英美文化背景 小学生英语文化背景知识
PEP小学英语文化知识汇总
一、饮食文化
1、西餐礼仪
the knife is on the right . 刀放置于右边
the fork is on the left. 叉置于左边
The spoon is beside the knife. 勺子置于刀的旁边
The plate is in the middle.盘子放在中间
2、饭后甜点dessert 的介绍
It’s something sweet, like pudding, f ruit or ice-cream…饭后吃一些甜食，比如布丁、水果、冰激凌等等
3、Traditional Chinese food中国传统食品
sweet dumplings汤圆zongzi粽子mooncake月饼dumplings饺子
二、节日文化
1、Women’s Day妇女节
2、Children’s Day儿童节
3、Christmas 圣诞节
Merry Christmas圣诞快乐
Father Christmas圣诞老人
Christmas Tree 圣诞树turkey火鸡gifts礼物
4、西方节日
Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May.母亲节在五月份第二个星期天Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June.父亲节在六月份第三个星期天
In America Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November.
在美国，感恩节在十一月份的第四个星期四
In Canada Thanksgiving Day is the second Monday in October.
在加拿大，感恩节在十月份的第二个星期一
三、生活常识及日常标志的认识
1、出口、入口和卫生间标志：
entrance入口exit出口women’s女卫生间men’s男卫生间
2、不同国家的紧急求救号码emergency number
3、水零度结冰膨胀
When water gets to 0 degrees, it becomes ice. 当温度达到0摄氏度时，水会结冰。
When water freezes, it expands, or gets bigger. If you want to freeze a bottle of water, leave some room for the ice to expand. 当水结冰了，它会膨胀变大。
如果你要冷藏一杯水，要留足够的空间让它膨胀。
5、常见标志
No Fishing No Swimming No dogs peeing No dogs pooting
四、称呼介绍
1、对爸爸妈妈的多种称呼叫法some ways to call mother and father
mother: mom mommy mama
father: dad daddy papa
2、同一个工作性别不同的称呼
五、时间
世界各地之间存在时差
六、服饰
1、cowboys wear jeans. 牛仔穿牛仔裤
The shirt looks like a “T”. ------ T-shirt
jiake comes from jacket. 中文中的夹克衫来自英文“jacket”
Chinese people are proud of Tang Dynasty. 中国人以“唐装”为豪
2、衣服和鞋子的尺寸大小表示
L — Large
M — Medium
S — Small
不同国家对鞋子尺码的表示有多不同
七、季节和天气
1、摄氏和华氏：
华氏度(Fahrenhite) 和摄氏度(Centigrade)都是用来计量温度的单位。
包括我国在内的世界上很多国家都使用摄氏度，美国和其他一些英语国家使用华氏度而较少使用摄氏度。
华氏度F＝32＋(9/5)乘以摄氏度C
2、北京和悉尼的相反四季
We have summer, fall, winter, and spring. But when it’s fall in China, it’s spring in Australia. When it’s winter in Beijing, it’s summer in Sydney. In Beijing, it’s spring from March to May. Summer is from June to August. Fall is September to November. Winter is December to February the next year. But, in Sydney, it’s spring from September to November. Summer is from December to February the next year. Fall is from March to May. Winter is from June to August. If you’re planning a trip, look at a map first and remember that it may not be the same season where you’re going.
八、动物
1、熊猫的生活介绍
The panda lives in China. It lives in mountains. It lives in bamboo forests.
The panda can climb trees. The panda eats bamboo.
The baby panda is called a cub幼兽. It’s cute.
There are only 1000 pandas. They need nature parks.
2、十二生肖Chinese zodiac
Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Sheep Monkey Rooster Dog Pig
鼠牛虎兔龙蛇马羊猴鸡
狗猪
3、澳大利亚树带熊、袋鼠的介绍
Koala bears 树带熊live in Australia. They live in trees. They sleep 20 hours
a day.（一天睡二十个小时）They are good climbers（攀登高手）. They can swim, too!
Kangaroos live in Australia. There are more than 60 different types of kangaroos.（有六十多不同种类的袋鼠）The Red Kangaroo(赤袋鼠) is the largest（最大）. Kangaroos like to eat at night（袋鼠喜欢在晚上吃东西）. They like to be quiet in the day. Baby kangaroos rema in in their mother’s pouch for 5-6 months.（袋鼠宝宝要在袋鼠妈妈的袋子中呆五至六个月）
九、交通traffic rules in different countries.
The traffic lights are the same in every country. There are always three lights: red, yellow and green. Red means “Stop”. Yellow means “Wait”, and green means”Go”. In China, drivers drive on the right side of the road. In the US, drivers drive on the right
side, too. In England and Australia, however, drivers drive on the left side of the road. If you go by car, by bike or on foot, you must know the traffic rules.
十、其他
1、人类书写发展史people write words on different things
on bones 在骨头上
on bamboo slips 在竹简上
on paper 在纸上
on computers 在电脑上
2、颜色和情绪的关系
If you are healthy, you are in the PINK.
If you are sad, you are feeling BLUE.
If you are angry, you are seeing RED.
If you are very sad, you are in a BLACK mood.。
英语常用知识和美国文化背景知识[1]1
![英语常用知识和美国文化背景知识[1]1](https://360docs-1393072327.cos.ap-beijing.myqcloud.com/41774f1a82c4bb4cf7ec4afe04a1b0717ed5b352.webp)
英语常用知识和美国文化背景知识[1]1附录TOEPL听力涉及文化背景资料(1)1)【熔炉】(The Melting Pot) 备考指数：☆☆☆美国的别称。
因为美国是一个由来自世界各地不同民族的移民融合组成的国度。
这些移民说的英语不像英国人的英语那样具有较强的阶层性与地域多样性。
他们形成了相似的生活习惯与礼节；城乡居民的差别也不像其他国家的那样明显。
美国社会虽然竞争性强，且存在着种族歧视，但它在同化来自不同民族的移民方面又表现出相当大的弹性与包容性。
因而，形成了全新的整体文化与共同的民族意识，使美国成为“一个多民族组成的国家”。
美国人的人生观是基于个人奋斗、自我管束与竞争精神之上的。
3)【山姆大叔】(Uncle Sam) ☆☆☆☆它是美国的绰号与象征。
山姆大叔的英文为Uncle Sam，缩写是U.S.，正好与美国的英文缩写相同。
但它怎样成为美国的绰号和象征的呢?普遍的说法是：1812年，美英战争期间，美国特罗城有一个专门供应军用牛肉的商人(也有的说是军事订货的官员)名叫山姆尔·威尔逊(Samuel Wilson,1776—1854)，人们平时都叫他山姆大叔(Uncle Sam)。
美国政府收购他的牛肉箱上都盖U.S.字样。
人们遂开玩笑说这些盖有U.S.字样的箱子都是山姆大叔的。
后来“山姆大叔”便成了美国的绰号。
19世纪30年代，美国画家又将“山姆大叔”画成一个留有山羊胡子的瘦长老人，帽子和裤子都有星条旗的标志。
4)【黑色星期五】(Black Friday) ☆☆☆☆“黑色”这一词，源出耶稣殉难日(Good Friday)。
1987年10月19日，纽约股票市场的股票价格暴跌，因这天是星期五，故称股票市场的“黑色星期五”。
10月19日纽约股市的股票指数普遍大幅度下降，超过了1929年10月28日引发经济大萧条的股票暴跌纪录。
这天开市不久，即出现抛售股票的狂潮，纽约股市创下了破纪录的股市交易6043亿股，使得美国几家大公司损失惨重，上市的5000家公司的整个股票价值，一天中就折损了5000亿美元。
英语文化背景知识
英语文化背景知识语言的学习离不开对文化背景知识的了解。
了解有关的英语文化背景知识有助于扩大知识面，增强阅读能力，提高英语水平。
威斯敏斯特宫 (the Palace of Westminster)威斯敏斯特宫是世界上最大的哥特式建筑群，坐落在泰晤士河北岸，历史悠久。
撒克逊人最早在westminster建立了一个教堂。
1065年，英格兰国王爱德华重建了教堂并在附近建了一座宫殿，称为威斯敏斯特宫。
后来历经多次破坏，1840年，英国政府在原地上重建此宫，用作议会大厦，成为世界上最大的议会大厦。
在议会大厦前的议会广场上建有英国首相丘吉尔的高大雕像，以纪念他在第二次世界大战中做出的巨大贡献。
一个圆形中央大厅将议会大厦分为两院：南院为上议院（贵族院），北院为下议院（平民院）。
威斯敏斯特宫的西南角有一高塔--维多利亚塔，为石结构，专门存放议会的重要档案文件；东北角则是一座方塔，塔上有一钟楼，挂着著名的大本钟。
诗人之角 (Poets’ Corner)诗人之角指的是英国威斯敏斯特教堂内著名文学家的坟墓。
这里墓碑林立，埋葬着许多著名的英国文学家。
英国诗歌之父乔叟不仅在此有他的墓穴，还有一个纪念窗。
19世纪著名的小说家狄更斯被安葬在诗人之角的中央。
陪伴他长眠的还有19世纪诗人丁尼生、布朗宁、小说家哈代及英文词典编纂之父约翰逊。
莎士比亚的坟墓虽然在他的故乡，但他在这里也有一个壁龛，放着他的雕像。
海德公园 (Hyde Park)海德公园是英国最大的皇家公园，位于伦敦市中心的威斯敏斯特教堂地区，占地360多英亩，原属威斯敏斯特教堂产业。
16世纪，英王亨利八世将之用做王室的公园。
查理一世执政期间，海德公园曾向公众开放。
1851年，维多利亚女王首次在这里举办伦敦国际博览会。
现在这里也是人们举行各种政治集会和其他群众活动的场所。
演讲者之角 Speakers’ Corner)位于海德公园的东北角，是所谓的“自由论坛”。
自19世纪以来，每星期天下午都有人在这里发表演说，内容涉及政治、宗教、社会等方面。
Unit 1 英美文化背景知识
Page 5
Part I English in the World
According to research by the British Council, "English has official* or special status in at least seventy-five countries with a total population of over two billion.
