University of Languages and International Studies, VNU Hanoi

FACULTY OF LINGUISTICS AND CULTURES OF ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES

Division of International Studies

INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH & AMERICAN STUDIES

GUIDELINES FOR REVIEWING THE COURSE

STRUCTURE OF THE FINAL EXAM

The final exam would last 80 minutes. It consists of two compulsory parts and one experimental
element.
The first compulsory part (Part 1/ 5 points) estimates your ability to understand common
references and conversations about the UK and the US. It includes short questions about the
course’s key concepts and facts.
The second compulsory part (Part 2/ 5 points) mobilizes your in-depth understanding of a
socio-political and cultural phenomenon in the UK or the US as well as your capacity to produce
clear and effective written English. It asks you to write a short essay of 400 words to address one
or some of the issues discussed in the seminars.
You can choose whether to respond to the experimental element, which elicits your
interpretation of figurative expressions related to the course contents. If your response is of good
quality as judged by the examiners, you will receive a bonus point.
REVIEW QUESTIONS

PART 1
Instead of providing ready-made short questions to appear in the real exam, this review
guidelines only offer suggestions that will be used to develop the questions in Part 1 of the final
exam. Some of the suggestions might seem to be about trivialities; however, from the course
designers’ perspective, these details are among those defining the events, periods, or processes
that one should know. See the sample test to have a sense of the kinds of questions you will
encounter in the real exam.

Chapter 1: Organizing Concepts Thúy Anh

● What is a nation state? Distinguish the nation state from other forms of social
organization such as non-sovereign state, tribe, empire, city-state, theocracy, etc.
A nation state is a specific form of sovereign state (a political entity on a territory) that is
guided by a nation (a cultural entity), and which derives its legitimacy from successfully
serving all its citizens. The nation state implies that a state and a nation coincide.

A nation-state is sovereign state that is guided by a nation. It

Nation state implies that a state and a nation coincide, which means a state
(a political entity) has chosen to adopt a specific cultural group.

A non-sovereign state is the opposite of what a sovereign state

is. It does not possess total control of its territory therefore
Non-sovereign state making it dependent on another state or entity. It often has
cultural and historical ties to, and relies on, the parent state for
defence.
A tribe is a group of people that have common ancestry or a
Tribe common culture, and live in their own enclosed society.
Empire is an extensive group of states/ countries under a single
Empire supreme authority
A city-state is an independent city that has its own government,
City-state completely separate from nearby countries.
(eg. Singapore)
A form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as
Theocracy the supreme civil ruler
● What is a nation? What is national identity?
- A nation is a country as a group of people with the same language, culture, and history,
who live in a particular area under one government.
- National identity involves identification with representations of shared experiences and
history as told through stories, literature, popular culture and the media.

Phương Anh
● What is identity politics?
Identity politics is concerned with the making and maintenance of cultural rights for
those persons making identity claims within society and culture. Identity politics is a sub-
set of cultural politics and is thus also concerned with the “power to name” and to make
particular descriptions stick.
● Identify and elaborate on at least two different meanings of culture.
- Matthew Arnold’s view that acquiring culture was the means toward moral
perfection and social good.
- For William, culture is the meanings and practices of ordinary men and women
that composed culture
● According to Foucault, what is power? Give examples of sovereign power, disciplinary
power, pastoral power, and bio-power.
- According to Foucault, Power is not a thing but a relation, is not possessed but
practiced, is not only repressive but also productive, and power is everywhere.
-
Sovereign power The king or queen possesses ultimate authority over other
people’s lives
Headmasters use their authority to expel/promote students
Some people have the right to vote while others are
denied
Bullies persecute their victims

Disciplinary power Surveillance mechanism: a prison design that allows a

supervisor to watch inmates

Pastoral power A teacher guiding a student through their studies

A doctor advising a patient on how to improve their

health

A government issuing public health warnings

 Bio-power Public health campaigns that promote vaccination and
other preventive measures

Laws that regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol

and tobacco

-
Chapter 2: History of the UK & the US
General understanding Đức
● What is historiography?
Historiography is the study of how historians develop history, and by extension in any
body of historical work on a particular subject.
● Why is it possible to say that the most popular version of the history of the US is
Eurocentric?
The history of the United States is often taught from the perspective of European settlers,
particularly the British who established the original 13 colonies. This Eurocentric view
tends to emphasize the achievements and contributions of Europeans while downplaying
or ignoring those of Native Americans and other non-European cultures
The term “Eurocentrism” became prevalent in the context of decolonization and
development. It’s often used to critique Western narratives of progress and the
downplaying of non-Western contributions. For instance, the narrative of Christopher
Columbus “discovering” America is a classic example of a Eurocentric perspective
Formation of the UK Trà Giang
● What did the Treaty of Union in 1707 do?
- Joining the Scottish and the English Parliaments thus creating the single Kingdom of
Great Britain and centralizing political power in London.
● What did the Acts of Union 1800 do?
- Dissolved the Irish Parliament and merged it with the British Parliament, creating the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
American Revolution Thu Hà
● What was the American Revolution about?
The American Revolution—also called the U.S. War of Independence—was the
insurrection fought between 1775 and 1783 through which 13 of Great Britain’s North
American colonies threw off British rule to establish the sovereign United States of
America, founded with the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
 ● The Boston Tea Party (1773) was a significant event in the growth of the American
Revolution and later became an iconic event of American history. What prompted the
event? How did it happen?
- The event was prompted primarily by the Tea Act of 1773, which was passed by the
British Parliament to rescue the financially troubled British East India Company. All the
taxes except one on tea were removed. Therefore, in 1773 a group of patriots responded
by staging the Boston Tea Party.
- The Boston Tea Party unfolded on December 16, 1773, when a group of colonists,
disguised as Indians, boarded British merchant ships and dumped 324 crates of tea into
Boston harbor. Colonial leaders convened the First Continental Congress in 1774 to
discuss the colonies's opposition to British rule. War broke out on April 19, 1775, and on
July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted a Declaration of Independence.

