Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Sách Văn Minh Anh
Sách Văn Minh Anh
Sách Văn Minh Anh
1. 4000 - 1500 BC: stone age man, the first farmers, Stonehenge
We know relatively little about the Stone Age inhabitants of Britain. Stone Age people means
that they used mostly stone tools, had some farming, and lived in small settlements. One of the
big mysteries is Stonehenge.
King Charles I was unable to work with Parliament so he attempted to rule without it.
This lead to a civil war, and the execution of Charles I.
England became a republic (no Kings or Queens) for a short time until the restoration of the
monarchy 1660.
Shortly afterwards, a devastating plague swept through the country followed by the Great Fire
of London 1666.
Compromise between the crown and Parliament finally achieved a balanced government and the
two kingdoms of England and Scotland were joined in the 1707 Act of Union.
The union with Ireland and adoption of the Union Flag 1801
Because of fighting between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, the Prime Minister, William
Pitt, concluded that direct rule from London was the only solution.
After bribery of the Commons and gentry, Britain and Ireland were formally united, with seats
for 132 Irish members in Parliament
The red cross of St Patrick was incorporated in the Union flag to give the present flag of the
United Kingdom
British Values
Democracy
The rule of law
Individual liberty
Mutual respect
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
CHAPTER 5: BRITISH ATTITUDE
Britain – land of tradition (ceremonies)
Stereotypes :
Men wearing bowler hats
Great drinkers of tea
Talking about rainy weather
Obsession with cricket
English breakfast (bacon, eggs, sausages, toasts)
English ≠ British
People are confused with the words british and english
British = English, Scotish, Northern Irish, Welsh
People in the country are very similar but not identical
The British like to remember the old safer times
Multiculturalism (“You can taste all the world in London“)
Immigrants : Asians (Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani...)
Europeans Africans
Own language, typical clothes, shops, customs
13% of population • These foreign cultures influence the British culture
Being different
Driving of the left side
Double-decker bus
Hackney carriage – cab, Asquith taxi
System of measurement
lenght (inch, finger, hand, food, yard)
volume (gallon, cup, pint)
weight (ounce, pound, grain, stone)
temperature (Fahrenheit)
Other information:
Goverment tried to change this measurement
Financial year starts on April
They don´t want to give up their currency (pound sterling)
Lovers of countryside and animals
Life in towns and cities
Nature (peace, no crime, beauty)
Hostels • Most favorite hobby is gardening
“Lost without their dog“
Animals are taken seriously
Wildlife programmes in TV
Being friendly
Don´t be bothered with titles (Mr. ,Mrs.)
Don´t shake hands when meeting, no convention to kiss
Requests without the “magic word“
Washing up the dishes at friend´s house
Charity works for people in need
Privacy and sexuality
It´s considered very rude to ask people about their privacy even though you know them very
well
Modern people are very open <=> embarrassment
Politicians prefer traditional family values <=> people have different opinions
Whitehall
Her majestys government governs in the name of the Queen.
The leader of the majority party form a government.
The ministers are members of the House of Commons or the House of Lords
Most governments consist of 100 ministers
The core is the Cabinet with 20 ministers.
Branches of Government in the UK
• Executive = Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Legislative = House of Commons and House of Lords
• Judicial = Courts
Executive Branch
Prime Minister Cabinet
• Head of Government • Has about twenty members
• Head of the majority party in HOC • Can be from HOC or HOL, though most
• Usually get their way and are thought to are from HOC
be powerful because of strong party • Appointed by the Prime Minister
loyalty • Responsible for individual government
• 2011 Fixed-term Parliaments Act, departments
elections had to be held every five years • Provide answers to Parliament during the
but the Prime Minister had discretion to question time.
