OS aS ui rw Ute WON TEP svi Te) DUHLICHER OLGA BLAJIN CRISTINA MACOVE! DORINAA READER IN BRITISH AND AMERICAN CIVILIZATION A SYNTHESIS OF TEXTS AND SPECIALLY DEVELOPED ACTIVITIES DUHLICHER OLGA ~—BLAJIN CRISTINA = MACove! DorINADuhlicher O., Blajin C., Macovei D. Contents FILE 1. THE UK AND THE USA: TYPICAL TRAITS AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 1A. 1. Typically British 1A. 2. What is Typically American B. 1. The British Isles, the UK and Great Britain ‘1B. 2. Physical Geography of Great Britain and the Uk 1C. American Physical Geography. 1D. Natural Wonders of Americ: FILE 2. THE UK AND THE USA: CLIMATE AND HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (A. 1. Climate in the UK 2A. 2. Climate in the USA.. 2B. Natural Hazards in the USA. °(2C. 1. Human Geography of the UK 2C. 2. Human Geography of the USA. PROJECT: Famous Person Wanted Poste FILE 3. SYMBOLS OF THE UK AND THE USA 3A. Insights into National Symbols of the UK and the USA. 3B, Famous British Landmarks 3C. Symbols of the USA FILE 4. THE UK AND THE USA: EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM 4A. The United Kingdom: Educational system 4B. Educational System in the USA 4C. Higher Education in the UK... 4D. Higher Education in the USA. FILE'S. THE UK AND THE USA: ECONOMIC SYSTEM 4A. The British Economy.. 5B. US Economy. 5C. Big Business.. PROJECT - BUSINESS PRESENTATION FILE 6. THE USA AND THE UK: POLITICAL SYSTE! “6A. Government in the United Kingdom 6B. US Political System.. ‘6C. 1, The Prime Minister. 6C. 2. The President... 6D. The Role of the Monarchy. FILE 7. BRITISH AND AMERICAN HOLIDAYS 7A. American Holidays. 7B. UK Holidays . 7C. Holidays Revie REFERENCES APPENDIX WORDLIST.. How to Write a Compare/Contrast Essa}A Reader in British and American Civilization FILE 1. THE UK AND THE USA: TYPICAL TRAITS AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Lookat the pictures of the countries. Which one do you think is of the USA? UK? France? Italy? Germany? Spain? te 2 e ¥ « 4 1 4 3.Dublicher 0., Blajin C., Macovei D. 1A. 1. Typically British = 4, Read the quote below and guess what the missing word is. What‘connection does it have with the title of the lesson? “To eat well in England, you should have three times a day’. (W. Somerset Maugham, English writer) 2. Think and list four things that you think are typically British. 3, Read the text and then compare your list with the typically British things mentioned in the text. Hooligans Most British people expect the person in front of them to hold the door open for them. People think you are rude, if you do not do this. But British football supporters have a reputation for violence. Queues Most British people queue when they are waiting for a bus or to be served in a shop. But during the rush hour, when a bus or train arrives, people often push forward to make sure they get on. This is called jumping the queue. The police You can ask the police if you are lost. Most British police officers are friendly, helpful and polite. But the police have been accused of treating people, especially black and Asian people, unfairly. The cold British people are used to the cold, They use thick curtains and carpets to keep their houses warm. Buta lot of British houses are old and not well-insulated. British people must pay VAT on all gas and electricity, so heating costs are high. Some people can’t afford to heat their homes properly. Every winter about 350 old people die of hypothermia, extreme loss of body heat. Pollution Britain used to be a foggy country. In 1956, smokeless zones were created in towns and cities and the amount of industrial smoke from factories was limited by law. The air in cities became much cleaner. But now, once again, the quality of air is not very good. Pollution or smog is caused by traffic fumes. Animals The British love animals so much that there is a Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), but only a National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Fox-hunting has been a British tradition for hundreds of years. Specially trained dogs hunt a fox, with men and women following on horseback. The fox is usually killed by the dogs. 4. In pairs, say if you agree or disagree with the sentences below. a) The British don’t love animals, as they still go fox-hunting. b) The British are polite most of the time. ©) Generally speaking, the British police are wonderful. ose‘A Reader in British and American Civilization d) ‘The British don't prefer to queue. . e) Britain isn’t a foggy country, but there is a lot of air pollution caused by traffic. 5, In groups, prepare 6 questions on the text which another group will have to answer from memory. When you are ready, cover up the texts, swap question sheets and answer your partner's questions. The group that answers most of the questions correctly wins. 1A. 2. What is Typically American? 1. What are some of the reasons people want to come and live in the USA? Draw a spidergram to organize your ideas. 2. What is the “American Dream”? (Tip: Give a summary of the ideas you wrote in the spidergram) 3. Work with a partner. What has America given to the world? Choose the two best and the two worst things and give reasons. 4. Read the text below and complete it with the following words: ‘American Dream, size, diversity, holidays, hope, sports, prosperity, individualism The United States is a country of exceptional (1)! The United States has long been nicknamed “the melting pot,” because its population is made up of so many different races, ethnicities and cultures. America takes much pride in its multicultural breadth. There are a number of important (2) in the United States. One is July 4° - the country’s birthday, which celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Thanksgiving is another important holiday feast in which Americans give thanks for everything they have been blessed with. (3) are an enormous part of American culture. Football, baseball and basketball are the nation’s most popular sports and the Super Bowl is the most popular yearly event. Not all Americans eat fast food. In fact, most big cities are renowned for their international cuisines. ‘America is often described in terms ofits large how big everything is including houses, streets and cars. One of the most important tenets of American culture is the belief in (5). The “American Dream’ refers to American commitment to universal rights and freedom for all its citizens. This is a very strong sentiment in the country and is often signalled by flying an American Flag. Essentially the (6) is an idea which suggests that all people can succeed through hard work, and that all people have the potential to live happy, successful lives. (4). Visitors often comment on Fundamentally, the American Dream is about (7) and the potential for change, and one could argue that people, who enact change in some way, even a small way, are living the dream. ‘Thus, the American Dream is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes a promise of the possibility of prosperity and success. The ethos today simply indicates the ability, through participation in the society and economy, for everyone to achieve (8). According to the dream, this includes the opportunity for one’s children to grow up and receive a good education and career without artificial barriers. It is the opportunity to make individual choices without the prior restrictions that limited people according to their class, caste, religion, race, or ethnicity. +695, Complete the following sentence: a) The USA has long been nicknamed the ‘ b) An important holiday feast when Americans give thanks for everything they have been blessed with is . ¢) Football, baseball and basketball are the nation’s most popular sports and the is the most popular yearly event. d) The refers to American commitment to universal rights and freedom for all its citizens. e) According to the dream, the ability to achieve prosperity includes the for one's children to grow up and receive a good education and career without artificial barriers. 6. What values and beliefs are important to Americans? 7, Work with a partner and make three predictions about what you will read. Write your predictions here. 8. Check the predictions you made by reading the text below. Traditional American Values Historically, the United States has been viewed as "the land of opportunity,” attracting immigrants from all over the world. The opportunities they believed they would find in the United States and the experiences they actually had when they arrived nurtured the set of values that have become traditional American values. Three represent traditional reasons why immigrants have been drawn to America: the chance for individual freedom, equality of opportunity, and material wealth. In order to achieve these benefits, however, there were Prices to be paid: self-reliance, competition, and hard work. In time, these prices themselves became a part of the traditional value system. Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance The earliest settlers came to the North American continent to establish colonies which were free from the controls that existed in European societies. They wanted to escape the controls placed on many aspects of their lives by kings and governments, priests and churches, noblemen and aristocrats. To a great extent, they succeeded. ___ The early settlers created a climate of freedom where the emphasis was on the individual. The United States came to be associated in their minds with the concept of 'ndividual freedom. This is probably the most basic of all the American values. Scholars and Sutside observers often call this value individualism, but many Americans use the word "eedom, It is one of the most respected and popular words in the United States today. +7ican Civilization cin British and A By freedom, Americans mean the desire and the right of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, the church, or any other organized authority. There is, however, a price to be paid for this individual freedom: self-reliance. Individuals must learn to rely on themselves or risk losing freedom. Traditionally, this means achieving both financial and emotional independence from their parents as early as possible, usually by age eighteen or twenty-one! It means that Americans believe they should take care of themselves, solve their own problems, and "stand on their own two feet.” Equality of Opportunity and Competition The second important reason why immigrants have traditionally been drawn to the United States is the belief that everyone has a chance to succeed here. They have felt that because individuals are free from excessive political, religious, and social controls, they have a better chance for personal success. It is important to understand what most Americans mean when they say they believe in equality of opportunity. They do not mean that everyone is or should be equal. However, they do mean that each individual should have an equal chance for success. Americans see much of life as a race for success. For them, equality means that everyone should have an equal chance to enter the race and win. In other words, equality of opportunity may be thought of as an ethical rule. It helps ensure that the race for success is a fair one and that a person does not win just because he or she was born into a wealthy family, or lose because of race or religion. However, the price to be paid for this equality of opportunity is competition. If much of life is seen as a race, then a person must run the race in order to succeed; a person must compete with others, even though we know not everyone will be successful. If every person has an equal chance to succeed in the United States, then many would say that it is every person's duty to try. Materialism and Hard Work The third reason why immigrants have traditionally come to the United States is to have a better life, that is, to raise their standard of living, For the vast majority of the immigrants who came here, this was probably the most compelling reason for leaving their homeland. Even if they were not able to achieve the economic success they wanted, they could be fairly certain that their children would have the opportunity for a better life. Material wealth became a value to the American people. Placing a high value on material possessions is called materialism, but this is a word that most Americans find offensive. Americans do not like to be called materialistic because they feel that this unfairly accuses them of loving only material things and of having no religious values. In fact, most Americans do have other values and ideals. Nevertheless, acquiring and maintaining a large number of material possessions is still of great importance to most Americans. Americans have paid a price, however, for their material wealth: hard work. The North American continent was rich in natural resources when the first settlers arrived, but all these resources were undeveloped. Only by hard work these natural resources could be converted into material possessions, allowing a more comfortable standard of living, +80Duhlicher O., Blajin C., Macovei D. 9, Fill in with the words from the box: oP e. 10. individual freedom, self-reliance, living, values, success, true, people, identity . The United States has great diversity, but it also has a national . What holds the United States together is a common set of , . The early settlers came to the North American continent for - the most basic of all the American values. .. The price for individual freedom is . Immigrants have always come for equality of opportunity - the belief that everyone should have an equal chance to, Immigrants have traditionally come for material wealth - the chance for a higher standard of . Many Americans believe that, ‘with hard work, their dreams of success can become . Even though many of the traditional values are ideals that may not describe the reality of American life, they still influence Draw a chart like the one below to summarize the traditional American values. Traditional reason: Price: 11. Complete the table with four things that you think are typical of the UK, the USA and your country. your country USAAReader in British and American Civilization 1B. 1. The British Isles, the UK and Great Britain 4, What's the difference between Great Britain, England and the UK? 2, a) Read the Information file on the UK and choose the most suitable question from the list for each part of the text. a) Where is the UK situated? b) What countries make up the UK? ©) What is the official name of the UK? d) When was the UK formed? e) Whatis the capital city of the UK? f) Which seas border the UK? g) What are people called in the UK? b) Answer the questions above. + Information file: The UK The UK is situated northwest of the European continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. It has a total land area of 244,100 square kilometres, of which nearly 99% is land and the remainder is inland water. From north to south it is about 1,000 kilometres long, The UK lies between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, and comes within 35 km (22 miles) of the northwest coast of France, from which it is separated by the English Channel. Northern Ireland shares a 360 km international land boundary with the Republic of Ireland. The Channel ‘Tunnel bored beneath the English Channel now links the UK with France, The UK is bordered by four seas: + to the south by the English Channel, which separates it from continental Europe + tothe east by the North Sea + to the west by the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean The Irish Sea separates Great Britain from the whole Ireland. The Channel Tunnel links the largest island, Great Britain to France. The official name of the UK is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”. The name refers to the union of what were once four separate nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland (though most of Ireland is now independent) The United Kingdom is made up of: + England - its capital is London. + Scotland - its capital is Edinburgh. + Wales - its capital is Cardiff. + Northern Ireland - its capital is Belfast. The capital of the UK is London. The United Kingdom (UK) was formed on January 1, 1801 and constitutes the greater part of the British Isles. sioeee ——_Drulicheer O., Blajin C., Macovei D. People in the UK are called British, although they are of different riationalities. The Union Flag symbolizes the union of the countries of the UK-It is made up of the individual flags of three countries in the Kingdom. The present Union Flag (Union Jack) represents the political union of three kingdoms * England . Scotland + Trelang = lS + Information file: Great Britain What is Great Britain? Great Britain is the official name given to the two kingdoms of England and Scotland, and the principality of Wales. It is an isiand lying off the western coast of Europe, comprising the main territory of the United Kingdom. Great Britain is made up of: + England - the capital is London, + Scotland - the capital is Edinburgh, + Wales - the capital is Cardiff. Great Britain is divided into small regions called counties. Is Great Britain the same as the UK? No, Great Britain and the United Kingdom refer to different areas. AG Great Britain is a political term, which describes the combination of England, Scotland, and Wales, the three nations that together include all the land on the island. It is also a geographical term referring to the island on which the greater parts of England, Wales and Scotland are situated. £2 £2 £9. Pe ey oe England Wales Scotland Great Britain has an area of 229,850 km? (88,745 sq. mi.) and is the largest island of the British Isles, Is Great Britain the same as Britain? Sometimes people use the shortened name Britain instead of Great Britain, but Teally Britain only refers to England and Wales.«Information file: The British Isles What is the British Isles? ‘The British Isles is a geographical term which includes Great Britain, the whole of Ireland, and all the offshore islands. The British Isles is made up of: e + England - its capital is London, Scotland - its capital is Edinburgh, ; . gt onset Wales its capital is Cari nes ove’ Northern Ireland - its capital is Belfast, 4 + the Republic of Ireland - its capital is Dublin and about five thousand small islands. The most important islands of the British Isles are: + Great Britain - England, Scotland and Wales + Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) - a country west of England across the Irish Sea (not part of the United Kingdom) « — Northern Ireland - part of the United Kingdom; + The Orkney and Shetland Islands - islands off the northeast coast of Scotland; + The Isle of Man - an island in the Irish Sea; + Hebrides (including the Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides and Small Isles) - all are islands off the northwest coast of Scotland; + The Isle of Wight - an island off the southern coast of England; + Isles of Scilly - an island off the southwest coast of England; The Channel Islands - a group of small islands in the English Channel, off the coast of Normandy, France. The principal islands of the group include Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. + And many other offshore islands. ‘ot Wight ‘Channel islands. rigaede THE DI 3. Read the Information file on Great Britain and the British Isles and answer the questions: a) What is Great Britain? b) Is Britain the same as Great Britain? ©) Which countries are in Great Britain? d) What is the British Isles? e) Which are the most important islands of the British Isles? 4. Match the questions 1-5 with their answers a - e below. 1) What are the capital cities of the countries that make up the UK? 2) Whatis ‘the UK’ short for? 3) Which countries make up Great Britain? 4) Which countries make up the British Isles? 5) Which country is part of the UK but not part of Great Britain? a) England, Scotland and Wales. b) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. and the Republic of Ireland. ©) London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast. d) Northern Ireland. e} The United Kingdom. 5, Complete the Venn diagram below with the necessary information. 1201B. 2. Physical Geography of Great Britain and the UK 1. Read the text and fix on the outline map (Fig.1.3.) the main geographical points. and There are many different landscapes in Great Britain, which vary according to the territory. Geographically, the island is marked by low, countryside valleys in the east and south, while hills and mountains predominate in the western and northern regions. Britain’s physical relief can be divided into highland and lowland Britain (Fig.1.2.). The highest ground is mainly in the north and west. Most of the lowland zones, except for the Scottish Lowlands and central areas of Northern Ireland, are in the south and east of the country, where only a few points Teach 1,000 feet (305 meters) above sea level. The dividing line between Highland and Lowland Britain runs roughly from the mouth of the River Tees in Cleveland, to the mouth of the River Exe in Devon. Lowland Britain lies to the South and East of this between Highland line, Highland to the West. eee England covers 130,395 sq. km, with London on latitude 51° 30' Much of the terrain of England is gently rolling hills, although there is one major range of hills, the Pennines, that passes between Leeds and Manchester (the chain is often referred to as "the backbone of England"). The highest peak is not part of that range - Scafell Pike at 978m in the Lake District, one of England's seven National Parks. Scotland comprises the northern third of the island of Great Britain; it is bordered on the south by England. The country consists of a mainland area plus several island groups, including Shetland, Orkney, and the Hebrides, divided into the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides. Three'main geographical and geological areas make up the mainland: from north © South, the generally mountainous Highlands, the Central Lowlands and the hilly Southern plands, The Grampian Mountains are on the whole less rugged than the mountains of the northwest, being more rounded and grassy with wider plateau areas, But the area contains Britain's highest mountains, reaching a maximum elevation of 1,343 meters at Ben Nevis. Fig.1.2. The viding line 136Bi Wales is situated on a peninsula of Great Britain. It is bordered by England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Irish Sea to the west and north. Its area is 20.779 km. Much of Wales is mountainous, _particularly North Wales and Mid Wales. The Bream Beacons in the south and Snowdonia in the north are joined by the Cambrian Mountains. The highest mountain in Wales is Snowdon, located in the Snowdonia National Park in the county of Gwynedd. Its summit rises to 1,085 m and is known as Yr Wyddfa from the old Welsh: "the grave/tomb’. The whole park is very popular with tourists, especially for hiking, and Snowdon _ is understandably the greatest attraction. There are _ several islands off the north and west coasts, with Anglesey being the largest. Fig.1.3. Outline map of the British Isles Northern Ireland has an area of 14,139 square kilometres and has a population of 1,685,000 Lough Neagh is the largest lake in the United Kingdom. It is about 29 kilometres long and about 18 kilometres wide. It has an area of about 390 square kilometres. Several large bays cut into the coast. Bay Foyle and Belfast Bay provide excellent harbours for Londonderry (Derry) and Belfast. Northern Ireland was covered by an ice sheet for most of the last ice age and on numerous previous occasions, the legacy of which can be seen in the large number of drumlins in Counties Fermanagh, Armagh, Antrim and particularly Down. There are substantial uplands in the Sperrin Mountains (an extension of the Caledonian Fold Mountains) with extensive gold deposits, granite Mourne Mountains and basalt Antrim Plateau, as well as smaller ranges in South Armagh and along the Fermanagh/Tyrone border. None of the hills is especially high, with Slieve Donard in the dramatic Mournes reaching 848 metres, Northern Ireland's highest point. ‘The volcanic activity which created the Antrim Plateau also formed the eerily geo- metric pillars of the Giant's Causeway, which is an area of 40,000 tightly packed basalt col- umns resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. slayDublicher O., Blajin C., Macovei D. Bodies of Water Being a relatively small Island, the UK's rivers are not very long. The longest river in the UK is the river Severn, just 220 miles in length. It begins in Wales and enters the Atlantic Ocean near Bristol in England. Other major rivers include the Thames, which flows through Oxford and London and makes London a large seaport. It flows into the North Sea. Its length is 346 km and it is the deepest river in Britain. Many of the largest rivers in Scotland such as Tweed, Forth, Dee, Spey flow into the North Sea. Scotland's longest river, the river Tay flows into the North Sea. In Pengtand, the rivers Trent, Tyne, Humber, Ouse flow into the Irish Sea. The Clyde in scotland, the Eden, Ribble, Mersey flow into the Irish Sea. There are many rivers in ireland. The longest river - the Shannon - flows from north to south Ireland. The Lagan, Boyne, Liffey, Slaney flow to the east, the Barrow and the Black water - to the south. The largest lake in Great Britain and the biggest loch in Scotland is Loch Lomond - a surface area of 70 square km; the longest lake is Loch Ness - 56 square km. In England the largest lake is lake Windermere - 15 square km. The largest fresh water lake in the British Isles is Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland. A popular holiday destination is the Lake District which is located in the North West of England. The Lake District is one of the nicest National Parks in England. It has some of the best mountain scenery, and as the name suggests, contains a plethora of lakes of various sizes within its boundaries. The Pennine Watershed The Pennines constitute the main watershed in Northern England, dividing the eastern and western parts of the country. The rivers Eden, Ribble, Irwell and Mersey all rise in the Pennines and flow westwards towards the Irish Sea. On the other side of the watershed, the rivers Tyne, Tees, Wear, Swale, Ure, Nidd, Calder, Wharfe, Aire, Don and Trent also rise in the region but flow eastwards to the North Sea. Thus, the Pennine Watershed is a line running north-south along the crest of the Pennine Chain and indicates the boundary where rivers flow to the east (North Sea), or to the west (Irish Sea). 