Khánh Huyền
● During what years was the American Revolutionary War fought?
1775 - 1783 (The war broke out on April 19, 1775 when British soldiers confronted
colonial rebels in Lexington, Massachusetts. In 1781, British troops surrendered in the
last battle, and the war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783).
● What are some of the major contents of the Declaration of Independence? Who was its
main author? In what year was it adopted?
- Major contents of the Declaration of Independence (According to Britannica)
+ God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness;
+ The main business of the government is to protect these rights;
+ If a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to
set up a new government.
- Main author: Thomas Jefferson, the third president in 1801, heading a party preferring
to allot more power to the states so that they would be more accountable to the people.
● What did the Peace of Paris in 1783 do?
The Peace of Paris in 1783 marked the point that England officially recognized American
independence, and it officially ended the American Revolutionary War against British
colonization.
The Victorian Era Giang Khanh
● When did the Victorian era start and end? Name three key features of the era.
The Victorian era last for 64 years from 1837 to 1901
Three key features of the Victorian era:
 - Constitutional monarchy: It was during the reign of Queen Victoria that the monarchy
took on its recognizably modern form. This was noticed and analyzed by Walter Bagehot
and Benjamin Disraeli. Bagehot laid down various constitutional precepts to which
sovereigns after Queen Victoria sought to adhere.
- The Industrial Revolution: This was made up of technological, scientific and industrial
innovations (e.g. mass production, steam engines, railways, sewing machines, gas and
electric light, the telegraph) that led to an enormous expansion of production, particularly
through the factory system. There were huge social costs: the dehumanisation of work,
child labour, pollution, and the growth of cities where poverty, filth and disease
flourished. Child labour and poverty were also a feature of rural life, where farm work
involved long hours, very low pay and exposure to all weathers.
- Idealization of the family: The ideal of family – respectable and loving – dominated the
Victorian period. The cult of the home grew steadily, with Queen Victoria and her family
providing a role model for the nation. Women were expected to stay at home and bring
up the family, but the reality for many poor families was that women had to work; and
many single middle-class women also had to work.
-
American Civil War
● Name the major debate that motivated the American Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln- a foe slavery became the president and industrialized the North. Meanwhile
the South still maintained the slavery as they were mainly based on agriculture. -> 11 states left
Union and proclaimed as independent nation( Confederate States of America)
● During what years was the Civil War fought?
The Civil War started in 1860 and ended in 1865.
Sỹ Khánh
● What were the two opposing forces in the American Civil War? What was the name of
the secessionist faction of the Civil War?
The two opposing forces in the American Civil War were the Union and the
Confederates. The name of the secessionist faction of the Civil War was the Confederate
States of America.
● Who was the President of the US at that time?
Abraham Lincoln
● The Civil War resolved two matters that vexed Americans since 1776. What are they?
It put an end to slavery and it decided that the country was not a collection of semi-
independent states but an indivisible whole.
World War I Ngọc Lan
 World War I (WWI or WW1), also known as the First World War, the Great War, or the
War to End All Wars, was a global war originating in Europe. It was one of the deadliest
conflicts in history, and paved the way for major political changes, including revolutions in many
of the nations involved. Unresolved rivalries still extant at the end of the conflict contributed to
the start of World War II only twenty-one years later.
● During what years was the war fought?
World War I was fought from 1914 to 1918
● How did the UK enter World War I?
The United Kingdom entered World War I in response to Germany's invasion of Belgium. The
UK had a treaty with Belgium guaranteeing its neutrality, and when Germany violated that
neutrality, it prompted the UK to declare war on Germany on August 4, 1914.
● How did the US enter World War II?
The United States entered World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December
7, 1941. Prior to the attack, the US had adopted a policy of neutrality in the war. However, the
surprise attack on the US naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by the Japanese forces led to a
change in US foreign policy. The following day, on December 8, 1941, the US declared war on
Japan. Subsequently, Germany and Italy, who were allies of Japan, declared war on the US, and
the US entered World War II as a result.
Khánh Linh
● Who was the US president during the war?
- President Woodrow Wilson
● Did the US join the League of Nations?
- The US did not participate in the League of Nations
American First Red Scare
The Red Scare of the 1920s was a period of time, and a series of actions relating to fear
over communism's power and spread in America. It followed World War I, and the Russian
Revolution by the communist Bolsheviks. It's especially important in the context of the 20th
century American political and social landscape, because it affected political decisions relating to
war, freedom, and immigration.
● What prompted the 1919–1920 Red Scare in the US?
The first Red Scare climaxed in 1919 and 1920, when United States Attorney General
Alexander Mitchell Palmer ordered the Palmer raids, a series of violent law-enforcement raids
targeting leftist radicals and anarchists. Moreover, several hundred foreign-born political radicals
were deported, even though most of them were innocent of any crime

First-wave Feminism Việt Linh

 First-wave feminism was a period of feminist activity and thought that occurred within
the time period of the 19th and early 20th century throughout the world. It focused on legal
issues, primarily on gaining women's suffrage (the right to vote).
● When did women in the UK and the US first have the right to vote?
The US: August 1920
The UK: Until Equal Franchise Act 1928

Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties was a period of sustained economic prosperity with a distinctive
cultural edge in the US and Western Europe, particularly in major cities such as Berlin, Chicago,
London, Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, and Sydney.
● What war ended right before the start of the Roaring Twenties?
The First World War ended in 1918
Gia Linh
● What is often said about the spirit of the Roaring Twenties?
- The spirit of the Roaring Twenties was marked by a general feeling of novelty
associated with modernity and a break with tradition, through modern technology such as
automobiles, moving pictures, and radio, bringing "modernity" to a large part of the
population.
● In the US, what style of music became popular during the Roaring Twenties?
- Jazz (The Roaring Twenties period is also referred to as the Jazz Age)
● What event brought the Roaring Twenties to a grinding halt?
- The stock market crash (October 29th, 1929).
- After this period, Americans stuck into one of their darkest era “The Great Depression”
The Great Depression Hà Linh
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place
mostly during the 1930s, originating in the United States. The timing of the Great Depression
varied across nations; in most countries, it started in 1929 and lasted until 1941. It was the
longest, deepest, and most widespread depression of the 20th century.
● What were some of the major causes of the Great Depression?
The Great Depression in the U.S. was precipitated by a combination of factors, including
the stock market crash of 1929, excessive borrowing and speculation, unequal
distribution of wealth, overproduction in agriculture and industry, and the failure of
banks.
● What was the New Deal in the US? What were the key contents of the New Deal?
 The New Deal (introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt) was a series of programs,
reforms, and regulations aimed at addressing the economic challenges of the Great
Depression.
Several measures were established to stabilize the economy, regulate commercial
institutions, create internal demand for American products, and prevent social and
economic hardship.