call one at any time before that deadline. • Collective Responsibility – idea that
• Must maintain the support of party cabinet must appear unified and take
• Take questions once weekly that are responsibility for policy
televised • If Cabinet official can not support a
• Direct activity of the cabinet decision of government they must resign
• Diplomats and world leaders and return to legislature
Cabinet
The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet
The ministers have to obey the Prime Minister
All senior government ministers have the title of Secretary of State
They have junior ministers to help them with the workload
British cabinet consists of:
• Lord Chancellor (member of House of Lords)
• Foreign Secretary – conducts foreign policy
• Home Secretary – oversees the Judiciary
• Chancellor of Exchequer (treasury) – financial policy and head of the central bank
• Environment * Education * Transport * Social Security * Agriculture
• Employment * Northern Ireland * Welsh * Scottish * National Heritage
The Civil Service
The Civil Service administer sthe decision sof ministers
The Civil Service employsalmost 500 000 people
It is expected that the Civil Service does its work in a impartial way
The Cabinet Office is the heart of the Civil Service
The Cabinet Office is running the whole Civil Service and serving ministers.
The Permanent Secretary is theleaderof a ministery
There is a strong tradition of loyalty on the part of civil servants towardstheir ministers.
Westminster
Parliament is known as Westminster
Parliament is the seat of British democracy
Parliament is the supreme legislative body ofthestate
Parliaments function
To pass laws
Raise enough money through taxation
To examine government policy and administration
Discuss important political issues
Checks the work of the Government (the Sovereign, the House of Commons, the House of
Lords)
CHAPTER 9, 10: BRITISH ELECTION & PARLIAMENT
The electoral system
The United Kingdom is divided into constituencies. Each constituency elects one Member of
Parliament to sit in the House of Commons
Today there are 659 seats in the Commons
All British citizens can vote if they are over 18 years old
Insane people and prisoners can also vote
If a Member of Parlliament resigns or dies, a by – election must be held.
MPs are chosen by theconstituencybranchofthe party
The party system: three political parties in Britain
The Conservative Party
The Labour Party
The Liberal Party
The Conservative Party
It is the party of the Right
The idea of economic freedom.
Patriotism
Receiving money from big companies and rich people
Law and order and strong armed forces
Most peers support the Conservative Party
The Labour Party
The party of social justice
Achievement of well-being and opportunity for all members of society
Public ownership of major industries
Economic planning
The trade union movement
The House of Commons
Its 659 members represent 529 constituencies in England, 40 in Wales, 72 in Scotland
and 18 in NorthernIreland
There are only seats in the Commons debating chamber for 370 members
The front benches are reserved for members of the Cabinet and the Shadow Cabinet
Behind them sit the back benchers
The Speaker is responsible for order in theCommons
MPs are paid salaries – twice the average national wage.
The House of Lord
The House of Lords is the upper chamber of Parliament
It is not democratic
1197 members
300 peers meet daily in the House of Lords
Judges and archbishops
Their job is to warn governments
The Lord Chanchellor is the leader of the House of Lords
The Constitution
unwritten, based on traditions and common law
it´s easy to change it (by an Act of Parliament or by general agreement)
divides power between 3 independent branches:
1. legislative (Parliament)
2. executive (House of Common)
3. judicial (Lord Chancellor, monarch)
CHAPTER 11: THE LAW
Respecting the law
All residents, regardless of their background, are expected to comply with the law and to understand
that some things which may be allowed in other legal systems are not acceptable in the UK.
The police are organised into a number of separate police forces headed by Chief Constables. They are
independent of the government.
In November 2012, the public elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales.
These are directly elected individuals who are responsible for the delivery of an efficient and effective
police force that reflects the needs of their local communities. PCCs set local police priorities and the
local policing budget. They also appoint the local Chief Constable.
The police force is a public service that helps and protects everyone, no matter what their background
or where they live. Police officers must themselves obey the law. They must not misuse their authority,
make a false statement, be rude or abusive, or commit racial discrimination. If police officers corrupt
or misuse their authority they are severely punished.
Police officers are supported by the police community support officers (PCSOs). PCSOs have different
roles according to the area but usually patrol the streets, work with the public, and support police
officers at crime scenes and major events.