2. Fill in with the necessary words: a) The UK is a geographical area consisting of b) The British Isles is made up of ©) The English Channel lies d) The North Sea separates ©) Great Britain is separated from Ireland by f) The Cambrians occupy 8) The most important mountains in England aré h) The flows through London and makes it i) The longest river in Ireland, flows from the north to the south J) The largest fresh water lake in the British Isles is in \) The longest lake is 1) The biggest loch in Scotland is ™m) The largest lake in England is n) Scotland is separated from England by the granite ©) The main mountainous region in Scotland is formed by the P) The mountainous region in Northern Ireland is called the 4) The highest mountain in Wales is 1) The are an extension of the Caledonian Fold Mountains. ese_ . prepare 6 questions on the text which another group will have to answer fon aenorys When you are ready, cover up the texts, swap question sheets and answer your partner's questions. The group that answers most of the questions correctly wins. 1C. American Physical Geography 1. In groups, make a list of as many American states as you can think of. Then compare the lists. Which group has the most? 2. Look at the map of the USA (Fig.1.4.) and complete the text: al calla Fig.1.4. Physical map of the USA The United States of America is situated in North America, with (1) to the North, (2) to the South, the (3) to the East and the (4) to the West. The total area of the United States of America is about 9, 4 million square km (31 times the size of Italy), making the United States the fourth largest country in the world. The United States of America is a federal republic of 50 states. Most of the United States stretches across the middle part of North America. The 48 states in this part of the country are contiguous, or joined together inside a common boundary. Two states lie apart from the other 48, Alaska lies in the northwestern part of North America, adjacent to Canada and it is the most northerly state. Hawaii is an island group in the Pacific Ocean, about 2,400 miles (3,862 km) southwest of California and it is the most westerly state. Major Landforms Eastern Lowlands and Highlands The United States have a variety of landforms. A broad lowland runs along the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico coasts. In northeastern areas, the thin and rocky soil 160Dutlicher 0, Blajin C., Macavei D. onstrains, or limits, farming. A fertile, hilly area called the Piedmont, however, stretches faland from the coastal plain. Excellent harbours along the Atlantic coast‘have led to the growth of shipping ports. ; ; , The cities of Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. all lie along ornear the Atlantic coast. In the United States, Atlantic coastal cities and their suburbs form an almost continuous line of settlement. Geographers call this connected area of urban gommunities a megalopolis. The Atlantic megalopolis has long been an important economic, cultural, and political centre of the United States. The coastal plain along the Gulf of Mexico is wider than the Atlantic plain. Soils in this region are better than those along the Atlantic coast. Large cities here include Houston and New Orleans. West and north of the Atlantic coastal plain spread a number of highland areas. These include the Appalachian Mountains, which run from eastern Canada to Alabama. The (5) are the oldest mountains in North America. Their rounded peaks show their age. Erosion has worn them down over time. The highest peak, Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, reaches 6,684 feet (2,037 m). Rich coal deposits in the Appalachians fuelled industrial growth in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Interior Lowlands West of the eastern highlands are vast interior lowlands. In the north lies the Canadian Shield. South of the Canadian Shield and west of the Appalachians lie the Central Lowlands. Here you will find grassy hills, rolling flatlands, thick forests, and fertile farmland. This area also contains important waterways, including the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Large cities, such as Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland, are located in the Central Lowlands. The (6) stretch west of the Mississippi River, gradually rising in elevation from east to west. Much of this vast region is a prairie, or rolling inland grasslands with fertile soil. The Great Plains once provided food for millions of buffalo and the Native Americans who lived there. Today farmers grow grains, and ranchers raise cattle on the land. The Great Plains also have reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas. Western Mountains and Plateaus West of the Great Plains is a cordillera, which is a group of mountain ranges that run side by side. Millions of years ago, collisions between tectonic plates created these towering mountains, At the eastern edge of the cordillera, the === (7) begin in Alaska and run south to New Mexico. Although they are younger and higher than the Appalachians, the Rockies have not been a barrier to travel. The Rockies contain passes, or low areas in the mountains, that allow people to cross them. Near the Pacific coast is a series of mountain chains that make up the western part of the cordillera. They are the Sierra Nevada, the Cascade Range, the Coast Ranges, and the Alaska Range. Mount McKinley in the Alaska Range rises to 20,320 feet (6,194 m) and is the Rishest point in North America, while Death Valley in California is 282 feet (89 meters) below sea level. Between these Pacific ranges and the Rocky Mountains is a stretch of dry basins and high plateaus. In the southern part of this area, rivers have worn through rock to create Magnificent canyons, or deep valleys with steep sides. The most famous of these is the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. In the Pacific Ocean, eight large islands and 124 smaller islands make up the American State of Hawaii, The islands of Hawaii extend over a distance of about 1,500 miles (2,400 km). Volcanoes on the ocean floor erupted and formed these islands. sieA Reader in British and American Civilization Bodies of Water 7 ‘The United States have numerous freshwater lakes and rivers. Many of the region’s rivers are navigable, or wide and deep enough to allow the passage of ships. The Great Lakes The Great Lakes, the world’s largest group of freshwater lakes, lie in the central part of the region. Thousands of years ago, glaciers, or giant sheets of ice, formed Lake (8), Lake (9), Lake (10), Lake (11), and Lake (12). The waters of these connected lakes flow into the St. Lawrence River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Here there are the Niagara River and the famous Niagara Falls In the mid-1900s, the United States and Canada built the St. Lawrence Seaway. It links the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Today, ships carry raw materials and manufactured goods from Great Lakes cities, such as Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Toronto, to the rest of the world The Mississippi River The Mississippi River is North America’s longest river. It flows 2,350 miles (3,782 km), beginning as a stream in Minnesota and enlarging to a width of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Ships can travel on the Mississippi and some of its tributaries for great distances. Products from inland port cities, such as St. Louis and Memphis, are shipped down the river and on to foreign ports. The Mississippi River system is the major waterway for the central part of the region. It drains about 1.2 million square miles (3.1 million sq. km) of land. This area includes all or part of 31 American states and much of central Canada. Two tributaries of the Mississippi are the Ohio and the Tennessee, which are more than 250 km long. The Ohio flows west from the Appalachian Mountains to meet the Mississippi. The Missouri River flows from the northern Rocky Mountains to the mouth of the Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico. The Columbia rises in the Western Canada. The Colorado begins in the Rocky Mountains and flows southwest. The Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean at New York City. The Potomac borders Washington. The Continental Divide Many rivers, such as the Colorado and Rio Grande, flow from the Rocky Mountains. A number of smaller rivers and streams connect with one of these rivers. The high ridge of the Rockies is called the Continental Divide. A divide is a high point that determines the direction that rivers flow. East of the Continental Divide, rivers flow toward the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mississippi River system into the Gulf of Mexico. To the west of the divide, rivers flow toward the Pacific Ocean. Northeast of the Rockies, the Mackenzie River flows from the Great Slave Lake to the Arctic Ocean. NB! The Mississippi is the traditional dividing line between “East” and “West”. NB! Where the Missouri (its chief western branch) pours into the Mississippi from the west, it colors the river deep brown with small pieces of soil. Farther downstream where the clear waters of the principal eastern tributary, the Ohio, join the Mississippi, evidence of the difference between the dry west and rainy east becomes apparent. For miles, the waters of the two rivers flow on side by side, without mixing. Those from the west are brown because they wash away the soil in areas of sparse vegetation. The waters form the east are clear and blue. ‘They come from hills and valleys where plentiful forest and plant cover has kept the soil from being washed away. s1g6cov 2. Use a Venn diagram like the one on the right to compare landforms in the eastern, western, and interior parts of the United states. 3, Explain the significance of the following words: a) contiguous b) cordillera ©) glacier d) megalopolis e) canyon f) divide g) prairie h) navigable” 4, Use a diagram like the one below to summarize important facts about the Mississippi River. 5. Complete this table with the main facts about the UK and the USA. Highest mountain Lowest point saee Longest river Most northerly city (the UK)/ state (the USA) Most westerly city (the UK)/state (the USA) 6. Compare and contrast the Geographical Position and relief of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that of the USA using the information given in lessons 1B and 1€. Write an essay highlighting the main similarities and differences between the UK and the USA. s19+A Reader in British and American Civilization 7. Use the political map of the United States from the appendix to fill in the puzzle: Across Down 4, the state east of New Hampshire 1. the state south of Missouri 7. the state west of Indiana 2. the state east of North Dakota 9, the state north of Oregon 3. the larger state south of New York 10. the state east of Mississippi 5. the state south of Georgia 11. the larger state south of 6. the state west of Kansas Massachusetts 8. the state east of Arizona 1D. Natural Wonders of America 1, Look at the photos. Do you recognize any of these places? What are they famous for? 220°2, Below is a list of Recommended Natural Wonders of North America. Read and select 7 wonders that deserve to be included in top 7. 1. Crater Lake NP (Oregon) - Crater Lake was created in a caldera from a collapsed volcano. At 1,949 feet, it is the deepest lake in the United States and the 9th deepest lake in the world. The volcanic caldera rim ranges from 7,000 to 8,000 feet high. Crater Lake National Park is the only national park in Oregon and it encompasses 286 square miles (741 sq. km). 2. Great Sand Dunes NP (Colorado) - The Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in southern Colorado and encompasses 19,000 acres featuring the tallest sand dunes in North America. Some of the taller sand dunes rise up around 750 feet above the San Luis Valley. The park also contains alpine lakes, pine forests, grasslands, and six peaks that top 13,000 feet. It is also home to a variety of plant and wildlife species. 3. Redwoods NP (California) - Redwood National Park is home to the tallest trees in the world. The Redwoods are found along the coast of northern California just south of the Oregon state line. The Redwood area stretches along the coastline for 37 miles. Logging has reduced the once over 2 million acres of Redwoods down to the protected area which represents 131,983 acres. 4, Mount McKinley (Alaska) - Also known as Denali, Mount McKinley is the tallest mountain in the United States reaching a peak of 20,320 feet. It has a higher vertical rise than Mt. Everest when measured from the base of the mountain to the peak. Serving as the pinnacle of Alaska and the highest spot in North America, itis often referred to as "The Great One.” Wilderness and Wildlife are epitomized in Denali National Park. 5. Death Valley NP (California) - Death Valley National park is located in California and is part of the Great Basin of the United States. Death Valley is home to the lowest, hottest, and driest spot in the United States. The national park encompasses 5,262 square miles (13,630 sq. km) of the area including Saline Valley, Panamint Valley, Death Valley and neighbouring mountain ranges. 6. Niagara Falls (New York State and Ontario, Canada), with three large waterfalls falls 61 meters with large amounts of water pouring over. The power of the sound and water, the NB! There is no official list of natural wonders of the United States. If such a list existed, it would be long because there are so many contenders. Many of the natural wonders are under the guardianship of the National Park Service, whose role is to preserve natural and cultural resources for future generations. Some natural attractions are under the auspices of state parks. oreA Reader in British and American Civilization boat tours, the memories, should be experienced by everyone. The falls are 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York, 75 miles (120 km) south-southeast of Toronto, Ontario, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York. The falls are 55 meters high, and 160,000 cubic meters of water flows over them every minute. 7. The Great Lakes (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario, Canada) are a collection of freshwater lakes located in north-eastern North America, on the Canada - United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume behind Baikal in Russia. Lake Superior is the largest and the deepest. It has the largest surface area of any freshwater lake in the world (81,000 sq, km). The Great Lakes hold 21% of the world's surface fresh water. 8. The Grand Canyon (Arizona) is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in the state of Arizona, Whether it took millions of years to make or whether it’s an obvious result of a great flood, it’s all irrelevant when you see the scale. The facts and figures as well as the sight are impressive to anyone. The canyon is 400 km long. It is 2,000 meters deep at its deepest point and 30 km wide at its widest point. Itis one of the most important geological sites in the world (some of the rocks are over 1,800 million years old) and itis home to a great diversity of wildlife. 9. Yellowstone NP (Wyoming) is home to one of the most diverse geological regions in the world accompanied by 100s of wildlife species. It is the largest super volcano on the continent. The geothermal features, waterfalls, varying ecosystems, and wildlife combine to create a phenomenal encounter with nature. The park is primarily located in the state of Wyoming, 10. Voicano National Park (Hawaii) is located on the “Big Island,” Island of Hawaii. The national park features two active volcanoes known as Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea is often recognized as the most active volcano in the world. Mauna Loa is considered the most massive volcano in the world. Collectively they are without question the most active volcanoes in the world. Volcano National Park encompasses just over 505 square miles of the island. 11. Mammoth Cave (Kentucky) - Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Kentucky and is recognized as the longest cave system in the world. The national park boundaries encompass 52,835 acres. There are over 390 miles (630 km) of passageways throughout the cave system easily making it the longest known cave. 12, Everglades National Park (Florida) is the largest subtropical wilderness area in the United’ States. Everglades National Park is located in the southern region of Florida. Wildlife features more than 40 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles, 300 species of fish and 350 species of birds. It encompasses 1,509,000 acres of southern Florida. 13. Na Pali Coast (Hawaii) is a spectacular cliff coastline on the northwest side of Kauai; setting for magnificent mystical island scenes in movies such as King Kong, Indiana Jones, and the TV show Lost. Na Pali Coast National Park encompasses 6,175 acres of land, The Na Pali cliffs reach peaks as high as 4,000 feet (1,200 m) above the sea. The Kalalau Trail which travels 11 miles along the coastline is the only land access into the area. It provides one of the most inspiring views of a coast as one approaches from the ocean. 14, Glacier National Park (Montana) is known as the “Crown of Continent Ecosystems” featuring over 700 lakes, 1,000 species of plants and hundreds of species of wildlife. The national park encompasses over 1,000,000 acres and brings together two mountain ranges. A sister national park is just across the border in Canada. Collectively the two parks are referred to as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.Jp. Yosemite National Park (California) - Yosemite National Park is home to El Capitan ye world’s largest granite monolith and Yosemite Falls one ofthe tallest waterfalls in the Wyorld, Yosemite has elevations ranging from 2,000 to 13,114 feet and also represents 5 different vegetation zones including: lower montane, chaparral/oak woodlands, upper montane, subalpine, and alpine. The park encompasses 1,189 square miles of northern California. 3, Read the texts quickly. Which of the natural wonders: a) are partly in Canada? pb) are further north than Canada? c)are in California? ) consist entirely of water? 4.Complete the table with the correct data: The Grand Canyon Yosemite National Park Na Pali Coast Everglades National Park Volcano National Park Redwoods NP Mount McKinley ae] 236‘AReader in British and American Civilization $$ 5. Opinion Poll Your teacher will assign 2-3 students to be the interviewers. Each interviewer is given a card with a question on it. The interviewers go around to each student, ask their mates which wonders deserve to be included in TOP 7 NATURAL WONDERS OF AMERICA, record the responses on the poll sheets below, results to the class. Crater Lake NP review the information collected and then report the The Grand Canyon Niagara Falls) Yosemite National Park Glacier Nati “| Na Pali Coast Great Sand Dunes NP_ m_ | Everglades National Park Volcano National Park |The Greal Redwoods NP_ Yellowstone NP. Mount McKinley Death Valley NP_ 6. a) What are the impacts of to destination? How? b) Discuss in pairs. What are the most-visited attractions in your country (natural or man- made)? 7. Write about the natural wonders of your country in the form of a tourist guide with photos. e246 urism on the environment? Can tourism kill a Understand Polls Conducting opinion polls is very popular in the United States. A newspaper, a magazine, a TV station, or a professional polling organization asks a representative group of Americans several questions to determine what their opinions are about a given topic. The pollsters choose men and women of different ages, occupations, and races in the same proportion that these groups are found in the population, Sometimes, however, a random sample is taken which picks people by chance. Polls are especially popular around election time because everyone wants to know which candidate is ahead in the race and what the voters think about the key issues of the campaign. There are three well- known polling organizations that measure public opinion on a variety of topics: Louis Harris and ‘Associates, the Roper Organization, and Gallup International Research Institutes.Dublicher 0. Blain C., Macovei D, FILE 2. THE UK AND THE USA: CLIMATE AND HUMAN GEOGRAPHY 2A. 1. Climate in the UK 1. Read the quote below and guess what the missing word is. What connection does it have with the title of the lesson? “Climate is what we expect, is what we get.” Mark Twain 2. What do you know about climate in the United Kingdom? 3. Do you know the difference between weather and climate? UK climate The British climate can be divided into four quarters. (Fig.2.1,) The northwest quarter is characterized by mild winters and cool summers, the northeast by cold winters and cool summers. The southwest experiences mild winters and warm summers, the southeast cold winters and warm summers, During winter, the western half of Britain experiences a more maritime climate, whilst the east receives influence from the cold air streams from the continent. In summer, climatic differences are more dominated by latitude. The British Isles have variable weather that changes from day to day between different regions and within different regions. As a result, it is very difficult to predict or forecast the weather. Britain has four distinct seasons of fairly equal length - spring, summer, autumn and winter. In winter it is colder and wetter and the days are shorter than in summer. Regional variations Different parts of the UK experience slightly different regional climates. These can be summarized as: ae winter, + north west - cool summers, mild fgveer,, winters, heavy rain all year, + north east - cool summers, cold winters, steady rain all year, + south east - warm summers, cold winters, light rain all year, especially summer, * south west - warm summers, mild winters, heavy rain all year, especially winter. a winters, The variability of weather and climate in different regions of the British Isles is due to the different air masses that meet over the Isles. Each air mass brings with them different characteristics, as shown in the map below (Fig.2.2.). +256Fig.2.2. Air masses affecting the British Isles ‘These air masses are defined according to both their region of origin and their course travelled. Air from Arctic regions, for example, is classified as maritime arctic (mA). This air mass originates in the Arctic and travels across the relatively warm stretch of the North Sea. Maritime tropical air (mT), on the other hand, originates near the Gulf of Mexico and travels across the warm Atlantic before arriving in Britain. Other air masses include maritime polar (mp), continental polar (cP) and continental tropical (cT). 