英美文化概况考试重点.doc

Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more.-author-date英美文化概况考试重点名词解释英美文化概况考试重点名词解释1. The Bill of Rights （权利和自由法案） It was adopted in 1791 and consists of 10 very short paragraphs which guarantee freedom and individual rights and forbid interference with lives of individuals by the government. Each paragraph is an Amendment to the original Constitution. 2. The Functions of British Parliament(1) to pass laws; (2) to provide, by voting for taxation, the means of carrying on the work of government; (3) to examine government Policy and administrations, including proposal for expenditure; and (4) to debate the major issues of the day.3. Comprehensive schools Such schools admit children without reference to their academic abilities and provide a general education. Pupils can study everything from academic subjects like literature to more practical subjects like cooking. 4. Grammar SchoolIt is a type of secondary schools in Britain. These schools lay emphasis on advanced academic subjects rather than the more general curriculum of the comprehensive schools and expect many of their pupils to go on to universities. 5. The Servicemens Readjustment ActCongress passed it in 1944。 The Act promised financial aid, including aid for higher education to members of the armed forces after the end of World War II. 6. The House of CommonsIt consists of 651 Members of Parliament (MPS) elected by the people to represent them. a democratically elected chamber with elections held at least every 5 yearsMPs comes from 646 constituencies of roughly equal population7. The strategy of preemption In an address delivered to the West Point graduates, President Bush, for the first time, put forward the strategy of preemption (先发制人), which is formalized in the National Security Strategy issued in Sept. 2002.By preemption, the US means that when it determines that a country which is repressive and hostile to the US has acquired or produced weapons of mass destruction or has the potential to possess such weapons, the US should use force to remove this threat to US security and should not wait till the danger becomes imminent (临近的，即将发生的) or until the US is attacked. This is known as Bush Doctrine.8. the three traditions of Christmas in Britain Three typical British traditions on Christmas are: the Christmas Pantomime(圣诞童话剧), the Queens speech over the TV and radio, and the Boxing Day.9. The Declaration of Independence It was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and was adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule. The document declared that all men were equal and that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.It also explained the philosophy of governments: the powers of governments came from the consent of the governed and the purpose of governments was to secure the rights mentioned above.10. Puritanism 1They believed that human beings were predestined by God before they were born. 2. Some were Gods chosen people while others were damned to hell. No church nor good works could save people. The sign of being Gods elect was the success in his work or the prosperity in his calling. 3.They also argued that everyone must read the Bible in order to find Gods will and establish a direct contact with God. 11. The making of British foreign policyThe general direction of Britains foreign policy is mainly decided by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The main government department involved is of course the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), but many other government ministries also plays a part in formulating and carrying out the governments decisions. A less obvious, but an extremely influential player in Britains foreign policy is the Treasury.The Ministry of Defense, although it is considered less important than the FCO, is an important player.The contemporary foreign policy of the UK is greatly influenced by its imperial history (the most important single factor) and also by its geopolitical traits. Perhaps the most important single factor which influences British policy-makes is its history. 12. Boards of Education in USA Boards of education-refer to groups of people who make policies for schools at the state and/or district level. They also make decisions about the school curriculum, teacher standards and certification and the overall measurement of student progress.13. The containment policyBy containment the US meant that it would use whatever means, including military force, to prevent the SU from breaking out of its sphere of influence, so as to push back Soviet spheres until Soviet political system changed or collapsed. 14. A federal systemA federal system is one in which power is shared between a central authority and its constituent parts, with some rights reserved to each. The Constitution also called for the election of a national leader, or president. It provided (规定) that federal laws would be made only by a Congress made up of representatives elected by the people. It also provided for a national court system headed by a Supreme Court.15. The Anglo-Saxonsthe Anglo-Saxon invaders were the forefathers of the English, the founders of Anglo-land or England as it has become known. 16. Affirmative Action Programs By the end of 1960s, some colleges introduced special plans and programs to equalize educational opportunitiesat every level, for all groups. Some of these plans were called "Affirmative action programs." 17. The Commonwealth no longer an imperial country with independence of many former colonies such as Australia, Canada, India which maintain links with Britain now through an organization called the Commonwealth of Nations 18. Independent schools: funded by private sectors, through tuition rates and some government assistance. Independent schools are not part of the national education system.19. the house of lords: the Lords Spiritual (the senior bishops of the Church of England 神职议员 ) the Lords Temporal (members of the Peerage 非神职议员 )the members are not elected by the population at large but are appointed by past or current governments.20.cricket and “fair play”: Cricket was one of the first team sports in Britain to have organized rules and to be played according to the same rules nationally. Before the Victorian era, and in modern Britain, people from all walks of life play cricket, but in the 19th century, cricket became a sport associated with the upper class. It was a kind of “snob” game played by boys who attended public schools.