解放军文职招聘考试Major English-Speaking Countries – Final Exam Study Guide

 Major English-Speaking Countries – Final Exam Study Guide

Important
This is not a substitute for a semester of participation and proper study habits. This is merely a means of self-evaluation, a way to determine which topics you need to review before the final exam.
There may be questions on the test that ask about information that isn’t in this study guide. It is your responsibility to look over your notes and the information in the textbook.
Don’t focus on specific numbers. For example, years are not important, but you should know that the Revolutionary War happened before the American Civil War.
Don’t study the night before the test. You will “burn out.” Let your brain rest before the exam.
Good luck!

Exam Overview
True or False: 25 questions, 25%
Matching: 50 questions, 25%
Multiple Choice: 25 questions, 25%
Short Answer: 5 question, 25%

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Symbols
Flag
Also known as the Union Jack
A combination of three flags
oEngland’s flag, Scotland’s flag, Ireland’s flag
National Anthem
“God Save the Queen”

Country and People
The United Kingdom
The U.K.’s full title: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The current Prime Minister is David Cameron
Great Britain consists of England, Scotland, and Wales
Capital City of the U.K.: London
Population: 59.6 million people
o90% live in urban areas, 10% live in rural areas
oDemographics:
94% white
1.5% Indian
0.3% Chinese
0.03% African
1.5 million Muslims
Second largest Jewish population
Official language is English
Religion
o8.4 million church goers (44.3% of the population)
o20.9% are Anglican (Church of England)
o9% are Roman Catholic
o2.8% are Presbyterian (Church of Scotland)
The U.K. consists of four countries
England
oCapital: London
oLandmass: 53.7% of the United Kingdom
oPopulation: 50 million
oThe “backbone” of England: The Pennines Mountains
oSecond longest river: Thames
oOrigin of the English language
Language derived from the Normans and Anglo-Saxons
Scotland
oCapital: Edinburgh
oLandmass: 32.1% of the United Kingdom
oPopulation: 5 million
oHighest Mountain: Ben Nevis
oUncommon regional language: Gaelic
Wales
oCapital: Cardiff
oLandmass: 8.5% of the United Kingdom
oPopulation: 3 million
oLongest river: Severn River (flows from Wales into England)
oOfficial language: Welsh
Northern Ireland (Ulster)
oCapital: Belfast
oLandmass: 5.7% of the United Kingdom
oPopulation: 1.5 million
oThe Largest Lake: Lough Neagh
oUncommon historical language: Irish
Social Structure
The U.K. is a very class-conscious society.
Social mobility
oAbility to move up or down in status based on wealth, occupation, education, or some other social variable. The U.K. is a socially mobile society.
Class Structure
oUpper-class
Wealthy, highly educated, and/or socially distinguished citizens
oMiddle-class
Average income earners, educated,
oWorking-class
Unskilled to skilled laborers
oUnderclass
Homeless and/or long-term unemployed citizens

History
Main foreign invaders in chronological order
Romans
oPart of the Roman Empire
The Anglo-Saxons
oGermanic tribes
oEngland means “Angle’s Land”
The Vikings
oFrom northern Europe
The Normans
oModern-day France
Feudalism
The Hundred years War
oFought between France and England
oDestroyed feudal nobility and brought a new social order
oFrance lost
The Tudors
Henry VII
oSeized the crown from King Richard III, becoming the first Tudor monarch
Henry VIII
oCreated the Church of England, ruled by the monarch
oFamous for having six wives
Edward VI
oHenry’s only son, died when he was very young
Mary I
oRestored Catholicism and killed hundreds of Protestants
oKnown as Bloody Mary
Elizabeth I
oRestored the Church of England
oUshered in a Golden Age in British History
oStopped religious fighting, maintained peace with other nations, expanded trade, developed an open parliament, promoted business, grew the military and took control of the seas
World War I
A very destructive and expensive war
Signaled the beginning of the decline of the British Empire
World War II
Led to high unemployment, a devastated infrastructure, and economic collapse in the United Kingdom.
Signaled the end of the British Empire and the rise of the United States
Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister during this war
See World War I and World War II under The United States for more details.

