BRITISH CULTURE

CHAPTER 1: COUNTRY AND PEOPLE

 Quiz (Section A)
1. What is the common internet domain address for Britain?
a. .bc
b. .gb
c. .uk
2. Which of these is not acceptable short name for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland?
a. England
b. Great Britain
c. The United Kingdom
3. Which city is not in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northen Ireland?
a. Belfast (Northern Ireland)
b. Cardiff (the capital of Wales)
c. Dublin
4. Which is the smallest of the four nation?
a. Ireland
b. Scotland
c. Wales
5. Which of the following figures is not associated with Britain?
a. Britannia
b. John Bull
c. Uncle Sam (US)
6. Which of the four nation’s flag is not incorporated in the flag of the UK?
a. Ireland
b. Scotland
c. Wales (Dragon of Cadwallader)
7. By what name is the UK flag often known?
a. The Britannia
b. Old Glory
c. The Union Jack
8. What proportion of the population of Britain lives in England?
a. More than 80%
b. About 60%

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 c. Less than 40%
9. What proportion of the population of Britain answered “White British” to the ethnic group
question in the 2001 census?
a. More than 80%
b. About 60%
c. Less than 40%
10. What is the largest minority ethnic grouping in Britain?
a. African
b. Caribbean
c. South Asian
11. A surname beginning with “Mac” or “Mc” is understood to be
a. Scottish or English
b. Scottish or Irish
c. Scottish or Welsh
12. In which of the following does a “Great Britain” team compete?
a. Cricket
b. The Olympics
c. Ruby union
13. Historically and culturally speaking, which country may be divided into “Lowland” and
“Highland”?
a. England
b. Scotland
c. Wales
14. Of which country is St. David the patron saint?
a. England
b. Scotland
c. Wales
 Set of questions
 SET 1
1. Britain is located off the south – west coast of Europe. FALSE (North – west)
2. The United Kingdom is comprised of
a. England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
b. Great Britain and Northen Ireland
c. England, Wales, Scotland and Northen Ireland
d. Both B and C
3. The plant symbolizing Ireland is … (Shamrock)
 SET 2
1. Great Britain is another name of Britain. FALSE (Britain = Great Britain + North Ireland)
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 2. What is the symbol of Scotland?
a. White
b. Blue
c. Red
d. Green
3. The prefix “Mac” or “Mc” in surname “Mac Donald” is either Scotish or … (Irish)
(“O” in surname “O’Brien” or “O’Hara” is Irish)
 SET 3
1. The official full name of Britain is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. FALSE
(North Ireland)
2. What is the symbol of Wales?
a. Thirstle
b. Leek (Daffodil / Red)
c. Shamrock
d. Rose
3. The … is a traditional skirt worn by Scottish men (Kilt)
(The harp – Wales / Ireland; the bagpipes - Scottish)
 SET 4
1. It is approriate to call a citizen of the UK an English. FALSE (Britain)
2. The Union Jack is a combination of ...
D. Three crosses of St George, of St Andrew and St Patrick
(The national flag of UK)
3. John … is a fictional character personifying Englishes. (Bull)
 SET 5
1. The figure of Britannia is the female embodiment of Britain. TRUE
2. England is dominant is the UK in terms ...
a. Land area
b. Population
c. Public life
d. All of the above aspect
3. … is the Irish language name of the Republic of Ireland (Eire)

 The different of Britain and Vietnam

Content Britain Vietnam
1. Geography Lying off the north-west coast of Be the eastern most country on the
Europe Indochina Peninsula

