Unit 1 UK著名景点Big Ben 大本钟2、Tower Bridge(crosses the River Thames; close to the Tower of London; symbol of London ) 3、Westminster Abbey ( Gothic church in the City of Westminster,London; Coronation and burial site for British monarchs.) 4、Red Double Decker Bus (mass transit)英国基本知识1、constituent parts ⇨ England/ Scotland/ Northern Ireland/ Wales(国旗)2、the national anthem(国歌)⇨ God save the queen3、The national Emblem⇨4、National flower⇨ Rose (Wars of the Roses - civil wars (1455-1485) between the royal house of Lancaster ( red rose) and the royal house of York (white rose).)5、地理位置6、Full name⇨The "United Kingdom ofGreat Britain and Northern Ireland".（The British Isles不列颠岛; Great Britain; UK ; Commonwealth）7、Three political divisions（行政区域）: England, Scotland, and Wales.8、Commonwealth⇨ A free association of sovereign states comprising Great Britain and a number of its former dependencies ; united as ‘free and equal members’.9、CapitalEngland(London); Scotland(Edinburgh); Wales(Cardiff);Northern Ireland(Belfast) 10、Backbone of England⇨ Pennine11、Ben Nevis⇨ the highest mountain in UK. 1343m12、North Ireland⇨ National flower: Irish clover (三叶草)；Lough Neagh (the largest lake in UK) ; industrious; agricultural13、Rivers and lakes⇨1. The Severn River(longest river; from the mountain of Wales to the Bristol Channel) 2. The Thames River (Main source of London’s water supply;Second longest river in Britain; Costwold Hills--North Sea)3. The Clyde River (The most important river in Scotland)4. Lake District 5. Lough Neagh（The largest lake in Britain (396 square kilometers), Northern Ireland.）14、The climate in Britain⇨pea souper 超级浓雾Unit2 UK1、the first settler⇨ The Iberian(伊比利亚人)2、Stonehenge(巨石阵)⇨was a place of healing center；The most important monument left by Iberian；There are about 80 stones, and each is five meters tall.3、The Celtic language⇨ the basis of both Welsh and Gaelic(盖尔语) (Irish,Scotish).4、Hadrian ’s Wall5、7th century Heptarchy（七国联盟）⇨(Wessex; Sussex; Kent; Essex; East Anglia; Mercia; Northumbria)6、Viking pirates(维京海盗) ⇨ Vikings from Denmark；established somesmall kingdoms；Northern and eastern England7、The Norman Conquest(1066)⇨ The Normans that invaded England in 1066 came from Normandy in Northern France.8、Black Death(名词解释)⇨was the modern name given to the deadly bubonic plague(腺鼠疫), an epidemic disease spread by rat fleas ；in Europe; reduce England’s population from 4 million to 2 million9、Linguistic compositionEngland⇨1.Origin: Germanic (Anglo, Saxon,Jutes)nguage:English (union of Norman French and language of Anglo-Saxons); Cockney Wales⇨1.Origin:Celts nguage:English; Welsh (1/5; in north and west; the most flourishing of the Celtic languages).Scotland ⇨1.Origin:Highlanders (Celts) Lowlanders (Anglo –Saxon) nguage:English Scottish Gaelic, 2%Northern Ireland ⇨1.Origin:Celts nguage:English; Irish Gaelic10、Cockneys(伦敦腔)⇨ The dialect or accent of the natives of the East End of London.Unit 3 UK1、The House of Normans⇨ on Dec. 25, 1066 ; The Battle of Hastings; after the death of Edward the Confes2、The consequences of Norman Conquest⇨ 1. Feudal system completely established. 2. Norman government. 3. Relation with the continent opened.4.Civilization and commerce extended.5. Norman French culture, language, manners and architecture introduced.6. Church courts separated from the civil courts.3、the first king of the House of Plantagenet(1154)⇨ Henry II4、The king of Lackland⇨ King John(the feudal nobility and the leading Church figure, 1215); sign the Magna Carta5、The Hundred Years’ War(1337-1453)⇨ between France and England6、Wat Tyler’s Uprising/ Peasants’ Revolt（农民起义）⇨ in 1381; Cause: resentment over the poll tax; finance a war with France; In London, the peasants forced King Richard II to make several concession; Tyler was struck down; The major part of rebellion was crushed7、The War of Rose(1455 - 1485) ⇨ the House of Lancaster V.S. the House of York ; Henry Tudor defeated Richard II; United the two house8、The first king of Tudor⇨ Henry VII ;9、The Enclosure movement(圈地运动)⇨ fast development clothing industry→more wool was needed→sheep-farming(enclosure movement)→capital→ capitalism 10、Henry VIII ⇨ the English Reformation started in the region of Henry VIII for his marriage issue.11、Milestone(里程碑) of Elizabeth I ⇨ 1. Balance the protestants and Catholics 2. Her government was effective in reducing the power of old nobility, expending the power of her government, and effecting common law and administration throughout England. 3. Reached further through trade&adventure, new land, material, food 4. 