Way of Life
Recreation
Social drinking at a pub is the most common social activity
Sports originating from the U.K.
oSoccer (the national sport), tennis, golf, badminton, boxing, rugby, cricket, snooker, squash, billiards, curling
Places to go during free time
oMovies, libraries, museums, concerts, sporting events, musicals, plays,
Like to read magazines and news papers
oThe Daily Telegraph is considered a “quality” newspaper
Television is owned by the government
oTelevision Channels are numbered: BBC 4, BBC 5, etc.
Famous People
Famous author: J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter series
Famous band: The Beatles

The United States of America

Symbols
Flag
Also known as the Star-spangled Banner, Stars and Stripes, and Old Glory
The 50 stars represent the 50 states in the union
The 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies
National Anthem
“The Star-spangled Banner”
Written about our flag at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812

Country
48 contiguous states and 2 noncontiguous states
Physical features and climate by region
West
oDeserts (Like the Sierra Nevada Desert)
oVery mountainous region known as The Cordillera (includes the Rocky Mountains, aka the Rockies)
Mountains reach the coast, rocky coasts, very small beaches
People moved here because of the discovery of GOLD
oOld-growth forests in the northwest (Sequoia National Park)
oConsistent temperatures along the coast all year
oRains in the north, snows in the mountains, no precipitation in the desert
oArid West – rainfall is unpredictable
oHumid Pacific Coast – has a Mediterranean climate
Mid-west
oThe Great Mississippi River Valley
oVery flat (the Great Plains)
oGreat for farming, especially grains (The Breadbasket of America)
oUnpredictable temperatures
oVery windy, prone to tornadoes (Tornado Alley)
East
oThe Appalachian Mountains, very “short” eroded mountain chain
oLarge, flat coastal region between the mountains and the Atlantic ocean
oHumid climate
oFour distinct seasons
Hot summers, cool falls/autumns, cold snowy winters, rainy warm springs
South
oFlat coastal region
oDry regions to the west are good for ranches, cattle farms
oGulf coast region is prone to hurricanes
oHot and humid summers, warm rainy springs, cool winters, no snow

History
Pre-European
First humans to live in America are called Indians or Native Americans
1600s
Europeans were either religiously or financially motivated to colonize America
The first permanent English settlement was Jamestown
oLocated in Virginia, financially motivated
The first English colonist in the South came for economic reasons
Plymouth was a religious colony
oLocated in Massachusetts, founded by the Pilgrims
1700s
Settlers from England, continental Europe, and Africa traveled to North America
The East Coast was organized into 13 colonies
The Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783)
Fought between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the thirteen British colonies
The colonies declared independence on July 4th, 1776
George Washington was the general in charge of the Continental Army
The colonies won the war in 1783 when both sides signed the Treaty of Paris
George Washington become the first president
The Civil War (1861 – 1865)
Fought between the Northern and Southern states
The Northern states where still called The United States or the Union
The Southern states wanted to leave the Union, calling themselves the Confederate States or the Confederacy
The Confederate States lost the war and the Union was maintained
More Americans died in the Civil War than any other war in American history
oMore Americans died than both World War I and World War II combined
Abraham Lincoln
oPresident during the Civil War
o16th president of the United States
Reconstruction Era
The North was untouched
oBoom in industrial development
The West expanded
oGreat leaps in farming, mining, and ranching
The South was destroyed
oHad to rebuild infrastructure
oBuild a new society around freed slaves
Tried to maintain white supremacy
World War I (1914 – 1918)
Fought between:
oThe Triple Alliance / Central Powers
Original three: German, Austria-Hungry, Italy
Italy left in 1915
oThe Triple Entent / Allied Powers
Original three: Britain, France, Russia,
28 nations joined including China and the U.S.
World War II (1939 – 1945)
Fought between:
oThe Allies
Major Allies: Soviet Union, The British Empire, France, Poland, China, the United States
Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister
oThe Axis
Major Axis: Germany, Japan, Italy, Hungary
Adolf Hitler was the German Chancellor