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2. Polity 2 political states consist of Only 1 political state:
- The Republic of Ireland Socialist Republic of Vietnam
- The United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern
3. Flag - The Union Jack is the national The national flag of VN is combinated
flag of UK. by “red flag” and “a gold star”
- Combination of 3 crosses: St - Red: the goals of social revolution
George; St Andrew; and St behind the Vietnamese national
Patrick uprising
- Star: 5 main classes (intellectuals,
farmers, workers, business people
and military personnel)
4. Characteristics There are certain steoreotypes There are 3 typical personalities:
of national character – well- - Money-saving
known in Britain - Outstanding
- The Irish: great talkers - Friendly and hospitable
- The Scots: have a reputation
for being careful with money
- The Welshs: singing ability
John Bull: Ho Chi Minh:
- A fictional character – - A revolutionary founder of the
personify Englishness and Communist Party of VN
certain English virtues - One of the founders and leader of
th
- Features in hundreds of 19 the struggle for independence and
century cartoons territorial integrity for VN in the 19 th
- His appearance is typical of an century
18th century country gentleman - An international communist soldier
– evoke an idyllic rural pass
5. Population In 1995: 58.6 million In 1995: 75.2 million
In 2019: 66.9 million In 2019: 97.2 million
6. Name - The prefix “Mac” or “Mc” in - The frequency of the major family
surname “Mac Donald” is either names such as Nguyen, Tran, and Le
Scotish or Irish - Midle name + name
- “O” in surname “O’Brien” or (woman: “Thi” / man: “Van”)
“O’Hara” is Irish
7. Clothes The kilt, a skirt, a turtan pattern Ao dai is a Vietnamese national
worn by man – a well-know custom worn by both sexes (now the
symbol of Scottishness most commonly in woman)
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 8. Musical - The harp: an emblem of both - “Dan tranh” or “Dan ty ba” –
instrucments Wales and Ireland musical instruments of Vietnam
- The bagpipes: distincitvely - “Cong Chieng” or “Dan da” –
Scottish Highlands of VN

 Summary:
1. Geographically speaking
- Lying off the north-west coast of Europe (known as The British Isles)
- The largest island is called Great Britain (Wales: the smallest island)
2. Politically speaking
- British isles = Great Britain + North Ireland
o Ireland: The Republic of Ireland; Eire (its Irish language name); ‘the Republic’ or
‘Ireland’
o Great Britain: authority over the rest of the British Isels
- Its official name is “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northen Ireland”. Shorter
name: “the UK”, “the United Kingdom”, “Great Britain”, “Britain”, “British”
3. The four nations (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland)

England Wales Scotland Ireland

Flag St George’s Dragon of St Andrew’s Cross; St Patrick’s Cross;
Cross Cadwallader Lion rampant Republic of Ireland
Plant Rose Leek/Daffordil Thirstle Shamrock
Colour White Red Blue Green
Patron saint St George St David St Andrew St Patrick
Saint’s day 23 April 1 March 30 November 17 March

 Here is a puzzle: in 1991 UEFA, the governing body for football in Europe, briefly introduced a
regulation which limited the number of foreign players who were allowed to play for a football
club iri European competitions. For example, an Italian club team could have only a certain
number of players in it who were not Italian. Under these regulations, a famous player in che
Liverpool team at that time, lan Rush, was classified as ‘foreign’, even though he was born only
twenty miles from Liverpool and had lived in the same area all his life. Can you explain why Many
people in England thought that this classification was ridiculous, Do you?

 lan Rush was born in Wales, whose border which England is just a few miles outside Liverpool,
and played for Wales, not: England, in internationals. (It was seen as ridiculous because in most
respects he was a Scouser; and, like Liverpool had always been his ‘local' football team many people
from that part of north Wales, he spoke with a Liverpool accent)
CHAPTER 2: HISTORY

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 Quiz (Section A)
1. What is Stonehenge?
a. A royal catsle
b. A prehistoric monument
c. A hisotric document
2. What was Magna Carie?
a. A royal catsle
b. A prehistoric monument
c. A hisotric document
3. Where is Hadrian’s Wall?
a. In London
b. In Edinburgh
c. On the English-Scottish border
Hadrian’s Wall: was built by the Romans in the second century across the northen border of
their province of Britannia – protect from attacks by the Scots and the Picts
4. Who won the Civil War in the seventeenth century?
a. The Cavaliers
b. The Roundheads
c. The Vikings
5. In what part of England is Wessex?
a. The North-west
b. The North-east
c. The South-west
6. Which of these place names is of partly Roman orgin?
a. Birmingham
b. Leeds
c. Manchester
7. Which people settled in large numbers in Britain?
a. The Anglo-Saxons
b. The Normans
c. The Romans

 Set of questions
 SET 1
1. Stonehange is a Roman monument in England. FALSE (Prehistoric monument)