1599, arena of world trade and colonization.12、English Revolution/ Civil War(英国革命)(1625--1649)⇨ Charles I ; King V.S. Parliament; Monarchy replaced Commonwealth13、Oliver Cromwell⇨ 1.defeated Charles I 2.Under his lead, the Parliament controlled most of England by 1646 Lord Protector14、The Glorious Revolution(光荣革命)⇨ James II → France; Parliament invited Mary II and William to take the throne; William and Mary were crowned as joint rulers.15、James Watt⇨ Scottish inventor , made vast improvements to the steam engine, making it practical for large-scale industrial use.16、The Chartist Movement(宪章运动)⇨ Political reform movement, 1838--1848; London Working Men’s Association sponsored; suffrage(选举权) for all male citizens over age 21; Large public meetingUnit 4 UK1、Constitutional Monarchy(君主立宪制)⇨ a monarch acts as head of state and his/ her power is legally bound by constitution.2、Constitution⇨ A constitution is a set of rules and conventions that lays down the powers and functions of state institutions and their relationship with each other.3、Sources of Constitution⇨1.Conventions ( rules and practices that do not exist legally, but regarded as vital to the working of government习惯法) 2.Statute law(laws passed by the Parliament at various times in response to particular situations成文法) mon law (laws set up by common practice in court普通法; A body of rules based on community customs and previous court decisions 法官在下乡所积累成的判决内容，即为日后判决的法律渊源，而形成共同的法律依据; can be amended or repealed by Parliament )4、“Divine right of Kings”⇨ The ancient doctrine held that the sovereign derived his authority from God ；an excuse for abusing power.5、Functions of the Monarch⇨ A. In law(The permanent head of state ；The commander-in-chief ；The temporal head of Anglican Church)B.In practice（She reigns, but does not rule ；Her role in state affairs: ceremonial and symbolic）6、Parliament ⇨a parliamentary democracy (民主议会制): Britain is arguably the oldest parliamentary democracy in the world. The government is elected by the people and governs according to British constitutions.7、Parliament ⇨ The supreme legislative body in the UK. The House of Lords meet the House of Commons;8、The elements of parliament⇨The Crown, the House of Lords, and House of Commons; 9、The life of parliament⇨ 5 years10、Functions of Parliament⇨ 1. Legislation（Create, abolish, amend laws）2. pass laws proposed by the government 3. voting for taxes and expenditure of the government 4. exam the government policy, administration & expenditure 5. Debates major political issues of the day11、The differences between Parliament and government ⇨Government (The government runs the country, known as the Executive; Government runs the country and is responsible to the parliament ) ; Parliament (Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the UK, also known as the Legislature ; Parliament represents the people)12、Origin of the Cabinet⇨The king or queen met regularly with a group of Parliamentarians, which became known as the Cabinet. (The Cabinet ministers wereappointed by the sovereign, and they had to have enough support in the House of Commons)13、The House of Commons ⇨ elected14、Central Government ⇨A. The Privy Council枢密院B. The Cabinet C. The Prime Minister D. Shadow Cabinet 影子内阁E. Ministers15、The Privy Council 枢密院⇨ An advisory institution; originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on affairs of state16、The Cabinet ⇨ (is the committee at the center of the British political system and is the supreme decision-making body in government.) Function⇨ policy-making ; the coordination of government departments ; the supreme control of the government17、No. 10 Downing Street⇨residence ; workplace ; Receives foreign guests.18、The Shadow Cabinet⇨The next largest party in the Commons forms a “shadow”cabinet whose members are responsible for criticizing government ministers and formulating opposition policies.19、Major Political Parties⇨Conservative Party(1679 / old / From Tories / Right wing party, private enterprise and freedom from state control / Supporters: middle& upper-middle class People of higher position) ; Labor Party(1990 / young / From Whig / Left wing party, nationalized industries, exercised control over private industries to revive the primary industries /Supporters: working class and common people relatively poor or underprivileged) ; Liberal Party.20、Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990) —The Iron Lady ⇨Recent Prime Ministers from the Labor Party21、First past the post (FPTP or FPP) ⇨an election determined by the highest polling candidate(s).Unit 5 UK1、Two branches of law⇨1.Civil law (governs the relationships andtransactions between private parties such as compensation for loss or damage.)2.Criminal law (mostly involves the rules laid down by the state for citizens and acts punishable by the state, such as theft and murder)2、The Court System⇨3、Court of appeal上诉法院⇨Civil Division (民事法庭)；Criminal Division(刑事法庭)4、House of Lords⇨ The House of Lords is in the supreme executive body of the law. 上议院是英国最高的法院5、Scotland Yard⇨is often used to refer to the Metropolitan Police Service of London, UK. 