英语国家概况简答.doc

英语国家概况简答完整打印版 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 islands 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 Britains climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream墨西哥湾流. 5. How many metropolitan areas does England have? England has seven metropolitan areas大都市区 6. What is the backbone of England? It is the Pennines. 奔宁山脉 7. What is the largest lake in the British Isles? It is Lough Neagh. 内伊湖（英国最大的淡水湖） 8. From what a language is English derived? England is mainly derived from the Anglo-Saxon and Norman-French languages. 9. What is an eisteddfod乐人大会? 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部族, colorful plaid kilts, and skill as fierce warriors. 11. How long was Britain under the Roman occupation占有? 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迁入 Britain? The Anglo-Saxons began to settle in Britain in the 5th century. 14. When did England begin to be Christianized基督教化? England began to be Christianized in 579. 15. What was the result of the Synod of Whit by in Yorkshire in 664? The result of the Synod of Whitby was that the Roman missionaries传教士 gained the upper hand占上风；取得优势 Over the Celtic凯尔特人 missionaries. 16. What was Harold doing when he was informed of听说the invasion入侵 of Northumbria诺森布里亚（中世纪在英国北方的王国 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诺曼底人对英格兰的军事征服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 lands 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 Englands possession of territory in France. The other was Norman adherence to Roman Catholicism. 28. Who was the French national heroine during the Hundred Years 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 IIs 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 Englands 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君主立宪制度? 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 Britains 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 Britains most important imports? British imports include chemicals, clothing, foods, machinery, metals, motor vehicles, paper and newsprint, petroleum products, and textiles. 60. What are Britains 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 Sovereigns coronation take place? The Sovereigns coronation takes place at Westminster Abbey in London. 62. When is the Sovereigns 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 Queens expenditure arising from public duties come from? The Queens 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 Speakers 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 Queens 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 Londons Metropolitan Police Force? The Home Secretary controls Londons 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