Identity, Private Life
A Nation of Immigrants
The U.S. is a heterogeneous society
oA mix of cultures, ethnicities, national origins, races, and religions
oMetaphorically referred to as a melting pot, mosaic, salad, or soup
Ethnicity of Americans by Population
oWhite/European American
196 million, 63.7%
oLatino/Hispanic
50.5 million, 16%
oBlack/African American
39 million, 12.6%
oAsian American
14.6 million, 4.8%
oNative American
2.9 million, <1%
Population Distribution
Most people live in the suburbs
Poorer people tend to live in the city
2/3 of the population live in the Northeast
Lifestyle
1st in home ownership
oMost Americans live in single family homes
o2/3 families own homes
Children do household ‘chores’
Young teenagers find part-time work – values of work, experience and independence
Young teenagers – pay or contribute towards things that are not daily living essentials
Young adults leave the family home earlier than in most other countries.
Work – most Americans work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 4 weeks paid vacation a year
School – ends daily 3:30pm, summer and winter vacations
After work – parents take part in variety of classes, join clubs and do voluntary activities
After school – children take extra lessons and take part in sporting activities and do voluntary work
Sports
American football – most popular team sport and spectator sport
4 major sports – American football, baseball, basketball, and hockey
Golf – popular sport as well as an important social gathering activity
Tennis & Swimming –  popular among college students
Skating & Skiing – winter sports popular with northerners
Sailing & Surfing – popular with people living near coastlines & lakes
Physical fitness craze – concerns with being overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle

Canada
Symbols
Flag
Red and white
Maple leaf in the center of the flag, a popular symbol of Canada
National Anthem
“O Canada”

The Land and the People
Geography
Second largest country
It is composed of ten provinces and three territories.
More lakes and inland water that any other country.
Most of the country is uninhabitable
oUnder water, rocky, marshy, and mountainous
Regions – Can you locate and describe them?
oAppalachian Mountains, Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Lowlands, Canadian Shield, Canadian Interior Plains, Western Cordillera, Canadian Artic
Population
34,762,600 people
Native Canadians descended from Mongolians in Asia
Demographics
oCanadian 32%
oEnglish 21%
oFrench 15.8%
oScottish 15.1%
oIrish 13.9%
oGerman 10.2%
oItalian 4.6%
oChinese 4.3%

History
Important People
John Cabot (for England) 1497
oFirst to explore N. America since Vikings
oSearch for the Northwest Passage
Jacques Cartier (France) 1534
oFirst to travel inland in North America
oClaimed Canada for France
Henry Hudson (England) 1607
oAttempted to find the Northwest Passage
oCrew mutinied in June, 1611 and sent Hudson adrift with his son and some crew.
Samuel de Champlain (France) 1608
oThe Father of New France
oExploration of New France
oFounding of Quebec City
oFur trade was popular at this time, especially for the highly profitable beaver
New France
Seven Years War (1756 - 1763)
oConflict with English colonies to the south over trade routes, mostly for fur, especially beaver fur.
oThe Treaty of Paris ended the war
New France ceded to Britain
Britain allowed French colonists to retain language and religion.
1800s
The United States and Canada fought during the War of 1812
By the 1830s, Reformers wanted an American-style government and rebelled
Britain implemented a fair Canadian parliament to unite the country
oCanada became a confederation
1900s
Canada relied more on the US than Britain for imports and exports.
World War I and II helped strengthen the economy.
In 1931, Canada became an independent country but still part of the Common Wealth of Nations
The Quiet Revolution
An intense relationship between English and French Canadians
1974, French became the official language of Quebec
Push for Quebec’s independence
Attempts to eliminate English

