Tài liệu bộ môn Văn Hoá Anh | Trường Đại học Ngoại ngữ, Đại học Đà Nẵng

1. What do you know about the UK? Distinguish England and Britain?
The United Kingdom is officially called the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom is also situated off the
north-western coast of continental Europe. The UK has four constituent
parts: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Moreover, the
capital of the UK is London, which is also a city renowned for its cultural
diversity and rich history. Charles III is King of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and 14 other Commonwealth
kingdoms.The country observes diverse holidays and festivals, including
May Day, Diwali in Leicester, Burns Night, and Christmas.
England is the southern part of Great Britain and the largest country in
the UK, while Britain comprises England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern
Ireland. England is a member country of Britain.
Câu 2: What is England /Scotland/ Wales/ Northern Ireland famous for? ENGLAND:
- England is the southern part of Great Britain and the largest country in the UK. 
- London is the capital of England and The United Kingdom, a vast
metropolitan area and a global of finance, fashion, and culture.
- There are many well-known English people: William Shakespeare,
Newton, and Queen Victoria,...
- England has the most famous cities of interest to tourists including
London, Bristol, Liverpool,…
- England mostly has hills and plains, forming meadow lands and pastures.
- Uplands include the Pennies chain, known as the “backbone of England”.
-The highest point is Scafell Pike ( 977 meters) in the northwest. The
northeast includes the rugged landscape of the Yorkshire moors, while
the southwest has the upland moors of Dartmoor and Exmoor.
WALESWales is on the western side of Great Britain and is a
principality ( without the head of a King or Queen), a country ruled by a prince.
The Seven Wonders of Wales is a traditional list  of seven
geographic and cultural landmarks in Wales: Snowdon (the highest
mountain), the Gresford bells ( the peal of bells in the medieval church of
Ali Saints at Gresford ), the Llangollen bridge ( built it over the River
Dee), St Winefride’s Well ( a pilgrimage site at Holywell in Flintshire)
the Wrexham steeple (16th-century tower of St. Giles Church in
Wrexham ), the Overton yew trees ( ancient yew trees in the churchyard
of St Mary’s at Overton-on-Dee) and Pistyll Rhaeadr ( Wales’s
tallestwaterfall, at 240 ft of 75m). SCOTLAND
Scotland is in the north of Great Britain. The highest mountain in the 
British Isles is found here, including Ben Nevis, the highest peak at 1,344 meters ( 4,409ft).
Scotland’s most famous lake is Lock Ness with the  Nessie monster
Scotland is also famous for its clans, kilts, medieval castles, as well as poetry and songs of Robert Bums. 
Theatre lovers from around the 
world come to Edinburgh for its famous theatre festival, the Edinburgh
festival. Famous people of Scotland include Waiter Scott, Rober Louis
Stevenson, and the actor Sean Connery. NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland consists of six northeastern countries of the island of Ireland and is a
part of the UK. The landscape is mai  nly How hill country.
The highest point found here is Slieve Donard ( 852  meters).
Lough Neagh in Northern Island is the largest lake in t  he UK and one of the largest in
Europe. Northern Island is famous for many 
places of interest such as Belfast City, The Mountain  of Mourne,
Lough Neagh, Lough Erne, Strangford Lough, Carling Lough, The
Giant’s Causeway, The Glens of Antrim, Fermanagh Lakeland, The
Sprerrin Mountains, National parks, National Trust Properties, Dromore, County Down.
Câu 3: Why has the UK Government encouraged immigrant
communities to speak their own languages and English?
The government encouraged people to continue developing their own
culture not only in English but also in their mother tongue. Besides, they
also encourage some magazines or articles to release bilingual
information including English and their mother tongue so that immigrants
will not find it difficult to understand. Additionally, many schools include
some subjects which use two languages to transmit to students or
encourage students to communicate in their mother tongue. This can
make sure that equality in the community will be maintained and that
there is no racism between immigrants and local people at all.
Câu 4: Why is standard English with an RP accent the usual model
for people learning British English as a foreign language? What
justification can you find for this practice?
The people from Bristol to the East-end of England have RP accents and
speak standard English which is called Southern English accents. RP is a
kind of standard form of English that is more likely to be understood by
more English speakers (and those learning English) than any other
English language dialect.RP Speakers speak English very clearly
and avoid non-standard grammatical constructions and localized
vocabulary characteristic of regional dialects The justification we
can find for practice is that we can practice by listening to standard
English from a cassette from Bristol to the East-end of London. Besides
we can learn from you-tube or other social media platforms like BBC.
Câu 5: Give your comment on the British Parliament?
British Parliament fascinating due to its rich history dating back to the
13th century. With its three components—the elected House of
Commons, appointed House of Lords, and the Sovereign—it plays a
crucial role in passing laws, approving funds through taxation, and
scrutinizing government policies , including proposals for expenditure
and debate the major issues of the day.
