英语国家概况
英国部分
1. What is the full name of the United Kingdom?
It is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
2. What are the two large island that make up the British Isles?
They are Great Britain and Ireland.
3. What are the four political divisions of the United Kingdom?
They are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
4. Why does the United Kingdom have a mild climate, even though it lies farther north than our Heilongjiang Province?
Because Britain’s climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream.
5. How many metropolitan areas does England have?
England has seven metropolitan areas.
6. What is the backbone of England?
It is the Pennines.
7. What is the largest lake in the British Isles?
It is Lough Neagh.
8. From what languages is English derived?
England is mainly derived from the Anglo-Saxon and Norman-French languages.
9. What is an eisteddfod?
An eisteddfod is a Welsh festival of poetry, music and other arts.
10. What have the Scottish people been famous for?
The Scottish people have been famous for their close-knit clans, colorful plaid kilts, and skill as fierce warriors.
11. How long was Britain under the Roman occupation?
Britain was under the Roman occupation for nearly 400 years.
12. Why was the Roman impact upon the Britons surprisingly limited?
The Roman impact on the Britons was surprisingly limited because the Romans always treated the Britons as a subject people of slave class and they never intermarried with the native Britons.
13. When did the Anglo-Saxons begin to settle in Britain?
The Anglo-Saxons began to settle in Britain in the 5th century.
14. When did England begin to be Christianized?
England began to be Christianized in 579.
15. What was the result of the Synod of Whitby in Yorkshire in 664?
The result of the Synod of Whitby was that the Roman missionaries gained the upper hand over the Celtic missionaries.
16. What was Harold doing when he was informed of the invasion of Northumbria by Tostig and Harold Hardrada?
He was in the south preparing to resist the expected attack from Normandy.
17. Where did Harold defeat Tostig and Hardrada?
Harold defeated Tostig and Harold Hardrada at Stanford Bridge.
18. By whom was William crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey?
William was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of York.
19. What did William do after he suppressed the Saxon risings in the north?
He built a string of defense castles to ensure his military control of the whole country.
20. Was the Norman Conquest the last successful invasion of England?
Yes. The Norman Conquest was the last successful invasion of England because England has never been invaded since.
21. Why did William I give his barons large estates in England?
William I gave large estates to his barons because he wanted to get a promise of military service and a proportion of the land’s produce.
22. What was the peculiar feature of the feudal system of England?
All landowners, big and small, took the oath of allegiance for the land they held, not only to their immediate lord, but also to the king.
23. Why did William I have the Domesday Book compiled?
William I had the Domesday Book compiled because he wanted to have a reliable record of all his land, his tenants and their possessions and to discover how much his tenants could be asked to pay by way of taxes.
24. What was William I ’s policy towards the church?
He wanted to keep it completely under his control, but at the same time to uphold its power.
25. Why did Henry II make Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury?
He thought that Thomas Becket would assist him in carrying out legal reforms.
26. What brought Henry II into collision with Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury?
The exceptional privileges enjoyed by the clergy brought Henry II into collision with Thomas Becket.
27. What are the two aspects of the Norman legacy that contributed to great domestic unrest in England in the 12th and 13th centuries?
One was England’s possession of territory in France. The other was Norman adherence to Roman Catholicism.
28. Who was the French national heroine during the Hundred Year’s War who helped the French to drive the English out of France?
Joan of Arc.
29. When did the government establish rules for the first time to keep down wages?
The government established rules for the first time to keep down wages in 1351.
30. How many peasant in Kent and Essex were killed by Richard II ’s troops?
40,000 peasants in Kent and Essex were killed by Richard II’s troops.
31. What were the emblems of the Houses of York and Lancaster?
The emblem of the House of York was a white rose and the emblem of the House of Lancaster was a red rose.
32. What was the impact of the Wars of the Roses on feudalism in England?
The Wars of the Roses dealt a death blow to feudalism in England.
33. How did Elizabeth I try to avoid troubling Parliament too often for pounds?
She tried to avoid troubling Parliament by making strict economies at Court.
34. What questions did Elizabeth I treat as personal and private?
These questions were her religion, her marriage, her foreign policy, the succession to the throne, and her finance.
35. How did Elizabeth I manage to maintain in friendly relationship with France?
She managed to maintain a friendly relationship with France through her marriage alliances which were never materialized.
36. When was Mary Queen of Scots executed?
Mary Queen of Scots was executed in 1587.
37. What did the destruction of the Spanish Armada show?
It showed England’s superiority as a naval power.
38. What was the long-term result of the Gunpowder Plot?
The long-term result of the Gunpowder Plot has been an annual celebration of November 5, when a bonfire is lit to burn a guy and a firework display is arranged.
39. What was Puritanism noted for?
It was noted for simple dress, high moral standards and very egalitarian attitudes.
40. What is a constitutional monarchy?
A constitutional monarchy is one whose power is limited by Parliament.
