英美概况课后习题答案

1. What is the full name of the U.K.?----United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland2. Why do tourists from all over the world like to go to Scotland?----They like to enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery, to drink Scotch whisky and to see Scotsmen wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.3. How many periods can the development of the English language be divided into and what are they?----The development of the English language can be divided into three periods: Old English, Middle English and Modern English.4. Why did English become more important after Black Death?----The laboring and merchant classes grew in economic and social importance after the Black Death, so English also grew in importance compared to French.1. Who are the British People?----The first known inhabitants in Britain were Celts who are the ancestors of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish people. Then came the Anglos, the Saxons and the Jutes who brought with them the English language. Many people from other European countries came later, and in modern times there are a lot of immigrants from many former Commonwealth countries from every part of the world. Britain is a country of mixed cultures, and the Britain people are also composed of people from different ethic and culture backgrounds.2. What is Standard English?----Standard English is based on the speech of the upper class of southeastern England. It is widely used in media and taught at schools. It is preferred by the educated, middle-class people. It has developed and has been promoted as a model for correct Britain English. It is also the norm carried overseas. Today, Standard English is codified to the extent that the grammar and vocabulary are much the same everywhere in the world where English is taught and used.1. What are the two components of the British Parliament?----the House of Commons and the House of Lords.2. What were some of Queen Victoria's major achievement?---- Queen Victoria made tremendous achievements in almost every aspect.She promoted further industrial revolution, the building of railways and the growing of trade and commerce. By the end of her reign, Britain had developed to an empire including a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass.3. What were the two camps in Europe in World War 1?----The Central Powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria and the Allied Powers which were mainly comprised of France, the Russia Empire, the Britain Empire, Italy and the United States.4. Why did Britain cooperate closely with the United States after World War 2?----Because they were allied during the war and shared the same worries about the former Soviet Union.1. What were the results of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?----The Industrial Revolution changed Britain in many ways. First, industrial country increased dramatically. Britain became the most advanced industrial country and also the financial center in the world. Second, urbanization took place. Many new cities sprang up. Third, it caused great changes in the class structure. The old social classes declined, and new ones emerged and developed.2. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire?----Colonization of Newfoundland, the first British colony overseas, in 1583 marked the beginning of the British Empire. By 1837, British had long been an empire which included the colonies in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and many small states in the West Indies. By the end of 19th century, the British Empire included a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass. During the mid-19th century, the British government consolidated the existing colonies by bringing them under the direct control of the government. Before World War 1, Britain had the largest colonial empire in the world. However, Britain suffered great loss to its manpower in the two World Wars and exhausted its reserves of gold, dollars and overseas investment. Most of Britain's colonies gained independence since the 1940s, which inevitably led to the fall the Empire.1. What are the three functions of the House of Commons?----to draft laws, to scrutinize, criticize and restrain the activities of the government, and to influence future government policy.2. Why is the Conservative Party sometimes called the "Right"?----Because the Conservative Party is supported by landowners and businessmen, who are often from the middle and upper-middle class.3. What kind of public image does Liberal Democrats have in Britain?----The Liberal Democrats is perceived as "middle" between the Conservative and the Labor Party. It is comparatively flexible and pragmatic in its balance of the individual and the social. It emphasizes the need for a change in Britain's constitutional arrangements to make the government more democratic and accountable.4. Why are independent candidates unlikely to win in the general election? ----Because even if they were elected, they would be powerless in Parliament. Therefore, it is not possible for many people to vote for independent candidates.1. What do British electoral campaigns usually involve during the process of a general election?----The electoral campaigns usually involve advertising in newspapers, door-to-door campaigning and leaflets. The main parties are given short periods of time on national television to present their policies to the public. Apart from the parties' own publicity, newspapers and TV programs spend a lot of time discussing the campaign, interviewing politicians, and predicting the results.2. What is the Commonwealth of Nations?----The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, all of which acknowledge the British monarch as the head. The Commonwealth is not a political union of any sort, and its member states have full autonomy to manage their internal and external affairs. It is primarily an organization in which countries with diverse economic backgrounds have an opportunity for close and equal interaction after gaining independence. The major activities of the Commonwealth are designed to advocate democracy, human rights, and to promote economic cooperation and growth within its members.1. What was the negative aspect of Thatcher's reform in the early 1980s? ----Its negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. In 1982, the unemployment rate reached the level of the Great Depression years, with three million people out of work.2. What are the characteristics of Britain's agriculture?----British's agriculture is characterized by a small portion of the population engaged in agricultural activities with a high degree of mechanization. Although it employs a mere 1% of the country's labor force, it meets around 60% of the national demands.3. What happened to Britain's beef industry in the mid-1990s?----British's beef industry was hit badly by BSE, resulting in a ban on beef exports in 1996.4. What are some of the popular tourist attraction in Britain?----The popular tourist attractions in English include: the Dorset and the East Devon Coast, the Lake District, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and so on.1. What were the major causes of Britain's relative economic decline in the postwar period?----British's economy experienced a relative decline in the postwar period for several reasons. First, British suffered a great losses in the two World Wars and had gone heavily into debt to finance the war. Second, the era of the British Empire was over. India and other British colonies, which provided raw material and large market for British goods, gained their independence. Third, British was forced to maintain an expensive military presence in many overseas locations until the end of 1960s. Fourth, British had to make substantial financial contributions to NATO and UN Security Council. Finally, British failed to invest in industry after World War 2 whereas its competitors like Germany and Japan caught up with British buy investing in the most modern equipment and means of production.2. Why do developed nations like Britain encourage the development of the service industry?----The service industry has played an increasingly important role in economy in the development countries. On the other hand ,it requires a large group of people working in it so that abundant employmentopportunities are provided. On the other hand, the service industry causes little pollution.1. What used to be the major functions of grammar schools and vocational schools in Britain?----The major functions of grammar schools were to train the most academically capable students and prepare them for university, whereas the major functions of vocational schools were to help less successful students to learn a trade.2. What kind of subjects do Britain comprehensive schools provide?----British comprehensive schools provide a general education, offering both academic subjects like literature and science, and practical subjects like cooking and carpentry.3. In what ways do Britain universities enjoy complete academic freedom? ----British universities enjoy complete academic freedom because they can appoint their own staff, decide which students to admit, provide their own courses and award their own degrees.4. How do students in the Open University receive their education?----The students follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, video, and a network of study centers.5. What role does the media play in Britain leisure culture?----The media plays an essential role in British leisure culture since it helps to shape the public's opinion, determine people's moral and political orientation and consolidate or undermine the rule of a government.1. What are the general feature of Britain's independent schools?----British's independent schools require fees from students. Although the National Curriculum is optional in the independent system, most independent schools teach what the curriculum demands. Independent schools get their funding through tuition fees as well as government assistance. Since they are generally better-funded than most state schools, they can recruit the best teachers and provide superior facilities. However, high tuition fees have become an obstacle for many students to enroll.2. The "quality press" and the "tabloids" in Britain?----Among the 10 daily published national newspapers in British, about half of them are regarded as the "quality press" since they carry in-depth articles of particular political and social importance, and reviews and feature articles about "high culture", and they are generally read by well-educated people. The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph are good cases in point of the quality press. The "tabloids", with color photos and striking headlines, usually cover scandals and gossip about celebrities in politics, sports and entertainment. A typical example is The News of the World.Chapter 81. How is the American population distributed?The distribution of the American population is rather uneven the most densely populated region is the northeastern part of the country. The great plains have a comparatively small population .the south also has a population of almost 57.5million. the west is not densely populated ,except for some metropolitan centers like los Angeles and san Francisco . it has about 20% of the nation’s population.2. Why was the immigration act of 1942 instituted ?The new immigrants in the united states , being poor and accustomed to poverty , were willing to work for very low wages .this made other workers afraid that the immigrants would ls and take jobs away from them . this opposition led to the immigration act of 1942.1．Why is the United States regarded as a”melting pot” and a ”salad bowl” ?The United States is not merely a nation, but a nation of nations. The immigrants came in waves, including the Europeans, the Africans and the Asians. Therefore, America is described as a "melting pot" where various racial and ethnic groups are assimilate into American culture. Recently, America has been called a "salad bowl" in that people of difference races and ethnic groups mix harmoniously, but at the same time keep their distinct culture and customs.2．What do you think is the best way to help assimilation in a multicultural society?The best possible way to help assimilation in a multicultural society is to be open and tolerant toward different cultures. People from different racial and ethnic backgrounds should respect each other. Society should create opportunities to help immigrants become assimilated. At the same time the immigrants should keep their own language, customs and religion, contributing to the diversity of a multicultural society.Chapter 91. Why did American change its policy and enter world war II?Because of the formation of the axis , the American government feared that the axis countries were wining the war and it might threaten America’s security and interests . it began to provide war equipment to the foreign nations resisting the aggression of the axis power . the Japanese air raid on pearl harbor became the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war.2. What were Nixon’s well-known contributions during his presidency?a) brought the Vietnam war to a closeb)reestablishing U.S. relations with chinac) negotiating the firststrategic arms limitation treaty with the former soviet union .3. What were the contents of Reagan’s economic program?Reagan’s economic program called for reductions in income taxes and business taxes in order to encourage investment , and it also requested that many government regulations be eliminated so as to reduce the federal government’s role in the day-to-day operation of business.1. What was the cause of the American Civil War?The Southern planters of America needed a large number of black African slaves to manage their plantations and they regarded the slaves as their property. In the North, with the development of industry, there was a growing demand for free labor. What’s more, the Northerners demanded a law to protect tariffs and asked the government to finance the buildingof railways and roads. But the Southerners were against it and advocated free trade so as to purchase cheaper goods from foreign countries.The accumulating conflicts led to the division of the North and the South and finally the American Civil War.2. What made the United States a powerful country by the end of World War II?During the two World Wars, America remained neutral in the early stage. However, Americans continued their profitable trade with the warring countries. Therefore, they not only retained their military forces, but also accumulated great wealth. When America entered the wars, it was almost at the end of the wars. By sharing the fruit of victory with other allies, America greatly strengthened its power and became a powerful country by the end of World War II.Chapter 101. What are the two characteristics of the U.S. constitution?One is “checks and balances”, the other is that the power of the central government and the powers of state governments are specified.2. What are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectively?A senator must be over 30 years old , a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a resident in the state which they represent . a representative should be at least 25 years old and a U.S. citizen for no less than seven years.3. What are the major powers of the supreme court?a) to interpret lawsb) to hear appeals from any federal court cases;c) to hear appeals from state court cases that involve the constitution or national laws d) may declare a law unconstitutionale) may declare a presidential act unconstitutional4. What is the difference between the democrats and the republicans in terms of political opinions?The democrats want the government to play an important role in the economy and emphasize full employment as a matter of national concern they favor civil rights laws , a strong social security system which gives enterprises a greater freedom and demand that the government control inflation. They stress the need for law and order, and oppose complete government social programs and free choice of abortion they also favor a strong military posture and assertive stand in international relations.1. How is the American President voted into office? What are your ideas about the American election?Each party holds its national convention every four years to choose a candidate for presidency. To win a presidential election, a candidate has to spend millions of dollars, travel all over the country to make speeches and debate on television with the rival. The general election is technically divided into two stages. During the first stage, presidential electors for each state will be chosen. In the second stage the electors meet and vote a President. Since the second stage is only a kind of formality, everyone knows who will be the next President an soon as the first stage is over.I think the candidates spend too much money on the electoral campaigns. And, the election cannot solve the social and economic problems of the U.S. as some candidates do not keep their word after they become President.2. What was President Eisenhowers foreign policy and what were the consequences ?President Eisenhower made vigorous efforts to wage the Cold War. He placed new emphasis on developing nuclear strength to prevent the outbreak of war. He also frequently authorized the CIA to undertake secret interventions to overthrow unfriendly governments or protect reliable anti-communist leaders whose power was threatened. The CIA helped topple the governments of Iran and Guatemala, but it suffered an embarrassing failure in Indonesia. In addition, Eisenhower used U.S. power and prestige to help create a non-communist government in South Vietnam, which brought disastrous long-term consequences to the United States.Chapter 111. What industry developments took place during the colonial period of America?During the colonial period ,the secondary industries developed as the colonies grew . a variety of specialized sawmills and gristmills appeared. Colonists established shipyards to build fishing fleets and trading vessels . they also built small iron forges . by the 18th century , regional patterns of development in America had become clear.2. How did the civil war affect the American economy?After the civil war , the large southern cotton plantations became much less profitable . northern industries , which had expanded rapidly because of the demands of the war ,surged ahead.3. Why does America try to reduce trade barriers?Because the united states has increasingly realized that open bilateral trade will not only advance its own economic interests, but also enhance domestic stability and its peaceful relationship with other nations.1. How did the U.S constitution lay the groundwork for American’s economic development ?The U.S. Constitution, as an economic charter, established that the entire nation was a unified or "common" market. There were no tariffs or taxes on interstate commerce. It provided that the federal government could regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, establish uniform bankruptcy laws, create money and regulate its value, fix standards of weights and measures, establish post office and roads, and fix rules governing patents and copyrights. The last-mentioned clause was an early recognition of the importance of "intellectual property", a matter that began assuming great importance in trade negotiations since the late 20thcentury.2. Cite examples to illustrate the role of government intervention in America's economic development.The government has always played an active and important role in America’s economic development. In the early 1930s,thr United States suffered the worst economic depression in American history. President Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to tackle the financial crisis. Besides,he set up the New York State Emergency Relief Commission to help those in desperate need and tried to relieve the serious problems of the jobless.At the end of 1970s, the American economy again suffered a recession. The Reagan administration combated inflation by controlling government spending deficit, cutting taxes and raising interest rates. Both policies mentioned above helped to set the country’s economic development on its right course, In all, the intervention of the government has ensured that economic opportunities are fair and accessible to the people. It has prevented flagrant abuses of the system, dampened the effects of inflation and stimulated economic growth.Chapter 121. How does an American university choose its applicants?a)their high school records;b) recommendations from their high school teachers;c) the impression they make during interviews at the university;d) their scores on the SAT.2. What functions do American higher education institutions perform?Higher education institutions in the united states have three functions: teaching , research and public service , and each has its own emphasis with regard to its function .3. What similarities do four famous university share?They all have a long history , they all have an excellent faculty , a large number of students and have made extensive academic achievements. Some of their graduates are very successful or influential in some areas such as politics, arts and business.4. What are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to the new world , in 1620,the mayflower arrived and brought about 150 pilgrims. Life at the beginning was very hard and there was not enough food , so many of them died. During the following summer the native America helped them and then they had a bountiful harvest. So they held a big celebration to thank god and thenative Americans.1. What are the ideals that guide the American educational system?The first ideal is that as many people as possible should receive as much education as possible .The second ideal is that of ptoducing a society that is totally literate and of local control . The third ideal is that scholars and students should work to discover new information or conceive new ways to understand what is already known .2. How does America carry out multicultural education?American schools routinely teach the experiences and values of many ethnic cultures. Current textbooks incorporate a variety of ethnic individuals who have achieved success. Struggle for equality are vividly depicted, and past racism is bluntly acknowledged. Cultural pluralism is now generally recognized as the organizing principle of education.Schools at all levels offer students opportunities to learn about different cultures.（注：可编辑下载，若有不当之处，请指正，谢谢!）。