World War II Hương Ly

World War II (often abbreviated to WWII or WW2), also known as the Second World
War, was the most widespread war in history, and directly involved more than 100 million
people from over 30 countries. The war led to the formation of two opposing military alliances,
the Allies and the Axis, and a new world order.
● In what years was the war fought?
World War II broke out in 1939 and ended in 1945.
● How did the UK enter World War II?
Nazi Germany was becoming more menacing as Hitler grew more powerful and
aggressive. Finally, Britain and France were forced to declare war on Germany after the
invasion of Poland in September 1939, making the beginning of World War II.
● Who was the British Prime Minister during the war?
The popular and charismatic Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965) became the war - time
Prime Minister in 1940.
Thanh Mai
● How did the US enter World War II?
The bombing of Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii by the Japanese in December 1941
brought the US into the war, first against Japan and then against its allies, Germany and
Italy.
● What happened to the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9,
1945, respectively?
President Harry Truman ordered the use of atomic bombs against the cities of Hiroshima
(August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945). Nearly 200,000 civilians were killed.
● Name the conference where the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(IBRD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were established.
On July 1, 1944, at the Bretton Woods Conference, IBRD and IMF were established by
delegates from 44 nations. (They met at the secluded Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton
Woods, New Hampshire, to agree on a system of economic order and international
 cooperation that would help countries recover from the devastation of the war and foster
long-term global growth.)
Ngọc Minh
● Name the conference where the United Nations was formulated and negotiated among
international leaders.
United Nations Conference on International Organization, held in San Francisco, United States,
from April 25 to June 26, 1945. (The purpose: to establish a new international organization to
replace the League of Nations and promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. The
result: the United Nations Charter was signed on June 26, 1945.)
UK Decolonization
● Describe the UK’s policy towards its colonies after World War II.
Various factors impacted the UK’s approach to its colonies after World War II: economic,
political, and social considerations accompanied by the rise of nationalist movements in many
colonies. Following are the approaches the UK took in response to the situation:
- Decolonization and Independence Movements: After the war: a rise in nationalist
movements and demands for self-determination in Britain's colonies -> The UK
recognized the right of colonies to determine their future and began a process of
decolonization.
- The Colonial Development and Welfare Act: In 1945, the British government passed the
Colonial Development and Welfare Act aimed to improve the economic and social
conditions in the colonies.
- Formation of the Commonwealth: Gaining independence, many colonies chose to join the
Commonwealth, a voluntary association of independent nations with historical links to
the British Empire.
- Retention of Overseas Territories: Granting independence to many colonies, the UK
retained some overseas territories (those with strategic importance or significant British
populations).

Cold War Nga

● What does the Cold War refer to?
The Cold War refers to a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the
United States.
● When did the Cold War start and end?
- The Cold War started shortly after World War II, in 1948. It ended in 1991 with the
dissolution of the Soviet Union.
American Second Red Scare
● What does the American Second Red Scare refer to?
 The American Second Red Scare refers to the period of intense fear in the United States
about the influence of communism and the potential for communist infiltration within
American society and government. This period was marked by widespread suspicions,
accusations, and investigations of suspected communists, often leading to unfair trials
and violations of civil liberties. It's most closely associated with the activities of Senator
Joseph McCarthy and is often referred to as "McCarthyism."

Vietnam/American War Ngân

● By 1969 the US forces in Vietnam totaled almost 550,000 individuals. Who was the US
president during the escalation of the War from 1963 to 1969?
Lyndon B. Johnson
● Who was the US president that pursued a policy of Vietnamization, which gradually
replaced American soldiers with Vietnamese?
Richard Nixon
Jim Crow Era
● What were Jim Crow laws?
Jim Crow laws were any of the laws that enforced racial segregation in the American
South between the end of Reconstruction in 1877 and the beginning of the civil rights
movement in the 1950s. In its Plessy v. Ferguson decision (1896), the U.S. Supreme
Court ruled that “separate but equal” facilities for African Americans did not violate the
Fourteenth Amendment, ignoring evidence that the facilities for Black people were
inferior to those intended for whites.
American Civil Rights Movement Nhi
● What were the goals and achievements of the Civil Rights Movement that happened
between 1954 and 1968 in the US?
Goals:
End racial segregation and discrimination.
Secure equal rights and opportunities for all citizens, regardless of race.
Eliminate barriers to voting and political participation.
Achieve economic and social justice for African Americans.
Achievements:
Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956): Ended segregation on public buses.
Civil Rights Act of 1964: Banned discrimination in public accommodations and employment.
Voting Rights Act of 1965: Eliminated discriminatory voting practices.
March on Washington (1963): Raised awareness and support for civil rights.
Fair Housing Act of 1968: Addressed housing discrimination.
Desegregation of schools, sit-ins, and freedom rides: Challenged racial segregation in various
contexts.
Second-wave Feminism
● As a period of feminist activity, when is the wave thought to have first begun in the US?
How did it differ from the first-wave feminism?
The feminist movement in the United States is generally divided into four waves. The second
wave of feminism began in the early 1960s and lasted through the early 1980s. It was
characterized by a focus on issues such as reproductive rights, sexuality, and workplace
discrimination. The second wave differed from the first wave of feminism, which focused
primarily on women's suffrage and legal rights. The second wave was also more inclusive of
women of color and women from working-class backgrounds.
War on Terror Quỳnh
● According to US President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, what
was the mission of the 2003 invasion of Iraq?
According to U.S. President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, the
mission of the 2003 invasion of Iraq was "to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction,
to end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people"
● The Iraq Inquiry (also referred to as the Chilcot Inquiry) was a British public inquiry into
the nation's role in the Iraq War in 2003. What are some of the key conclusions of the
inquiry?
+ The inquiry concludes that Mr Blair’s decision to go to war in 2003 was flawed.
“The UK chose to join the invasion of Iraq before the peaceful options for
disarmament had been exhausted,” it states. “Military action at that time was not a
last resort.”
+ Tony Blair exaggerated the threat posed by the Iraqi regime as he sought to make
the case for military action to MPs and the public in the buildup to the invasion in
2002 and 2003. “The judgments about Iraq’s capabilities ... were presented with a
certainty that was not justified,”
+ Britain’s intelligence agencies produced “flawed ìnormation”: Chilcot says the
intelligence community worked from the start on the misguided assumption that
Saddam had WMDs and made no attempt to consider the possibility that he had
got rid of them
+ US-UK relations would not have been harmed if the UK stayed out of war:
Chilcot rejects the view that the UK would have lost diplomatic influence if it had
refused to join the war. “If the UK had refused to join the US in the war it would
 not have led to a fundamental or lasting change in the UK’s relationship with the
US.”

