人文知识材料 【英语专业八级资料】.doc

人文知识英语国家社会与文化考题回顾：1999 年:1. The Observer2. The geographical location of North America3. The old universities in U.K.4. Westminster Palace2000年:1. The titles of English nobility2. The features of Irish landscape3. The longest river in Britain4. The legislative branch in U.K.5. The Hundred Years War2001年:1. The founding of Harvard2. The settlement of Anglo-Saxons3. The official name of U.K.4. The economic activity of Canada2002年:1. Wall Streetthe financial center2. Big Ben, Benjamin Hall3. The compulsory education in U.K.4. Three branches of U.S.A. government2003年:1. The location of California2. British news agency3. The founding fathers of U.S.A.4. The geography of Canada2004年:1. 1920s in U.S.A.2. The largest river in U.S.A.3. The discovery of the New World4. The first settlement in America2005年:1. The capital city of Canada2. How long the U.S. President serves3. The important cities in U.S.A.4. The state church in England2006年:1. The President in the Civil War2. The capital city of New Zealand3. The natives of Australia4. The Prime Minister in Britain is head of the Cabinet2007年:1. The origin of the current British population 2. The Head of State of Canada is represented by the Governor-general3. The author of the Declaration of Independence4. The original inhabitants of Australia2008年:1. The largest city in Canada.2. The legislative branch of the U.S. government3. The oldest sport in U.S.A.4. The head of the executive branch in New Zealand2009年:1. The Head of State of New Zealand2. The capital of Scotland3. The author of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. president4. The cities located on the eastern coast of Australia.2010年 1. The British Constitution 2. The first city in Canada3. The founding of Australian Federation4. The Emancipation ProclamationThe United Kingdom地理、人口及基本事实:1. Official name: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandGeographical Names: British Isles, Great Britain and England 2. Geographical position: the English Channel3. Four political divisions: England (London), Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff), Northern Ireland (Belfast)4. The Commonwealth: a free association of independent countries, from 1931 to 1991, 50 member nations4. Rivers and Lakes: the longestthe Severn; Thamesthe second longest and the most important; River Clydethe most important in Scotland; Lough Neaghthe largest lake5. Mountains: Ben Nevis (the highest); Scafell (the highest in England); Snowdonia (the highest in Wales)6. The People: English (Anglo-Saxons); (the Celts) Welsh; Scottish; Irish.7. Eisteddfodauthe annual festival for Welsh poetry, music, singing and art历史备考点:The Origins of a Nation1. The first known settlersIberians2. The Celts (700 B.C.): three wavesGaels; Brythons; Belgae3. Romans: Julius Caesar; Claudius (43AD, successful invasion); Christianity 4. The Anglo-Saxons: Three Germanic tribes (Jutes, Anglos, Saxons)The foundation of the English stateshires; narrow-strip, three-field farming system; the manorial system; the Witan (贤人会议)5. The Viking and Danes:Alfred the Great“the father of the British navy”; translate into English Ecclesiastical History of the English People (英国人民教会史)；established schools; formulate a legal system6. The Norman Conquest: 1066, the best-known event in English history, William the Conqueror; the establishment of the feudal system; the introduction of Norman French culture, language, manners and architecture; closer connection with RomeThe Shaping of the Nation1. The Great Charter: 1215, King John, 63 clauses. The statement of the relationship between the Crown and the baron; a guarantee of the freedom of the Church; a limitation of the power of the king (the spirit of the Great Charter or Magna Carta)2. All Estates ParliamentSimon de Montfort, 1265, the Great Council, the House of Lords, the House of Commons, the beginning of Parliament3. Black Death: the deadly epidemic disease; the 14th century; reduced the population from 4 million to 2 million; 4. The Hundred Years War (13371453): blessing for both countries, 4. The Peasant Uprising: 1381, Wat Tyler (killed) and Jack Straw; a telling blow to villeinage. Transition to the Modern Age1. The Wars of Roses (1455-1485): the battles between Lancaster (red rose) and York (white rose); Henry Tudor (the descendant of Duke of Lancaster) won, thus the rule of Tudors; the death blow to feudalism.2. The English Reformation: (1529-1534) Henry VIII, began with a struggle for divorce (Catherine of Aragon) and ended in the freedom from the Papacy; an independent Church of England; the kingthe Supreme Head of the Church of England.3. Bloody Mary: 300 Protestants; the French port of Calais4. Elizabeth I: the defeat of Armada (the Spanish fleet)5. The English Renaissance: (rebirth) largely artistic; Elizabethan Drama (Christopher Marlowe, Ben Johnson and William Shakespeare)6. The Divine Rights of Kings: Charles I7. The Civil Wars (1642-1651): between the Cavaliers (the kings men) and Roundheads (the Parliamentary supporters); Oliver Cromwell (New Model Army) (Lord Protector); the Puritan Revolution; overthrew the feudal system; the beginning of the modern history8. The Restoration; the return of Charles II from his exile in France; 9. The Glorious Revolution: 1688, the smooth takeover of English throne by William of Orange, replacing James II (a Catholic king, the brother of Charles