All people in the UK are expected to help the police prevent and detect crimes whenever they can. If
you are arrested and taken to a police station, a police officer will tell you the reason for your arrest
and you will be able to seek legal advice.
If something goes wrong, the police complaints system tries to put it right. Anyone can make a
complaint about the police by going to a police station and writing to the Chief Constable of the police
force involved. Complaints can also be made to an independent body: the Independent Police
Complaints Commission in England and Wales, the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland or
the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
Terrorism and extremism
The UK faces a range of terrorist threats. The most serious of these is from Al Qa’ida, its affiliates and
like-minded organisations. The UK also faces threats from other kind of terrorism, such as Northern
Ireland-related terrorism.
All terrorist groups try to radicalise and recruit people to their cause. How, where and to what extent
they try to do so will vary. Evidence shows that these groups attract very low levels of public support,
but people who want to make their home in the UK should be aware of this threat. It is important that
all citizens feel safe. This includes feeling safe from all kinds of extremism (vocal or active opposition
to fundamental British values), including religious extremism and far-right extremism.
If you think someone is trying to persuade you to join an extremist or terrorist cause, you should notify
your local police force.
1. Metro
Metro is the United Kingdom’s highest-circulation print newspaper. It is published in tabloid
format by DMG Media.
2. The Sun
A tabloid newspaper founded in 1964 and published in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
3. The Sun on Sunday
The Sun on Sunday was launched to replace the defunct News of the World.
4. Daily Mail
A daily middle-market tabloid newspaper published in London.
5. Mail On Sunday
Launched in 1982 as a sister paper to the Daily Mail, it’s a conservative newspaper published in
a tabloid format.
6. The Sunday Times
The largest-selling British national newspaper in the “quality press” market category.
7. Daily Mirror
A national daily tabloid newspaper founded in 1903. Unlike other major British tabloids, it has no
separate Scottish edition.
8. The Times
Launched in 1785 (renamed in 1788 when it became the first paper in the world to bear the name
“Times”).
9. Sunday Mirror
The Sunday sister paper of the Daily Mirror. It aims to strike a balance between “socially
responsible reporting of great issues of the day and sheer entertainment.”
10. Daily Telegraph
Daily newspaper published in London and generally accounted as one of Britain’s “big three”
British tastes are different from everybody else’s. (strange, unpleasant taste; little taste;
overcooked )
Most visitors don’t get the opportunity to sample home cooking. (usually food in institution:
university canteen or eat out: in cheap restaurants and cafe’s)
Attitudes to food: It seems that Britain people simply don’t care enough to bother.
In the society
At home:
Food and drink given little attention. The coffee often as bad as it is in the cafe.
Meals tend to be eaten quickly and the table cleared.
Parties and celebrations are not normally centered around food.
British consider eating wild animals and domestic animals is exotic
Eggs are a basic part of most people’s diet. (fried, soft-boiled, hard-boiled).
Cold meats are not very popular.
The British are the world’s biggest consumers of sugar-more than 5 kilograms a person
per year. They also love “sweets”
Eating out
Going to a restaurant is still a rare event for most British people. Regular restaurant
going is confined mostly to the richest section of society. Being in an expensive
restaurant sometimes seems to be more important than the food eaten in it.
Snobbery in the menus. All the dishes have non English names, most commonly French
(more exotic and exciting).
Going to a restaurant is a time to be adventurous.-few are actually British restaurants)
Eating places which serve British food: pubs, workman’s cafe, fish and chip shop.
Fish and chip shop: Used in the evening for “take-away” meals. Again, the fish is (deep) fried.
1- Breakfast:
Full breakfast is a traditional cooked breakfast , comprising at its heart bacon and eggs
A full breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, mushrooms,
baked beans, hash browns, and half a tomato
While weekday breakfasts in Britain and Ireland often consist of a brief meal of cereal
and/or toast, the fry-up is commonly eaten in a leisurely fashion on Saturday or Sunday
mornings
2- Elevenses: is, conventionally, a cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits at around eleven
o’clock. In fact, people drink tea or coffee whenever they feel like.