41. What did the Whigs stand for in the early 19th century?
They stood for a reduction in Crown patronage, sympathy towards Nonconformists, and care for the interests of merchants and bankers.
42. Why did changes in farming methods affect lives of millions in the 18th century?
Changes in farming methods affected lives of millions in the 18th century England because village and agriculture were the backbone of England at that time.
43. What did the land owners want to do in the late 18th and early 19th centuries?
They wanted to replace the small farms cultivated on the “open-field” system by larger, economically more efficient farms with hedge-divided fields.
44. Why was King George III nicknamed “Farmer George”?
King George III was nicknamed “Farmer George” because he was very enthusiastic about agricultural changes at Winsor.
45. What were the two events which most alarmed the British ruling classes in the closing decades of the 18th century?
They were the American War of Independence and the French Revolution.
46. When did the British begin to transport convicts to Australia?
The British began to transport convicts to Australia in 1788.
47. What was the result of the general strike of 1926?
The strike failed. The miners were forced to return to work with longer hours and lower wages even than before. Yet, outside the mining district, the strike seemed to have improved relations between the workers and the middle classes.
48. Why d4id Edward VIII abdicate in 1936 after a reign of 10 months?
Edward VIII abdicated because he wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American.
49. When did Britain finally become a full member of the European Economic Community?
Britain finally became a full member of the European Economic Community in January,1973.
50. Why was Mrs. Thatcher removed from office in 1990?
It was because of her opposition to European Union and her imposition of an extremely unpopular flat-rate “poll tax” in place of property taxes to pay or local government service.
61. Where does the Sovereign’s coronation take place?
The Sovereign’s coronation takes place at Westminster Abbey in London.
62. When is the Sovereign’s birthday officially celebrated?
It is officially celebrated in June every year.
63. What does the Duke of Edinburgh do when the Queen pays state visits to foreign governments?
He accompanies her.
64. Where does the Queen’s expenditure arising from public duties come from?
The Queen’s expenditure arising from public duties comes from the Civil List and government departments.
65. What does the term “parliament” originally mean?
The term “parliament” originally means a meeting for a parley or discussion.
66. What is the main function of the House of Lords?
The main function of the House of Lords is to bring the wide experience of its members into the process of law-making.
67. What is the Speaker’s task in the House of Commons?
His task is to preside over the House and enforce the rules of order.
68. How many counties are there in England and Wales?
There are 53 counties in England and Wales.
69. What are the three island areas where single-tier authorities were introduced in Scotland?
They are the Orkneys, the Shetlands and the Western Isles.
70. How do local authorities in Great Britain raise revenue?
They raise revenue through the council tax.
81. Are British people obliged to use the National Health Service?
No. They are not obliged to use the service.
82. What are services for elderly people aimed at?
Services for elderly people are aimed at helping them live at home whenever possible.
83. What is the aim of the social security system?
The aim of the social security is to secure a basic standard of living for people in financial need.
84. At what age do men and women generally retire?
Men generally retire at the age of 65, and women at the ate of 60.
85. What are the two established churches in Britain?
They are the Church of England in England and the Church of Scotland in Scotland.
86. How many provinces does the Church of England have?
The Church of England has two provinces: Canterbury and York.
87. When were the first women priests ordained in Britain?
They were ordained in March 1994.
88. Who founded the Salvation Army in the East of London in 1865?
William Booth, a great follower of John Wesley, founded the Salvation Army.
89. Where do the people in London go to see the Christmas decorations?
They go to Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly to see the Christmas decorations.
90. Why is December 26th called “Boxing Day”?
December 26th is called Boxing Day because it was formerly the custom to give “Christmas boxes”, or gifts of money, to servants and tradesmen on this day.
91. How many kinds of state secondary schools are there in Great Britain?
Three. They are grammar school, secondary modern school and comprehensive school.
92. When was the Open University founded? When did it begin its first courses?
It was founded in 1969, and it began its first courses in 1970.
93. Why is the Open University so named?
It is so named because it is “open” to all to become students.
94. How much money is spent on press advertising every year in Great Britain?
About ￡5,100 million.
95. How much time do British people spend a day watching television?
People spend an average of over three and a half hours a day watching television.
96. How are the state-run television channels BBC1 and BBC2 financed?
They are financed from the sale of television licences.
97. How are independent channels ITV and C4 funded?
They are funded entirely by advertising.
98. When did the BBC begin to provide regular television broadcasts?
The BBC began to provide regular television broadcasts in 1936.
99. Which sport is regarded as typically English?
Cricket is the most typically English sport.
100. What is a “copyright” library?
It is a library which is entitled to receive a free copy of every book published in the United Kingdom.
美国部分
1. How does the United States rank among the countries of the world in population and area?
The United States of America is the third-largest country in the world in population and the fourth-largest country in area.
2. What are the two major mountain ranges in the United States?
They are the Appalachian Highlands and the Rocky Mountains.
