英美概况部分重点术语1

8. What are the stages specifically?
9. The earliest known settlers on the British Isles were ________.
10. Christianity was first brought to England by ________.
Britain? 4. What’s the climate like in Britain? Why do British
people talk about weather very often? 5. What are the symbols of England? 6. Can you list some landmarks of London? 7. What are the symbols of Scotland?
• 4. Britain has a maritime climate------winters are not too cold and summers are not too hot. It has a steady reliable rainfall throughout the whole year. The temperature varies within a small range. That’s why British people talk about weather a lot
• 5. The royal policeman, Royal Coat of Arms(皇家徽章), Black Taxi, Foot Guard, Life Guard, Double Decker Bus ,Union Flag , Big Ben
• 6. Tower of London, London Eye, the Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge

1.Home Rule: Ireland had long been dominated Ireland had long been dominated bBritain, but Irish desire for an independent Irish state was never lost. “Home Rule” refers to a campaign for Irish control of Irish affairs. The home rule bill was finally passed in 1914, but process was overtaken by the First World War and was suspended for the duration of the war.2.George Washington: George Washington was one of the founding fathers of theAmerican Republic. He was the Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the War of Independence against the British colonial rule and the first President of the united stated.3.The Articles of Federation: After the War of Independence was won, the newnation of the United States was organized under the agreement of the Articles of Confederation with a weak national government called the Congress. Each state had its own government, made its own laws and handled its internal affairs. The states did not cooperate with the Congress and with each other. The Congress had no power to force any state to contribute money to the national government and the Congress could not tax any citizen either. As a result, the Articles of Confederation failed.4.Grammar schools: It is a type of secondary schools in Britain. Grammar schoolsselect children with the highest marks go to grammar schools. These schools lay emphasis on advanced academic subjects rather than the more general curriculum of the comprehensive schools and expect many of their pupils to go on to universities.5.Affirmative Action Programs: Affirmative Action Programs were first advocatedby some colleges in the 1960. The purpose of the programs was to equalize educational opportunities for all groups and to make up for past inequality by giving special preference to members of minorities seeking jobs or admission to college. The programs effectively helped some minority students. But some critics accused the programs of reverse discrimination.6.Tabloids: A tabloid is a small newspaper with color photos and catchy headlines.Tabloids are interested in scandals and gossip usually about famous people. They also carry lots of crime, sports and sensational human interest stories so as to attract readers. Stories are short, easy to read and often rely more on opinion than fact. They belong to a category of national papers different from quality papers. 7.The Constitution of UK: Britain has no written Constitution. The foundation ofthe British state are laid out in statute law, which are laws passed by Parliament;the common laws, which are laws established through common practice in the courts; and conventions.8.Quality papers: They belong to one of the national dailies. The quality paperscarry more serious and in-depth articles of particular political and social importance. They also carry reviews, such as book reviews, and feature articles about high culture. These papers are also referred to as “the broadsheets” because they are printed on large-size paper. The readers of such newspapers are generallya well-educated middle class audience.9.Independent schools: Independent schools are commonly called public schoolswhich are actually private schools that receive their funding through the private sector and tuition rate, with some government assistance. Independent schools are not part of national education system, but the quality of instruction and standards are maintained through visits from Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools. These schools are restricted to the students whose parents are comparatively rich.10.London: London is the largest city located in the south of the country. It isdominant in Britain in all sorts of ways. It is the cultural and business centre and the headquarters of the vast majority of Britain’s big companies. It is not only the financial centre of the nation, but also one of the three major international financial centers in the world.11.A federal system: A federal system is one in which power is shared between acentral authority and its constituent parts, with some rights reserved to each.12.The Declaration of Independence: the Declaration of Independence was mainlydrafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule. The document declared that all men were and equal and that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It also explained the philosophy of government: the power of government came from the consent of the governed and the purpose of governments was to secure the rights mentioned above. The theory of politics and the guiding principles of the American Revolution mainly came from John Locke.13.Romanticism of English Literature: Roughly the first third of the 19th centurymakes up English literature’s romantic period. Writers of romantic literature are more concerned with imagination and feeling than with the power of reason. A volume of poems called Lyrical Ballads written by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge is regarded as the romantic poetry’s “Declaration of Independence.”Keats, Byron and Shelley, the three great poets, brought the Romantic Movement to its height. The spirit of Romanticism also occurred in the novel.14.The Great Famine: The Great Famine took place from 1845-1848 whensuccessive potato crops failed and many people of Ireland starved to death, or died of the diseases which preyed on malnutrition. Many left the country for the New World. The great famine became a watershed in Irish history, not merely because there was mass starvation and emigration, but also because the British government appeared to be indifferent to the fate of the poorest people in its nearest colony.Naturally this period is characterized by campaigns for national independence and land reform.15.Anglo-Saxons: They were two groups of Germanic peoples who settled down inEngland from the 5th century. They were regarded as the ancestors of the English and the founders of England.16.The Commonwealth: In the author’s opinion, the Commonwealth is a voluntaryassociation of states which is made up of Britain and mostly former British colonies. There are 54 member of the Commonwealth including one currentlysuspended member: many of these are developing countries like India and Cyprus;others are developed nation like Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The Commonwealth was set up as a forum for continued cooperation and as a sort of support network.17.The Bill of Rights of 1689: In 1688, King James II’s daughter Mary and herhusband William were invited by the politicians and church authorities to take the throne, on condition that they would respect the rights of Parliament. The Bill of Rights was passed in 1689 to ensure that the King would never be able to ignore Parliament.18.Industrial Revolution in America: After independence, America was principally anagricultural country. The Industrial Revolution in England brought many changes to American industry between 1776 and 1860. One key development was the introduction of the factory system. A second development was the “American system”of mass production. A third development was the application of new technologies to industrial tasks. A fourth development was the emergence of new forms of business organization—the bank and the corporation.19.Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone National Park is the oldest and one of thelargest national parks in the US. It is named after the Yellowstone River that flows through the area. It is known for its geysers and hot springs among other natural wonders.20.Puritanism: Puritans were those who followed the doctrine of john Calvin andwanted to purify the Church of England. They believe that human beings were predestined by God before they were born. Some were god’s chosen people while others were damned to hell. No church nor good works could save people. The sign of being God’s elect was the success in his work or the prosperity in his calling. They also argued that everyone must read the Bible in order to find God’s will and establish a direct contact with God. These beliefs had great impact on American culture.21.What powers does the Queen of Britain have theoretically? Why is it said that shehas no real power at all in reality?22.What are the differences between Britain and the British Isles, Great Britain,England, the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth?23.The Victorian Era of the United Kingdom was the period of Queen Victoria’sreign from June 1837 to January 1901. This was a long period of prosperity for the British people, not only in the aspects of politics and economics, but also in the aspect of literature. Please state in your own words about the English literature in the Victorian Era.24.Why did the early settlers come to America? Who were the Pilgrims? Who werethe Puritans? What were the features in the colonial period which had influence on later American development?25.What are some of the major powers of each of the three branches of the USgovernment? How are three branches supposed to check and balance each other?26.In the U.S. 1960s is an age of social movements. Although most of the movementshad long roots in United States history, many people who worked in the 1960s movements believed they were creating something new and exciting which would make deep changes in American Society. Please give a detailed description of the major social movements in the 1960s.27.Although the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and theUnited States of America have been working together closely ever since the Second World War, the governments of the two don’t share much in common.Please compare these two governments and then state the differences between them in detail.28.Australia and New Zealand are located next to each other, and these two countriesboth have their own distinct features of geography. Please find out similarities and differences in terms of geography between Australia and New Zealand.•Multiple Choices (25%)•True or False (10%)•Match (15%)•Terms (30%=5%*6)•Questions (20%=10%*2)。