Chapter 3: National Beliefs and Values Thành

● What does the phrase “a city upon the hill” refer to?
- The city upon the hill is a phrase spoken from Jesus' sermon on the Mount. The Puritans
used this phrase as a goal in which to strive for. They wanted their colony to be a beacon
of hope that hopefully one day others would imitate.
● What is the American Dream?
- The American Dream is the national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals including
representative democracy, rights, liberty, and equality, in which freedom is interpreted as
the opportunity for individual prosperity and success, as well as upward social mobility
for oneself and their children, achieved through hard work in a capitalist society with few
barriers.
● What is American exceptionalism? What are some examples of American
exceptionalism?
- It’s one of the three related ideas:
+ First: The U.S. history is inherently different from other nations. American
exceptionalism stems from the American Revolution, becoming “the first new
nation” (Seymour Martin) and developing ideology of “Americanism”, based on
liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, republicanism, democracy and laissez-faire
economics
+ Second: The U.S. has a mission to transform the world, Americans have a duty to
ensure that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not
perish from the Earth (A. Lincoln, 1863)”.
+ Third: The United States’ history and mission gives it superiority over other
nations.
- E.g: the belief that the United States is a beacon of democracy and freedom, and that it
has a responsibility to spread these values around the world (Thomas Paine).

Chapter 4: Political Systems Ngô Phương Thảo

● What is a constitution?
- A set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or
other organization is governed.
- Can be written or unwritten
- Often serve as the supreme laws and regulations within a country.
● What is a constitutional monarchy?
- It is a form of government in which a hereditary monarch serves as the head of state
within the parameters of a constitution.
- The monarch’s role is largely ceremonial or symbolic
- The real political power is generally held by a parliament.
● What is a parliamentary democracy?
- It is a system of government in which the executive branch derives its legitimacy from
and is accountable to the legislature.
- The head of government is typically a prime minister, who is the leader of the majority
party in parliament.
- The parliament is composed of elected representatives who formulate and pass laws, as
well as overseeing the actions of the government.
- Key features of a parliamentary democracy include the ability to remove the government
and prime minister through a vote of no confidence
Quản Thảo
● What is a representative democracy?
A representative democracy is a system where all government power rests ultimately with
the people, who direct policies by voting for government representatives.
● What does ‘separation of powers’ refer to?
“Separation of powers” refers to the separation of power among three branches:
- Legislative (makes laws)
- Executive (carries out laws)
- Judicial (evaluates laws)
● What is a bill?
A bill is a formal proposal for a new legislation or an amendment to existing laws that is
introduced into a legislative body for consideration.
Thanh Thảo
● Describe the political systems of the UK & the US in terms of constitution, form of
government, branches of government, political parties, and election.
- The UK’s political system:
+ Constitution: principles and procedures by which the country is governed and by which
people rights are derived come from multiple sources: some written in laws agreed by
Parliament, some spoken and written in the form of judgment made in courts, some
unwritten
 + Form of government: constitutional monarchy
+ Branches of government: legislature, executive, judiciary
+ Political parties: two-party system; 2 parties exist to gain power by forming effective
coalitions of interest groups and individuals
+ Election: held on the first Thursday of every five years. In a general election, people in
each constituency can only vote for one of the candidates. Party that wins the most seats
in the House of Commons will form the government; its leader becomes the Prime
Minister. If no party wins the majority of the seat, a minority government or coalition
may be formed ( hung Parliament)
- The USA's political system:
+ Constitution: define power of state government, function framework of gov, people right
+ Form of gov: representative democracy
+ Branches of gov: legislative, executive, judicial branch
+ Political parties: two-party system, dominated by the Democratic and Republican Parties.
The majority party in Congress has not always been the party of the president. Minor
parties (3rd parties) have appeared from time to time and have been assimilated by the
larger or just faded away
+ Election: held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every 4 years.
The newly elected president takes the oath of office and begins serving his or her term on
January 20th

● How are powers divided in American federalism?

- The principle of limited gov was achieved by dividing authority between the
central gov and the individual states
- The federal(national) gov has powers over areas of wide concern (Eg: control
communications among states, borrow money, declare war, provide for the
national defense)
- The states possess powers that are not given to the national gov (Eg: establish its
own criminal justice system, public school, etc)
- Gov and states share some concurrent powers (Eg: tax, set up courts, charter
bank)

Chapter 5: Economic Systems Trà

● Explain some common metrics to measure economic activities (eg. GDP, GDP per capita,
inflation rate, unemployment rate)
 - Budget deficit: occurs when government expenditures exceed revenues from
taxes and other sources
- Trade deficit: occurs when a country's imports exceed its exports during a given
time period.
- Devaluation
: a country decides to lower its exchange rate cheaper exports, more expensive impo

- Depreciation
: a fall in the value of currency in a floating exchange rate affected by political unc

● What type of economy do the UK and the US have? What is the role of the government
in that economy?
- Both the UK and the US are mixed economies which include private and public
sectors. In both the UK and the US, the private sector is dominant in many
industries, such as retail, finance, and technology. However, the government also
plays a significant role in areas such as healthcare, education, and social welfare.
- The role of government in a mixed economy is to control prices and protect
customers and certain companies from destructive competition.
● What are these two countries' main trade partners?
- The UK: United States, China, Germany, Netherlands and France
- The US: China, Canada, Mexico, Germany and Japan
Trang
● What sectors and industries are most important to the economy of the UK and the US?
● What have been the key structural shifts in the British and American economies?

the UK the US

The most services, particularly banking, service industries with the

important sectors insurance, and business services government services, business
and industries and health, banking, finance
consultancy, computer and data
processing, hotels, restaurants,
leisure activities, trade,
personal services (including
child day care), and
communications.