3. What is the Continental Divide, or Great Divide?
The Continental Divide, or Great Divide, is an imaginary line that separates streams that flow into the Pacific Ocean from those that flow into the Atlantic.
4. What are the five Great Lakes of the United States?
They are Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior.
5. How many geographical regions can be found in the United States? What are they?
There are seven geographical regions in the United States. They are New England, the Middle Atlantic States, the southern States, the Midwestern States, the Rocky Mountain states, the Southwestern States, and the Pacific Coast States and the New States.
6. What states are in New England?
New England is made up of six states of the North-East. They are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
7. Apart from Now York City, what other large cites are located in the Middle Atlantic region?
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Newark.
8. What is the Midwest famous for?
The Midwest is famous for its large stretches of fertile soil.
9. What states make up the Pacific Coast Region?
The region known as the Pacific Coast includes the western parts of Washington and Oregon and nearly all of California.
10. What role does tourism play in Hawaii’s economy?
Tourism is Hawaii’s most important industry.
11. What is the population of the United States? How does it rank in the world?
The United States is the third most populous country in the world after China and India, with a population of 267 million (estimated) in April 1997.
12. What is the reason for the growth of population in Florida?
It is because of its warm climate and convenience in doing business with and traveling to Central and South America.
13. Which are the five biggest cities, in terms of population, in the United States?
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia.
14. Why are people moving so often in the United States?
People often move from one place to another for various reasons: to look for better job opportunity or for better climate or for other goals.
15. What are some of the consequences of the outflow of city residents to the suburbs?
The movement brings serious consequences to big cities: rising unemployment rate, the increase of the number of poor people, the worsening of city living conditions and the fall of government revenues.
16. Which are the three largest groups of Hispanics?
The Chicanos, the Puerto Ricans and the Cuban-Americans.
17. Why do many Puerto Ricans go to the United States?
They are drawn to the United States by better job opportunities.
18. What explanation do experts give for the success of Asian-Americans?
The experts attribute the success to Asian cultural tradition: emphasis on education, hard work and family.
19. What was the fate of Japanese-Americans in WWII?
The Japanese-Americans were taken to relocation centers in isolated parts of the western mountain and plains states and stayed behind barbed wires.
20. Can you give an example to show the awakening of American Indians?
Many Indians are taking legal steps to demand compensation for land and resources grabbed from them illegally.
21. What is one of the explanations of how the early Indians came to the Americans?
One of the explanations is the Indians crossed from Asia on the landbridge that connected Siberia and Alaska.
22. How did the Plymouth settlers manage to survive?
The neighboring Indians came to teach them how to grow corn and they succeeded in having a good harvest.
23. In what way were the Puritans different from the Pilgrims?
The Pilgrims were mostly poor, labouring people while the Puritans were wealthy, well-educated gentlemen.
24. Did the War of Independence start with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence?
No. It started when clashes took place at Concord and Lexington.
25. What was the chief weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The chief weakness was the document failed to set up a government that could function.
26. What was the significance of the adoption of the Bill of Rights?
The adoption of the Bill of Rights in addition to the Constitution completed the foundation of the American constitutional system.
27. Why did American territorial expansion threaten British interest?
Because some Americans wanted to take advantage of the war in Europe to expand into Canada. This ran counter to British interest.
28. What was the Compromise of 1850?
The Compromise of 1850 was an arrangement which kept a balance between free and slave states in the Senate.
29. Why did the Civil War break out?
The Civil War broke out because the southern states left the Union and formed a new nation but president Lincoln was determined to maintain the Union.
30. How did the government help in the development of American economy?
The government carried out the policy of trade protectionism.
31. What were the three features in the growth of American economy at the beginning of the 20th century?
Large corporation, urbanization and new technology were the three features.
32. What was the basic demand of the Progressive Movement?
The basic demand was government regulation of economic and social conditions.
33. Why did the United States pursue a policy of pro-Ally partiality in the early part of WWI?
Because of ethnic ties, cultural tradition, social background, economic interests and successful British propaganda, the U.S. government pursued such a policy.
34. What were the immediate causes that led the United States into the war?
The immediate causes were Germany’s unlimited submarine warfare and Germany’s attempt to get Mexico into the war against the United States.
35. What government policies in the 1920s helped big business?
The policies of tariff protection, favorable tax rates and little government restrictions contributed to high profits of big businesses.
36. How did many Americans view their country after WWI?
They believed that American political, economic and social institutions were the best in the world.
37. What was the experience of WWI veterans demanding payment of bonuses in Washington D.C. in 1932?
They were driven out of the capital by military force directed by General McArthur.
38. What were some of the personal characteristics of F.D.R. that helped him in doing his work as president?
He had a sure sense of what was practical or possible, a strong sense of timing and was a great communicator.
39. What were the two guiding principles underlying American diplomatic activities in WWII?
The first was to win the war; the second was to bring the Soviet Union into a postwar world order under American leadership.