Social and Cultural Life
Welfare
Protections from the insecurities of modern society.
oPensions, disability protection, unemployment insurance, child benefits, maternity welfare, subsidized housing, and free medical care
Pensions
oEvery Canadian has the right to a pension when they retire.
Heath care
oResponsibility of the provinces
oPublic heath care is universal
o90% of costs covered by the government
Education
Just like its welfare system, education is managed by the 13 legislatures of the provinces and territories.
Free schooling from kindergarten to grade 12
oGrade 13 in Ontario and grade 11 in Quebec
Depending on the province, school is compulsory from age 6 or 7 to 14 or 16.
Elementary
oKindergarten through grades 6 or 7 or 8
Secondary/high school
oUp to grades 9 or 10 or 12
Community colleges
oTwo to three years
oTrade, vocational, and technical courses
Universities
oAt least three years
oGrant degrees
Environment
Environmental Conservation Authority (ECA)
oEstablished in Alberta, it was the first body responsible for environmental issues
Environment Canada
oFederal department for environmental protection
Attempts to curb acid rain
oCaused by carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide from vehicles and industry.
Cleaning up waterways and lakes
Protecting and replanting forests
oLumber industry + forests = “green gold”
Extensive national parks
ogovernment protected land to preserve wildlife and the environment
Multiculturalism
Most Canadians are either of French or British origin
The French struggle for a separate identity
Bilingualism: French and English
oMost Canadians speak English
oOfficial Languages Act (1969)
Both languages are official languages
oDifferent provinces treat the issue in different ways
Quebec made French their official language
Ontario has encouraged bilingual schooling
Etc.
Cultural Life
Food
oCanadian cuisine varies widely depending on the region.
oThree earliest styles of food
First Nations (Native Canadian cuisine)
English (British and American cuisine)
French (French cuisine and winter provisions of fur traders)
oFamous for their maple syrup
Sports
oIce hockey
Official winter sport
oStreet hockey
In the summer
oCurling
oLacrosse
Official summer sport
oCanadian football
oOther popular sports: baseball, basketball, American football
Holidays
oCanada Day
July 1st
Celebrates Canada’s 1867 Confederation and establishment of dominion status
oLabour Day
First Monday in September
Celebrates economic and social achievements of workers
oVictoria Day / Queen’s Day
Monday on or before May 24th
Celebrates the birthday of the reigning Canadian monarch. Fixed on the birthday of Queen Victoria.
oThanksgiving
Second Monday in October
A day to give thanks for the things one has at the close of the harvest.

The Commonwealth of Australia
Symbols
Flag
Composed of the Union flag (loyalty to the British Empire)
The Commonwealth Star (Represents the 6 states and territories)
The Southern Cross (a star constellation in the southern hemisphere)
National Anthem
“Advance Australia Fair”

The Land and the People
There are 6 states and territories
The capital is Canberra
Three physical regions
Western Plateau
oCovers 60% of Australia
oInterior and center are referred to as The Outback
oThe Australian deserts are known as “The Heartless Center of Australia”
Great Victoria – the largest desert in Australia
Great Sandy – the second largest desert
Tanami – the third largest desert
Simpson – the fourth largest desert
The Gibson – the third largest desert
Ayres Rock / Uluru – the world’s largest rock
oNullarbor – means “no trees”
Most famous and frequently traveled desert
Nullarbor Plain is the world’s largest piece of limestone
Eyre Highway goes through it, the longest straight road in the world
Has the world’s longest cliff face
Indian Pacific in the longest stretch of straight railway track
Central Lowlands
oAlso known as the Great Artesian Basin
oLowest point in Australia is Lake Eyre, the largest artesian basin in the world
oContains five major deserts
Eastern Highlands
oCovers 15% of Australia
oHas high plateaus, gorges, and low mountains
Climate
Known as “the Land in the Sun”
Plants and Animals
Famous plants: acacia, eucalyptus, kangaroo paw, baobab
Famous animals: kangaroos, wombats, emus, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, platypuses, koala
oHalf the mammals are marsupials (pouched animals)
People
Aborigines
oworld’s oldest indigenous people
oPart of Australian identity
oOrigin of the boomerang and the didgeridoo
Europeans
o95% of Australians are from European decent, 40% of whom are British
85% of the population live in urban areas

History
Convictism
Early settlers were convicts.
oBritain sent convicts to Australia between 1788 and 1868
oCaptain Arthur Philip established Port Jackson, a penal colony, on 1/26/1788.
oThe shame of being a descendant of a convict is known as the convict stain
The Gold Rush
Gold was discovered New South Wales
Australia transformed economically, politically, and demographically
Population triples from 1850 to 1862
Rise of the middle class
The 1890s Depression
Economic depression reveals weakness in economy
Federation
British influence weakens
A federation forms by 1901
oThe six separate British colonies form a common government
oDivided powers: state government and federal government
1901 – 1914
Australia led the world in social and industrial reforms
The Great Depression
Australia’s economic boom of the 1920s is greatly affected by the Depression
Dependance on exporting wool and wheat hurt the economy
Unemployment reached 29 percent
The New Right
Conservative backlash to the freedom movement of the 1960s and 1970s
Promotion of free market economies
Nationalism (white, Anglo-Australian way of life)