II), with no bloodshed, nor execution of the king.10. The Gunpowder Plot of 1605: Guy Fawkes (Catholic) planted barrels of gun-powder in the cellar of the Parliament; the execution of Fawkes; a national annual celebration (bonfire and firework display)The British Empire1. Whigs and Tories (the forerunner of the Conservative Party)2. The Enclosure Movement:3. The Industrial Revolution: the mechanization of industry; the late 18th and early 19th century; after the revolution, by 1830, “the workshop of the world”; the industrial working classthe proletariat4. The Chartist Movement (1836-1848)“the first broad, really mass, political formed, proletarian revolutionary movement” (Lenin)5. The Labor Partythe Independent Labor Party(the origin); then the Labor Representation Committee; the Labor Party (1906).6. The first colonyNewfoundland, 15837. The East Indian Company: 1600, the economic penetration; 1858, ruled by the British crown; 1877, Queen Victoria, Empress of India.8. The Opium War: 18409. WWI: the Central Power (Germany and Austria-Hungary); the “Allies” (Britain, France and Russia); The Treaty of Versailles (1919); the League of Nations10. The Roaring Twenties: women with cropped hair and short dresses; two imports from America: jazz, silent films11. The Swinging Sixtiesthe permissive age; pop music (the Beatles turned their hometown of Liverpool into a place of pilgrimage)12. 1973: a full member of the European Economic Committee13. Thatcherism: the policies put forward by Margaret Thatcher (the iron lady), the return to private ownership of the state-owned industries, the strengthening of the role of market forces, and an emphasis on law and order.14. The Statute of Westminster (1931)政治1. The Constitutional Monarchy2. The monarch: the symbol of the whole nation, the head of the executive, head of judiciary, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the “supreme governor” of the Church of England.3. The components of the English Parliament: the Sovereign, the House of Lords (the oldest part of the Parliament) and the House of Commons (the real center of power in the Parliament) (651 members of Parliament); the maximum durationfive years4. The British Constitution: unwritten, including statute law, common law and conventions.5. Prime Ministerthe leader of the majority party; the Cabinetthe core of leadership6. The Official Oppositionthe party which wins the second largest number of seats, the “shadow cabinet” 7. Downing Street No. 10the official residence of the Prime Minister8. The Speakerpresiding over the House and enforcing the rules of order 教育,社会,文化传统1. NHSthe National Health Service, a full range of medical services, the largest single employer of labor in U.K.2. Established religion: the Church of England (the Sovereign as the “Defender of Faith”) (changes only with the consent of the Parliament); the Presbyterian in Scotland3. Football: soccer, 19th century4. Rugbyinvented at Rugby school in Warwich shire in the 19th century5. Cricketthe most typical English sport6. The home of golf is Scotland7. Magazines and newspapers: the Spectator; the Times; the Economist8. The most famous music and art festival in Britain9. Easter: the resurrection of Christ, the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox10. HogmanayScottish New Years Eve11. Boxing Day: December 26th, the gift to give “Christmas boxes”, or gifts of money, to servants or tradesmanIreland1. The Emerald Isle: rich green countryside2. The largest riverthe Shannon River3. Two official languages: Irish, English4. National Day: March 17th, St. Patricks Day (the arrival of St. Patrickthe most important event in Irish history)5. Parliament: the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann); the Senate (Seanad)6. The two political parties: Fianna Fail; Fine Gael7. The oldest university in Ireland: the University of Dublin8. Roman Catholics: 93% of the Irish population 9. Ulysses: James Joyces masterpieceThe United States of America:地理, 人口及基本事实1. The Rocky Mountainsthe backbone the continent2. The Mississippithe worlds third longest continental river, “Father of Waters”, “Old Man River”.3. The Five Great Lakes: Huron; Ontario; Michigan; Erie; Superior4. The Niagara Fallsbetween Lake Ontario and Lake Erie5. Yellowstone National Parkthe oldest national park in the world and the largest wildlife preserve in the U.S.A.6. The Statute of LibertyNew York Harbor7. Grand Canyonthe state of Arizona8. Alaska and Hawaiithe two newest states in USA9. Alaskathe largest state in area; Rhode Islandthe smallest; Texasthe largest state on the mainland10. New Englandthe birthplace of America11. The nickname of the U.S.A.: Yankees16001900:1. The discoverer of America 2. Magellan3. The 13 colonies 4. May Flower5. Stamp Tax 6. The Boston Tea Party7. The First Continental Congress8. The Second Continental Congress9. The beginning of the War of Independence10. The turning point of the War of Independence11. The Treaty of Paris12. The Constitutional Convention13. The Bill of Rights:14. The turning point of the Civil War 15. Lincoln16. The Louisiana Territory17. The Westward Movement:18. KKK: Ku Klux Klan, terrorized and attacked the black, progressives, Communists and social party members.19001945:1. The “Open Door Policy”Theodore Roosevelt2. The 1920smaterial success and spiritual frustration, confusion and purposelessness3. The Great Depression1929-1933, the