英概一句话简答完整版（余志远版本）

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.
51. What are the economic problems Britain is now faced with?
Britain is now faced with a low rate of industrial growth, unemployment, and a rising inflation rate.
52. What percentage of British workers are employed in service industries?
More than 70% of British workers are employed in service industries.
53. Why were early factories located near the coal fields?
Because coal powered the steam engines that moved the machinery.
54. In which British industry did the Industrial Revolution begin?
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain’s textile industry.
55. Where are oil and natural gas found in Britain?
Oil and natural gas are found under the North Sea.
56. Why is it that Britain imports more clothing than it exports?
Because many countries with lower labor costs can produce clothing more cheaply than the British can.
57. Which area in Britain is called the “Silicon Glen”?
The area between Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland is called the “Silicon Glen”.
58. What is the county of Kent in southeastern England famous for?
It is famous for its beautiful blossoms of its apple and cherry orchards in springtime.
59. What are Britain’s most important imports?
British imports include chemicals, clothing, foods, machinery, metals, motor vehicles, paper and newsprint, petroleum products, and textiles.

60. What are Britain’s most important exports?
British exports are aerospace equipment, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, foods and beverages, machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum, and scientific and medical equipment.
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.
71. What are the two main branches of the law in Britain?
They are criminal law and civil law.
72. How many types of criminal courts are there in Scotland?
There are three types of criminal courts in Scotland. They are the High Court of Justiciary, the sheriff court, and the district court.
73. What is the difference between solemn procedure and summary procedure?
In solemn procedure, a defendant is tried by a judge sitting with a jury. In summary procedure the judge sits without a jury.
74. What are the three divisions of the High Court?
They are the Family Division, the Chancery Division, and the Queen’s Bench Division.
75. What is the ultimate court of appeal in civil cases throughout the United Kingdom?
It is the House of Lords.
76. Who directly controls London’s Metropolitan Police Force?
The Home Secretary controls London’s Metropolitan Police Force.
77. What are the chief aims of the penal system?
The chief aims are to deter the potential law-breaker, and to reform the convicted offender.
78. How many prisons are there in Northern Ireland?
There are 4 prisons in Northern Ireland.
79. How long can a court probation order last?
A court probation order can last between 6 months and 3 years.
80. What courses (or schemes) and services are provided in all prisons?
Training courses, educational schemes, medical services and welfare services are provided in all prisons.
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?
93.1% 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.
10．When was the Downing Street Declaration issued?
In December 1993.
11. Who is the head of state in Ireland?
The president is the head of state in Ireland.
12. Who is the head of government in Ireland?
The prime minister is the head of government in Ireland.
13. What does the Irish parliament consist of?
The Irish parliament consists of the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) and the Senate (Seanad).
14. What are the two major political parties in Ireland?
They are Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
15. What does Fianna Fail mean in Irish?
It means “soldiers of destiny” in Irish.
16. What does Fine Gael mean in Irish?
It means “Irish tribe” or “united Ireland” in Irish.
17. Why is Irish farming a mixed economy?
Most of the Irish farmers have a small piece of arable land and a considerable area of pasture and meadow. They depend chiefly for their living on occasional cash crops and some form of livestock.
18. Why does Ireland have a chronic imbalance of trade?
Ireland depends on imported oil and it has a high import bill.
19. What kind of Language is Irish?
Irish is a Celtic language.
20. Who is regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century?
James Joyce is regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