1. Sunshine hours are greatest along the south coast of England (average of 1,750 hours of sunshine per year) and are least in mountainous areas (average less than 1,000 hours). .. Daylight hours - Scotland has shorter winter days and longer summer days than the rest of the UK, because itis further north. In north Scotland there are four more hours of daylight in midsummer than in London. Rainfall + Onaverage, it rains one in three days in the UK. However, rainfall varies greatly from region to region. It is generally wetter in the west than in the east and wetter in the highlands than in the lowlands. The wettest place is Snowdonia in Wales (average annual totals exceeding 3,000 mm of rain a year), followed by the Highlands of Scotland, the Lake District, the Pennines and the moors of South West England. «Parts of the east, such as East Anglia, receive less than 700 mm a year. «In most places in the UK it will rain twice as much in winter months as in summer months. Although in central and South East England, and parts of South East Scotland, July and August are often the wettest months of the year, in London and Birmingham it will thunder on average 15 days a year, compared to less than 10 elsewhere in the UK. nv y 4. Average temperatures «Average temperatures in the UK are warmer at lower latitudes and colder at higher latitudes. They are also warmer at lower altitudes and colder at higher altitudes. Average yearly temperatures at low altitude vary from 7°C in Shetland, in northern 26+Duhlicher 0,, Blajin C., Macovei D. Scotland, to 11°C on the south-west coast of England. The coldest (and highest) place is Ben Nevis - altitude 1,344m - where the average temperature is léss than 0°C. + The coldest months are January and February and the warmest are July and August In summer Scotland will be about 3°C cooler than England. The average daily maximum temperature in Glasgow in July is 19°C compared with 22°C in London. 5. Severe weather * Scotland tends to be worse affected by harsh weather than the rest of the UK. Snow is more common in highland regions than in lowland areas, so while snow might fall on South West England less than 10 days a year, it will fall on the peaks of the Cairngorm Mountains over 100 days a year. * Gale-force winds (winds of more than 17.2 m per second) are most commonly caused by depressions travelling across the Atlantic Ocean. These depressions may pass close to or over Scotland, with Orkney and Shetland experiencing the strongest winds. Occasionally, they can reach hurricane force. 4. Answer the following questions: a) Why is the weather of the UK so changeable? b) Whats an air mass? c) Whatare the air masses that affect the UK? 5. Decide if he following sentences are true or false: a) The British climate is divided into four quarters. b) The weather in the British Isles changes rarely from day to day. ©) The variability of weather and climate in different regions of the British Isles is due to the seas that surround the Isles. d) July and August are the wettest months of the year. e) Itis generally wetter in the east than in the west. 6. Work in pairs. Recall as many words related to weather from the text as you can. 7. You have one minute! Explain what kind of weather you like best and why? 2A. 2, Climate in the USA 1. Read the quote below and guess what the missing word is. What connection does it have with the title of the lesson? “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody Mark Twain 2. What do you know about climate in the USA? 3. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the necessary information. a. Most Americans live in moderate, climate areas. b. The inland West has dry and semidry climates because block moist air. ‘ areas generally have mild, wet climates. d. The Great Plains area has a climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. e276A Reader in British and American Civilization $$$ —_—— e. Tropical climates are found in two areas of the United States: and f, The north-eastern United States has a climate, whereas the south-eastern United States has a climate. USA climate ‘The region of the United States extends from cold Arctic wastelands in the far north to warm, sunny vacation areas near the Tropic of Cancer. This vast territory varies in both climate and vegetation. Most people in the United States, however, avoid the extremes of tropical and Arctic climates. They live in the middle latitudes where climates are not extreme. The Far North Tundra and subarctic climates are found in the northern parts of Alaska. Winters are long and cold, while summers are short and cool. As a result, few people live in this severe environment. Along the Arctic Ocean’s coastline, the extremely cold tundra influences the growth of trees and most plants. In the subarctic region farther south, dense forests of evergreen trees are specially adapted to the climate. The Pacific Coast The region's Pacific coast is affected by moist ocean winds, The area from southern Alaska to northern California has a marine west coast climate with mild temperatures and abundant rainfall all the year round. It is common to see evergreen forests, ferns, and mosses. By contrast, southern California has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. There is much less rainfall here than in northern areas. The West ‘The inland West has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Pacific coastal mountains hinder humid ocean winds. Hot, dry air gets stuck between the Pacific ranges and the Rockies. Consequently, the inland West receives little rainfall. Plants adapted to survive on little rain. Areas on the eastern side of the Rockies have a partly dry steppe climate, Droughts, or long periods without rainfall, are a serious challenge, especially to farmers and ranchers who can lose crops and animals. In some areas, a growing population also strains water resources. The Great Plains ‘The Great Plains area benefits from moisture-bearing winds from the Gulf of Mexico and from the Arctic. As a result, much of this area has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. Enough precipitation falls to support prairie grasses and grains. Dry weather, however, sometimes influences the area. In the 1930s, winds eroded loose topsoil and turned the area into a wasteland called the Dust Bowl. The East The eastern United States has humid climate regions that receive plenty of precipitation all the year round. The north-eastern United States has a humid continental climate. The south-eastern United States has a humid subtropical climate. Both climate areas have a variety of forests. Wetlands and swamps cover some of the southeast. Temperatures in the two humid climate regions are similar in the summer but can be very different in the winter, In summer, warm air from the south blocks cold Arctic air from reaching the eastern areas. In winter, however, the northeast receives icy Arctic air. Areas in the southeast still receive some warmth from the south. As a result, the average January temperature in Atlanta, Georgia, is 41°F (5°C) ‘Tropical Areas ‘Tropical climates are found in two areas of the United States. Southern Florida has a tropical savannah climate. Temperatures are hot in summer and warm in winter. Rainfall occurs mainly during the summer. Hawaii, the other tropical area, has year-round 9286—_— mperatures that average above 70°F (21°C). The mild climate draws many visitors throughout the year. Rainfall, which varies throughout the state, supports tropical rain forests. 4, The United states covers a large area, that is why it has a ina ames Biccion different climate sterpe zones. Choose colours to colour- code the key and the climate zone map (Fig.2.3.). Fig.2.3. The climate zone map, 5. Complete the table below by organizing key facts about climate regions in the USA. Tocation description 6. What factors contribute to the desert climate in the inland West? 7. Where do most Americans live? Why? 8. What is the climate like in your country? Write about the climate in your country: the regions and the types of weather they get. What factors influence the weather? 9. Report on the parallels and dissimilarities in the English and American climate and weather. Write an essay highlighting the main similarities and differences between the UK and the USA. +298‘A Reader in British and American Civilization 2B. Natural Hazards in the USA 1, What is a natural hazard? 2. Read the text below and list the environmental challenges that affect the United States, The landforms and climate of the USA provide people with many benefits, but there are also environmental challenges that affect the United States. These challenges are in the form of severe storms and other natural disasters. * Severe Weather One phenomenon related to severe weather is a tornado. A tornado is a windstorm in the form of a funnel-shaped cloud that often touches the ground. The high winds of a tornado, which can reach more than 300 miles per hour (482 km per hour), can destroy houses, knock down trees, and throw violently cars from one place to another. These storms can occur anywhere in the region and at any time of the year. A large portion of these tornadoes form in an area of the central United States known as ‘Tornado Alley’. Another severe storm is a hurricane. Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that form over the ocean in tropical areas and produce strong winds and heavy rains. High winds can do serious damage. Moreover, hurricanes can create a storm surge, or high (evels of water. This is why coastal regions can receive significant damage from a tropical cyclone, Hurricanes generally happen from June to September. They most often strike along the south-eastern Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. However, north-eastern states can also be affected by hurricanes. One of the most damaging hurricanes in history, Hurricane Katrina, struck the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in August of 2005. It damaged a wide area from Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans, Louisiana. At least 1,836 people died in the hurricane and in the subsequent floods, hundreds of thousands lost their homes, making it the deadliest US hurricane since 1928, Most of New Orleans and many nearby towns were completely flooded. In Mississippi, entire towns were destroyed. Winter weather can also be dangerous. Blizzards are severe winter storms that last for a prolonged period of time - typically three hours or more and alter high winds with heavy snow. The blowing snow limits how far people can see. Snow falls so heavily that a person cannot see very far and makes driving dangerous. Also, the wind and snow can knock down electric power lines and trees and create icy roads that can result in disastrous traffic conditions and possible accidents. Blizzards can bring near-whiteout conditions, and can paralyze regions for days at a time, particularly where snowfall is unusual or rare. * Earthquakes and Volcanoes At the Earth's surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes displacement of the ground. They can occur anywhere in the region but most of them take place along the Pacific coast. This area lies along various fault lines, or areas of weakness in the Earth where two tectonic plates meet. In 1906, a major earthquake struck San Francisco, California and the coast of Northern California and it is remembered as one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States, Today, buildings in the region are often built using special techniques to protect them from damage. Earthquakes can also trigger landslides, and occasionally volcanic activity. Volcanoes are found in the Pacific Coast Mountains, southern Alaska, and Hawaii. Most are now dormant, or unlikely to erupt soon. Several of Hawaii’s volcanoes are still active and they are some of Earth's best-known and most heavily-studied hotspots. 930°3. Fill in the gaps with the information from the text. a) Tornadoes occur primarily in the area of the region. b) Hurricanes can bring heavy winds and rain to ¢) Earthquakes are a destructive threat along coastal fault lines in the d) Volcanoes are found in western coastal areas, . Most are dormant. e) Blizzards are that last for a prolonged period of time ~ typically three hours or more and alter high winds with heavy snow. 4, Match the words to their definitions: b) a violent wind which has a circular movement, especially found in the West Atlantic Ocean Tornado) bieale 7ivolcano 5. Identify three natural hazards that are related to weather. 6. What natural hazards are most likely to occur along the Pacific Coast? Why? 7. Describe the types of damage that hurricanes can cause. 8, Does the country where you live experience severe storms? 9. How much is the modern way of life to blame for the extreme weather which causes natural disasters? 10. Write a short story about a tornado, hurricane, blizzard, earthquake or volcanic eruption as if you were experiencing the natural hazard. Use the questions below. ¥~ Whoare you? Where do you live? Y Were you prepared for the disaster? Was there any warning? ¥ What happened to you and your family /home/possessions? ¥ How much help did you get during and after the disaster? saleA Reader in British and American Civilization 2C. 1. Human Geography ofthe UK: 1. Read the quote below and guess what the missing word is. What connection does it have with the title of the lesson? “The point of our demographics is that we're not having as many children and the population is stagnant, if not declining. we're not going to have the population.” Susan Oliver So without 2. Read the text and try to remember 3 interesting facts. Share these facts with your neighbour from the left, then with the neighbour from the right. 3. Explain the underlined words. + Demographics and population density The United Kingdom is heavily populated compared with many other countries. It ranks 22nd in the world in terms of population size. The population of the United Kingdom is 63,395,574 according to July 2013 estimates by the Office for Nationa) Statistics. Britain is a relatively densely populated country (the density constitutes 257.23 people per sq.km in 2010): it is more than twice as densely populated as France (114 people per sq.km), eight times as densely populated as the USA (32 people per sq.km) and more than 80 times as densely populated as Australia (3.1 people per sq.km) The population is very unequally distributed over the four parts of the UK. England more or less constantly makes up England more or less constantly makes up the majority of the total population. England has the highest population density and Scotland the lowest. This is mainly due to many parts of Scotland being unsuitable for people to live. ‘The most densely populated cities are: London (capital) with 8.615 million people; Birmingham with 2.296 million people; Manchester with 2.247 million people; West Yorkshire with 1.541 million people; Glasgow with 1.166 million people (2009). London has the highest population density with 5285 people per square kilometre. ‘The UK has 17.3% of people aged 65 years and over, 65.4% of people aged 15-64 years, and 17.3% of people aged 0-14 years (2013 est.).. The average age is 40.3 years, male: - 39.1 years and female: - 41.4 years (2013 est.). ‘The UK population increased by 0.55% (2013 est.), country comparison to the world: 147. Growth has been faster in more recent years, partly as a result of a greater number of births than deaths, with migration an increasing factor. Birth rate remains higher than the death rate - 12.26 births/1,000 population, 9.33 deaths/1,000 population (July 2013 est.). According to the 2013 estimates, there were at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female(s), under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female(s), 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female(s), 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female(s), 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female(s), 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female(s), total population: 0.99 male(s)/female(s) (2011 est). 80% of total population (2010 est.) live in urban areas. Rising immigration is the main reason for Britain's increasing population. 2.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) arrived in the UK in 2013, intending to stay for at least a year. The population is predicted to increase by 5.6 million to 64.8 million in 2031. Life expectancy is 80.29 years for the whole countries’ population. Men at the moment are expected to reach the age of 78.16 years (according to the 2013 estimates) and women 82.54 years.Dich 0, Blatin C., Macove! D, + Multiculturalism Each region in the United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland _ has its own customs. English is Great Britain’s official language. In Scotland and Ireland, however, some speak Gaelic, the language brought to the British Isles by the Celtic people. In Wales, about one-fifth of the population speaks Welsh, another Celtic language. The dominant language, spoken as a first language by 95% of the population is English. The other indigenous languages of the UK are Scots (spoken by about 30% of the population of Scotland), Scottish Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland), Welsh (about 20% of the population of Wales), Irish (about 10% of the population of Northern Ireland), and Cornish (some 2,000 to 3,000 in Cornwall). Immigrant languages constitute for up to 10% of the UK's population, French is spoken by 2.3% of the country's population, 1.0% of Britons speak Polish, reflecting the recent mass migration to the UK. 0.9% of the UK's population speaks German and 0.8% - Spanish. The majority of other foreign languages spoken in the UK originate from Europe, Asia and Africa. Over the years, the United Kingdom has welcomed immigrants from around the world. After World War I, the nation saw an increase in immigration from former colonies in South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. Today, about one in ten people in Britain is an immigrant. These newcomers have added variety to British culture and influenced tastes in food and music. They have made the United Kingdom one of the most multicultural countries in the world, meaning that it includes many cultures. This has also caused tensions; however, as diverse customs and viewpoints occasionally clash. Immigration has also had an impact on religion in the United Kingdom. Many Britons belong to the Church of England. As the nation’s official church, it combines both Catholic and Protestant traditions. In Northern Ireland, about two-fifths of the population are Roman Catholics. However, Great Britain also has many religious minorities, such as Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. Their faiths are reflected in the temples and mosques found in many British cities. * Religion in the UK Britain is a_multi-faith society in which Christians formed the largest religious everyone has the right to religious freedom. The traditional religion in the United Kingdom is Christianity and the officially established church is the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. Christianity is only the official religion of England. The Church in Wales is also Anglican; while in Scotland the official Church is the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The head of the Church of England is the Queen. The Roman Catholic Church is the second group, accounting for almost three in four people (72 per cent) in Great Britain in 2001. Muslims (3 per cent) formed the second largest religious group, followed by Hindus (1 per cent). The other religious groups each represented less than 1 per cent of the population, Around one in seven people (15. per cent) reported having no religious affiliation. largest denomination of Christianity in the UK. A large proportion of Catholics in modern Britain are those whose family roots are in Italy, Ireland or elsewhere in Europe. The Church of Scotland (known informally as the Kirk), which broke with Rome in 1560, is a Presbyterian Church (a form of Protestantism). The members of the Presbyterian Church regard simplicity and individual prayer as more important than elaborate ritual and public ceremony and they don’t drink alcohol. There are also many Presbyterians in England anda large number in Northern Ireland. ‘After Presbyterians, the largest traditional nonconformist group in Britain is the Methodist Society, which follows the teaching of John Wesley, an 18"" century preacher. The other two nonconformist groups with a long history are the Baptists and the Quakers. The former are comparatively strict both in their interpretation of the Bible and in their dislike of worldly pleasures. The latter, also known as the Society of Friends, are a very small group, whose notable characteristics are their complete lack of clergy and their pacifism neyader in Briti ivilizs refuse to fight in any war). There are also large Hindu, Jewish and Muslim communities and also smaller communities of Buddhists, Jains, and Zoroastrians as well as followers of new religious movements in the UK. 4. Read the text and complete the pie chart with the missing information (per cent). Give a brief description of the ethnic groups living in the UK. max tips Northern-trish. Welsh Seotish RECS Ethnic groups KORN RRR, RLY The CIA World Factbook reports that in the 2001 UK census 92.1% of the UK population were in the White ethnic group, and that 83.6% of this group are in the English ethnic group. The number who described their ethnic group as English in the 2001 UK census has not been published by the Office for National Statistics; the Scottish accounted for 8.6%, the Welsh - 4.9% and the Northern-Irish - 2.9%. The Black population formed the largest non-White ethnic group, accounting for around 2 per cent of the population, followed by the Indian population - 1.8%, Pakistani - 1.3% and Mixed ~ 1.2%. The other non-White groups each accounted for about 1.6 per cent of the population in 2001. Estimates of the ethnic composition based on the 2011 UK Census for the whole of the United Kingdom is to be published during the second half of 2013 when ethnicity data from the 2011 census in Scotland is released by the General Register Office for Scotland. Estimates from the 2011 census for the ethnic composition of the other three constituent parts of the UK has been published and can be found in the country specific articles dealing with the demography of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 5. Let's learn Welsh! Did you know that the Welsh language is taught at all schools in Wales and some schools do all their classes in Welsh? Have a look at these common expressions and try saying them. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to pronounce the words! Bore da Good morning Diolch Thanks Prynhawn da Good afternoon Creosol i Gymru Welcome to Wales Sut mae? How are you? Huwyl Goodbye Da iawn Very well Do you think Welsh would be an easy language to learn? Why / why not? How many different languages are spoken in your country? 6. Get to grips with Gaelic! Did you know that English isn’t the only language spoken in Scotland? 86,000people who live in the north of Scotland and on the Western Isles speak Scottish Gaelic. The word for Scotland in Gaelic is Alba. Have a look at the days of the week and the numbers one to ten and then discuss the questions below. 3340Duhlicher O,, Blajin-C., Macovei D. Days of the week Numbers one to ten Diluain - Monday Aon - one . Dimdirt - Tuesday Dha- two Diciadain - Wednesday Tri - three Diardaoin ~ Thursday Ceithir - four Dihaoine - Friday Coig - five Disathairne - Saturday Sia ~ six Diddmhnaich - Sunday Seachd - seven Ochd - eight Naoi - nine Deich - ten Now discuss with your group: + Do you think Scottish Gaelic would be easy to learn? + Some people think that by the end of the century 90% of the world’s 6000 languages will be extinct and there will only be ten languages spoken in the world. Do you think this may happen? « Do you think it's important to keep minority languages alive? Why / why not? + How can we try to keep minority languages alive? + Do you think your native language will ever die? + Do you think that the growth of English as an international language’ is helping to kill other languages? * Do you think the world of technology is helping to kill languages? 7. Local lingo Have a look at some of these words and phrases that are specific to Northern Ireland. Then imagine you meet an Irish friend in the street. Write a short dialogue including some of the local language. Read your dialogue to the class. Q: How was the craic? A: The craic was mighty! Did you have a good time? Yes! Greeting: How are yours? Even the dogs on the street know it - relating to something that is common and apparently ig a Belfast only expression. Til do it now in a minute ‘bout ye? - How are you? foundered ~ cold scundered - embarrassed yer man - that man grand - good, OK wee - little (also used in Scotland) aye ~ yes (again, also used in Scotland) boggin’ - dirty ‘mon - come on ‘mere - come here stickin’ out ~ really good 8. What images represent GB to you? Work in groups to decide on your top 5 British icons. Compare your answers with your classmates. 9. What icons represent your country? What do you think a British person would put as the top 5 icons of your country? Compare your answers with your classmates. 10. Is there more than one language in your country? Are there local dialects? If so, do People make a special effort to preserve those languages? 