（完整版）英美国家概况课后题及答案Chapter 21.The British history before 55BC is basically undocumented.(T)2.The Celts became the dominant group in Britain between the 8th and 5th centuries BC.(T)3.The name of Britain came from a Celtic tribe--- the Britons.(T)4.The Anglo--Saxons came to Britain in the mid--5th century.(T)5.The chief or king of the Anglo--Saxon tribes exercised power at their own will.(F)6.The Vikings began to attack the English coast in the 8th century.(T)7.Henry II built up a large empire which included England and most of France.(T)8.The Magna Carta was designed to protect the rights of both the privileged class and the townspeople.(F)9.The Hundred Years' War was a series of wars fought between England and Normans foe trade and territory.(F)10.In an effort to make a compromise between different religious factions,Queen Elizabeth I actually defended the fruit of the Religious Reformation.(T)1. The D attack on Rome ended the Roman occupation in Britain in 410.A. NormanB. DanishC. CelticD. Germanic2.By the late 7th century, D became the dominant religion in England.A. Celtic ChristianityB. Anglo-Saxon ChristianityC. Germanic ChristianityD. Roman Christianity3.Westminster Abbey was built at the time of B .A. St. AugustineB. Edward the ConfessorC. William the ConquerorD. Alfred the Great4.The C marked the establishment of feudalism in England.A. Viking invasionB. signing of the Magna CartaC. Norman ConquestD. Adoption of common law5.The end of the Wars of the Roses led to the rule of C .A. the House of ValoisB. the House of YorkC. the House of TudorD. the House of Lancaster6.The direct cause for the Religious Reformation was King Henry VIII’s effo rt toA .A. divorce his wifeB. break with RomeC. support the ProtestantsD. declare his supreme power over the church7.The English Civil War broke out in 1642 between B .A. Protestants and PuritansB. Royalists and ParliamentariansC. nobles and peasantsD. aristocrats and Christians8. A was passed after the Glorious Revolution.A. Bill of RightsB. Act of SupremacyC. Provisions of OxfordD. Magna Carta9.The Industrial Revolution was accomplished in Britain by the middle of the Ccentury.A. 17thB. 18thC. 19thD. 20th10.Britain faced strong challenges in its global imperial dominance by the beginning of theD century.A. 17thB. 18thC. 19thD. 20thChapter 31.Conventions are regarded less important than common law in the working of theBritish government.(F)2.The British monarchy has never been interrupted throughout the history.(F)3.In reality,the British King or Queen is the source of all government powers.(F)4.British Parliament is the law--making body of the Commonwealth of Nations.(F)5.Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal are all members in the British Upper House.(T)6.The members in the House of Commons are appointed rather than elected.(F)7.The British Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament.(T)8.Cabinet members are chosen by the Prime Minister from various political parties in Parliament.(F)9.British law consists of two parts,the civil law and the criminal law.(T)10.The legal systems in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are muchsimilar in terms of law, organization and practice.(F)1. The British government is characterized by a division of powers between three ofthe following branches with the exception of the C .A. judiciaryB. legislatureC. monarchyD. executive2.The importance of the British monarchy can be seen in its effect on D .A.passing the billsB. advising the governmentC. political partiesD. public attitude3.As a revising chamber, the House of Lords is expected to B the Houseof Commons.A. rivalB. complementC. criticizeD. inspect4.British Cabinet works on the principle of A .A. collective responsibilityB. individual responsibilityC. defending the collectivismD. defending the individuals5.The main duty of the British Privy Council is to B .A. make decisionsB. give adviceC. pass billsD. supervise the Cabinet6.In Britain, the parliamentary general election is held everyC years.A. threeB. fourC. fiveD. six7. C has a distinct legal system based on Roman law.A. WalesB. EnglandC. ScotlandD. Northern Ireland8.Generally speaking, the British Parliament operates on a B system.A. single-partyB. two-partyC. three-partyD. multi-party9.The policies of the Conservative Party are characterized by pragmatism andD .A. government interventionB. nationalization of enterprisesC. social reformD. a belief in individualism10.The Labor Party affected the British society greatly in that it A .A. set up the National Health ServiceB. improved public transportationC. abolished the old tax systemD.enhanced the economic development Chapter 41.Britain was the first industrialized nation in the world.(T)2.The British economy experienced a relative decline during the postwar period.(T)3.Limited resources and high unemployment rate were persistent problems that prevented rapid economic development in Britain.(F)4.Thatcher's revolution turned out to be a great success in dealing with all the British econimic and social problems.(F)5.The economic approach adopted by Tony Blair is different from that of the Labor party and the Conservative Party.(T)6.Blair made the Bank of England independent in order to separate politics and economic policy.(T)7.Britain is the world's leading exporter of poultry and dairy products.(F)8.The fishing industry provides more than 50%of Britain'sdemand for fish.(T)9.Britain is an important oil exporter since its oil industry hasa long history.(F)10.Nuclear power is one of the major energy sources in Britain.(T)1. The British economy achieved global dominance by the C .A. 1860sB. 1870sC. 1880sD.1890s2.In B , the British Parliament passed two important acts to establish awelfare state.A. 1945B. 1946C. 1947D. 19483.The A in the early 1970s worsened an already stagnant economy inBritain.A. oil crisisB. high inflation ratesC. large importsD. unemployment problem4.Of the following practices, C does not belong to Thatcher’s socialwelfare reform.A. reducing child benefitsB. shortening the unemployment benefits periodC. reducing the unemploymentD. lowering old age pensions5.The Blair government has been successful in all the following aspects exceptD .A. limiting government spendingB. keeping inflation under controlC. reducing unemploymentD. reducing inequality6.Britain has devoted C of its land area to agriculture.A. 54%B. 64%C. 74%D.84%7.Britain’s important fishing areas include all the following except D .A. the North SeaB. the English ChannelC. The sea area around IrelandD. The sea area between Britain and Ireland8.Coal mining industry in Britain provides B of the energy consumed inthe country.A. 1/3B. 1/4C. 1/5D. 2/39.The car industry in Britain in mostly A .A. foreign-ownedB. state-ownedC. joint-ventureD. privately-owned10.Of the following sectors in Britain, C has experienced spectaculargrowth since the end of Word War II.A. AgricultureB. energy industryC. service industryD.manufacturing industry Chapter 51.The British government has been responsible for education since the early 1800s.(F)/doc/314914325.html,cation in Britain is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 15.(F)3.The National Curriculum is compulsory in both the state system and the independent system.(F)4.When children finish their schooling at 16, they are required to take a national GCSE examination.(T)5.Graduates from state schools in Britain have a less favorable chance to enter famous universities than those from independent schools.(T)6.In the 1960s, a large number of new universities were founded in Britain.(T)7.Most British people begin their day with reading the morning newspaper and end it watching television in the evening.(T)8.The Times is the world's oldest national newspaper(F)9.The BBC World Service broadcasts only in English throughout the world.(F)10.Some British holidays are celebrated to mark the important events of the Christian calendar, and others are related to local customs and traditions.(T)1. In Britain, the division between grammar schools and vocational schools were ended by the introduction of comprehensive schools in the D .A. 1930sB. 1940sC. 1950sD. 1960s2.About B of British children receive primary and secondary educationthrough the independent system.A. 5%B. 6%C. 7%D. 8%3.Partially funded by central government grants, the British universities receivetheir remaining funds from all the following sources except B .A. tuition feesB. loansC. donationsD.corporate contributions4.Of the following, A is NOT a basis of admission to Britain’suniversities.A. result in national entrance testB. A-level resultC. an interviewD. school references5.To be admitted to the Open University, one need B .A. some educational qualificationsB. no educational qualificationsC. General Certificate of Education-AdvancedD.General National V ocationalQualifications6.Among Britain’s quality press, the following newspapers are regarded as the “BigThree” with the exception of C .A. The TimesB. The GuardianC. The ObserverD. The Daily Telegraph7.Life on Earth is a kind of C program produced by the BBC and ispopular among 500 million viewers worldwide.A. featureB. dramaC. documentaryD. soap opera8. D is Britain’s top pay television provider.A. BSBB. SkyTVC. BBCD. BSkyB9.Of the following, D is NOT a common feature of all the Britishholidays.A. families getting togetherB. friends exchanging good wishesC. friends enjoying each other’s companyD. families traveling overseas10.The following Christmas traditions are particularly British except A .A. Trooping the ColorB. Queen’s Christmas messageC. Boxing DayD. Christmas pantomimeChapter 91.America was named after Amerigo Vespucci, who arrived on the new continent after Columbus.(T)2.The second Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia, and the Continental Army and Navy were founded under the command of Thomas Jefferson.(F)3.The Civil War not only put an end to slavery, but also decided that America was a single, indivisible nation.(T)4.Many American people approved of the Vietnam War.(F)5.During Clinton's term, the economy developed steadily, resulting in a lower rate of unemployment.(T)6.In 1990, American troops and the troops from allied nations launched Operation Desert Storm in order to drive Iraqi troops out of Kuwait.(T)7.According to the American administration, Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden were responsible for the terrorist event on September11,2001.(F)8.The America government regarded Iraq a nation among the "axis of evil".(T)9.On March 19,2003,American and United Nation's troops, supported by several other countries, began an invasion of Iraq.(F)10.Although the combat operations in Iraq are over, it is still hard for America to decide when to withdraw its army.(T)1.The first successful English colony in North America wasfounded at C in .A. Jamestown, LouisianaB. Boston, MassachusettsC. Jamestown, VirginiaD. Plymouth, Georgia2.Pilgrim Fathers are a group of B who came to America to avoidpersecution in England.A. ProtestantsB. PuritansC. CatholicsD. Christians3.The Seven Years’ War occurred between the C .A. French and American IndiansB. French and SpaniardsC. French and BritishD. British and American Indians4.“No taxation without representation” was the rallying slogan of D .A. the settlers of VirginiaB. the people of PennsylvaniaC. the colonists in New EnglandD. the people of the 13 colonies5.The first shots of the American War of Independence were fired in B .A. ConcordB. LexingtonC. PhiladelphiaD. Boston6.In May 1775, B was held in Philadelphia and began toassume thefunctions of a national government.A. the First Continental CongressB. the Second Continental CongressC. the Boston Tea PartyD. the Congress of Confederation7.Abraham Lincoln issued C to grant freedom to all slaves.A. Declaration of IndependenceB. ConstitutionC. Emancipation ProclamationD. Bill of Rights8.The policy of the United States was A at the beginning of the two worldwars.A. neutralityB. full involvementC. partial involvementD. appeasement9.President C applied New Deal to deal with the problems of the GreatDepression.A. WilsonB. TrumanC. RooseveltD. Kennedy10.The Vietnam War was a long-time suffering for Americans, and it continuedthroughout the terms of Presidents D .A. Johnson, Nixon and FordB. Truman, Eisenhower and KennedyC. Kennedy, Johnson and NixonD. Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson Chapter 101.Bill of Rights was written into the Constitution in 1787.(F)2.The form of American government is based on three main principles: federalism, the separation of powers, and respect for the Constitution and the rule of law.(T)3.The U.S. Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government and it consists of two houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords.(F)4.Certain presidential appointments must be approved by Congress.(T)5.The judicial branch of the federal government consists of a series of courts: the Supreme Court, the courts of appeals and the district courts.(T)6.Like Britain, the United States has a two--party system.(T)7.The Democratic Party is conservative in terms of its ideology.(F)8.American presidential campaign adheres to the "winner-take-all" practice.(T)9.American foreign policy throughout the World War II was neutrality.(F)10.American foreign policy during the Cold War period was containment and intervention.(T)1.The U. S. Constitution came into effect in B .A. 1787B. 1789C. 1791D. 17932.The Constitution of the United States C .A. gives the most power to CongressB. gives the most power to the PresidentC. tries to give each branch enough power to balance the othersD. gives the most power to the Supreme Court3.The Bill of Rights B .A. defines the rights of Congress and the rights of the PresidentB. guarantees citizens of the United States specific individual rights and freedomsC. is part of the Declaration of IndependenceD. has no relationship with the Constitution4.The following except B are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.A. freedom of religionB. the right to get into people’s house by policeC. freedom of speech and of pressD. the right to own one’s weapon if one wishes5.All the following except C cannot make legislative proposal.A. the SenatorB. the RepresentativeC. the Secretary of StateD. the President6.The following except C are all powers of the President.A. vetoing any bills passed by CongressB. appointing federal judges when vacancies occurC. making lawsD. issuing executive orders7.According to the Constitution, a candidate for President must be D .A. at least 35 years oldB. at least a 14 years’ resident of the United StatesC. born in AmericaD. all of the above8.The terms for a Senator and Representative are D and yearsrespectively.A. two, fourB. two, threeC. two, sixD. six, two9.The Supreme Court is composed of D justices.A. sixB. sevenC. eightD. nine10.The President is directly voted into office by C .A. all citizens of AmericaB. the citizens over 18 years oldC. electors elected by the votersD. the senators and representatives Chapter 111.America is the world's largest industrial nation.(T)2.America has a mixed economy and the government has little control over businesses.(F)3.Charter companies contributed to Britain's successful colonization of the U.S.(T)4.In the U.S. Constitution, the recognition of the importance of "intellectual property" could be identified.(T)5.Although slavery was abolished as a result of the Civil War, the owners of plantation in the South made more profits from selling their agriculture products.(F)6.President Roosevelt's New Deal had little effect in dealing with the economic crisis in the early 1930s.(F)7.The 1960s was a period of consolidation for the American businesses.(F)8.American agricultural exports outweigh imports, leaving a surplus in the agricultural balance of trade.(T)9.Auto production is one of the important sectors in American manufacturing industry.(T)10.The world economy has little to do with the growth and decline of the American foreign trade.(F)1.America produces a major portion of the world’s products in the following fields except C .A. machineryB. automobilesC. oreD. chemicals2.The modern American economy progressed from C to , andeventually, to .A. colonial economy, handcraft economy, industrial economyB. farming economy, handcraft economy, industrial economyC. colonial economy, farming economy, industrial economyD. handcraft economy, farming economy, industrial economy3.Chartered companies were NOT granted the D by the British King orQueen.A. political authorityB. economic rightsC. judicial authorityD. diplomatic authority4.The first National Bank of the United States was established with the urge ofD .A. George WashingtonB. Thomas JeffersonC. Andrew JacksonD. Alexander Hamilton5.The following inventions took place during the “second industrial revolution”except D .A. typewriterB. telephoneC. electric lightD. refrigerator6.President Johnson tried to build a “Great Society” by introducing variousprograms like the following except D .A. MedicareB. Food StampsC. Education InitiativesD. Unemployment Pension7.About B of American crops are for export.A. halfB. one thirdC. one fourthD. one fifth8.The following statements are all true except B .A. Agribusinesses reflect the big, corporate nature of many farm enterprises.B. Agribusinesses maintain a balanced trade pattern between agricultural importsand exports.C. Agribusinesses range from one-family corporations tomultinational firms.D. Agribusinesses include a variety of farm businesses and structures.9. D is not one of the three giants in American automobile industry.A.FordB. General MotorsC. ChryslerD. American Motors10.At present, U. S. exports account for A of the world’s total.A. 10%B. 15%C. 20%D. 25% Chapter 12/doc/314914325.html,cation is governed by state and local governments instead of the national government in America.(T)2.All American children are offered 12 years of compulsory public education.(T)3.The first formal academic institution that a child attends is called kindergarten.(F)4.After 12 years of schooling, American students receive a bachelor's degree at graduation.(F)5.When selecting a college or university, undergraduate students have a great concern for its size, location and academic quality.(T)6.In American institutions, a board of trustees composed of professionals is responsible for the administration.(F) /doc/314914325.html,ually, anundergraduate student has to earn 120 credits to receive a degree.(T)8.Yale university is the second eldest institution of higher learning in the United States.(F)9.It is The New York Times that first uncovered the Watergate Scandal in 1972 through the efforts of two reporters.(F)10.Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Tuesday in November.(F)1.Formal education in the United States consists of C , secondary andhigher education.A. kindergartenB. publicC. elementaryD. private2.Of the following subjects, B are NOT offered to elementary schoolstudents.A. mathematics and languagesB. politics and business educationC. science and social studiesD. music and physical education3.Higher education in the United States began with the founding of B .A. Yale UniversityB. Harvard UniversityC. Princeton UniversityD. New York University4.Of the following, B are NOT among the categories of American highereducation.A. universities and collegesB. research institutionsC. technical institutionsD. community colleges5.Of the following, D is NOT the responsibility of the board of trustees inU. S. institutions.A. choosing the presidentB. establishing policies for administrators and facultyC. approving budget and other financial projectD. decide which student to enroll6.To get a bachelor’s degree, all undergraduate students are required to do thefollowing except C .A. attending lectures and completing assignmentsB. passing examinationsC. working for communitiesD. earning a certain number of credits7.Of the following universities, B has NOT cultivated any AmericanPresident yet.A. Harvard UniversityB. Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyC. Princeton UniversityD. Yale University8. B is sold especially to the upper or upper-middle class and it has areputation for its serious attitude and great bulk.A. The Washington PostB. The New York TimesC. Los Angeles TimesD. New York Daily News9.Of the following, B is NOT among the three major radio and TVnetworks in America.A. the National Broadcasting System (NBS)B. the Public BroadcastingService (PBS)C. the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)D. the American BroadcastingSystem (ABS)10.The National Day of the United States falls on B .A. June 4thB. July 4thC. June 14thD. July 14th。

Britain version2.0Part One Geography Chapter I A brief introduction tophysical geographyWhere is the U. K. ? And what is it made up of? What is its total area?- The U.K. is situated in Northwestern Europe, lying to the north of France and the west of the Netherlands and Denmark. It is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its total area is 242 534 square kilometers.What are the present features of the climate of Britain?- Britain has a maritime c1imate-- winters are not too cold and summers are: not too hot. Therefore, its temperature varies within a small range, rarely falling below -5'C in winter or rising about 24'C in summer. Sunshine hours are fewer in more southerlyclimatesThe "backbone of England": It refers to the Pennines, a range of hills extending about 257 km southward from the Cheviot Hills on the Scottish border to central England.What percentage of the country's water requirements are obtained from underground sources?- About 38% of the country's water requirements depend on underground sources.Chapter III EconomyWhat are the characteristics of the British economy?- The British economy was the first to have been fully industrialized. Britain was one of the world's most advanced manufacturing and trading nations. The pound sterling is the exchange currency for about one third of the world'sforeign trade. The agriculture does not produce enough food to meet the country's basic needs and part of all vital foodstuffs has to be imported. The labor force is homogeneous.Chapter V The Main Cities Which city is the capital of England and Great Britain? Is it the political centre of the Commonwealth?- London is the capital of England, and it is also the political centre of the Commonwealth.What does London consist of administratively?- London administratively consists of the city of London, the original nucleus, retaining a medieval system of government of courts of aldermen and an elected lord mayor; and Greater London a metropolitan county, made up of Inner London boroughs and 20 Outer London boroughs.Greater London: It is a metropolitan county (pop. 7 million), made up of 12 Inner London boroughs, 20 Outer London boroughs.Part Three CultureChapter I EducationHow many years does a pupil study at a primary state school?- Six years, from the age of five to eleven.Which type of schools enrolls the top pupils at secondary education?- Grammar schools enrolls the top pupils at secondary education.How many types of universities are there in Britain? Which two universities are the most famous ones? - There are five types: 1) old universities, 2) the four Scottish universities, 3): the middle-aged universities, 4) the new universities, 5) the Open University, and BuckinghamUniversity (independent university). Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and the most famous in the world. How are" public" schools financed?- Public schools in the UK are financed mainly by fees paid by parents and private funds.Eton College: It is one of the largest independent secondary schools in England and one of the most prestigious.How do you understand "Marriage signifies the beginning of a new and independent family"?- British society is based on family life and the family is a self-contained economic and social unit with mother, father and children living together alone in their own house. So marriage signifies the beginning of a new and independent family.How do the newlyweds solve theproblem of housing?- 1) They look through advertisements to find a house for rent. 2) They may mortgage a house through a building society. 3) If they have enough money they may buy a house, but this seldom happens.What is the first course of an English lunch? Do you think it similar or different from the Chinese way of serving food?- The first course of an English lunch is a small quantity of soup. It is different from the Chinese way of serving food. In China this is usually the last course. Can you show us an example of the conservative characteristic of the British people?- One example is that the British people have been slow adopting rational reforms, such as the metric system. Some people say that the Englishman islike a cold fish that has just come out of the ice. What do you think of that?- This may be true. The British people are cold by nature. They do not show their feelings very much and do not show their emotion if they are very happy and neither do they if they are sad. For example, when you work at a factory, the guy whom you work with never tells you anything about himself. You may work with him for years, yet you even don't know where he lives, how many children he has and what his interests are.fierce individualism: It is the idea that the rights and freedom of the individual are the most important rights. exclusiveness: This is the best-known quality of the British people. It means, " I am English. You stay away from me.I am exclusive. I am quite happy to be: myself. I do not need you. Leave mealone. "Chapter III Customs and Habits What did John Bull denote in the seventeenth century and what is his image?- John Bull denotes Britain or any Englishman in the 17th century. His image is short and fat, with a tall hat on his head and pair of boots on his feet. Why does an Englishman like to talk about the weather?- There are probably two reasons. One is the uncertainty of the weather. Another reason is that weather is a subject which is quite safe, friendly to talk. about.What are the three "Don'ts"? And three "ings"?- Three "Don'ts": Don't jump up the queue. Don't ask a woman's age. Don't try to bargain in Britain when you do shopping.Three" Ings": betting, drinking and tipping.J ohn Bull: It is the nickname of England or a typical Englishman. Chapter IV Holidays and Festivals How long approximately do the industrial workers have for holidays?- The industrial workers have at least four weeks' paid holiday.How do the English people usually spend holidays?- They usually spend their holidays at the resorts of the seaside. There they have swimming, bathing, or have other kinds of amusement, such as shooting, roundabouts, watching a beauty contest, going to a concert or a party. And some of the people go abroad for sightseeing. What festival is the greatest in Britain? What is its significance and at what time is it celebrated?- Christmas Day is the greatest festivalin Britain. Its significance• is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ which is on December 25. Christmas: Christmas Day is on December 25, which is the greatest of the Christian festivals, commemorating it as the birth of Jesus Christ. It is basically, a home or family festival. Those who live away try to get back home to: celebrate the day with the family. People send presents; cards to each other especially children have their presents from Santa Claus. People usually have al sumptuous dinner, many kinds of amusement.Chapter V Wages and Social Benefits How long is the standard working week usually in Britain?- The standard working week is usually thirty-five and forty hours, and often spread over five days, from Monday to Friday.What is the difference between wages and Salary?- Wages is payment made or received for work or services, usually week in cash. Salary is payment for regular work, usually monthly.How many kinds of pensions in the United Kingdom?- There are mainly six kinds of pensions in the United Kingdom. They are Occupational Pension, Personal Pension, State Pension, Pension Credit, Over 80 Pension and Stakeholder Pension.What are the three main groups of Christianity? Which group does the Church of England belong to?- The three groups of Christianity are Catholicism, the Orthodox Eastern Church, and Protestantism. The Church of England belongs to Protestantism.What are the main features and tendencies of religion in Britain?- The main features are: 1) There is no "Christian" political party, no anti-religious or anti-clerical party either. 2) There is a widespread interest in religion. The main tendencies of religion in Britain are 1) the unity among the churches, 2) more social, 3) up-to-date.What are Crown's constitutional rights? - The Queen appointed all ministers in the Government. She summons, prologues and dissolves Parliament. She concludes treaties and declares war. In the new session she makes the opening speech and outlines her government's programme. She gives her assent to bills before they become law. She confers peerages and other honors.What is the core of the leadership ofthe British government?- The Cabinet is the core of the leadership of the British government. What does the Cabinet consist of?- The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, the Lord President of the Privy council, the heads of the most important Departments and a few ministers without portfolios.。