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 2. What happened in England in 1066?
a. The last time England was successfully invaded
b. King of England was killed
c. William the Conqueror became King of England
d. All of the above
3. King … was killed in the battle of Hastings. (Harold)
 SET 2
1. The Romans gave the name of Britain to this country. TRUE
2. What is the correct order of invasions to Britain?
The Romans (Roman priod); the Celts, the Anglo – Saxons, the Vikings (Germanic
invasions); the Normans (Medieval period)
3. The British legal system was formed on the basis of the … concept of common law.
(ANGLO – SAXONS)
 SET 3
1. Scotland was the first country to unite with England. FALSE
2. In what year the Romans are believed to come and stay in England?
a. 55 BC (The Roman general Julius Caesar lands in Britain with an expeditionary force,
wins a battle and leaves. The first ‘date’ in popular British history)
b. 43 BC
c. 43 AD (The Romans come to stay)
d. 410 AD (The Romans leave Britain)
3. The national festivals of Welsh songs and poetry is … (Eisteddfords)
 SET 4
1. The word “chester” in Manchester means “military camp”. TRUE
(Chester, Lancaster and Gloucester)
2. The basis of Englaish society was formed in
The Anglo-Saxon period
3. In the 13th century, Parliament started evolving into the democratic body when an
assembly of nobles were summoned by the King to speak about national affairs.
 SET 5
1. The Norman gave the name of England to this country
2. The English class system started in
The Norman period
3. … Hill is believed to be the largest burial mound in Europe (Silbury)

 Prehistory: 2000 years ago there was an Iron Age Celtic culture throughout the British Isles
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 - Wiltshire, in south-western England, has 2 spectacular examples:
o Silbury Hill: the largest burial mound in Europe
o Stonehenge: is one of the most famous & sterious archaeological sites in the world.
Purpose: appear to funcion as a kind of astronomical clock; the passing of the seasons.
These days: interest to tourists and a gathering point for certain minority groups
 The Roman period (43 - 410)
- The Roman province of Britainnia covered most of presen-day England and Wales
o The Roman imposed their own way of life culture, making use of the existing Celtic
aristocracy to govern and encouraging this ruling class to adopt Roman dress and the
Roman language (Latin)
 The Germanic invasions (410 - 1066)
- During the 15th century, a number of tribes from the north-western European mainland
invaded and setteled in large numbers. (Angles and Saxons)
o The Anglo-Saxons had little use for towns and cities. But they had a great effect on the
countryside: - They introduced new farming methods;
- They founded the thousands of self-sufficient villages
 formed the basis of English society for the next thousand or so years
o The Anglo-Saxons were pagan when they came to Britian. Christinanity spread
throughout Britain from 2 different directions during the 6 th – 7th centuries.
o Athough Roman Christianity eventually took the whole of the British Isles, the Celtic
model persisted in Scotland and Ireland for several hundread years.
o It was less centrally organized and had less need for a strong monarchy to support it
- King Author:
o Provides a wonderful example of the distortions of popular history
o In folklore and myth, he is a great English hero, and he and kis knights of the round table
are regarded as the perfect example of medieval nobility and chivalry
- King Alfred:
o was not only an able warrior but also a dedicated scholar and wise rular.
o known as ‘Alfared the Great’ – the only monarch in English history to be given this title.
o Popularly known for the story of the burning of the cakes
 The medieval period (1066 - 1485)
- 1066: This is the most famous date in English history
o The Battle of Hastings
o At the end of it, most of the best warriors in England were dead, their leader, King
Harold
o As a result of this single battle, the Norman leader, Duke William of Normandy became
king of the whole Englands
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  The date is remembered for being the last time that England was successfully invaded
- 1086:
King William’s officials complete the Domesday Book, a very detailed, village-by-village
record of the people and their possessions throughout his kingdom
- 1171:
The Norman baron known as Strongbow and his followers settle in Ireland
- 1215:
An alliance of aristocracy, Church and merchants force King John to agree to the Magna
Carta (Great Chater), a document in which the king agrees to follow certain rules of
goverment
- Robin Hood: is a legendary folk hero.
King Richard I (1189-99) spent most of his reign fighting in the crusades (the war between
Christians and Muslims in the Middle East)
Acocording to legend, he lived with the band of “merry man” in Sherwood Forest outside
Nottingham, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.
- Language and class:
The existence of two words for the lager farrm animals in modern English is a result of the
class divisions established by the Norman conquest.
- For the living animals from Anglo-Saxon. Eg: cow, pig, sheep
- For the meat from animal from French language. Eg: beef, pork, mutton
- The strict feudal system:
Norman King  Norman Nobles / Aristorats  Peasants
(upper class) (working class)

