Culture Knowledge Contest（American Culture）August 31, 2014Part I Single-Choice QuestionsDirections: Read the following unfinished statements or questions carefully. For each unfinished statement or question, four suggested answers marked [A], [B], [C] and [D] are given. Choose the one that you think best completes the statement or answers the question.1. The strong American belief in individualism can be divided into idealism and ____________.[A ] realism [B] protestantism[C] materialism [D] volunteerism3. “Priesthood of all believers” means ____________.[A] every priest must be a devoted believer[B] every believer should confess to God through the priest[C] every believer is his or her own priest[D] every priest should be responsible for the believers4. Which of the following statements about American education is TRUE?[A] The majority of the private schools are associated with particular churches.[B] Religious schools that serve middle-class students receive money from the national government.[C] After twelve years of school, American students receive a bachelor’s degree diploma at graduation.[D] American schools attach the greatest importance to developing students’ academic skills.5. Which of the following statements about American Frontier is TRUE?[A] The frontier experience began in about 1890 and is still continuing in the American West today.[B] There are two types of heroic rugged individualists: man against wilderness and man against man.[C] The settling of the frontier did little to affect the lives of the American Indians.[D] The can-do spirit came from the willingness of the pioneers to work together on a cooperative project for the good of all.6. Most American people strongly believe in individual freedom, and therefore they do NOT like ____________.[A] being self-reliant [B] making a lot of money[C] a big government[D] religious freedom7. The American saying “Say what you mean and mean what you say” reflects that American people value ____________.[A] competition [B] optimism[C] performances [D] assertiveness8. American culture is also a culture of its own and above everything else ____________ is most important.[A] diversity [B] individuality[C] nationality [D] unity9. One of the most important values associated with American Protestantism is the value of ____________.[A] self-improvement [B] equality of opportunity[C] optimism [D] rugged individualism11. The strong American belief in individualism has strengthened American’s ____________ and hard work.[A] inventiveness [B] promptness[C] frankness [D] assertiveness12. In the U.S., the president can ____________ a bill from Congress, but the bill can still become law if at least ____________ of the members in each house vote for it when it is voted on again.[A] void, 1/3 [B] void, 2/3 [C] veto, 1/3 [D] veto, 2/313. Scholars who see the United States as a “salad bowl” emphasize____________.[A] the great extent of racial and ethnic assimilation[B] the distinct differences between racial and ethnic groups[C] the rapid growth of population[D] the great diversity in religious beliefs14. In American society, the “boomerang kids” refers to ____________.[A] the children living with the single parent[B] the children born in 1950s[C] the children returning home after graduation from college[D] the children living separately from their parents16. The presidential election in the United States is held every ____________ years.[A] 2 [B] 4[C] 6 [D] 817. ____________ was American’s first president.[A] George Washington[B] Thomas Jefferson[C] James Madison [D] Andrew Jackson18. The Cold War was the continuing state of conflict, tension and competition that existed after World War II. On the one side were the ____________ and its satellites, and on the other were the powers of the Western world under the leadership of the United States.[A] Germany [B] Cuba[C] the Soviet Union [D] Britain19. Child education in the United States is compulsory. The ages for compulsory education vary by state beginning at ages ____________ and ending at the ages of fourteen to eighteen.[A] four to five [B] five to six[C] six to eight [D] five to eight20. According to the US Constitution, Congress’s essential function is to ____________.[A] declare laws [B] pass laws[C] make laws[D] execute laws21. The Senate is the upper chamber of Congress. It consists of 100 members, with ____________ senators elected from each state, regardless of the size of the state’s population..[A] one [B] two[C] three [D] four22. The history of the English language is divided into three periods. The period from 1150 to 1500 is known as the ____________.[A] Old English period [B] Anglo-Saxon period[C] Middle English period[D] Modern English period23. The first permanent English settlement in North America was ____________.[A] Philadelphia [B] Plymouth[C] Jamestown [D] Boston24. ____________ is the symbol of the American Democratic Party.[A] The donkey [B] The bull[C] The bald eagle [D] The elephant25. Who is the only American president to have served more than two terms?[A] Bill Clinton [B] George Washington[C] Franklin D. Roosevelt[D] Abraham Lincoln27. ____________ are the two major political parties in the United States.