40. What was the basic reason for the postponement of the opening of the Second Front?
It was a reflection of the desire of not letting the Soviet Union expand into eastern and central Europe too quickly.
41. What was the postwar strategy of the United States?
The strategy was American leadership of the world and open market for American goods and capital.
42. What was the theory put forward by the Soviet Union in around 1946?
There could be no long-term peaceful co-existence between socialism and capitalism.
43. What was the immediate cause of the Berlin crisis in 1948?
The Soviet Union cut off Western routes to West Berlin.
44. What decision did President Truman make to deal with the Berlin crisis?
He decided to mobilize all possible American cargo planes to airlift supplies into West Berlin.
45. What effect did the Berlin blockade have on the people in West Berlin and western occupied zones?
it pushed the people in West Berlin and western occupied zones further to the side of the United States because they were grateful for American airlifts.
46. What measure did the United States take in the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The United States introduced a naval blockade around Cuba and demanded the dismantlement and withdrawal of the missiles from Cuba.
47. Did the allies of the United States give their full support to the U.S. in the Vietnam War?
No , some criticized the United States for escalation of the war, some refused to support American war efforts.
48. What is the significance of the Shanghai Communique?
The key thing is American commitment to a one China policy.
49. What is the importance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
The Act outlawed racial discrimination in housing and employment.
50. What is the Port Huron Statement about?
The Port Huron Statement was the platform of the Students for a Democratic Society ( SDS ) which condemned racism, poverty amidst plenty, big corporations and the Cold War.
51. How does the United States rank among the countries of the world in the total value of its economic production?
The United States ranks first among the countries of the world in the value of its economic production.
52. What kind of system is the United States economy based on?
The United States economy is based on a free enterprise system.
53. What are the factors that have helped build the United States into the economic giant it is today?
The United States has one of the world’s most varied populations, and the vast space and resources of the land, the ideals of freedom and economic opportunity, and hard work by the people have helped build the United States into the economic giant it is today.
54. What are the major natural resources in the United States?
Fertile soil, forests, water, and minerals are the major natural resources in the United States.
55. What are some of the leading farm products in the United States?
They are corn, wheat, beef cattle, milk, soybeans, cotton, chickens and eggs, and hogs.
56. What has helped make U.S farms the most efficient in the world?
The use of modern farm machinery and agricultural methods has helped make U.S. farms the most efficient in the world.
57. What areas have long been major U.S centers of manufacturing?
The Midwest and Northeast.
58. How does California rank among the states in the value of its manufactured goods?
California ranks first among the states in the value of its manufactured goods.
59. What are the problems the U.S economy has faced form time to time?
They are recessions, depressions and inflation.
60. Why is the poverty rate higher in the United States than in several other industrialized nations, including Canada, Australia, and Germany?
Because they have more generous social programs for the poor and a higher minimum wage than the United States.
61. What role has the Constitution played?
The Constitution has been the basis for the evolution of governmental institutions and for political stability, economic growth and social progress in the United States.
62. What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
The weaknesses were: there was no national executive to enforce the laws and there was no national court system and Congress had no power to tax, nor to regulate trade between states.
63. What mechanism did the writers of the Constitution introduce to provide safeguards?
They introduced the mechanism of separation of powers and checks and balances.
64. What are the three branches of the government?
They are the legislative, the executive and the judicial.
65. How is the American president elected?
The voters vote for the electors and the electors vote for the president. But as soon as the votes of the voters are counted the number of electors for each candidate is known and who has won the election is known.
66. According to the Constitution, what judicial power does the President have?
He has the power to give reprieves and pardons in federal criminal cases.
67. How are the two chambers of Congress made up?
The Senate is composed of two members from each state, with a total number of 100 while membership in the House of Representatives is based on population. Currently the House has 435 members.
68. What are the two special powers of the Senate?
One is to confirm presidential appointments and the other is to ratify treaties by a tow-thirds vote.
69. What is the composition of the federal court system?
The federal court system consists of a supreme court, 11 courts of appeals, 91 district courts ( including one for the District of Columbia and one for Puerto Rico ) and three courts of special jurisdiction.
70. What is the cause for the decline of the influence of political parties?
The near destruction of the patronage system and the wide use of direct primaries in the selection of delegates to the party national conventions contribute to the decline of the influence of political parties.
71. Is there any single sex educational institution in the U.S.?
Yes, there are quite a number.
72. Why is it that responsibility for education fall on the state?
Because it is laid down in the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution.
73. Why are there many variations in the education system of the 50 states?
Because each state is expected to develop policies for the education within its boundary.
74. Who is the chief executive officer under the local board of education?
The superintendent of schools.
75. What are the three types of high schools?
They are comprehensive, academic, vocational and technical schools.
76. Why does the number of graduate school enrollment keep climbing?
Because an advanced degree is viewed as a major way to move ahead in the career.
77. What are the fields favored by postgraduates?
Those fields that would not only make students easily employed but would provide them with rewarding jobs.