 British words and phrases

1. The record of all the people and things in his country compiled by William I (“the Conqueror”)
The Domesday Book
2. The famous stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer The canterbury tales
3. Leave behind for your successors after you go or die (v) Bequeach
4. When a group of people refuse to work Strike
5. Festival of Welsh music and poetry Eisteddfod
6. Being able to make or grow everything you need to live yourself
Self-sufficient
7. The phrase used by the poet Rudyard Kipling to describe the sense of moral obligation among
British empire builders The white man’s burden
8. Women who campaigned for the sight so vote in the early twentieth century
The Suffragettes
9. An area of land which used so be available for use by everybody in a village
The common

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10. The set of laws passed in che sixteenth century which took away the porter of the Roman
Catholic Church in England The Reformadoes

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 CHAPTER 3: GEOGRAPHY

 Quiz
1. In world terms, Britain has ____ summers and tool wincers.
a. Hot (not very hot)
b. Warm
c. Cool (not very cool)
2. Which of these does Britain not have?
a. Floods
b. Earth tremors
c. Active volcanoes
3. If you read in a scene from a novel set in Britain that the temperature was ‘in the mid
eighties’, what is the weather like?
a. Hot
b. Neither hot nor cold
c. Impossible – it must be science fiction
4. Which is the least densely populated country in Britain?
a. England
b. Scotland
c. Wales
5. London is larger than any other city in Britain. About how much larger?
a. Twice as larger
b. Four times larger
c. Six times larger
6. Where in England is Birmingham?
a. The Midlands
b. The North
c. The South
7. Where in England is Manchester?
a. The Midlands
b. The North
c. The South
8. What is the largest city in Scotland?
a. Aberdeen
b. Edinburgh
c. Glasgow

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 9. What proportion of the population of London was born outside Britain?
a. Less than 10%
b. About 20%
c. More than 30%
10. Which of the following cities is not in England?
a. Cardiff (Wales)
b. Leeds
c. Newcastle
11. Gernerally speaking, which part of Britain get the most rain in a year?
a. The east
b. The south
c. The West
12. Whcich form of alternative energy is most used in Britain?
a. Solar power
b. Water power
c. Wind power
13. In world terms, how much rain does London get in a year?
a. A little
b. A moderate amount
c. A lot
14. Which of these is nearest to London?
a. The Downs
b. The Lake District
c. The Pennines
 Match
REGION ITS INDUSTRY
1. Scotland E a. China and pottery
2. Northern Ireland C b. Auxiliary industries
3. Sourthern Ireland D c. Linen production
4. The Midlands A d. Trade
5. Northern England B e. Oil industry

 Places in Britain
1. BenNews - The highest mount
2. Cardiff - The capital of Wales
3. Birmingham - The second largest city
4. Belfast - The capital of Northern
5. Stratford – upon – Avon Shakespeare’s birthplace
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 6. Edindurgh The capital of Scotland
7. The Severn The longest river
8. Glasgow The third largest city
9. The Pennines The spine / backbone of England
10. Lake District Place where Romantic poets lived and wrote about it

 British words and phrases

1. The edge of hills facing out to see on the south coast of England Cliffs
2. Areas of land where there are no towns or cities (the opposite of “urban”) Rural
3. A combination of smoke and fog Smog
4. The fact of that temperatures around the world are rising Global warming
5. The flat, watery area in East Anglia The Pens
6. An area of Glasgow famous in the past for its terrible housing conditions The Gorbals