1. What is the full name of the U.K.?----United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland2. Why do tourists from all over the world like to go to Scotland?----They like to enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery, to drink Scotch whisky and to see Scotsmen wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.3. How many periods can the development of the English language be divided into and what are they?----The development of the English language can be divided into three periods: Old English, Middle English and Modern English.4. Why did English become more important after Black Death?----The laboring and merchant classes grew in economic and social importance after the Black Death, so English also grew in importance compared to French.1. Who are the British People?----The first known inhabitants in Britain were Celts who are the ancestors of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish people. Then came the Anglos, the Saxons and the Jutes who brought with them the English language. Many people from other European countries came later, and in modern times there are a lot of immigrants from many former Commonwealth countries from every part of the world. Britain is a country of mixed cultures, and the Britain people are also composed of people from different ethic and culture backgrounds.2. What is Standard English?----Standard English is based on the speech of the upper class of southeastern England. It is widely used in media and taught at schools. It is preferred by the educated, middle-class people. It has developed and has been promoted as a model for correct Britain English. It is also the norm carried overseas. Today, Standard English is codified to the extent that the grammar and vocabulary are much the same everywhere in the world where English is taught and used.1. What are the two components of the British Parliament?----the House of Commons and the House of Lords.2. What were some of Queen Victoria's major achievement?---- Queen Victoria made tremendous achievements in almost every aspect.She promoted further industrial revolution, the building of railways and the growing of trade and commerce. By the end of her reign, Britain had developed to an empire including a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass.3. What were the two camps in Europe in World War 1?----The Central Powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria and the Allied Powers which were mainly comprised of France, the Russia Empire, the Britain Empire, Italy and the United States.4. Why did Britain cooperate closely with the United States after World War 2?----Because they were allied during the war and shared the same worries about the former Soviet Union.1. What were the results of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?----The Industrial Revolution changed Britain in many ways. First, industrial country increased dramatically. Britain became the most advanced industrial country and also the financial center in the world. Second, urbanization took place. Many new cities sprang up. Third, it caused great changes in the class structure. The old social classes declined, and new ones emerged and developed.2. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire?----Colonization of Newfoundland, the first British colony overseas, in 1583 marked the beginning of the British Empire. By 1837, British had long been an empire which included the colonies in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and many small states in the West Indies. By the end of 19th century, the British Empire included a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass. During the mid-19th century, the British government consolidated the existing colonies by bringing them under the direct control of the government. Before World War 1, Britain had the largest colonial empire in the world. However, Britain suffered great loss to its manpower in the two World Wars and exhausted its reserves of gold, dollars and overseas investment. Most of Britain's colonies gained independence since the 1940s, which inevitably led to the fall the Empire.1. What are the three functions of the House of Commons?----to draft laws, to scrutinize, criticize and restrain the activities of the government, and to influence future government policy.2. Why is the Conservative Party sometimes called the "Right"?----Because the Conservative Party is supported by landowners and businessmen, who are often from the middle and upper-middle class.3. What kind of public image does Liberal Democrats have in Britain?----The Liberal Democrats is perceived as "middle" between the Conservative and the Labor Party. It is comparatively flexible and pragmatic in its balance of the individual and the social. It emphasizes the need for a change in Britain's constitutional arrangements to make the government more democratic and accountable.4. Why are independent candidates unlikely to win in the general election? ----Because even if they were elected, they would be powerless in Parliament. Therefore, it is not possible for many people to vote for independent candidates.1. What do British electoral campaigns usually involve during the process of a general election?----The electoral campaigns usually involve advertising in newspapers, door-to-door campaigning and leaflets. The main parties are given short periods of time on national television to present their policies to the public. Apart from the parties' own publicity, newspapers and TV programs spend a lot of time discussing the campaign, interviewing politicians, and predicting the results.2. What is the Commonwealth of Nations?----The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, all of which acknowledge the British monarch as the head. The Commonwealth is not a political union of any sort, and its member states have full autonomy to manage their internal and external affairs. It is primarily an organization in which countries with diverse economic backgrounds have an opportunity for close and equal interaction after gaining independence. The major activities of the Commonwealth are designed to advocate democracy, human rights, and to promote economic cooperation and growth within its members.1. What was the negative aspect of Thatcher's reform in the early 1980s? ----Its negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. In 1982, the unemployment rate reached the level of the Great Depression years, with three million people out of work.2. What are the characteristics of Britain's agriculture?----British's agriculture is characterized by a small portion of the population engaged in agricultural activities with a high degree of mechanization. Although it employs a mere 1% of the country's labor force, it meets around 60% of the national demands.3. What happened to Britain's beef industry in the mid-1990s?----British's beef industry was hit badly by BSE, resulting in a ban on beef exports in 1996.4. What are some of the popular tourist attraction in Britain?----The popular tourist attractions in English include: the Dorset and the East Devon Coast, the Lake District, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and so on.1. What were the major causes of Britain's relative economic decline in the postwar period?----British's economy experienced a relative decline in the postwar period for several reasons. First, British suffered a great losses in the two World Wars and had gone heavily into debt to finance the war. Second, the era of the British Empire was over. India and other British colonies, which provided raw material and large market for British goods, gained their independence. Third, British was forced to maintain an expensive military presence in many overseas locations until the end of 1960s. Fourth, British had to make substantial financial contributions to NATO and UN Security Council. Finally, British failed to invest in industry after World War 2 whereas its competitors like Germany and Japan caught up with British buy investing in the most modern equipment and means of production.2. Why do developed nations like Britain encourage the development of the service industry?----The service industry has played an increasingly important role in economy in the development countries. On the other hand ,it requires a large group of people working in it so that abundant employmentopportunities are provided. On the other hand, the service industry causes little pollution.1. What used to be the major functions of grammar schools and vocational schools in Britain?----The major functions of grammar schools were to train the most academically capable students and prepare them for university, whereas the major functions of vocational schools were to help less successful students to learn a trade.2. What kind of subjects do Britain comprehensive schools provide?----British comprehensive schools provide a general education, offering both academic subjects like literature and science, and practical subjects like cooking and carpentry.3. In what ways do Britain universities enjoy complete academic freedom? ----British universities enjoy complete academic freedom because they can appoint their own staff, decide which students to admit, provide their own courses and award their own degrees.4. How do students in the Open University receive their education?----The students follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, video, and a network of study centers.5. What role does the media play in Britain leisure culture?----The media plays an essential role in British leisure culture since it helps to shape the public's opinion, determine people's moral and political orientation and consolidate or undermine the rule of a government.1. What are the general feature of Britain's independent schools?----British's independent schools require fees from students. Although the National Curriculum is optional in the independent system, most independent schools teach what the curriculum demands. Independent schools get their funding through tuition fees as well as government assistance. Since they are generally better-funded than most state schools, they can recruit the best teachers and provide superior facilities. However, high tuition fees have become an obstacle for many students to enroll.2. The "quality press" and the "tabloids" in Britain?----Among the 10 daily published national newspapers in British, about half of them are regarded as the "quality press" since they carry in-depth articles of particular political and social importance, and reviews and feature articles about "high culture", and they are generally read by well-educated people. The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph are good cases in point of the quality press. The "tabloids", with color photos and striking headlines, usually cover scandals and gossip about celebrities in politics, sports and entertainment. A typical example is The News of the World.Chapter 81. How is the American population distributed?The distribution of the American population is rather uneven the most densely populated region is the northeastern part of the country. The great plains have a comparatively small population .the south also has a population of almost 57.5million. the west is not densely populated ,except for some metropolitan centers like los Angeles and san Francisco . it has about 20% of the nation’s population.2. Why was the immigration act of 1942 instituted ?The new immigrants in the united states , being poor and accustomed to poverty , were willing to work for very low wages .this made other workers afraid that the immigrants would ls and take jobs away from them . this opposition led to the immigration act of 1942.1．Why is the United States regarded as a”melting pot” and a ”salad bowl” ?The United States is not merely a nation, but a nation of nations. The immigrants came in waves, including the Europeans, the Africans and the Asians. Therefore, America is described as a "melting pot" where various racial and ethnic groups are assimilate into American culture. Recently, America has been called a "salad bowl" in that people of difference races and ethnic groups mix harmoniously, but at the same time keep their distinct culture and customs.2．What do you think is the best way to help assimilation in a multicultural society?The best possible way to help assimilation in a multicultural society is to be open and tolerant toward different cultures. People from different racial and ethnic backgrounds should respect each other. Society should create opportunities to help immigrants become assimilated. At the same time the immigrants should keep their own language, customs and religion, contributing to the diversity of a multicultural society.Chapter 91. Why did American change its policy and enter world war II?Because of the formation of the axis , the American government feared that the axis countries were wining the war and it might threaten America’s security and interests . it began to provide war equipment to the foreign nations resisting the aggression of the axis power . the Japanese air raid on pearl harbor became the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war.2. What were Nixon’s well-known contributions during his presidency?a) brought the Vietnam war to a closeb)reestablishing U.S. relations with chinac) negotiating the firststrategic arms limitation treaty with the former soviet union .3. What were the contents of Reagan’s economic program?Reagan’s economic program called for reductions in income taxes and business taxes in order to encourage investment , and it also requested that many government regulations be eliminated so as to reduce the federal government’s role in the day-to-day operation of business.1. What was the cause of the American Civil War?The Southern planters of America needed a large number of black African slaves to manage their plantations and they regarded the slaves as their property. In the North, with the development of industry, there was a growing demand for free labor. What’s more, the Northerners demanded a law to protect tariffs and asked the government to finance the buildingof railways and roads. But the Southerners were against it and advocated free trade so as to purchase cheaper goods from foreign countries.The accumulating conflicts led to the division of the North and the South and finally the American Civil War.2. What made the United States a powerful country by the end of World War II?During the two World Wars, America remained neutral in the early stage. However, Americans continued their profitable trade with the warring countries. Therefore, they not only retained their military forces, but also accumulated great wealth. When America entered the wars, it was almost at the end of the wars. By sharing the fruit of victory with other allies, America greatly strengthened its power and became a powerful country by the end of World War II.Chapter 101. What are the two characteristics of the U.S. constitution?One is “checks and balances”, the other is that the power of the central government and the powers of state governments are specified.2. What are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectively?A senator must be over 30 years old , a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a resident in the state which they represent . a representative should be at least 25 years old and a U.S. citizen for no less than seven years.3. What are the major powers of the supreme court?a) to interpret lawsb) to hear appeals from any federal court cases;c) to hear appeals from state court cases that involve the constitution or national laws d) may declare a law unconstitutionale) may declare a presidential act unconstitutional4. What is the difference between the democrats and the republicans in terms of political opinions?The democrats want the government to play an important role in the economy and emphasize full employment as a matter of national concern they favor civil rights laws , a strong social security system which gives enterprises a greater freedom and demand that the government control inflation. They stress the need for law and order, and oppose complete government social programs and free choice of abortion they also favor a strong military posture and assertive stand in international relations.1. How is the American President voted into office? What are your ideas about the American election?Each party holds its national convention every four years to choose a candidate for presidency. To win a presidential election, a candidate has to spend millions of dollars, travel all over the country to make speeches and debate on television with the rival. The general election is technically divided into two stages. During the first stage, presidential electors for each state will be chosen. In the second stage the electors meet and vote a President. Since the second stage is only a kind of formality, everyone knows who will be the next President an soon as the first stage is over.I think the candidates spend too much money on the electoral campaigns. And, the election cannot solve the social and economic problems of the U.S. as some candidates do not keep their word after they become President.2. What was President Eisenhowers foreign policy and what were the consequences ?President Eisenhower made vigorous efforts to wage the Cold War. He placed new emphasis on developing nuclear strength to prevent the outbreak of war. He also frequently authorized the CIA to undertake secret interventions to overthrow unfriendly governments or protect reliable anti-communist leaders whose power was threatened. The CIA helped topple the governments of Iran and Guatemala, but it suffered an embarrassing failure in Indonesia. In addition, Eisenhower used U.S. power and prestige to help create a non-communist government in South Vietnam, which brought disastrous long-term consequences to the United States.Chapter 111. What industry developments took place during the colonial period of America?During the colonial period ,the secondary industries developed as the colonies grew . a variety of specialized sawmills and gristmills appeared. Colonists established shipyards to build fishing fleets and trading vessels . they also built small iron forges . by the 18th century , regional patterns of development in America had become clear.2. How did the civil war affect the American economy?After the civil war , the large southern cotton plantations became much less profitable . northern industries , which had expanded rapidly because of the demands of the war ,surged ahead.3. Why does America try to reduce trade barriers?Because the united states has increasingly realized that open bilateral trade will not only advance its own economic interests, but also enhance domestic stability and its peaceful relationship with other nations.1. How did the U.S constitution lay the groundwork for American’s economic development ?The U.S. Constitution, as an economic charter, established that the entire nation was a unified or "common" market. There were no tariffs or taxes on interstate commerce. It provided that the federal government could regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, establish uniform bankruptcy laws, create money and regulate its value, fix standards of weights and measures, establish post office and roads, and fix rules governing patents and copyrights. The last-mentioned clause was an early recognition of the importance of "intellectual property", a matter that began assuming great importance in trade negotiations since the late 20thcentury.2. Cite examples to illustrate the role of government intervention in America's economic development.The government has always played an active and important role in America’s economic development. In the early 1930s,thr United States suffered the worst economic depression in American history. President Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to tackle the financial crisis. Besides,he set up the New York State Emergency Relief Commission to help those in desperate need and tried to relieve the serious problems of the jobless.At the end of 1970s, the American economy again suffered a recession. The Reagan administration combated inflation by controlling government spending deficit, cutting taxes and raising interest rates. Both policies mentioned above helped to set the country’s economic development on its right course, In all, the intervention of the government has ensured that economic opportunities are fair and accessible to the people. It has prevented flagrant abuses of the system, dampened the effects of inflation and stimulated economic growth.Chapter 121. How does an American university choose its applicants?a)their high school records;b) recommendations from their high school teachers;c) the impression they make during interviews at the university;d) their scores on the SAT.2. What functions do American higher education institutions perform?Higher education institutions in the united states have three functions: teaching , research and public service , and each has its own emphasis with regard to its function .3. What similarities do four famous university share?They all have a long history , they all have an excellent faculty , a large number of students and have made extensive academic achievements. Some of their graduates are very successful or influential in some areas such as politics, arts and business.4. What are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to the new world , in 1620,the mayflower arrived and brought about 150 pilgrims. Life at the beginning was very hard and there was not enough food , so many of them died. During the following summer the native America helped them and then they had a bountiful harvest. So they held a big celebration to thank god and thenative Americans.1. What are the ideals that guide the American educational system?The first ideal is that as many people as possible should receive as much education as possible .The second ideal is that of ptoducing a society that is totally literate and of local control . The third ideal is that scholars and students should work to discover new information or conceive new ways to understand what is already known .2. How does America carry out multicultural education?American schools routinely teach the experiences and values of many ethnic cultures. Current textbooks incorporate a variety of ethnic individuals who have achieved success. Struggle for equality are vividly depicted, and past racism is bluntly acknowledged. Cultural pluralism is now generally recognized as the organizing principle of education.Schools at all levels offer students opportunities to learn about different cultures.（注：可编辑下载，若有不当之处，请指正，谢谢!）。

英美概况第四版上册课后练习题含答案简介《英美概况》是一本全面介绍英国和美国的文化、历史、政治、经济和社会现象的教材。

第四版上册是其最新版本，为了帮助读者更好地掌握教材内容，本文主要介绍了《英美概况》第四版上册的课后练习题及其答案。

课后练习题第一章马恩列斯主义的世界影响1.为什么20世纪初期，马克思主义在俄国和中国得到了很多支持者？答案：在俄国和中国，工业化程度较低，社会阶级结构明显，人民处于经济和政治上的不利地位，马克思主义提供了一种解释和改变社会状况的思想和方法，因此在这些国家得到了很多支持者。