235°A Reader in Bri and American Civilization 2C. 2, Human Geography of the USA 1. Read the quote below and guess what the missing word is. What connection does it have with the title of the lesson? “| think we should all come together, and that race and colour or social demographics really_. Joanna Noelle Tevesque L. diversity ) a group, especially of people, with particular similar physical characteristics, who are considered as belonging to the same type, or the fact of belonging to such a group 2. immigrant @) a person who has come to a different country in order to live there permanently 4. ethnic group 3. Read the text and place a check next to 3 things you think are good and a cross next to 3 things you think are bad. + Population Distributi Every 10 years, the decennial census provides a snapshot of the entire US population. Every year, the Census Bureau issues updated estimates of the total population of the US states and counties by age, sex, race, and Hispanic status. According to the US Census Bureau the population of US is 316,668,567 (July 2013 est.). Population growth rate: 0.9 % (2013 est.), country comparison to the world: 124, Birth rate remains higher than the death rate: 13.66 births/1,000 population, 8.39 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.). According to the 2013 estimates of the Census Bureau, there were at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female(s), under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female(s), 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female(s), 25-54 years: 1. male(s)/female(s), 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female(s), 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female(s), total population: 0.97 male(s)/female(s) . 82% of total population (2010 est.) live in urban areas. Life expectancy is 78.62 years for the whole country’s population. Men at the moment are expected to reach the age of 76.19 years and women - 81.17 years (2013 est.). The ten most populous states contained 54.0 per cent of the US population in 2010 (similar to the percentage in 2000) with one-fourth (26.5 per cent) of the US population in the three largest states: California (the most populous state since the 1970 Census), Texas, and New York. Major cities - population: New York-Newark 19.3 million; Los Angeles-Long Beach- Santa Ana 12.675 million; Chicago 9.134 million; Miami 5.699 million; Washington, D.C. (capital) 4.421 million (2009). 366Duhlicher 0., Blajin C., Macovei D. + Sex and Age The median age is often used to describe the “age” of a population. In 2013, the median age increased to a new high of 37.2 years from 35.3 years in 2000, male: 35.9 years, female: 38.5 years (2011 est.). This indicates that the US population is aging, Globally, the ‘median age of the United States is higher than countries that are less developed, but younger than most more-developed countries. Of the 2010 Census population, 157.0 million were female (50.8 per cent), while 151.8 million were male (49.2 per cent). Between 2000 and 2010, the male population grew ata slightly faster rate (9.9 per cent) than the female population (9.5 per cent). The population grew at a faster rate in the older ages than in the younger ages. The USA has 13.1% of people aged 65 years and over, 66.8% of people aged 15-64 years, and 20.1% of people aged 0-14 years. * Race and Origin More than half of the growth in the total population of the United States between 2000 and 2010 was due to the increase in the Hispanic population. In 2010, there were 50.5 million Hispanics in the United States, composing 16 per cent of the total population, Between 2000 and 2010, the Hispanic population grew by 43 per cent - rising from 35.3 million in 2000, when this group made up 13 per cent of the total population. The Hispanic population increased by 15.2 million between 2000 and 2010, accounting for over half of the 27.3 million increase in the total population of the United States. The non-Hispanic population grew relatively slower over the decade, about 5 per cent. In the 2010 Census, 97 per cent of all respondents (299.7 million) reported only one race. The largest group reported White alone (223.6 million), accounting for 72 per cent of all people living in the United States. The Black or African-American alone population was 38.9 million and represented 13 per cent of the total population. There were 2.9 million respondents who indicated American Indian and Alaska Native alone (0.9 per cent). Approximately 14.7 million (about 5 per cent of all respondents) identified their race as Asian alone. The smallest major race group was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone (0.5 million) and represented 0.2 per cent of the total population. The remainder of respondents who reported only one race - 19.1 million (6 per cent ofall respondents) - were classified as Some Other Race alone. People who reported more than one race numbered 9.0 million in the 2010 Census and made up about 3 per cent of the total population. + Diversity Although English is spoken by almost everyone, the United States does not have an official language - one that by law must be used for government, business, and education. Because of the large number of people from Latin America, Spanish is the second most common language. Immigrants have added much richness to American culture. But living in such a diverse country also has its difficulties. For example, immigrants tend to settle in cities where they can find other people from their homeland. As a result, some cities end up with high percentages of immigrants, many of whom don’t speak English. These people face limited employment options and are more likely to live in poverty. Diversity also affects education. Most immigrant children learn to speak and read English, but that learning doesn’t happen overnight. In some places, such as California, teachers have classes in which students speak several different languages. Teaching such a 8roup English or any other subject can be a tough job. Finally, diversity sometimes leads to debate, Many people say that the United States is a melting pot. By that, they mean that over time, people who come to the United States adopt a uniform American culture. In recent times, some people have objected to that idea. They believe that a person does not have to Sive up his or her language or customs to be an American. Instead, they like to describe the 9376ARe: American Civili: United States as a quilt or a mosaic, in which many individual pieces mnake up the whole but still remain unique. : * Cultures and Lifestyles of the United States The culture of the United States has been shaped by immigrants from around the world, The population of the United States includes people of many different ethnic backgrounds. You can see this diversity in many aspects of American culture. The United States has been called “a nation of immigrants.” Throughout its history, the United States has attracted vast numbers of immigrants from around the globe. Yet the pattern of immigration has changed over time. During the late 1700s and early 1800s, the largest number of immigrants came from Great Britain, Ireland, western and central Africa, and the Caribbean. From the late 1800s to the 1920s, most immigrants came from southern, central, and eastern Europe. Large numbers of Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, and Canadian immigrants also arrived during this period. The diverse backgrounds of so many late-1800s immigrants caused some Americans to become concerned about cultural change. Asa result, they passed laws limiting immigration, In 1882 Congress passed a law that banned, or legally blocked, almost all immigration from China. In 1924 another law limited the numbers of immigrants from many countries. Over the next 40 years, immigration to the United States slowed. By the 1960s, opinions in the country had changed, in part due to growing support for civil rights. As a result, the country changed its immigration laws. A new law passed in 1965 based entry into the United States on a person’s work skills and links to relatives already living in the United States. Changes in US laws and in economic and political conditions worldwide led to a rise in the number of immigrants to the United States during the late 1900s. By 2000, nearly half of all the country’s immigrants came from Latin America and Canada, and another third came from Asia. Less than 15 per cent came from Europe. Current immigration trends are changing the makeup of the American population. People of European descent still make up about two-thirds of the population, but the percentage of people from other areas is growing. Latinos, or Hispanics - who trace their heritages to the countries of Latin America and Spain - make up 15 per cent of Americans. They are the fastest-growing ethnic group. African Americans, at 12 per cent, are the next largest ethnic group. Asian Americans make up 4 per cent of the population, and Native Americans make up 1 per cent. The languages spoken in the United States reflect the diversity of its people. English is the primary language, but for one person in six, English is not their most familiar language. Spanish is the most widely spoken language after English. More than 1 million people speak one or more of the following: Chinese, French, Vietnamese, Tagalog, German, and Italian. Diversity also extends to religion, which has long been an important factor in American life. Most Americans follow some form of Christianity. The largest number of Christians in the United States belongs to one of the many Protestant churches. These groups vary widely in their beliefs and practices. Roman Catholics make up the next-largest group of American Christians, followed by members of Eastern Orthodox churches. Judaism and Islam each have about 5 million followers in the United States. About 2 to 3 million Americans practise Buddhism, and another 2.5 million are followers of Hinduism. Atone time, most Americans lived in rural areas. Today the United States is a land of urban dwellers. Many people, however, have moved from cities to suburbs, or smaller communities surrounding a larger city, They also have moved from one region to another. The fastest growing regions are the South and Southwest, often called the Sunbelt because of their sunny, mild climates. Lifestyles vary across the United States, Americans live in different types of homes, from one-story houses in the suburbs to high-rise apartments in cities, About two thirds of +386hlicher O., Blajin C., Macove! American families own their own homes. This is one of the highest home ownership rates in the world, Because of their economic well-being, Americans also lead the world in the ownership of cars and personal computers and in Internet use. Many Americans watch movies and television, but they also exercise and play sports. Important US holidays include ‘Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, and other celebrations based on religious and ethnic traditions. 4. Create a pie chart to illustrate the ethnic breakdown of the US population. 5. What religion do most Americans practise? What other religions are practised in America? 6. Explain how immigration has led to diversity in the USA. 7. Fill in the gaps with the necessary information: With more than 316,668,567 inhabitants (July 2013 est.), the United States is the (1) country in the world in terms of population. The (2) which make up the population of the USA are: white 72%, black or African-American 13%, Asian about 5%, American Indian and Alaska native 0.9%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2%. A separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc,); about 16% of the total US population is Hispanic. ‘The per cent speaking a (3) other than English at home went from 17.9 per cent in 2000 to 19.7 per cent in 2007, while continuing upward to 20.8 per cent in 2011. 60.6 million, or nearly one in five people aged 5 or older, spoke a language other than English at home in 2011, according to the US 2011 Census Report on language use in the US. The data showed that among those who speak a language other than English at home, 37.6 million, or two-thirds, speak Spanish. In addition to English and Spanish, there were six languages in 2011 spoken at home by at least 1 million people: Chinese (2.9 million), Tagalog (1.6 million), Vietnamese (1.4 million), French (1.3 million), German (1.1 million) and Korean (1.1 million). Other languages such as Hindi and Swahili have also experienced significant growth. Diversity had an impact on (4), which is an important factor in American life. The religions which are practised in the USA are: Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4% (2007 est.) 8 Compare and contrast the population of the USA and the UK. Write an essay highlighting the main similarities and differences between the UK and the USA. 4308A Reader in British and American Civilization PROJECT: Famous Person Wanted Poster You will create a wanted poster for a famous person (assigned by your teacher). Have fun and learn enough about your famous person to share his/her contributions with the class. This project will be a 100 point test grade. Basic Requirements: 1. M4 sheet of paper - any colour; 2, First, middle and last name of your famous person; 3. Picture of your famous person; 4, His/her birthday; 5, Explain why they are famous or “wanted”; 6. Country he/she was born in; 7. Information about his/her childhood, family, and education; 8, Date of death or current age if living today; 9, His/her accomplishments in your own words: 5 - 10 complete sentences (the achievements made by this famous person); 10. Your name in the bottom RIGHT corner; 11. TIME FRAME: 1 week. Choose 5 of the following requirements to add to your poster: 1. A quote by your famous person; 2, 1 - 2 additional pictures of your famous person; 3.A personal connection such as an example of something they can relate to with their famous person. 4, Where they went to school/college; 5. If they had any other jobs, ex teacher, lawyer, doctor...etc. 6. Family information: husband/wife, children, parents, brothers, sisters. 7. What else was happening in history when this famous person lived or worked? Ex. World War II 8. Did this famous person work with another famous person? Who was that person and what did they do? 9, Are there any museums or other places that are named after your famous person? Where is it? 10. What impact did his/her activity or achievements bring about to the world? Your grade will be determined by: + Overall presentation, neatness and creativity. + Spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and accuracy of information. + Mecting the deadline. 40+Duhlicher O., Blaj FILE 3. SYMBOLS OF THE UK AND THE USA 3A. Insights into National Symbols of the UK and the USA | Whats national symbol? 2 Write the number of the pictures next to their description. 10 e a) The American Creed reflects the American nationalism, which became popular after the Civil War. b) The US flag is a strong symbol of American identity and national pride. Stars are a symbol of the heavens and the goals to which humankind aspires; stripes are symbolic of rays of light from the sun. 13 stripes represent the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from England; 50 stars symbolize the current 50 United States. ©) The rose was designated the official flower and floral emblem of the United States of America in 1986. The rose is a symbol of love and beauty (as well as war and politics) the world over. d) In 1956 the President approved a Joint Resolution of the 84th Congress declaring IN GOD WE TRUST the national motto of the United States. e) The official national colours of the United States are seen on the American flag - red, white, and blue. Red is a symbol of valour and bravery. White symbolizes purity and innocence. Blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice. f) The original motto of the United States was E Pluribus Unum (Latin for “one from many’ or "one from many parts"). g) The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." saleh) "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem writtén in 1814 by the 35-year- old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key. i) The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the USA since 1782. j) The National cartoon figure is Uncle Sam. 3. Write the number of the pictures next to their description. wf %. *. | a St a P 1 é+edn a a) The national flower of the Scots is the purple thistle. b) Scotsmen wear kilts and the plaid cloth that kilts are made from is the tartan. ©) In 1959, the Queen made the Red Dragon on green and white, the official Welsh flag. d) St, Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland illustrated the Holy Trinity with a shamrock. ¢) The Union Jack or the Union Flag is the national flag of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Itis made up of three flags - the crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick, which represent England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. f)_ The flag of Scotland is known as the Saint Andrew's cross or more commonly The Saltire. The famous Scottish Saltire (X-shaped cross), St. Andrew’s cross, is a white cross on sky-blue background. 8) The flag Cross of St Patrick was used officially before the partition of Ireland. The Cross of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is a red saltire on a white field, h) The national musical instrument of the Scots is the bagpipe. i) The historic Flag of St. George became England's official flag in 1278. The flag is dominated by an upright, deep-red cross. j) St. David is a patron saint of Wales, his flag with a yellow cross on black background is a symbol of Wales too. k)_ The Scottish Crown Jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland, are the oldest regalia in the British Isles. 1)__ The Prince of Wales is always the first son of the royal family. m) The red rose symbolises the end of the Wars of the Roses. It is the national flower of England, 1) The symbols of Wales are the daffodil and leek. The daffodil is a yellow spring flower. e426SSS _Dthllicher 0., Blajin C., Macovei D, 4, Put these sentences of the first stanza of the British anthem in the correct order. live our noble Queen, 5, Read the rest of the anthem and answer the questions that follow: Oh Lord and God arise, Scatter her enemies, And make them fall! Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On you our hopes we fix, God save the Queen! Thy choicest gifts in store, On her be pleased to pour, Long may she reign! May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause, To sing with heart and voice, God save the Queen! a) Underline the best option: 1, the word gracious means (calm, merciful, unfriendly, beautiful) 2. noble is another word for ( majestic, lowborn, skilful, humble) 3. to scatter refers to (to gather, to cause to separate, to fight, to cover) 4. to confound can be defined as ( to confuse, to follow, to appreciate, to intrude) 5. knavish is (honest, dishonest, old, hidden) b) What idea does the anthem express? 6. In the table below, the column on the right contains the first verse of the American national anthem. The column on the left contains its paraphrase - as if it were written today but the lines are in the wrong order. Number them so they are in the right order. 0, say can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, The bomb bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. 0, say does that star spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? ‘And all through the night, the rockets and the bombs lighting up the sky But please, oh please tell me, is the star spangled banner the one that still waves, Oh tell me please, can you see what we're looking for in the light of the dawn? Over the land of the free, and the home of the brave? The flag we were watching by the last light of yesterday, Told us what we needed to know - that our flag was still flying there. We could still see over the walls of the fort, waving so gallantly in the breeze, With its broad stripes and bright stars, that through all the danger of the battle 7. What does the flag of your country represent? What are the national colours, the emblem and the anthem of your country? o43eR B ‘cane , 3B. Famous British Landmarks , England is a land of ancient cities, royal palaces, massive cathedrals, and legendary sites, Mighty castles, stately homes, glorious gardens, and tiny picturesque villages enhance the natural beauty of the countryside. 1, Look at the pictures below. Do you recognize any of these London landmarks? AM) dae2. Read the following sentences and match them with the pictures in ex.1. 1. The lowest bridge over the Thames. It opens and closes when ships pass. 2. It's the second largest Church in the world, It’s where Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. 3, It was built to be a fortress, Then it was a prison and today it's a museum where the Crown Jewels are kept. 4, Asquare that is the symbol and the heart of London. The statue of Eros can be found there too. 5. It's the official residence of the Queen and the Royal Family when they are in London. The Changing of the Guard (a colourful ceremony) takes place in front of the Palace. 6. The English Parliament meets here. 7, Famous clock tower in London near the Houses of Parliament. 8. It's the London's Royal Church because almost all the Kings and Queens have been crowned here in the Coronation Chair. 9, It's one of the most important museums in the world. It contains rich collections of things from all over the world and has become one of the best libraries. 3. Read the text and find some information about famous landmarks outside London, Supply the missing letters. In each case the first and the last letters are given. Which landmark would you like to visit? Why? sasWindsor Castle Windsor Castle is am______ I castle and has been a royal residence for over 900 years. Today is one of the homes of Queen Elizabeth Il. The royal standard flies from the round tower of the Castle when the Queen is inr. e. Windsor Castle has dominated the river Thames for over 900 years. It was built by the Normans from timber and later rebuilt in stone. Kings College, Cambridge King’s College, founded in 1441 by Henry VI, is a constituent college of the Uwe _y of Cambridge. King's has an outstanding academic record and is also world-famous for its Chapel and choir. The Christmas Eve service from King's (A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols) is broadcast to millions around the world. 646% Stonehenge * Stonehenge is the most famous prehistoric m______ t in Britain. It is a circle of stones. People began building Stonehenge about 5,000 years ago, dragging each s___einto place. Stonehenge is situated on Salisbury Plain in the county of Wiltshire. AL s believe the iconic stone monument was constructed anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. i Hadrian's Wall Hadrian's Wall, a stone wall barrier built to separate the Romans and the Picts tribes in Scotland 2000 years ago. It allowed Roman s______ s to control the movements of people coming into or leaving Roman Britain, The best thing about the Roman wall is that, remarkably, stretches of it are still intact and you can get a real sense of what life must have been like for the Centurions and guards who once garrisoned Rome's northernmost frontiers.Dublicher 0, Blajin C., Macovei D. The White Cliffs of Dover The White Cliffs of Dover are cliffs which form part of the British coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France. The cliffshave greats_____- cvalue for Britain because they face towards Continental Europe across the narrowest part of the English Channel, where invasions have historically threatened and against which the cliffs form a symbolic guard. These distinctive cliffs have been a welcoming site for returning sailors through the many centuries. Blackpool Tower Blackpool Tower is a t_____ t attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire in England which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris and, itis a member of the World Federation of Great Towers. The tower is considered the most famous 5, e landmark in England. 4, Work in small groups. Decide which British landmark is the most famous place of interest. Bring arguments in support of your choice. 3C. Symbols of the USA 1. Look at the landmarks below. What do you know about them? the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the US Capitol, the White House, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, the Gateway Arch, Mount Rushmore, the Alamo, the Jefferson Memorial. 