Câu 6: Why does the British Prime Minister continue to ‘advise’ and
‘request’ the King,Queen, when everybody knows that he/she is
really telling to monarch what to do?
Theoretically, monarchs have the power to summon, and dissolve
Parliament, and give Royal Assent to legislation passed by the UK.
Besides he/she can appoint important office holders including the Prime
Minster and another government minister. He/she also confers
peerages,knighthoods, and other honors. She/He has the power to declare
and make peace, recognize foreign states and conclude treaties. But in
reality, Prime Minister is the head of government,every decision must be
suggested and decided by him. He is ultimately responsible for the policy
and decisions of the government. The Prime Minister presides
over the meetings with the monarch to inform her/him of the general
business of the Government and recommend a number of appointments
to The Monarch. He also represents the UK at major international
events.Therefore, King/Queen has to ask Prime Minister for advice or requests.
Câu 7: What are the outstanding features of the English education system?
The English school education system is managed through LEAs
which are called Local Education Authorities. Every school has its own curriculum and textbooks.
Two levels of schools including state schools and  independent schools
are managed closely. - State school is a school that offers free education
and receives money from a Local Education Authority or directly from
the government. - Independent school is run by a religious group or other
independent organization in order to educate wealthy ladies and
gentlemen. Children follow the National Curriculum in England and the
curriculum contain programs of study for age group split into Key Stages.
Four Key Stages :- Stages 1 and 2 are studied in primary schools -
Stages 3 and 4 in secondary school.For 16 years-old students, they have
to pass the examination to get a GCSE certificate which is called the
General Certificate of Secondary Education. And from 17 to 18 years old,
students who want to continue studying in universities have to take the
examination to get AS and A-level certificates.
Câu 8. Give your comment on the British education system(kinds of
school, school levels,curriculum, qualification, management, etc)
There are two types of schools: public schools and private schools
The school level is elementary and middle school. In the program, each
school will have its own textbooks and the degrees are the same as in
question 7 .The management depends on the public or private school.
For 16 years-old students, they have to pass the examination to get a
GCSE certificate which is called the General Certificate of Secondary
Education. And from 17 to 18 years old, students who want to continue
studying in universities have to take the examination to get AS and A- level certificates.
Public schools are managed by the state through the LBA, while private schools have a family
management system between the school and the parents.
In my opinion, having two types of schools is very suitable for people in
the UK, they will feel the cost is reasonable and have a choice between
public and private schools for their children.
· State Schools: funded by the government, open to all students, and free.
These include primary and secondary schools.
· Independent Schools: privately funded and charge fees. Types of schools
· Grammar Schools: selective state-funded schools based on academic achievement.
· Primary Education: For children aged 4–11.
· Secondary Education: For students aged 11–16, ending with the
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams.
· Post-16 Education: After GCSEs, students may pursue A-levels, School Levels:
vocational qualifications, or apprenticeships.
· Higher Education: Universities and colleges offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The National Curriculum covers various subjects for ages 3–16. At the Curriculum:
post-16 level, students can choose A-levels or vocational qualifications.
Curriculum content can vary between schools and regions.
· GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education): Taken at age
16, typically in various subjects.
· A-levels (Advanced Levels): taken at ages 16–18 and used for university admission. Qualifications:
· BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council): vocational qualifications
· Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees: Offered by Universities and Colleges
· Department for Education (DfE): government department responsible for education policy.
· Local Education Authorities (LEAs): Oversee schools within their areas. Management:
· School Governing Bodies: Manage individual schools.
· Head Teachers/Principals: Responsible for day-to-day school management
Câu 9: What do the three branches of the UK government do?
In the UK, the government is divided into three branches: the legislature,
the executive, and the judiciary.
The legislative branch, consisting of Parliament, is responsible for
making laws. It includes both the House of Commons and the House of
Lords. Members of Parliament (MPs) debate and vote on proposed laws
to ensure the creation of effective legislation.
The executive branch, led by the Prime Minister, is responsible for
implementing and enforcing laws. The Prime Minister oversees
government policies, makes key decisions, and manages various
government departments to ensure the smooth functioning of the country.
The judiciary is the analysis of laws to protect the labor’s right and
administers justice by interpreting the law when its meaning is in dispute,
ensuring the law is upheld. As Monarch, the King is head of the executive
and plays an integral part in the legislature. In practice, the Monarch acts
on the advice of her ministers.
Kings and queens belong to the division: The Queen is the head of the
executive and plays an integral part in the legislature.
10: How many types of family patterns are there in the UK? Which is your favourite?Why?
There are 7 types of families: Nuclear family, extended family, single-
parent family, childless family, grandparent family,step family-blended
family or reconstituted family, homosexual or the same sex family. A
nuclear family consists of parents and 1 to 2 children
- Good points: this family has no financial trouble, the parents take good
care of their children, and their children have good learning conditions.
This is a model family that is popular not only in the US and around the
world. This is a new type of family.