2.马恩列斯主义的三个基本组成部分是什么？答案：哲学、政治经济学和科学社会主义是马克思主义的三个基本组成部分。

第二章英美宪政制度的深层问题1.英美宪政制度的两个特点是什么？答案：一是权力均衡制度的实行，二是国家最高权力代表制度的实行。

2.英国议会制度的基本形式是什么？答案：英国议会制度的基本形式是下院和上院的双院制。

第三章英国的政治体系及其现状1.请简要介绍英国两大主要政党的区别。

答案：英国两大主要政党是保守党和工党。

保守党主张经济自由主义、传统价值观和强硬外交政策，工党主张社会民主主义、平等和国际主义。

2.英国各地区的议员数目是不同的，为什么？答案：英国根据各地区的人口数确定议员数目，保证各地区在议会中的代表权重相当。

第四章美国的政治体系及其现状1.美国总统、参议员和众议员的任期分别是多久？答案：美国总统任期为4年，参议员任期为6年，众议员任期为2年。

2.美国政治体系中的分权制度是什么？答案：美国政治体系中的分权制度是各州与中央政府之间权力的分立和制衡，各州政府在一定范围内有独立的权力。

结语以上是《英美概况》第四版上册的部分课后练习题及其答案。

本文仅供参考，读者们可以通过这些练习题，更好地掌握教材的内容。

Britain version2.0Part One GeographyChapter I A brief introduction to physical geography Where is the U. K. ? And what is it made up of? What is its total area? -The U. K. is situated in Northwestern Europe, lying to the north of France and the west of the Netherlands and Denmark. It is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its total area is 242 534 square kilometers. What are the present features of the climate of Britain?- Britain has a maritime c1imate-- winters are not too cold and summers are: not too hot. Therefore, its temperature varies within a small range, rarely falling below -5'C in winter or rising about 24'C in summer. Sunshine hours are fewer in more southerlyclimatesThe "backbone of England": It refers tothe Pennines, a range of hills extending about 257 km southward from the Cheviot Hills on the Scottish border to central England.What percentage of the country's water requirements are obtained from underground sources?-About 38% of the country's water requirements depend on underground sources.Chapter III EconomyWhat are the characteristics of the British economy?-The British economy was the first to have been fully industrialized. Britain was one of the world's most advanced manufacturing and trading nations. The pound sterling is the exchange currency for about one third of the world's foreign trade. The agriculture does not produce enough food to meet the country's basicneeds and part of all vital foodstuffs has to be imported. The labor force is homogeneous.Chapter V The Main CitiesWhich city is the capital of England and Great Britain? Is it the political centre of the Commonwealth?-London is the capital of England, and it is also the political centre of the Commonwealth.What does London consist of administratively?-London administratively consists of the city of London, the original nucleus, retaining a medieval system of government of courts of aldermen and an elected lord mayor; and Greater London a metropolitan county, made up of Inner London boroughs and 20 Outer London boroughs.Greater London: It is a metropolitan county (pop. 7 million), made up of 12Inner London boroughs, 20 Outer London boroughs.Part Three CultureChapter I EducationHow many years does a pupil study at a primary state school?-Six years, from the age of five to eleve n. Which type of schools enrolls the top pupils at secondary education?- Grammar schools enrolls the top pupils at secondary educatio n.How many types of universities are there in Britain? Which two universities are the most famous ones? -There are five types: 1) old universities, 2) the four Scottish universities, 3): the middle-aged universities, 4) the new universities, 5) the Open University, and Buckingham University (independent university). Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and the most famous in the world.How are" public" schools financed?-Public schools in the UK are financed mainly by fees paid by parents and private funds.Eton College: It is one of the largest independent secondary schools in England and one of the most prestigious. How do you understand "Marriage signifies the beginning of a new and independent family"?-British society is based on family life and the family is a self-contained economic and social unit with mother, father and children living together alone in their own house. So marriage signifies the beginning of a new and independent famil y.How do the newlyweds solve the problem of housing?-1) They look through advertisements to find a house for rent. 2) They may mortgage a house through a building societ y. 3) If they have enough moneythey may buy a house, but this seldom happens.What is the first course of an English lunch? Do you think it similar or different from the Chinese way of serving food?-The first course of an English lunch is a small quantity of soup .It is different from the Chinese way of serving food. In China this is usually the last course Can you show us an example of the conservative characteristic of the British people?-One example is that the British people have been slow adopting rational reforms, such as the metric syste m. Some people say that the Englishman is like a cold fish that has just come out of the ice. What do you thi nk of that?-This may be true. The British people are cold by nature. They do not show their feelings very much and do not show their emotion if they are very happy and neither do they if they are sad. For example,when you work at a factory, the guy whom you work with never tells you anything about himself. You may work with him for years, yet you even don't know where he lives, how many children he has and what his interests are.fierce individualism: It is the idea that the rights and freedom of the individual are the most important rights. exclusiveness: This is the best -known quality of the British people .It means, "I am English. You stay away from me. I am exclusive. I am quite happy to be: myself. I do not need you. Leave mealone."Chapter III Customs and Habits What did John Bull denote in the seventeenth century and what is his image?-John Bull denotes Britain or any Englishman in the 17th century. His image is short and fat, with a tall hat on his head and pair of boots on his feet. Whydoes an Englishman like to talk about the weather?-There are probably two reasons. One is the uncertainty of the weather. Another reason is that weather is a subject which is quite safe, friendly to talk. about.What are the three "Don'ts"? And three "ings"?-Three "Don'ts": Don't jump up the queue. Don't ask a woman's age. Don't try to bargain in Britain when you do shopping. Three" Ings": betting, drinking and tippi ng.John Bull: It is the nickname of England or a typical Englishma n.Chapter IV Holidays and Festivals How long approximately do the industrial workers have for holidays? -The industrial workers have at least four weeks' paid holida y.How do the English people usually spend holidays?-They usually spend their holidays at the resorts of the seaside. There they have swimming, bathing, or have other kinds of amusement, such as shooting, roundabouts, watching a beauty contest, going to a concert or a part y. And some of the people go abroad for sightseeing. What festival is the greatest in Britain? What is its significance and at what time is it celebrated?-Christmas Day is the greatest festival in Britain. Its significance? is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ which is on December 25.Christmas: Christmas Day is on December 25, which is the greatest of the Christian festivals, commemorating it as the birth of Jesus Christ. It is basically, a home or family festival. Those who live away try to get back home to: celebrate the day with the famil y. People send presents; cards to each other especiallychildren have their presents from Santa Claus. People usually have al sumptuous dinner, many kinds of amusement. Chapter V Wages and Social Benefits How long is the standard working week usually in Britain?-The standard working week is usually thirty-five and forty hours, and often spread over five days, from Monday to Frida y.What is the difference between wages and Salary?-Wages is payment made or received for work or services, usually week in cash. Salary is payment for regular work, usually monthl y.How many kinds of pensions in the United Kingdom?-There are mainly six kinds of pensions in the United Kingdo m. They are Occupational Pension, Personal Pension,State Pension, Pension Credit, Over 80 Pension and Stakeholder Pensio n. What are the three main groups of Christianity? Which group does the Church of England belong to?-The three groups of Christianity are Catholicism, the Orthodox Eastern Church, and Protestantis m. The Church of England belongs to Protestantis m. What are the main features and tendencies of religion in Britain?-The main features are: 1) There is no "Christian" political party, no ant i-religious or ant i-clerical party either. 2) There is a widespread interest in religion. The main tendencies of religion in Britain are 1) the unity among the churches, 2) more social, 3) up-to-date.What are Crown's constitutional rights? -The Queen appointed all ministers in the Government. She summons, prologuesand dissolves Parliament. She concludes treaties and declares war. In the new session she makes the opening speech and outlines her government's programme. She gives her assentto bills before they become law. She confers peerages and other honors.What is the core of the leadership ofthe British government?-The Cabinet is the core of the leadership of the British government. What does the Cabinet consist of?-The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, the Lord President of the Privy council, the heads of the most important Departments and a few ministers without portfolios.。

1. What is the full name of the .?----United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland2. Why do tourists from all over the world like to go to Scotland?----They like to enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery, to drink Scotch whisky and to see Scotsmen wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.3. How many periods can the development of the English language be divided into and what are they?----The development of the English language can be divided into three periods: Old English, Middle English and Modern English.4. Why did English become more important after Black Death?----The laboring and merchant classes grew in economic and social importance after the Black Death, so English also grew in importance compared to French.1. Who are the British People?----The first known inhabitants in Britain were Celts who are the ancestors of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish people. Then came the Anglos, the Saxons and the Jutes who brought with them the English language. Many people from other European countries came later, and in modern times there are a lot of immigrants from many former Commonwealth countries from every part of the world. Britain is a country of mixed cultures, and the Britain people are also composed of people from different ethic and culture backgrounds.2. What is Standard English?----Standard English is based on the speech of the upper class of southeastern England. It is widely used in media and taught at schools. It is preferred by the educated, middle-class people. It has developed and has been promoted as a model for correct Britain English. It is also the norm carried overseas. Today, Standard English is codified to the extent that the grammar and vocabulary are much the same everywhere in the world where English is taught and used.1. What are the two components of the British Parliament?----the House of Commons and the House of Lords.2. What were some of Queen Victoria's major achievement?---- Queen Victoria made tremendous achievements in almost every aspect.She promoted further industrial revolution, the building of railways and the growing of trade and commerce. By the end of her reign, Britain had developed to an empire including a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass.3. What were the two camps in Europe in World War 1?----The Central Powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria and the Allied Powers which were mainly comprised of France, the Russia Empire, the Britain Empire, Italy and the United States.4. Why did Britain cooperate closely with the United States after World War 2?----Because they were allied during the war and shared the same worries about the former Soviet Union.1. What were the results of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?----The Industrial Revolution changed Britain in many ways. First, industrial country increased dramatically. Britain became the most advanced industrial country and also the financial center in the world. Second, urbanization took place. Many new cities sprang up. Third, it caused great changes in the class structure. The old social classes declined, and new ones emerged and developed.2. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire?----Colonization of Newfoundland, the first British colony overseas, in 1583 marked the beginning of the British Empire. By 1837, British had long been an empire which included the colonies in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and many small states in the West Indies. By the end of 19th century, the British Empire included a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass. During the mid-19th century, the British government consolidated the existing colonies by bringing them under the direct control of the government. Before World War 1, Britain had the largest colonial empire in the world. However, Britain suffered great loss to its manpower in the two World Wars and exhausted its reserves of gold, dollars and overseas investment. Most of Britain's colonies gained independence since the 1940s, which inevitably led to the fall the Empire.1. What are the three functions of the House of Commons?----to draft laws, to scrutinize, criticize and restrain the activities of the government, and to influence future government policy.2. Why is the Conservative Party sometimes called the "Right"?----Because the Conservative Party is supported by landowners and businessmen, who are often from the middle and upper-middle class.3. What kind of public image does Liberal Democrats have in Britain?----The Liberal Democrats is perceived as "middle" between the Conservative and the Labor Party. It is comparatively flexible and pragmatic in its balance of the individual and the social. It emphasizes the need for a change in Britain's constitutional arrangements to make the government more democratic and accountable.4. Why are independent candidates unlikely to win in the general election? ----Because even if they were elected, they would be powerless in Parliament. Therefore, it is not possible for many people to vote for independent candidates.1. What do British electoral campaigns usually involve during the process of a general election?----The electoral campaigns usually involve advertising in newspapers, door-to-door campaigning and leaflets. The main parties are given short periods of time on national television to present their policies to the public. Apart from the parties' own publicity, newspapers and TV programs spend a lot of time discussing the campaign, interviewing politicians, and predicting the results.2. What is the Commonwealth of Nations?----The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, all of which acknowledge the British monarch as the head. The Commonwealth is not a political union of any sort, and its member states have full autonomy to manage their internal and external affairs. It is primarily an organization in which countries with diverse economic backgrounds have an opportunity for close and equal interaction after gaining independence. The major activities of the Commonwealth are designed to advocate democracy, human rights, and to promote economic cooperation and growth within its members.1. What was the negative aspect of Thatcher's reform in the early 1980s? ----Its negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. In 1982, the unemployment rate reached the level of the Great Depression years, with three million people out of work.2. What are the characteristics of Britain's agriculture?----British's agriculture is characterized by a small portion of the population engaged in agricultural activities with a high degree of mechanization. Although it employs a mere 1% of the country's labor force, it meets around 60% of the national demands.3. What happened to Britain's beef industry in the mid-1990s?----British's beef industry was hit badly by BSE, resulting in a ban on beef exports in 1996.4. What are some of the popular tourist attraction in Britain?----The popular tourist attractions in English include: the Dorset and the East Devon Coast, the Lake District, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and so on.1. What were the major causes of Britain's relative economic decline in the postwar period?----British's economy experienced a relative decline in the postwar period for several reasons. First, British suffered a great losses in the two World Wars and had gone heavily into debt to finance the war. Second, the era of the British Empire was over. India and other British colonies, which provided raw material and large market for British goods, gained their independence. Third, British was forced to maintain an expensive military presence in many overseas locations until the end of 1960s. Fourth, British had to make substantial financial contributions to NATO and UN Security Council. Finally, British failed to invest in industry after World War 2 whereas its competitors like Germany and Japan caught up with British buy investing in the most modern equipment and means of production.2. Why do developed nations like Britain encourage the development of the service industry?----The service industry has played an increasingly important role in economy in the development countries. On the other hand ,it requires a large group of people working in it so that abundant employmentopportunities are provided. On the other hand, the service industry causes little pollution.1. What used to be the major functions of grammar schools and vocational schools in Britain?----The major functions of grammar schools were to train the most academically capable students and prepare them for university, whereas the major functions of vocational schools were to help less successful students to learn a trade.2. What kind of subjects do Britain comprehensive schools provide?----British comprehensive schools provide a general education, offering both academic subjects like literature and science, and practical subjects like cooking and carpentry.3. In what ways do Britain universities enjoy complete academic freedom? ----British universities enjoy complete academic freedom because they can appoint their own staff, decide which students to admit, provide their own courses and award their own degrees.4. How do students in the Open University receive their education?----The students follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, video, and a network of study centers.5. What role does the media play in Britain leisure culture?----The media plays an essential role in British leisure culture since it helps to shape the public's opinion, determine people's moral and political orientation and consolidate or undermine the rule of a government.1. What are the general feature of Britain's independent schools?----British's independent schools require fees from students. Although the National Curriculum is optional in the independent system, most independent schools teach what the curriculum demands. Independent schools get their funding through tuition fees as well as government assistance. Since they are generally better-funded than most state schools, they can recruit the best teachers and provide superior facilities. However, high tuition fees have become an obstacle for many students to enroll.2. The "quality press" and the "tabloids" in Britain?----Among the 10 daily published national newspapers in British, about half of them are regarded as the "quality press" since they carry in-depth articles of particular political and social importance, and reviews and feature articles about "high culture", and they are generally read by well-educated people. The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph are good cases in point of the quality press. The "tabloids", with color photos and striking headlines, usually cover scandals and gossip about celebrities in politics, sports and entertainment. A typical example is The News of the World.Chapter 81. How is the American population distributed?The distribution of the American population is rather uneven the most densely populated region is the northeastern part of the country. The great plains have a comparatively small population .the south also has a population of almost . the west is not densely populated ,except for some metropolitan centers like los Angeles and san Francisco . it has about 20% of the nation’s population.2. Why was the immigration act of 1942 instituted ?The new immigrants in the united states , being poor and accustomed to poverty , were willing to work for very low wages .this made other workers afraid that the immigrants would ls and take jobs away from them . this opposition led to the immigration act of 1942.1．Why is the United States regarded as a”melting pot” and a ”salad bowl” ?The United States is not merely a nation, but a nation of nations. The immigrants came in waves, including the Europeans, the Africans and the Asians. Therefore, America is described as a "melting pot" where various racial and ethnic groups are assimilate into American culture. Recently, America has been called a "salad bowl" in that people of difference races and ethnic groups mix harmoniously, but at the same time keep their distinct culture and customs.2．What do you think is the best way to help assimilation in a multicultural society?The best possible way to help assimilation in a multicultural society is to be open and tolerant toward different cultures. People from different racial and ethnic backgrounds should respect each other. Society should create opportunities to help immigrants become assimilated. At the same time the immigrants should keep their own language, customs and religion, contributing to the diversity of a multicultural society.Chapter 91. Why did American change its policy and enter world war II?Because of the formation of the axis , the American government feared that the axis countries were wining the war and it might threaten America’s security and interests . it began to provide war equipment to the foreign nations resisting the aggression of the axis power . the Japanese air raid on pearl harbor became the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war.2. What were Nixon’s well-known contributions during his presidency?a) brought the Vietnam war to a closeb)reestablishing . relations with chinac) negotiating the firststrategic arms limitation treaty with the former soviet union .3. What were the contents of Reagan’s economic program?Reagan’s economic program called for reductions in income taxes and business taxes in order to encourage investment , and it also requested that many government regulations be eliminated so as to reduce the federal government’s role in the day-to-day operation of business.1. What was the cause of the American Civil War?The Southern planters of America needed a large number of black African slaves to manage their plantations and they regarded the slaves as their property. In the North, with the development of industry, there was a growing demand for free labor. What’s more, the Northerners demanded a law to protect tariffs and asked the government to finance the building of railways and roads. But the Southerners were against it and advocatedfree trade so as to purchase cheaper goods from foreign countries. The accumulating conflicts led to the division of the North and the South and finally the American Civil War.2. What made the United States a powerful country by the end of World War II?During the two World Wars, America remained neutral in the early stage. However, Americans continued their profitable trade with the warring countries. Therefore, they not only retained their military forces, but also accumulated great wealth. When America entered the wars, it was almost at the end of the wars. By sharing the fruit of victory with other allies, America greatly strengthened its power and became a powerful country by the end of World War II.Chapter 101. What are the two characteristics of the . constitution?One is “checks and balances”, the other is that the power of the central government and the powers of state governments are specified.2. What are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectively?A senator must be over 30 years old , a . citizen for at least nine years, and a resident in the state which they represent . a representative should be at least 25 years old and a . citizen for no less than seven years.3. What are the major powers of the supreme court?a) to interpret lawsb) to hear appeals from any federal court cases;c) to hear appeals from state court cases that involve the constitution or national laws d) may declare a law unconstitutionale) may declare a presidential act unconstitutional4. What is the difference between the democrats and the republicans in terms of political opinions?The democrats want the government to play an important role in the economy and emphasize full employment as a matter of national concern they favor civil rights laws , a strong social security system which gives enterprises a greater freedom and demand that the government control inflation. They stress the need for law and order, and oppose complete government social programs and free choice of abortion they also favor a strong military posture and assertive stand in international relations.1. How is the American President voted into office? What are your ideas about the American election?Each party holds its national convention every four years to choose a candidate for presidency. To win a presidential election, a candidate has to spend millions of dollars, travel all over the country to make speeches and debate on television with the rival. The general election is technically divided into two stages. During the first stage, presidential electors for each state will be chosen. In the second stage the electors meet and vote a President. Since the second stage is only a kind of formality, everyone knows who will be the next President an soon as the first stage is over.I think the candidates spend too much money on the electoral campaigns. And, the election cannot solve the social and economic problems of the . as some candidates do not keep their word after they become President.2. What was President Eisenhowers foreign policy and what were the consequences ?President Eisenhower made vigorous efforts to wage the Cold War. He placed new emphasis on developing nuclear strength to prevent the outbreak of war. He also frequently authorized the CIA to undertake secret interventions to overthrow unfriendly governments or protect reliable anti-communist leaders whose power was threatened. The CIA helped topple the governments of Iran and Guatemala, but it suffered an embarrassing failure in Indonesia. In addition, Eisenhower used . power and prestige to help create a non-communist government in South Vietnam, which brought disastrous long-term consequences to the United States.Chapter 111. What industry developments took place during the colonial period of America?During the colonial period ,the secondary industries developed as the colonies grew . a variety of specialized sawmills and gristmills appeared. Colonists established shipyards to build fishing fleets and trading vessels . they also built small iron forges . by the 18th century , regional patterns of development in America had become clear.2. How did the civil war affect the American economy?After the civil war , the large southern cotton plantations became much less profitable . northern industries , which had expanded rapidly because of the demands of the war ,surged ahead.3. Why does America try to reduce trade barriers?Because the united states has increasingly realized that open bilateral trade will not only advance its own economic interests, but also enhance domestic stability and its peaceful relationship with other nations.1. How did the constitution lay the groundwork for American’s economic development ?The . Constitution, as an economic charter, established that the entire nation was a unified or "common" market. There were no tariffs or taxes on interstate commerce. It provided that the federal government could regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, establish uniform bankruptcy laws, create money and regulate its value, fix standards of weights and measures, establish post office and roads, and fix rules governing patents and copyrights. The last-mentioned clause was an early recognition of the importance of "intellectual property", a matter that began assuming great importance in trade negotiations since the late 20thcentury.2. Cite examples to illustrate the role of government intervention in America's economic development.The government has always played an active and important role in America’s economic development. In the early 1930s,thr United States suffered the worst economic depression in American history. President Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to tackle the financial crisis. Besides, he set up the New York State Emergency Relief Commission to help those in desperate need and tried to relieve the serious problems of the jobless. At the end of 1970s, the American economy again suffered a recession. TheReagan administration combated inflation by controlling government spending deficit, cutting taxes and raising interest rates. Both policies mentioned above helped to set the country’s economic development on its right course, In all, the intervention of the government has ensured that economic opportunities are fair and accessible to the people. It has prevented flagrant abuses of the system, dampened the effects of inflation and stimulated economic growth.Chapter 121. How does an American university choose its applicants?a)their high school records;b) recommendations from their high school teachers;c) the impression they make during interviews at the university;d) their scores on the SAT.2. What functions do American higher education institutions perform?Higher education institutions in the united states have three functions: teaching , research and public service , and each has its own emphasis with regard to its function .3. What similarities do four famous university share?They all have a long history , they all have an excellent faculty , a large number of students and have made extensive academic achievements. Some of their graduates are very successful or influential in some areas such as politics, arts and business.4. What are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to the new world , in 1620,the mayflower arrived and brought about 150 pilgrims. Life at the beginning was very hard and there was not enough food , so many of them died. During the following summer the native America helped them and then they had a bountiful harvest. So they held a big celebration to thank god and the native Americans.1. What are the ideals that guide the American educational system?The first ideal is that as many people as possible should receive as much education as possible .The second ideal is that of ptoducing a society that is totally literate and of local control . The third ideal is that scholars and students should work to discover new information or conceive new ways to understand what is already known .2. How does America carry out multicultural education?American schools routinely teach the experiences and values of many ethnic cultures. Current textbooks incorporate a variety of ethnic individuals who have achieved success. Struggle for equality are vividly depicted, and past racism is bluntly acknowledged. Cultural pluralism is now generally recognized as the organizing principle of at all levels offer students opportunities to learn about different cultures.。