To be involved in English culture.
To help English learning
To help better communicate with people from English-speaking countries
Page 3
Requirements
Page 20
Ireland - Photos
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New Zealand
• Maori name: Aotearoaan (= land of the white cloud) • Capital: Wellington • Size: 270,534 km² • Population: 3.5 million • Borders: no direct borders; surrounded by sea (South Pacific) • Currency: New Zealand Dollar • Official languages: English, Maori • Nationality / People: A person of New Zealand nationality is a New Zealander
A Brief Introduction to the Culture of the English-speaking Countries
英语国 家文化背景知识的介绍
英语国家文化背景知识的介绍《英语国家文化背景知识的介绍》当我们学习英语时，了解英语国家的文化背景知识是至关重要的。
这不仅能帮助我们更好地理解语言本身，还能让我们在交流中避免误解，增进与英语国家人士的沟通和理解。
英语国家主要包括英国、美国、加拿大、澳大利亚、新西兰等。
每个国家都有其独特的文化特点和历史背景，这些因素共同塑造了它们的社会风貌和人民的价值观。
先来说说英国。
英国是一个拥有悠久历史和丰富文化遗产的国家。
它的传统文化可以追溯到古罗马时期。
英国的皇室文化是其独特的一部分，皇室成员的活动和生活常常成为媒体和公众关注的焦点。
英国的文学成就也举世闻名，从莎士比亚的戏剧到简·奥斯汀的小说，这些经典作品在世界文学史上占据着重要地位。
英国的礼仪文化也十分讲究，例如在社交场合中，人们注重穿着得体、举止优雅。
美国是一个多元文化的大熔炉。
作为一个移民国家，它融合了来自世界各地的文化元素。
美国的价值观强调个人自由、平等和追求梦想。
从好莱坞的电影到百老汇的音乐剧，美国的娱乐文化在全球范围内有着广泛的影响力。
美国的体育文化也十分发达，如篮球、橄榄球和棒球等运动深受民众喜爱。
同时，美国的科技创新文化也推动了全球的科技进步，许多知名的科技公司都诞生于此。
加拿大是一个以其美丽的自然风光和友好的人民而闻名的国家。
其文化受到了英国、法国和原住民文化的影响。
多元文化政策使得加拿大成为一个包容和和谐的社会。
加拿大的艺术和音乐领域也有着出色的表现，同时，其教育体系在国际上也备受赞誉。
澳大利亚是一个充满活力和创新的国家。
其独特的自然环境塑造了澳大利亚人的生活方式和价值观。
澳大利亚的户外运动文化十分盛行，如冲浪、徒步和露营等。
澳大利亚的原住民文化也是其宝贵的财富，他们的艺术和传统对于澳大利亚的文化多样性做出了重要贡献。
新西兰以其纯净的自然景观和悠闲的生活节奏而闻名。
毛利文化是新西兰文化的重要组成部分，毛利人的传统舞蹈、音乐和艺术形式展现了其独特的魅力。
英美文化背景知识
英美文化背景知识英语国家中传统的文娱和体育活动；棒球、橄榄球等；英国；4月23日/7月---戏剧节--为纪念莎士比亚而举行的盛大文娱活动英语国家中重要的节假日及主要庆祝方式圣诞节---12月25日，情人节----2月14日；感恩节—11月的第四个星期四开始，持续四天感恩节每年11月的最后一个星期四是感恩节 (Thanksgiving Day) 。
感恩节是美国人民独创的一个古老节日，也是美国人合家欢聚的节日，因此美国人提起感恩节总是倍感亲切。
感恩节的由来要一直追溯到美国历史的发端。
1620年，著名的“五月花”号船满载不堪忍受英国国内宗教迫害的清教徒102人到达美洲。
1620年和1621年之交的冬天，他们遇到了难以想象的困难，处在饥寒交迫之中，冬天过去时，活下来的移民只有50来人。
这时，心地善良的印第安人给移民送来了生活必需品，还特地派人教他们怎样狩猎、捕鱼和种植玉米、南瓜。
在印第安人的帮助下，移民们终于获得了丰收，在欢庆丰收的日子，按照宗教传统习俗，移民规定了感谢上帝的日子，并决定为感谢印第安人的真诚帮助，邀请他们一同庆祝节日。
在第一个感恩节的这一天，印第安人和移民欢聚一堂，他们在黎明时鸣放礼炮，列队走进一间用作教堂的屋子，虔诚地向上帝表达谢意，然后点起篝火举行盛大宴会。
第二天和第三天又举行了摔跤、赛跑、唱歌、跳舞等活动。
第一个感恩节非常成功。
其中许多庆祝方式流传了300多年，一直保留到今天。
初时感恩节没有固定日期，由各州临时决定。
直到美国独立后的1863年，林肯总统宣布感恩节为全国性节日。
习俗每逢感恩节这一天，美国举国上下热闹非常，人们按照习俗前往教堂做感恩祈祷，城乡市镇到处举行化装游行、戏剧表演和体育比赛等，学校和商店也都按规定放假体息。
孩子们还模仿当年印第安人的模样穿上离奇古怪的服装，画上脸谱或戴上面具到街上唱歌、吹喇叭。
散居在他乡外地的家人也会回家过节，一家人团团围坐在一起，大嚼美味火鸡。
人教版小学英语3年级下-英美文化背景-小学生英语文化背景知识
PEP小学英语文化知识汇总一、饮食文化1、西餐礼仪the knife is on the right . 刀放置于右边the fork is on the left. 叉置于左边The spoon is beside the knife. 勺子置于刀的旁边The plate is in the middle.盘子放在中间2、饭后甜点dessert 的介绍It’s something sweet, like pudding, f ruit or ice-cream…饭后吃一些甜食，比如布丁、水果、冰激凌等等3、Traditional Chinese food中国传统食品sweet dumplings汤圆zongzi粽子mooncake月饼dumplings饺子二、节日文化1、Women’s Day妇女节2、Children’s Day儿童节3、Christmas 圣诞节Merry Christmas圣诞快乐Father Christmas圣诞老人Christmas Tree 圣诞树turkey火鸡gifts礼物4、西方节日Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May.母亲节在五月份第二个星期天Father’s Day is the third Sunday in June.父亲节在六月份第三个星期天In America Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November.在美国，感恩节在十一月份的第四个星期四In Canada Thanksgiving Day is the second Monday in October.在加拿大，感恩节在十月份的第二个星期一三、生活常识及日常标志的认识1、出口、入口和卫生间标志：entrance入口exit出口women’s女卫生间men’s男卫生间2、不同国家的紧急求救号码emergency number3、水零度结冰膨胀When water gets to 0 degrees, it becomes ice. 当温度达到0摄氏度时，水会结冰。
让英美文化渗透于小学英语课堂
让英美文化渗透于小学英语课堂【摘要】小学阶段是一个人的思想和情感形成的启蒙阶段，在这个阶段里，小学生从各科的教学中开始他们成长的步伐。
作为小学英语教师，我们有必要让英美文化渗透于小学英语课堂，帮助学生了解中西文化差异，提高文化素质，有针对性地培养他们得体的跨文化交际能力，帮助他们学会在多元世界里生存和发展。
本文将在跨文化教学的重要性和小学跨文化教学的操作两个方面提出一些肤浅的看法和建议。
【关键词】英美文学渗透方法跨文化交际小学英语文化渗透虽然只是英美文化背景知识传授的尝试，但它毕竟是跨文化教学的雏形。
我们都知道，语言是一个民族文化的载体。
我们学语言实际上是在学蕴藏在字、词、句、篇、章里面的包括历史地理、风土人情、传统习俗、生活方式、文学艺术、行为规范、价值观念在内的诸多社会和人文方面的东西。
可想，如果我们简单地停留在语言本身的层面，一味地传授语音，词汇，语法知识，一味地强调语言的准确性，使学生不顾场合、时间、交际对象及其他因素的差异。
这势必造成学生形成“`汉语思维+英语形式”的不良学习和思维习惯，而且他们很有可能在以后真实的语言交际中会遭遇一些文化冲突，造成不同程度的尴尬。
因此，我们应该发现不同语言交流产生的误解，在教学中突破中西文化差异，把英美文化渗透作为英语教学的一个重要方面，从英语教学的角度引入英语跨文化交际的有关背景知识。
下面我将从两个方面阐述。
一、英美文化渗透于小学英语课堂的重要性《英语课程标准》指出：“语言与文化有密切的联系，语言是文化的重要载体”，教师应当“努力使学生在学习英语的过程中了解外国文化”，帮助他们“不断拓展文化视野”，培养“跨文化交际的意识和能力”。
另外，“接触和了解英美国家文化有益于对英语的理解和使用”，可以帮助学生“了解并尊重其他国家民族的优秀文化传统，更好地理解并热爱中华民族的优秀文化传统”，不仅如此，还可帮助学生“了解文化差异，培养爱国主义精神，增强世界意识”。
英美文化背景知识 (英文版)
英美文化背景知识Newspapers in Britain and the USNewspapers in BritainNational and local papersIn Britain there are 11 national daily newspapers and most people read one of them every day. There are two kinds of newspaper. One is large in size and has many detailed articles about national and international events. These newspapers are called the serious papers or the quality papers. The other kind, called the tabloids is smaller in size, have more pictures, often in colour, and shorter articles, often about less important events or about the private lives of well-know people. Although some people disapprove(反对) of the tabloids(小报), more people buy them than buy the serious newspaper. The Sun, for example, which is a tabloid, is the biggest-selling newspaper in Britain. People who disapprove of the tabloids very strongly sometimes call them the Gutter Press.There are daily or weekly newspapers in all parts of Britain which cover local news as well as some national and international stories. Local papers give information aboutfilms, concerts, and other things that are happening in the local neighborhood, including, for example, information about local people who have been married or died recently. National papers generally give information about film, concerts and other events happening in London, In Scotland, many people read the Glasgow Herald or the Scotsman and there are Scottish Editions of the tabloids.There also many free local newspapers which are delivered to people’s homes whether they ask for them or not. These contain a lot of advertisements(广告) and also some news.PoliticsMost national newspapers in Britain express a political opinion and people choose the newspaper that they read according to their own political beliefs. Most of the newspapers are right-wing. These are the Daily Telegraph(serious newspaper), the Daily express, Daily Mail, Daily Star, the Sun and Today(all tabloids). Of the other serious newspapers, The Times, the oldest newspaper in Britain, did not formerly have one strong political view but itis now more right-wing. The Guardian is slightly left-wing, the Independent is centre and the Financial(金融) with political issues, but reports on business and financial news. The Daily Mirror(tabloid) is left-wing.Daily and Sunday newspapersDaily newspapers are published on every day of the week except Sunday. Sunday newspapers are larger than daily newspapers, often having 2 or 3 sections. There is also other a magazine, called the colour supplement(增刊). All the Sunday newspapers are national Serious newspapers include the Observer(which is slightly left-wing), the Sunday Times, the Sunday Telegraph and the Independent on Sunday, the Sunday Mirror, the Sunday Express, the News of the World and the Sunday Sport which is considered to lack much serious information.Newspapers in The USNational and local newspapersThere are more than 1500 daily newspapers in the US. Each one is usually sold only in one part of the country, e.g. in a city, but they cover national and international news. In larger cities there is often more than one newspaper and the different ones express different political opinions. Some newspapers are sold in nearly all parts of the US. E.g. USA today and the National edition of the New York Times. Two other newspapers, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post are know and respected all over the US but cannot be bought everywhere. Other important newspapers are: the Boston Globe, sold in New England, the Chicago Tribune, sold in the Midwest, the Christian Science Monitor and USA Today, both sold nationally, and the Washington Post on the East Coast.There are also weekly newspapers in all parts of the US which cover local news, such as what is happening in the local neighborhood(地方). Fewer people read these than read the daily newspapers.Daily and Sunday newspapersDaily newspapers are published on every day of the week except Sunday. Sunday newspapers are very big, often having several separate parts. They contain many longer articles and a lot of advertisements. Each section deals with a different subject. E.g. national and international news, sport, travel, etc. One section, the classifieds(分类广告) has advertisements for jobs and things for sale. Another section is called the funnies. There is often also a magazine which is in color.Alternative newspapersIn the 1960s a group of newspapers began to appear that were later called in “alternative press”. They expressed extreme(极端的) political opinions, especially left-wing opinion. Many of the newspapers which were part of this movement, such as the Village Voice in New York or the Reader in Chicago, are less extreme today and more widely read.Law in Britain and the USIn both Britain and the US, when a person is accused of a rime it must be shown that they are guilty "beyond reasonable doubt". A person is always innocent(无罪) in the eyes of the law until they have been proved to be guilty by a court they can sometimes ask for permission to APPEAL(上诉) to a higher court in the hope that it will change this decision.Criminal law in England and WalesWhen someone is arrested (ARREST) by the police, a MAGISTRATE (=an official who judges cases in some types of courts) decides whether there is enough EVIDENCE(证据) against the person for the case to go to court. If there is enough evidence and the case is a serious one, the person accused(控告) of the crime (called 'the accused(被告)') is sent to a CROWN COURT for a TRIAL with a JUDGE and JURY (=12 members of the public who have to decide if the accused is guilty(有罪的), then the judge decides the SENTENCE(判决) (2) (=punishment). If there is enough evidence against the accused but the crime is