3- Lunch: is typically at 1 o’clock (any shops which close for lunch close from one to two).
4- Supper: is the usual word for the evening meal among most people who don’t call it “tea”.
5 -Dinner: In the United Kingdom, dinner traditionally meant the main meal of the day.
Because of differences in custom as to when this meal was taken, dinner might mean the
evening meal (typically used by upper class people), or the midday meal (typically used by
working class people, who describe their evening meal as tea).
Alcohol
The attitude to alcohol in Britain is ambivalent:
It is accepted & welcomed as an integral part of British culture.
Local pubs play an important role
The puritan tradition thinks that drinking is potentially dangerous; therefore it should be
restricted.
People can’t be served in pubs until the age of 18 and they aren’t even allowed inside
one until they’re 14.
Beer is an important part of the lives of many people.
Special character: no waiter service, if you want something you have to go and ask for it at the
bar. (comfortable and relaxed, informal, being in your own house).
- Each pub has its own name, a sign hanging outside, always with old-fashioned associations.
Fish and chips: Fish and chips or fish 'n' chips, a popular take-away food with British origins,
consists of
Sir Roger Bannister (1929-) was the first man in the world to run a mile in under four
minutes, in 1954.
Sir Jackie Stewart (1939-) is a Scottish former racing driver who won the Formula 1 world
championship three times.
Bobby Moore (1941-93) captained the English football team that won the World Cup in
1966.
Sir Ian Botham (1955-) captained the English cricket team and holds a number of English
Test cricket records, both for batting and for bowling.
Jayne Torvill (1957_) and Christopher Dean (1958-) won gold medals for ice dancing at
the Olympic Games in 1984 and is one of Britain’s greatest Olympians.
Sir Steve Redgrave (1962-) won gold medals in rowing in five consecutive Olympic
Games and is one of Britain’s greatest Olympians.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (1969-) is an athlete who uses a wheelchair and won 16
Paralympic medals, including 11 gold medals, in races over five Paralympic Games. She
won the London Marathon six times and broke a total of 30 world records.
Dame Kelly Holmes (1970_) won two gold medals for running in the 2004 Olympic
Games. She has held a number of British and European records.
Dame Ellen MacArthur (1976-) is a yachtswoman and in 2004 became the fastest person
to sail around the world singlehanded.
Sir Chris Hoy (1976-) is a Scottish cyclist who has won six gold and one silver Olympic
medals. He has also won 11 world championship titles.
David Weir (1979-) is a Paralympian who uses a wheelchair and has won six gold medals
over two Paralympic Games. He has also won the London Marathon six times.
Bradley Wiggins (1980-) is a cyclist. In 2012, he became the first Briton to win the Tour de
France. He has won seven Olympic Medals, including gold medals in the 2004, 2008 and
2012 Olympic Games.
Mo Farah (1983-) is a British distance runner, born in Somalia. He won gold medals in the
2012 Olympics for the 5,000 and 10,000 metres and is the first Briton to win the Olympic
gold medal in the 10,000 metres.
Jessica Ennis (1986-) is an athlete. She won the 2012 Olympic gold medal in the
heptathlon, which includes seven different track and field events. She also holds a number
of British athletics records.
Andy Murray (1987-) is a Scottish tennis player who in 2012 won the men’s singles in the
US Open. He is the first British man to win a singles title in a Grand Slam tournament since
1936. In the same year, he won Olympic gold and silver medals and was runner-up in the
men’s singles at Wimbledon.
Ellie Simmonds (1994-) is a Paralympian who won gold medals for swimming at the 2008
and 2012 Paralympic Games and holds a number of world records. She was the youngest
member of the British team at the 2008 Games.