1. What is the full name of the .----United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland2. Why do tourists from all over the world like to go to Scotland----They like to enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery, to drink Scotch whisky and to see Scotsmen wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.3. How many periods can the development of the English language be divided into and what are they----The development of the English language can be divided into three periods: Old English, Middle English and Modern English.4. Why did English become more important after Black Death----The laboring and merchant classes grew in economic and social importance after the Black Death, so English also grew in importance compared to French.1. Who are the British People----The first known inhabitants in Britain were Celts who are the ancestors of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish people. Then came the Anglos, the Saxons and the Jutes who brought with them the English language. Many people from other European countries came later, and in modern times there are a lot of immigrants from many former Commonwealth countries from every part of the world. Britain is a country of mixed cultures, and the Britain people are also composed of people from different ethic and culture backgrounds.2. What is Standard English----Standard English is based on the speech of the upper class of southeastern England. It is widely used in media and taught at schools. It is preferred by the educated, middle-class people. It has developed and has been promoted as a model for correct Britain English. It is also the norm carried overseas. Today, Standard English is codified to the extent that the grammar and vocabulary are much the same everywhere in the world where English is taught and used.1. What are the two components of the British Parliament----the House of Commons and the House of Lords.2. What were some of Queen Victoria's major achievement---- Queen Victoria made tremendous achievements in almost every aspect. She promoted further industrial revolution, the building of railways and the growing of trade and commerce. By the end of her reign, Britain had developed to an empire including a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass.3. What were the two camps in Europe in World War 1----The Central Powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria and the Allied Powers which were mainly comprised of France, the Russia Empire, the Britain Empire, Italy and the United States.4. Why did Britain cooperate closely with the United States after World War 2----Because they were allied during the war and shared the same worries about the former Soviet Union.1. What were the results of the Industrial Revolution in Britain----The Industrial Revolution changed Britain in many ways. First, industrial country increased dramatically. Britain became the most advanced industrial country and also the financial center in the world. Second, urbanization took place. Many new cities sprang up. Third, it caused great changes in the class structure. The old social classes declined, and new ones emerged and developed.2. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire----Colonization of Newfoundland, the first British colony overseas, in 1583 marked the beginning of the British Empire. By 1837, British had long been an empire which included the colonies in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and many small states in the West Indies. By the end of 19th century, the British Empire included a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass. During the mid-19th century, the British government consolidated the existing colonies by bringing them under the direct control of the government. Before World War 1, Britain had the largest colonial empire in the world. However, Britain suffered great loss to its manpower in the two World Wars and exhausted its reserves of gold, dollars and overseas investment. Most of Britain's colonies gained independence since the 1940s, which inevitably led to the fall the Empire.1. What are the three functions of the House of Commons----to draft laws, to scrutinize, criticize and restrain the activities of the government, and to influence future government policy.2. Why is the Conservative Party sometimes called the "Right"----Because the Conservative Party is supported by landowners and businessmen, who are often from the middle and upper-middle class.3. What kind of public image does Liberal Democrats have in Britain----The Liberal Democrats is perceived as "middle" between the Conservative and the Labor Party. It is comparatively flexible and pragmatic in its balance of the individual and the social. It emphasizes the need for a change in Britain's constitutional arrangements to make the government more democratic and accountable.4. Why are independent candidates unlikely to win in the general election----Because even if they were elected, they would be powerless in Parliament. Therefore, it is not possible for many people to vote for independent candidates.1. What do British electoral campaigns usually involve during the process of a general election----The electoral campaigns usually involve advertising in newspapers, door-to-door campaigning and leaflets. The main parties are given short periods of time on national television to present their policies to the public. Apart from the parties' own publicity, newspapers and TV programs spend a lot of time discussing the campaign, interviewing politicians, and predicting the results.2. What is the Commonwealth of Nations----The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, all of which acknowledge the British monarch as the head. The Commonwealth is not a political union of any sort, and its member states have full autonomy to manage their internal and external affairs. It is primarily an organization in which countries with diverse economic backgrounds have an opportunity for close and equal interaction after gaining independence. The major activities of the Commonwealth are designed to advocate democracy, human rights, and to promote economic cooperation and growth within its members.1. What was the negative aspect of Thatcher's reform in the early 1980s----Its negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. In 1982, the unemployment rate reached the level of the Great Depression years, with three million people out of work.2. What are the characteristics of Britain's agriculture----British's agriculture is characterized by a small portion of the population engaged in agricultural activities with a high degree of mechanization. Although it employs a mere 1% of the country's labor force, it meets around 60% of the national demands.3. What happened to Britain's beef industry in the mid-1990s----British's beef industry was hit badly by BSE, resulting in a ban on beef exports in 1996.4. What are some of the popular tourist attraction in Britain----The popular tourist attractions in English include: the Dorset and the East Devon Coast, the Lake District, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and so on.1. What were the major causes of Britain's relative economic decline in the postwar period----British's economy experienced a relative decline in the postwar period for severalreasons. First, British suffered a great losses in the two World Wars and had gone heavily into debt to finance the war. Second, the era of the British Empire was over. India and other British colonies, which provided raw material and large market for British goods, gained their independence. Third, British was forced to maintain an expensive military presence in many overseas locations until the end of 1960s. Fourth, British had to make substantial financial contributions to NATO and UN Security Council. Finally, British failed to invest in industry after World War 2 whereas its competitors like Germany and Japan caught up with British buy investing in the most modern equipment and means of production.2. Why do developed nations like Britain encourage the development of the service industry----The service industry has played an increasingly important role in economy in the development countries. On the other hand ,it requires a large group of people working in it so that abundant employment opportunities are provided. On the other hand, the service industry causes little pollution.1. What used to be the major functions of grammar schools and vocational schools in Britain----The major functions of grammar schools were to train the most academically capable students and prepare them for university, whereas the major functions of vocational schools were to help less successful students to learn a trade.2. What kind of subjects do Britain comprehensive schools provide----British comprehensive schools provide a general education, offering both academic subjects like literature and science, and practical subjects like cooking and carpentry.3. In what ways do Britain universities enjoy complete academic freedom----British universities enjoy complete academic freedom because they can appoint their own staff, decide which students to admit, provide their own courses and award their own degrees.4. How do students in the Open University receive their education----The students follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, video, and a network of study centers.5. What role does the media play in Britain leisure culture----The media plays an essential role in British leisure culture since it helps to shape the public's opinion, determine people's moral and political orientation and consolidate or undermine the rule of a government.1. What are the general feature of Britain's independent schools----British's independent schools require fees from students. Although the National Curriculum is optional in the independent system, most independent schools teach what the curriculum demands. Independent schools get their funding through tuition fees as well as government assistance. Since they are generally better-funded than most state schools, they can recruit the best teachers and provide superior facilities. However, high tuition fees have become an obstacle for many students to enroll.2. The "quality press" and the "tabloids" in Britain----Among the 10 daily published national newspapers in British, about half of them are regarded as the "quality press" since they carry in-depth articles of particular political and social importance, and reviews and feature articles about "high culture", and they are generally read by well-educated people. The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph are good cases in point of the quality press. The "tabloids", with color photos and striking headlines, usually cover scandals and gossip about celebrities in politics, sports and entertainment. A typical example is The News of the World.Chapter 81. How is the American population distributedThe distribution of the American population is rather uneven the most densely populated region is the northeastern part of the country. The great plains have a comparatively small population .the south also has a population of almost . the west is not densely populated ,except for some metropolitan centers like los Angeles and san Francisco . it has about 20% of the nation’s population.2. Why was the immigration act of 1942 institutedThe new immigrants in the united states , being poor and accustomed to poverty , were willing to work for very low wages .this made other workers afraid that the immigrants would ls and take jobs away from them . this opposition led to the immigration act of 1942.1．Why is the United States regarded as a”melting pot” and a ”salad bowl”The United States is not merely a nation, but a nation of nations. The immigrants came in waves, including the Europeans, the Africans and the Asians. Therefore, America is described as a "melting pot" where various racial and ethnic groups are assimilate into American culture. Recently, America has been called a "salad bowl" in that people of difference races and ethnic groups mix harmoniously, but at the same time keep their distinct culture and customs.2．What do you think is the best way to help assimilation in a multicultural societyThe best possible way to help assimilation in a multicultural society is to be open and tolerant toward different cultures. People from different racial and ethnic backgrounds should respect each other. Society should create opportunities to help immigrants become assimilated. At the same time the immigrants should keep their own language, customs and religion, contributing to the diversity of a multicultural society.Chapter 91. Why did American change its policy and enter world war IIBecause of the formation of the axis , the American government feared that the axis countr ies were wining the war and it might threaten America’s security and interests . it began to provide war equipment to the foreign nations resisting the aggression of the axis power . the Japanese air raid on pearl harbor became the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war.2. What were Nixon’s well-known contributions during his presidencya) brought the Vietnam war to a closeb)reestablishing . relations with chinac) negotiating the firststrategic arms limitation treaty with the former soviet union .3. What were the contents of Reagan’s economic programReagan’s economic program called for reductions in income taxes and business taxes in order to encourage investment , and it also requested that many government regulations be eliminated so as to r educe the federal government’s role in the day-to-day operation of business.1. What was the cause of the American Civil WarThe Southern planters of America needed a large number of black African slaves to manage their plantations and they regarded the slaves as their property. In the North, with the development of industry, there was a growing demand for free labor. What’s more,the Northerners demanded a law to protect tariffs and asked the government to finance the building of railways and roads. But the Southerners were against it and advocated free trade so as to purchase cheaper goods from foreign countries. The accumulating conflicts led to the division of the North and the South and finally the American Civil War.2. What made the United States a powerful country by the end of World War IIDuring the two World Wars, America remained neutral in the early stage. However, Americans continued their profitable trade with the warring countries. Therefore, they not only retained their military forces, but also accumulated great wealth. When America entered the wars, it was almost at the end of the wars. By sharing the fruit of victory with other allies, America greatly strengthened its power and became a powerful country by the end of World War II.Chapter 101. What are the two characteristics of the . constitutionOne is “checks and balances”, the other is that the power of the central government and the powers of state governments are specified.2. What are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectivelyA senator must be over 30 years old , a . citizen for at least nine years, and a resident in the state which they represent . a representative should be at least 25 years old and a . citizen for no less than seven years.3. What are the major powers of the supreme courta) to interpret lawsb) to hear appeals from any federal court cases;c) to hear appeals from state court cases that involve the constitution or national laws d) may declare a law unconstitutionale) may declare a presidential act unconstitutional4. What is the difference between the democrats and the republicans in terms of political opinionsThe democrats want the government to play an important role in the economy and emphasize full employment as a matter of national concern they favor civil rights laws , a strong social security system which gives enterprises a greater freedom and demand that the government control inflation. They stress the need for law and order, and oppose complete government social programs and free choice of abortion they also favor a strong military posture and assertive stand in international relations.1. How is the American President voted into office What are your ideas about the American electionEach party holds its national convention every four years to choose a candidate for presidency. To win a presidential election, a candidate has to spend millions of dollars, travel all over the country to make speeches and debate on television with the rival. The general election is technically divided into two stages. During the first stage, presidential electors for each state will be chosen. In the second stage the electors meet and vote a President. Since the second stage is only a kind of formality, everyone knows who will be the next President an soon as the first stage is over.I think the candidates spend too much money on the electoral campaigns. And, the election cannot solve the social and economic problems of the . as some candidates do not keep their word after they become President.2. What was President Eisenhowers foreign policy and what were the consequences President Eisenhower made vigorous efforts to wage the Cold War. He placed new emphasis on developing nuclear strength to prevent the outbreak of war. He also frequently authorized the CIA to undertake secret interventions to overthrow unfriendly governments or protect reliable anti-communist leaders whose power was threatened. The CIA helped topple the governments of Iran and Guatemala, but it suffered an embarrassing failure in Indonesia. In addition, Eisenhower used . power and prestige to help create a non-communist government in South Vietnam, which brought disastrous long-term consequences to the United States.Chapter 111. What industry developments took place during the colonial period of America During the colonial period ,the secondary industries developed as the colonies grew .a variety of specialized sawmills and gristmills appeared. Colonists established shipyards to build fishing fleets and trading vessels . they also built small iron forges . by the 18th century , regional patterns of development in America had become clear.2. How did the civil war affect the American economyAfter the civil war , the large southern cotton plantations became much less profitable . northern industries , which had expanded rapidly because of the demands of the war ,surged ahead.3. Why does America try to reduce trade barriersBecause the united states has increasingly realized that open bilateral trade will not only advance its own economic interests, but also enhance domestic stability and its peaceful relationship with other nations.1. How did the constitution lay the groundwork for American’s economic developmentThe . Constitution, as an economic charter, established that the entire nation was a unified or "common" market. There were no tariffs or taxes on interstate commerce. It provided that the federal government could regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, establish uniform bankruptcy laws, create money and regulate its value, fix standards of weights and measures, establish post office and roads, and fix rules governing patents and copyrights. The last-mentioned clause was an early recognition of the importance of "intellectual property", a matter that began assuming great importance in trade negotiations since the late 20thcentury.2. Cite examples to illustrate the role of government intervention in America's economic development.The government has always played an active and important role in America’s economic development. In the early 1930s,thr United States suffered the worst economic depression in American history. President Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to tackle the financial crisis. Besides, he set up the New York State Emergency Relief Commission to help those in desperate need and tried to relieve the serious problems of the jobless. At the end of 1970s, the American economy again suffered a recession. The Reagan administration combated inflation by controlling government spending deficit, cutting taxes and raising interest rates. Both policies mentioned above helped to set the country’s economic development on its right course, In all, the intervention of the government has ensured that economic opportunities are fair and accessible to the people. It has prevented flagrant abuses of the system, dampened the effects of inflation and stimulated economic growth. Chapter 121. How does an American university choose its applicantsa)their high school records;b) recommendations from their high school teachers;c) the impression they make during interviews at the university;d) their scores on the SAT.2. What functions do American higher education institutions performHigher education institutions in the united states have three functions: teaching , research and public service , and each has its own emphasis with regard to its function .3. What similarities do four famous university shareThey all have a long history , they all have an excellent faculty , a large number of students and have made extensive academic achievements. Some of their graduates are very successful or influential in some areas such as politics, arts and business.4. What are the origins of thanksgiving dayThanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to the new world , in 1620,the mayflower arrived and brought about 150 pilgrims. Life at the beginning was very hard and there was not enough food , so many of them died. During the following summer the native America helped them and then they had a bountiful harvest. So they held a big celebration to thank god and the native Americans.1. What are the ideals that guide the American educational systemThe first ideal is that as many people as possible should receive as much education as possible .The second ideal is that of ptoducing a society that is totally literate and of local control . The third ideal is that scholars and students should work to discover new information or conceive new ways to understand what is already known .2. How does America carry out multicultural educationAmerican schools routinely teach the experiences and values of many ethnic cultures. Current textbooks incorporate a variety of ethnic individuals who have achieved success. Struggle for equality are vividly depicted, and past racism is bluntly acknowledged. Cultural pluralism is now generally recognized as the organizing principle of at all levels offer students opportunities to learn about different cultures.。