2, Scan the texts. Which of the symbols: © was given to the USA from the government of France? * is ahuge mountain sculpture of four US presidents? ‘© was built to honour the first President of the USA? «is the official residence of the President of the USA? * is based upon the Great Seal of the USA? * commemorates the life of Abraham Lincoln? * symbolizes freedom in the United States of America? « is an elegant monument located on the banks of the Mississippi River? * is an 18th-century mission church? sagerican Civilization There are many symbols that represent the Unil popular ones are described below. ed States of America. Some of the most The Alamo is an 18th-century mission church in San Antonio, Texas. It was originally built to be the church for the Mission San Antonio de Valero, which was founded in 1718. The church was built by Spanish Franciscan friars in order to convert the local Indians to Christianity. Washington Monument is an obelisk- shaped building in Washington, D.C. that was built to honour the first President of the United States of America, George Washington. This 555-foot-tall obelisk is the tallest building in the District of Columbia - by law, no other building in D.C. is allowed to be taller. Liberty Bell is a huge bronze bell that symbolizes freedom in the United States of America. This historic bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The bell was originally cast in 1752 in London, England. It was commissioned as a bell for the Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall). Mt. Rushmore National Memorial is a huge mountain sculpture of four US Presidents, located near Keystone, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Presidents depicted are: _—_ George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These four Presidents were chosen to represent the founding, growth and preservation of the United States. The work was designed by the sculptor John Gutzon Borglum (March 25, 1871- March 6, 1941), The Lincoln Memorial commemorates the life of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. It is located in Potomac Park, Washington, D.C. St. Louis Gateway Arch is an elegant monument to westward expansion in the USA. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri, the 630-foot tall stainless steel arch rises above the city skyline. The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial consists of the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. sage The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbour; it was a gift from the government of France. The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States of America, and has been for over 200 years. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the capital city of the US, The Seal of the President of the USA is based upon the Great Seal of the USA. The Presidential seal pictures an American bald eagle holding a ribbon in its beak; the ribbon has the motto of the USA, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning "Out of many, one." The eagle is clutching an olive branch (with 13 olives and 13 leaves) in one foot (symbolizing peace) and 13 arrows in the other (the 13 stands for the original 13 colonies and the arrows symbolize the acceptance of the need to go to war to protect the country). Bald Eagle is a magnificent bird of prey that is native to North America. This majestic eagle is not really bald; white feathers cover its head. The derivation of the name "bald” is from an obsolete English word meaning "white". The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the USA since 1782.ss —_Duhlcheer 0. Blajin C., Macovei D. 3. Decide if the sentences are true or false. a) The bald eagle is a magnificent bird of prey which is not really bald. b) The Presidential seal pictures an American bald eagle holding a ribbon in its foot. ©) The White House is located in New York. d)_ The Liberty Bell was originally cast in 1752 in Scotland. e) The four Presidents depicted on Mt. Rushmore National Memorial were chosen to represent the founding, growth and preservation of the United States. 4, Choose the right word and fill in the blanks, What symbol is mentioned in the text? New York, metres, torch, crown, France, democracy, Liberty The Statue of (1) is a symbol of the United States. It is in (2) on Liberty Island, It is about 94 (3) tall, Itis a statue of a woman.She'sgota____——_(4) inher hand anda (5) on her head. In her left hand she has got a tablet. She is wearing a toga. It was a gift from __ (6) and it is a symbol of freedom and (1. 5. Match the pictures to the symbols from the texts above: 6. Discuss in pairs. What are the national symbols of your country? 490‘A Reader in British and American Civiligation @@4O,———— FILE 4. THE UK AND THE USA: EDUCATIONAL'SYSTEM 4A. The United Kingdom: Educational system 1. Read the quote below have with the title of the lesson? “What people say you cannot do, you try and find that you . and guess what the missing word is. What connection does it Henry David Thorea 2. Choose the right variant: I.a definition of Il. Everywhere in Ill. Secondary IV. Tei education the world children | education refers education refers includes: go to primary to: to: a) primary a)the process of schools: a) primary education, teaching, a)at the same age —_| education b)secondary b)the process of bythe age may differ, | b) education after | education, teaching and primary education. | c)post-secondary learning : education. 3. What types of schools are there in your country? What are the stages of education in your country? 4. Read about the educational system of the UK and say if you agree or disagree with the sentences below. a. Basically, there are four educational systems: one covering England, one covering Wales, one covering Northern Ireland and one covering Scotland. b. In the UK, the education system is split into four areas. c. Key Stages 1 and 2 are covered in Secondary education and Key Stages 3 and 4 are covered in Primary education. d. Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. e. The division between primary and secondary education is somewhat arbitrary, but it generally occurs at about twelve years of age. f. Secondary education is a period of education which follows directly after "post-secondary" education, g. Kindergarten is usually administered in a secondary school. h, Scottish education tends to focus on more breadth across subjects than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland i. Further education takes place usually when as +506 ‘As you begin your research of UK schools, you should note the following differences in terminology between the US and UK: + ‘Year’ is used in the UK to describe student's ‘grade’ + The UK term ‘public schools’ refers to ‘independent’ —_(privately- funded) schools. « ‘College’ in the UK refers to the final two years of secondary school, while ‘university’ denotes undergraduate and postgraduate study. ! The American concept of a school transcript is unfamiliar in the UK. Schools in the UK do not generally rank pupils within their year; currently, the principal standards are the GCSE, SCE and AS and A-Level examination results. 1! There is no official method of equating British and American primary and secondary educational qualifications. The educational systems are entirely different and attempts to compare them must be done ona strictly provisional basis. tudent is between 12-14 years old.> Dubli in wei schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland tend to emphasize depth ina few chosen subjects. L insights i LLife in Education is an important part of British life. Education is important in England, as it isin Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland too. British children are required by law to have jn education until they are 16 years old, Education is compulsory, but school is not, children are not required to attend school. They could be educated at home. Education is free for all thildren from 5 to 16. About 94 per cent of pupils in England, and the rest of the UK, receive free education from public funds, while 6 per cent attend independent fee paying schools or homeschooling. All government-run schools, state schools, follow the same National Curriculum. Basically, there are two educational systems: one covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland and one covering Scotland. The two education systems have different emphasis. Traditionally the English, Welsh and Northern Irish system has emphasized depth of education whereas the Scottish system has emphasized breadth. Thus English, Welsh and Northern Irish students tend to sit a small number of more advanced examinations and Scottish students tend to sit a larger number of less advanced examinations. Grade Kindergarten -5th |Wwearsi7i11 | 6th-10" | Work-based | Years 12-13 ‘11th - 12th (Junior - Senior) ry Si Sixth Form or Training * Structure In the UK, the education system is split] _ Primary and Secondary education is into four areas: split into four “Key Stages”: * Primary Education «Key Stage 1:5 to 7 years old «Secondary Education «Key Stage 2:7 to 11 years old + Further Education + Key Stage 3: 11 to 14 years old * Higher Education «+ Key Stage 4: 14 to 16 years old Key Stages 1 and 2 are covered in Primary education and Key Stages 3 and 4 are covered in Secondary education. A student is tested at each Key Stage, but the most important of these tests are the GCSE examinations, which take place at around age 16. Primary and secondary education together are sometimes referred to as ,K-12” education, (K is for kindergarten, 12 is for twelfth grade). + Kindergarten ‘The German expression kindergarten usually refers to the first level of official education, according to the K-12 educational system. Kindergarten is usually administered in an elementary school. The equivalent in England and Wales is reception. Youngsters, usually aged 4-6 attend kindergarten to learn the finer points of meeting friends (and enemies), professional authority (in the form of a teacher), playtime, naptime, drawing, music, sometimes the basics of reading and writing, and various other activities. For children who previously have spent most of their time at home, kindergarten often serves the purpose of training them to be apart from their parents without anxiety. The youngster Continues Grade 1 after kindergarten. oseA Reader in British and American Civilization + Primary education ’ Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. Primary education generally begins when children are four to seven years of age. The division between primary and secondary education is somewhat arbitrary, but it generally occurs at about twelve years of age (adolescence); some educational systems have separate middle schools for that period. * Secondary education Secondary education, or secondary school, is a period of education which follows directly after primary education (such as intermediate school or elementary school), and which may be followed by tertiary or "post-secondary" education. The purpose of a secondary education can be to prepare for either higher education or vocational training, ‘The exact boundary between primary and secondary education varies from country to country and even within them, but is generally around the seventh to the tenth year of education, with middle school covering any gaps. Secondary education occurs mainly during the teenage years. * Secondary Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland Schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland tend to emphasize depth in a few chosen subjects. * Year 7 to 11 (Year 8 - 12 in N. Ireland), typically for students aged 12 to 16. © Some secondary schools offer a non-compulsory sixth form department, Year 12and 13 After the successful completion of Year 10 and 11 a General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is awarded, usually in five to ten different subjects. * Secondary Education in Scotland Scottish education tends to focus on more breadth across subjects than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. * Year 1 to 4, typically for students from the age of 12/13 to 15/16. * Scottish Qualification Certificate is awarded after successful completion of Standard - Grade courses taken during Secondary 3 and 4, usually in seven to nine subjects. * — Optional upper secondary education: Secondary 5 and 6 is available, typically from the age of 16/17 to 17/18. Further Education Further education takes place usually when a student is between 16-18 years old. This period is also referred to as ‘Sixth Form’. It is during this period when students study A Levels. * Costs ‘The costs for a normal education in the United Kingdom are as follows: + Primary: No Charge + Secondary: No Charge + Further (Secondary) Education in either a sixth form or college: No Charge if under 19 in that particular academic year or on a low income. + Higher/Tertiary Education (University): A tuition fee per year (around £1,000). Primary and Secondary education can also be charged for, if a fee-paying (public) school is attended by the child in question, o52¢Duhlicher O., Blajin C., Macovei D. + Different types of schools in the UK ‘The main categories of school are: + local authority maintained schools (State Schools). Free to all children between the ages of 5 - 16. + independent schools. (Private /Public Schools) Parents pay for their children's education. State Schools In the UK 94% of the children in England and Wales go to "state schools". State schools are non-fee-paying, funded from taxes and most are organized by Local Authorities (LA). Parents are expected to make sure that their child has a pen, pencil, ruler etc. but the cost of other more specialized equipment, books, examination fees are covered by the school. Parents are, however, expected to pay for their child's school uniform and items of sportswear. Charges may atsa be made for music lessons and for board and lodgings on residential trips. Schools may ask for voluntary contributions for school time activities - but no pupil may be left out ofan activity if their parents or guardian cannot or do not contribute. Primary schools (5 - 11 year olds) Inthe UK, the first level of education is known as primary education. These are almost always mixed sex, and usually located close to the child's home. Children tend to be with the same group throughout the day, and one teacher has responsibility for most of the work they do, Secondary schools (11 - 16 year olds) Most children transfer at the age of 11 - usually to their nearest secondary school, though the law allows parents in England and Wales to express preferences for other schools too. A place has to be offered at the parents’ preferred school unless the school has more applicants than places; in that case it will admit the children who have the highest priority under its published admission arrangements which can vary a little in different places. Most secondary schools cater for both sexes. They tend to be much larger than primary schools. Nearly 88 per cent of secondary school pupils in England go to comprehensive schools, as do all pupils in Wales. These take children of all abilities and provide a wide range of secondary education for all or most of the children in a district from 11 to 16 or 18. All children in Scotland go to non-selective schools. Grammar Schools are selective; they offer academically oriented general education. Entrance is based on a test of ability, usually at 11 (11+). Grammar schools are single sexed schools i.e. Children either go to a boys Grammar School or a Girls Grammar School. There are grammar schools in Northern Ireland and some parts of England. After leaving a grammar school, as with any other secondary school, a student may go into further education at a college or university Fee Paying Schools Independent Schools. 6% of the children in England go to independent schools. Independent schools are known as private schools and public schools. Parents pay for their children to attend these schools. oo yee Senos A Preparatory school is a school to prepare pupils to go to a public School. ___ Public Schools. A public school is an independent secondary school. Public schools in England are not run by the government. The entrance exams used by most public schools are known as Common Entrance exams and are taken at the age of 11 (girls) or 13 (boys). he most famous public schools are Eton, Harrow and Winchester. 9534‘A Reader in British and American Civilization 4... Table 4.1. A quick guide to understanding the British Education System ‘Student | School General National Framework - Not age related Age Year Qualification [Vocationally | Occupational] Modern Level of [Test related Qualifications | Apprenticeships | Qualificati ualification (26-25) on. +5, Reception 5-6 i, 6-7 KS1 SATs 78 ii 8-9 fie we 9-10 10-10 KS2SATs 11-12 12-13 13-14 KS3 SATs 14-15 paphithcotiet 15-16] ss 7 _ | appli | Grades D-G 15-16 IL. GCSE/ (intermediate (Level Z NVQ ( Foundation CeverZ Applied GCSE | GNVQ. Modern Intermediat Grades At -C Apprenticeship. e Level 16-17 12.__[ AS Level ‘Advanced Level 3NVQ | Advanced Level 3 17-18 1B AS+A2= GNVQ Modern Advanced ALevel/ Apprenticeship | Level Vocational A Level 18& | Higher | Pass Degree | HND/HNC Level 4NVQ Level 4 upwards | Education Foundation: Degree Honours: Level 5 NVQ Level 5 Degree Masters/ PhD Glossary of Tems: SATs: Standard Assessment Tests ~ allows pupils & parents to know how a learner is performing against national benchmarks, KS: Key Stage. AS: Advanced supplementary (a full qualification equal to about 50% of “A” level). A2: the second part of the AS, converting it into the full “A” level. NVQ: National Vocational Qualification - a standard based on assessed occupational competence. Applied GCSE: a qualification equal to 2 traditional GCSEs giving occupational knowledge and understanding but not occupational competence. Vocational A level: a qualification equal to 2 traditional “A” levels giving occupational knowledge and understanding but not occupational competence. + Degrees GCSE's GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) courses are taken in Year 10 and Year 11 as compulsory subjects in secondary schools. GCSE courses are taken in a variety of subjects, which are usually decided by the students themselves. Students can choose five to ten subjects according to their ability. Students are required to sit for GCSE exams and apply for A-level courses. A-Levels A-Level (General Certificate of Education Advanced Level) is a 2-year preparatory programme taken before entering a university. The first year is AS Level where students ca? oseDublicher Q,, BL choose four to five subjects according to their preference and career plan. Students may reduce the number of subjects to three or four at A2 (2nd year) level in order‘to concentrate on less subjects for the exams. The examination results of the A-Levels determine if a student is good enough to enter a university or college. Most universities require students to have three passes in A-Levels. Pre A-Level Pre A-Level programmes are mainly established by some private schools to prepare international students for A-level study. The programmes introduce parts of the A-Level syllabus and English language to students (most international students) who have completed junior secondary school or with comparatively lower academic results. Highers (Scotland) Generally, students take Highers, a Scottish Qualification certificate offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, after Secondary 4. Highers are a university entrance qualification and are offered in a wide range of subjects. Though students can typically enter university at the end of Secondary 5, most remain through Secondary 6 to take more Highers courses or progress to the Advanced Highers level. Secondary 5 and 6 are typically for students from the age of 16/17 to 17/18. Highers take place at secondary school. Highers require the completion of Standard exams 5. Comprehension check: a) Whatis the structure of the educational system in the UK? b) What is primary education? ©) What is secondary education? d) When do children start school? e) Do the schools follow the same curriculum? £) When do children leave school? g) When does further education take place? h) What different types of schools are there in the UK? 6. Fill in the gaps with the words below: Fee-paying, middle, schools, primary, secondary Schools in England can be categorized in many different ways. At the highest level, (1) can be either categorized into state (maintained) schools or independent schools which are. (2). Maintained schools can then be further categorized into mainstream schools, pupil referral units (PRUs) or Special schools. Schools are also categorized by age and in some cases gender. (3) schools are for Pupils aged 5 - 11 and can be divided into infant (5-7) and junior (7-11) schools. (4) schools are generally for 11 - 18 year olds; the compulsory school age is from 5 to 16. There are also (5) schools which take children from first schools and pupils in these schools generally lead on to comprehensive upper schools. They cover varying age ranges between 8 and 14. Depending on their age range, they are deemed either primary or secondary. 7. Do children wear a uniform in your country? Can you think of reasons for and against wearing a school uniform? (Do you think school uniform is a good idea? Why/Why not?) 8. Were the clothes you wore at school important? Did you feel pressure to wear xpensive, designer clothes at school? #550‘A Reader in British and American Civilization 9. Do you think fashion is important at school? Is fashion also a kind of uniform? What did your school uniform look like in high school? 10. Read the information below and write five GOOD questions about the British educational system in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers. STUDENT 2 STUDENT 3. + Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you have found out. 11. Work in groups of five. Read the texts below and make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings. The School Year The school year runs from September to July and is 39 weeks long. For many areas the year is divided into six terms: + September to October + October to December + January to February + February to March * April to May + June to July Some counties in England still follow the traditional three terms a year. The dates for school terms and holidays are decided by the local authority or the governing body of a school, or by the school itself for independent schools. School holidays The main school holidays are: + Christmas- 2 weeks + Spring - 2 weeks + Summer - 6 weeks There are also one week holidays: © end of October o mid February end of Ma When do children start school? Children normally start primary school at the age of four or five, but many schools now have a reception year for four year olds. Children normally leave at the age of 11, moving on to secondary school (High school). _| +566Duhlicher O., Blajin C., Macovei D. When do children leave school? British children are required to attend school until they are 16 years old, In England, compulsory schooling currently ends on the last Friday in June during the academic year in which a pupil attains the age of 16. At the age of 16, students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland take an examination called the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). Study of GSCE subjects begins at the start of Year 10 (age 14-15), and final examinations are then taken at the end of Year 11 (age 15-16). In state schools English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education and Physical Education are studied during Key Stage 4 (the GCSE years of school); in England, some form of ICT and citizenship must be studied and, in Wales, Welsh must be studied. Other subjects, chosen by the individual pupil, are also studied, In Scotland, the equivalent of the GCSE is the Standard Grade. ‘After completing the GCSE, some students leave school, others go onto technical college, whilst others continue at high school for two more years and take a further set of standardized exams, known as A levels, in three or four subjects. These exams determine whether a student is eligible for university. Do children wear a school uniform? Most schools in England require children to wear a school uniform. Boys Long grey or black trousers (shorts may be worn in the Summer). White shirt, school tie (optional in most primary schools). Jumper or sweater with the school logo on. The colour is the choice of the schools. Black shoes. Girls As above. Girls may wear skirts. During the summer term girls often wear summer school dresses, Public schools in the UK A public school, in common British usage, is a school which is usually prestigious and historic, which charges fees, does not arbitrarily restrict admissions, and is financed by bodies other than the state, commonly as a private charitable trust. Often, but not always, they are boarding schools. Confusingly to a non-native English speaker a public school is actually a private school! In British usage, a government-run school (which would be called a ‘public school’ in other areas, such as the United States) is called a state school. Many of the independent schools in the UK do not refer to themselves as public schools. Many choose to use the term independent school. In part, this is due to a sense that some ‘minor’ public schools have many of the social associations and traditions of public schools, but without the quality of teaching and extracurricular activities, Today most public schools are highly selective on academic grounds, as well as financial grounds (ability to pay high fees) and social grounds (often a family connection to the school is very desirable in admissions). Here are some of the names of public schools in the UK: Bedford School, Bradfield College, Charterhouse, Cheltenham College, Clifton College, Dover College, Dulwich College, Eton College, Harrow School, Lancing College, Malvern College, Oswestry School, Radley College, Repton School, Rossall School, Rugby School, Shrewsbury School, Tonbridge School, Wellington College, Westminster School oseA Reader in British and American Civilization The table below lists rough equivalences with the year system in the test of the United Kingdom (For England and Wales, the equivalence given is for children born before 1 September; the equivalence for those born from September to February [December for deferred pupils] is given in brackets): Table 4.2, Equivalences of the year system in the United Kingdom Ageat | Age at | England | Scotland Northern Ireland start of | end of | and school | school | Wales ear 6-7 Year 2 2 P3 7-8 |Year3 | F pS 4 8-9 | Year4 | Primary 4 PS 9-10 | Year5 | Prin 10-11 | Year 6 Primary 6 P7 12-13_| Year 8 S1 (First Year} Year 9 (2nd Year) S3 (Third Year) Year 11 (4th Year) a 16-17 | Year 12_| S5 (Fifth Year] Year 13 (Lower sixth’ 12. Choosing the right school is dependent on a large number of factors such as: 1. Location of the school. 