not a seriousone (for example a traffic offence) then the case is heard in a MAGISTRATES COURT.If found guilty in the Crown Court the accused may apply to(请求) the COURT OF APPEAL (Criminal Division) where he or she will be heard by a judge. Sometimes a HIGH COURT judge from the Queen's Bench Division assists in dealing with criminal matters in the Court of Appeal or Crown Court.Criminal law in Northern IrelandIn Northern Ireland, as in England and Wales, someone accused of a crime may be tried in a Magistrates' Court or a Crown Court depending on how serious the crime is. Appeals from the Crown Court are heard in the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.Criminal law in ScotlandScotland has a separate court system. After a person is arrested by the police, an official called the PROCURATOR FISCAL is in charge of deciding whether there is enoughevidence against the accused for a trial. If there is enough evidence and the crime is a very serious one, the accused is sent to the HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY where there is a judge and jury(陪审团) (in Scotland there are 15 people on a jury). If there is enough evidence but the crime is a less serious one, the case is heard in a SHERIFF COURT (The sheriff is a trained lawyer who acts as a judge). Appeals from the Sheriff Court go to the High Court of Justiciary.Criminal law in the USThe US has tow separate court systems. In general terms STATE COURTS are used when someone has done something against the laws of CONSTITUTION of a particular State. FEDERAL COURTS deal with cases to do with the laws and Constitution of the United States as whole. Federal courts also hear cases where the US Government is one of the sides involved(介入). Cases for crimes which are not serious are likely to be heard in state courts. Serious crimes may be tried in wither state courts of federal courts depending on the situation, for example cases where a crime has taken place in another state are often heard in federal courts.After a person has been arrested a magistrate(地方官员), or in some cases a GRAND JURY made up of between 16 and 23 citizens, decides whether they should go to trial. If there is enough evidence for a trial the accused goes to court and has to state whether he/she is guilty or not guilty of the crime. If they say they are not guilty they are sent to trial with a judge and jury (of 16 or 20 citizens) in either a State or COUNTY COURT or, in federal cases, a DISTRICT COURT. If the accused is found guilty they may have the fight to appeal to a higher court, as shown below.The final court of appeal in the US federal system and for some cases in the state courts is the US SUPREME COURT. It is made up of a CHIEF JUSTICE and eight ASSOCIATES. The accused does not have the fight to be heard by the Supremes Court, but the Supreme Court decides which cases it will hear.Holiday in Britain and the USPaid HolidayPeople in the US get 2 weeks a year paid vacation (holiday) form their job. Most British people have four or five weeks paid holiday a year. Americans often complain that tow weeks is not enough holiday, especially when they hear about the longer holidays that Europeans get. In addition, there are 8 days in each country, which are public holidays (the British call Bank Holiday) and many of these fall on a Monday giving people a long weekend. In Britain, so many people drive to another part of the country, especially the coast, on Bank Holiday weekends that there are serious traffic jams, which may stretch(长达) for many miles.Popular Holiday PlacesWith the US, outdoor vacations are popular, for example at the Grand Canyon or Yosemite or Yellowstone or the national parks or forests. Yong people may go walking or camping in the mountains. Many people have capers or small trailer(拖车) in which to travel, or if they are in a car, they may stay at Motels on the journey Disneyland and Disneyworld are also popular and people can to skiing in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.。
新概念英语文化背景知识(英文版)
《新概念英语》第二册文化背景知识Cultural in Britain and the USEducation in Britain and the USIn Britain all children have to go to school between the ages of 5 and 16. In the US childrenmust go to school from the age of 6 to between the ages of 14 and 16, depending on thestate they live in.SubjectIn England and Wales the subjects taught in schools are laid down by the National Curriculum( 课程), which was introduced in 1988 and sets out( 制定) in detail the subjects that children should study and the levels of achievement they should reach by the ages of7, 11, 14 and 16, when they are tested. The National Curriculum does not apply in Scotland,where each school decides what subjects it will teach.In the US the subjects taught are decided by national and local governments. WhereasBritish schools usually have prayers( 祈祷) and religious( 宗教的) instruction, American schools are not allowed to include prayers or to teach particular religious beliefs( 信仰).ExaminationsAt 16 students in England and Wales take GCSE examinations. These examinations aretaken by students of all levels of ability in any of a range of subjects and may involve a final examination, an assessment( 评价) of work done during the two year course, or both ofthese things. At 18 some students have taken A-level examinations, usually in not morethan 3 subjects. It is necessary to have A-levels in order to go to a university or polytechnic( 综合技术大学).In Scotland students take the SCE examinations. A year later , they can take examinations called HIGHS, after which they can either go straight to a university or spend a further yearat school and take the Certificate( 证书) of Sixth Year Studies. In Scotland the university system is different to that in England and Wales. Courses usually last four years rather thanthree and students study a larger number of subjects as part of their degree.In the US school examinations are not as important as they are in Britain. Students in HighSchools do have exams at the end of their last two years, but these final exams are considered along with the work that the students have done during the school years.Social Events and Ceremonies (仪式)In American high schools there is a formal ceremony for Graduation (=completion of highschool). Students wear a special cap and gown and receive a diploma( 文凭) from the headof the school. Students often buy a class ring to ear , and a yearbook, containing pictures oftheir friends and teachers. There are also special social events at American schools. Sportsevents are popular , and cheer leaders lead the school in supporting the school team andsinging the school song. At the end of their junior year , at age 17 or 18, students held inthe evening. The girls wear long evening dresses and the boys wear TUXEDOS.In Britain, there are no formal dances or social occasions( 场合) associated( 和...有关) withschool life. Some schools have SPEECH DAY at the end of the school year when prizes aregiven to the best students and speeches are made by the head teacher and sometimes aninvited guest. However , in many British schools students and teachers organize( 组织)informal dances for the older students.Government in Britain and the USGovernment in BritainNational governmentThe center of government in Britain is PARLIAMENT( 国会), which makes all the importantlaws for the country about crimes and punishment, taxation( 犯罪), etc. Parliament is madeup of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch( 贵族). The Houses ofParliament are in Westminster in London and sometimes “Westminster ”itself is used to mean Parliament.The House of Commons (or the Commons) is the lower but more powerful of the twoHouses. It has 650 elected members, called Members of Parliament or MPs, eachrepresenting people in a particular area or constituency. The House of Lords (the Lords) isthe higher but less powerful of the two Houses. It has over 1,000 members, none of whomis elected. These members include: people who have titles like Lord or Viscount( 子爵)which have been passed down to them on the death of their father (hereditary peers( 世袭贵族)); people who are given titles as a reward for their long service in public life, butwhose children do not INHERIT( 继承) their title (life peers); and some important leaders ofthe Church of England (Archbishops( 大主教) and Bishops( 主教)).The government brings BILL (=suggested laws) to the House of Commons, which arediscussed by MPs. The bills then go to the House of Lords to be discussed. The House ofLords can suggest changes to a bill, but does not have the power to reject it (=refusepermission for it to be passed). When bills come back to the Commons, MPs vote on themand if they are passed they are signed by the monarch and become Acts of ParliamentAt present England, Scotland, Wales, and N Ireland are all governed by Parliament in Westminster . In N Ireland the political parties are different but their MPs still go to theHouse of Commons. In Scotland there is a lot of discussion about whether Scotland shouldhave some separate or partly separate form of government. The same is true in WalesLocal governmentLocal government is Britain, also known as Councils, can make small laws (bylaws) whichonly apply in their area, but these are usually about small, local matters. For instance, theymay be about fines that will be made for people who park in certain streets.Councils are paid for by local taxes and also by an amount of money given to them eachyear by the national government. Their main job is the organizing and providing of localservices, e.g. hospitals, school, libraries, public transport, street-cleaning, etc. They arealso responsible for setting the amount of local tax that people must pay and for collectingthis tax.Local councils( 议会) are elected by people within each town, city, or country area. Thepeople who are