英美概况考试重点复习材料（英国部分）Chapter 1第一章Land and People 英国的国土与人民I. Different Names for Britain and its Parts 英国的不同名称及其各组成部分1.Geographical names: the British Isles, Great Britain and England. 地理名称：不列颠群岛，大不列颠和英格兰。

2. Official name: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 官方正式名称：大不列颠及北爱尔兰联合王国。

3. The British Isles are made up of two large islands-Great Britain (the larger one) and Ireland, and hundreds of small ones.不列颠群岛由两个大岛—大不列颠岛（较大的一个）和爱尔兰岛，及成千上万个小岛组成。

4. Three political divisions on the island of Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wale大不列颠岛上有三个政治区：英格兰、苏格兰和威尔士。

(1) England is in the southern part of Great Britain. It is the largest, most populous section.英格兰位于大不列颠岛南部，是最大，人口最稠密的地区。

(2) Scotland is in the north of Great Britain. It has three natural zones (the Highlands in the north; the Central lowlands; the south Uplands) Capital: Edinburgh 苏格兰位于大不列颠的北部。

英美概况知识点总结归纳英美概况是指英国和美国的文化、历史、政治、经济、教育等各方面的概况。

这两个国家在世界上具有重要的地位，对世界文化和政治产生了深远的影响。

下面将对英美概况的各个方面进行总结归纳。

一、文化概况1. 英国文化英国是一个拥有悠久历史的国家，其文化底蕴深厚。

英国文学自古至今在世界范围内具有重要地位，莎士比亚、狄更斯、奥斯丁等众多文学家的作品至今仍然备受人们喜爱。

英国音乐、戏剧、电影等领域也有着丰富的传统。

2. 美国文化美国是一个移民国家，因此其文化融合了来自世界各地的元素，呈现出多元化和包容性。

美国文学、音乐、电影等在世界上具有很大影响力，如杰克·伦敦、海明威、福克纳等作家的作品、爵士乐、摇滚乐、好莱坞电影等都深受人们喜爱。

3. 英美文化交流英美两国之间的文化交流十分频繁，互相影响。

英国音乐、戏剧、文学等在美国具有很大影响力，而美国的流行音乐、电影、文化现象也在英国广受欢迎。

二、历史概况1. 英国历史英国历史可以追溯到古代，罗马、盎格鲁-撒克逊、诺曼底人等不同民族和文化在英国留下了深远的影响。

英国从16世纪开始成为世界上的帝国大国，殖民了大量领土。

20世纪初，英国逐渐衰落，但仍然在政治、文化方面占有重要地位。

2. 美国历史美国历史相对年轻，但是却是一个充满传奇色彩的国家。

美国独立战争后成为独立国家，并在19世纪成为世界上最强大的国家之一。

20世纪，美国在两次世界大战后成为世界超级大国，对世界政治、经济产生了深远影响。

3. 英美历史关系英国曾是美国的殖民地，双方有着深厚的历史渊源。

美国革命后，两国保持了密切的关系，经济、文化、政治等方面有着广泛的交流合作。

三、政治概况1. 英国政治英国是一个君主立宪制国家，国家元首是君主，首相是政府首脑。

英国的政治体系成熟稳定，经过数百年的发展，形成了一套完善的议会制度和法律体系。

2. 美国政治美国是一个总统制国家，总统是国家元首和政府首脑。

英语国家概况名词解释复习范围1.Puritanism : the beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinistswho wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects) and that self-control and hard work are important and that pleasure is wrong or unnecessary2. The Declaration of Independence: is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire.3. George Washington: served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and as the commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. Because of his significant role in the revolution and in the formation of the United States, he is highly revered by Americans as the "Father of Our Country".4. WASP: stands for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. It is an informal term used in the United States and Canada[1] in reference to an ethnic elite with high social status and presumed power.5. Three Faiths in the US: Americans were considered to come in 3 basic varieties : Protestant,Catholic and Jewish,the order reflecting the strength in numbers of each group.6. Religious liberty in the US: freedom of religion is a constitutionally guaranteed right provided in the religion clauses of the First Amendment. Freedom of religion is also closely associated with separation of church and state7. The “Lost Generation”: in the aftermath of ww1,many novelists produced a literature of disillusionment.Some lived abroad and known as the lost generation.8.Hemingway :one of the great US writers of the 20th century, who won the Nobel prize for literature in 1954. He wrote many novels and short stories in a simple and direct style, and his books are often about typically male activities like war and hunting. His novels include A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Old Man and the Sea. He died by shooting himself.9. High education in the US :10 The civil rights movement: refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring Suffrage in Southern states.11. Martin Luther King.Jr. : United States charismatic civil rights leader and Baptist minister who campaigned against the segregation of Blacks (1929-1968)12. The House of Lords and Commons in the UK : British Parliament has two parts: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Lords is made up of the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal. the House of Commons, whose members are each elected to represent a particular official area of the country, or its members or the place where it meets13. Romanticism : a movement in literature and art during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that celebrated nature rather than civilization; "Romanticism valued imagination and emotion over rationality"representative persons include keats,byron and shelley.14. Shakespeare : English playwright and poet whose body of works is considered the greatest in English literature. His plays, include the famous four comedies and four tragedies.15. the British Commonwealth : is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states. All but two of these countries were formerly part of the British Empire.16. Terra Nullius : in Australia, the legal idea that when the first Europeans arrived in Australia the land was owned by no one and therefore they were free to live there.17. The “Washminster” form policy in Australia : washington and westminster as britain andamerican political system.based on a federation of states and has a three-tier system of government but the chief executive is a prime minister.18. The Bloc Quebecois: a coalition of MPs from the main French-speaking province of Quebec who were dedicated to the task of winning important concessions from the rest of Canada.19. the Cold War (1947–1991) was the continuing state of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition existing after World War II, primarily between the Soviet Union and its satellite states, and the powers of the Western world, particularly the United States.20. Unilateralism (the US) : Unilateralism is used to refer to a policy in which one country or group involved in a situation takes a decision or action on its own, without the agreement of the other countries or groups involved.20. London : the capital and largest city of England,the country’s governmental, financial and and cultural center.21. Percy Bysshe Shelley : was one of the major English Romantic poets and is critically regarded among the finest lyric poets in the English language. "Ode to the West Wind”22. the relationship between the UK and the US: close during and after ww2,and today agree on many issues…23. the Great Barrier Reef : is the world's largest reef system, stretching for over 2,000 kilometres along the coast of Queensland in north-east Australia.24. the Dreaming (Australia) : the most enduring religion in Australia ,is over 10,000 years old.25. James Joyce : Irish ,was one of the greatest writers in the twentieth century, whose works and“ stream of consciousness” had an important effect on the whole world.。