[A] The Labor Party and the Independence Party[B] The Independence Party and the Republican Party[C] The Republican Party and the Labor Party[D] The Democratic Party and the Republican Party28. The upper chamber of the American Congress is called ____________.[A] the House of Commons [B] the Parliament[C] the House of Representatives [D] the Senate31. ____________ a popular tourist destination in Hollywood. It comprises more than 2,500 five-pointed stars which bear the names of a mix of actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups, fictional characters, and others.[A] Hollywood Walk of Fame [B] Hollywood Boulevard[C] Universal Studios [D] Disneyland32. “A man is not made for defeat … A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” From which novel is this passage taken?[A] In Our Time [B] A Farewell to Arms[C] The Old Man and the Sea [D] For Whom the Bell Tolls33. The national anthem of the United States is ____________.[A] The Battle Hymn of the Republic[B] God Save the Queen[C]The Star-Spangled Banner[D] American Soldier34. ____________ was a singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, businessman, and philanthropist. He was called the King of Pop. He popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk.[A] Michael Joseph Jackson[B] Bob Dylan[C] Beetles [D] Elvis Presley35. ____________ is a street in Manhattan, New York. There are a lot of theatres at both sides of the street and it has become a synonym of musicals.[A] the 5th Avenue [B] Avenue de New-York[C] Park Avenue. [D] Broadway36. ____________ is often regarded as the greatest American woman poet and she wrote over 1,700 short lyric poems in her life time.[A] Anne Bradstreet [B] Robert Frost[C] Emily Bronte [D] Emily Dickinson40. ____________ is an American syndicated talk show that aired nationally for 25 seasons from 1986 to 2011 and remains the highest-rated talk show in American television history.[A] Daily Show [B] Oprah Winfrey Show [C] Talent Show [D] Ellen Show41. In America, ____________ are given to recognize outstanding work in the television industry.[A] Grammy Awards [B] Tony Awards[C] Academy Awards [D] Emmy Awards42. ____________, located in New York City, is the largest art museum in the United States and one of the ten largest in the world.[A] The Metropolitan Museum of Art[B] National Museum of American Art[C] Hirshhorn Museum[D] National Museum of Air and Space45. ____________ is a film about a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.[A] The Pianist [B] Schindler's List[C] Sophie’s Choice[D] Pearl Harbor46. When is Halloween celebrated every year?[A] On October 31 [B] On February 14[C] On May 30 [D] On November 1147. American Independence Day falls on ____________.[A] May 30 [B] October 31[C] March 20 [D] July 448. Thanksgiving Day is originated in ____________.[A] England [B] America [C] Scotland [D] Canada49. April Fool's Day began in ____________.[A] America [B] Germany [C] France [D] Italy50. When first introduced to someone, one should address and be addressed as Miss, Ms., Mrs. or Mr. followed by the ____________. [A] first name [B] surname[C] nick name [D] middle name51. Among the five Great Lakes, only ____________ is wholly within the United States.[A] Erie [B] Superior [C] Michigan [D] Huron52. If you are invited to a business lunch, ask ____________ what he or she recommends before placing your order, so that you will have an idea as to an appropriate price range for your meal.[A] the restaurant owner [B] the waiter[C] the chef [D] the host53. How many dimes is a US dollar?[A] 10 [B] 5 [C] 25 [D] 454. How many cents is a US quarter?[A] 10 [B] 5 [C] 25 [D] 455. Marriage in America is considered ____________.[A] more important to the parents [B] a pure religious affair [C] rather burdensome [D] a pure individual matter56. When was Coca-Cola first created?[A] In 1765 [B] In 1885 [C] In 1925 [D] In 199557. The KFC (chain restaurants from the United States) is the abbreviation of which of the following?[A] Kentucky Fried Cake[B] Kentucky Fried Chicken[C] Kentucky Frying Cake[D] Kentucky Frying Chicken58. Which number is unlucky in Western culture?[A] 7 [B] 8 [C] 13 [D] 1460. Handshaking is a popular tradition among professionals in America. Handshaking should be ____________ and last between 3-5 seconds. [A] extended [B] interrupted[C] light [D] firm61. There are ____________ states in the United States of America.[A] 46 [B] 48 [C] 50[D] 5262.____________ is the largest state in area in the U.S.A.[A] Florida [B] Louisiana [C] Alaska[D] California63. ____________ is known as the nation's "breadbasket" because of its abundant production of oats, wheat, and corn.[A] The North [B] The South[C] The Midwest [D] The Mideast64. ____________ is the coldest and deepest of the five Great Lakes.[A] Superior[B] Huron[C] Michigan [D] Ontario65. Washington, the capital of the US, is on the ____________ river.[A] Delaware [B] St. Laurence[C] Hudson [D] Potomac66. The highest mountain in the U.S. is Mount ____________.[A] Appalachian [B] Mekinley[C] Rocky [D] Great Smoky67. The 1970s and early 1980s saw the onset of stagflation. After his election in 1980, President ____________ responded to economic stagnation with free-market oriented reforms.[A] Jimmy Carter [B] R onald Reagan[C] George Bush [D] Bill Clinton68. Seattle, a household name in many movies such as Sleepless in Seattle or Finding Mr. Right (遇上西雅图), is a coastal seaport city in the state of ____________.