elected, known as councilors, usually represent one of the national politicalparties, but are often elected because of their policies on local issues( 问题) rather than the national policies of their party.Government in the USAll levels of government in the US (federal( 联邦), state, and local) are elected by the people of the country.Federal governmentThe constitution of the US specifically limits the power of the federal (=national) government mainly to defence ( 国防), foreign affairs, printing money, controlling trade and relations between the states, and protecting human rights. The federal government is make up of the CONGRESS( 国会), the President, and the Supreme Count( 最高法院).CongressCongress, the central law-making body in the US, is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is the lower but more important of the two houses of Congress. It has 435 members, called Representatives or Congressmen/Congresswomen elected by their state. The member of Representative( 代表) for each state depends on the size of the population of the state, with each state having atleast one Representative. The Senate is the higher but less powerful of the two houses of Congress. It has 100 members, called Senators( 参议院), elected by their state. Each statehas two Senators.Congress decides whether a BILL (suggested law) becomes law. If the Senate and theHouse of Representative both agree to a bill, the President is asked to agree.The President can veto(=say no to) the bill( 议案), but Congress can still make it a law if2/3 of the members of each house agree to it.State governmentState government has the greatest influence in people ’s daily lives. Each state has its own written Constitution( 宪法) (set of fixed law), and among the state there are sometimesgreat differences in law on matters such as property, crime, health, and education. Thehighest elected official of each state is the Governor . Each state also has one or two electedlawmaking bodies (state Legislature) whose members represent the various parts of thestate.Local governmentLocal government concerns laws made at the town, city or county level. These laws areusually limited to a small area and concern such thing as traffic, where and when alcoholicdrinks can be sold, or keeping animals. The highest elected official of a town or city Council.Every law at every level of government must be in agreement with( 一致) the United Statesconstitution. Any citizen who thinks he or she has not been given their rights under the lawmay argue their case through all the courts up to the Supreme Court (the final Court ofAppeal in the US) if necessary, and any law which is found not in agreement with theconstitution (unconstitutional) cannot be kept in forceNewspapers in Britain and the USNewspapers in BritainNational and local papersIn Britain there are 11 national daily newspapers and most people read one of them everyday. There are two kinds of newspaper . One is large in size and has many detailed articlesabout national and international events. These newspapers are called the serious papers orthe quality papers. The other kind, called the tabloids is smaller in size, have more pictures,often in colour , and shorter articles, often about less important events or about the privatelives of well-know people. Although some people disapprove( 反对) of the tabloids( 小报),more people buy them than buy the serious newspaper . The Sun, for example, which is atabloid, is the biggest-selling newspaper in Britain. People who disapprove of the tabloidsvery strongly sometimes call them the Gutter Press.There are daily or weekly newspapers in all parts of Britain which cover local news as wellas some national and international stories. Local papers give information about films,concerts, and other things that are happening in the local neighborhood, including, forexample, information about local people who have been married or died recently. Nationalpapers generally give information about film, concerts and other events happening inLondon, In Scotland, many people read the Glasgow Herald or the Scotsman and there areScottish Editions of the tabloids.There also many free local newspapers which are delivered to people ’s homes whether they ask for them or not. These contain a lot of advertisements( 广告) and also some news.PoliticsMost national newspapers in Britain express a political opinion and people choose thenewspaper that they read according to their own political beliefs. Most of the newspapersare right-wing. These are the Daily Telegraph (serious newspaper), the Daily express, DailyMail, Daily Star , the Sun and Today (all tabloids). Of the other serious newspapers, TheTimes, the oldest newspaper in Britain, did not formerly have one strong political view butit is now more right-wing. The Guardian is slightly left-wing, the Independent is centre andthe Financial( 金融) with political issues, but reports on business and financial news. TheDaily Mirror (tabloid) is left-wing.Daily and Sunday newspapersDaily newspapers are published on every day of the week except Sunday. Sundaynewspapers are larger than daily newspapers, often having 2 or 3 sections. There is alsoother a magazine, called the colour supplement( 增刊). All the Sunday newspapers arenational Serious newspapers include the Observer(which is slightly left-wing), the SundayTimes, the Sunday Telegraph and the Independent on Sunday, the Sunday Mirror , theSunday Express, the News of the World and the Sunday Sport which is considered to lackmuch serious information.Newspapers in the USNational and local newspapersThere are more than 1500 daily newspapers in the US. Each one is usually sold only in onepart of the country, e.g. in a city, but they cover national and international news. In largercities there is often more than one newspaper and the different ones express differentpolitical opinions. Some newspapers are sold in nearly all parts of the US. E.g. USA todayand the National edition of the New York Times. Two other newspapers, the Los AngelesTimes and the Washington Post are known and respected all over the US but cannot bebought everywhere. Other important newspapers are: the Boston Globe, sold in New England, the Chicago Tribune, sold in the Midwest, the Christian Science Monitor and USA Today, both sold nationally, and the Washington Post on the East Coast.There are also weekly newspapers in all parts of the US which cover local news, such aswhat is happening in the local neighborhood( 地方). Fewer people read these than read the daily newspapers.Daily and Sunday newspapersDaily newspapers are published on every day of the week except Sunday. Sunday newspapers are very big, often having several separate parts. They contain many longerarticles and a lot of advertisements. Each section deals with a different subject. E.g. national and international news, sport, travel, etc. One section, the classifieds( 分类广告) has advertisements for jobs and things for sale. Another section is called the funnies. Thereis often also a magazine which is in color .Alternative newspapersIn the 1960s a group of newspapers began to appear that were later called in ve “apress ”Th.ey expressed extreme( 极端的) political opinions, especially left-wing opinion. Many of the newspapers which were part of this movement, such as the Village Voice inNew York or the Reader in Chicago, are less extreme today and more widely read.Law in Britain and the USIn both Britain and the US, when a person is accused of a crime it must be shown that theyare guilty "beyond reasonable doubt". A person is always innocent( 无罪) in the eyes of the law until they have been proved to be guilty by a court they can sometimes ask for permission to APPEAL( 上诉) to a higher court in the hope that it will change this decision.Criminal law in England and WalesWhen someone is arrested (ARREST) by the police, a MAGISTRATE (=an official who judges cases in some types of courts) decides whether there is enough EVIDENCE( 证据) against the person for the case to go to court. If there is enough evidence and the case isa serious one, the person accused( 控告) of the crime (called 'the accused( 被告)') is sent to a CROWN COURT for a TRIAL with a JUDGE and JURY (=12 members of the public whohave to decide if the accused is guilty( 有罪的), then the judge decides the SENTENCE( 判决) (2) (=punishment). If there is enough evidence against the accused but the crime isnot a serious one (for example a traffic offence) then the case is heard in a MAGISTRATES COURT.If found guilty in the Crown Court the accused may apply to( 请求) the COURT OF APPEAL (Criminal Division) where he or she will be heard by a judge. Sometimes a HIGH COURTjudge from the Queen's Bench Division assists in dealing with criminal matters in the Courtof Appeal or Crown Court.Criminal law in Northern IrelandIn Northern Ireland, as in England and Wales, someone accused of a crime may be tried ina Magistrates' Court or a Crown Court depending on how serious the crime is. Appeals fromthe Crown Court are heard in the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.Criminal law in ScotlandScotland has a separate court system. After a person is arrested by the police, an officialcalled the PROCURATOR FISCAL is in charge of deciding whether there is enough evidence against the accused for a trial. If there is enough evidence and the crime is a very seriousone, the accused is sent to the HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY where there is a judge andjury( 陪审团) (in Scotland there are 15 people on a jury). If there is enough evidence butthe crime is a less serious one, the case is heard in a SHERIFF COURT (The sheriff is atrained lawyer who acts as a judge). Appeals from the Sheriff Court go to the High Court of Justiciary.Criminal law in the USThe US has tow separate court systems. In general terms STATE COURTS are used when