苏格兰场、英国首都伦敦警务处总部Unit 8 UK1、The relationship between government and religion in Britain⇨ 1. The state supports the church in Economic and Political ways. 2.The church supports the state to reign the country, and it makes the king the authority. It does contribute to the unification of the UK. 3.The church also helps in legislation.2、Main Branches of Christianity⇨1. Roman Catholicism 大为搭 2. Orthodox Christianity丛棋搭3. Protestantism 擅搭3、Conflicts & Division between the Roman Catholic and Protestantism⇨ Reasons:English monarchs1. --- were jealous of the expanded power and wealth of the English church 2. --- resented the dominant influence of Rome in national affairs 3. --- Henry VIII, then , argued (a) he, not the pope : the supreme legal authority, (b) English church & its courts should be allegiant to him only.4、The Church of England⇨It was separated from the Roman Catholic church in 1534 with the Act of Supremacy; the mother church of the worldwide communion (宗教团体); Its head is the king or queen of Britain; Parliament has a voice in its organization and rituals5、Structure of Church⇨1.(Elizabeth II is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. )2. Church of England→Two Provinces (大教区) led by Archbishops（大主教）→43 Dioceses (主教教区) led by Bishops （主教）→Parishes（教区）led by Priests（牧师）6、The Church of Scotland⇨the leaders are the ministers(牧师)and elders；Follow the teaching of Calvin; Independent of all parliamentary supervisionUnit9 UK1、Some Facts⇨pulsory, 5 to 16; 2.The leaving age,18, by the Education and Skills Act 2008; 3.Expenditure on education public funds. 3.9:00am –4:00 pm ；4.The academic year in England: September July；3 terms, 8 weeks2、Types of Schools classified according to their financial source in Britain⇨1.Private schools（independent school, public school)（Private fee-paying schools; local or central government control）2.State schools（from state taxes and local council revenue; governing body (parent representatives, the head teacher) ；It is responsible for the main policy decision）3.V oluntary schools or Church schools（funded by religious denominations) 4.Self-governing or Grant-maintained (GM) school(receive funds from the government) 5. Specialist schools(are connected to Specialist schools a private backer)3、Private Schools⇨ Public schools/ Independent Schools; A variety of other schools are also private, including kindergartens, day schools, and newer boarding schools4、Higher Education⇨Four groups：“Oxbridge”：Oxford and Cambridge. “Redbrick”：a group of universities founded between 1850 and 1930. University of Leeds, University of Liverpool. Found after World War II: Sussex, York, East Anglia. The New universities：founded in the modern times5、University of Oxford⇨The oldest university in English-speaking country; Established time: 1167; School Motto: Dominus illumination mea(The Lord is my Light )6、All Souls College⇨England’s oldest institution of higher learning, Oxford UniversityUnit 1 US1、Official name: United States of America2、national flag：Stars and Stripes3、National Emblem：Bald eagle4、National flower: rose5、Nickname: Uncle Sam6、Capital: Washington D.C.7、Location: 48 contiguous states + 2 noncontiguous states + D.C ; central North America with Canada to its north, Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to its south, the Atlantic Ocean to its east and the Pacific Ocean to itswest.8、Alaska is the largest in area and Rhode Island the smallest.9、Three Geographical Divisions⇨Eastern part; Great Plains; Western part10、Rocky Mountains----great backbone of North America11、The Mississippi⇨ called “father of waters” and the “old man river”12、The Missouri⇨is one of the longest rivers in the world13、The Ohio⇨called the American Ruhr; steel industry14、The Great Lakes⇨苏必利尔湖(Lake Superior)、休伦湖(Lake Huron)、密歇根湖(Lake Michigan)、伊利湖(Lake Erie)、安大略湖(Lake Ontario)15、New England 新英格兰⇨Maine 缅因州New Hampshire 新罕布什尔州Vermont 佛蒙特州Massachusetts 马塞诸塞州(麻省) Rhode Island 罗得岛Connecticut 康涅狄格州16、The Mid-West States⇨ "Industrial midwest"17、The American South⇨ The legacy of a rigid social structure18、The American West⇨ computer software, mining and irrigated agriculture19、The Pacific Coast⇨ Gold Rush, 17th century; Los Angeles, Hollywood film20、The New States⇨Alaska 阿拉斯加州Hawaii 夏威夷Unit 2 US1、Indians⇨ The “first Americans”2、Christopher Columbus, an Italian navigator, discovered an unknown new world, mistook it for India; Amerigo Vespucci, proved it was not India, but a new continent, and the land was named after him3、The Colonial Period⇨The first English colony in the Continent was founded at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, “mother state”.4、The Puritans⇨ The Puritans were wealthy, well-educated gentlemen5、The Battle of Lexington ( 1775 )⇨ The first shots starting the revolution6、The first Continental Congress(1774)⇨ Result: passed Declaration of Rights and Grievances7、The second Continental Congress(1775)⇨ Place: Philadelphia; Result: decided to draw up a Declaration of Independence8、Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826)⇨The third president of U.S.A9、George Washington (1732-99)⇨ The first president of USA10、The Battle of Yorktown⇨ Result: Decisive Victory ; The Treaty of Paris (1783)11、Uncle Tom’s Cabin⇨author: 1852,Harriet Beecher Stowe; “So this is the little lady who made this big war.” ---Lincoln12、The Civil War (1861-1865)13、Emancipation Proclamation 奴隶解放宣言⇨January 1, 1863, issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed the slaves of the Confederacy; This transformed the war from a war to save the Union, to a war to abolish slavery14、Homestead Act (1862)（宅地法）⇨ This act allowed the slaves to have their own land。