英美概况大题知识点总结1. 位置与面积:- 英国位于欧洲大陆的西北部，由英格兰、苏格兰、威尔士和北爱尔兰四个国家组成，是一个岛国，又称不列颠群岛。

- 美国位于北美洲的中北部，东临大西洋，西濒太平洋，与加拿大和墨西哥为邻。

是全球第三大、北美洲第二大的国家。

2. 地形:- 英国地貌复杂，地势起伏。

苏格兰地区有高山，如本提高地、格兰特群山、高地等，英格兰和威尔士地势较低，北爱尔兰地区以丘陵地形为主。

- 美国地大物博，地貌多样。

东部大西洋沿岸是低洼平原，中部是多河流盆地、大草原和沙漠，西部有洛矶山脉、科罗拉多高原和内华达高原，阿拉斯加地区是冰川遍布的高山地区，夏威夷是火山构成的群岛，加利福尼亚州和华盛顿州有大片的森林。

3. 气候:- 英国气候温和，受海洋性气候和大西洋洋流的影响。

冬季不太寒冷，夏季不太炎热，年降水量较多。

- 美国气候多样，北部地区属于温带大陆性气候，南部地区属于亚热带气候。

阿拉斯加地区气候寒冷，夏威夷地区气候属于热带海洋性气候。

整体上，美国西部偏干燥，东部偏湿润。

4. 主要城市:- 英国主要城市包括伦敦、曼彻斯特、伯明翰、利物浦等。

伦敦是英国首都，也是英国最大的城市，世界上最重要的金融中心之一。

- 美国主要城市包括纽约、洛杉矶、芝加哥、旧金山、华盛顿等。

纽约是美国最大的城市，也是世界金融中心之一，华盛顿是美国首都。

5. 自然资源:- 英国主要矿产资源包括煤炭、天然气、铁矿石和石油。

海洋渔业资源也非常丰富。

- 美国拥有丰富的煤炭、石油、天然气、铁矿石等矿产资源，以及广大的农业土地和丰富的水资源。

6. 语言和宗教:- 英国官方语言是英语，宗教主要是基督教，其中以英国国教会和天主教最为流行。

- 美国官方语言也是英语，宗教信仰多元，基督教、犹太教、伊斯兰教等都有一定的信徒。

英美历史概况:1. 古代历史:- 英国在古代分别由凯尔特人、罗马人、盎格鲁-撒克逊人和维京人等民族统治，1066年诺曼征服后建立了专制统治的王朝。

英美概况名词解释英美概况是指英国和美国的基本情况和特点。

下面是对英美概况中一些重要名词的解释：1. 英国（United Kingdom）：由英格兰、苏格兰、威尔士和北爱尔兰四个国家组成的岛国。

英国是世界上最古老的民主国家之一，拥有丰富的文化遗产，包括莎士比亚、披头士乐队等。

2. 美国（United States of America）：由50个州组成的联邦共和国，位于北美洲。

美国是世界上最强大的经济体之一，以及军事、科技、文化等各个领域的重要国家。

3. 英语（English）：英国和美国的官方语言，也是世界上被广泛使用的语言之一。

英国英语和美国英语在语音、发音、词汇等方面有一些差异，但是基本互通。

4. 联合国（United Nations）：成立于1945年的国际组织，致力于维护国际和平与安全、促进全球合作与发展。

英国和美国都是联合国的创始成员国，并在联合国中扮演着重要角色。

5. 环境保护（Environmental Protection）：指保护和改善环境，减少对环境的破坏。

英国和美国都高度重视环境保护，推行一系列措施，如减少污染排放、保护自然资源、推动可持续发展等。

6. 市场经济（Market Economy）：一种经济体制，以市场为基础，由供求关系决定资源配置和价格形成。

英国和美国都采用市场经济模式，注重市场竞争和个体自由，以及保护产权和鼓励创新。

7. 民主制度（Democracy）：一种政治制度，主权由人民拥有，通过选举和公民参与来决定国家事务。

英国和美国都是民主国家，实行三权分立和代议制度，保障公民的基本权利与自由。

8. 文化多样性（Cultural Diversity）：指不同文化在一个社会、国家或地区共存，并且相互影响、交流的现象。

由于历史和移民等原因，英国和美国都具有丰富的文化多样性，包括语言、宗教、习俗、饮食等方面。

以上是对英美概况中一些重要名词的简要解释。

这些名词涉及到政治、经济、文化等多个领域，对于了解和认识英美两国有很重要的意义。

一、翻译题分constitutional monarchy 君主立宪制the Monarch 君主Parliament 议会House of Commons 平民院平民院/下议院The Government Party执政党Royal Assent御准（女王批准）Shadow Cabinet 影子内阁jury system 陪审团制the Conservative Party 保守党保守党the Labour Party 工党工党common law 习惯法Crown Courts 王室法院The Celts 凯尔特人Anglo-Saxons 盎格鲁萨克逊人Norman Conquest 诺曼征服The Great Charter 大宪章大宪章The Hundred Years’ War 百年大战The Black Death黑死病Renaissance 文艺复兴Humanists 人文主义者the Great Lakes大湖区Secretary of State国务卿The US Congress 国会众议院国会the House of Representatives众议院The Judicial Branch司法部门the Supreme Court最高法院最高法院the Boston Tea Party波士顿倾茶事件、The Bill of Rights人权法案人权法案The Star-Spangled Banner星条旗The Monroe Doctrine门罗主义Emancipation Proclamation解放宣言/废奴宣言Frontiersman拓荒者The Civil War内战The Westward Movement西进运动英语国家概况精讲系列（一）Chapter 1 第一章Land and People 英国的国土与人民I. Different Names for Britain and its Parts 英国的不同名称及其各组成部分1.Geographical names: the British Isles, Great Britain and England. 地理名称：不列颠群岛，大不列颠和英格兰。