someone has done something against the laws of CONSTITUTION of a particular State. FEDERAL COURTS deal with cases to do with the laws and Constitution of the United Statesas whole. Federal courts also hear cases where the US Government is one of the sidesinvolved( 介入). Cases for crimes which are not serious are likely to be heard in state courts. Serious crimes may be tried in wither state courts of federal courts depending on the situation, for example cases where a crime has taken place in another state are often heard in federal courts.After a person has been arrested a magistrate( 地方官员), or in some cases a GRAND JURY made up of between 16 and 23 citizens, decides whether they should go to trial. If there isenough evidence for a trial the accused goes to court and has to state whether he/she isguilty or not guilty of the crime. If they say they are not guilty they are sent to trial with ajudge and jury (of 16 or 20 citizens) in either a State or COUNTY COURT or , in federal cases, a DISTRICT COURT . If the accused is found guilty they may have the fight to appeal to ahigher court, as shown below.The final court of appeal in the US federal system and for some cases in the state courts isthe US SUPREME COURT . It is made up of a CHIEF JUSTICE and eight ASSOCIATES. The accused does not have the fight to be heard by the Supremes Court, but the SupremeCourt decides which cases it will hear .Holiday in Britain and the US Paid HolidayPeople in the US get 2 weeks a year paid vacation (holiday) form their job. Most Britishpeople have four or five weeks paid holiday a year . Americans often complain that two weeks is not enough holiday, especially when they hear about the longer holidays thatEuropeans get. In addition, there are 8 days in each country, which are public holidays (theBritish call Bank Holiday) and many of these fall on a Monday giving people a long weekend.In Britain, so many people drive to another part of the country, especially the coast, onBank Holiday weekends that there are serious traffic jams, which may stretch( 长达) for many miles.Popular Holiday PlacesWith the US, outdoor vacations are popular , for example at the Grand Canyon or Yosemiteor Yellowstone or the national parks or forests. Yong people may go walking or camping inthe mountains. Many people have capers or small trailer( 拖车) in which to travel, or if theyare in a car , they may stay at Motels on the journey Disneyland and Disneyworld are alsopopular and people can to skiing in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.It is also very common to use vacations to visit relatives who may live in states a longdistance away. Some children go to summer camp for a holiday during the summer vacation form school, where they do special activities, such as sports or crafts.When Americans want a holiday for sun and rest, they usually go to Florida, Hawaii, Mexicoor the Caribbean. They may go to Europe for culture, for example, to see art, plays, andplaces of historic interest.In Britain, many people like to go to the seaside for holidays. There are places near the sea,such as Black pool, Scarborough and Bournemouth, where there is plenty to do even if itrains. In a traditional British seaside holiday, the children can watch a Punch and JudyShow, eat candy floss and rock (=sweet) and make sandcastles, while older people canhire a deckchair to sit on the beach. People also like to go to go the country, especially towalk, in places like Scotland, Wales and the Lake District.When the British go abroad they usually want to go somewhere warm. Spain and 'Spanishislands of Majorca and Ibiza are popular as are other places in southern Europe. For skiing,people often go to the Alps.Medicine in Britain and AmericanMedicine in BritainIn Britain there is a National Health Service (NHS) which is paid for by taxes and National Insurance( 保险), and in general people do not have to pay for medical treatment. Everyperson is registered with a doctor in their local area; know as general practitioner or GP . This means that their name is on the GP's list, and they may make an appointment to seethe doctor or may call the doctor out to visit them if they are ill. People do sometimes haveto pay part of the cost of drugs that the doctor prescribes( 开处方). GPs are trained in general medicine but are not specialists in any particular subject. If a patient needs to seea specialist doctor , they must first go to their GP and then the GP will make an appointment( 预约) for the patient to see a specialist at a hospital or clinic.Although everyone in Britain can have free treatment under the National Health Service. Itis also possible to have treatment done privately, for which one has to pay; some peoplehave private health insurance to help them pay for private treatment. Under the NHS, people who need to go to hospital may have to wait for a long time on a waiting list fortheir treatment. If they pay for the treatment, they will probably get it quickly.Anyone who is very ill can call an ambulance( 救护车) and get taken to hospital for free urgent medical treatment. Ambulances are a free service in Britain.Medicine in the USUnlike Britain, the US does not have a national health care service. The government doeshelp pay for some medical care for people who are on low incomes and for old, but mostpeople buy insurance to help pay for medical care. Some people cannot afford insurancebut not poor enough to get government help. The cost of medical insurance and the problems of those who can not afford it are an important political subject.When people are ill, they usually go first to a general practitioner or internist. Unlike inBritain, however , people sometimes go straight to a specialist, without seeing their general practitioner first. Children are usually taken to a pediatrician (a doctor who is a specialist inthe treatment of children). As in Britain, if a patient needs to see a specialist doctor , their general doctor will usually give them the name of one.Doctors don not go to people's homes when they are ill. People always make appointmentsto see the doctor in the doctor's office. In emergencies( 急诊), people call for an ambulance. Hospital must treat all emergency patients, even if the patient does not have medical insurance. The government would then help pay for some of the cost of the medical care.Social Class in BritainBritish society is considered to be divided into three main groups of classes - the UpperClass, the Middle Class, and the Lower or Working Class. This is known as the Class systemand it is important to know something about it if you want to understand British people and society. Most British people grow up with a deep knowledge and understanding of the classsystem even if they are not very conscious( 意识到) of it. Most people know which classthey belong to by the way they speak, their clothes, their interests or even the type of foodthey eat.Social class is not only about behavior and attitudes, For example, although many upperclass people are rich and may own a lot of land, having a lot of money does not make aperson upper class. It is also important to come from a particular kind of family, have friends who are considered suitable, have been to a certain type of private school andspeak with the right kind of accent. There are people who are poor but who do not think of themselves as working class because their family background, education, political opinions,etc. are different to those of most working-class people. Many people do not like the classsystem but it is impossible to pretend that these differences do not exist or that Britishpeople do not sometimes form opinions in this way.Pubs in BritainPubs are an important part of British life. Even very small villages nearly always have a pub.People especially men, will often go to the pub for a drink in the evening and at weekends.A man will usually go to the same pub, one which is closed by and which is called the local:I'm just nipping down to the local for a print. Women now go to pubs more than they usedto, but usually don not like to go to a pub on their own. Children under 16 are not usuallyallowed into pubs, although some pubs have a children's room or a garden where childrencan sit.Until 1988, pubs were only allowed to be open from 12:00 am to 2:00 pm alcoholic drinkcan be sold in a public place are called the licensing laws. Even though the law was changed so that alcohol can now be sold all day, many pubs still only pen at lunchtime andin the evening. When it is nearly time for the pub to close, the landlord or landlady shouts"last orders" and then "time".Pubs often sell food or snacks as well as drinks. Food that is considered typical pub food isscampi (kind of shellfish) and chips (fried potatoes), pie and chips, chicken and chips, and ploughman's lunch (bread with cheese).Pubs have names, e.g. The Angel, The Black Swan, The Crown, The King's Arms, The RedLion, The White Horse, etc. and people usually refer to the pub by its name: Turn left at theRose and Crown. There is often a sing outside the pub showing the name with a picture.Many pubs have two or more different bars. The public bar is usually plainly furnished andoften has a pool table and dartboard. It is the bar usually used by the local people. Thesaloon bar is comfortable and well-furnished( 装修很好的) and is the bar that is usually used by men and woman drinking together .Sports in Britain and the USFootball in Britain and AmericaFootball(soccer AmE) is a very popular sport in Britain, played between August and May(the football season) Many people, esp. men, support a particular team and may go towatch the games that their team plays. Professional football is controlled by two organizations, the Football League and the Football Association (the FA). In England andWales, there 93 teams in the League, organized into four divisions( 区）. In Scotland, there are 38 teams in the League, organized into three divisions. Teams play regularly againstthe other teams in their league or division according to a fixed programme. At the end ofthe season the team in the Premier League (or the Premier Division in Scotland) with themost points is the League Champion. This competition is called the League Championship.The other important competition is the FA Cup, often just called the cup. This is open to all armature football teams that belong to the FA as well as the 93 professional （专业）teams. The teams play against each other in a Knockout competition which starts in August andends in May. The two teams left in the competition play in the FA Cup Final at WembleyStadium in London. This is a very important national sporting occasion, watched by millionsof people in television.Team names usu. include the name of the town or city where the team is based, e.g. Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolverhamptom Wanderers (Wolves), Dundee United, etc.Football (American football BrE) is a very popular sport in the US. Many people, esp. men,support a particular team and watch the game that their team plays. Each team has a name, which usually includes the name of the town or city that the team is associated with,some examples of names are: New York Jets, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots,and Green Bay Packers.The season starts in early autumn and ends at the end of January with the Super Bowl,which is the NFL championship game. The two teams that play in the Super Bowl are determined by games within the divisions and conferences. The Super Bowl is only onegame and at the end of the game, they have a sudden-death play-off, in which the firstteam to gain points wins the game. Professional football games are organized in the US in。
英美文化背景知识
Education in Britain and the USIn Britain all children have to go to school between the ages of 5 and 16. In the US children must go to school from the age of 6 to between the ages of 14 and 16, depending on the state they live in.SubjectIn England and Wales the subjects taught in schools are laid down by the National Curriculum(课程), which was introduced in 1988 and sets out(制定) in detail the subjects that children should study and the levels of achievement they should reach by the ages of 7, 11, 14 and 16, when they are tested. The National Curriculum does not apply in Scotland, where each school decides what subjects it will teach.In the US the subjects taught are decided by national and local governments. Whereas British schools usually have prayers(祈祷) and religious(宗教的) instruction, American schools are not allowed to include prayers or to teach particular religious beliefs(信仰).ExaminationsAt 16 students in England and Wales take GCSE examinations. These examinations are taken by students of all levels of ability in any of a range of subjects and may involve a final examination, an assessment(评价) of work done during the two year course, or both of these things. At 18 some students taken A-level examinations, usually in not more than 3 subjects. It is necessary to have A-levels in order to go to a university or polytechnic(综合技术大学).In Scotland students take the SCE examinations. A year later, they can take examinations called HIGHS, after which they can either go straight to a university or spend a further year at school and take the Certificate(证书) of Sixth Year Studies. In Scotland the university system is different to that in England and Wales. Courses usually last four years rather than three and students study a larger number of subjects as part of their degree.In the US school examinations are not as important as they are in Britain. Students in High Schools do have exams at the end oftheir last two years, but these final exams are considered along with the work that the students have done during the school years.Social Events and Ceremonies(仪式)In American high schools there is a formal ceremony for Graduation (=completion of high school). Students wear a special cap and gown and receive a diploma(文凭) from the head of the school. Students often buy a class ring to ear, and a yearbook, containing pictures of their friends and teachers. There are also special social events at American schools. Sports events are popular, and cheer leaders lead the school in supporting the school team and singing the school song. At the end of their junior year, at age 17 or 18, students held in the evening. The girls wear long evening dresses and the boys wear TUXEDOS.In Britain, there are no formal dances or social occasions(场合) associated(和...有关) with school life. Some schools have SPEECH DAY at the end of the school year when prizes are given to the best students and speeches are made by the head teacher and sometimes an invited guest. However, in manyBritish schools students and teachers organize(组织) informal dances for the older students.Government in Britain and the USGovernment in BritainNational governmentThe center of government in Britain is PARLIAMENT(国会), which makes all the important laws for the country about crimes and punishment, taxation(犯罪), etc. Parliament is made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the monarch(贵族). The Houses of Parliament are in Westminster in London and sometimes “Westminster” itself is used to mean Parliament.The House of commons (or the Commons) is the lower but more powerful of the two Houses. It has 650 elected members, called Members of Parliament or MPs, each representing people in a particular area or constituency. The House of Lords (the Lords)is the higher but less powerful of the two Houses. It has over 1,000 members, none of whom is elected. These members include: people who have titles like Lord or Viscount(子爵) which have been passed down to them on the death of their father (hereditary peers(世袭贵族)); people who are given titles as a reward for their long service in public life, but whose children do not INHERIT(继承) their title (life peers); and some important leaders of the Church of England (Archbishops(大主教) and Bishops(主教)).The government brings BILL (=suggested laws) to the House of Commons, which are discussed by MPs. The bills then go to the House of Lords to be discussed. The House of Lords can suggest changes to a bill, but does not have the power to reject it (=refuse permission for it to be passed). When bills come back to the Commons, MPs vote on them and if they are passed they are signed by the monarch and become Acts of ParliamentAt present England, Scotland, Wales, and N Ireland are all governed by Parliament in Westminster. In N Ireland the political parties are different but their MPs still go to the House of Commons. In Scotland there is a lot of discussion aboutwhether Scotland should have some separate or partly separate form of government. The same is true in WalesLocal governmentLocal government is Britain, also known as Councils, can make small laws (bylaws) which only apply in their area, but these are usually about small, local matters. For instance, they may be about fines that will be made for people who park in certain streets.Councils are paid for by local taxes and also by an amount of money given to them each year by the national government. Their main job is the organizing and providing of local services, e.g. hospitals, school, libraries, public transport, street-cleaning, etc. They are also responsible for setting the amount of local tax that people must pay and for collecting this tax.Local councils(议会) are elected by people within each town, city, or country area. The people who are elected, known as councilors, usually represent one of the national political parties, but are often elected because of their policies on local issues(问题) rather than the national policies of their party.Government in the USAll levels of government in the US (federal(联邦), state, and local) are elected by the people of the country.Federal governmentThe constitution of the US specifically limits the power of the federal (=national) government mainly to defence(国防), foreign affairs, printing money, controlling trade and relations between the states, and protecting human rights. The federal government is make up of the CONGRESS(国会), the President, and the Supreme Count(最高法院).CongressCongress, the central law-making body in the US, is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is the lower but more important of the two houses of Congress. It has 435 members, called Representatives or Congressmen/Congresswomen elected by their state. Themember of Representative(代表) for each state depends on the size of the population of the state, with each state having at least one Representative. The Senate is the higher but less powerful of the two houses of Congress. It has 100 members, called Senators(参议院), elected by their state. Each state has two Senators.Congress decides whether a BILL (suggested law) becomes law. If the Senate and the House of Representative both agree to a bill, the President is asked to agree.The President can veto(=say no to) the bill(议案), but Congress can still make it a law if 2/3 of the members of each house agree to it.State governmentState government has the greatest influence in people’s daily lives. Each state has its own written Constitution(宪法) (set of fixed law), and among the state there are sometimes great differences in law on matters such as property, crime, health, and education. The highest elected official of each state is theGovernor. Each state also has one or two elected lawmaking bodies (state Legislature) whose members represent the various parts of the state.Local governmentLocal government concerns laws made at the town, city or county level. These laws are usually limited to a small area and concern such thing as traffic, where