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.
11. What are the most important natural resources in Canada?
They are water and water power, fish, forests, and furs.
12. Why is the Canadian Shield so important to Canada’s economy?
A great belt of forest land stretches across the Canadian Shield, which provides raw materials for Canada’s lumbering and paper products industry.
13. What are Canada’s main agricultural products?
They are wheat, barley, oats, dairy products, meat, and fruit.
14. What is Canada’s chief manufacturing industry?
Transportation equipment is Canada’s chief manufacturing industry.
15. What were Canada’s major exports in 1994?
They were motor vehicles and parts, mineral fuels, machinery, wood products, paper and paperboard, electrical equipment, wood pulp, aluminium products, and cereals.
16. What were Canada’s major imports in 1994?
They were motor vehicles and parts, heavy machinery, communication equipment, office equipment, and industrial machinery.
17. What does NAFTA stand for?
NAFTA stands for North America Free Trade Agreement.
18. Why did America start to get involved in Canadian manufacturing in the late 19th century?
American-owned firms built branch plants to serve the Canadian market and thereby avoid the tariffs involved in exporting their products to Canada.
19. What was the labor force in Canada in 1994?
It was 14.8 million in Canada in 1994.
20. What economic problems does Canada have today?
They are unemployment, a negative balance of payments, a fiscal deficit, and slow growth in some regions in Canada.
21. What kind of system of government does Canada have?
Canada has a federal system of government.
22. What is the difference between territories and provinces?
Territories have less autonomy from the federal government than provinces have.
23. What does the Canadian Parliament consist of?
The Canadian Parliament consists of the British Queen and two houses: the House of Commons and the Senate.
24. Who is head of state in Canada?
The sovereign of Great Britain is head of state in Canada.
25. Who is head of government in Canada?
The prime minister is head of government in Canada?
26. What are the two main political parties in Canada?
The two main political parties in Canada are the Liberal Party and the Progressive Conservative Party.
27. In what way does Quebec differ from other provinces?
Quebec has a strong French culture.
28. Who was Rene Levesque?
He was a popular Quebec politician who created a movement dedicated to giving Quebec full sovereignty, together with an association with the rest of Canada.
29. What does “sovereignty-association” mean?
“ Sovereignty-association” means giving Quebec full sovereignty, together with an association with the rest of Canada.
30. What happened to the 1995 referendum on Quebec’s future status?
It was rejected by the barest margin: less than 1% divided the no votes from the yes votes.
31. Why has Canada’s population grown quickly since World War II ended in 1945?
It was due to heavy immigration and a relatively high birth rate.
32. What are the two largest ethnic groups in Canada?
The two largest groups are those of British and French origin.
33. In which province do most of the French-speaking Canadians live?
Most of the French-speaking Canadians live in the province of Quebec.
34. Who are the native peoples of Canada?
They are American Indians and Inuit.
35. What is the most popular sport in Canada?
Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada.
36. What are the most common leisure activities in Canada?
They are swimming, tennis, golf and baseball.
37. What elements of Canada’s character have contributed to the formation of Canadian culture?
The bilingual, multicultural and North American elements of Canada’s character have contributed to the formation of Canadian culture.
38. Which group developed the first distinctly Canadian style of painting?
The Group of Seven developed the first distinctly Canadian style of painting.
39. Who was Stephen Leacock?
He was a Canadian writer and economist. He is best known for his essays, parodies and short stories.
40. What does the Canada Council do to promote Canadian culture?
The Canada Council provides financial assistance to individual artists and to orchestras, theatres, and other organizations.

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.
11. What are the three periods into which Australia is divided?
The first period is from the arrival of aborigines to the colonization of Australia by the British in 1788. The second period is the colonial period which lasted until 1901. The third period is from federation in 1901 to the present.
12. Where are the Aborigines believed to have come from?
It is believed that the Aborigines came to Australia from Southeast Asia.
13. Why are the Aborigines usually described as hunter-gatherers?
Because they lived from the land by hunting animals and birds, by catching fish and gathering plant foods, shellfish and eggs.
14. What is the significance of the land to the Aborigines?
The land was central in the life of the Aborigines. They got their living from it and it shaped their religious beliefs. They believed that they did not own the land but that the land owned them.
15. Who was James Cook?
He was an English navigator and explorer. He sighted the eastern coast of Australia and named the region around it New South Wales. He took possession of New South Wales in the name of King George III of England.
16. Why did the British decide to establish a penal colony in Australia?
The British decided to establish a penal colony in Australia to receive convicts from Britain.
17. How did a gold rush start in Australia at the beginning of the 1850s?
The first official discoverer of gold in Australia was Edward Hargraves. He used his panning experience from the Californian diggings to find gold near Bathurst(NSW) in February 1851. Coupled with finds by his associates this started a gold rush.
18. What were the causes of the Eureka Stockade?
Causes of the Eureka Stockade included resentment against the licensing system for goldminers and the harsh way it was administered, as well as a general demand for voting rights by the miners.
19. What changes took place in Australia in the three decades following the goldrushes of the 1850s?
The three decades following the 1850s goldrushes were a period of great development in Australia. Considerable changes took place in daily life, work, industry and people’s attitudes in the cities and in the country.
2d of the 10. What did the Australian colonies decide to do at the en 890s?
They decided to join together to form a unified nation.
21. What was the main argument for federation put forward by the nationalists?
Australia should be kept white, and preferably of British stock.
22. Why did the businessmen support federation?
They supported free, Australia-wide trade because trade restrictions and tariff barriers at the borders between the colonies weakened the Australian economy.
23. Who gave great encouragement to the federation conferences and debates during the 1880s?
Henry Parkes and Edmund Barton of NSW, Alfred Deakin of Victoria and Samuel Griffith of Queensland did.
24. What was the nature of the White Australia Policy?
It was an immigration policy based on racial discrimination.
25. What was the significance of the Gallipoli campaign to Australia?
It was a complete military defeat, but it was seen as a noble defeat, not as something shameful. It was and is still hailed as Australia’s coming of age.
26. What caused a serious economic downfall in Australia at the end of the 1920s?
World prices of wheat and wool dropped from the 1927-1928 period, and demand for Australian produce fell when overseas markets started buying from other countries that were able to sell at cheaper prices.
27. How did the Pearl Harbor incident affect the Australian people?
There was a very real fear among the Australians that Australia might be invaded.
28. What were the main objectives of the Chifley government after the war?
They were full employment and social security.
29. What happened to the Whitlam government on 11 November 1975?
It was dismissed by the Governor-General John Kerr.
30. What was the major problem facing the Australian economy by the end of the 1980s?
It was the current account deficit.

