一． Briefly discuss the international influence the UK exercises on
today’s world. Please present your view of the ups and downs of the UK.
1) By the turn of the twentieth century, the United Kingdom had built up a huge overseas empire, which at its height in 1922 encompassed almost a quarter of the world’s land surface, the largest empire in history. Today it has fourteen overseas territories, all remnants of the British Empire. British influence can continue to be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies.
2) In modern times, it retains links with parts of its former empire through the British Commonwealth, including sharing with some of them the same monarch—Queen Elizabeth II—as head of state.
3) It was the world's first industrialized country and the world's foremost power during the 19th and early 20th centuries, but the economic cost of two world wars and the decline of its empire in the latter half of the 20th century diminished its leading role in global affairs. The UK nevertheless remains a major power with strong economic, cultural, military and political influence worldwide.
4) It is a developed country, with the fifth (nominal GDP) or sixth (PPP) largest economy in the world.
5) It is a nuclear power and has the second or third highest defense spending in the world.
6) It is a Member State of the European Union, holds a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, and is a member of the G8, NATO, OECD, World Trade Organization and the Commonwealth of Nations. The UK today pursues an active global approach to foreign policy, which invariably involves a close military and political relationship with the United States. Britain's global presence and influence is further amplified through its trading relations and its armed forces, which maintain approximately eighty military installations and other deployments around the globe.
My view of the ups and downs of the UK: In eighteen forties, when the British Industrial Revolution had finished, England began to extend further outwardly its colonies. In addition, with the revolution of science and technology widely used in other fields ( especially in the field of military ), Britain maintained a world-class most advanced navy, which for its overseas colonial expansion and consolidation of the \provide a strong backing of the force. To 1860 time, about 1/4 of the world's land is “the Empire \ the beginning of the two world wars left “empire “era is gone further. The reasons of Britain’s decline were mainly that after the eighteen seventies, British failed to keep pace with the development trend of the world and the British economy owing to the limitations of conservative thought has not been much developed. Britain’s dominant position in the world
economy is shaken, and the world economic crisis (1929-1933) and the outbreak of the Second World War brought the British declined from \dominate the world” to” return to Europe \the history.
From the history of Britain's ups and downs, we can draw some lessons: Timely to face up to themselves, to straighten out his own position, seize opportunity, advance with the times. Timely adjust their international and domestic policy, in order to better adapt to the trend of world development, change the unreasonable economic and political system, and make their own country more prosperous and powerful.
二．Comment on the problems the Social Security System confronts in Present UK. What’s your suggestion to relief these problems? 1) It makes citizens dependent and less inclined to work.
2) It has been expanded to provide a large number of people indiscriminately with more money than the country can afford. 3) The funding of its insurance side has always been problematic. 4) It is very complicated for claimants and administrators alike with its array of benefits and is subject to fraud.
5) One technical difficulty in implementing the system is that accurate figures of poverty are hard to define.
6) The system has been criticized for the racism and sexism in the mind
of the original architect of the system.
Suggestions: 1. To strengthen the operation and supervision of social security fund so that to prevent fraud.
2. To pay more attention to fairness and the poor and disadvantaged groups
3. To pay more attention to the investments of people.
4. To create more job opportunities and improve working remuneration and benefit.
5. To adjust the relationship between job and benefit, relieving people by providing them with employment instead of outright grant.
三． Throughout American history, there have been many
movements, such as the Temperance Movement, Anti-slavery Movement, Progressive Movement, Civil Rights Movement, and Feminist Movement. Pick one of them and discuss its significance in U.S. history.
Civil Rights Movement: The American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) is a national campaign organized by African Americans to fight against racial discrimination and oppression and seek political, economic and social equality. The blacks went through a long time to struggle for their equal rights by the way of non-violent protests. Many famous people have contributed a lot to American civil rights movement, such as Abraham Lincoln and Martin Ruther King, making the movement
itself a great milestone in both American and world history.
First of all, the movement really changed the Black’s life, striving for their basic human rights as any other human race entitled with equality, freedom and self-esteem. Thus, it reshaped the image of African Americans and made them more confident. Secondly, it also deeply influenced all the Americans’ lives and made the concept of equality be deeply ingrained in American society. Besides, it improved America’s image among the international society. In addition, it became an incentive to other countries’ liberation movement in South America as well as Asia and Africa such as Satyagraha Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in India. What’s more, it matured the legislation and policy system of America and protected the authority and sanctity of constitutions. Last but not the least, it maintained and stabilized American society along with American regime.
四． Explain the reasons why there are so many lakes and islands in
Canada and the factors which influence the climate of Canada. Canada occupies nearly all of North America north of latitude 79°N and extends from east to west through six time zones. It is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean; on the northeast by Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, which separate it from Greenland; on the east by the Atlantic Ocean; on the south by the United States; and on the west by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska. Most of lakes in Canada were carved out from the
surface of the earth by the advance and retreat of glaciers during the Ice Ade. The islands lying to the north of the mainland of Canada are generally referred to as the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, which include the Queen Elizabeth Islands which extend east-west approximately along 74°latitude N.