Cricket
Cricket originated in England and is now played in many countries. Games can last up to five days
but still result in a draw! The idiosyncratic nature of the game and its complex laws are said to
reflect the best of the British character and sense of fair play. You may come across expressions
such as ‘rain stopped play’, ‘batting on a sticky wicket’, ‘playing a straight bat’, ‘bowled a googly’
or ‘it’s just not cricket’, which have passed into everyday usage. The most famous competition is
the Ashes, which is a series of Test matches played between England and Australia.
Football
Football is the UK’s most popular sport. It has a long history in the UK and the first professional
football clubs were formed in the late 19th century.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have separate leagues in which clubs
representing different towns and cities compete. The English Premier League attracts a huge
international audience. Many UK teams also compete in competitions such as the UEFA (Union of
European Football Associations) Champions League, against other teams from Europe. Most
towns and cities have a professional club and people take great pride in supporting their home
team. There can be great pride in supporting their home team. There can be great rivalry between
different football clubs and among fans.
Each country in the UK also has its own national team that competes with other national teams
across the world in tournaments such as the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football
Association) World Cup and UEFA European Football Championships. England’s only
international tournament victory was at the World Cup of 1966, hosted in the UK.
Football is also a popular sport to play in many local communities, with people playing amateur
games every week in parks all over the UK.
Rugby
Rugby originated in England in the early 19th century and is very popular in the UK today. There
are two different types of rugby, which have different rules: union and league. Both have separate
leagues and national teams in England , Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (who play with the
Irish Republic). Teams from all countries compete in a range of competitions. The most famous
rugby union competition is the Six Nations Championship between England, Ireland, Scotland,
Wales, France and Italy. The Super League is the most well-known rugby league (club)
competition.
Horse racing
There is a very long history of horse racing in Britain, with evidence of events taking place as far
back as Roman times. The sport has a long association with royalty. There are racecourses all over
the UK. Famous horse-racing events include: Royal Ascot , a five-day race meeting in Berkshire
attended by members of the Royal Family; the Grand National at Aintree near Liverpool; and the
Scottish Grand National at Ayr. There is a National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, Suffolk.
Golf
The modern game of golf can be traced back to 15th century Scotland. It is a popular sport played
socially as well as professionally. There are public and private golf courses all over the UK. St
Andrews in Scotland is known as the home of golf.
The open championship is the only ‘Major’ tournament held outside the United States. It is hosted
by a different golf course every year.
Tennis
Modern tennis evolved in England in the late 19th century. The first tennis club was founded in
Leamington Spa in 1872. The most famous tournament hosted in Britain is The Wimbledon
Championships, which takes place each year at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. It
is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only ‘Grand Slam’ event played on grass.
Water sports
Sailing continues to be popular in the UK, reflecting our maritime heritage. A British sailor, Sir
Francis Chichester, was the first person to sail singlehanded around the world, in 1966/67. Two
years later, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first person to do this without stopping. Many
sailing events are held throughout the UK, the most famous of which is at Cowes on the Isle of
Wight.
Rowing is also popular, both as a leisure activity and as a competitive sport. There is a popular
yearly race on the Thames between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Motor sports
There is a long history of motor sport in the UK, for both cars and motor cycles. Motor-car racing
in the UK started in 1902. The UK continues to be a world leader in the development and
manufacture of motor-sport technology. A Formula 1 Grand Prix event is held in the UK each year
and a number of British Grand Prix drivers have won the Formula 1 World Championship. Recent
British winners include Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
Skiing
Skiing is increasingly popular in the UK. Many people go abroad to ski and there are also dry
slopes throughout the UK. Skiing on snow may also be possible during the winter. There are five
ski centres in Scotland, as well as Europe’s longest dry ski slope near Edinburgh.