- Bad points: Because this family only has 1-2 children, there are times
when theparents are away or have problems, and there is often no one to
look after the children,causing the youngsters to be upset.
 The extended family consists of parents and 3 or more children or
parents and children and relatives.
 Single-parent family: a family consisting of a mother or father and
one or more of their children
 Childless family: that couple has a lot of freedom, they
can pursue their desires satisfactorily. However, the family has
problems, feels sad, and sometimes cannot find a common purpose in
the future because they have no children.
 Grand parents-grand child family: family with only grandparents
and grandchildren (parents go to work far away, parents died, or
parents divorced, remarried, and couldn't raise their children, so the
grandchild stayed with grandpa. grandma
 Blended family: The mother, the father, children of their previous
marriages, and children of their current marriage.
 Homosexual or same-sex family: two people of the same sex, having
a special relationship,having a child of that person, or being adopted.
1, nuclear family : a family consisting of two parents and their children,
but not including aunts, uncles, grandparents,
2,extended family: a family unit that includes grandmothers,
grandfathers, aunts, and uncles, etc. in addition to parents and children
3, single-parent family : a family that includes either a mother or a father but not both
4,grandparent family- grandchild family:family has only grandparents
and grandchildren, parents go to work far away to leave children for grandparents
5,childless family: family without children
6,blended family: a family that consists of two adults, the child or
children that they have had together, and one or more children that they
have had with previous partners:
7, gay family: A family with a father and mother of the same sex
Câu 11. Explain the function of the House of Commons
The House of Commons has many important functions. These include
scrutiny, legislation,representation, debate and recruitment of
government. Legislation is the main function, as it is the job of the House
of Commons to introduce and pass bills. Parliament collectively makes
law, but it is mainly the government that introduces and passes legislation
The second function is scrutiny, where the government must explain and
defend its actions to the House of Commons The  final function of the
House of Commons is recruitment of government.
The Prime Minister picks the cabinet, and these ministers are
mainly chosen from the House of Commons
Câu 12: In what ways are British pubs different from
typical cafe and bars in your-country? Britain Vietnam
- You have to be 18 years old to order drink in a pub. Some pubs will
allow people over 14 years old to go inside if they are with s.o who is
over 18 but they are not allowed to go to the bar or to have an alcoholic drink.
- Opening times depend on the condition of the pub’s license. Standard
opening times are between 11 am and 11 pm.- People under 18 years
of age are not allowed to provide pub services, so they are not
allowed to enter and entertain at bars and pubs- Coffee shops can
open all days , it depends on the shop’ owner. For bars and pubs, can't operate from 2am to 8am
13. Do you think that the British welfare state is successful on giving
help to everyone who needs it?
Welfare in the UK has been successful in helping those in need, certainly
because the UK is developed kingdom, so the welfare issue is
the top priority of the state fund because the government books
are so rich that people like the elderly who reach retirement age, the
vagrants,the lonesome, the pregnant women, the young children, and the
unemployed are all get monthly benefits with enough money for them to
live in a moderate way and everything is fine. Contact Vietnam: Vietnam
is a developing country, not a developed country, so the state budgets still
limited, so although there are subsidies, the quantity is not much and the
amount of money is not much. because the state still has to build the country.
14. What are the functions of the UK Press? What are the national newspapers like?
To inform the public on important issues that affect them whether these
issues are local,national or international. Especially, during the recent
Covid 19 epidemic, the press has played an extremely important role. It
helps to spread information internet about the disease across the
country and around the world so that people can grasp information
quickly and accurately when the whole country is in quarantine period
The national press consists of 11 morning daily papers and 11 Sunday
papers. National newspapers are often described as broadsheet or tabloid
papers on the basis of differences informant, style, and content. Many
newspapers have color pages and most produce extensive
supplements as part of their Saturday or Sunday editions.
Câu 15: In your opinion, what bank holiday is the most
popular with British people?describe it in detail. is it similar to a
certain holiday or festival in your country?
In Britain, a bank holiday is an official public holiday (on a day other
than Saturday or Sunday)when all banks and post offices are closed, as
well as most factories offices, and shops included:New Year’s Day, Good
Friday, Eástér Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank
Holiday,Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day. In my
opinion, New Year’s Day is the most popular with British people. It’s on
31 December, the last day before the New Year begins. In many places,
people go to parties, bars, and restaurants or meet outside in a big square
with friends in the evening. At midnight they stand in a circle,join hands
and sing an old song called ‘Auld Lang Syne’. For example,
Queen Elizabeth reflected on 2020, looked ahead to 2021, and sent a
message to everyone: “Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year”
after a tumultuous and devastating year due to Covid-19. Meanwhile, in
Vietnam, it's different, New Year's Day is only 1 day off. People just rest
or haves mall parties with friends and family. But the traditional Tet
is the most important day for Vietnamese people. People will have
more days off to be with their families after a year of handwork and study.