英美概况知识点总结英语1. Geography:The United Kingdom (UK) is located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. It consists of four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The UK has a diverse landscape, including rolling hills, mountains, and fertile plains. It is also known for its coastline and numerous islands.On the other hand, the United States (US) is a vast country in North America, with 50 states and a federal district. It is the fourth-largest country in the world by land area and has a diverse geography that includes mountains, plains, deserts, and coastlines, as well as the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.2. Politics and Governance:The UK is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is the monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, while the Prime Minister is the head of the government. The UK Parliament has two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The political system is based on the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.In contrast, the United States is a federal republic with a presidential system. It has a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President is both the head of state and the head of government, and the Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The US political system is based on the principles of federalism and checks and balances.3. Economy:The UK has one of the largest economies in the world, with a focus on services such as finance, healthcare, education, and creative industries. London is a global financial center, and the UK has a strong manufacturing and technology sector as well. It is also a member of the European Union, although it recently departed from the bloc following the Brexit referendum in 2016.The United States has the world's largest economy, characterized by its diversity and innovation. It is a global leader in technology, finance, entertainment, and manufacturing. The US economy is driven by private enterprise and innovation, with cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco serving as major economic hubs.4. Education:The UK has a well-established education system, including prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 16, and the system is divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary (higher) education. The UK is known for its high-quality education and research facilities.In the United States, education is decentralized, with each state responsible for its own education system. The US has a wide range of educational institutions, including Ivy League universities, public and private colleges, and community colleges. The US is also a popular destination for international students seeking higher education.5. Culture and Society:Both the UK and the US have rich and diverse cultural traditions. The UK is known for its literature, theater, music, and art, with a strong influence from its historical legacy. British culture has also been shaped by its multicultural population, with significant contributions from immigrants and diverse ethnic communities.The US is a melting pot of cultures, influenced by the traditions of Native American, African, European, Asian, and Latin American communities. It has made significant contributions to global popular culture, including music, film, and sports. The US is also known for its emphasis on individualism and the "American Dream," the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination.6. Healthcare:The UK has a public healthcare system known as the National Health Service (NHS), which provides free or subsidized healthcare to all residents. The NHS is funded through taxation and offers comprehensive medical services, including primary care, hospital treatment, and emergency services.In the United States, healthcare is provided through a combination of private and public systems. While public programs like Medicare and Medicaid offer coverage to specific groups, the majority of Americans are covered by private health insurance. The US has a complex healthcare system with varying levels of access and quality, and healthcare costs are a major issue for many Americans.In conclusion, the United Kingdom and the United States are two influential and diverse countries with distinct characteristics in terms of politics, economy, education, culture, and healthcare. Despite their differences, they share a common language and history, and they continue to have a significant impact on global affairs. Understanding the nuances of these two nations can provide valuable insights into the complexities of international relations and the modern world.。