[A] California [B] Massachusetts[C] Washington [D] New York70. ____________ has developed a big steel-making industry and is the largest producer of iron and steel in the United States.[A] Chicago [B] Detroit[C] Pittsburgh [D] New Orleans71. ____________, bordering on Lake Erie, is a famous automobile town. It is the home of American gods: Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. [A] Chicago [B] Detroit[C] Pittsburgh [D] New Orleans72. ____________ was the first company to introduce assembly lines for mass production of cars.[A] General Motors [B] American Motors Corporation[C] Chrysler [D] Ford74. "Steve" Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc., an American multinational corporation headquartered in the world-famous Silicon Valley in ____________. [A] California[B] Texas[C] Arizona [D] Florida75. Bill Gates, who formally dropped out of Harvard in his junior year, is the former chief executive and chairman of Microsoft Corporation, an American multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, ____________.[A] Colorado [B] Ohio[C] Washington[D] Virginia78. The Grand Canyon, a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of ____________, is known for itsvisually overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape. [A] New Mexico [B] Wisconsin[C] Louisiana [D] Arizona79. As a prominent American landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge has been one of the most internationally recognized symbols of ____________. It has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.[A] Los Angeles [B] San Francisco[C] Washington D.C. [D] New York80. Already a huge tourist attraction and favorite spot for honeymooners, ____________ is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States; more specifically, between the province of Ontario and the state of New York.[A] Iguasu Falls [B] Victoria Falls[C] Angel Falls [D] Niagara Falls81. ____________, widely held to be the first national park in the world, is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful Geyser, one of the most popular features in the park.[A] Yellowstone [B] Great Smoky Mountains[C] Grand Canyon [D] Yosemite82. In late ____________, the NBA Playoffs (季后赛) begin..[A] May [B] April[C] March [D] June83. Broadcast on live TV to a world-wide audience, Armstrong stepped out of ____________ 11onto the lunar surface and described the event as "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."[A] Challenger [B] Columbia [C] Apollo[D] Discovery84. ____________ is the United States government agency that is responsible for the civilian space program as well as for aeronautics and aerospace research.[A] CIA [B] NACA [C] NASA[D] NSA85. All of the following festivals are of some religious nature except ____________.[A] Easter [B] Thanksgiving[C] Halloween [D] Memorial Day87. ____________ is an American professional golfer who is among the most successful golfers of all time. He has been one of the highest-paid athletes in the world for several years.[A] "Tiger" Woods[B] Venus Williams[C] Michael Phelps [D] Jeremy Lin88. The US Open is a hardcourt ____________ tournament which is held annually in late August and early September over a two-week period. [A] golf [B] ice hockey[C] tennis [D] cricket90. The Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in ____________.[A] San Francisco [B] Washington D.C.[C] Los Angels [D] New York CityPart II Multiple-Choice QuestionsDirections: Read the following unfinished statements or questions carefully. For each unfinished statement or question, four suggested answers marked [A], [B], [C] and [D] are given. Choose the ones that you think best complete the statement or answer the question.1. The U.S. President can decide ____________.[A] what foreign policies to make[B] who become the judges of the federal courts[C] whether the law is unconstitutional[D] who should be included in the cabinet2. The John Harvard statue i s actually nicknamed the “st atue of three lies” because of all the inaccuracies inscribed on it. They are____________.[A] That isn’t John Harvard.[B] John Harvard wasn’t the founder of Harvard University.[C] Harvard wasn’t founded in 1638.[D] Harvard was originally called the New College. And its mission was to train clergy.3. Which of the following presidents had been impeached when they were in office?[A] Richard Nixon [B] Bill Clinton[C] Andrew Johnson. [D] Jimmy Carter4. Which two universities worked together to create a new non-profit venture---EDX?[A] Yale University [B] Stanford University[C] Massachusetts Institute of Technology[D] Harvard University6. English as a language borrowed a lot of words from the following languages: ____________.[A] Latin [B] Greek [C] French [D] German7. Which of the following English words came from Chinese?[A] zebra [B] Tai Chi [C] ketchup [D] mahjong8. Which of the following are the descriptions of Uncle Sam?[A] He has long white hair and a beard.[B] He wears a waistcoat and striped trousers.[C] He wears tall hat with a star.[D] He used to be an inspector of army supplies.10. We have different ways of saying “cheap”. Which of the following phrases are right?