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  The difference

Content Britain Vietnam

Area (Capital) Total 331212 km2 (London) Total 243610 km2 (Ha Noi)
Climate Do not have a climate, it only was - Tropical in the south part, monsonal in
weather north with hot, rainy season (from May to
- It may not rain vey much, but can September) and warm, dry season (from
never be sure of a dry day Octorber to march)
- There can be cool (even cold) days in - The weather has a clear differentation:
July and some quite warm days in in the north has 4 reason, in highlands
January and south have 2 season (dry, rainy)
- Lowest temperature 5°C - Lowest temperature 5°C
- Highest temperature 17°C - Highest temperature 37°C
- Rainfall from 300 to 1000 mm - Rainfall from 1200 to 3000 mm
Land - Has neither towering mountain - There are low, flat deltas in south and
ranges, nor impressively large river, north, central highlands and hilly,
plains or forests. But, what is lacks in mountainous areas in the far north and
grandent it makes up for in variety. northwest.
- Have fields with hedgerow - There are a lot of caves and areas with
- The south and east have flat plains karst scenery in Vietnam. Halong Bay is
or gently rolling hill probably the most famous place.
- Have great proportion of grassland
Settelement Densely populated - About 75% people live in Deltas (Hong
- The England and the Welsh don’t River Delta, …) and others do in Highland
like living in blocks of flats in city (Tay Bac Highland, …)
centers
- About 75% people live in towns or
cities
Environment Air pollution Water pollution
and pollution - Because the great increase in the - Vietnam is that many companies and
use of motor car enterprises pour wastes into rivers and
- This problem has become so serious streams, which the government can not
thagt the televison weather forecast control at all.
now regularly issues warning of ‘poor - As a result, in many places such as
air quality’ remote areas, people get diseases like
cholera, diarrhea or skin diseases as
having to use water from rivers and
streams.
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  Comparation between London and Hanoi

London Hanoi
Population:
About 14 milion inhabitants, London is the largest city in About 8 milion inhabitants,
the European Union and Europe.
About a fifth of the total population o the UK lives in
- It is the home for the headquarters of all government - It is the home for the headquarters of
departments, Parliament, the major legal institutions all government departments, Party, the
and the monarch major legal institutions
- It is the country’s business and banking centre and the
cantre of its transport network
- It contains the headquarters of the national television networkds and of all the national
newspapers
- The former is known for its many theatres, cinemas, museums, sport availability and expensive
shops
Gross domestic product (GDP):
565 bilion 13 bilion
Touris - Hanoi is a city with potential for
- Tourism is one of London's major industries tourism development
- Attracting more than 15 million international visitors - Hanoi tourism is becoming more and
each year and becoming the most visited city in the more attractive to tourists.
world
 Southern England  The Midlands - Mining: coal and iron
- Fruit & vegetables - Heavy industries, - Textile: cotton, woll
- Sheep farming engineering - Auxiliary industries
- Trade - Potteries, china - Engineering
- Services - Fishing - Ship builiding
- Light manufacture - Tourism - Sheep farming
- Dairy produce - Tourism
- Tourism
- Wheat & arable
crops  Northern England

 Scotland (Edinburgh) - Whisky production  Wales (Cardiff)

- Sheep farming - Oil industry - Coal mining
- Tourism - Heavy industry - Tourism
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  Northern Ireland - Ship building
(Belfast) - Farming
- Linen manufacture - Tourism

CHAPTER 4: IDENTITY

1. Linguistically, what is Scott most closely related to?

a. Cornish
b. English
c. Scottish Gaelic
2. Linguistically, what is Welse most closely related to?
a. Cornish
b. English
c. Scottish Gaelic
3. Which of these is used most often in public life?
a. Cornish
b. Scots
c. Welsh
4. What is the British national Anthem?
a. God Save the Queen (is the national or royal anthem in a number of Commonwealth
realms, their territories, and the British Crown dependencies)
b. Land of Hope and Glory (is based on the trio theme from Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance
March No. 1, which was originally premiered in 1901)
c. Rule Britainnia (is a British patriotic song, originating from the poem "Rule, Britannia" by
James Thomson and set to music by Thomas Arne in 1740)
5. With which country is haggis especially associated?
a. Ireland
b. Scotland
c. Wales
6. With which country is Owain Gyndwr especially associated?
a. Ireland
b. Scotland
c. Wales
7. Which group of post World War Two immigrants to Britain is sometimes know ‘the
Windrush generation’?
a. Asian
b. Caribbean
c. Irish
8. From which immigrant community to Britain has bhangra emerged?
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 a. Asian
b. Caribbean
c. Irish
9. In which part of the UK is religion and identity most often linked?
a. Northern Irenland
b. Scotland
c. Wales
10. What are surnames with two parts generally called?
a. Double-barrelied
b. Double-ended
c. Double-sided
11. What propotion of children are born outside marriage in modern Britain?
a. About 10%
b. About 40%
c. About 70%
12. How do some people in Britain perfer to their long-established sexual partners?
a. my cohabitant
b. my friend
c. my partner
13. Which with part of Britain is the English accent wid the highest status associated?
a. London
b. Oxford
c. England generally
14. Among British people, which of these personal qualities is generally valued the most?
a. Beauty
b. Humour
c. Intelligence