英美概况知识点总结英美概况是指英国和美国的基本情况和特点。

英国是位于欧洲的一个岛国，由英格兰、苏格兰、威尔士和北爱尔兰四个国家组成，首都是伦敦。

美国则是位于北美洲的一个国家，由50个州组成，首都是华盛顿特区。

1. 地理位置英国位于欧洲西北部，东临北海，西濒大西洋，与法国相隔仅有英吉利海峡相隔。

美国则位于北美洲的中北部，东临大西洋，西濒太平洋，与加拿大相邻。

2. 历史文化英国是一个具有悠久历史的国家，拥有世界上最古老的君主制度。

英国文化对世界产生了深远的影响，包括文学、音乐、戏剧、电影等方面。

美国则是一个相对年轻的国家，但在短短几百年的时间里，美国发展成为世界上最强大的经济体和军事力量之一。

美国文化以自由、多元和创新为特点，融合了来自世界各地的移民文化。

3. 政治制度英国是一个君主立宪制国家，君主为国家元首，政府首脑为首相。

英国议会制度发源于英国，对世界各国影响深远。

美国则是一个联邦制共和国，总统为国家元首和政府首脑，国会为立法机关。

美国的总统制度也对世界其他国家的政治制度产生了影响。

4. 经济发展英国是一个高度发达的资本主义经济体，金融、服务业和创新产业是其经济的支柱。

英国拥有伦敦金融城，是全球金融中心之一。

美国则是世界上最大的经济体，以市场经济为基础，拥有发达的制造业、科技产业和金融服务业。

美国的股市和创新科技企业在全球具有重要地位。

5. 教育体系英国拥有全球顶尖的大学，如剑桥大学和牛津大学，以及众多优秀的高中和中学。

英国教育体系注重学术传统和素质教育。

美国则拥有世界上最多的大学和研究机构，美国的教育体系注重实践和创新，鼓励学生个性发展。

6. 社会福利英国实行社会福利制度，医疗、教育、退休金等福利待遇相对较高。

美国的社会福利制度相对较少，个人的社会保障和福利待遇更多依赖于个人努力和私人保险。

7. 文化特色英国有悠久的文化传统，包括皇室、茶文化、乡村庄园、英式足球等。

美国则是一个多元文化的国家，融合了来自世界各地的移民文化，美国足球、篮球、好莱坞电影等都是美国文化的代表。

Section one：Origin of the English NationThe native Celts●The Celtic tribes are ancestors of the Highland Scots, the Irish, and the Welsh. And the Celtic language is thebasis of Welsh and Gaelic.●Religion: Druidism.●Stonehenge: the circular arrangement of large stones in Wiltshire, near Salisbury, England, was probably builtbetween about 3000 and 1000 B.C by Celts, but its function remains unknown.Roman Britain (55BC-410AD)●Romans got possession of England by driving native Celts into Scotland and Wales. They failed to conquerScotland. They built two great walls: the Hadrian's Wall, the Antonine Wall, along the northern border of England to prevent Picts in Scotland from invading England.●Many towns’ names end with: ster, cester, and shire. e.g., Lancast er, Winchester, Y orkshire, deriving fromcastra (Latin word for camp).●Religion: Christianity.The Anglo-Saxon Conquest (446-871)(mainly occupied the Lowland Zone)●New invader: Jutes (now the county of Kent), became the king of Kent. Soon after their relat ives and othertribes came trooping after them——●It is a collective name for the seven Anglo—Saxon kingdoms from the 7th century to the 9th century. They areKent, Essex, Sussex, Essex, East Anglia, Mercia and North Umbria. After the 9th century, the seven kingdoms were conquered one after another by the invading Danes.●Saxons and Angles came from northern Germany. After they had taken possession of all the England, theywere divided into 7 principal kingdoms, known as Heptarchy. those tribes were constantly at war with one another, each trying to get the upper hand.(hero: King Arthur)●Religion: Teutonic, practicing multi-goddism. Tiu(the god of war, Tuesday), Woden(heaven, Wednesday),Thor(storms, Thursday),Freya(peace, Friday)●Pope Gregory I sent St. Augustine to convert the English to Christianity. With the help of the king of Kent, hebecame the first Archbishop of Canterbury.●The A-S nominated local officials: sheriffs.●Open-field farming system: 3 big fields+commons. This system is the basis of the English agrarian civilizationand subsistence farming.●Witan: the A-S created the Witan (a group of wise man) to advice the king, the Witan was the forerunner of thepresent-day Privy Council.●Alfred the Great: the father of the British Navy & his writings were the beginning of prose literature. Made atreaty with Danes----Dane law.●Viking invasions: in the 8th, 9th, 10th centuries A.D. V ikings from North Europe, brought a new wave ofinvasion and colonization which produced lasting influence on parts of Briton.●Canute: Witan chose the Danish leader, as king of England. he included England part of a Scandinavianempire(inc luded Norway and Denmark)●Edward the Confessor: built Westminster Abbey.The Norman Conquest (1066)●William the Conqueror: the first Anglo-Norman king of England.●Battle of Hastings: ?Influence of the Norman Conquest●Feudalism: the nobles got fief, from the sovereign. But they were obliged to pay certain dues and armed manaccording to their estates to the king. They (known as barons or the king's tenants=in -chief, made up the upper landed class. They give fiefs to sub-vassals (known as lesser nobles, knights, and free man).They should take oaths of loyalty to the king directly as well as to their immediate overlords.●William built the Tower of London as a military fortress. He replaced the Witan with the Great Council thatwas composed of his tenants-in-chief.●Domesday Book: in order to have a reliable record of all lands and discover how much his tenants-in-chiefcould be called upon to pay by way of taxes, William sent his clerks to make investigations. These clerks finally compiled a property record known as Domesday Book in 1085.this book stated the extent, value, population, and ownership of the land.Section two：The Great Charter and Beginning of ParliamentHenry II 'Reforms●William died and left his Normandy to Robert, England to William Rufus, all his money to Henry. William IIwas killed when hunting, Henry I succeeded him.●Henry I had no male heir, his nephew Henry II became the founder of the Plantagenet dynasty金雀花王朝.●The new king strengthened the Great Council. Chancellor is the chief number, in charge of the administrativeand judicial system. The present day Lord Chancellor is his successor.●Administrative reform：Replaced the traditional land tax based on hides with a new tax based on annual rentsand chatells.●Judicial reform: divided the country into 6 circuits. Itinerant judges focused their attention on baron’s propertyand abuse of privileges. Decisions made by a circuit court was regarded as a precedent judgment, becoming the basis of the Common Law习惯法.✓the Common Law is a judge-made or case-made law based on the various of local customs of the A-S, it was common to the whole people as distinct from law governing only a little community;✓Lead to the founding of the jury system, (the juries were chosen from among local freeman to help circuit judges from London. Function: bring accusation against malefactors and swear to the innocence of the accused, the judge gave verdict at first but gradually the jury was empowered to give verdict. Principle: no free man should be punished without a just trial by his peers.✓It replaced the primitive English trials----by ordeals or battles. Abolished the benefit of clergy.●Thomas Becket: the king’s chief secretary. In 1162, Henry made him the Archbishop of Canterbury, hoping hewould assist him in church reforming. But Thomas was against the king, and finally he was killed by the King.After his death, he was put upon the list of English saints as a martyr to the church.●Geoffrey Chaucer wrote “The Canterbury Tales”(24 tales)King John●Many people believed that Robin Hood, a legendary outlaw, was a contemporary of John.●In fear of the Pope suspend public services, John promised to send a yearly tribute to him; John became avassal of the Pope.The great charter 大宪章P93●In 1215, the insurgent nobles met the king at Runnymede, and forced his to sign: the Great Charter (the MagnaCarta), the most important documents in English history.Beginning of Parliament●After John died, his 9 years old boy Henry III was put on the throne.和父亲是一丘之貉●Simon de Montfort, the king’s brother in law, was the defender of the Great Charter. But king refused to acceptthe Provisions of Oxford was finally put into prison. In 1265,.each county sent two knights, and each town tworepresentatives to join the meeting at Westminster,(the earliest English parliament)●Edward I succeeded, conquered Wales, gave his new-born son the title Prince of Wales, a title held by the heirto the throne ever since.Section 3: decline of feudalism of EnglandThe hundred years’ war (1337—1453)●This war refers to the war between France and England, and ended in victory for the French, leading toexpulsion of English from France. The reason of the war: territorial and economic disputes.（direct course:Edward 3 claimed his succession to French throne, but being denied）●Joan of Arc圣女贞德: A national heroine in French history during the hundred year's war. She leaded peasantssuccessfully to drive the English out of France.●The war sped up the decline of feudalism. Gunpowder is a blow to the knights, who are pillars of feudal orderand the “flower of feudalism”.●The Black Death: It is a modern name given to the deadly bubonic plague, an epidemic disease spread throughEurope in the fourteenth century particularly in 1348-1349. It came without warning, and without any cure. In England, it killed almost half of the total population, causing far-reaching economic consequences. (change serfdom农奴身份to paid labour)●The government issued a Statute of Labour, saying it is a crime for peasants to ask more wages. Otherwise,they will be branded with the letter“F” on their forehead.The peasant uprising (1381)●The government imposed a flat rate poll tax to fund the hundred years’ war. Wat Tyler led the rebels. Theuprising dealt a telling blow to villeinage隶农制. A whole new class of yeomen farmers 自耕农emerged, paving the way for the development of capitalism.The wars of the Roses (1455-1485)●The wars of Roses ：After the Hundred Y ear's War, in order to decide who would rule England, a war brokeout between the House of Lancaster （won）and the House of Y ork, which were symbolized by the red and white roses respectively. The war lasted from 1455 to 1485. In nature it was a war between the commercial-minded gentry in the south and the backward landowners in the north and west. It is usually regarded as the end of English Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern world history.Section 4:the Tudor Monarchy and the Rising BourgeoisieThe new monarchy●Henry VII is the founder of the Tudor Monarchy, served as the transitional stage from feudalism to capitalismin English history.●American was discovered.Henry VIII and reform of the church●Henry VIII: the quintessential Renaissance sovereign famous for founding the Church of England.●Martin Luther desired the reform of the church.●The reform of the church coincided with the Renaissance. The immediate course was Henry VIII’s divorcecase.●Henry didn’t want to alter theology in any way. What he did was only to get rid of Papal interferences inEngland’s internal affairs.●Henry VIII was followed by Edward VI, switching to Protestant theology and his drastic reform has beencalled “the Reformation” in English history.●Bloody Mary: Mary was Henry VIII’s daughter and she was a Catholic. After she became Queen, about 300Protestants were burnt as heretics, for they held Protestant views. As a result, people call her "Bloody Mary". Elizabeth 1(1533-1603)●Externally, Elizabeth successfully played off against each other two great Catholic powers, France and Spain.●Establish charter companies, such as East India Company.●The Spanish king Philip finally made war with Armada (the Invincible Fleet).Elizabeth was regarded as thefoundation-layer of the British Empire.●Elizabeth Age refers to the English golden age.Section five: the English civil war(Bourgeois Revolution)Background of Revolution●Enclosures and the peasant uprising created a new working class, proletariat.●James 6 of Scotland was welcomed to the throne as James 1.this marks the major step to the unification of the two kingdoms.James 1(1603-1625) and the parliament●James said:"no bishop, no king", relations between the Puritans and the king deteriorated.●The Catholics were also opposed to the king for his staunch support of the Church of England. The night bonfire festival is celebrated on November 5, with fireworks and bonfire on which Guy Fawkes was burnt in effigy to remember the day Gunpowder Plot of 1605,reminding the English people the danger of Catholic restoration.●Many puritans refused to conform the King James V ersion, so they became "nonconformists", in 1620,201 nonconformists sailed from Plymouth in a ship named Mayflower. They were called Pilgrims.●James 1 believed "Divine Right of Kings", dissolved the parliament for 7 years. He was called the wisest fool. Charles 1●He followed a pro-Catholic ism policy.(In Elizabethan times, puritans were popular)●The puritans were noted for simple dress, high moral standards, demand of equality, and egalitarian [i,ɡæli'tεəriən]attitudes.The civil wars●The puritans made up the most revolutionary section. So the Bourgeois Revolution was also known as the Puritan Revolution.●The left wing of the revolutionary forces found a leader: Oliver Cromwell.●Oliver Cromwell was one of the commanders of the New Model Army which defeated the royalists in the English Civil War. After the execution of King Charles I in 1649, Cromwell dominated the short-lived Commonwealth of England, conquered Ireland and Scotland, and ruled as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658.●"Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings.●The civil war is the beginning of modern world history.Restoration●Charles II put an end to the Republic. They took over Manhattan Island from Dutch and named it New Y ork.●His brother James 2 succeeded, reviving Catholicism.●Glorious Revolution of 1688 also called the White Revolution, because it caused no bloodshed. It was the overthrow of King James II of England in 1688 by a union of Parliamentarians . Finally, William III (Jamea’2 son in law)and Mary ascended the English throne.●W and M childless. Mary’s sister succeeded. Scots accepted the Act of Union, in1707, Great Britain was born.Hanover dynasty.Section six: the industrial revolution and the chartist movementBackground of industrial revolution●The new class managed to accomplish “primitive accumulation of capital” through plunder and exploitation. It plundered America and Africa through colonization and the notorious triangular trade.●James watt made the steam engine practiced for industrial use.●Enclosure movement: to make a profit by selling grain, landowners began to replace the small“open fields” with hedge-divided large fields. (A new system of crop rotation was introduced.) Under enclosure, such land is fenced (enclosed) and deeded or entitled to one or more owners. Tenants were driven off their lands.●Farmer George.Effects of the industrial revolution (1750-1850)●The workshop of the world.●As a result, class contradiction between the capitalists and the proletariat, or capital and labour, became the major problem.●The forests of chimneys turned Birmingham to “Black C ountry”●The transition from an agrarian civilization to industrial civilization was criticized by Luddites.●Theory: social Darwinism (Origin of Species---natural selection) and Malthusianism and Adam Smith (laissez-fair).The chartist movement (1836-1848,3times)●The chartist movement Was a mass movement of working class to fight for equal political and social rights.●Document: the People’s Charter人民宪章，drawn by London Workingmen’s Association.●Two groups: moral force chartists and physical force chartists.Queen Victoria (“the grandmother of Europe”, suffered hemophilia ) “The Polite Society”●The V ictoria Age: a time of industrial, political, and military progress within the United Kingdom. The 63-year reign of Victoria was the longest of any monarch in British history. She was official head of state not only of the United Kingdom but also the British Empire, which included Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, and large parts of Africa.●In 1840,the Opium War against China.●The trade union act of 1871 legalized the trade unions, ------- set up Labor Representation Committee (LRC) ----------- it changed this name to Labor Party.。