2. Cost. 3. Size-of the school. 4. Access to home comforts. Place of worship, home foods. 5. Courses available, Do you agree? 4B. Educational System in the USA 1. What school did you graduate from? What do you miss most about it? 2, Can you teach someone who has no desire to learn? 3. Read the text below about the American school system and answer the questions: a In what way is the American school system different from that in other countries? b. Describe the three educational patterns that prevail in the USA. c Where do we learn the skills necessary to become a good student - in elementary, middle or high school? d, What do you find the most surprising thing about the school system in the United States? e. Does your country provide a good public school system? What improvements does the school system need? 586a ‘The American School System ’ General Information . ‘The American education system is unlike that in many other countries. Education is jmarily the responsibility of state and local government, and so there is little primarilation in the curriculum, for example. The individual states have great control over ae jg taught in their schools and over the requirements that a student must meet, and they where responsible for the funding of schooling. Therefore, there is huge variation are srding courses, subjects, and other activities - it always depends on where the school is jocated. Still, there are some common points, as e.g. the division of the education system into three levels: elementary/primary education, secondary education, and postsecondary/higher education (college or university). Formal schooling lasts 12 years, until around age 18. Compulsory schooling, though, ends by age 16 in most states; the remaining states require students to attend school until they are 17 or 18. All children in the United States have access to free public schools. Private schools (religious and non-sectarian) are available, but students must pay tuition to attend them. + Structure One of the following three patterns usually prevails in the community: «Elementary school (K-5), middle school (6-8), high school (9-12); «Elementary school (K-6), junior high school (7-9), senior high school (9-12); or « Elementary school (K-8), high school (9-12). ‘The majority of US children begin their educations prior to entering regular school. Parents who send their children to pre-schools/nursery schools (age 2-4) and kindergartens (age 5-6) have to finance these institutions privately. Children learn the alphabet and other elementary basics. US children enter —ygnscnecotpome formal schooling around age 6. The first pattern (see above) is the most — common one. Elementary students are typically in one classroom with the same teacher most of the day. After elementary school, students proceed to middle — school, where they usually move “o* Fig4.4. The American School System from class to class each period, with a new teacher and a new mixture of students in every class. Students can select from a wide range of academic classes and elective classes. In high school, a student in the first year is called freshman, in the second year sophomore, in the third year junior, and in the last and fourth year senior. eae, ‘jeuoneo0, Sawspe>y) ‘uonenp3 Arepuo2as, sjo0yps ‘Aseuiyig 10) Arequauay3 GradeA Reader in British and American Civilization There is an even greater variety of subjects than before. Students must earn a certain number of credits (which they get for a successfully completed course) in order to graduate and be awarded with a High School Diploma - there is no final examination like in many other countries. The number and combination of classes necessary depend on the school district and on the kind of diploma desired. Only with a high school diploma students can enrol in postsecondary education. It is important to know that colleges and universities sometimes require certain high school credits or tests (e.g, SAT) for admission, and students must plan theit high school career with those requirements in mind. 4. How much free time does a high school student in your country have? Read the information on American pupils’ school life. What are its advantages and disadvantages? Academic Life Schedules and Subjects ‘The academic year lasts 9 months (August/September-May/June) and is divided into 2 or 3 terms. A high school day usually starts around 8 am and ends around 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Every day, students typically attend around 6 classes, each 45-60 min with a 5 min break between classes. In these breaks, students often go to their personal locker to get the material needed for the next class. The class schedule usually remains consistent throughout the week, with students attending the same classes in the same sequence each day for aterm. The school day sometimes starts with an advisory period, a time when official announcements can be made or certain information can be given. Around 12 pm there is a lunch break, which is normally no longer than 30 min. After classes are finished, students usually do other activities, such as sports, clubs, etc. (non-academic school life), work in their part-time job, or go home. Most students across the country are enrolled in similar classes that cover the 4 standard fundamentals of the curriculum (English, math, social studies and science). In addition, there are many other elective classes to choose from, such as journalism, psychology, typing, computers, foreign languages, driver’s education, and so on. In larger, well-funded high school there are sometimes more than 50 different elective classes. The student has to select his classes prior to the beginning of the term with the help ofa Guidance Counsellor. In contrast to other school systems, there can be different difficulty levels of the same subject. + Exams/Testing and Gr: Quizzes are often given on a weekly basis to keep students focused and up-to-date on the material in the week's lesson. In-class tests at high schools seem to be administered less frequently than at middle and elementary schools and sometimes consist of only a midterm and a final test at the end of the semester. There are also standardized examinations that might be administered at schools once or twice a year. Most standardized exams in use in the United States have been created by a state department of education or a professional testing organization. They are used widely in the US schools to assess achievement levels. The educational system in the US does not usually use the numerical grading system which is used widely across the world, but still, there are various kinds of grading systems in US education. It is the responsibility of the individual educational institution to decide +60Duhlicher O., Blajin C., Macove! which system should be used. The following could be a grading scale for the evaluation of a written exam (students get a grade according to their percentage of the perfect score): 80-89 Good erage | 60-69 Pass 0 Iai A Sometimes there are even more detailed grades, eg. A+: > 97%, A: 94-96%, Ax: 90- 93%, and so on. After each term, students receive a report card with their grades and personal assessment. 5. Think - Pair - Share THINK First think about each of the questions below and jot down your ideas (1-3 minutes). Finally, share your ideas with the entire class. ‘Then work in pairs and discuss your thoughts with your partner (2-5 minutes). a. Howare the American pupils evaluated for their performance? b. Were good grades important to you? c. Did teachers grade students fairly? Did you ever feel like you should have gotten a better grade then you did ina class? + Differences at Different Schools ‘There are big differences between schools. This difference usually occurs because of financial considerations, Schools have a certain budget they get from the state. This budget is normally based on property taxes. The budgeta school has can vary widely within a small area, Schools in higher-income districts have more money to spend than schools in lower-income ones. “For example, within the Metro City area, the amount of money spent per student was reported as approximately $6,600 at the inner city Uptown High School, $ 10,300 at Springdale High School, and $13,400 at suburban Hamilton High School.” ‘Schools with less money can provide fewer activities, textbooks, computer resources, student organizations etc. Some parents support schools financially, but this is usually the case in the higher- income school districts. This difference in the budget causes big differences in the schools in all kinds of fields. 6. Do you think your country should spend more money on schools? If a school gets more money, will the quality of education always improve? 7. What realistic changes would you make to your country's attitude toward education? *61eAReat 4C, Higher Education in the UK : 1, Why did you decide to study at the university? Who or what influenced your choice? 2, Read about Higher Education in the UK and answer the following questions: What must a student do to apply to university? What is Bachelor's Degree? What is Master's Degree? What are the requirements to undertake doctorate programmes? What is CATS? When does the academic year begin and end? meaoge The United Kingdom has a long-term reputation for providing quality higher education, evident with the bright examples of the Oxford and the Cambridge universities. The UK has a vast variety of higher education opportunities to offer students with over 100 universities offering various degree programmes for students from the UK and around the world. In the UK about one-third of all students go on to some form of higher education and this number is well over 50% for students from Scotland. This makes competition for places very fierce and so it is advised to apply early for courses. * Admission Universities expect students to complete at least 2 A level qualifications, and some university degree programmes may specify A level subjects and results required for admission. A level results range from A - E and are awarded by external examination bodies. Scores are based primarily on the AS and A2 level examinations, but may also include teacher assessment of coursework. AS level exams are sat at the end of Year 12, while A2 level exams are sat at the end of Year 13. The universities in the United Kingdom share an undergraduate admission system which is operated by UCAS. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is the British admission service for students applying to university and college. Applications must be made by 15 October for admissions to Oxford and Cambridge (and medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses) and by 15 January for admissions to other UK universities. ne raduate icat ns Undergraduate degrees are usually taught at universities and colleges of further and higher education, Most of these degrees are 3 years except for Scotland where the degrees are 4 years, Bachelor's Degree (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) Students apply to UK universities, through the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS), a central government agency that coordinates applications for every university. Students may make 5 choices on their UCAS form. Wide ranges of degree courses are available, which provide skills for a variety of jobs or further study. + ABachelor’s degree is usually a 3 year programme at a university or higher education college. + Universities evaluate students’ predicted A-level scores (or equivalent), among other criteria, during the admission process. + Students must choose course as part of the university application. + Types of degrees include: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) 62+Duhliche: Blajin C.. Macovei + Some degree programmes are for 4 years and include a ‘sandwjch’ year when students gain relevant work experience for 1 year. « In countries where students have fewer than 13 years education, it is likely that students will need to study a year-long Foundation Certificate programme before starting a Bachelor's degree. Bachelor's Degree (Scotland) Wide ranges of degree courses are available at Scottish universities, which tend to emphasize breadth across subjects and students typically do not specialize subjects until the third year. + ABachelor’s degree is a 4 year programme at university. + During the admissions process universities evaluate the students’ Highers results among other criteria. + Students may take a sandwich course, a year of study abroad or work before courses are completed. + Traditionally, Scottish universities award a Master of Arts (MA) degree, which is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree. + The Honours degree is awarded after an additional year of research at the university. . Postgraduate qualifications Students who have completed a first degree are eligible to undertake a postgraduate degree. Postgraduate degrees include master’s degree (course-based or research-based) and doctorate degrees, Postgraduate education is not automatically financed by the state, and so admissions are highly competitive. Master's Degree ‘A Master's degree in the UK may be research based, a taught course or a combination of the two and will prepare students for a particular career or for a doctorate qualification, and are offered in a variety of fields. + Requires the successful completion of an undergraduate degree. + Typically a 12 month programme. + Taught masters qualifications include: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). + Research masters qualifications include: Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil). Doctorate Doctorate programmes require students to undertake an original piece of research + Generally requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. + Minimum length of three years at a university. + Typically students work on a single research project or dissertation. + Types of degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil). A doctorate degree requires at least three years of full-time study. * Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme Many universities now operate the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) and all universities in Scotland use the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) enabling easier transfer between courses and institutions, Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) is used by many universities in the United Kingdom to monitor, record and reward passage through a modular degree course +630Reader in British and American Civilization 2 —————______________ and to facilitate movement between courses and institutions. Typically a university course of 10 to 20 2-hour sessions would, on successful completion, be worth Between 10 and 20 CATS points, at one of Levels 1 to 3. 360 points need to be accumulated (240 points at level 2 or above and 120 points at level 3) to qualify for award ofan honours degree. A foundation degree is broadly equivalent to 240 points, anda ‘pass/ordinary degree’ to 300 points. A postgraduate Master's degree is equivalent to 180 points at Level M. Itis possible to equate CATS with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Two CATS points are equivalent to one ECTS point. The academic year ‘The academic year for higher education runs from 1 August to 31 July. Organization of the teaching year is at the discretion of the individual institution. For undergraduate students, attendance is normally required from a date varying from the beginning of September to the beginning of October through to the end of June, with breaks lasting between three and five weeks at Christmas and Easter. The organization of teaching traditionally reflected this three-term system. Institutions are increasingly organizing their teaching along the two semester system, although this does not necessarily involve changing the dates of required attendance. Institutions generally have fewer teaching weeks in the third term to allow time for revision and examinations. Some cease teaching at the end of the second term. A few have a ‘reading week’ in the middle of a term, during which no teaching is done and students are expected to work independently. The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have shorter terms, Certain institutions offer accelerated degrees which require student attendance for longer periods during the academic year. Several universities have introduced courses that run twice a year, with two different start dates: in autumn (as normal) and also in spring. Applications for spring entry are made directly to the university, not through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Teaching normally takes place between 9.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m,, from Monday to Friday, but may take place at other times. Part-time courses may be offered during the day or in the evening. It is usual for institutions not to organize classes for full-time students on a Wednesday afternoon, so that students who wish to do so may participate in sporting activities. The world's top 100 universities 2012 - how the Times Higher Education ranks them: The California Institute for Technology has beaten Oxford to the top place in the latest rankings of the top 100 universities in the world. The California Institute for Technology has been named the best university in the world for the second year running in the latest league table of the top universities. In total three UK universities make the top ten: Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London. The UK, however remains the second best represented country behind the USA with seven top 50 universities and 31 in the full top 200. As last year, the USA dominate with 76 institutions in the list - seven of these appearing in the top ten. so4e‘The table below shows the top 10 universities featured on the list by their 2012 and 2014/15 rankings. You can get the top full top 200 list by visiting the Times Higher Education World University Rankings at http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university- rankings/2014-15/world-ranking Table 4.3, The top 10 universities in the world 2014/15 Rank 3. Where is the best place for you to study? Why? 4. How can a student receive a scholarship? 5. If you became president of your university, what changes would you make in the educational system? Why? 6. Ifyou became president of your university, which rule would you abolish (cancel)? $656A Reader in British and American Civilization 4D. Higher Education in the USA 1. Read the quote below and guess what the missing word is. What connection does it have with the title of the lesson? University is a wonderful opportunity to find out not just much more about the but much more about yourself, too. Robert Goheen 2. Why are you attending university (college)? Do you agree with Robert Goheen? 3. Read the information below and fill in with the necessary words and expressions: Graduate Level, Admission to a University, Credit System, Undergraduate Level, At University Poe Fotesnonat uegree asters Degree wes qeuoneon, wun’ 504 Bachelors Degree Associate Degree or oreeate we ‘yevossajoud ‘voneonp Many of the world's most prestigious higher education institutions are in the United States. Also known as post-secondary education, the American higher education system includes colleges and universities that focus on one or more study areas such as vocational, business, engineering, technical, or liberal arts. The most common degrees include associate, professional, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate. There are over 7,000 higher education institutions in the US with over 15 million students according to US Department of Education statistics. Higher education in the USA is divided into two levels: a) Upon the completion of high school students who would like to attend college or university must attend undergraduate school, which offer an associate degree after two years of study or a bachelor’s degree after four years of study. That course of study is called the major. (2) If students have obtained a bachelor’s degree, they may continue their education by pursuing one of two types of degrees. 1. The first is a master’s degree. This is usually a two-year degree that is highly specialized in a specific field. Students are sometimes admitted to a master's degree programme only if they have a bachelor's degree in a closely related field. 166+Du 2. Students who want to advance their education even further in a specific field can pursue a doctorate degree, also called a PhD. A PhD degree can take between three and six years to complete, depending on the course of study chosen, the ability of the student, and the thesis that the student has selected. The thesis is a very intensive research paper that must be completed prior to earning the degree. It is always required of students pursuing a PhD, and may sometimes be required of students pursuing a master's degree (depending on the school). (3) Admission requirements vary widely from one US institution to another. For vocational and undergraduate programmes typically a high school diploma or equivalent is needed, Many programmes require the completion of entrance tests, such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) examinations. It is a common practice to also consider high school coursework, personal interests, and accomplishments as part of an institution's evaluation of applicants. (4) University students pursuing a Bachelor's degree are called "undergraduates," whereas students pursuing a Master's or Doctoral degree are called "graduate students." American undergraduate students will say they are "going to school” or "going to college,” which means they are attending university. A common question one student asks another is, "What is your major?" This means, "What is your major field of study?" Most universities give undergraduate students a liberal education, which means students are required to take courses across several disciplines before they specialize in a major field of study. Graduate and professional (such as medicine or law) programmes are specialized. (6) At the university level, most courses are only one semester long. Each course is assigned a number of credit hours. Credit hours are usually based on how much time is spent in class each week. Most courses are 3 credits, However, some courses may be 1, 2, 4 or 5 credits. All degree programmes require students to complete a minimum number of credit hours before graduation. To complete a Bachelor's degree, students usually have to complete 112 to 120 credits (24/30 per year) for four years. At the Master's level, students have to complete at least 36 credits (18 per year) for a two-year programme. Most Bachelor's degree programmes in the United States do not require students to write a final thesis. 4, What's the best advice you would tell a brother/sister or friend who is now entering an American college? 5. Why is college education important? 6. Outline the parallels and dissimilarities in the British and American Educational Systems. Write an essay highlighting the main similarities and differences between the UK and the USA. 676Reader in British and American Civil FILE 5. THE UK AND THE USA: ECONOMIC SYSTEM 5A. The British Economy 1. What is the currency used in the United Kingdom? 