Dr Emilia Wąsikiewicz-Firlej
British life and institutions: control questions
1. Great Britain: basic information
a. Define the terms: the UK, Great Britain, British vs. English
b. The four nations and their symbols
c. Population of the UK
d. Explain why England has the dominating position in the UK.
e. History: be ready to explain the significance of the following dates:
i. 55 BC,
ii. 1066 AD, 1534, 1603, 1642, 1649, 1660, 1688, 1707, 1708, 1783, 1800, 1921, 1973
Obligatory reading: O’Driscoll, pp. 8-30.
2. Geography
1. Location of the British Isles
2. Climate
3. Regions and their landscapes
4. Major cities, rivers/ highest peaks
Obligatory reading: O’Driscoll, pp. 31- 41.
3. Political system/ the monarchy
1. Describe the British attitude towards politicians and politics.
2. How is the law perceived in Britain?
3. Do the British have identity cards?
4. What are the consequences of not having a Freedom of Information Act?
5. Characterise the relationship between the individual and the state in Britain.
6. Does the British democracy involve participation of by ordinary citizens?
7. What is the political system of Britain?
8. Does Britain have a constitution?
9. Which features of the British system of government make it unique?
10. Present the mechanism of the pairing system.
11. Can you see any differences in the parliamentary style of politics in Poland and Britain?
12. Characterise the three main political parties in Britain.
13. Who is the current PM in the UK?
14. What are the origins of the “two-party system” in Britain?
15. Why is the position of the monarch in Britain a perfect illustration of the contradictory nature of the constitution?
16. Enumerate the members of the royal family.
17. Does the Queen have any power?
18. What does the role of the monarch consist in?
19. What is the value of the monarchy to the British?
20. What is the future of the monarchy in Britain?
Obligatory reading: O’Driscoll, pp. 67-81.
4. The government/ Parliament/ Elections
The government:
1. What does the term “the government” refer to?
2. Is the idea of coalition government viable in Britain?
3. How does the idea of “collective responsibility” correspond with the government?
4. What is the position of a British Prime Minister?
5. Where does the PM reside?
6. What does the role of the civil service consist in?
7. How does the system of local government work in the UK?
8. What kind of tax are local councils allowed to collect?
9. Define the following terms: county, borough, parish.
10. What are the responsibilities of local governments?
Parliament
11. Where does the British Parliament work?
12. Present the structure of the British Parliament.
13. What is the layout of the House of Commons? How does it affect politics?
14. How is a new Speaker appointed?
15. Do MPs have their own seats in the Commons?
16. How do MPs address each other?
17. Explain the idea of “amateurism” in politics.
18. Present the activities of an average MP.
19. Define the following terms: frontbenchers, backbenchers, Whips, free vote, question time.
20. Discuss how a bill becomes a law.
21. What is the unique feature of the British parliamentary system?
22. Explain the phrase: “being kicked upstairs”.
23. Is the Queen allowed to speak in the Commons?
Elections
24. How does the electoral system work in the UK?
25. Define the following terms and expressions: a constituency, go to the polls, the polling day, a poling station, the electoral register, the ballot paper, to canvass.
26. What does the “first-past-the-post” system consist in?
27. Who decides when to hold general elections?
28. What is the minimum voting age in the UK?
29. Is canvassing an important part of British elections?
30. Do political parties buy time on TV?
31. On which day do general elections always take place? Are they public holiday?
32. Discuss regional political preferences.
Obligatory reading: O’Driscoll, pp. 82- 105.
5. Law and order
1. Is there any national police force in Britain?
2. Compare and contrast past and present images of the police.
3. Explain the following terms:
a. unconditionally/ conditionally discharged,
b. on probation,
c. fine,
d. community service,
e. bail,
f. acquitted/ convicted,
g. defendant/ plaintiff, party,
h. on remand,
i. verdict/ sentence.
4. Is there death penalty in Britain?
5. Present the system of justice in the UK.
6. What are the competencies of Justices of Peace?
7. Explain the difference between the solicitor and the barrister. How are they trained?
Obligatory reading: O’Driscoll, pp. 106- 112.
6. Religion
1. What is the official state religion in England?
2. Explain the difference between Anglican and Episcopalian.
3. Where does the head of the Church of England officially reside?
4. Is it possible for the British monarch to be a Roman Catholic?
5. Who does the term “Lord Spiritual” refer to?
6. Are religious issues present in British political life?
7. Who/ what does the term “The Conservative Party at prayer” refer to?
8. Discuss the origin and present the role of the Anglican Church. Compare and contrast “low” and “high church”.
9. Define the governing body of the Anglican Church.
10. Is the ordination of women possible in the Anglican Church?
11. Describe the attitude towards Catholicism in Britain.
12. Define the following terms and expressions: teetotal, lay, clergy, dry Sundays, dissenters, nonconformist, ecumenicalism, evangelical, New Age.
13. How does the Church of Scotland differ from the Church of England?
7. Education
1. Discuss the differences between the following schools: public school vs. state schools, grammar schools, secondary modern schools, boarding schools, comprehensive schools.
2. Present the current system of education in Britain. Is education compulsory in Britain?
3. Confront the stereotypes about public schools with reality.
4. Present the responsibilities of LEA.
5. In which ways are British schools autonomous?
6. How does school life in the UK differ from the one in Poland? Is the teaching style different?
7. Specify the most important exams and degrees in Britain.
8. Is higher education broadly available in Britain?
9. Explain the following terms: full-time/ part-time courses, on campus, tutorials, drop-out rate, a fee, a grant, nursery school, curriculum.
10. Discuss the similarities and differences between the following types of universities: Oxbridge, the old Scottish universities, the early 19th century English universities, the civic universities, the campus universities, the newer civic universities.
Students’ presentation: The finest public schools in the UK
8.Socio-economic issues
THE ECONOMY AND EVERYDAY LIFE
1. Define the following expressions: “blue-collar-workers”, “white-collar-workers”.
2. How are manual and non-manual employees paid?
3. Define the following acronyms and expressions: CBI, TUC,NUF, industrial action, wildcat strike, blackleg.
4. Are trade unions important in Britain now?
5. Is the gap between the rich and the poor increasing or decreasing in Britain?
6. Who collects taxes in Britain? Are they high?
7. Was the “LSD” system related to drugs?
8. What do “off-licences” sell?
9. How have high streets changed in Britain...
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