78. What is the guiding principle of community college?
It is higher education for everyone and the philosophy that equality must mena equal opportunity for self-realization and for the recognition of individual difference.
79. What are the two focuses of the reform in the 1980s?
They are the raising of the standards of teaching and learning and the restructuring of the schools.
80. Are the goals set out in the plan “America 2000” easy to achieve?
No, they are very difficult to achieve.
81. Who were the writers of the first American writings?
They were the first settlers.
82. How does the story “Rip Van Winkle” end?
When the story ends, Rip Van Winkle’s fierce wife is dead and he lives happily with his daughter.
83. What is Emerson’s view of man and nature?
He holds that man’s relationship with nature should not be confined to making use of nature.
84. Why did Hawthorne attack transcendentalism?
Because it glorified absolute individualism without any regard for social impact.
85. What does Mark Twain want to put across in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?
He wants to show the basic goodness and wisdom of ordinary people.
86. What does “leaf of grass” stand for?
It stands for all ordinary things and common people.
87. What were the two guides for Dickinson in her search for faith?
They wee the Bible and the philosophy of Emerson.
88. What contrast did Dreiser make in Sister Carrie?
He made sharp contrast of wealth and poverty in Chicago and New York.
89. What was the first uniquely American contribution to architecture?
It was skyscraper.
90. When did rock ‘n’ roll become the standard form of popular music for teenagers?
By the early 1960s it had become the standard popular m
91. What do people say to each other at Time Square when the clock strikes at twelve o’clock on New Year’s Day?
They say Happy New Year.
92. Why did Congress vote to set a day in honor of Martin Luther King?
Because he was respected and loved by the Americans, black and white, for his leadership of the Civil Rights Movement.
93. Why was Lincoln considered to be a man who lived out the American Dream?
Because Lincoln was born in a poor family in Kentucky and through hard work and study , honesty, he became America’s sixteenth President.
94. What do people usually do on Valentine’s Day?
It is popular to send cards decorated with hearts and flowers to express love.
95. Why do children eat cherry pies on Washington’s birthday?
Because they are familiar with the story of Washington and the cherry tree and they eat cherry pie to remember him as an honest man.
96. What are the two symbols frequently associated with Easter
They are the egg and the hare ( or the bunny ).
97. What did a group of women in the south do on May 30, 1868?
They decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers.
98. Why were American children awarded the 1965 Nobel Prize for peace?
They were awarded the prize for their collection of money for UNICEF to help children in developing countries.
99. Why was the unknown soldier buried at Arlington in 1921 awarded two medals?
The honors were not for one but for all who had given their lives in the war.
100. What is the typical food for Thanksgiving dinner?
The typical food is roast turkey, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce.
爱尔兰
1． Why is Ireland also called the Emerald Isle?
Rolling farmlands and pastures cover the central part of the island and they remain green all year round.
2． Why has Ireland been geographically compared to a basin?
Because the central part of the island is lowland and it has mountains around it near the coasts.
3． What is the largest river in Ireland?
The Shannon River is the largest river in Ireland.
4． What kind of climate does Ireland have?
It has a mild and moist climate all year round.
5． Why did the population of Ireland decrease from the 1840s until about 1970?
Because it had a high emigration rate.
6． What percentage of people are Roman Catholics? 93% of people are Roman Catholics.
7． What is the traditional tongue of Ireland? Irish.
8． When and how did the partition of Ireland occur?
The partition of Ireland occurred in 1921 under the Anglo Irish Treaty.
9． When did Eire become the Republic of Ireland? In April 1949.
11. Who is the head of state in Ireland? The president is the head of state in Ireland.
10. Who is the head of government in Ireland? The prime minister is the head of government in Ireland.
11. What kind of Language is Irish? Irish is a Celtic language.
加拿大
1. Where is Canada located?
Canada is located in the Western Hemisphere. Canada lies to the north of the United States.
2. How big is Canada? Which country is bigger than Canada?
Canada is the world’s second largest country after Russia. It is the largest country in the Western Hemisphere.
3. How could you describe Canada’s climate?
Because of its size, Canada has a great variety of climatic conditions. Generally speaking, the climate in Canada is unfavourable because much of the country has long and cold winters with deep snow.
4. What are Canada’s two largest lakes?
Canada’s two largest lakes are Lakes Superior and Huron.
5. Who founded the first permanent settlements at Quebec and Montreal in 1608?
Samuel de Champlain did.
6. What happened to the French colony after the Seven Years’ War?
After the Seven Years’ War the French were forced to give up every inch of land in North America and the whole of Canada came under the British rule.
7. Who were the first British settlers in Canada?
They were American refugees who refused to fight against the British army in the War of American Independence.
8. What happened to Lower Canada and Upper Canada under the Act of Union in 1840?
Under the Act of Union in 1840 lower Canada and Upper Canada were united to form the province of Canada which had two sections: Canada West and Canada East.