Canada is a country of vast coastlines and diverse weather. The country is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Frozen more than half of the year, Hudson's Bay greatly influences eastern Canada's climate, facilitating the southward penetration of cold arctic air. The Gulf Stream makes the southeast of Canada warmer, but its effects are limited. The icy Labrador Current dramatically reduces the temperature in the northeast of the country. The summer months warm the Prairie Province in the West. Cities along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts such as Halifax and Vancouver have mild climates similar to Boston or Seattle.
五． Discuss the relationship between geography and economic
activities in Australia, noting in particular, the different economic pursuits in various states and territories.
1) Western Australia is known as “the state of excitement” as its vast expanse of red dust and desert contains most of the country’s mineral wealth. It is a leading supplier of bulk ores for the world’s aluminum and steel industries. Other minerals produced include nickel and titanium, rare
earths, gold and diamonds. With the development of major gas fields off its northwest coast, this state has become a source of bulk supplies of liquefied petroleum gas to North Asia.
2) The Northern Territory is suited to the production of fruit and vegetables at the Top End. The Northern Territory forms the essence of the Australian Outback. It comprises almost one-sixth of Australia’s land mass and can be divided into two areas — the Top End and the Red Centre. It spans from lush, green tropical rainforest among the savannah woodlands at the Top End, spectacular waterfalls, and billabongs, to the dry and arid landscapes of the Red Centre and the Simpson Desert. Additionally, Northern Territory is also known as “the land of aborigines”, as aborigines form a larger proportion of the population here than elsewhere. The capital of the Northern Territory is Darwin, a main port on the northwest coast.
3) South Australia is a land rich in mineral resources. South Australia is the country’s driest state, with 60% of it being desert. It is a land rich in mineral resources where most of the world’s opals (the Australian national gem stone) are mined. The vineyards and wineries of South Australia are noted for producing wines of international quality and reputation. And the wine-producing areas, most notably the Barossa Valley, are major tourist attractions. Adelaide, the capital, was a planned city that retains much of its early architecture. It is surrounded by
numerous parklands and gardens, open spaces and wide roads. The Adelaide Festival is an internationally renowned arts festival.
4) Queensland ranks as Australia’s premier tourist attraction. Queensland, located in northeast Australia, is the second largest state. Known as “the sunshine state”, it has 7.5 hours of sunshine daily. With its magnificent coastline, endless sandy beaches, national park forests, vast plains, lush tropical rainforests in the far north, forested mountains and massive wilderness areas, Queensland ranks as Australia’s No.1 tourist destination. And the coral of the Great Barrier Reef fringes the eastern coastline for more than 2,000 kilometers, forming one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
5) New South Wales leads the country in industry and shipping with its geographical location. New South Wales is the first white settlement in Australia known as “the premier state”. It leads the country in industry, shipping and agriculture. As the most populous area of the country, it is home to nearly 6.5 million people, most of who live along the temperate coastline and in Sydney, the state capital. In fact, Sydney is the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city with ethnic communities from more than 100 countries and is the country’s largest seaport and major international gateway. The city’s icons include the Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
6) The Australian Capital Territory was established in 1911 within the
borders of New South Wales as the site for the future national capital, Canberra. Canberra is situated between Sydney and Melbourne. A well-planned city, it is laid out around an artificial lake. The Territory became self-governing in 1989. National government remains its main industry, but private sector employment has expanded and includes production of sophisticated scientific and communications equipment, and computer software.
7) Known as “the garden state”, Victoria is a land of tourist attractions. In the southeastern corner of Australia, Victoria is the smallest mainland state but the most densely populated and highly urbanized of all the states. Also enjoying the fame of “the garden state”, Victoria is a land of tourist attractions, with spectacular coastal formations and historical heritage settlements, where the lifestyle and atmosphere of colonial times has been reproduced. Its capital, Melbourne, sprang up as the primary city of the Victorian Gold Rush in the middle of the 19th century. After Federation it served as the national capital until Canberra was established.
8) The unique wilderness landscape of Tasmania enhances its reputation as the “Holiday Isle”. Separated from the continent by the waters of the Bass Strait, Tasmania and its many companion islands form the smallest Australian state. Tasmania has substantial farming, forestry, hydroelectric, mining and fishery industries. Despite tremendous development and industrial expansion, the island still retains much of the beauty of its
original colonial architecture, villages, old coach houses and roadside inns. The colonial era buildings along with the unique wilderness landscape are major tourist attractions, which bring Tasmania the fame of the “Holiday Isle”. The capital Hobart, located at the foot of the Mount Wellington, is a renowned tourist city. Every year, yacht races from Sydney and Melbourne bring ocean racers from around the world to Hobart.
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