[A] On sale [B] A good deal [C] A bargain [D] A steal12. The United States has one of the largest diplomatic presences of any nation. Only a few countries don’t have formal diplomatic relations with the United States. They include ____________.[A] Laos [B] Vietnam [C] North Korea[D] Cuba13. In most public schools and private schools in the United States, education is divided into three levels: ____________.[A] elementary school, [B] middle school[C] higher school [D] high school15. The possible reasons why many American parents would choose to homeschool their children are ____________.[A] they wish to add religious instruction[B] they feel they can more effectively tailor a curriculum to suit an individual student’s academic strengths and weaknesses[C] they can’t afford a school[D] they feel that the negative social pressures of schools are harmful to a child’s proper development16. Which of the following higher institutions are members of the Ivy League?[A] Yale University.[B] Columbia University[C] Harvard University[D] Princeton University17. Of the following words, which ones belong to British English?[A] lift[B] truck[C] elevator [D] lorry18. British English and American English are two major geographical varieties of English spoken respectively in Great Britain and the United States. Their distinctions can be seen in the following aspects ____________.[A] pronunicaiton [B] spelling[C] grammar [D] vocabulary19. Suspicious of any power concentration, the framers of the American Constitution distributed power among the three branches of the federal government. The three branches are ____________.[A] Congress[B] the executive branch[C] the judicial branch[D] the supreme court20. The major powers of the American Congress include ____________.[A] levying federal taxes[B] regulating commerce with foreign states and among states[C] declaring wars[D] deciding what government programs will receive funds21. Which of the following movies have won the Oscars?[A]Million Dollar Baby[B] Avatar[C] Schindler's List[D]Titanic22. The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical film and it contains several popular songs including ____________.[A] "Edelweiss" [B] "My Favorite Things"[C] "Do-Re-Mi" [D] "The Sound of Music"23. Which of the following works are written by Ernest Hemingway, one of the best-known American authors of the 20th century?[A] The Sun Also Rises [B] The Old Man and the Sea[C] A Farewell to Arms[D] The Sound and The Fury24. Presley(猫王) is one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. He left us many melodious songs such as ____________.[A] Love Me Tender[B] Always on My Mind[C] Only You[D] Heartbreak Hotel25. American actor and comedian Robin Williams died of an apparent suicide by hanging at his home in 2014. He starred in a number of fine films including ____________.[A] Dead Poets Society[B] Chicago[C] The Terminal[D]Good Will Hunting (心灵捕手)26. Faulkner is one of the most important writers in American literature generally and Southern literature specifically. His works are ____________.[A] Light in August[B] Absalom, Absalom[C] The Great Gatsby[D] The Sound and the Fury28. There are many museums in Washington D.C., such as ____________.[A] National Air and Space Museum[B] National Gallery of Art[C]National Museum of Natural History[D] Metropolitan Museum of Art30. ____________ are Hollywood animation films.[A] Frozen[B] Dances with Wolves[C]Finding Nemo[D] The Terminal31. The most traditional food of Thanksgiving Day dinner is ____________.[A] roast turkey [B] short cake[C] pumpkin pie [D] fried chicken33. Which of the following are rules of dinning etiquette?[A] turning off cell phones [B] sitting up straight[C] putting elbows on the table [D] taking small bites34. To rent a car in the United States, you need to ____________.[A] be over 25 [B] have a driver’s license [C] provide a credit card [D] book online36. Which of the following items are not permitted in carry-on and checked luggage when you travel by air in the United States?[A] Torch lighters [B] Sporting equipment[C] Laptops [D] Spray paint37. The dress code for professionals in the United States is a suit and tie for men and a suit and dress for women. Traditional colors are preferred, such as ____________.[A] pink [B] navy [C] gray [D] black38. Two rules for personal topics when meeting with American professionals are ____________. This avoids any uncomfortable situations during a discussion.[A] no sports [B] no politics[C] no religion [D] no weather39. Many American professionals schedule meetings around a meal. ____________ are the most popular meal times during a meeting.[A] Breakfast[B] Brunch [C] Lunch [D] Dinner40. In America, there are certain ways to practice proper etiquette duringa conversation that will help ensure that you enjoy it just as much as the person that you're conversing with. These include ____________.[A] avoiding interrupting the person that you're conversing with[B] turning your phone off before engaging in a conversation with someone[C] looking the person whom you are talking to in the eye[D] speaking low enough so that you won’t be overheard by people around you41. Situated in the central part of the North America Continent, the continental United States borders Canada on the north and reaches south to ____________.[A] Mexico[B] Cuba [C] Brazil [D] the Gulf of Mexico43. The enormous growth of American economy has been attributed to many factors. Among them are ____________.