31. What are the factors that have affected the efficiency of Australian manufacturing?
Australia’s limited local market, its geographical isolation and high levels of tariff protection are the factors that have affected the efficiency of Australian manufacturing.
32. Why has the Australian government put up tariff and nontariff barriers to trade?
The aim has been to support domestic protection and maintain full employment.
33. What has been a key factor in the history of agriculture in Australia?
A key factor in the history of agriculture has been the ability to compete effectively on world markets.
34. Why is the minerals and energy industry central to the Australian economy?
Because it has been a major source of export earnings and a recurring catalyst to Australia’s economic development.
35. Why has the service industry been growing so fast in Australia in recent decades?
This is due to higher living standards and greater demand for more and better transport and housing, and the expansion by governments of educational, health and welfare services.
36. What is the main feature of Australia’s trade?
The main feature of Australia’s trade is the exchange of raw materials for finished producets.
37. Why has the terms of trade been moving steadily against Australia in recent decades?
In recent years commodity prices have tended to decline while prices of manufactured goods have tended to go up.
38. What is the solution to the problem posed by Australia’s worsening terms of trade?
The solution to the problem is to reduce Australia’s reliance on commodity exports by diversifying and increasing in manufactured exports.
39. What is the Achilles heel of the Australian economy today?
The Achilles heel of the Australian economy today is that, although its structure is geared to international trade, its participation in trade has declined.
40. What has been happening in Australia’s economy since the mid-1980s?
A restructuring of Australia’s economy has been going on in Australia since the mid-1980s.
41. What does the Australian Constitution deal with?
The Australian Constitution deals with the composition of the Australian federal government and the powers of the government and the relationship between the federal government and the governments of the States.
42. What are the two principles the Australian Constitution is based on?
The Australian Constitution is based on the principle of federalism and the principle of responsible government.
43. What is the only practical way of changing the Australian Constitution?
The only practical way of changing the Australian Constitution is by referendum.
44. What does the Australian Federal Parliament consist of?
It consists of the British monarch, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
45. Who is constitutionally head of state in Australia?
The British monarch is head of state in Australia.
46. Do the House of Representatives and the Senate have exactly equal powers?
No. They have almost equal powers except that the Senate cannot originate “money bills”.
47. What are the functions of the Senate?
The Senate in Australia has functioned as a house of review and it also represents the interests of the States.
48. There are three major political parties in Australia. What are they?
They are the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia.
49. What do minor parties aim to do?
They aim to obtain the balance of power in either House so that they can exert power on the party or parties which form the government.
50. What are the roles of the High Court?
It is the final court of Appeal. It hears appeals from State Supreme Courts and it also has the task of interpreting the Constitution and applying meaning to the cases that come before it.
51. What is the life expectancy of Aborigines in Australia?
The life expectancy of Aborigines is generally 20 years shorter than that of non-Aboriginal Australians.
52. When did the Aboriginal people in Australia gain the right to determine their own affairs?
In 1972 the Aboriginal people in Australia gained the right to determine their own affairs.
53. When did the land rights movement start in Australia?
The land rights movement in Australia started at the beginning of the 1970s.
54. What is the significance of the Mabo Judgement?
The Mabo Judgement recognizes that Australia was not, in law, unoccupied at the time of European settlement.
55. What was the policy of assimilation?
The policy of assimilation involved an immediate attempt to strip immigrants of their cultures, social practices and languages. The migrant was to forget the “old country” and adopt the Anglo-Australian way of life.
56. What was the dominant aspect of Aboriginal culture?
The dominant aspect of Aboriginal culture was the balance between these people and their environment.
57. What are the main components of modern Australian culture?
The main components of modern Australian culture is a mixture of many traditions and influences which overlap: British, American, European and Asian.
58. What is the republic debate in Australia?
The republic debate in Australia is about whether Australia should remain a monarchy or become a republic.
59. What kind of republic do the minimalists propose?
The minimalists propose a republic with a president elected or appointed by parliament.
60. What are the views of the maximalists?
The maximalists want to go further than replacing the Queen with a president. They want to reform the Constitution so that a Bill of Rights could be written into it.

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