and when alcoholic drinks can be sold, or keeping animals. The highest elected official of a town or city Council.Every law at every level of government must be in agreement with(一致) the United States constitution. Any citizen who thinks he or she has not been given their rights under the law may argue their case through all the courts up to the Supreme Court (the final Court of Appeal in the US) if necessary, and any law which is found not in agreement with the constitution (unconstitutional) cannot be kept in force.Newspapers in Britain and the USNewspapers in BritainNational and local papersIn Britain there are 11 national daily newspapers and most people read one of them every day. There are two kinds of newspaper. One is large in size and has many detailed articles about national and international events. These newspapers are called the serious papers or the quality papers. The other kind, called the tabloids is smaller in size, have more pictures, often in colour, and shorter articles, often about less important events or about the private lives of well-know people. Although some people disapprove(反对) of the tabloids(小报), more people buy them than buy the serious newspaper. The Sun, for example, which is a tabloid, is the biggest-selling newspaper in Britain. People who disapprove of the tabloids very strongly sometimes call them the Gutter Press.There are daily or weekly newspapers in all parts of Britain which cover local news as well as some national andinternational stories. Local papers give information about films, concerts, and other things that are happening in the local neighborhood, including, for example, information about local people who have been married or died recently. National papers generally give information about film, concerts and other events happening in London, In Scotland, many people read the Glasgow Herald or the Scotsman and there are Scottish Editions of the tabloids.There also many free local newspapers which are delivered to people’s homes whether they ask for them or not. These contain a lot of advertisements(广告) and also some news.PoliticsMost national newspapers in Britain express a political opinion and people choose the newspaper that they read according to their own political beliefs. Most of the newspapers are right-wing. These are the Daily Telegraph(serious newspaper), the Daily express, Daily Mail, Daily Star, the Sun and Today(all tabloids). Of the other serious newspapers, The Times, the oldest newspaper in Britain, did not formerly have one strong politicalview but it is now more right-wing. The Guardian is slightly left-wing, the Independent is centre and the Financial(金融) with political issues, but reports on business and financial news. The Daily Mirror(tabloid) is left-wing.Daily and Sunday newspapersDaily newspapers are published on every day of the week except Sunday. Sunday newspapers are larger than daily newspapers, often having 2 or 3 sections. There is also other a magazine, called the colour supplement(增刊). All the Sunday newspapers are national Serious newspapers include the Observer(which is slightly left-wing), the Sunday Times, the Sunday Telegraph and the Independent on Sunday, the Sunday Mirror, the Sunday Express, the News of the World and the Sunday Sport which is considered to lack much serious information.Newspapers in The USNational and local newspapersThere are more than 1500 daily newspapers in the US. Each oneis usually sold only in one part of the country, e.g. in a city, but they cover national and international news. In larger cities there is often more than one newspaper and the different ones express different political opinions. Some newspapers are sold in nearly all parts of the US. E.g. USA today and the National edition of the New York Times. Two other newspapers, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post are know and respected all over the US but cannot be bought everywhere. Other important newspapers are: the Boston Globe, sold in New England, the Chicago Tribune, sold in the Midwest, the Christian Science Monitor and USA Today, both sold nationally, and the Washington Post on the East Coast.There are also weekly newspapers in all parts of the US which cover local news, such as what is happening in the local neighborhood(地方). Fewer people read these than read the daily newspapers.Daily and Sunday newspapersDaily newspapers are published on every day of the week except Sunday. Sunday newspapers are very big, often having severalseparate parts. They contain many longer articles and a lot of advertisements. Each section deals with a different subject. E.g. national and international news, sport, travel, etc. One section, the classifieds(分类广告) has advertisements for jobs and things for sale. Another section is called the funnies. There is often also a magazine which is in color.Alternative newspapersIn the 1960s a group of newspapers began to appear that were later called in “alternative press”. They expressed extreme(极端的) political opinions, especially left-wing opinion. Many of the newspapers which were part of this movement, such as the Village V oice in New York or the Reader in Chicago, are less extreme today and more widely read.Law in Britain and the USIn both Britain and the US, when a person is accused of a rime it must be shown that they are guilty "beyond reasonable doubt". A person is always innocent(无罪) in the eyes of the law until theyhave been proved to be guilty by a court they can sometimes ask for permission to APPEAL(上诉) to a higher court in the hope that it will change this decision.Criminal law in England and WalesWhen someone is arrested (ARREST) by the police, a MAGISTRATE (=an official who judges cases in some types of courts) decides whether there is enough EVIDENCE(证据) against the person for the case to go to court. If there is enough evidence and the case is a serious one, the person accused(控告) of the crime (called 'the accused(被告)') is sent to a CROWN COURT for a TRIAL with a JUDGE and JURY (=12 members of the public who have to decide if the accused is guilty(有罪的), then the judge decides the SENTENCE(判决) (2) (=punishment). If there is enough evidence against the accused but the crime is not a serious one (for example a traffic offence) then the case is heard in a MAGISTRATES COURT.If found guilty in the Crown Court the accused may apply to(请求) the COURT OF APPEAL (Criminal Division) where he or she will be heard by a judge. Sometimes a HIGH COURT judgefrom the Queen's Bench Division assists in dealing with criminal matters in the Court of Appeal or Crown Court.Criminal law in Northern IrelandIn Northern Ireland, as in England and Wales, someone accused of a crime may be tried in a Magistrates' Court or a Crown Court depending on how serious the crime is. Appeals from the Crown Court are heard in the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.Criminal law in ScotlandScotland has a separate court system. After a person is arrested by the police, an official called the PROCURATOR FISCAL is in charge of deciding whether there is enough evidence against the accused for a trial. If there is enough evidence and the crime is a very serious one, the accused is sent to the HIGH COURT OF JUSTICIARY where there is a judge and jury(陪审团) (in Scotland there are 15 people on a jury). If there is enough evidence but the crime is a less serious one, the case is heard in a SHERIFF COURT (The sheriff is a trained lawyer who acts as a judge). Appeals from the Sheriff Court go to the High Court ofJusticiary.Criminal law in the USThe US has tow separate court systems. In general terms STATE COURTS are used when someone has done something against the laws of CONSTITUTION of a particular State. FEDERAL COURTS deal with cases to do with the laws and Constitution of the United States as whole. Federal courts also hear cases where the US Government is one of the sides involved(介入). Cases for crimes which are not serious are likely to be heard in state courts. Serious crimes may be tried in wither state courts of federal courts depending on the situation, for example cases where a crime has taken place in another state are often heard in federal courts.After a person has been arrested a magistrate(地方官员), or in some cases a GRAND JURY made up of between 16 and 23 citizens, decides whether they should go to trial. If there is enough evidence for a trial the accused goes to court and has to state whether he/she is guilty or not guilty of the crime. If they say they are not guilty they are sent to trial with a judge and jury (of 16 or 20 citizens) in either a State or COUNTY COURT or,in federal cases, a DISTRICT COURT. If the accused is found guilty they may have the fight to appeal to a higher court, as shown below.The final court of appeal in the US federal system and for some cases in the state courts is the US SUPREME COURT. It is made up of a CHIEF JUSTICE and eight ASSOCIATES. The accused does not have the fight to be heard by the Supremes Court, but the Supreme Court decides which cases it will hear.Holiday in Britain and the USPaid HolidayPeople in the US get 2 weeks a year paid vacation (holiday) form their job. Most British people have four or five weeks paid holiday a year. Americans often complain that tow weeks is not enough holiday, especially when they hear about the longer holidays that Europeans get. In addition, there are 8 days in each country, which are public holidays (the British call Bank Holiday) and many of these fall on a Monday giving people along weekend. In Britain, so many people drive to another part of the country, especially the coast, on Bank Holiday weekends that there are serious traffic jams, which may stretch(长达) for many miles.Popular Holiday PlacesWith the US, outdoor vacations are popular, for example at the Grand Canyon or