Explanation of Terms1.The Anglo-SaxonsThey were two groups of Germanic peoples who settled down in England from the 5th century. They were regarded as the ancestors of the English and the founders of England2.Constitutional MonarchyIt’s a political system that has been practiced in Britain since the Glorious Revolution of1688.According to this system; the Constitution is superior to the Monarch. In law, the Monarch has many supreme powers, but in practice, the real power of monarchy has been greatly reduced and today the Queen acts solely on the advice of her ministers. She reigns but doesn’t rule. The real power lies in the Parliament, or to be exact in the House of Commons.3.The TroublesThe Troubles was an ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland during the late 20th century. Also known internationally as the Northern Ireland conflict, it is sometimes described as a "guerrilla war" or a "low-level war". The conflict began in the late 1960s and it is usually deemed to have ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Although the Troubles primarily took place in Northern Ireland, at times the violence spilled over into parts of the Republic of Ireland, England, and mainland Europe. The conflict was primarily political and nationalistic, fueled by historical events. It also had an ethnic or sectarian dimension, although it was not a religious conflict. A key issue was the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Unionists/loyalists, who are mostly Protestants, want Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom. Irish nationalists/republicans, who are mostly Catholics, want Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom and join a united Ireland.4.The Good Friday AgreementThe Good Friday Agreement (GFA) or Belfast Agreement was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process of the 1990s. Northern Ireland's present devolved system of government is based on the agreement. The agreement also created a number of institutions between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The agreement is made up of two inter-related documents, both agreed in Belfast on Good Friday. Issues relating to sovereignty, civil and cultural rights, decommissioning of weapons, justice and policing were central to the agreement.5.General Election in the UKA general election is an opportunity for people in every part of the UK to choose their MP - the person who will represent their local area (constituency) in the House of Commons for up to five years. There is normally a choice of several candidates in each constituency, some of which are the local candidates for national political parties. People can only vote for one of the candidates and the candidate that receives most votes becomes their MP.6.OxbridgeOxbridge is a blend word of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The term is used to refer to them collectively in contrast to other British universities and more broadly to describe characteristics reminiscent /ˌrɛmɪ'nɪsnt/ of them, oftenwith implications of superior social or intellectual status.7.American federal systemThe United States is exactly that--a Union of states. Each state has its own individual powers. However, that does not mean that the states have power to legislate on all matters. The Constitution of the United States spells out the powers of the federal government and of the "several states." The Union government (known as the federal government) has its own fields of legislation, and if federal legislation conflicts with the state laws, the federal legislation prevails. If this occurs, the state must defer to the federal government. The alternative, that any state may at any time leave the Union and thus be free from Union interference in the state's internal affairs, was tried during the American Civil War.8.Check and BalanceThe United states has three separate branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has a portion of constitutional authority and can check or block the actions of the other branches. The three branches are thus in balance. This is a system of checks and balances9.the Civil Rights MovementThe civil rights movement, also known as the American civil rights movement and other names, is a term that encompasses the strategies, groups, and social movements which accomplished its goal of ending legalized racial segregation and discrimination laws in the United States and secured the legal recognition and federal protection of the citizenship rights enumerated in the United States Constitution and federal law.10.WASPWhite Anglo-Saxon Protestant. An American whose family was originally from northern Europe and who is therefore considered to be part of the most powerful group in society.。

一、翻译题分constitutional monarchy 君主立宪制the Monarch 君主Parliament 议会House of Commons 平民院/下议院The Government Party执政党Royal Assent御准（女王批准)Shadow Cabinet 影子内阁jury system 陪审团制the Conservative Party 保守党the Labour Party 工党common law 习惯法Crown Courts 王室法院The Celts 凯尔特人Anglo—Saxons 盎格鲁萨克逊人Norman Conquest 诺曼征服The Great Charter 大宪章The Hundred Years’ War 百年大战The Black Death黑死病Renaissance 文艺复兴Humanists 人文主义者the Great Lakes大湖区Secretary of State国务卿The US Congress 国会the House of Representatives众议院The Judicial Branch司法部门the Supreme Court最高法院the Boston Tea Party波士顿倾茶事件、The Bill of Rights人权法案The Star-Spangled Banner星条旗The Monroe Doctrine门罗主义Emancipation Proclamation解放宣言/废奴宣言Frontiersman拓荒者The Civil War内战The Westward Movement西进运动英语国家概况精讲系列（一）Chapter 1第一章Land and People英国的国土与人民I. Different Names for Britain and its Parts英国的不同名称及其各组成部分1。