0 2. Scan the text and complete the table with the correct facts. the 20th 15th the 7th the sixth largest the second highest the fourth largest the sixth largest the 12th the 8th largest | the third highest Today, the United Kingdom is a densely populated urban nation. Cities cover most areas that were once farmland. The country also lost its empire, which had boosted its economy. These changes have forced it to adapt. v A Powerful Economy The UK is the 6th largest economy in the world according to GDP (current prices, US dollars) and the 8th largest in the world according to GDP (PPP). In 2012, the UK’s GDP (current prices) was $2.44 trillion and its GDP {[PPP) was $2.336 trillion. The UK is also a member of the G7 (now expanding to the G8 and G20), the EU and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). Presently UK’s economy encompasses those of its home nations - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Isle of Man and the Channel Isles are also considered to be part of the British Isles but have offshore banking statuses. As a member of the EU, the UK is part of a single market that ensures the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within member states. Nevertheless, the UK still maintains its own economy and has chosen to continue using the Pound Sterling as its national currency rather than converting to the Euro. Today, the UK economy faces another struggle to recover from the 2008 financial crisis. Presently, the recovery effort has been sluggish. Although global economic prospects appear to be improving, economic forecasts for the UK have been fairly negative. In April 2011, The IMF slashed its 2011 growth forecast for UK's economy to 1.75 per cent, its third downgrade in a year. A report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) also ranked UKas the slowest growing economy in the G7, with the exception of Japan. Part of the reason for UK’s slow economic growth has been due to the recent introduction of an austerity plan. The UK austerity plan was introduced as a method to reduce record level debts that were exacerbated by the 2008 global financial crisis. Apart from cutting public spending and services, the UK government have also implemented a new wave of tax increases. However, while these methods are fundamental in reducing debt, they tend to hamper economic growth in the short term as well. One direct effect of the UK's budget deficit has been the ever-increasing trade deficit that the UK suffers to the rest of the world. The UK has the second highest trade deficit in the world behind the US. In 2010, UK imports were worth US$546.5 billion with exports were valued at only US$405.6 billion. +686Duhlicher O., Blajin C.,Macoyei D. Y UK's Economic Structure Although 24.88 per cent of the UK is considered to be arable land, vast plots of agricultural land have remained uncultivated. Apart from its arable land, the UK also has a healthy supply of natural resources. In the past, coal and iron ore was a major player in the UK economy. The UK's primary industry sector was once dominated by coal, which could be found in south Wales, Midlands, Yorkshire, North East England and southern Scotland However since 1981, the production of coal has fallen drastically by more than 75 per cent. In 1981, the UK was the 4t* largest coal producing nation in the world - today the UK is ranked 15% Iron ore production has also played an important role in UK’s industries. As the primary element of steel, iron ore production supports the UK’s steel and manufacturing industries. Under manufacturing, it also assists in the production of automobile and aerospace equipment. The UK also has the 324 largest proven oil reserves and the 44t” largest proven natural gas reserves in the world. Oil mining activities are concentrated on the east coast of Scotland and North East England. The waters in the North Sea off the east coast of Scotland contain nearly half of the UK's remaining oil reserves, and a quarter of reserves are located in the North Sea near the Shetland Islands. Most natural gas production is also located in the North Sea, with a small amount onshore and in the Irish Sea. However, due to its limited supply, the UK is a net importer of both oil and natural gas. ¥_ UK's Labour Force ‘The UK has the 20" largest labour force in the world, with 31.9 million workers. However, unemployment remains high in the UK at 8.02 per cent, and is likely to remain so in the wake of the UK’s austerity plans. The UK government has warned that nearly half a million jobs could be lost in the public sector alone as the government continue its cut on public spending. Currently, 1.4 per cent of the labour force is employed in agriculture, 18.2 per cent in industries and 80.4 per cent in services. However, agriculture may soon face a labour crisis due to an aging labour force and a general lack of interest for agricultural jobs. VY UK's Industry Sectors ‘The UK's GDP makeup is comprised of agriculture (0.7 per cent), industries (21.1 per cent) and services (78.2 per cent). Despite only contributing 0.7 per cent of UK's GDP in 2012, Agriculture is still considered an important part of the UK's economy and society as it produces 60 per cent of the UK's food needs with less than 1.4 per cent of the labour force. Agriculture in the UK is highly mechanized and efficient, combining advanced technology with modern farming techniques. Agriculture in the UK is also highly subsidized, both by the UK government and the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. Industries were responsible for 21.1 per cent of UK's GDP in 2012. The list of industries include machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods. Manufacturing of goods is particularly important for UK industries. The UK is the sixth-largest manufacturer of goods in the world according to the value of its outputs. Within manufacturing, the production of automotive or aerospace equipment is a major contributor to UK industries. UK's aerospace industry is the second largest in the world with companies such as BAE Systems (the world’s second largest defence contractor), and Rolls- Royce (the world’s second largest aircraft engine maker) boasting annual turnovers of around £20 billion. +698rin iviliz: However, despite the historical importance of agriculture and industries, services remain the dominant component of UK's economy, contributing 78.2 per cent of the nation’s GDP. Finance and banking are by far the UK’s most important services with London being one of the three major economic “command centres” alongside New York City and Tokyo, Important financial institutions located within London include the London Stock Exchange, the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange, the London Metal Exchange, Lloyds of London, and the Bank of England. Tourism is another extremely important service in the UK. It is a valuable source of foreign exchange, the UK's third highest export earner behind chemicals and financial services. Overseas visitors spend around £18 billion a year in this country and they contribute more than £3billion in tax and duty to the Exchequer. (The 31.1 million overseas visitors who came to the UK in 2012 spent £18. billion. These figures represent a 1% increase in volume and 4% (nominal) increase in value compared with 2011,). When combined with domestic tourism, the industry is worth UK £115 billion a year and employs 2.6 million people - on both measurements that accounts for around 9% of the UK economy. Crucially, against the backdrop of a slow recovery from recession, tourism is growing faster than other economic sectors. ¥ UK Export, Import and Trade The UK is the 7 leading importer and the 12 leading exporter in the world. ‘Accordingly, the UK holds a massive trade deficit with the rest of the world, second only to the US, In 2012, UK imports were worth US$646 billion and the exports were US$481 billion. In recent years, the UK has run the largest trade deficits with Norway, Germany, China, Hong Kong and Netherlands. This is mainly due to increase in demand of consumer goods, a drop in UK manufacturing and a decline in local oil and gas production. Over the past 12 months, the deficit has been flat, damping hopes that rising demand for UK goods and services will spur an economic recovery. Since 2010, Britain began trying to rebalance its economy more towards exports and away from a reliance on domestic consumption after the financial crisis. But progress has been slow, despite a roughly 20 per cent fall in the value of sterling since 2008. Still, British exporters must continue their efforts to diversify trade towards new markets, especially as the EU continues to struggle. The latest figures suggest that much of the improvement has been down mostly to the fact that imports are falling, not that exports are rising UK's Import and Export Indicators and Statistics at a Glance (2012) Total value of exports: $481 billion. Primary exports - commodities: manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco. Primary exports partners: Germany (10.9 per cent), US (9.9 per cent), Netherlands (7.9 per cent), France (7.4 per cent), Switzerland (7.1 per cent), Ireland (6 per cent), Belgium (5.3 per cent). Total value of imports: $646 billion. Primary imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs. Primary imports partners: Germany (12.5 per cent), China (8.2 per cent), Netherlands (7.1 per cent), US (7 per cent), France (5.7 per cent), Belgium (4.8 per cent), Norway (4.7 per cent). +70Duhlicher 0. Blajin C.. Macovei D. 3. Comprehension check: a) What kind of economy does the United Kingdom have? b) How many economy districts are there in the United Kingdom? ©) What are the United Kingdom's most important service industries? d) How has the United Kingdom's economy changed? e) What decision did the United Kingdom make that kept its economy separate from the rest of the European Union? 4. Read the texts again. In groups, fill in the gaps with the correct information. a) Industry Sectors b) Important service: ©) Industries d) Natural resources e) Primary exports - commodities f) Primary imports - commodities g) Primary exports partners h) Primary imports partners i) Dominant component of UK's economy j) National currency 5. Does your country have a powerful economy? In groups, make a list of the strong points of your country’s economy. 6. Writing: Choose a major British industry to research, Write a paragraph explaining why it is important to the United Kingdom's economy. one5B. US Economy . 1, Read the quote below and guess what the missing word is. What connection does it have with the title of the lesson? "There can be economy only where there is. Disraeli, Benjamin (British Prime Minister and Novelist. 1804-1881) 2. Match the words with their definitions: 2. Export 'b) an economic system in which businesses are free to operate without much government involvement 3. Market econor 4. Post-industrial ‘d) bring (goods or services) into a country from economy abroad for sale 3, Free enterprise 6. Import f) send (goods or services) to another country for sale: 7, Multinational a . Read the texts below and answer the following questions: a) What are the three factors that have contributed to the success of the American economy? b) Where are the industrial centres located in the United States? c) What are the main US trading partners? v The Largest and Most Technologically Powerful Economy in the World The United States of America is the largest and most important economy in the world, In 2012, The US economy was responsible for 18.87 per cent of the world’s total GDP (PPP) or US$ 15.684 trillion. The US is the third largest country in the world, in terms of both land area and population. As the world’s largest economy, many of the world’s key financial and economic institutions reside within the US. The US is home to the world's largest stock exchange, the world's largest gold depository and reserves, and 139 of the world's 500 largest companies, which is almost twice that of any other country. Three factors have contributed to the overall success of the American economy - available natural resources, a skilled labour force, and a stable political system that has allowed the economy to develop. The economy is run largely on free enterprise. In this economic system, people are free to buy, sell, and produce whatever they want, with little @ The United States has a market economy, in which individuals and businesses can make their own choices about what to buy and sell. The freedom people have to try to make money has enriched the country as a whole. The US economy produces goods and services worth more than the output of any other country. The US government does not run the economy, but it plays an important role. It promotes safety, fights unfair business actions, and builds structures to help economic growth. For example, the government paid to construct the Interstate Highway System, 2 “26Duhlicher O.. Blajin C., Macovei D. network of more than 45,000 miles of roads that links major US cities. The motorways improved the transport of goods and people. . v US Economic Structure Ever since the 1960s, the US economy has been primarily responsible for absorbing global savings. Despite the challenge from emerging economies, the US remains the most heavily invested-into country in the world, with foreign direct investments at home worth $2,824 trillion as of 2012. The US is also the largest investor in the world, investing $4.768 trillion abroad as of 2010. The US is a market-oriented economy, where private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments purchase goods and services predominantly from the private marketplace. Although the US strongly advocates free market principles, the government still plays a major role in dictating the US economy. The US economy is best described as a mixed economy where the economic structure is upheld through the interactions between the private, public and international sector. As the leading economy in the world, fluctuations in the US economy have had far reaching impact on other economies throughout the globe. ¥ An Agricultural and Industrial Titan The US is one of the most technologically advanced economies in the world, coming in 10% in the Global Innovation Index and 12* for the World Bank's Knowledge Economy Index. As such, they also lead the world in industries such as manufacturing and finance, and are among the top three nations in industries such as commercial aircrafts and automobiles production. Despite remaining at the forefront of most industries, the 2008 financial crisis significantly weakened a number of US industries as well. 2008 to 2010 saw three years of negative industrial production growth rate for the US. At the same time other countries such as China, Japan and the EU have caught up and overtaken the US in numerous industries, China, for example, is now the leader in coal, lettuce, rice, pork, beer and wind energy production as well as high technology exports. Fertile soil, a favourable climate, and the early mechanization of the country’s farms contributed significantly to the country’s bounty. Different areas of the country produce different products. The Midwest and South, for example, specialize in crop farming, while livestock ranching is concentrated in the West. Agriculture and the industrial sector made up 1.2 per cent and 19.1 per cent of US's GDP in 2012 respectively. This percentage can be relatively deceiving. The US is not only the third largest agricultural producer in the world behind China and India, but is also the leading industrial power in the world. Agriculture is a vital part of US economy and society. According to the last census of agriculture in 2007, there were 2.2 million farms in the US - covering an area of 922 million acres. Farmers are also one of the major political lobbyists in the US as they are primarily responsible for the country’s food demands. Among US agricultural products include wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton, beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, fish, and forest products. ‘The United States is, by far, the largest producer of corn in the world, producing 32 per cent of the world's corn crop in the early 2010s, The US exports about 20 per cent of the US farmer's corn production. American farms produce over 30% of the world’s cotton with annual exports of more than $7 billion. The US produces about 10% of the world's wheat and supplies about 25% of the world's wheat export market. About two-thirds of total US wheat production comes from the Great Plains (from Texas to Montana). The industrial sector on the other hand is highly diversified and technologically advanced, comprising of industries such as petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, +73AR han telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber and mining. As of 2010, the country remains the world's largest manufacturer, representing a fifth of the global manufacturing output. Due in part to the shale boom in recent year, the US is also the world’s third-largest producer of oil and second-largest producer of natural gas. Major industrial centres have long been located along the Atlantic Coast and around the Great Lakes. In recent decades, a variety of industries have also started up in urban areas in the South and along the Pacific coast. Over time, some areas have become associated with certain products, such as Detroit (automobiles), Seattle (aircraft), and northern California, in an area called Silicon Valley (computers). ‘The US has rich farming and manufacturing traditions but the American economy today is driven by service industries. A service industry is any kind of economic activity that produces a service rather than a product. The services industry was responsible for the majority of the US economy - 79.7 per cent of its GDP. The US is home to the largest and most influential financial markets in the world including major stock and commodities exchanges like NASDAQ, NYSE, AMEX, CME, and PHLX. The NYSE alone is more than three times larger than any other stock market in the world. Service industries include banks, insurance companies, hotels, restaurants, and repair shops. Nearly three out of four Americans now work in service-related jobs, such as information processing, finance, medicine, transportation, and education. This economic phase is called a post-industrial economy, one where manufacturing no longer plays a dominant role. ‘The creation of multinational corporations, or companies that operate in more than one country, has added to the global economy. Such corporations often locate factories in countries where resources or labour are cheap. Many multinationals have their headquarters in the United States. US Recovery from the Financial Crisis In the near future, the US is likely to rely on its services industry in its recovery attempts. Since the 1970s, the US economy has gradually shifted from producing goods to providing services, The large majority of service providing jobs are found in the group of trade, transportation, and utilities occupations. Other key service industries for the US include finance, tourism and information technology. ‘Another instrument for the US is its natural resources (the US also has an abundance of natural resources). Apart from having the world’s largest proven reserves of coal, 22.6 per cent of the world’s total, the US also possesses the 14° largest proven oil reserves and the 6" largest proven natural gas reserves. Other natural resources include copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, and timber. However, the most important factor for the US is its population of 314.184 million. Although this number pales in comparison to India’s and China's billion-plus population, the US has the world’s best labour force participation rate with 154.9 million workers. ‘The majority (37.3 per cent) of the labour force’s occupations are managerial, professional or technical in nature. A further 24.2 per cent hold sales or office jobs, 20.3 per cent are in manufacturing, extraction, transportation and crafts, 0.7 per cent are in farming, forestry or fishing, and 17.6 per cent have jobs in other services. "The US economy grew by 2.211 per cent in 2012, compared to 1.808 per centin 2011 and 2,391 per cent in 2010. Three consecutive years of growth has since reversed the recession experienced from 2008-2009, but the economy is still recovering too slowly from the devastating impact of the financial crisis - its weakest rebound since World War Il. Although the economy experienced a sprint in growth during the start of 2013, uncertainty over the effects of central bank policies, higher taxes and government spendinB 14+Dublicher 0,, Blajin C., Macavei D. remain harmful to consumer confidence, while unemployment remains fairly high compared to the pre-financial crisis days. 7 "As a result of China's rapid economic growth, coupled with the increasing power of emerging markets, the US share of the world’s total GDP (PPP) is expected to fall to 17.681 per cent by 2018. For the next five years, the US is expected to experience slow and modest economic growth as it continues its recovery from the 2008 financial crisis. On the other hand, unemployment rates are unlikely to see a return to pre-financial crisis levels during the same period. Although gradual improvement is expected from 2013 to 2018, the forecasted unemployment rate for 2015 - 5.601 per cent, will still be significantly higher than 2007's unemployment rate - 4.617 per cent. On the back of the 2008 financial crisis, the US faced deflation for the first time since World War II - at -0.324 per cent (average consumer price change) in 2009. In 2010, inflation returned at 1.64 per cent and the subsequent two years saw inflation grow higher to 3.141 per cent and 2.076 per cent in 2011 and 2012 respectively. In 2013, the inflation rate (average consumer price change) is expected to fall to 1.828 per cent, However, inflation is expected to see increase slightly every year and reach 2.263 per cent in 2018. This will go some way into returning to pre-financial crisis levels where the average inflation rate between 2000 to 2008 was 2.89 per cent. Currently, the US has the world’s largest current account deficit at -US$473.473 billion. This marked a significant decrease from 2006 (-US$800.621 billion), but is still approximately four times higher than that of the UK's, which is the second highest in the world. ¥ US Export, Import and Trade Today, the US is the world’s largest trading nation - simultaneously leading the world in imports and being among the top three exporting nations in the world. As the top export market for almost 60 trading nations, the US has had a certain degree of economic and political leverage throughout the world, which allows it to shape global policies towards its own. US Import and Export Indicators and Statistics at a Glance (2012) Exports: US$1.612 trillion. Exports - commodities: agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2 per cent, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8 per cent, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0 per cent, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0 per cent Exports - partners: Canada 19 per cent, Mexico 13.3 per cent, China 7 per cent, Japan 45 per cent. Imports: US$2.357 trillion. Imports - commodities: agricultural products 4.9 per cent, industrial supplies 32.9 per cent (crude oil 8.2 per cent), capital goods 30.4 per cent (computers, telecommunications equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery), consumer goods 31.8 per cent (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture, ys). Imports - partners: China 18.4 per cent, Canada 14.2 per cent, Mexico 11.7 per cent, Japan 5.8 per cent, Germany 4.4 per cent. 4. What kind of economy does the US have? e Create a Pie chart to illustrate the major sectors of US economy. - Read the texts again. In groups, fill in the gaps with the correct information. a) Industry Sectors +758A Reader in British and American Civilization b) Important services = 3 c) Industries a) Natural resources OSS e) Exports - commodities f)_ Imports - commodities g) Exports partners h) Imports partners i) National currency 7. Complete the table with the correct facts, | the third largest _ ae the world’s largest the 14th largest the world’s largest 8. Fill in the gaps with the words below: guarantees, free market, stock, to produce, profits The Free Market Economy Ina (1) economy, people are free to buy, sell, and produce whatever they want, with limited government involvement. They also can work wherever they want. A free market economy has two key groups: business owners and consumers. Business owners produce the products they think will make the most. (2) or the most money after business expenses are paid. Consumers shop for the best products at the lowest prices. People also take part in a free market economy by investing in businesses. People can buy. (3), which represents part ownership in a company. When a company succeeds, it often pays some of its profits to the people who own its stock. Investing in stock involves risk, however. If the business fails, the stock becomes worthless. Consumers can also save their money in a bank, which is safer than buying stock. Because of government________ (4, or promises, savers have some of their money protected should a bank fail or go out of business. Although savings accounts are better protected, stocks provide a greater chance for high financial payoff. A free market economy allows people (5) what they want, Resources are needed to produce a good or service, but some resources in a region are more available than others. As a result, economic regions have developed and specialized in producing products using their available resources. 