1. What is the full name of the U.K.?----United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland2. Why do tourists from all over the world like to go to Scotland?----They like to enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery, to drink Scotch whisky and to see Scotsmen wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.3. How many periods can the development of the English language be divided into and what are they?----The development of the English language can be divided into three periods: Old English, Middle English and Modern English.4. Why did English become more important after Black Death?----The laboring and merchant classes grew in economic and social importance after the Black Death, so English also grew in importance compared to French.1. Who are the British People?----The first known inhabitants in Britain were Celts who are the ancestors of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish people. Then came the Anglos, the Saxons and the Jutes who brought with them the English language. Many people from other European countries came later, and in modern times there are a lot of immigrants from many former Commonwealth countries from every part of the world. Britain is a country of mixed cultures, and the Britain people are also composed of people from different ethic and culture backgrounds.2. What is Standard English?----Standard English is based on the speech of the upper class of southeastern England. It is widely used in media and taught at schools. It is preferred by the educated, middle-class people. It has developed and has been promoted as a model for correct Britain English. It is alsothe norm carried overseas. Today, Standard English is codified to the extent that the grammar and vocabulary are much the same everywhere in the world where English is taught and used.1. What are the two components of the British Parliament?----the House of Commons and the House of Lords.2. What were some of Queen Victoria's major achievement?---- Q ueen Victoria made tremendous achievements in almost every aspect. She promoted further industrial revolution, the building of railways and the growing of trade and commerce. By the end of her reign, Britain had developed to an empire including a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass.3. What were the two camps in Europe in World War 1?----The Central Powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria and the Allied Powers which were mainly comprised of France, the Russia Empire, the Britain Empire, Italy and the United States.4. Why did Britain cooperate closely with the United States after World War 2?----Because they were allied during the war and shared the same worries about the former Soviet Union.1. What were the results of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?----The Industrial Revolution changed Britain in many ways. First, industrial country increased dramatically. Britain became the most advanced industrial country and also the financial center in the world. Second, urbanization took place. Many new cities sprang up. Third, itcaused great changes in the class structure. The old social classes declined, and new ones emerged and developed.2. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire?----Colonization of Newfoundland, the first British colony overseas, in 1583 marked the beginning of the British Empire. By 1837, British had long been an empire which included the colonies in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and many small states in the West Indies. By the end of 19th century, the British Empire included a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass. During the mid-19th century, the British government consolidated the existing colonies by bringing them under the direct control of the government. Before World War 1, Britain had the largest colonial empire in the world. However, Britain suffered great loss to its manpower in the two World Wars and exhausted its reserves of gold, dollars and overseas investment. Most of Britain's colonies gained independence since the 1940s, which inevitably led to the fall the Empire.1. What are the three functions of the House of Commons?----to draft laws, to scrutinize, criticize and restrain the activities of the government, and to influence future government policy.2. Why is the Conservative Party sometimes called the "Right"?----Because the Conservative Party is supported by landowners and businessmen, who are often from the middle and upper-middle class. 3. What kind of public image does Liberal Democrats have in Britain?----The Liberal Democrats is perceived as "middle" between the Conservative and the Labor Party. It is comparatively flexible andpragmatic in its balance of the individual and the social. It emphasizes the need for a change in Britain's constitutional arrangements to make the government more democratic and accountable.4. Why are independent candidates unlikely to win in the general election?----Because even if they were elected, they would be powerless in Parliament. Therefore, it is not possible for many people to vote for independent candidates.1. What do British electoral campaigns usually involve during the process of a general election?----The electoral campaigns usually involve advertising in newspapers, door-to-door campaigning and leaflets. The main parties are given short periods of time on national television to present their policies to the public. Apart from the parties' own publicity, newspapers and TV programs spend a lot of time discussing the campaign, interviewing politicians, and predicting the results.2. What is the Commonwealth of Nations?----The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, all of which acknowledge the British monarch as the head. The Commonwealth is not a political union of any sort, and its member states have full autonomy to manage their internal and external affairs. It is primarily an organization in which countries with diverse economic backgrounds have an opportunity for close and equal interaction after gaining independence. The major activities of the Commonwealth are designed to advocate democracy, human rights, and to promote economic cooperation and growth within its members.1. What was the negative aspect of Thatcher's reform in the early 1980s? ----Its negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. In 1982, the unemployment rate reached the level of the Great Depression years, with three million people out of work.2. What are the characteristics of Britain's agriculture?----British's agriculture is characterized by a small portion of the population engaged in agricultural activities with a high degree of mechanization. Although it employs a mere 1% of the country's labor force, it meets around 60% of the national demands.3. What happened to Britain's beef industry in the mid-1990s?----British's beef industry was hit badly by BSE, resulting in a ban on beef exports in 1996.4. What are some of the popular tourist attraction in Britain?----The popular tourist attractions in English include: the Dorset and the East Devon Coast, the Lake District, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and so on.1. What were the major causes of Britain's relative economic decline in the postwar period?----British's economy experienced a relative decline in the postwar period for several reasons. First, British suffered a great losses in the two World Wars and had gone heavily into debt to finance the war. Second, the era of the British Empire was over. India and other British colonies, which provided raw material and large market for British goods, gained their independence. Third, British was forced to maintain an expensive military presence in many overseas locations until the end of 1960s.Fourth, British had to make substantial financial contributions to NATO and UN Security Council. Finally, British failed to invest in industry after World War 2 whereas its competitors like Germany and Japan caught up with British buy investing in the most modern equipment and means of production.2. Why do developed nations like Britain encourage the development of the service industry?----The service industry has played an increasingly important role in economy in the development countries. On the other hand ,it requires a large group of people working in it so that abundant employment opportunities are provided. On the other hand, the service industry causes little pollution.1. What used to be the major functions of grammar schools and vocational schools in Britain?----The major functions of grammar schools were to train the most academically capable students and prepare them for university, whereas the major functions of vocational schools were to help less successful students to learn a trade.2. What kind of subjects do Britain comprehensive schools provide?----British comprehensive schools provide a general education, offering both academic subjects like literature and science, and practical subjects like cooking and carpentry.3. In what ways do Britain universities enjoy complete academic freedom?----British universities enjoy complete academic freedom because theycan appoint their own staff, decide which students to admit, provide their own courses and award their own degrees.4. How do students in the Open University receive their education?----The students follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, video, and a network of study centers.5. What role does the media play in Britain leisure culture?----The media plays an essential role in British leisure culture since it helps to shape the public's opinion, determine people's moral and political orientation and consolidate or undermine the rule of a government.1. What are the general feature of Britain's independent schools?----British's independent schools require fees from students. Although the National Curriculum is optional in the independent system, most independent schools teach what the curriculum demands. Independent schools get their funding through tuition fees as well as government assistance. Since they are generally better-funded than most state schools, they can recruit the best teachers and provide superior facilities. However, high tuition fees have become an obstacle for many students to enroll.2. The "quality press" and the "tabloids" in Britain?----Among the 10 daily published national newspapers in British, about half of them are regarded as the "quality press" since they carry in-depth articles of particular political and social importance, and reviews and feature articles about "high culture", and they are generally read by well-educated people. The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph are good cases in point of the quality press. The "tabloids", with color photos and striking headlines, usually cover scandals and gossip aboutcelebrities in politics, sports and entertainment. A typical example is The News of the World.Chapter 81. How is the American population distributed?The distribution of the American population is rather uneven the most densely populated region is the northeastern part of the country. The great plains have a comparatively small population .the south also has a population of almost 57.5million. the west is not densely populated ,except for some metropolitan centers like los Angeles and san Francisco . it has about 20% of the nation’s population.2. Why was the immigration act of 1942 instituted ?The new immigrants in the united states , being poor and accustomed to poverty , were willing to work for very low wages .this made other workers afraid that the immigrants would ls and take jobs away from them . this opposition led to the immigration act of 1942.1．Why is the United States regarded as a”melting pot”and a ”salad bowl” ?The United States is not merely a nation, but a nation of nations. The immigrants came in waves, including the Europeans, the Africans and the Asians. Therefore, America is described as a "melting pot" where various racial and ethnic groups are assimilate into American culture. Recently, America has been called a "salad bowl" in that people of difference races and ethnic groups mix harmoniously, but at the same time keep their distinct culture and customs.2．What do you think is the best way to help assimilation in a multicultural society?The best possible way to help assimilation in a multicultural society is to be open and tolerant toward different cultures. People from different racial and ethnic backgrounds should respect each other. Society should create opportunities to help immigrants become assimilated. At the same time the immigrants should keep their own language, customs and religion, contributing to the diversity of a multicultural society.Chapter 91. Why did American change its policy and enter world war II?Because of the formation of the axis , the American government feared that the axis countries were wining the war and it might threaten America’s security and interests . it began to provide war equipment to the foreign nations resisting the aggression of the axis power . the Japanese air raid on pearl harbor became the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war.2. What were Nixon’s well-known contributions during his presidency?a) brought the Vietnam war to a closeb)reestablishing U.S. relations with chinac) negotiating the firststrategic arms limitation treaty with the former soviet union .3. What were the contents of Reagan’s economic program?Reagan’s economic program called for reductions in income taxes and business taxes in order to encourage investment , and it also requested that many government regulations be eliminated so as to reduce the federal government’s role in the day-to-day operation of business.1. What was the cause of the American Civil War?The Southern planters of America needed a large number of black African slaves to manage their plantations and they regarded the slaves as their property. In the North, with the development of industry, there was a growing demand for free labor. What’s more, the Northerners demanded a law to protect tariffs and asked the government to finance the building of railways and roads. But the Southerners were against it and advocated free trade so as to purchase cheaper goods from foreign countries. The accumulating conflicts led to the division of the North and the South and finally the American Civil War.2. What made the United States a powerful country by the end of World War II?During the two World Wars, America remained neutral in the early stage. However, Americans continued their profitable trade with the warring countries. Therefore, they not only retained their military forces, but also accumulated great wealth. When America entered the wars, it was almost at the end of the wars. By sharing the fruit of victory with other allies, America greatly strengthened its power and became a powerful country by the end of World War II.Chapter 101. What are the two characteristics of the U.S. constitution?One is “checks and balances”, the other is that the power of the central government and the powers of state governments are specified.2. What are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectively?A senator must be over 30 years old , a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a resident in the state which they represent . a representative should be at least 25 years old and a U.S. citizen for no less than seven years.3. What are the major powers of the supreme court?a) to interpret lawsb) to hear appeals from any federal court cases;c) to hear appeals from state court cases that involve the constitution or national laws d) may declare a law unconstitutionale) may declare a presidential act unconstitutional4. What is the difference between the democrats and the republicans in terms of political opinions?The democrats want the government to play an important role in the economy and emphasize full employment as a matter of national concern they favor civil rights laws , a strong social security system which gives enterprises a greater freedom and demand that the government control inflation. They stress the need for law and order, and oppose complete government social programs and free choice of abortion they also favor a strong military posture and assertive stand in international relations.1. How is the American President voted into office? What are your ideas about the American election?Each party holds its national convention every four years to choose a candidate for presidency. To win a presidential election, a candidate has to spend millions of dollars, travel all over the country to make speeches and debate on television with the rival. The general election is technically divided into two stages. During the first stage, presidential electors for each state will be chosen. In the second stage the electors meet and votea President. Since the second stage is only a kind of formality, everyone knows who will be the next President an soon as the first stage is over.I think the candidates spend too much money on the electoral campaigns. And, the election cannot solve the social and economic problems of the U.S. as some candidates do not keep their word after they become President.2. What was President Eisenhowers foreign policy and what were the consequences ?President Eisenhower made vigorous efforts to wage the Cold War. He placed new emphasis on developing nuclear strength to prevent the outbreak of war. He also frequently authorized the CIA to undertake secret interventions to overthrow unfriendly governments or protect reliable anti-communist leaders whose power was threatened. The CIA helped topple the governments of Iran and Guatemala, but it suffered an embarrassing failure in Indonesia. In addition, Eisenhower used U.S. power and prestige to help create a non-communist government in South Vietnam, which brought disastrous long-term consequences to the United States.Chapter 111. What industry developments took place during the colonial period of America?During the colonial period ,the secondary industries developed as the colonies grew . a variety of specialized sawmills and gristmills appeared. Colonists established shipyards to build fishing fleets and trading vessels . they also built small iron forges . by the 18th century , regional patterns of development in America had become clear.2. How did the civil war affect the American economy?After the civil war , the large southern cotton plantations became much less profitable . northern industries , which had expanded rapidly because of the demands of the war ,surged ahead.3. Why does America try to reduce trade barriers?Because the united states has increasingly realized that open bilateral trade will not only advance its own economic interests, but also enhance domestic stability and its peaceful relationship with other nations.1. How did the U.S constitution lay the groundwork for American’s economic development ?The U.S. Constitution, as an economic charter, established that the entire nation was a unified or "common" market. There were no tariffs or taxes on interstate commerce. It provided that the federal government could regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, establish uniform bankruptcy laws, create money and regulate its value, fix standards of weights and measures, establish post office and roads, and fix rules governing patents and copyrights. The last-mentioned clause was an early recognition of the importance of "intellectual property", a matter that began assuming great importance in trade negotiations since the late 20thcentury.2. Cite examples to illustrate the role of government intervention in America's economic development.The government has always played an active and important role in America’s economic development. In the early 1930s,thr United States suffered the worst economic depression in American history. President Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to tackle the financial crisis. Besides, he set up the New York State Emergency Relief Commission to help those in desperate need and tried to relieve the serious problems of the jobless. At the end of 1970s, the American economy again suffered arecession. The Reagan administration combated inflation by controlling government spending deficit, cutting taxes and raising interest rates. Both policies mentioned above helped to set the country’s economic development on its right course, In all, the intervention of the government has ensured that economic opportunities are fair and accessible to the people. It has prevented flagrant abuses of the system, dampened the effects of inflation and stimulated economic growth.Chapter 121. How does an American university choose its applicants?a)their high school records;b) recommendations from their high school teachers;c) the impression they make during interviews at the university;d) their scores on the SAT.2. What functions do American higher education institutions perform?Higher education institutions in the united states have three functions: teaching , research and public service , and each has its own emphasis with regard to its function .3. What similarities do four famous university share?They all have a long history , they all have an excellent faculty , a large number of students and have made extensive academic achievements. Some of their graduates are very successful or influential in some areas such as politics, arts and business.4. What are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to the new world , in 1620,the mayflower arrived and brought about 150 pilgrims. Life at the beginning was very hard and there was not enough food , so many of them died. During the following summer the native America helped them and then they had a bountiful harvest. So they held a big celebration to thank god and the native Americans.1. What are the ideals that guide the American educational system?The first ideal is that as many people as possible should receive as much education as possible .The second ideal is that of ptoducing a society that is totally literate and of local control . The third ideal is that scholars and students should work to discover new information or conceive new ways to understand what is already known .2. How does America carry out multicultural education?American schools routinely teach the experiences and values of many ethnic cultures. Current textbooks incorporate a variety of ethnic individuals who have achieved success. Struggle for equality are vividly depicted, and past racism is bluntly acknowledged. Cultural pluralism is now generally recognized as the organizing principle of education.Schools at all levels offer students opportunities to learn about different cultures.感谢下载!欢迎您的下载，资料仅供参考。

英美国家概况课后习题答案Chapter 1 land and people1.what are the differences between Britain and the British Isles, Great Britain,England,the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth?The British Isles,Greant Britina and England are geographical names, no the official names of the country,while the official name is the United Kingdom,but the full name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.The British Commonwealth is a free association of independent countries that were once colonies of Britian.2.Describe the geographical position of Britian?Britain is an island country. It lies in the north Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Europe.It is separated from the rest of Europe by the English channel in the south and the North Sea in the east.3.Whereabouts in Great Britain are mostly highland and lowland?The north and west of Britain are mainly highland, while the south and south-east are mostly lowlands.4.Does Britain have a favourable climate? why?Yes,it has a favourable climate, because it has a maritime type of climate---winters are mild,not too cold and summers are cool, not too hot.It has a steady reliable rainfall throughout the whole year.It has a small range of temperature,too.5.what are the factors which influence the climate in Britain? Which part of Britain has the most rainfall and which part is the driest?The factors which influence the climate in Britain are the following three:1)The surrounding waters balance the seasonal differences;2)the prevailing south-west winds bring warm and wet air in winter and keep the temperatures moderate;3)the North Atlantic Drift,a warm current,passes the western coast of the British Isles and warms them.The northwestern part has the most rainfall,while the south-eastern corner is the driest.6.Des cribe the distribution of Britain’s population.Britain has a population of 57 million. It is densely populated, with an average of7.What do you know about king Alfred ? What makes him worthy of the title of “Alfred the Great”?Alfred was the king of Wessex. He defeated the Danes who attacked England and reached an agreement with them in 879. The Danes gained control of the north and east, while Alfred ruled the rest. He also converted some leading Danes into Christains.Alfred is known as “the father of the British navy” as he founded a strong fleet to beat the Danes at sea, to protect the coasts and to encourage trade. He recogonized the Saxon army to make it more efficient. He even translated Bede’s Ecclesiastial History of the English people from Latin to English. He also establish schools and formulated a legal system. All this makes him worthy of his title”Alfred the Great”.8.Why did the William the Conqueror invade England after Edward’s death?It was said the king Edward had promised the English throne to William, but the Witan chose Harold as king. So , William led his army to invade England. In October 1066, during the important battle of Hastings, William defeated Harold and killed him. On Christmas Day, William was crowned king of England, thus beginning the Norman Conquest of England.9.what were the consequences of the Norman conquest?The Norman Conquest of 1066 is one of the best known events in English history, It brought about many consequences.William confiscated almost the land and gave it to his Norman followers. He replaced the weak Saxons rule with a strong Norman government.So the feudal system was conpletely established in England. Relations with the continent were opened, and civilization and commerce were extended. Normand-French culture,language,manners,and architecture were introduced.The church was brought into closer connection with Roma,and the courts were separated from the civil courts.10.Why do we say that the English nation is a mixture of nationalities of different orgins?The population of Britain is made up of the English ,the Scotish,the Welsh,the Irish,the Northern Irish and other peoples. The formation is complicated because England was invaded by different races at various times from Europe.Besides the early settles,the Iberians,and the Celts,including Gaels and Britons, Roman。