REVIEW
1. The symbol of England: ROSE. The symbol of Wales is daffodil. The symbol of Northern
Ireland is shamrock. The symbol of Scotland is thistle
2. The capital of Wales is Cardiff. The capital of England is London. The capital of Northern
Ireland is Belfast. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh
3. The flag of UK is Union Jack. The flag of England is St. George’s Cross. The flag of
Scotland is St. Andrew’s Cross
4. The flag of Northern Ireland is St. Patrick’s Cross
5. The UK anthem is God saves the queen
6. Ireland is also called Emerald Isle (because of its greenery)
7. The symbols of London: Big Ben Clock Tower, Tower Bridge
8. There are 1200 members in the House of Lords
9. Life peer is a member in the House of Lords who can sit there until death.
10. ‘Bees and honey’ is Cockney rhyming slang for MONEY
11. The English people are originated from The Germanic
12. Driving on the left-hand side of the road shows one of British characteristics of being
different.
13. In the past, London was called ‘Walled City’
14. Literature is Ango Saxon is Beowulf. Literature in Norman is The Caterbury Tales (by
Geoffrey Chaucer)
15. The basic law in feudalism is Domesday (1086)
16. The Black Death (1348) was caused by bubonic plague.
17. Tudor was known as “Early Modern” in British history.
18. “Guy Fawkes Day” is celebrated for the event “The Gunpower Plot” (1605) (5th
November)
19. War of Roses (1455-1485) was between 2 royal families : Lancastrian & Yorkists
20. Poll Tax was the cause of Peasant Revolt (1381). Armada (1588) was between UK and
Spain
21. Captain Cook is the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand
22. Napoleonic war (1803-1815) was at the Battle of Trafalgar.
23. War of Hastings was between Harold & William (1066). King Alfred united Anglo Saxon
kingdoms.
24. Hadrian Wall was built to protect enemy of Scots and Picts.
25. Anglo Saxon heptarchy consists of 7 kingdoms( Essex, Sussex, Wessex, Middlesex, East
Anglia, Northumbria, Mercia)
26. Irish famine(1845-1850) is the result of potato crop failure
27. Battle at Waterloo ended the war with Napoleon.
28. Civil war (1642-1649) was between the King (Cavalier) and Parliament (Roundheads)
29. Henry VIII established Church of England.
30. Wales was fully incorporated in England in 1535
31. The highest mountain in the UK is called Ben Nevis. It is in Scotland. The longest river
is the River Severn in Wales/England. The biggest lake is Lough Neagh in Northern
Ireland. A famous lake with a monster Nessie is Loch Ness in Scotland.
32. The Channel Tunnel was opened in 1944. It allowed cars and passengers to cross the
English Channel in 20 minutes.
33. The UK is a constitutional monarchy. In Britain, the central government has given rights
to the local government.
34. In the UK, driving license can be used for identification.
35. Cockney is those who come from a wider area of the innermost suburbs of London known
for strong accent and particular use of slangs.
36. KILT: Scottish national traditional skirt with a tartan pattern worn by men on special
occasions.
37. The special color of taxi in England: BLACK
38. The Speaker in the House of Commons: The person who controls the debates and checks
if the legal procedure of passing the laws is followed.
39. Shakespeare was born in Southern England in Tudor period.
40. The cabinet meets 4 times a month. To the south of England is the English Channel.
41. The bill has to go through 7 stages to become a law.
42. The full name of the nations on the British Isle is The United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland.
43. LEA is a branch of local government which cares for education.
44. Bagpipe is a traditional musical instrument of Scotland.
45. In Britain, the right to vote is referred as Franchise.
46. The official term (tenure) of the UK government is 5 years.
47. The House of Parliament/The Palace of Westminster is where the British Parliament
works.
48. The House of Commons is more important than the House of Lords.
49. The daily reports of everything said in the Commons are called HANSARD.
50. In Britain, millions of families have Bird Tables in their garden to feed the birds.
51. Halloween is celebrated on 31st October.
52. The British often talk about the weather to start the conversation.
53. The Minister of Finance is called Chancellor of Exchequer/ Secretary of State for
finance.