Social and Cultural Life
The White Australia Policy
Attempt to keep non-European immigrants from entering the country
Immigration Restriction Act
Passed by the first parliament to created disincentives and barriers for immigrants
After World War II
Opened to immigration with the expectation to assimilate and conform
After 1970s
New focus on multiculturalism
Effort to preserve native languages and cultures
Australia is still relatively white
Education
Elementary and secondary school are compulsory
Elementary education
oStart around 6, lasts about 6 years
Junior and high school
oAbout 6 years of education
Higher education
oUniversities
Degrees and research
Bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate
oColleges of Advanced Education
Training, like education training
oTechnology and Further Education
Vocational and technical certifications
Sports
The number one type of TV program
Types of sports
oAustralian football, cricket, netball (most popular participation sport), rugby, hockey, horse racing, sailing, motorsports, golf, cycling
Holidays
Australia Day, January 26th
ANZAV Day, April 25th
Remembrance Day, November 11th

New Zealand / Aotearoa
Symbols
Flag
The Union flag is in the top corner
oShows loyalty to Britain
Southern Cross
oA constellation seen in the Southern hemisphere
National Anthem
“God Save the Queen”
“God Defend New Zealand”
oBoth in English and Maori
National Symbol
The Kiwi – a flightless bird

The Land and the People
Located in the Pacific Ocean
North Island
Auckland – the largest city
Wellington – the capital city
There are many volcanoes on the island
There are four volcanic mountains
oMount Egmont – most famous
oMount Ruapehu – the highest mountain
oMount Ngauruhoe – most active
oMount Tonngariro – smallest mountain
Swift rivers
Hot springs
Craters
Energy
oGeothermal
oHydro-electric
South Island
The most impressive mountains
Glaciers
oForm lakes and rivers
Climate
Mild temperatures
High rainfall
Many hours of sunshine
The mountains influence the weather
oWestern side is very wet
oEastern side is very dry
Plants and Animals
Geographic isolation and weather has led to the evolution of unique species only found on New Zealand!  YAY!
Almost no native mammals
An abundance of different birds
A diversity of marine life
The Kiwi – the National Symbol of NZ
Kakapo – worlds largest parrot
Tuatara – only beak-headed reptile
Hector’s dolphins
oThe world’s largest dolphins
oOnly found in New Zealand
People
Population – 4.24 million people
o¾ live on the North Island
o85.4% live in urban areas
o80% are of mixed European descent
English, Scottish, Irish, German, etc.
Maori
oLargest non-European group (15%)
oOriginal inhabitants (around 1100)
oPolynesian
Official Languages
oEnglish and Maori
No state religion (freedom of religion)
o40% have no religious affiliation
Number is growing
Dominate religion is Christianity
oIn decline

History and the Present
Maori
Descendants from the first Polynesian settlers around 1000AD
Named the land Aotearoa
European
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to discover NZ in 1642
British explorer Captain James Cook mapped the island in 1796
Newcomers were called Pakeha by the Maori
The Pakeha were missionaries, traders, whalers, and sealers
Treaty of Waitangi
Attempt to ease tensions between the Maori and the colonists
Signed in 1840
The Maori chiefs give the British Queen governance of the islands
The Queen’s representatives promise Maori ownership of their land, forests and fisheries
And gave the Maori the rights of British citizens
Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s national day
1840
Britain establish first settlement at Wellington
Land wars break out
British ignore the Treaty and take land from the Maori
By 1890, Maori own less than 1/6 of New Zealand
The growth of a nation
New Zealand Constitution Act
oEstablishes an independent government in 1852
oGeneral assembly
oLegislative council
oElected house of representatives
New Zealand officially becomes a dominion in 1907
Late 19th Century
Economic growth
oThe discovery of gold
oEconomy based on agriculture
oOverseas trade in wool, meat, and dairy
Progressive reforms
o1st country to allow women to vote in 1983
o1st country to provide a pension to elderly people in 1898
Modernization
Full independence from Britain in 1947
Economy continues to be based on agriculture
Electoral reforms in 1993
Minority parties are given better representation in parliament
Recreation
Sports
oBritish sports like rugby, cricket, netball
oUnique geography makes skiing, hiking, skydiving, swimming, and fishing popular.
Spend time in summer homes called “bachs” or “cribs”
Maoritanga
Rich and varied traditions of the Maori people
Based on cooperation, loyalty, pride, and respect
Maori are the official host people of New Zealand