论述1. How do you understand that Britain has a “special relationship” with the US?During World War II, the two countries were closely allied and continued to work together closely in the postwar years, because they had many things in common about the past and the world situation.Even today, British and American policy-makers share the general ideas in many respects. However The British are beginning to realize that their own foreign policy actions can be limited by the United States. But both sides have worked hard to maintain the “special relations”.As a part of its NATO commitments, the British host a large American military presence. There are 63 American military bases in Britain.2. “British history has been a history of invasion.” (1). Early Settlement ( - 43, AD)Before the 1st century AD, it was made up of tribal kingdoms of Celtic people/ the Celt (2). The Roman OccupationIn 43 AD, it was invaded by the Roman Empire, and England and Wales (3). Anglo-Saxon Times (410-871)After Roman withdrew from Britain, Britain was divided into small kingdoms and was under threat from the Anglos and the Saxon(4)The Invasion of Vikings and the Danish RuleIn the late 8th century, the Vikings threatened Britains shores. Northern and eastern England were under their control.(5) The Norman Conquest In 1066, the Normans, crossed the English Channel, and in the Battle of Hastings, defeated an English army under King Harold.William took the English throne and became William the First of England.3. What is Puritanism? How was American culture influenced by Puritanism? Illustrate your point with examples.They believed that human beings were predestined by God before they were born. Some were Gods chosen people while others were damned to hell. No church nor good works could save people. The sign of being Gods elect was the success in his work or the prosperity in his calling. They also argued that everyone must read the Bible in order to find Gods will and establish a direct contact with God. These beliefs had great impact on American culture. 他们深信人的命运是生前就由上帝注定的。这是清教主义的命运天定说. 一个人工作上的成功或事业上的兴旺是上帝选民的标志. 他们还说人人都要读«圣经»，从中探索上帝的意志，与上帝建立直接的联系.The influence of Puritanism on American culturePuritans have left rich cultural heritage to future Americans. The American values such as individualism, hard work, respect of education owe very much to the Puritan beliefs.4. .What are the some of the major powers of each of the three branches of the US government? How are the three branches supposed to check and balance each other.The legislative branch is made up of elected representatives from all of the states and is the only branch that can make federal laws, levy federal taxes and declare war or put foreign treaties into effect.The executive branch :The chief executive of the United States is the president The president, often proposes legislation to Congress. The president can also veto any bill passed by Congress.The judicial branch :the Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases arising out of the Constitution and other cases which do not arise out of individual states. The Supreme Court has the judicial review power, the power determining whether congressional legislation or executive action violates the Constitution5. Compare the education systems in Britain and America.1.The purposeThe purpose of the British education systemnot only to provide children with literacy and the other basic skills they will need to become active members of society but also to socialize children. Children are taught practical skills; but they also learn the rules and values they need to become good citizen, to participate in the community, and to contribute to the economic prosperity of an advanced industrial economyThe purpose of the USA education is to achieve universal literacy and provide individuals with knowledge and skill necessary to promote the welfare for individuals and the general public.2.The National Curriculum British made thire National Curriculum ,USA did not do it3. Freedom of choice is another American value not absent from school life. In addition to their required courses, high school and college students may choose elective courses. These electives allow students to study subjects that interest them.6. American foreign policies during the second period。The Clinton Administration made national security, economic prosperity and promotion of democracy the three pillars of the American foreign policy. Its national strategy was engagement and expansion, which means the US will take a more active part in world affairs and will more actively promote market economy and American style democracy in the world. The 44-day heavy bombing of the former Yugoslavia in 1999 was a test case of the new strategy.7. Compare the roles of the British queen and the US president。8. The foundations and making of British foreign policies.The contemporary foreign policy of the UK is greatly influenced by its imperialn history and also by its geopolitical traits.Another decisive influence upon the way Britain handles its external affairs is geopolitical. Its island location created a sense of psychological isolation in its inhabitant. The general direction of Britains foreign policy is mainly decided by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. many other government ministries also plays a part in formulating and carrying out the governments decisions. The Treasury also play a important role in making the policy The Treasury makes decisions on how much money other departments can have each year. 9. The goals of education in the US and Britain。10. The goals of education in the US and China.11. Two major political parties in US。12. American constitution-