9. What was the most important event that took place in Canada under Sir John Macdonald?
In 1869, under Sir John Macdonald, Canada bought from the Hudson Bay Company the vast middle west from which the province of Manitoba and other prairie provinces and northern territories were formed.
10. When and how did Canada become a sovereign nation?
By the Statute of Westminster in 1931 Canada became a sovereign nation.
澳大利亚
1. Why is Australia sometimes called the “land Down Under”?
Australia is sometimes called the Land Down Under because it is situated in the Southern Hemisphere. It is halfway around the world from England, its mother country.
2. Australia is generally divided into three topographical regions. What are they?
They are the Western Plateau, the Eastern Highlands and the Central Eastern lowlands.
3. What kind of climate does Australia have?
The interior of Australia has a hot and dry climate, but the coastal areas have a maritime climate.
4. What are the effects of such a climate?
(a) Most Australians live on the south-east coastland.
(b) Plants that can thrive in hot dry conditions are usually small plants such as grasses and shrubs.
5. What are the most common native plants and animals in Australia?
The most common native plants are eucalypts and wattles.
The most common native animals are kangaroos and emus.
6. There are many aspects of Australian way of life that are still British. Give two or three examples.
(a) The system of government is modeled on the Westminster system.
(b) The Australian flag has the Union Jack in the top left corner.
(c)The head of the Australian government is the Queen of England.
7. Into what political divisions is Australia separated? List the names of the states and territories.
Australia is politically divided into six states and two territories. The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. The two territories are the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
8. In terms of land area and population, which is the biggest state and which is the smallest state in Australia?
In terms of land area, the biggest is Western Australia and the smallest is Tasmania. In terms of population, the biggest is New South Wales and the smallest is Tasmania.
9. What are Australia’s major cities?
They are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra.
10. Why is Australia regarded as one of the most urbanized countries in the world?
Because 80% of Australians live in the suburbs of coastal cities and towns.
新西兰
1． Where is New Zealand located?
New Zealand is located in the Southern Pacific Ocean, halfway between the equator and the South Pole.
2． How big is New Zealand? What countries are a similar size?
New Zealand has a area of 270,534 sq km. Britain and Japan are a similar size.
3． Where is the volcanic activity in New Zealand?
The volcanic activity in New Zealand is concentrated on the central plateau of North Island.
4． How could you describe the weather in New Zealand?
The climate of New Zealand can be described as mild, but because the country runs north and south, the climate varies from the south to north.
5． When did the first European come to New Zealand? What was his name and nationality?
The first European to visit New Zealand was Abel Tasman from Holland in 1642.
6． Who are the Maoris?
The Maoris are a branch of the eastern Polynesian race living in New Zealand.
7． Who do Maori people say discovered New Zealand?
They say that Kupe discovered New Zealand.
8． What is Pakeha? Pakeha refers to European settlers in New Zealand.
9． What caused the land disputes between the Maori and the settlers?
The land disputes were mainly caused by the raped acquisition of Maori land by the government and pressure by settlers for direct purchase.
10．What are many Maori people determined to do with Maoritanga?
They are determined to keep the skills and knowledge of Maoritanga so that their treasured heritage can be shared with all New Zealanders.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（1）
Amerigo Vespucci----Amerigo Vespucci, a navigator, proved that the land was not India,but a new continent. Therefore, the land was named America after.
The Puritans----The Puritans were wealthy, well-educated gentlemen. They wanted to purify the Church of England and threatened with religious persecution, the Puritans leaders saw the New world as the a refuge provided by God for those He meant to save.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（2）
The Bill of Rights----In 1789, James Madison introduced in the House of Representatives a series of amendments which later were drafted into twelve proposed amendments and sent to the states for ratification. Ten of them were ratified in 1791 and the first ten amendments to the constitution were called the Bills of Rights because they were to insure individual liberties.
The Emancipation Proclamation----After the Civil war began, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to win more support at home and abroad. It granted freedom to all slaves in areas still controlled by the Confederacy.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（3）
Pilgrims Thanksgiving Day----The Pilgrims in 1620, 201 of them sailed to the New World in a ship called Mayflower. The first winter after their arrival was very cold and when spring came, half of them were dead. Then the Indians came to their help and taught them how to grow corn. They had a good harvest that year. So they invited the Indians and held the first Thanksgiving celebration in America to give thanks to God.
The Chunnel----In 1985 the British government and French government decided to build a channel tunnel, which is called “Chunnel”, under the Straits of Dover so that England and France could be joined together by road. The Chunnel was open to traffic in May 1994.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（4）
Eisteddfod----Eisteddfod is the Welsh word for “sitting” National Eidteddfod is the most famous festival of music and verse in Wales. It takes place each August and lasts for about a week. The highlight of the festival is competition for the best epic poem about Wales written and read in Welsh. The winner is crowned Board, considered the supreme honour in Wales. In this way the Welsh people keep the Welsh language and culture alive.