The key structural - Decline in industrial and Since 1970s, major changes
shifts in the British manufacturing trade have been
and American + Industries were situated in + The growth of service
economies areas where there was
access to natural resources
and transport systems and
where there was often
only one major industry.
They could easily be
damaged in a changing
economic climate, unless
they managed to diversify
their product base.
+ De-industrialization,
global competition and
recession from the 1970s
to early 2000s still
affected regions which
had diversified
successfully in the past.
+ Industrial decline badly
affected northern England
land, the English
Midlands, Scotland,
Northern Ireland and
South Wales.
- Growth in specialized
high-tech sectors which
resulted from new
production and research
methods.
- Growth in service
industries
+ The service sectors,
namely banking,
insurance, catering,
leisure, finance, and
information now account
for 80% of the gross
domestic product although
they suffered in the 2001
global downturn and the
2007 financial crisis.
● What is the importance of the finance sector for the British economy?
industries: the service
industries vary in size
from small firms to
large corporations; they
have developed
nationwide, but
particularly in the
northeast.
+ A decline in
traditional
manufacturing
industry: traditional
heavy manufacturing
industries such as
automobiles have had
setbacks
+ Agriculture is under
threat: small
subsistence farms have
decreased, farm sizes
have increased and
labor has been reduced
as competition,
machanization,
technological advances
and specialized farms
have increased.
+ A relative weakening in
the USA’s position as
other countries became
more competitive
+ Fluctuating budget
deficits and dollar
values.
The UK is a leading trading power and financial center; therefore, the financial sector is of great
significance to British economy. It brings the UK numerous benefits, namely:
+ Global Financial Hub: London is a major global financial hub, home to the City of
London, one of the world's leading financial districts. It hosts numerous financial
institutions, including banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. The
concentration of financial expertise and infrastructure in London attracts international
businesses and investors, contributing significantly to the UK's economic activity.
+ Job Creation: The financial sector is a major source of employment in the UK. The
industry provides a wide range of jobs, including those in banking, asset management,
insurance, and financial technology (fintech). The availability of high-skilled jobs in
finance supports a skilled and specialized workforce, boosting overall economic
productivity.
+ Contribution to GDP: Financial services generate significant economic output through
various activities such as banking, securities trading, insurance, and financial advisory
services. The revenue generated by these activities contributes directly to the overall
economic growth of the country.

Tuấn
● What factors help explain the US industrial and economic growth?
Abundant resources: coal, oil, iron, timber, etc.
Government policies: the government had minimal intervention in the economy.
● What is Thatcherism?
the political and economic policies advocated by the former British Conservative Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher, particularly those involving the privatization of nationalized
industries and trade union legislation.
● What is the New Deal?
A series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by
President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the US between 1933-1936. It responded to needs for
relief, reform, and recovery from the Great Depression.
● What are the key challenges facing the UK economy and the US economy nowadays?
UK: The decline of manufacturing, budget deficit, fluctuations in the value of the pound.
US: Globalization, industrial decline, agriculture under threat, and the skill gap and
educational achievement levels..

Chapter 6: Education Systems Uyên

● According to David Labaree (1997), what are the three goals of the American education
system? Illustrate each goal with examples of educational practices in the US.
- Democratic Equality:
+ Equal Access to Education: Policies and practices aimed at providing equal
educational opportunities for all students regardless of their socioeconomic status
or background exemplify this goal. Programs like Title I funding, which allocates
resources to schools with a high number of students from low-income families,
aim to bridge the educational gap.
- Social Efficiency:
+ Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs: Vocational training and CTE
programs in high schools and community colleges focus on imparting practical
skills and knowledge aligned with workforce needs. These programs aim to
produce a skilled workforce ready to enter specific industries, such as healthcare,
technology, or trades.
- Social Mobility:
+ College Access Programs: Initiatives like scholarship programs, college
preparatory courses, and guidance counseling services aim to facilitate access to
higher education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
These programs seek to enable individuals to improve their social and economic
status through education.
● What is educationalization?
- Educationalization can be used as the general concept to identify the overall orientation
or trend toward thinking about education as the focal point for addressing or solving
larger human problems.
Yến
● How did the 1944 Education Act change the education system in England and Wales?
- State schooling became free and compulsory up to the age of fifteen and was divided into
three stages: primary schools (5-11 years), secondary schools (11-15) and further post-
school training.
- A decentralized system resulted, in which a Ministry of Education drew up policy
guidelines and local education authorities (LEAs) decided which forms of schooling
would be used in their areas.
- Two types of state schools resulted from the Act: county and voluntary.
+ County: Primary and secondary county schools provided by LEAs
+ Voluntary: (mainly elementary schools) founded by religious and other groups
and were now partially financed or maintained by LEAs, although they retained
their religious affiliation.
- The eleven-plus examination

(linguistic, mathematical and general knowledge tests) was taken in the last ye

● Progressive education is a pedagogical movement that began in the late nineteenth

century and has persisted in various forms to the present. What was/were characteristic of
progressive education?
+ Moralistic piety practical skills
+ Rote memorization “learning by doing”
+ Subject-centered child centered and means of social progress
+ Physical education, music, and fine arts
+ Vocational subjects as electives
+ After-school extra-curricular activities (e.g. team sports)
Self-actualized person, free-thinking democracy
● What is the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education case?
- Struck down the principle of separate-but-equal education facilities for the races
- Pushed public schools districts to present plans for achieving “racial balance” in their
schools
Đạt
● In the US, what is affirmative action in education?
- It is the government’s attempt during the early 1970s to rectify the long-standing
effects of discrimination within the education system. The affirmative action aims
to support women and ethnic minority groups.
- It includes a redesign of primary/secondary school textbooks, hiring more
teachers representing minority groups and encouraging minority groups to join the
academic field.
● What are the features of No Child Left Behind?
- Heavy emphasis on standard test results, teachers being evaluated based on said
score, more federal involvement in upholding teaching standards and school
giving performance boost for minority/poor students
● What are the ongoing problems in education in the UK and the US?
- Underpaid/overworked teachers, the teaching/learning standards, the heavy
emphasis on test results, social/economic class inequality, job opportunity.
PART 2
Issue 1. Democracy is a Western concept, generally understood as the power or the rule of
the people. When the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion,
reversing Roe v. Wade, an article in the Guardian called the ruling “a mockery of
democracy”.
Write an essay of about 400 words to discuss the issue. Your answer should make clear
what the decision means, whether you think it is undemocratic and why/why not, and how
Americans can exercise democracy in this matter within the social and political reality of
the US?