1. What is the full name of the U.K.?----United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland2. Why do tourists from all over the world like to go to Scotland?----They like to enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery, to drink Scotch whisky and to see Scotsmen wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.3. How many periods can the development of the English language be divided into and what are they?----The development of the English language can be divided into three periods: Old English, Middle English and Modern English.4. Why did English become more important after Black Death?----The laboring and merchant classes grew in economic and social importance after the Black Death, so English also grew in importance compared to French.1. Who are the British People?----The first known inhabitants in Britain were Celts who are the ancestors of the Welsh, Scottish and Irish people. Then came the Anglos, the Saxons and the Jutes who brought with them the English language. Many people from other European countries came later, and in modern times there are a lot of immigrants from many former Commonwealth countries from every part of the world. Britain is a country of mixed cultures, and the Britain people are also composed of people from different ethic and culture backgrounds.2. What is Standard English?----Standard English is based on the speech of the upper class of southeastern England. It is widely used in media and taught at schools. It is preferred by the educated, middle-class people. It has developed and has been promoted as a model for correct Britain English. It is also the norm carried overseas. Today, Standard English is codified to the extent that the grammar and vocabulary are much the same everywhere in the world where English is taught and used.1. What are the two components of the British Parliament?----the House of Commons and the House of Lords.2. What were some of Queen Victoria's major achievement?---- Queen Victoria made tremendous achievements in almost every aspect. She promoted further industrial revolution, the building of railways and the growing of trade and commerce. By the end of her reign, Britain had developed to an empire including a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass.3. What were the two camps in Europe in World War 1?----The Central Powers which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria and the Allied Powers which were mainly comprised of France, the Russia Empire, the Britain Empire, Italy and the United States.4. Why did Britain cooperate closely with the United States after World War 2?----Because they were allied during the war and shared the same worries about the former Soviet Union.1. What were the results of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?----The Industrial Revolution changed Britain in many ways. First, industrial country increased dramatically. Britain became the most advanced industrial country and also the financial center in the world. Second, urbanization took place. Many new cities sprang up. Third, it caused great changes in the class structure. The old social classes declined, and new ones emerged and developed.2. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire?----Colonization of Newfoundland, the first British colony overseas, in 1583 marked the beginning of the British Empire. By 1837, British had long been an empire which included the colonies in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and many small states in the West Indies. By the end of 19th century, the British Empire included a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world's landmass. During the mid-19th century, the British government consolidated the existing colonies by bringing them under the direct control of the government. Before World War 1, Britain had the largest colonial empire in the world. However, Britain suffered great loss to its manpower in the two World Wars and exhausted its reserves of gold, dollars and overseas investment. Most of Britain's colonies gained independence since the 1940s, which inevitably led to the fall the Empire.1. What are the three functions of the House of Commons?----to draft laws, to scrutinize, criticize and restrain the activities of the government, and to influence future government policy.2. Why is the Conservative Party sometimes called the "Right"?----Because the Conservative Party is supported by landowners and businessmen, who are often from the middle and upper-middle class.3. What kind of public image does Liberal Democrats have in Britain?----The Liberal Democrats is perceived as "middle" between the Conservative and the Labor Party. It is comparatively flexible and pragmatic in its balance of the individual and the social. It emphasizes the need for a change in Britain's constitutional arrangements to make the government more democratic and accountable.4. Why are independent candidates unlikely to win in the general election?----Because even if they were elected, they would be powerless in Parliament. Therefore, it is not possible for many people to vote for independent candidates.1. What do British electoral campaigns usually involve during the process of a general election?----The electoral campaigns usually involve advertising in newspapers, door-to-door campaigning and leaflets. The main parties are given short periods of time on national television to present their policies to the public. Apart from the parties' own publicity, newspapers and TV programs spend a lot of time discussing the campaign, interviewing politicians, and predicting the results.2. What is the Commonwealth of Nations?----The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, all of which acknowledge the British monarch as the head. The Commonwealth is not a political union of any sort, and its member states have full autonomy to manage their internal and external affairs. It is primarily an organization in which countries with diverse economic backgrounds have an opportunity for close and equal interaction after gaining independence. The major activities of the Commonwealth are designed to advocate democracy, human rights, and to promote economic cooperation and growth within its members.1. What was the negative aspect of Thatcher's reform in the early 1980s?----Its negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment. In 1982, the unemployment rate reached the level of the Great Depression years, with three million people out of work.2. What are the characteristics of Britain's agriculture?----British's agriculture is characterized by a small portion of the population engaged in agricultural activities with a high degree of mechanization. Although it employs a mere 1% of the country's labor force, it meets around 60% of the national demands.3. What happened to Britain's beef industry in the mid-1990s?----British's beef industry was hit badly by BSE, resulting in a ban on beef exports in 1996.4. What are some of the popular tourist attraction in Britain?----The popular tourist attractions in English include: the Dorset and the East Devon Coast, the Lake District, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and so on.1. What were the major causes of Britain's relative economic decline in the postwar period?----British's economy experienced a relative decline in the postwar period for severalreasons. First, British suffered a great losses in the two World Wars and had gone heavily into debt to finance the war. Second, the era of the British Empire was over. India and other British colonies, which provided raw material and large market for British goods, gained their independence. Third, British was forced to maintain an expensive military presence in many overseas locations until the end of 1960s. Fourth, British had to make substantial financial contributions to NATO and UN Security Council. Finally, British failed to invest in industry after World War 2 whereas its competitors like Germany and Japan caught up with British buy investing in the most modern equipment and means of production.2. Why do developed nations like Britain encourage the development of the service industry?----The service industry has played an increasingly important role in economy in the development countries. On the other hand ,it requires a large group of people working in it so that abundant employment opportunities are provided. On the other hand, the service industry causes little pollution.1. What used to be the major functions of grammar schools and vocational schools in Britain?----The major functions of grammar schools were to train the most academically capable students and prepare them for university, whereas the major functions of vocational schools were to help less successful students to learn a trade.2. What kind of subjects do Britain comprehensive schools provide?----British comprehensive schools provide a general education, offering both academic subjects like literature and science, and practical subjects like cooking and carpentry.3. In what ways do Britain universities enjoy complete academic freedom?----British universities enjoy complete academic freedom because they can appoint their own staff, decide which students to admit, provide their own courses and award their own degrees.4. How do students in the Open University receive their education?----The students follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence, video, and a network of study centers.5. What role does the media play in Britain leisure culture?----The media plays an essential role in British leisure culture since it helps to shape the public's opinion, determine people's moral and political orientation and consolidate or undermine the rule of a government.1. What are the general feature of Britain's independent schools?----British's independent schools require fees from students. Although the National Curriculum is optional in the independent system, most independent schools teach what the curriculum demands. Independent schools get their funding through tuition fees as well as government assistance. Since they are generally better-funded than most state schools, they can recruit the best teachers and provide superior facilities. However, high tuition fees have become an obstacle for many students to enroll.2. The "quality press" and the "tabloids" in Britain?----Among the 10 daily published national newspapers in British, about half of them are regarded as the "quality press" since they carry in-depth articles of particular political and social importance, and reviews and feature articles about "high culture", and they are generally read by well-educated people. The Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph are good cases in point of the quality press. The "tabloids", with color photos and striking headlines, usually cover scandals and gossip about celebrities in politics, sports and entertainment. A typical example is The News of the World.Chapter 81. How is the American population distributed?The distribution of the American population is rather uneven the most densely populated region is the northeastern part of the country. The great plains have a comparatively small population .the south also has a population of almost 57.5million. the west is not densely populated ,except for some metropolitan centers like los Angele s and san Francisco . it has about 20% of the nation’s population.2. Why was the immigration act of 1942 instituted ?The new immigrants in the united states , being poor and accustomed to poverty , were willing to work for very low wages .this made other workers afraid that the immigrants would ls and take jobs away from them . this opposition led to the immigration act of 1942.1．Why is the United States regarded as a”melting pot” and a ”salad bowl” ?The United States is not merely a nation, but a nation of nations. The immigrants came in waves, including the Europeans, the Africans and the Asians. Therefore, America is described as a "melting pot" where various racial and ethnic groups are assimilate into American culture. Recently, America has been called a "salad bowl" in that people of difference races and ethnic groups mix harmoniously, but at the same time keep their distinct culture and customs.2．What do you think is the best way to help assimilation in a multicultural society?The best possible way to help assimilation in a multicultural society is to be open and tolerant toward different cultures. People from different racial and ethnic backgrounds should respect each other. Society should create opportunities to help immigrants become assimilated. At the same time the immigrants should keep their own language, customs and religion, contributing to the diversity of a multicultural society.Chapter 91. Why did American change its policy and enter world war II?Because of the formation of the axis , the American government feared that the axis countries were wining the war and it might threaten America’s security and interests . it began to provide war equipment to the foreign nations resisting the aggression of the axis power . the Japanese air raid on pearl harbor became the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war.2. What were Nixon’s well-known contributions during his presidency?a) brought the Vietnam war to a closeb)reestablishing U.S. relations with chinac) negotiating the firststrategic arms limitation treaty with the former soviet union .3. What were the contents of Reagan’s economic program?Reagan’s economic program called for reductions in income taxes and business taxes in order to encourage investment , and it also requested that many government regulations be eliminated so as to reduce the federal government’s role in the day-to-day operation of business.1. What was the cause of the American Civil War?The Southern planters of America needed a large number of black African slaves to manage their plantations and they regarded the slaves as their property. In the North, with the development of industry, there was a growing demand for free labor. What’s more,the Northerners demanded a law to protect tariffs and asked the government to finance the building of railways and roads. But the Southerners were against it and advocated free trade so as to purchase cheaper goods from foreign countries. The accumulating conflicts led to the division of the North and the South and finally the American Civil War.2. What made the United States a powerful country by the end of World War II?During the two World Wars, America remained neutral in the early stage. However, Americans continued their profitable trade with the warring countries. Therefore, they not only retained their military forces, but also accumulated great wealth. When America entered the wars, it was almost at the end of the wars. By sharing the fruit of victory with other allies, America greatly strengthened its power and became a powerful country by the end of World War II.Chapter 101. What are the two characteristics of the U.S. constitution?One is “checks and balances”, the other is that the power of the central government and the powers of state governments are specified.2. What are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectively?A senator must be over 30 years old , a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a resident in the state which they represent . a representative should be at least 25 years old and a U.S. citizen for no less than seven years.3. What are the major powers of the supreme court?a) to interpret lawsb) to hear appeals from any federal court cases;c) to hear appeals from state court cases that involve the constitution or national laws d) may declare a law unconstitutionale) may declare a presidential act unconstitutional4. What is the difference between the democrats and the republicans in terms of political opinions?The democrats want the government to play an important role in the economy and emphasize full employment as a matter of national concern they favor civil rights laws , a strong social security system which gives enterprises a greater freedom and demand that the government control inflation. They stress the need for law and order, and oppose complete government social programs and free choice of abortion they also favor a strong military posture and assertive stand in international relations.1. How is the American President voted into office? What are your ideas about the American election?Each party holds its national convention every four years to choose a candidate for presidency. To win a presidential election, a candidate has to spend millions of dollars, travel all over the country to make speeches and debate on television with the rival. The general election is technically divided into two stages. During the first stage, presidential electors for each state will be chosen. In the second stage the electors meet and vote a President. Since the second stage is only a kind of formality, everyone knows who will be the next President an soon as the first stage is over.I think the candidates spend too much money on the electoral campaigns. And, the election cannot solve the social and economic problems of the U.S. as some candidates do not keep their word after they become President.2. What was President Eisenhowers foreign policy and what were the consequences ?President Eisenhower made vigorous efforts to wage the Cold War. He placed new emphasis on developing nuclear strength to prevent the outbreak of war. He also frequently authorized the CIA to undertake secret interventions to overthrow unfriendly governments or protect reliable anti-communist leaders whose power was threatened. The CIA helped topple the governments of Iran and Guatemala, but it suffered an embarrassing failure in Indonesia. In addition, Eisenhower used U.S. power and prestige to help create a non-communist government in South Vietnam, which brought disastrous long-term consequences to the United States.Chapter 111. What industry developments took place during the colonial period of America? During the colonial period ,the secondary industries developed as the colonies grew .a variety of specialized sawmills and gristmills appeared. Colonists established shipyards to build fishing fleets and trading vessels . they also built small iron forges . by the 18th century , regional patterns of development in America had become clear.2. How did the civil war affect the American economy?After the civil war , the large southern cotton plantations became much less profitable . northern industries , which had expanded rapidly because of the demands of the war ,surged ahead.3. Why does America try to reduce trade barriers?Because the united states has increasingly realized that open bilateral trade will not only advance its own economic interests, but also enhance domestic stability and its peaceful relationship with other nations.1. How did the U.S constitution lay the groundwork for American’s economic development ?The U.S. Constitution, as an economic charter, established that the entire nation was a unified or "common" market. There were no tariffs or taxes on interstate commerce. It provided that the federal government could regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states, establish uniform bankruptcy laws, create money and regulate its value, fix standards of weights and measures, establish post office and roads, and fix rules governing patents and copyrights. The last-mentioned clause was an early recognition of the importance of "intellectual property", a matter that began assuming great importance in trade negotiations since the late 20thcentury.2. Cite examples to illustrate the role of government intervention in America's economic development.The government has always played an active and important role in America’s economic development. In the early 1930s,thr United States suffered the worst economic depression in American history. President Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to tackle the financial crisis. Besides, he set up the New York State Emergency Relief Commission to help those in desperate need and tried to relieve the serious problems of the jobless. At the end of 1970s, the American economy again suffered a recession. The Reagan administration combated inflation by controlling government spending deficit, cutting taxes and raising interest rates. Both policies mentioned above helped to set the country’s economic development on its right course, In all, the intervention of the government has ensured that economic opportunities are fair and accessible to the people. It has prevented flagrant abuses of the system, dampened the effects of inflation and stimulated economic growth. Chapter 121. How does an American university choose its applicants?a)their high school records;b) recommendations from their high school teachers;c) the impression they make during interviews at the university;d) their scores on the SAT.2. What functions do American higher education institutions perform?Higher education institutions in the united states have three functions: teaching , research and public service , and each has its own emphasis with regard to its function .3. What similarities do four famous university share?They all have a long history , they all have an excellent faculty , a large number of students and have made extensive academic achievements. Some of their graduates are very successful or influential in some areas such as politics, arts and business.4. What are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to the new world , in 1620,the mayflower arrived and brought about 150 pilgrims. Life at the beginning was very hard and there was not enough food , so many of them died. During the following summer the native America helped them and then they had a bountiful harvest. So they held a big celebration to thank god and the native Americans.1. What are the ideals that guide the American educational system?The first ideal is that as many people as possible should receive as much education as possible .The second ideal is that of ptoducing a society that is totally literate and of local control . The third ideal is that scholars and students should work to discover new information or conceive new ways to understand what is already known .2. How does America carry out multicultural education?American schools routinely teach the experiences and values of many ethnic cultures. Current textbooks incorporate a variety of ethnic individuals who have achieved success. Struggle for equality are vividly depicted, and past racism is bluntly acknowledged. Cultural pluralism is now generally recognized as the organizing principle of education.Schools at all levels offer students opportunities to learn about different cultures.。

Britain version2.0Part One GeographyChapter I A brief introduction to physical geography Where is the U. K. ? And what is it made up of? What is its total area? -The U. K. is situated in Northwestern Europe, lying to the north of France and the west of the Netherlands and Denmark. It is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its total area is 242 534 square kilometers.What are the present features of the climate of Britain?- Britain has a maritime c1imate-- winters are not too cold and summers are: not too hot. Therefore, its temperature varies within a small range, rarely falling below -5'C in winter or rising about 24'C in summer. Sunshine hours are fewer in more southerlyclimatesThe "backbone of England": It refers to the Pennines, a range of hills extending about 257 km southward from the Cheviot Hills on the Scottish border to central England.What percentage of the country's water requirements are obtained from underground sources?-About 38% of the country's water requirements depend on underground sources.Chapter III EconomyWhat are the characteristics of the British economy?-The British economy was the first to have been fully industrialized. Britain was one of the world's most advanced manufacturing and trading nations. The pound sterling is the exchange currency for about one third of the world's foreign trade. The agriculture does not produceenough food to meet the country's basic needs and part of all vital foodstuffs has to be imported. The labor force is homogeneous.Chapter V The Main CitiesWhich city is the capital of England and Great Britain? Is it the political centre of the Commonwealth?-London is the capital of England, and it is also the political centre of the Commonwealth.What does London consist of administratively?-London administratively consists of the city of London, the original nucleus, retaining a medieval system of government of courts of aldermen and an elected lord mayor; and Greater London a metropolitan county, made up of Inner London boroughs and 20 Outer London boroughs.Greater London: It is a metropolitancounty (pop. 7 million), made up of 12 Inner London boroughs, 20 Outer London boroughs.Part Three CultureChapter I EducationHow many years does a pupil study at a primary state school?-Six years, from the age of five to eleve n.Which type of schools enrolls the top pupils at secondary education?- Grammar schools enrolls the top pupils at secondary educatio n.How many types of universities are there in Britain? Which two universities are the most famous ones? -There are five types: 1) old universities, 2) the four Scottish universities, 3): the middle-aged universities, 4) the new universities, 5) the Open University, and Buckingham University (independent university). Oxford and Cambridge are the oldestand the most famous in the world.How are" public" schools financed?-Public schools in the UK are financed mainly by fees paid by parents and private funds.Eton College: It is one of the largest independent secondary schools in England and one of the most prestigious. How do you understand "Marriage signifies the beginning of a new and independent family"?-British society is based on family life and the family is a self-contained economic and social unit with mother, father and children living together alone in their own house. So marriage signifies the beginning of a new and independent famil y.How do the newlyweds solve the problem of housing?-1) They look through advertisements to find a house for rent. 2) They maymortgage a house through a building societ y. 3) If they have enough money they may buy a house, but this seldom happens.What is the first course of an English lunch? Do you think it similar or different from the Chinese way of serving food? -The first course of an English lunch is a small quantity of soup .It is different from the Chinese way of serving food. In China this is usually the last course Can you show us an example of the conservative characteristic of the British people?-One example is that the British people have been slow adopting rational reforms, such as the metric syste m. Some people say that the Englishman is like a cold fish that has just come out of the ice. What do you thi nk of that?-This may be true. The British people are cold by nature. They do not show theirfeelings very much and do not show their emotion if they are very happy and neither do they if they are sad. For example, when you work at a factory, the guy whom you work with never tells you anything about himself. You may work with him for years, yet you even don't know where he lives, how many children he has and what his interests are.fierce individualism: It is the idea that the rights and freedom of the individual are the most important rights. exclusiveness: This is the best -known quality of the British people .It means, "I am English. You stay away from me. I am exclusive. I am quite happy to be: myself. I do not need you. Leave mealone."Chapter III Customs and Habits What did John Bull denote in the seventeenth century and what is his image?-John Bull denotes Britain or anyEnglishman in the 17th century. His image is short and fat, with a tall hat on his head and pair of boots on his feet. Why does an Englishman like to talk about the weather?-There are probably two reasons. One is the uncertainty of the weather. Another reason is that weather is a subject which is quite safe, friendly to talk. about. What are the three "Don'ts"? And three "ings"?-Three "Don'ts": Don't jump up the queue. Don't ask a woman's age. Don't try to bargain in Britain when you do shopping.Three" Ings": betting, drinking and tippi ng.John Bull: It is the nickname of England or a typical Englishma n.Chapter IV Holidays and Festivals How long approximately do the industrial workers have for holidays? -Theindustrial workers have at least four weeks' paid holida y.How do the English people usually spend holidays?-They usually spend their holidays at the resorts of the seaside. There they have swimming, bathing, or have other kinds of amusement, such as shooting, roundabouts, watching a beauty contest, going to a concert or a part y. And some of the people go abroad for sightseeing. What festival is the greatest in Britain? What is its significance and at what time is it celebrated?-Christmas Day is the greatest festival in Britain. Its significance? is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ which is on December 25.Christmas: Christmas Day is on December 25, which is the greatest of the Christian festivals, commemorating it as the birth of Jesus Christ. It is basically,a home or family festival. Those who live away try to get back home to: celebrate the day with the famil y. People send presents; cards to each other especially children have their presents from Santa Claus. People usually have al sumptuous dinner, many kinds of amusement. Chapter V Wages and Social Benefits How long is the standard working week usually in Britain?-The standard working week is usually thirty-five and forty hours, and often spread over five days, from Monday to Frida y.What is the difference between wages and Salary?-Wages is payment made or received for work or services, usually week in cash. Salary is payment for regular work, usually monthl y.How many kinds of pensions in theUnited Kingdom?-There are mainly six kinds of pensions in the United Kingdo m. They are Occupational Pension, Personal Pension, State Pension, Pension Credit, Over 80 Pension and Stakeholder Pensio n.What are the three main groups of Christianity? Which group does the Church of England belong to?-The three groups of Christianity are Catholicism, the Orthodox Eastern Church, and Protestantis m. The Church of England belongs to Protestantis m. What are the main features and tendencies of religion in Britain?-The main features are: 1) There is no "Christian" political party, no ant i-religious or ant i-clerical party either. 2) There is a widespread interest in religion. The main tendencies of religion in Britainare 1) the unity among the churches, 2) more social, 3) up-to-date.What are Crown's constitutional rights? -The Queen appointed all ministers in the Government. She summons, prologues and dissolves Parliament. She concludes treaties and declares war. In the new session she makes the opening speech and outlines her government's programme. She gives her assentto bills before they become law. She confers peerages and other honors.What is the core of the leadership ofthe British government?-The Cabinet is the core of the leadership of the British government. What does the Cabinet consist of?-The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, the Lord President of the Privy council, the heads of the most important Departments and a few ministers without portfolios.。