Cockney----A cockney is a Londoner who is born within the sound of Bow Bells-the Bells of the church of St. Mary-LeBow in east London.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（5）
Stonehenge----It is a group of huge monuments of grant rock Slabs on salisbury plain in Southwest England built as long ago as the New Stone Age. It is generally believed that stonehenge served some sort of religious purposes.
The Celts----The Celts came to Britain in three main waves. The first wave were the Gales, the second wave were the Brythons and the Belgae came about 150BC. The Celts were practised farmers. The Celtic tribes are ancestors of the Highland Scots, the Irish and the Welsh, And their languages are the basis of both Welsh and Gaelic. They religion was Druidism.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（6）
Norman Conquest----The Norman Conquest of 1066 is perhaps the best-known event in English history. William the conqueror confiscated almost all the land and gave it to his Norman followers. He replaced the weak Saxon rule with a strong Norman government. So the feudal system was completely established in England.
Alfred the Great----He was king of Wessex, one of the seven Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms. It was he who led the Anglo-Saxon to flight against the invading Danes and maintained peace for a long time. Alfred was not only a brave king at wartime, but also a wise king at peacetime. He encouraged education and introduced a legal system. He is known as “the father of the British navy”.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（7）
St. Augustine----In 597,Pope Gregory I sent St. Augustine, the Prior of St. Andrew’s Monastery in Rome, to England to convert the heathen English to Christianity. That year, St. Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. Augustine was remarkably successful in converting the king and the nobility, but the conversion of the common people was largely due to the missionary activities of the monks in the north.
Domesday Book----It is a book compiled by a group of clerks under the sponsorship of King William the First in 1086. The book was in fact a property record. It was the result of a general survey of England. It recorded the extent, value, state of cultivation, and ownership of the land. It was one of the important measures adopted by William I to establish the full feudal system in England. Today, it is kept in the Public Records Office in London.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（8）
Geoffrey Chaucer----He was an important English poet in the fourteenth century. His best known is The Canterbury Tales, which describes a group of pilgrims travelling to Canterbury to visit Thomas Becket’s tomb. Because he was the first important English poet to write in English. He has been known as the “Father of English Poetry”.
The Black Death----It is a modern name given to the dearly bubonic plague, an epidemic disease spread through Europe in the fourteenth century particularly in 1348-1349. It came without warning, and without any cue. In England, it killed almost half of the total population, causing far-reaching economic consequences.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（9）
The Wars of Roses玫瑰战争----the name Wars of the Roses was refer to the battles between the House of Lancaster, symbolized by the read rose, and that of York, symbolized by the white, from 1455 to 1485. Henry Tudor, descendant of Duke of Lancaster won victory at Bosworth Fireld in 1485 and put ht country under the rule of the Tudors. From these Wars, English feudalism received its death blow. The great medieval nobility was much weakened.
The Glorious Revolution of 1688光荣革命---- In 1685 Charles II died and was succeeded by his brother James II. James was brought up in exile in Europe, was a Catholic. He hoped to rule without giving up his personal religious vies. But England was no more tolerant of a Catholic king in 1688 than 40 years ago. So the English politicians rejected James II, and appealed to a Protestant king, William of Orange, to invade and take the English throne. William landed in England in 1688. The takeover was relatively smooth, with no bloodshed, nor any execution of the king. This was known as the Glorious Revolution.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（10）
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605火药阴谋案----The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was the most famous of the Catholic conspiracies. On Nov. 5,1605, a few fanatical Catholics attempted to blow King James and his ministers up in the House of Parliament where Guy Fawkes had planted barrels of gun-powder in the cellars. The immediate result was the execution of Fawkes and his fellow-conspirators and imposition of severe anti-Catholic laws. The long-term result has been an annual celebration on Nov. 5, when a bonfire is lit to turn a guy and a firework display is arranged.
Blood Mary血腥玛丽----It is the nickname given to Mary I, the English Queen who succeeded to the throne after Henry VIII. She was a devout Catholic and had so many Protestants burnt to death that she is remembered less by her official title Mary I by her nickname Blood Mary.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（11）
Thatcherism撒切尔主义----The election of 1979 returned the Conservative Party to power and Margaret Thatcher became the first woman prime minister in Britain. Her policies are popularly referred to as state-owned industries, the use of monetarist policies to control inflation, the weaking of trade forces unions, the strengthening of the role of market forces in the economy, and an emphasis on law and order.
The Trade Union Act of 1871工会法----It legalized the trade unions and give financial security. It meant that in law there was no difference between money for benefic purposes and collecting it to support strike action.
, 英语国家概况名词解释系列（12）
Agribusiness农业产业----The new farming has been called “agribusiness”, because it is equipped and managed like an industrial business with a set of inputs into the processes which occur on the farm and outputs or products which leave the farm.