● Outline: discuss democracy after the final ruling of overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022 in
the US:
- Introduction: Thesis statement: State the main argument of the essay:
- Body paragraph 1
Information on the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade (what it
means)
+ It’s impact toward women and minorities (Human rights affected)
+ It’s impact toward US citizen as a whole
+ It’s impact toward state laws
- Body Paragraph 2
+ Topic sentence: State the main topic of the paragraph.
The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was made by a
minority of the American people, through a process that is increasingly
undemocratic. (not democratic)
The supreme Court’s decision was made by a group of Justices which has
been elected indirectly through a democratic mean
+ Supporting evidence:
Eg: the six justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade were all appointed
by Republican presidents, and five of them were appointed by presidents
who lost the popular vote.
*The people does not have a direct influence in choosing justices to
represent them* (not democratic)
*the people have indirect influences over the justices through their
decision of which president to vote for (democratic)
The Supreme Court is increasingly out of touch with the American people,
as evidenced by the fact that it has made a number of rulings in recent
years that are unpopular with the majority of Americans.
 - Body paragraph 3: how Americans can exercise democracy in this matter within the
social and political reality of the US
+ Contact your elected officials: let them know your thoughts on the issue and
encourage them to support policies you agree with on the official website of the
United States House of Representatives or the United States Senate.
+ Peaceful protest, social movements, advocacy, organize charities to support
abortion seekers (providing financial support, contraceptives, underground
abortion connection).
- Conclusion
+ Restate your thesis statement and summarize your main points.

Issue 2. What were the main economic arguments for Brexit? Are these arguments
supported by evidence? Write an essay of about 400 words to answer these questions.
Reference the relevant economic outcomes of Brexit when possible.
I. Opening
- Briefly introduce Brexit
- Outline the content of Brexit: This essay will focus on two main economic arguments for
Brexit.
II. Body
1. Argument 1: Brexit would allow the UK to diversify its international links and
establish its own trade agreements
- Current single market of the UK: The EU has a common trade policy, which means that
the EU and its 28 EU Member States act as one single jurisdiction in all trade-related
matters. International agreements concluded by the EU are binding on the EU Institutions
and its Member States.

As a member of the EU, the UK must have the EU’s permission to trade with any partners outside the EU

- Outcomes after Brexit: The UK has established free trade agreement with
+ The CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership) includes:
Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New
Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
+ India
+ Gulf Cooperation Council made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia and the UAE
+ The USA
 After Brexit, the UK is less restricted by EU’s regulations freely trade with non-EU markets.

2. Argument 2: Brexit may lead to higher wages and employment rates of native-born
British workers.
-

EU law guarantees that citizens of one EU country have the right to live and take jobs in other EU countr

- Evidence by Iain Duncan Smith (a leading Brexit campaigner -the former work and
pensions secretary):

Citizens of other EU countries now account for 6.8% of the British workforce, compared to 4.8% three y

- Outcomes after Brexit:

+ The wages of low-skilled employees did increase. Senior City analysts said near
record-wage growth was partly being driven by a crackdown on uncontrolled
immigration from the EU, with employers forced to pay higher wages for low-
skilled roles previously filled by Europeans.
+ The employment rate of native UK citizens did not see a significant rise after
Brexit. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the employment
rate for UK nationals aged 16 to 64 was 75.3% in the period of September to
November 2016, just before the Brexit referendum. In the same period in 2020,
the employment rate for UK nationals in the same age group was 75.2% -> no
substantial increase in employment among native UK citizens following Brexit.
III. Conclusion
- Briefly summarize the arguments discussed

Issue 3. A recent study* suggested that Brexit voters were more motivated by identity than
economics. Specifically, individuals with stronger British identity are more supportive of Leave.
In addition, those who claim to be British only are less pro-Leave than those who see themselves
as English only or British and English.
Write an essay of about 400 words to discuss this issue. Your answer should summarize the
voting pattern of the different regions of the UK and its aftermath, and explain why identity may
help explain this voting pattern.
* See the study (full text available) at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1468-
4446.12790?af=R

I. Introduction
In the Brexit referendum, individuals who strongly identify with a British identity tend to be
more in favor of supporting the Leave option. However, when British identity is compared with
national identities, such as English and Scottish, those who solely identify as British are less
supportive of the Leave position than individuals who identify as English only or both British
and English.

II. Body
1. Voting pattern of the different regions of the UK
- Pattern of voting by nations
+ Pro-Leave: England, Wales
+ Pro-Remain: Scotland, Northern Ireland
- Pattern of voting by constituencies
+ Pro-Leave: south and east of England and Wales (Boston, South Holland and
Great Yarmouth, the Midlands, Birmingham, etc
+ Pro-Remain: Cornwall, portions of Scotland
2. The aftermaths of the voting pattern
- Polarization of politics: the referendum created a clear division between the pro-leave and
the pro-remain (remain consistent with their choice afterwards) (Guardian, 2021)
- Scottish independence debate: the referendum intensified the debate around the
independence of Scotland. EU membership is significant to future of Scotland as an
independent state; Brexit has changed the situation that Scottish government called for
another referendum to maintain the best position for EU membership
- Economic implication: regions that voted to leave turn out to be most affected by Brexit
since they relied on the EU market for their local economic activities (Blackaby et al.,
 2020) - > wage decline in regions of traditionally high- wages (London, Southeast,etc);
rising unemployment (Wales, Southeast). (Walker, 2023)