[A] the size of America[B] its abundant resources[C] religious pluralism[D] American capitalism44. ____________ used to be the mainstays of America’s economy.[A] Chemistry [B] Automobile [C] Construction[D] Steel45. The four fundamental freedoms, which people “everywhere in the world”ought to enjoy, were goals articulated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 6, 1941. They include ____________.[A] freedom of speech[B] freedom of worship[C] freedom from want [D] freedom from war46. ____________ are regarded as the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history.[A] Shaquille O'Neal[B] Scottie Pippen[C] Wilt Chamberlain [D] Kobe Bryant47. The Mississippi River is the largest river system in ____________, about 2,320 miles (3,730 km).[A] the United States[B] Americas[C] the world [D] North America48. The two largest Chinatowns in U.S. are located in ____________.[A] New York [B] Chicago[C] Miami [D] San Francisco50. America, walled by ____________, has been said to be a nation with an abundance of geography but a shortage of history.[A] the Atlantic Ocean[B] the Indian Ocean[C] the Pacific Ocean [D] the Arctic OceanPart III True or FalseDirections: Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).( ) 1.The Statue of Liberty was presented by the people of France to the people of the United States when the new country was founded. ( ) 2.Harward University was founded in 1638.( ) 3.Ronald Reagan was the only actor to become president of the United States.( ) 6. In 1961, the American Congress adopted Uncle Sam as the national symbol.( ) 7. “I come, I see, I conquer” was said by Julius Caesar.( ) 8. We say American politics is based on a two-party system because there are only two parties in the United States.( ) 9. The members of the National Security Council include the President, the Vice President, and the Secretaries of State and Defense. ( ) 10. American public schools are locally controlled, free from religious influence and publicly supported by taxes.( ) 11. In the United States, the public schools are supported by taxes paid by the adults who have children attending schools.( ) 12. The Congress represents the nation as the head of state, symbolizing national unity and speaking on behalf of the American people to the world.( ) 14. Although Columbus was not the first to discover the New World, his landing in the New World in 1492 is important: it ushered in an era of unprecedented European exploration and settlement of the Americas. ( ) 15. The US education system uses the common numerical grading system as is used in many other countries.( ) 18. Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in Northern United States in the 1920s.( ) 19. Meryl Streep is widely regarded as one of the greatest film actresses of all time. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her roles in Roman Holiday in 2011.( ) 20. Whitney Houston acted in the movie The Bodyguard, and the song in the movie My Heart will Go On was known by the world.( ) 21. “Life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” is from the movie Forrest Gump.( ) 22. Washington Irving is the father of American Literature.( )23. The Washington Monument is located in Philadelphia to commemorate George Washington, the first American President.( ) 24.Tony Awards are given to recognize the excellent work in theatre and are considered the highest U.S. theatre honor.( ) 26. The Great Gatsby is written by Jack London.( ) 27. Sleeping Beauty is the first full-length cel (帧，动画用语) animated feature film and the earliest in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.( ) 28.The first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in 1620.( ) 29. It is appropriate to groom yourself at the table when you are having a business dinner.( ) 30. Easter Day occurs on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox. It is originally the day to commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.( ) 31. Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials, MJ, played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.( ) 33. The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of professional football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year.( ) 34. The total area of America is some 9.62 million square kilometers, which makes it the second largest country in the world. ( ) 35. America has a population of about 318 million, the majority of which are descendents of the European immigrants.( ) 36. The robin is both the national bird and national animal of the United States, and is an enduring symbol of the country itself.( ) 38. On the one hand, the United States is the world's largest producer of natural gas and crude oil; on the other hand, it is also the world's largest consumer of petroleum.( ) 39. Soccer is as popular in the United States as in many other nations.( ) 40. Christianity is by far the most common religion practiced in the United States.( ) 41. New York is the most populous city in the United States and the home of the United Nations Headquarters.( ) 43. Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, is located in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. West Coast.( ) 44. The national flower of the United States is rose.。