stock market crash, from prosperity to bleak despair, 3. “New deal”to save American democracy and capitalist system, social security systems, 4. WWIpro-Ally partiality5. Isolationism1930s, to keep the U.S. out of the war in Europe and Asia6. WWII(guiding principles) establish postwar political structure in accordance with American interests and; prevent Soviet Union from over-expansion1945:1. The containment policy2. The Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King (non-violence) and Malcolm X (violence)3. The Sino-US relations: 1972, the Shanghai (Joint) Communique; 1979, the diplomatic relations was established4. The Vietnam War5. Baby-boomer: 1946-1961, helped to bring an end to the Vietnam War5. The Counterculture Movement 6. The New Frontier.7. The Watergate ScandalNixon, the first to resign in American history8. New Right conservatism9. Desert Storm政治1. The American constitution; 1787, 1789; the oldest written constitution; principlesrule by law: popular sovereignty; separation of power; judicial review; civilian supremacy in military matters; protection of individual rights and federalism2. The Bill of Rights3. The Separation of three powers: Congress (the legislative branch); President (the executive branch); the judicial branch4. The Congress: the Senate (2 members from each state) (vice president as the president of the Senate 副总统为参议院议长); the House of Representatives (based on population) (the presiding officerthe Speaker of the House众议院主持官员)5. The President can appoint the federal court judges, preside over the government, sign and veto laws passed by the Congress; 6. Impeachment7. The judicial branch: the Supreme Court; the circuit court of appeals (巡回上诉法院); district court8. The bipartisanship (the two party system)the Republican; the Democratic The emblem of the two parties9. The Democratic: Anti-Federalists; Thomas Jefferson; greater federal involvement in economic issues and less states rights10. The Republican: a less powerful central government; more rights to the states11. “Winner-take-all” principle: applied in all states except Maine教育,社会,文化传统1. The higher education: two-year colleges, four-year colleges and universities.2. The best research universities: Harvard (1636), Yale, Princeton, Columbia, MIT (on the east); Stanford, Berkeley (on the west)private. 3. Three functions of the higher education: teaching, research and public service.4. The age of the students admitted by schools: 65. Graded schools: elementary schools (grades 18); high school (912).6. No national system of education, the state establishes policies for the education within its boundary7. Three main types of popular music: Jazz (U.S. unique contribution to music); Rock-and-roll; the Western Country music.8. “The Lost Generation”9. Nationally observed holiday of America10. Important cities: Washington D.C. (1800, John Adams ordered the transfer of the capital from Philadelphia to Washington D.C.); New York City (city of the world; Times Square; the United Nations; Manhattanthe heart of the city; Wall Street; Broadway); Chicagothe second largest city; “Great Center Market of U.S.”San Franciscothe Golden Gate BridgeLos AngelesHollywood and Disneyland Philadelphiathe city for two Continental Congress; the capital city from 1790 to 1800Huston“the Pearl in the Gulf”; “the Space City of the U.S.A.”Detroitthe motor city;11. Independence Day: July 4th, the birthday of the nation;12. Halloween: October 31st, “Trick or Treat”; 13. Thanksgiving Day: a typical American holiday; (began with) the Pilgrims; the first celebrated on December 13th, 1621.14. Veterans Day: (or the Armistice Day); (celebrated) the signing of 1918 Armistice15. The plane1903, the Wright brothers16. Newspaper and magazines: the New York Times; Washington Post; the Los Angeles Times; the Wall Street Journal; Time; Newsweek; Readers DigestCanada1. The National Day: July 1 (1867)2. The origin of the name “Canada”: “kanata”, a settlement, Indian3. The national flag: Maple Leaf Flag, white square in the centre, a red stylized 11-pointed maple leaf4. Two discoverers of Canada: John Cabot (Newfoundland, east coast); Jacques Cartier (the St. Lawrence river)5. Official languages: BilingualismEnglish, French; the official Language Act (1969)6. Important cities: Ottawa (the capital, the 4th largest city); Vancouver (the third largest city, ice-free harbor); Montreal (the second largest city); Toronto (the largest city, Toronto universitythe largest university)7. Seven Years War: 1756-1763; between France (defeated) and England8. Quebec: the largest province; strong French culture9. The Constitutional Act of 1791: Upper Canada (English law and constitution); Lower Canada (French law and institutions)10. The British North America Acts in 1867: the dominion; the Statute of Westminster in 1931: independence.11. The Parliament: the Crown, the Senate and the House of Commons12. Constitution: partly written, partly unwritten, including fundamental acts, customs and parliamentary traditions of British originAustralia1. “The Land Down Under”.2. Australias National Day: January 26 (1788), the date of the first European settlement of the continent 3. Great Barrier Reef: the longest coral reef in the world, from southern Queensland to the Gulf of Papua4. National flower: wattle; national bird: lyrebird5. Important cities: Canberra (the capital); Sydney (New South Wales); Melbourne (Victor