9.2　课后习题详解

1. What is meant by the term “welfare state” in Britain?

Key: The welfare state is a system of government by which the state provides the economic and social security of its citizens through its organization of health services, pensions and other facilities. In Britain the term applies mainly to the National Health Service (NHS), national insurance and social security.

2. Are British people obliged to use the National Health Service?

Key: Yes. The National Health Service provides for every resident, regardless of income, a full range of medical services.

3. At what age do men and women generally retire?

Key: Men retire at the age of 65 and women retire at the age of 60.

4. What contributory social security benefits do the British people get?

Key: (1) Retirement pension (2) Unemployment Benefit (3) Sickness and Invalidity Benefit (4) Maternity Allowance and Widows’ Benefit.

5. What is the most important established church in Britain? How is it related to the Crown and linked with the State?

Key: Church of England is uniquely related to the Crown in that the Sovereign must be a member of that Church and, as “Defender of the Faith”. The crown must promise on his or her accession to uphold it. Church of England archbishops, bishops and deans of cathedrals are appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.

6. What festival is the greatest in Britain? What is its significance and at what time is it celebrated?

Key: Christmas Day, December 25th, is the greatest of Christian festivals.

Significance: It celebrates the birth of Christ. People will give presents to each other, which is a very pleasant tradition. In addition, it is very good for a family to get together, eating dinner, singing and chatting happily.

7. How is Christmas usually celebrated in Britain?

Key: Two important things are the custom of giving gifts and the habit of spending it with the family.

Christmas Day is spent quietly at home. The excitement of all the presents is hardly over before it is time for the traditional Christmas dinner: Turkey, duck or chicken with rich fruity Christmas pudding afterwards. At tea-time the crackers are pulled. The evening is spent in games, merriment and more eating and drinking.

8. How is New Year’s Eve celebrated in England and Scotland?

Key: In England as well as in Scotland, people stay up late, often at a party to see the New Year in. As the clocks strike midnight, church bells start ringing joyfully, and people drink a toast to the New Year, wishing their friends happiness and prosperity. It is a Scottish tradition that the first person to cross the threshold of your house on New Year’s Day should be dark-haired—such a person brings luck for the coming year.

9. What is the Scottish tradition concerning New Year’s Day?

Key: The first person to cross the threshold of your house on New Year’s Day should be dark-haired—such a person brings luck for the coming year.

10. What are the public holidays in Great Britain?

Key: January lst: New Year’s Day

January 2nd: Bank Holiday (Scotland only)

March/April: Good Friday；Easter Monday (not Scotland)

May (first Monday): May Day Bank Holiday

May (last Monday): Spring Bank Holiday

August (last Monday): Summer Bank Holiday (not Scotland)

December 25th: Christmas Day

December 26th: Boxing Day