Yosemite or Yellowstone or the national parks or forests. Yong people may go walking or camping in the mountains. Many people have capers or small trailer(拖车) in which to travel, or if they are in a car, they may stay at Motels on the journey Disneyland and Disneyworld are also popular and people can to skiing in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.It is also very common to use vacations to visit relatives who may live in states a long distance away. Some children go to summer camp for a holiday during the summer vacation form school, where they do special activities, such as sports or crafts.When Americans want a holiday for sun and rest, they usuallygo to Florida, Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean. They may go to Europe for culture, for example, to see art, plays, and places of historic interest.In Britain, many people like to go to the seaside for holidays. There are places near the sea, such as Blackpool, Scarborough and Bournemouth, where there is plenty to do even if it rains. In a traditional British seaside holiday, the children can watch a Punch and Judy Show, eat candy floss and rock (=sweet) and make sandcastles, while older people can hire a deckchair to sit on the beach. People also like to go to go the country, especially to walk, in places like Scotland, Wales and the Lake District.When the British go abroad they usually want to go somewhere warm. Spain and 'Spanish islands of Majorca and Ibiza are popular as are other places in southern Europe. For skiing, people often go to the Alps.Medicine in Britain and AmericanMedicine in BritainIn Britain there is a National Health Service (NHS) which is paid for by taxes and National Insurance(保险), and in general people do not have to pay for medical treatment. Every person is registered with a doctor in their local area, know as general practitioner or GP. This means that their name is on the GP's list, and they may make an appointment to see the doctor or may call the doctor out to visit them if they are ill. People do sometimes have to pay part of the cost of drugs that the doctor prescribes(开处方). GPs are trained in general medicine but are not specialists in any particular subject. If a patient needs to see a specialist doctor, they must first go to their GP and then the GP will make an appointment(预约) for the patient to see a specialist at a hospital or clinic.Although everyone in Britain can have free treatment under the National Health Service. It is also possible to have treatment done privately, for which one has to pay, Some people have private health insurance to help them pay for private treatment. Under the NHS, people who need to go to hospital may have to wait for a long time on a waiting list for their treatment. If theypay for the treatment, they will probably get it quickly.Anyone who is very ill can call an ambulance(救护车) and get taken to hospital for free urgent medical treatment. Ambulances are a free service in Britain.Medicine in the USUnlike Britain, the US does not have a national health care service. The government does help pay for some medical care for people who are on low incomes and for old, but most people buy insurance to help pay for medical care. Some people cannot afford insurance but not poor enough to get government help. The cost of medical insurance and the problems of those who can not afford it are an important political subject.When people are ill, they usually go first to a general practitioner or internist. Unlike in Britain, however, people sometimes go straight to a specialist, without seeing their general practitioner first. Children are usually taken to a pediatrician (a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of children). As in Britain, if a patient needs to see a specialistdoctor, their general doctor will usually give them the name of one.Doctors don not go to people's homes when they are ill. People always make appointments to see the doctor in the doctor's office. In emergencies(急诊), people call for an ambulance. Hospital must treat all emergency patients, even if the patient does not have medical insurance. The government would then help pay for some of the cost of the medical care.Social Class in BritainBritish society is considered to be divided into three main groups of classes - the Upper Class, the Middle Class, and the Lower or Working Class. This is known as the Class system and it is important to know something about it if you want to understand British people and society. Most British people grow up with a deep knowledge and understanding of the class system even if they are not very conscious(意识到) of it. Most people know which class they belong to by the way they speak, their clothes, their interests or even the type of food they eat.Social class is not only about behavior and attitudes, For example, although many upper class people are rich and may own a lot of land, having a lot of money does not make a person upper class. It is also important to come from a particular kindof family, have friends who are considered suitable, have beento a certain type of private school and speak with the right kind of accent. There are people who are poor but who do not thinkof themselves as working class because their family background, education, political opinions, etc. are different to those of most working-class people. Many people do not like the class system but it is impossible to pretend that these differences do not exist or that British people do not sometimes form opinions in this way.Pubs in BritainPubs are an important part of British life. Even very small villages nearly always have a pub. People especially men, will often go to the pub for a drink in the evening and at weekends.A man will usually go to the same pub, one which is closed by and which is called the local: I'm just nipping down to the local for a print. Women now go to pubs more than they used to, but usually don not like to go to a pub on their own. Children under 16 are not usually allowed into pubs, although some pubs have a children's room or a garden where children can sit.Until 1988, pubs were only allowed to be open from 12:00 am to 2:00 pm alcoholic drink can be sold in a public place are called the licensing laws. Even though the law was changed so that alcohol can now be sold all day, many pubs still only pen at lunchtime and in the evening. When it is nearly time for the pub to close, the landlord or landlady shouts "last orders" and then "time".Pubs often sell food or snacks as well as drinks. Food that is considered typical pub food is scampi (kind of shellfish) and chips (fried potatoes), pie and chips, chicken and chips, and ploughman's lunch (bread with cheese).Pubs have names, e.g. The Angel, The Black Swan, The Crown, The King's Arms, The Red Lion, The White Horse, etc. andpeople usually refer to the pub by its name: Turn left at the Rose and Crown. There is often a sing outside the pub showing the name with a picture.Many pubs have two or more different bars. The public bar is usually plainly furnished and often has a pool table and dartboard. It is the bar usually used by the local people. The saloon bar is comfortable and well-furnished(装修很好的) and is the bar that is usually used by men and woman drinking together.Sports in Britain and the USFootball in Britain and AmericaFootball(soccer AmE) is a very popular sport in Britain, played between August and May (the football season) Many people, esp. men, support a particular team and may go to watch the games that their team plays. Professional football is controlled by two organizations, the Football League and the FootballAssociation (the FA). In England and Wales, there 93 teams in the League, organized into four divisions(区）. In Scotland, there are 38 teams in the League, organized into three divisions. Teams play regularly against the other teams in their league or division according to a fixed programme. At the end of the season the team in the Premier League (or the Premier Division in Scotland) with the most points is the League Champion. This competition is called the League Championship.The other important competition is the FA Cup, often just called the cup.This is open to all armature football teams that belong to the FA as well as the 93 professional（专业）teams. The teams play against each other in a Knockout competition which starts in August and ends in May. The two teams left in the competition play in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in London. This is a very important national sporting occasion, watched by millions of people in television.Team names usu. include the name of the town or city where the team is based, e.g. Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolverhamptom Wanderers (Wolves), Dundee United, etc.Football(American football BrE) is a very popular sport in the US. Many people, esp. men, support a particular team and watch the game that their team plays. Each team has a name, which usually includes the name of the town or city that the team is associated with, Some examples of names are: New York Jets, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers.The season starts in early autumn and ends at the end of January with the Super Bowl, which is the NFL championship game. The two teams that play in the Super Bowl are determined by games within the divisions and conferences. The Super Bowl is only one game and at the end of the game, they have asudden-death play-off, in which the first team to gain points wins the game. Professional football games are organized in the US in the following way: National Football League are divided into two conferences: One is National Football Conference（国家足协）and the other is American Football Conference. Both of them have 14 teams and three divisions.Basket Ball and Base Ball in The U.S。