3. Identity
Identity plays a pivotal role in shaping attitudes and behaviors. In the context of Brexit, the
emphasis on national identity intertwined with historical, cultural, and socio-political aspects.
- The national identity of ‘Englishness’ and ‘Welshness’ might perceive the EU as a threat
to their autonomy and cultural distinctiveness.
=> more inclined to support leaving the EU, viewing it as a reaffirmation of their national
sovereignty
- A significant portion of the Northern Ireland population identifies as British, aligning
themselves with the broader British identity.
Northern Ireland shows concerns about the potential impact of Brexit on the peace
process, the border with Ireland, and the economy.
- There's a strong sense of European identity in Scotland, and many Scots feel culturally
and socially connected to other European nations. They value the diversity and openness
the EU brings, and show worry about the isolationism that Brexit may cause.
III. Conclusion
There exist significant regional variations in the voting pattern of Brexit, which leads to
polarization of politics, sparks the independence debate in Scotland and denotes certain
economic implications. The pattern of voting can be explained by the fact that people with
English or Welsh national identity regard EU integration as undermining their sovereignty while
the Scottish or Northern Irish are concerned about the importance of EU membership.

Issue 4. The documentary ‘Waiting for Superman’ suggests that public schools in the US are
failing and that charter schools are a better alternative than traditional public schools.
Write an essay of about 400 words to discuss this issue. Your answer should articulate how you
agree or disagree with the argument. It should distinguish charter schools and traditional public
schools, summarize the achievements and problems of charter schools, and discuss the impact of
expanding charter schools on the existing public school system. Use specific examples and
evidence to support your answer.

I. Intro
- The argument.
- Disagree or agree with the argument.

II. Body
1. Traditional public schools and charter schools.
- Difference between traditional public schools and charter schools:
+ Traditional public schools: Public schools are those that are operated by the
government and funded by tax dollars. They are subject to laws, regulations, and
standards set forth by state legislatures.
+ Charter schools: A charter school is a tuition-free school of choice that is publicly
funded but independently run. They do not operate with the same restrictions as public
ones
- Achievements and problems of charter schools:
+ Achievements:
*According to the Bridges K-8 Charter School and Paradigm Schools, charter schools are
allowed to use innovative methods of teaching, try out new approaches to instruction, and
modify the curriculum to fit the individual requirements of each student.
*A study conducted by the US Department of Education, charter schools are typically
held accountable for their performance through performance contracts or charters. They
must meet specific academic goals and outcomes outlined in their charter agreements,
and failing to do so can result in closure or non-renewal of their charter.
*Some studies have shown that certain charter schools have achieved higher academic
performance compared to traditional public schools. These schools have demonstrated
success in improving student achievement, particularly for historically underserved
populations.
+ Problems:
*A study conducted by Iris C. Rotberg & Phi Delta Kappan (2014), charter schools tend
to cater to specific student segments, often neglecting students with special needs and
contributing to racial segregation.
*Compared to public schools, charter schools operate with less transparency, allowing for
infrequent board meetings and exemptions from certain educational codes.
1. Agree (3B)
- Main idea 1: Expanding charter schools can increase the autonomy and flexibility of school
curriculum and innovate teaching standards.
+ Charter schools were most likely to enjoy freedom in establishing their own teacher work
rules, school schedules, procurement policies, curricula, and staff dismissal policies -
with about 80 percent of schools experiencing broad autonomy in each of these areas
(Dana, B & Jacob R, 2010).
+ Charter schools have their own set of standards. In “Waiting for Superman" the Summit
Prep charter school does not track students and they keep all the students to the same high
standard curriculum while other traditional public schools keep classifying students based
on their abilities.
=> Thanks to their autonomy, charter schools keep the teaching standards higher than traditional
public schools by implementing their own criteria for teachers and curricula.
- Main idea 2: Improve student performance
+ A study conducted by M. Danish Shakeel and Paul. E Peterson which compares student
performance at charter and district schools using the NAEP (National Assessment of
Educational Progress) from 2005 to 2017 found that charter students made greater gains,
with the biggest gains being for African Americans and low socioeconomic status
students attending charter schools.
=> The rapid pace of change in the charter sector is attributed to its ability to attract proficient
students and better teaching practices.

2. Disagree (3A)
- Main idea 1: Although charter schools operated with more autonomy and innovative
teaching methods, the difference in the result was not as significant as expected.
+ Harvard University and National Bureau of Economic Research: The result taken from a
comprehensive study has shown that the differences in the proportion of fourth graders
going to charter schools and nearest public schools who were proficient in Reading and
Maths were just 4.9% and 2.8% respectively in the United States.
+ Overall, charter schools received minimally more positive results. However, in some
particular states (Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio and Texas), their students
performed even worse than their public school counterparts (Caroline M. Hoxby, Sep
2004)

There will still be questions about the consistency in efficiency of this education model before coming to the co

- Main idea 2: When the charter schools become more prevalent, they will possibly run the
risk of waste, fraud and abuse.
+ The Center for Popular Democracy: Due to the insufficiency in the regulatory foundation
of charter schools, risks of fraud, corruption, and mismanagement are increasing.
According to the report, “at least 100 million public tax dollars have been lost due to
fraud, waste, and abuse”.
 + Instances of fraud and mismanagement can be cataloged as follows:
● Charter operators using public funds illegally for personal gain
● School revenue used to illegally support other charter operator businesses
● Mismanagement that puts children in actual or potential danger
● Charters illegally requesting public dollars for services not provided
● Charter operators illegally inflating enrollment to boost revenues
● Charter operators mismanaging public funds and schools.
(Charter School Vulnerabilities to Waste, Fraud, and Abuse, 2016)
Charter schools have not proven their ability and accountability in managing their funding, human resources and

III. Conclusion
- Briefly summarize the arguments discussed

Issue 5. What does the movie All or Nothing (2002) allow you to see about the struggles of ‘the
working class’ in the UK in the early 2000s? What does the movie suggest as the redeeming
characteristic in their life? Write an essay of about 400 words to address the question. Your
answer should attend to their economic and domestic conditions and one aspect of material
culture. It should additionally address the overall theme of the movie. Use specific examples and
evidence to support your answer.

