- •1) Describe the geographical position of the British Isles offering an explanation for its advantages and disadvantages. Define the term “continental shelf”, its importance for the economy.
- •3)Examine the main stages in the formation of the population of Great Britain (Ancient Britain, The Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons) their contribution.
- •4)Describe the Danish raids on England. The struggle of Alfred the Great and its results. Scandinavian borrowings in England.
- •6)Give the main characteristics of the modern population of Great Britain (size, destiny) Immigration and its effects: the visible minority and it’s role.
- •7) Analyse some national traits of the British people and character. How did geography and history affect the British character? How different are they from other nations?
- •8) Describe Great Britain as a constitutional monarchy, its role and social influence.
- •9)Describe the structure and composition of the British Parliament. The House of Lords, main functions and recent changes. The House of Commons: fuctions and role. Devolution.
- •10)Discuss the Electoral system. The majority electoral system and its peculiarities.
- •11)The composition of the Britih Government. The role of the British Prime Minister and the Cabinet. Explain the term “Shadow Cabinet” and its significance.
- •12) Expand on the formation, development and role of the Commonwealth of Nations in the contemporary world and of Britain’s contributions to this organization.
- •13)Discuss the British in their private life, their love of gardens. Leisure and sports in their lives.
- •14)The conflict in Nothern Ireland, its solution.
- •Riots of August 1969
- •Violence peaks and Stormont collapses
- •Sunningdale Agreement and uwc strike
- •[Edit]Late 1970s
- •[Edit]Hunger strikes and the emergence of Sinn Féin
- •Paramilitary ceasefires and peace process
- •First ceasefire
- •Second ceasefire
- •15)Give a general assessment of the role of Britain in the present world. The main issues of the home and foreign policy of the present government.
- •16)Сharacterize the major political parties in the uk (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats and other)
- •17) The role of the church in Britain today. The established churches in the country. Decline of church attendance, reasons.
- •1)Give an account of the geographical position of the United States, its advantages and disadvantages. The size of the country, its composition.
- •Intermontane Plateaus and Basins
- •2)Outline the physical features of the us. The chief mountain ranges and plains the main rivers and lakes. The climatic regions. The main mineral resources and their role.
- •Illegal Immigration
- •6) Discuss the reasons, development and consequences of the War of Independence (1775-1783).
- •7) Expand on the basic values of the American nation. Explain their importance. The "frontier heritage*, the heroes. What is political correctness? Refer to examples in language.
- •9) The prelude, chief events of the Civil War (1861-1865) and its major consequences.
- •10) The development of the usa after the Civil War. The Monroe doctrine. American expansionism at the end of the 19th century.
- •11) Describe how and when the American Constitution was adopted. The structure of the Constitution and its principles. The Bill of Rights and its role.
- •12) The role and the structure of the Congress - the supreme legislative body. Its main functions (the Senate, the House of Representatives).
- •13) Examine the institution of the American presidency, its power and functions. Give a motivated criticism of the home and foreign policy of the present administration.
- •14) Describe the process of presidential elections, their indirect character. What is meant by an "electoral college". Comment on the results of the presidential elections of the year 2008.
- •15) Explain what is meant by a "strict division and separation of powers" between the Congress, the President, the Supreme Court and the system of checks and balances under the Constitution,
- •16) Characterize the main political parties in the usa (the Republicans, the Democrats history, political platform and role today).
- •17) Describe the national Symbols of the usa: the flag, the Great Seal, the National Anthem and the 10 federal holidays.
- •Independence Day
- •Veterans' Day
- •Valentine's Day
17) Describe the national Symbols of the usa: the flag, the Great Seal, the National Anthem and the 10 federal holidays.
Presidents' Day
Traditionally people celebrated the birthday of George Washington, the first president of the United States on February 22. February 12, the birthday of Abraham Lincoln was a holiday
in most states.
In the 1970s, Congress declared that in order to honour all the past presidents of the United States, a single holiday, called Presidents' Day, would be observed on the third Monday in February. In many states, however, the holiday is still known as George
Washington's birthday.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a legal holiday that takes place every year on the last Monday in May. It is the day on which Americans honour the dead. Originally it was a day on which flags and flowers were placed on graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War
and was called Decoration Day. Later it has become a day on which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered. Some places hold parades and others hold memorial
services in cemeteries or at monuments or special programmes in churches, schools and other public places.
Independence Day
Independence Day (fourth of July) is celebrated every year in the US on July 4th. It commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The first Independence
Day was celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. This is when the declaration was read aloud. Parades, patriotic speeches, fireworks and pageants are all ways of celebrating today. Many families celebrate the Fourth of July by having picnics and going to the beach. You will also find fireworks being displayed in many towns and cities.
Columbus Day
This day commemorates Christopher Columbus' landing in the New World on October 12, 1492. It takes place on the second Monday in October. The major celebration of the day is held in New York City, which holds a huge parade each year.
Veterans' Day
This holiday honours the veterans of all the wars in which the United States has fought. It was established to honour those Americans who had served in World War I. Originally it was called Armistice Day. It falls on November 11 when the war ended in 1918. Veterans' organizations hold parades or other special ceremonies, and the president places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November, but many Americans take a day off on the following Friday to make a four-day weekend, during which they may travel to visit family and friends.
The holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts, determined to practice their religion without interference. After a rough winter, in which about half of them died, they turned for help to neighboring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn and other crops. The following year's harvest inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks by holding a feast. Thanksgiving is still celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November. It is usually a meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, mashed potatoes and other foods. Thanksgiving is a time for each person to think of what and who they are thankful for.
Christmas
Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Christ. Because it is a religious origin it is not an official holiday. However most Americans celebrate it. Many businesses are closed and the majority of population have a day off. There are many traditions associated with Christmas that individual families brought with them when they came to the United States. Americans bring evergreen trees trimmed with lights and ornaments into their homes.
Gift-giving is so common at Christmas time that for most stores it means an increase in sales. Many religious people even complain that it has become more commercial than religious. Despite the criticism, Christmas shopping is a major activity
of many Americans in December. Gifts are given to children, members of the family and close friends. They are given to people who have done favours to others or who work for them. Some people bake cookies or make candies or other special food
treats for friends and neighbors. Many businesses give their workers a Christmas "bonus" — gifts of extra money — to show appreciation for their work. Christmas is also a time when most Americans show great generosity to other less fortunate people.
They send money to hospitals or orphanages or contribute to funds that help the poor.
Americans send greeting cards to their friends and family at Christmas time. Besides the many religious ceremonies and songs celebrated throughout the country, many American children wait for Santa Claus to arrive on Christmas Eve and leave
presents under the Christmas tree. Many Americans wish its goodwill could continue throughout the entire year.