I.T 2.F 3.T 4.T 5.F 6.FII.7. b8. a9. c10. cIII.11.244 108; land; inland water12.the west; off13.the North Sea; the English Channel; Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay; the Irish Sea14.ten thousand; 31;115.700-foot; the River Tees; the River Exe16.Backbone of England17.The Republic of Ireland1& JanuaTy; July19.the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland20.God Save the Queen (King)21.the British Royal ArmsUnit 21.South Lancashire and West Yorkshire; the London area; the industrialized Midlands2.239 per sq.km; the highest; 4 448 per sq.km3.London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff4.town-dwellers; 4 percent5.T6.T7.T8. F9.T10.TUnit 31.Christian2.St. Augustine3.the Church of England; the Church of Scotland; the Church of England; th Anglican Church;Canterbury; York4.The Archbishop of Canterbury; the Archbishop of York5.Protestant; Thirty-Nine Articles; the Book of Common Prayer6.Treaty of Union 17077.the Methodists; the United Reformed Church, the Baptists; the Quakers; the Methodists8.Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland9.The Quakers; George Fox, The Journal10.religious; philanthropic11.Roman Pope; archbishops; bishops; priests; 713. F14. F15.T16. F17.T18.T19. F20.T21. F22. a23. b24. c25. d26. aUnit 41.Queen Elizabeth II2.sovereign's Birthday; Thursday of the second week in June3.to declare war, to make peace, to recognize foreign states and government4.reigns, rule5.all the ministers6.Golden Brown7.Attorney General, Solicitor General, Lord Advocate, Solicitor General8.32 London boroughs, the city of London9.single-tier system, 26 districts10.mandatory, permissive11.the Monarch , the House of Lords, the House of Commons12.the Lord Chancellor13.Prime Minister14.Cabinet15.five years, legislation passed in the usual way16.Upper House, the Lords Spiritual, Lords Temporal17. F18. F19. F20.T21. F22. F23. F24. F25. F26. F27.T29. b30. a31. c32. cUnit 51.T2.T3. F4. F5.T6.Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Party, Social Democratic Party7.the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party8.Executive Council9.183310.the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Association, the Scottish Conservative andUnionist Association11.the Conservative Party, the Labour Party12.constituencies, the House of Commons13.198114.the party conference15.the ToriesUnit 61. F2. F3. F4.T5. F6. F7.T8. F9. F10. Fpulsory schooling, decentralization12.set standards, to guide, to advise and to inspect13.elected local educational authorities14.infant schools, junior schools15.340016.borough schools17.mathematics, English, history, geography, foreign language, technology, music, physical culture,arts18.religion19.the old universities, the redbrick universities, the new universities20.1969, January 197121.the First degree, the Higher degree22.Oxford, Cambridge, the college, the tutorial23.the autonomous sector, the public sector24.the Ordinary level, the Advanced level, pupils at average academic level, the National Criteria25.the secondary modern school26.1850,1930Unit 71.125, weekly newspapers, periodicals of various kinds2.no specific press, libel and defamation, official secret3.4.3.The Review4.the Spectator5.Punch6.the Economist7.Radio Times, the Listeners8.the Times, Financial Times, the Guardian9.The Guardian10.the Sunday Times, the Observer11.The Observer12.The Morning Star13.T14.T15. F16.T17. FUnit 81. F2.T3. F4.T5. F6. F7.T8. F9.T10.T11. F12.T13. F14.mixed economy15.13th16.the woolen branch, the worsted branch17.the third18.the Imperial Chemical Industries19.London20.Bristol, Plymouth21.The conurbation at Stoke-on Trentce23.north-west England24.steel centre, manufacture of high quality steels25.coalmining26.the central lowlands27.Edinburgh28.linen29.Field vegetables30.wheat, eastern half31.Kent32.trunk motorways, trunk roads, non-trunk roads33.car34.second, 1658435.shipping36.Dan-Air Services, British Midland, Air UK, Virgin Atlantic, Britannia Airways37.the Heathrow Airport38.services; interest, profits and dividends; the transfers39.Windermere, Ullswater, Windermere, Lough Neagh40.the Scottish coalmining area, the coalmining area of central England, the southern Welshcoalmining area41.sand and gravel, chalk, limestone, salt, slate , china clay42.346, Cotswold, the Midland of England, the North SeaUnit 101.cave men/the old stone age hunters, the great Ice Age2.their characteristic drinking・vessel3.between 55 and 54BC4.to keep back the Picts and Scots5.The Celts6.597, Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury7.at the beginning of the eight century, Denmark and Norway8.1016 to 10429.Edward, building Westminster Abbey10.Iberians and Bronze Age Warriors11.King John, June 17th, 1215, Runnymede on Thames, John's tyranny and misgovernment, theChurch and the Englsih people12.Rome's, foreigners, foreign advisers13.the defender of the Charter, a lover of liberty and a fine soldier14.the climax and the end of the material prosperity of the medieval Englsih kingdom15.making new land law, cutting sown the power of its courts16. b17. b18. a19. c20. cUnit 111.1485, the House of Tudor, first king2.the Middle Ages, the start of new age in Englsih history3.great event, An important source of wealth, a major export, Netherlands, a producer and exporter ofwool, a manufacturer of cloth4.1549, Robert Kett, to help to stay the progress of the Enclosure Movement5.the clothing industry, foreign trade and colonial plunder6.new water routes to the East, the Middle Eastland and Far East, Portuguese seamen, the Cape routeto India, Columbus, a new continent7.1534, Act of Supremacy8.she persecuted and burnt 300 Protestants in 4 years9.T10. F11.T12. F13. F14. F15. F16.T17. FUnit 121. F2.F4 5 6 7 8 93. TTTFTFT 10. F11. Duke of Marlborough, the Spanish Succession12. Scotland, England, Great Britain, the Union Jack13. 1713,Gilbrata, Minorca, Nova Scotia of Canada and Newfoundland14. Sir Robert Walpole, the Cabinet system15. a new era, British situation, Parliamentary Politics16. France, England, the colonies, 1756,1763, India and America, Peace of Paris17. power-driven mules, Richard Arkwright18. George IV's, Robert Peel, London,19. Crimean War, Florence Nightingale20. James town21. Canada, Australia, New Zealand22. the Cape of Good Hope, Egypt23. Central America,24. export of capital, monopoly25. b26. a27. c28. c29. b30. bUnit 131. foreign market, raw materials, strategic positions2. splendid isolation3. 4, 1914,191 & signature of Peace Treaty of Versailles, Africa, the Pacific4. non-intervention/ appeasement5. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an attack on one was an attack on all, foreign trade, her oldcustomers in the Commonwealth, the new customers in the European Community。

《英美概况》谢福之课后简答题及答案Chapter 1 geography people and language1.what is the full name of the U.K?A: the full name is the united kingdom of great Britain and northern Ireland.2.Why do tourists from all over the world like to go to Scotland?A: because they like to enjoy the beautiful Scottish scenery, to drink the scotch whisky and to see the Scotsmen wearing kilts and playing bagpipes.3.How many periods can the development of the English language be divided into and whatare they?A:the development of English language be divided into three period :old English , middle English ,modern English .4.Why did English become more important after the Black Death?A: the laboring and merchant classes grew in economic and social important after the Black Death. So English also grew in importance compared to French .Chapter 2 History1.What are the two components of the British parliament?A: they are the House of Commons and the House of Lords.2.What were some of Queen Victoria’s major achievements?A:the Queen Victoria’s major achievements in almost every aspect : she promoted further industrial revolution, the building of railways and the growing of trade and commerce. By the end of her reign , British had developed to an empire including a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world’s landmass.3.What were the two camps in Europe in world war I?A: The central powers which included Germany ,Austria-Hungary , the ottoman empire and Bulgaria and allied powers which were mainly comprised of France , the Russian empire ,and British empire , Italy and the united states.5.Why did Britain cooperate closely with the united states after world war II?A: because they were allied during the war and share the same worries about the former soviet union.Chapter 3 government and the commonwealth1.What the three functions of the house of commons?A: the three functions are : to draft laws, to scrutinize, criticize and restrain the activities of the government policy.2.Why is the Conservative party sometimes called the “Right”?A: because the conservative party is supported by landowners and businessmen, who are often from the middle and upper-middle class.3.What kind of public image dose liberal democrats have in Britain?A:the liberal democrats is perceived as “middle” between the conservation and the labor party . it is comparatively flexible and pragmatic in its balance of the individual and the social . it emphasizes the need for a change in Britain’s constitutional arrangements to make the government more democratic and accountable.4.Why are independent candidates unlikely to win in the general election ?A; Because even if they were elected, they would be powerless in parliament. Therefore , it isnot possible for many people to vote for independent candidates.Chapter 4 economy1.What was the negative aspect of Thatcher’s reform in the early 1980s?A: its negative aspect was a rapid increase in unemployment . in 1982,the unemployment rate reached the level of the great depression years, with three million people out of work.2.What are the characteristics of Britain’s agriculture?A:britain’s agriculture is characterized by a small portion of the population engaged in agriculture activities with a high degree of mechanization. Although it employs a mere 1% of the country’s labor force , it meets around 60% of the national demands.3.What happened to Britain’s beef industry in the mid-1990s?A: Britain’s beef industry was hit badly by BSE, resulting in a ban on beef exports in 1996.4.What are some of the popular tourist attractions in Britain?The popular tourist attractions in England include : The Dorset and the East Devon Coast, the Lake District, Stonehenge , Windsor Castle, University towns of Oxford and Cambridge, Tower of London ,St.Paul’s cathedral and so on .Chapter 5 education ,media and holidays1.What used to be the major functions of grammar schools and vocational schools in Britain?The major functions of grammar schools were to train the most academically capable students and prepare them for university , whereas the major functions of vocational schools were to help less successful students to learn a trade.2.What kind of subjects do Britain comprehensive schools provide?Britain comprehensive schools provide a general education, offering both academic subjects like literature and science, and practical subjects like cooking and carpentry.3.In what ways do British universities enjoy complete academic freedom?British universities enjoy complete academic freedom because they can appoint their own staff, decide which students to admit, provide their own courses and award their own degrees.4.How do the students in the open university receive their education?The students follow university courses through textbooks, TV and radio broadcasts, correspondence ,video, and a network of study centers.5.What role dose the media play in British leisure culture?The media play an essential role in British leisure culture since it helps to shape the public’s opinion, determine people’s moral and political orientation and consolidate or undermine the rule or a government.Chapter 6 literature1.What are the three categories of Shakespeare’s play and their representatives?Shakespeare’s plays fall into three categories: comedy, tragedy and historical play. The representatives of his comedies include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It and Twelfth Night. His major historical plays include Richard Ⅲ，HenryⅣand Cleopatra . His great tragedies are represented by Hamlet, Othello, King Lear , Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.2.What is critical Realism?critical Realism is a literary school which flourished in the 40s and early 50s of the 19th century .the critical realists described the chief traits of the society and criticized the capitalist system from a democratic viewpoint . the greatest English critical realist wasCharles Dickens .3.What are the two new literary trends prevailing at the end of 19th century?The new literary trends that prevailed at the end of 19th century are neo-romanticism and aestheticism. Those who belong to neo-romanticism laid emphasis on the invention of exciting adventures and fascinating stories, and those of aestheticism believed in “art for art’s sake”.4.What is stream of consciousness?stream of consciousness is the writing technique which puts the unorganized flow of thought on page . writers who adopt this technique give precedence to the depiction of the characters’mental and emotional reactions to external events, rather than the events themselves. Chapter 7 society and cultureUSAChapter 8 geography and people1.How is the American population distributed?The distribution of the American population is rather uneven . the most densely populated region is the northeastern part of the country. The great plains have a comparatively small population . the south also has a population of almost 57.5million. the west is not densely populated ,except for some metropolitan centers like los Angeles and san Francisco . it has about 20% of the nation’s population.2.How is the life of the native Americans today ?About one third of all native Americans now live on reservations and the others live in cities.Poverty and unemployment are the major problems for them , especially on the reservations .3.Why was the immigration act of 1942 instituted ?The new immigrants in the united states , being poor and accustomed to poverty , were willing to work for very low wages .this made other workers afraid that the immigrants would lower wage levels and take jobs away from them . this opposition led to the immigration act of 1942.Chapter 9 history1.Why did American change its policy and enter world war II?Because of the formation of the axis , the American government feared that the axis countries were wining the war and it might threaten America’s security and interests . it began to provide war equipment to the foreign nations resisting the aggression of the axis power . the Japanese air raid on pearl harbor became the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war.2.What were Nixon’s well-known contributions during his presidency?a)brought the Vietnam war to a close ;b)reestablishing U.S. relations with china ;c)negotiating the first strategic arms limitation treaty with the former soviet union .3.What were the contents of Reagan’s economic program?Reaga n’s economic program called for reductions in income taxes and business taxes in order to encourage investment , and it also requested that many government regulations be eliminated so as to reduce the federal government’s role in the day-to-day operation of business.Chapter 10 government1.What are the two characteristics of the U.S. constitution?One is “checks and balances”, the other is that the power of the central government and thepowers of state governments are specified.2.What are the qualifications for a senator and a representative respectively?A senator must be over 30 years old , a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a resident inthe state which they represent . a representative should be at least 25 years old and a U.S.citizen for no less than seven years.3.What are the major powers of the supreme court?a)to interpret laws ;b)to hear appeals from any federal court cases; c)to hear appeals from statecourt cases that involve the constitution or national laws ; d)may declare a law unconstitutional ; e) may declare a presidential act unconstitutional.4.What is the difference between the democrats and the republicans in terms of politicalopinions?The democrats want the government to play an important role in the economy and emphasize full employment as a matter of national concern . they favor civil rights laws , a strong social security system which gives enterprises a greater freedom and demand that the government control inflation. They stress the need for law and order, and oppose complete government social programs and free choice of abortion . they also favor a strong military posture and assertive stand in international relations.5.What is the content of president Wilson’s fourteen points?president Wilson’s fourteen points include: abandonment of secret international agreements;freedom of the sea; free trade between nations ; reduction of armaments ; adjustment of colonial claims in the interests of the inhabitants affected; self-rule for subjugated European nationalities ; and the establishment of an association of nations which guarantees the political independence and territorial integrity of all nations.Chapter 11 economy1.What industry developments took place during the colonial period of America?During the colonial period ,the secondary industries developed as the colonies grew . a variety of specialized sawmills and gristmills appeared. Colonists established shipyards to build fishing fleets and trading vessels . they also built small iron forges . by the 18th century , regional patterns of development in America had become clear.2.How did the civil war affect the American economy?After the civil war , the large southern cotton plantations became much less profitable .northern industries , which had expanded rapidly because of the demands of the war ,surged ahead.3.Why does America try to reduce trade barriers?Because the united states has increasingly realized that open bilateral trade will not only advance its own economic interests, but also enhance domestic stability and its peaceful relationship with other nations.Chapter 12 education , media and holidays1.How does an American university choose its applicants?a)their high school records; b) recommendations from their high school teachers; c) the impression they make during interviews at the university ; d) their scores on the SAT.2.What functions do American higher education institutions perform?Higher education institutions in the united states have three functions: teaching , research and public service , and each has its own emphasis with regard to its function .3.What similarities do four famous university share?They all have a long history , they all have an excellent faculty , a large number of students and have made extensive academic achievements. Some of their graduates are very successful or influential in some areas such as politics, arts and business.4.What are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to the new world , in 1620,the mayflower arrived and brought about 150 pilgrims. Life at the beginning was very hard and there was not enough food , so many of them died. During the following summer the native America helped them and then they had a bountiful harvest. So they held a big celebration to thank god and the native Americans.Chapter 13 literature1.What is the essence of American Puritanism?American Puritanism stress predestination , original sin, total depravity, and limited atonement or the salvation of a selected few who would receive God’s grace.2.What themes are reflected in Theodore Dreiser’s works?Theodore Dreiser’s novels deal with everyday life, often its sordid side. Dreiser found that living in such a materialistic society, the human individual is obsessed with an endless and meaningless search for satisfaction of their desires . he embraced social Darwinism and advocated the idea of “the survival of the fittest”.3.What is the lost Generation?The lost Generation refer to the young American writers caught up in the world war I and cut off values yet unable to come to terms with the new era when civilization has gone mad .they produced works of disillusionment. Two of the most representative writers of the lost generation are Ernest Hemingway and F.Scott Fitzgerald.4.What is the Beat Movement?The Beat Movement began in the middle of the 1950s. the word “beat”suggests a non-conformist , rebellious attitude toward conventional values concerning sex. Religion and the America way of life , an attitude which results from the feeling of depression and exhaustion and the need to escape into an unconventional, communal mode of life. The representatives are Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac.CanadaChapter 14 geography and history1.考试重点英国：1 、the rise and fall of the British empire.In 1583, the British empire built the first overseas colony to Newfoundland, marked the beginning of the British empire. By 1837, Britain had long been an empire which included the colonies in Canada, Australia, New Zea land, India and many small states in the west indies. By the end of 19th century, the British empire include a quarter of the global population and nearly a quarter of the world’s landmass. During the mid-19th century, the British government consolidated the existing colonies by bringing them under the direct control of the government. Before world war I, Britain had the largest colonial empire in the world. However , Britain suffered great loss to its manpower in the two world wars and exhausted its reserves of gold, dollars and overseas investment. Most of the Britain’s colonies gained independence since the 1940s, which inevitably led to the fall of the Empire.2.The major reasons of the Britain’s relative economic decline:Britain’s economic experienced a relative decline in the postwar period for several reasons:(1)Britain suffered great losses in the two world wars and had gone heavily into debts to finance the war.(2)the era of the British Empire was over. India and other British colonies, which provided raw material and large market for British goods, gained their independence.(3)Britain was forced to maintain an expensive military presence in many overseas locations until the end of 1960s. (4)Britain had to make substantial financial contributions to NATO and UN security Council.(5)Britain failed to invest in industry after world war II whereas its competitors like Germany and Japan caught up with Britain by investing in the most modern equipment and means of production.3. What are the three categories of Shake speare’s play and their representatives?Shakespeare’s plays fall into three categories: comedy, tragedy and historical play. The representatives of his comedies include A Midsummer Night’s Dream(仲夏夜之梦), The Merchant of Venice(威尼斯商人), As You Like It (皆大欢喜)and Twelfth Night(第十二夜). His major historical plays include Richard Ⅲ(理查三世)，HenryⅣ（亨利四世）and Cleopatra(埃及艳后) . His great tragedies are represented by Hamlet（哈姆雷特）, Othello（奥赛罗）, King Lear（李尔王）, Macbeth（麦克白）and Romeo and Juliet（罗密欧与朱丽叶）.4.The industrial Revolution took root in Britain’s reasons:(1) the Britain had a huge market(2)from the colonies in America and India, England acquired enormous wealth with which to develop its industries.(3) the enclosure movement deprived many small landowners of their property(4)England experienced rapid economic development in the 18th century.美国1.Why did American change its policy and enter world war II?Because of the formation of the axis , the American government feared that the axis countries were wining the war and it might threaten America’s security and interests . it began to provide war equipment to the foreign nations resisting the aggression of the axis power . the Japanese air raid on pearl harbor became the direct cause for America’s entrance into the war.2. What are the ideals that guide the American education system?The first ideal is that as many as possible should receive as much education as possible. The second ideal is that producing a society that is totally literate and of local control. Education is governed by the state and local government, not by the national government. The third ideal is thatthe scholars and students should work to discover new information or conceive new ways to understand what is already known. Teach the children how to learn and help them reach their maximum potential.3. What are the origins of thanksgiving day?Thanksgiving is associated with the time when Europeans first came to the new world , in 1620,the mayflower arrived and brought about 150 pilgrims. Life at the beginning was very hard and there was not enough food , so many of them died. During the following summer the native America helped them and then they had a bountiful harvest. So they held a big celebration to thank god and the native Americans.加拿大1.The responsibilities of the Governor General : Including summon the House of Commons and the Senate, giving Royal Assent to all federal laws passed by the House, opening and ending sessions of Parliament before election.。