Issue 6. Boyhood (2014) has been described as a portrait of a ‘normal’ or ‘ordinary’ American
family. In which way the family portrayed here is ‘normal’ and in which way is it not? Write an
essay of about 400 words to discuss the issue. Your answer should rely on an understanding of
being ‘normal’ in an American context and specific examples to demonstrate how the
phenomenon of attention is normal or not.

PART 3
Below are just some figurative expressions that invite your interpretation.

PICTURE 1: Group 2A
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/78883430948269518/
The picture illustrates the attempt of the UK (in particular) to leave the EU disregarding the loss
that the country might incur. In a broader sense, such attempts by nations that want to leave the
bloc ignores the benefits of EU membership and might cause countries to endure the far-reaching
consequences of losing the membership.

PICTURE 2: Group 2B
Source: https://bambooinnovator.com/2013/12/29/britain-must-look-beyond-london-and-put-
faith-in-manufacturing/
The big man in the picture is John Bull, an symbolic embodiment of the UK in general and of
England in particular. This picture illustrates the imbalance in the UK economy development
before 2014: the financial services (the right shoe) were developing 3 times more rapidly than
those in the past, while there was a decline in industrial and manufacturing trades since many
relevant industries failed to adapt to new markets and demands, pricing themselves out of the
world market (the left shoe). The sign road “motorway 2014” is a detail implying the desire to
regain a balance in economic development of all sectors, and 2014 was the high time to get a
change implemented.
PICTURE 3: Group 1A & 1B
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/330662797626657894/
Lady of Liberty represents the US’s pride and belief in freedom. Her torch is the symbol of
knowledge and the state of enlightenment. Within this picture, Lady Liberty is shown leaving the
US with her torch packed by the side of her luggage, signifying the belief in freedom along with
the sense of pride in knowledge and one’s state of enlightenment is no longer found in the US
citizens.
Trump signed an executive order to instate a ban on immigration from certain Muslim-countries
and suspend the US from the refugee program. Based on the artist’s artwork, their interpretation
of the executive order is one that goes against the nature of the United States' sensibility of
freedom, liberty and is represented in the picture as an act of folly.

PICTURE 4: Group 3A
Source: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs168/1109485758145/archive/1110703396417.html
The picture might suggest a shift in societal attitudes towards education. In the 1960s, there
could have been an expectation that children were primarily responsible for their academic
performance. In contrast, the 2010s may see a trend where parents are more likely to question
teachers and the educational system if their children are not performing well.
PICTURE 5: Group 3B

Source: http://otherwords.org/segregation_ghost/
Public schools have become more segregated in the US due to the school system. White parents
who want their children to attend class with better quality have a tendency to send their children
to charter school. Meanwhile, black children, mainly poor, are more likely to reside in a
neighborhood with other economically and racially isolated kids and more likely to attend
intensely-segregated schools.

SAMPLE TEST

PART 1
Section 1: Choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) to each of the following questions (1.5
points)
1. Which definition BEST describes nation-building?
A. The process of drawing new borders for countries
B. The effort to build a sense of national identity among citizens
C. Conquering a neighboring nation
D. Giving sovereign power to a different group of people
2. What does the Victorian Era mean to British history?
A. The shortest and poorest era
B. The era of flourishing development in many fields
C. The era in which new modern lifestyle is popular
D. The era of the only queen so far
3. Britain is described as having a ‘two-party’ system because _______________ .
A. there are only two parties in the Parliament
B. the government only accepts votes from members of the two main parties
C. the two main parties occupy almost all the seats in the House of Commons
D. under the current electoral system, only two parties can have MPs
4. What was the name of the secessionist faction of the Civil War?
A. The Union
B. The Confederate States of America
C. The United States of America
D. The Free Southern Territories
5. Which of the following notions shows Americans’ belief in competition?
A. Acquiring a large number of material possessions is of great importance.
B. Receiving financial support from charity, family, or the government is never admired.
C. Moving about from place to place is a common and accepted practice.
D. Much of life is seen as a race for success, and everyone is entitled to enter and win.
Section 2: Decide whether these statements are TRUE or FALSE (1 point)
6. The initial response of the U.S. government to the outbreak of both World Wars was
maintaining a neutral policy.
7. Britain has an unwritten constitution.
8. From 1945 until 1980, the general trend in the UK was for the state to have less and less
control over economic planning.
9. Currently, manufacturing is a key driver of British GDP growth.
Section 3: Fill in each blank with NO MORE THAN THREE words (1.5 points)
10. ____________________ is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom which
includes the Crown, House of Lords and House of Commons.
11. ____________________ refers to the idea that the major institutions of state should be
functionally independent and that no individual should have powers that span these offices.
12. The intention of the 1944 Education Act in England and Wales was to provide
____________________ state primary and secondary education.
13. An election for President of the United States occurs ____________________ on Election
Day, held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
14. The Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision struck down the principle of
____________________ education facilities for the races in 1954.
Section 4: Briefly answer the following questions in ONE or TWO sentences (1 point)

15. What is educationalization?

16. Why is it said that the Americans vote for their national leader indirectly?

PART 2
Section 5: Write an essay of about 400 words on ONE of the following issues (5 points)
Issue 1. Democracy is a Western concept, generally understood as the power or the rule of the
people. When the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, reversing
Roe v. Wade, an article in the Guardian called the ruling “a mockery of democracy”.
Write an essay of about 400 words to discuss the issue. Your answer should make clear what the
decision means, whether you think it is undemocratic and why/why not, and how Americans can
exercise democracy in this matter within the social and political reality of the US?
Issue 2. What were the main economic arguments for Brexit? Are these arguments supported by
evidence? Write an essay of about 400 words to answer these questions. Reference the relevant
economic outcomes of Brexit when possible.

Issue 3. Boyhood (2014) has been described as a portrait of a ‘normal’ or ‘ordinary’ American
family. In which way the family portrayed here is ‘normal’ and in which way is it not? Write an
essay of about 400 words to discuss the issue. Your answer should rely on an understanding of
being ‘normal’ in an American context and specific examples to demonstrate how the
phenomenon of attention is normal or not.

PART 3 (OPTIONAL)
Section 6: Write ONE or TWO sentences to interpret the following figurative expression (1
point)

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/16114511143796834/

----------------------------------- END OF THE TEST--------------------------------------