54. The next heir to Queen Elizabeth II is Prince Charles.
55. The British people usually go to vote on Thursday. The swingometer is a device used by
television on election night.
56. Before 1965, students finishing primary stage had to take an exam called ELEVEN PLUS.
57. The two systems of education in the UK are public school and state school.
58. The oldest universities in the UK are Oxford and Cambridge.
59. There are 659 members in the House of Commons.
60. ‘APPLES AND PEARS’ is Cockney rhyming slang for STAIRS.
61. Keeping the same political systems shows one of British characteristics of being
conservative.
62. West End is well known as a place for rich people in London.
63. Easter is celebrated on 1st Sunday in April following the full moon.
64. The systems of education financed by the individuals in the UK is called public system.
65. The UK is located in North-West coast of Europe.
66. ‘TROUBLE AND STRIFE’ is Cockney rhyming slang for WIFE.
67. The current political power: Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats.
68. The head of the monarchy presently is Queen Elizabeth II.
69. The head of the Education Department is called Secretary of State for Education.
70. The head of the Treasury is referred as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
71. The cabinet consists of 20 members. The official residence of the Prime Minister: 10
Downing Street.
72. The two House of Britain Parliament are the House of Commons and the House of
Lords.
73. Mr/Mrs Speaker: one who chairs the House of Commons.
74. The members of the Upper House are called peers.
75. The members of the Lower House are called MPs (Members of Parliament).
76. Life peerages: those who are entitled by the House of Lords.
77. The head of the Upper House is called Chancellor of Lords.
78. The function of the House of Commons: making law
79. The Whips: intermediaries between front and backbenchers make sure that they vote in the
same way.
80. The schools organized by the government are called: State School.
81. Private education in the UK is known as public school.
82. The compulsory age for full time education in the UK: from 5 to 16.
83. LEA stands for Local Education Authority.
84. Name some famous public school: Eton College, Rugby, Harrow.
85. Comprehensive school: a school in Britain for children of all different levels of ability
who are over the age of 11.
86. GCSEO stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education Ordinary.
87. The 6th form: Education where students (beyond age of 16) can prepare for A level and
university.
88. Name some famous universities in the UK: Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh.
89. The Open university is for people who can’t be ordinary students.
90. The sandwich courses: studies interrupted by periods of time outside education.
91. The two popular categories of the British national newspaper: broadsheet & tabloid.
92. BBC stands for British Broadcasting Corporation.
93. Benefit that the retired people can receive: pension (old age pension).
94. GPs: General practitioners (a doctor provides medical treatment for people who live in a
particular area).
95. Boxing day in the UK: 26th December.
96. Public holidays are usually known as bank holidays.
97. Panto (Pantomime): silent drama
98. The three compulsory core subjects made by National Curriculum: English, Maths,
Science.
99. Pre-school prepares for the start of compulsory education. The national exam taken at 18 is
A level.
100. TV sets have 4 programs: BBC1, ITV, Channel 3, Channel 5. The famous newspaper
street: Fleet Street.
101. Quality papers give deep coverage to politic and other serious news.
102. The BBC depends neither on advertisement nor government.
103. License fee: money TV set has to pay.
100. Department of Social Security: the department in charge of giving financial help to
needy people.
106. The arrangement of the benches facing everyone in the House of Commons reflects British
belief in and against formation.
108. Peerages are conferred by the Queen on the advice of Prime Minister.
110. The Windsors refer to the name of Royal Family. The first Prime Minister of Britain:
Robert Walpole
112. Benefit can help people cover funeral expenses: death grant.
113. NHS stands for National Health Service. The way GPs (General Practitioners) are paid is
called capitation system.
116. A charity for the mentally handicapped: MENCAP.
117. There is a high turnover of nursing staff because nursing profession has always been rather
badly paid.
118. There is no water service in pubs. If you want something, you have to go and ask for it at
the bar.
120. Lords in House of Lord consist of The lord Spiritual and Lords Temporal.