British disease英国病----The term “British disease” is now often used to characterize Britain’s economic decline.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（13）
Constitutional monarchy君主立宪制----It is a political system that has been practised in Britain since the Glorious revolution of 1688. According to this system, the Constitution is superior to the Monarch. In law, the Monarch has many supreme powers, but in practice, the real power of monarchy has been greatly reduced and today the Queen acts solely on the advice of her ministers. She reigns but does not rule. The real power lies in the Parliament, or to be exact, in the House of Commons.
Privy Council枢密院----A consultative body of the British monarch. Its origin can be traced back to the times of the Norman Kings. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, its importance was gradually diminished and replaced by the Cabinet. Today, it is still a consultation body of the British monarch, Its membership is about 400, and includes al Cabinet ministers, the speaker of the House of Commons, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and senior British and Commonwealth statesmen.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（14）
The National Health Service----It is a very important part of the welfare system in Britain. It is a nationwide organization based on Acts of Parliament. It provides all kinds of free or nearly free medical treatment both in hospital and outside. It is financed mainly by payments by the state out of general taxation. People are not obliged to use this service. The service is achieving its main objectives with outstanding success.
Comprehensive schools----Comprehensives schools take pupils without reference to ability or aptitude and provide a wide-ranging secondary education for all or most of the children in a district.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（15）
Reuters----It was founded in 1851 by the German, Julius Reuter. It is now a publicly owned company, employing over 11000 staff in 80 countries. It has more than 1300 staff journalists and photographers.
The Crown Court----A criminal court that deals with the more serious cases and holds sessions in towns throughout England and Wales. It is presided over either by a judge from the High Court of Justice or a local full-time judge.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（16）
The Great lakes----The Great Lakes are the five lakes in the northeast. They are Lake Superior which is the largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Michigan (the only one entirely in the U.S.), Lake Huron, Lake Eire and Lake Ontario. They are all located between Canada and the United States expect Lake Michigan.
The Mississippi----The Mississippi has been called “father of waters “or” old man river”. It and Its tributaries drain one of the richest farm areas in the world. It is the fourth longest river in the world and the most important river in the United States.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（17）
Uncle Tom’s Cabin----It was a sentimental but powerful antislavery novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It converted many readers to the abolitionist cause.
Gettysburg----It refer to the short speech President Lincoln made when he dedicated the national cemetery at Gettyburg. He ended the speech with “the government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（18）
The Red Scare----When the WWI was over, there existed a highly aggressive and intolerant nationalism. Between 1919 and 1920, the Red Scare happened. On Nov.7,1919 and Jan.2,1920, the Justice Department launched two waves of mass arrests. Over 4000 suspected Communists and radical were arrested.
The New Deal----In order to deal with the Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt put forward the New Deal program. It passed a lot of New Deal laws and set up many efficient social security systems. The New Deal helped to save American democracy and the development of American economy.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（19）
Truman Doctrine----On Mar.12, 1949, President Truman put forward the Truman Doctrine in his speech to the joint session of Congress. The Doctrine meant to support any country which said it was fighting communism.
Marshall Plan----It was announced by George Marshall on June.5, 1947, and was the economic aid plan for Western Europe. It was also used to prevent the loss of Western Europe into the Soviet sphere.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（20）
London smog----In 195, the sulphur dioxide in the four-day London smog, an unhealthy atmosphere formed by mixing smoke and dirt with fog. It left 4000 people dead or dying. Since then most cities in Britain have introduced “clean air zones” whereby factories and households are only allowed to burn smokeless fuel.
Family Doctor----In order to obtain the benefits of the NHS a person must normally be registered on the list of a general practitioner, sometimes known as a “family doctor”. The family doctor gives treatment or prescribes medicine, or, if necessary, arranges for the patient to go to hospital or to be seen at home by a specialist.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（21）
Marvellous Melbourne----After the gold rush in 1850s and 1860s, there was an important revolution in transport, especially with the network of tram and railway systems. This changed the pace of urban life and the appearance of the city and soon people were calling the city “Marvellous Melbourne”. But by the 1890s outsiders were calling the city “Marvellous Melbourne” because of the bad smell of the city.
Waitangi Day----In 1840 the first official governor, William Hobson, was sent to negotiate with Maori leaders. In 1840 Hobson, representing Queen Victoria, and some Maori chiefs, signed the Treaty of Waitangi. Modern New Zealand was founded. The anniversary of the signing, February 6, is celebrated as New Zealand National Day, Waitangi Day, and is a national holiday.
英语国家概况名词解释系列（22）
Multiculturalism----The term multiculturalism was coined in Canada in the late 1960s. It was in official use in Australia by 1973. In other words, under multiculturalism migrant groups are able to speak their own language and maintain their own customs. Multiculturalism as a policy recognizes that social cohesion is attained by tolerating differences within an agreed legal and constitutional framework.
Quiet Revolution----Ever since 1763, when France lost its empire in North America to England, French Canadians have struggled to preserve their language and culture. In the early 1960s French Canadians became more vocal in their protests. In particular, they complained that were kept out of jobs in government and in some large businesses because they spoke only French. They have been struggling more rights common which was called “Quiet revolution”. |
