1.2　课后习题详解

1. What are the differences between Britain and the British Isles, Great Britain, England, the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth?

Key: The British Isles are made up of Great Britain, Ireland and hundreds of small ones. The official name of the United Kingdom is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. But it is too long to say, so people just say Britain, the United Kingdom or simply U.K. The British Commonwealth is a free association of independent countries that were once colonies of Britain.

2. Describe the geographical position of Britain.

Key: Britain is an island country. It lies in the north Atlantic Ocean off the north coast of Europe. It is separated from the rest of Europe by the English Channel in the south and the North Sea in the east.

3. Whereabouts in Great Britain are mostly highland and lowland?

Key: In Scotland, there are three natural zones: the Highlands in the north, the central lowlands and the southern Uplands.

4. Does Britain have a favorable climate? Why?

Key: Yes. Its favorable climate is influenced mainly by three factors. First, the surrounding waters tend to balance the seasonal differences by heating up the land in winter and cooling it off in summer. Second, the prevailing south-west winds blow over the country all the year round, bringing warm and wet air in winter. Thirdly, the North Atlantic Drift, which is a warm current, passes the western coast of the British Isles and warms them.

5. What are the factors which influence the climate in Britain? Which part of Britain has the most rainfall and which part is the driest?

Key: There are several factors influencing the climate in Britain. First, Britain is an island country which lies between latitude 50°N to 60°N. Second, the surrounding waters tend to balance the seasonal differences by heating up the land in winter and cooling it off in summer. Third, the prevailing south-west winds blow over the country all the year round, bringing warm and wet air in winter. Fourth, the North Atlantic Drift, which is a warm current, passes the western coast of the British Isles and warms them.

In the west of the country, there is as much as 1,250mm to 2,000mm of rainfall and in some areas in the north-west it is over 2,000 mm. While in a small area in the south-eastern corner of the country there is less than 750 mm rainfall.

6. Describe the distribution of Britain’s population.

Key: The population is very unevenly distributed. 90 % of the population is urban and only 10 % is rural. There are some quite large tracts of barren country, especially in Northern Scotland, which are almost uninhabited.

7. What are the three natural zones in Scotland?

Key: There are three natural zones: the Highlands in the north, the central Lowlands, and the southern Uplands. The Highlands are a wild, rocky, mountainous plateau. The Lowlands in the centre comprise mostly the Forth and Clyde valleys, coal and iron fields and dairy pasture. The southern Uplands are cut by small fertile river valleys.

8. What is the difference between the ancestors of the English and Scots, Welsh and Irish?

Key: The English are Anglo-Saxons, but the Scots, Welsh and Irish are Celts. The ancestors of the Welsh were the ancient Britons who escaped from the invading Angles and Saxons. Some Germanic Angles settled in the Scottish lowlands and in the borderlands between Scotland and England, but they never invaded the Highlands. Hundreds of years ago Scots and English Protestants were sent to live in Northern Ireland.

9. What are the differences in character and speech between southern England and northern England? How do the Welsh keep their language and culture alive?

Key: Regional speech is usually “broader” in northern England than that of southern England. A noticeable change in pronunciation is the way they pronounce words like “love” “bus” “mother” and “much”.

①Welsh was given equality with English for all official use in Wales in 1965. So many school children have to learn Welsh and most public signs are in Welsh as well as in English. ②Welsh is quite different from English and Welsh names are different, too. ③Throughout the year they have festivals of song and dance and poetry called Eisteddfodau. ④On these occasions competitions are held in Welsh poetry, music, singing and art and in this way they keep the Welsh language and Welsh culture alive.

10. What is the main problem in Northern Ireland?

Key: Hundreds of years ago Scots and English Protestants were sent to live in Northern Ireland. Since then there has been bitter fighting between the Protestants who are the dominant group, and the Roman Catholics, who are seeking more social, political and economic opportunities.