英美概况名词解释英语专业英美概况名词解释英语国家概况名词解释系列（1）Amerigo Vespucci----Amerigo Vespucci, a navigator, proved that the landwas not India,but a new continent. Therefore, the land was named America after.（意大利女航海家，被认为真正发现了美洲）The Puritans----The Puritans were wealthy, well-educated gentlemen. They wanted to purify the Church of England and threatened with religious persecution, the Puritans leaders saw the New world as the a refuge providedby God for those He meant to save.（清教徒：英国新教中信奉加尔文教义，认为圣经是唯一标准，大部分清教徒逃到了美国，感恩节）英语国家概况名词解释系列（2）The Bill of Rights----In 1789, James Madison introduced in the House of Representatives a series of amendments which later were drafted into twelve proposed amendments and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of them were ratified in 1791 and the first ten amendments to the constitution were called the Bills of Rights because they were to insure individual liberties.（《权利法案》：英国资产阶级革命，奠定君主立宪制）The Emancipation（解放） Proclamation-（宣言）---After the Civil war began, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to win more support at home and abroad. It granted freedom to all slaves in areas still controlled by the Confederacy.（《解放奴隶宣言》：林肯，美国南北战争时期）英语国家概况名词解释系列（3）Pilgrims（清教徒） Thanksgiving Day----The Pilgrims in 1620, 201 of them sailed to the New World in a ship called Mayflower. The first winter aftertheir arrival was very cold and when spring came, half of them were dead. Then the Indians came to their help and taught them how to grow corn. They had a good harvest that year. So they invited the Indians and held the first Thanksgiving celebration in America to give thanks to God.（感恩节）The Chunnel----In 1985 the British government and French governmentdecided to build a chann el tunnel, which is called “Chunnel”, under theStraits of Dover so that England and France could be joined together by road. The Chunnel was open to traffic in May 1994.（英吉利海峡隧道：连接英法）英语国家概况名词解释系列（4）Eisteddfod----Eisteddfod is the Welsh word for “sitting” National Eidteddfod is the most famous festival of music and verse in Wales. It takes place each August and lasts for about a week. The highlight of the festival is competition for the best epic poem about Wales written and read in Welsh. The winner is crowned Board, considered the supreme honour in Wales. In this way the Welsh people keep the Welsh language and culture alive.(威尔士诗歌音乐比赛年会:凯尔特地区)Cockney----A cockney is a Londoner who is born within the sound of Bow Bells-the Bells of the church of St. Mary-LeBow in east London.(伦敦东区土话，伦敦佬)英语国家概况名词解释系列（5）Stonehenge----It is a group of huge monuments of grant rock Slabs on salisbury plain in Southwest England built as long ago as the New Stone Age. It is generally believed that stonehenge served some sort of religious purposes.（史前巨石阵：英国南部）The Celts----The Celts came to Britain in three main waves. The first wave were the Gales, the second wave were the Brythons and the Belgae came about 150BC. The Celts were practised farmers. The Celtic tribes are ancestors of the Highland Scots, the Irish and the Welsh, And their languages are the basis of both Welsh and Gaelic. They religion was Druidism.(凯尔特人：不列颠原著民)英语国家概况名词解释系列（6）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.（诺曼底人对英格兰的军事征服：从此封建制度在英国确立）感谢您的阅读，祝您生活愉快。