9. Why is the recession in the US economy affecting world economy? 10. Why will the US economy be booming by 20207 11 Illustrate the similarities and differences between the Economic Systems of the USA and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Write an essay highlighting the main similarities and differences between the UK and the USA. 166Duhlicher O.. Blain C., Macovei D. 5C. Big Business 1, Lookat the logos of some companies. Whatis the name of each company? What does it produce or sell? NW, ntel) so PF = vodafone 4 2. Discuss these questions: Are these brand names well known in your country? Have you ever bought or used any of their products? Do you buy particular brands of food or clothes? Why / why not? What are brands for? 778AReader in British and American C n PROJECT - BUSINESS PRESENTATION 1. Work in groups of 3. You are representatives of a famous British/ American company at an international business exhibition. Your aim is to convince the visitors that your company has the best products, Make up a leaflet and include the sections below. Give a 5 minute presentation about your company. TIME FRAME: 1 week Your grade will be determined by: + Overalll presentation, neatness and creativity. pelling, grammar, sentence structure, and accuracy of information. + Meeting the deadline. * Logo * Founded + History * Area served * Products * Models * Sales success * Innovations * Website * Additional information 2, Listen to the presentations of all your colleagues. Which one has convinced you to buy their company’s products? +786er FILE 6. THE USA AND THE UK: POLITICAL SYSTEM 6A. Government in the United Kingdom 4, Read the quote below and guess what the missing word is. What connection does it have with the title of the lesson? is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary. (Robert Louis Stevenson - Scottish Essayist, Poet and ‘Author of fiction and travel books, 1850-1894) 2. As you read, complete the table below with information about British political stem. British Political System form mn System of government __| Parliamentary s) Head of Government five: Executive Branch. . The government of the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. A king or queen serves as head of state and takes part in ceremonies, but elected officials actively run the government. Thus, in a constitutional monarchy, or limited monarchy, the government is carried on in the name of one person who inherits his or her title and office, but whose political authority is limited by law. The government, though carried on in the name of a hereditary chief of state, is genuinely constitutional, representative, and democratic in character. The authority of the Monarch is strictly limited by the Constitution. The real powers of government are solely or primarily in the hands of the people's elected representatives, especially those who are members of the majority party or coalition in the lower house of the legislature. The Monarch has virtually no real authority and is a mere figurehead ruler, a purely symbolic and ceremonial sovereign. ‘The British trace the roots of this form of government to the early 1200s. At that time, nobles forced King John of England to sign the Magna Carta, a document that took away some of the king’s powers. For example, the king could no longer collect taxes unless a group of nobles agreed. Also, people accused of crimes had a right to fair trials by their peers, or equals. The right to vote. Gradually, a law-making body called Parliament arose. | UK citizens over the age In 1628 Parliament decided that King Charles [had misusedhis | of 18 can vote in power. It forced him to sign the Petition of Right, which said that | parliamentary taxes could be enacted only if Parliament approved. In addition, | elections. the king could not imprison people unless they were convicted ofacrime. As time passed, more limits were placed on the ruler’s authority. The English Bill of Rights, passed in 1689, gave Parliament the power to tax and stated that monarchs could not suspend the laws or form their own armies. That document later helped shape the thinking of the men who wrote the US Constitution. $798A Reader in British and American Civilizati Today, the United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy as well as a constitutional monarchy. Voters elect members of Parliament, and the leader of the party with the most elected officials becomes prime minister, or head of the government. The prime minister can propose new laws, but only Parliament can put them into action. The prime minister must appear in Parliament regularly to explain and defend his or her decisions. Parliament also has the power to force the prime minister out of office and require new elections. This is a power the US Congress does not have over the US president. Among the main features of the British parliamentary system are the following. 1. Under the British Constitution, there is a fusion, or concentration, of legislative and executive powers in the elective, lower house of Parliament, the House of Commons. The legislature (Parliament) and the top executive authority (the Cabinet) are not constitutionally separate and independent organs of government. The top executive authority, or Cabinet, emerges from and is a part of the legislature. In the government of the United Kingdom, there is no constitutional wall of separation between the legislature and the executive, The legislative and executive branches of government are united at the top in the form of the Cabinet, which is both the top executive authority in the government and the central leadership of the majority party in the legislature. The same group of people - the Cabinet - (1) are members of the legislature, (2) lead and manage the business of the legislature, (3) occupy the top offices in the executive branch, and (4) control and direct the executive branch, 2. In Britain, the top executive organ of government is not elected separately from and independently of the legislature. The Prime Minister and most of the other members of the Cabinet are elected from local parliamentary election districts as members of the House of Commons. The majority in the House of Commons, in effect, chooses the Cabinet, mostly from its own membership in the Commons. While a few Cabinet ministers are chosen from the House of Lords, they are chosen by the Commons majority from the ranks of its party members in the upper chamber. A person becomes Prime Minister by being the top leader of the political party that wins a majority of the seats in the House of Commons. 3. In Britain, the positions of head of government and chief of state are separate offices, While the Prime Minister is the effective head of government, the Monarch is the chief of state and performs the purely symbolic and ceremonial functions of that office. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have regional legislatures that have control over matters such as health care and education. The Scottish Parliament even has the power to raise or lower taxes in Scotland. There are certain features of the British system of government which make it different from other countries and which are not 'modern' at all. Most notably, Britain is almost alone among modern states in that it does not have a single, written constitution (a set of rules of government). But this doesn't mean that the UK has an ‘unwritten constitution’. In fact, it is mostly written - but instead of being one formal document, the British constitution is formed from various sources including statute law, case law made by judges, and international treaties. There are also some unwritten sources, including parliamentary conventions and royal prerogatives. For example, there is no written law in Britain that says anything, about who can be the Prime Minister or what the powers of the Prime Minister are - even though that person is probably the most powerful person in the country. Instead, these things have been established, and are constantly being modified, by custom and practice. Similarly, there is no single written document which asserts people's rights. Some rights which are commonly accepted in modern democracies (for example, the rights not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex or race) have been formally agreed by Parliament in certain laws; but others (for example, the rights not to be discriminated against on the basis of religion or political +80 4_ Mi iD. jews) have not. Nevertheless, itis understood that these latter rights are also part of the constitution. + 3, As you read, write three questions about the main ideas presented in this section. ‘After you have finished reading, write the answers to these questions. . is Parliament? Parliament is the highest legislative authority in the United Kingdom - the institution responsible for debating and passing all laws (legislation), examining and challenging the work of the government (scrutiny) and enabling the government to raise taxes. ‘The UK Parliament can be found in Westminster, London. It has three parts: «The House of Commons is made up of 650 elected Members of Parliament (MPs). = The House of Lords is made up of members who are mostly appointed by the Sovereign on the recommendation of the Prime Minister; some are internally elected. A small number of Church of England archbishops and bishops are also Members, + The monarch, the Queen, opens and closes Parliament every year, asks the winning party in a general election to become the government and officially signs all the laws that Parliament votes for. All three combine to carry out the work of Parliament. Monarch Parliament House of Lords ‘Opposition Parties & Grossbenchers Prime Minister mieten Ministers Whips hips Whips Whips Backbenchers Bishops sichers ° is the House of ns? The House of Commons is the lower chamber of the UK’s two-chamber Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) who are democratically elected by voters (the ‘electorate’) to represent an area of the UK known as a constituency or seat. ‘The political party which wins the most seats in the House of Commons at a general election is known as the governing party and its leader becomes the Prime Minister. The second largest party is known as the Official Opposition and its leader is the Leader of the Opposition. All other parties are known as opposition parties even though some of them will support the governing party. The Roles of the House of Commons are: Scrutinising Government The House of Commons scrutinizes government policies to ensure that the Government is working for the benefit of those living in the UK. This scrutiny includes: The House of Commons is so called because it is filled with ‘commoners’. It's a reminder that years ago, the people who ran the country were either royal or from the aristocracy. ssieader in British and American Civilization ‘+ MPs questioning government ministers, either in the House or through written parliamentary questions. This process helps to inform MPs of the work of Government and to hold ministers to account. * Select committees which ‘shadow’ government departments and carry out inquiries into issues of concern. The Government is required to provide witnesses and evidence for inquiries and must respond to committee recommendations. * MPs debating issues in the House and questioning ministers when they make statements, Proposing and amending legislation Parliament is responsible for making laws. Most legislation comes from the Government, but proposals can originate from an MP, a Lord, a member of the public or a private group. The House of Commons and House of Lords must agree the text of any proposed legislation before it can become law. In this way the two-chamber system acts as a check and balance for both Houses. Representing the people The UK is divided into areas, called constituencies, each of which elects a single MP to represent them in Parliament. All residents of a constituency can contact the local MP about issues that affect them or that are being considered by Parliament. It does not matter whether they voted for the MP or even if they are entitled to vote at all. Taxation As the democratically elected part of Parliament, the House of Commons has the right to raise taxes. This provides the Government with money to deliver its policies. The Chancellor of the Exchequer presents the Budget to the House annually and the House passes. a Finance Act to approve the taxes. + What is the House of Lords? The House of Lords is the upper Chamber of the UK's two-chamber Parliament. It complements the work of the House of Commons. The Lords currently has around 830 Members, and there are three different types: life Peers, bishops and elected hereditary Peers. Unlike MPs, the public do not elect the Lords. The majority are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister or of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. © Life Peers: Appointed for their lifetime only, these Lords' titles are not passed on to their children. The Queen formally appoints life Peers on the advice and recommendation of the Prime Minister. + Archbishops and bishops: A limited number of 26 Church of England archbishops and bishops sit in the House, passing their membership on to the next most senior bishop when they retire. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York traditionally get life peerages on retirement. « Elected hereditary Peers: The right of hereditary Peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords was ended in 1999 by the House of Lords Act but 92 Members were elected internally to remain until the next stage of the Lords reform process. What Lords don't do: «represent constituencies * get involved in taxation + draw a salary (except for some office holders) The House of Lords as the second Chamber of Parliament: + makes laws (around 55 per cent of time spent in the chamber). The House of Lords plays an integral role in the legislative process, debating the principles and scrutinising the details of new laws, helping to ensure that legislation is well drafted and effective. + holds Government to account. The scrutiny of government is a regular part of the work of the House of Lords, taking up around 40 per cent of time spent in the chamber. This is done by: +826SSS ulcer 0,, Blajin C.. Macovei D. ¥ asking oral and written questions Y debating key issues Y responding to government statements. + investigates and influences public policy. House of Lords committees conduct wide- ranging investigations into policy issues and other governmental actions and decisions, and publish their recommendations to Parliament in well-respected and influential reports. + reaches out to connect people with the House of Lords. The House of Lords is an important public institution, and it is vital that the UK public hear about, understand and feel engaged with the work of the House and their parliamentary system. Through a range of formal and informal outreach activities, Members of the House of Lords connect with new audiences and groups, open up new channels of communication, and widely promote the work of the House. + represents the UK on the international stage. As an integral part of the UK Parliament, the House of Lords has an important role to play in fostering and maintaining international relationships with other countries and their parliaments and leaders. Members of the Lords act as ambassadors for the House, for the UK Parliament and for the nation as a whole. Moreover, by participating in parliamentary visits and various multilateral parliamentary organisations, Members are able to engage with their counterparts internationally, share and apply their expertise in a wider context, and broaden understanding, both within and about the House. « was until October 2009 the UK’s highest court. 2 Ws in P: 2 Acts of Parliament are laws of the land that affect us all. For example, laws determine at what age people can drive cars or vote in elections. A proposed new law is called a bill. Bills must be agreed by both Houses of Parliament before becoming laws. This often means that a bill is passed backwards and forwards between the House of Commons and House of Lords, each making changes, until they are both happy with the exact wording. This makes sure that the bill is properly thought through and that all the consequences of the new law have been considered. Once both Houses have agreed on the bill it can be approved by the Queen. This is called Royal Assent and means the bill becomes an Act of Parliament and therefore officially a new law. 4. What are the three main parts of Parliament? 5. What are the main roles of Parliament or, in other words, what does Parliament do? 6. Explain the differences between the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Much of the work of the House of Commons and the House of Lords takes place in committees, made up of around 10 to 50 MPs or Lords. These committees examine issues in detail, from government policy and proposed new laws, to wider topics like the economy. Select Committees Select Committees work in both Houses. They check and report on areas ranging from the work of government departments to economic affairs, Joint Committees Joint Committees are committees consisting of MPs and Lords. General Committees (including Public Bill Committees) These committees are unique to the Commons and mainly look at proposed legislation in detail. They include all committees formerly known as Standing Committees. The House of Commons has three Grand Committees Grand Committees ‘The Commons has three Grand Committees which look at questions on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Grand +836A Reader in British and American on ¢ The party system The UK has many political parties, the main three being: The Conservative Party (Tories), a centre-right party with a historic focus on defence and economic prudence. The New Labour Party (Labour), a centre-left party with a historic focus on social equality and social justice. The Liberal Democrat Party (Lib Dems), a minority party with a historic focus on social and economic liberalism. In addition to the main three parties, the Commons has a range of other political groups also elected by the public. This includes nationalist organisations like Plaid Cymru (Wales) and the Scottish National Party, Northern Ireland's various political parties and minority parties like the Green Party. Given the turmoil of party politics after 2005, it was unsurprising that the shape of the British party system remained uncertain. While it is hard to argue that they still have a two party it is difficult to fully agree what has replaced it instead. The classic two party system existed in Britain between 1945 and 1974. It had a number of features, all of which are less applicable today: Nearly all MPs represent political parties. If an MP does not have a political party, they are known as an ‘Independent’, Lords who do not support one of the three main parties are known as Crossbenchers or Independent Peers. There is also a small number who are not affiliated to any of the main groups. In both the Commons and the Lords, Government ministers and Opposition shadow ministers sit on the front benches and are known as ‘frontbenchers’. MPs and Members of the Lords © Duopoly of electoral support ; who do not hold ministerial ° Duopoly of Parliamentary seats positions sit towards the back of the ° Parity ofelectoral support Chamber and are known as o Loyal, class-based support ‘backbenchers’ o A nationwide two-party contest Some say that it is a three party system. Liberal Democrats are obviously fond of this claim, pointing out that they too have substantive experience of government. Since the introduction of devolved government in Britain, the party has been part of ruling coalitions in both Wales and Scotland. In the 2005 general election, the party was the main opposition to the Conservatives in southern England. After the hung election result of 2010 the Liberals went into coalition with the Conservative Party. Others claim it is a multi-party system because it is not just the Liberal Democrats who profited from the decline of the two-party system. The advent of proportional representation for many of the UK’s elections has accelerated the progress of Britain’s other parties. Following the devolution elections of 2007, the Scottish National Party took control of the Scottish executive, while Plaid Cymru became part of the Welsh Assembly coalition. In the 2009 European elections, the United Kingdom Independence Party came second, while the Greens and British National Party each won seats. Another opinion is that Britain has a variable party system. According to the ‘variable’ model, Britain has not just one-party system but several party systems working concurrently. In the midlands, for example, there is still a mainly Lab-Con battle; in the south (outside London) - a mainly Lib-Con battle; in northern cities - a mainly Lib-Lab battle; in Scotland and Wales, meanwhile, there is a four-way battle involving all three British parties and nationalists. +846—_—__SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOCCCulicher 0, Blajin C., Macovei D. + The system of justice ‘The Supreme Court® ‘The final court of appeal for all United Kingdom civil cases, and criminal Although Britain >> cases from England, Wales and Northern Ireland is a unitary state, (‘not administered by HMCTS) England and Wales, Scotland and Northern 4 Ireland all have their Court of Appeal 5 Criminal Division Civil Division own legal systems, with 7, sais rom te Crown Court Appeals fron the High Court, teats considerable differences fa certain cases frm county courts in law, organisation and 4 practice. However, a Tees large amount of modern || Queen’sBench Division) Family Division {]__ Chancery Diviston islati Contract and tor et. equity and trusts contentious legislation applies | L_Cemierc court eae tex partnership throughout Britain. The | Admiraty-coure bankruptcy and Companies law is divided into Court, Patents Court criminal law and civil law; the latter regulates | Admintstratwecourt | pivisionat court Divisional Court es) eee rece Tseic ie || _Anveaistom be comey the conduct of people in | _ junction oesteng the eaty|| mapas cours |] courts on bankruptcy ad ordinary relations with | sted aicere tine = one another. The || timereerteGrwnand other distinction between the || mblcbotiesandoticas two branches of the law 4 4 is reflected in the eats os ot procedures used, the |, trulsetindcablectences apes: [g Maosiy ote gation sufetto nature, eS idaiglaiead oer othe dam courts in which cases eae may be heard and the sanctions which may be i + Tribunals applied. Magistrates’ Courts Hear appeals trom decisions on: 1 . LL rsisotsurmaryeftencescommitats —— L immigration socal secury. ed suppor. The court system ‘to the Crown Court, family proceedings pensions, tax and lands in England and Wales can cours and youth carts {total iypes of tbunas ae be considered as consisting administered by the HMCTS) of 5 levels: Fig. Service Court Structure of Her Majesty's Courts & Tribunals * Supreme Court (formerly the House of Lords) and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council + Court of Appeal . High Court . Crown Court and County Courts 7 Magistrates’ Courts and the Tribunals Service The system of justice in England and Wales, in both civil and criminal cases, is (as in North America) an adversarial system. This means that in criminal cases, there is no such thing as an examining magistrate who tries to discover the real truth about what happened. In formal terms, it is not the business of any court to find out ‘the truth’. Its job is simply to decide 'yes' or 'no' to a particular proposition (in criminal cases, that a certain person is guilty of a certain crime) after it has heard arguments and evidence from both sides. The Courts - Apart from a number of specialised courts and tribunals, the organisational division of courts is that between criminal law and civil law. Minor criminal cases are tried in the magistrates’ courts, minor civil cases in county courts. The higher courts - the Crown Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal ~ are known collectively, 2356