship. It is a suburb of London. The Wimbledon Cup is one of the major sports events in Britain and probably the most famous tennis event in the world4. Horse racingHorse racing is the true sport of British Kings and Queens. The two types of horse racing are flat racing and hurdle racing. Flat racing is racing where horse riders compete on a flat track. Hurdle racing is racing across the countryside or around the obstacles encountered5. ChristmasChristmas is celebrated on December 25 and is the greatest of the Christian festivals. Christmas is a religious holiday during which Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. There are three traditions for Christmas Day in Britain. The first is Christmas Pantomime, which is a comical musical play. Another tradition on Christmas isto hear the Queen of Britain give her Christmas message through television and radio. The third British tradition is Boxing Day which is the day after Christmas.6. USA TodayOf all the newspapers, the most widely circulated paper in the United States is USA Today averaging over 2.25 million copies every weekday.7. All-Star GameIt is the game in which the best players from basketball teams from the eastern and western divisions display their skills. It begins in mid-February.8. ThanksgivingThanksgiving always occurs on the fourth Thursday in November at the end of the harvest season. It is a festival to express thanks for the year’s harvest. On Thanksgiving Day family members always gather for a rich dinner of roast turkey with stuffing, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie, which are traditional foods eaten on the first Thanksgiving.9. HalloweenHalloween is celebrated on October 31st, shortened from All-Hallows-Eve, the night when the ghosts of the dead walked around. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, haunted houses, reading scary stories and watching horror movies.10. Trick-or-treatingOn this day the children will dre ss like the character of a book or movie and go “trick-or-treating”. Children knock on neighbors’ doors asking for candy as a treat.。