英美概况知识点总结(一)前言英美概况是学习英语文化不可或缺的一部分，它包括了英美两国的历史、地理、政治、文化等方方面面。

对于英语学习者来说，了解英美概况有助于更好地理解和运用英语，也能加深对这两个国家的了解。

本文将从几个主要的方面介绍英美概况知识点。

正文英国概况•地理位置：英国位于欧洲大陆西北部，由大不列颠岛、北爱尔兰和其他岛屿组成。

•首都与大城市：伦敦是英国首都，也是最大的城市。

伯明翰、曼彻斯特、利物浦等城市也是重要的经济和文化中心。

•政治体系：英国是君主立宪制国家，国王或女王是元首，首相是政府的首脑。

•历史背景：英国是一个历史悠久的国家，曾经是大英帝国的核心。

英国的历史包括了罗马时期、中世纪、工业革命等重要的时期。

•文化特点：英国有着丰富多样的文化，包括莎士比亚的戏剧、披头士乐队的音乐、茶文化、博物馆和艺术画廊等。

美国概况•地理位置：美国位于北美洲，从东海岸到西海岸横跨了大陆。

•首都与大城市：华盛顿特区是美国首都，纽约、洛杉矶、芝加哥等城市是美国的重要城市。

•政治体系：美国是联邦共和制国家，总统是最高行政和国家元首，国会是立法机构。

•历史背景：美国是一个年轻的国家，从独立战争开始建立起来。

美国历史包括了西部拓荒、内战、种族平等运动等重要的事件。

•文化特点：美国文化多样，融合了来自世界各地的移民文化。

美国文化的代表包括好莱坞电影、音乐、篮球和美式足球等。

结尾通过了解英美概况，我们可以更好地理解和运用英语，也可以深入了解英美两国的历史和文化。

英国和美国虽然有相似之处，但也有自己独特的特点。

希望本文所提供的英美概况知识点对于英语学习者有所帮助。

前言英美概况是学习英语文化不可或缺的一部分，它包括了英美两国的历史、地理、政治、文化等方方面面。

对于英语学习者来说，了解英美概况有助于更好地理解和运用英语，也能加深对这两个国家的了解。

本文将从几个主要的方面介绍英美概况知识点。

正文英国概况•地理位置：英国位于欧洲大陆西北部，由大不列颠岛、北爱尔兰和其他岛屿组成。

英美概况名词解释部分期末考重点Melting pot(大熔炉):It meant that as immigrants from different regions and cultures came to live in the United States,their old ways of life melt away and they became part of the American culture.CIA(中央情报局)：the Central Intelligence AgencyPilgrims(朝圣者)：It refers to the first Anglo-Saxon Protestants immigrated into North America.Beat Generation(垮掉一代)：A group of dissatisfied American writers of the 1950s,started to expressed their opposition,rejected the traditional mainstream thought based on Anglo-Saxon culture and started the counterculture.Vice president(副总统)：He is the second-highest executive officical of the government,he does not cast his ballot unless the vote is tired.Freedom of speech(言论自由)：you can say whatever you wantWTO（世界贸易组织）：world trade organization.The basis of American culture（美国文化基础）1.p ursuit of freedom and equality.2.p rinciple of democracy.3.t he emphsis on education.4.l ove of nature and landcapes.5.T he desire to possess land.6.d ash and darling in making experiment.and the American Ethnic Group(美国种族)The United States is a nation of over 100 ethnic groups.1.w hite people:The majority of Americans are white people who account for about 78% of the total US population.2.b lack people:about 35 millon in 2000,account for about 12% of the total US population.3.t he Hispanics:It is estimated that there are 28 million Hispanics who make up about 10% of the total population.4.t he Chinese-Americans:There are about 28million Chinese immigrants and their descendants living in the US today.5.J ewish-Americans:Today there are more than 6 million Jews in American,accounting for more that 2% the US population.. American Congress（美国国会）:Congress is composed of two chambers the senate and the House of representatives.The House（参议院）:It has 435 members.The House has some exclusive that it does not share with the senate.Thses include the impeachment power and the initiation of revenue bills.Congress men must be at least 25 years old and over.The Senate（众议院）:The Senate comprises 100 Senators,two from each of the fifty states.The term of office is six years.A senator must be at least thirty years of age and citizen of the US for 9 years.Political paries（政党）:Amerecan politics is based on two-party system two major political parties are the Democratic party andthe Republican party.The Democratic party:1.It was found in the 1790s.2.The symbol is donkey.3.It is more liberal.4.It is active in providing social services and economic help to be the disadvantaged,such as the poor,the unemployed andold.The Republican Party（共和党）:1.It was found in 1854.2.The symbol is an elephant.3.It is more conservative.4.Most believe in supply-side economics,and place emphasis on priate enterprise often accuse the Democrats of making the government too expensive and of creating too many lathews that harm individual initiative. 美国国会的职能Functions of congress1.to make law2.to levy and collect taxes3.to coin money and regulate its value4.to provide for common defense5.to promote the pursuit of libertyThe powers of president 美国总统的权利1．the propose legislation to the Congress 2．to vote any bill passed by Congress3．to appoint federal judges and senior officials of the government4．to issue regulations and directives简要论述美国经济迅速增长的几个因数：The fast growth of the American economy has been contributable to many factors:1>The geographical location of the U.S.provides very good conditions for the country to grow and become strong.2>the U.S has been by being a land rich in mineral resources and fertile farm soil, together with a moderate climate.3>American has been fortunate in having enough people to provide the labor necessary for a constantly expanding economy.4>The U.S has a skillful and willing labor force. TheAmerican labor force is not only hard-working ,but also willing to experiment, to change and tolearn new technology.Contribution Factors to Am EconomyMany factors have contributed to the development of American industries1.The vast territory and natural resources2.The endless streams of immigrants3.New ideas, news skills new cultures brought by immigrants4. The privilege of immunity from foreign aggression.5.The US foreign policy: protectionism isolationism6. The united states was never hampered by shackles of old conventions7. The influence of puritanism freedom of migration continuity of major policies.。

1.The functions of ParliamentThe functions of Parliament are: to pass laws, to vote for taxation, to scrutinize government policy, administration and expenditure and to debate the major issues of the day.2.The House of Lords上议院The House of Lords consists of the Lord 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 or they have been appointed. The lords mainly represent themselves instead of the interests of the public.3.The House of CommonsThe House of Commons is the real center of British political life because it is the place where about 650 elected representatives (Members of Parliament) make and debate policy. These MPs are elected in the General Elections and should represent the interests of the people who vote for them.1.RomanticismRoughly the first third of the 19th century makes up English Literature’s romantic period. Writers of romantic literature are more concerned with imagination and feeling than withthe power of reason. A volume of poems called Lyrical Ballads written by William Words worth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge is regarded as the romantic poetry’s “Declaration of Independence.”Keats, Byron and Shelly, the three great poets, brought the Romantic Movement to its height. The spirit of Romanticism also occurred in the novel.Comprehensive schools are the most popular secondary schools in Britain today. Such schools admit children without reference to their academic abilities and provide a general education. Pupils can study everything from academic subjects like literature to more practical subjects like cooking.1.Quality paperThey belong to one of the categories of the national dailies. The quality papers carry more serious and in-depth articles of particular political and social importance. They also carry reviews, such as book reviews, and feature articles about high culture. These papers are also referred to as “the broadsheets” because they are printed on large size paper. The readers of such newspaper are generally a well-educated middle class audience.2.TabloidsA tabloid is a small format newspaper with color photos and catchy headlines. Tabloids are interested in scandals and gossip usually about famous people. They also carry lots of crime, sports and sensational human interest stories so as to attract readers. Stories are short, easy to read and often rely more on opinions than fact. They belong to a category of national papers different form qualities paper.1.The three traditions of Christmas in BritainThere are three Christmas traditions which are particularly British: one is the Christmas Pantomime, a comical musical play. The main male character is played by a young woman while the main female character, often ugly woman called “the Dame,” is played by a man. Another British Christmas tradition is to hear the Queen give her Christmas message to her realm over the television and radio. A third British tradition is Boxing Day, which falls on the day after Christmas. Traditionally, it was on Boxing Day that people gave Christmas gifts or money to their staff or servants. Now that most British people do not have servants, this custom is no longer observed. However, a new Boxing Day custom has emerged, in the cities: shopping. Shops open upto sell off all their Christmas stock decoration, food, cards and gift items at low prices.1.PuritanismPuritans were those who followed the doctrine 教义 of John Calvin and wanted to purify the Church of England. They believe that human beings were predestined by God before they were born. Some were God’s chosen people while others were damned to hell. No church nor good works could save people. The sign of being God’s elect was the success in his work or the prosperity in his calling. They also argued that everyone must read the Bible in order to find God’s will and establish a direct contact with God. These beliefs had great impact on American culture.2.The Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule. The document declared that all men were equal that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,. It also explained the philosophy of government:the powers of governments came from the consent of the governed and the purpose of governments were to secure the rights mentioned above. The theory of politics and the guiding principles of the American Revolution mainly came from John Locke.3.George WashingtonGeorge Washington was one of the founding fathers of the America Republic. He was the Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the War of Independence against the British colonial rule and the first President of the United States.4.Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States of America. He participated in writing the Declaration of independence and making the US Constitution.1.The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments which were added to the Constitution in 1791. The Bill of Rights was passed to guarantee freedom and individual rights such as freedom of speech, the right to assemble in public places, the right to own weapons and so on.1.The “Lost Generation”In the aftermath of World War I, many novelists produced a literature of disillusionment. Some lived in Europe. They were known as the “Lost Generation”. Two of the most representative writers of the “Lost Generation”were Hemingway and Fitzgerald.1.The civil rights movementIt is one of the most important of all social movements in the 1960s in America. Rosa Parks’ spontaneous action in 1955 was believed to be the true beginning of the civil rights movement. The black students’ sit-in at a department lunch counter in North Carolina touched off the nationwide civil rights movement. During the first half of the decade, civil rights organizations like the SNCC, CORE, and SCLC struggled for racial integration by providing leadership, tactics, network and the people. In the latter half of the decade, some black organizations changed their nonviolent tactics, and emphasized on more radical means to end discrimination and raised the self-image of the blacks. The civil rights movement produced such great leaders as Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X, who inspired a generation of both blacks and whites to devote their lives to fighting for racial equality in the US.1.Ragtime musicRagtime music refers to a type of piano music of black US origin, popular in the 1920s. originally based on tunes for marching bands ragtime music is marked by a syncopated melodic line with a regular accented bass. Ragtime music has been popularized by such composers as Scott Joplin whose “Maple Leaf Rag” published in 1896 was hailed as the first popular ragtime繁音拍子tune, till listened to with pleasure by all jazz fans.。