 Set of questions:
 SET 1
1. Haggies is a Scottish dish made from butter, egg and oat. F
(Made from liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep or other onimals)
2. What is the most indicative of social class?
a. Apperance
b. Wealth
c. Language
d. None of the above
3. … come from Manchester. (Mancunians)
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  SET 2
1. All children in Wales learn Weish at school. T

2. Which is not very important to individual identiy in England?

a. Ethnicity
b. Political viewpoint
c. Social class
d. Gender
3. Ethnicity, family, politics, and … are interrelated in Northern Ireland
 SET 3
1. Cockney (người khu đông Luân Đôn) accent is associated with working class. T
2. Stereotypically, Northern Enlish see themselves as
a. Rich (South)
b. Solt (x)
c. Warm – hearted / honest
d. All of the above
3. Standard English with … is spoken by around 3% of the British population.
(Received pronunciation)

 Summary
Like anywhere else in the world, people find it easier to mix with people whom they consider to be
in some way 'the same' as them. But how do they decide who is like them and who is not? In some
parts of the world, they feel closest to people who are in the same ethnic group as themselves or who
come from the same locality or who are in the same economic circumstances. But for most people in
Britain, the main criterion is not ethnicity. Neicher is it geography or wealth. Of course, these aspects
play a role. But the major criteria in Britain seem to be occupation, level of education, everyday
habits, and general attitudes. It is the combination of these things which in Britain can be described as
social class, and the major clue that people use to deduce a person’s class is language, especially
accent.

 British words and phrases

1. Courage, determination and refusal to surrender (often used with reference to the British
and/or English) Bull dog spiric
2. The largest annual street festival in Europe The Notting Hill Carnival
3. A person in the age group 13 – 19 Teenager
4. Clothes, speech or other behaviour which seems (to the person using this word) to be high
class and perhaps pretentions Posh
5. The social and identity aspects of being male or female Gender
6. Behaviours which is negative towards members of another religious group Sectarian
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7. A person who comes from Newcastles Geordie

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 CHAPTER 7: MONARCHY

1. Who does the monarch normally choose as Prime Minister?

a. Anybody he or she likes
b. The leader of parliament
c. The leader of the strongest party
2. When somebody commits a crime a Britain, who or what legally speaking, have they
committed a crime against?
a. The Crown
b. The people
c. The state
3. When parliament agrees on a new law, what must happen before it actually becomes law?
a. The royal agreement
b. The royal assent
c. The royal assignment
4. Which of the following is not a royal residence?
a. Buckingham Palace
b. The Palace of Westminster
c. Windsor Castle
5. Who is presently next in line to be monarch in Britain?
a. Prince Chatles
b. Prince Philip
c. Prince William
6. Who presently has the title “Prince of Wales”?
a. Prince Chatles
b. Prince Philip
c. Prince William
7. What is the name of the money given to the royal family to perform their public duties?
a. The Civil Assignment
b. The Civil List
c. The Civil Service
 Set of questions:
 SET 1
1. In reality, the Queen has absolute power in Britain. F (in theory)
2. Who is the queen of the UK?
a. Elizabeth I
b. Victoria I
c. Elizabeth II – became Queen in 1952

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 d. Victoria II
3. In Britain, minister are servants of the … (Crown)
 SET 2
1. The Queen opens Parliament each year. T
2. Which is not true?
a. The Queen embodies the British government
b. She gives her royal assent to a bill before it became a law
c. She writes the opening speech
d. She recives heads of state from other countries to visit the UK
3. Elizabelth became Queen in … 1952
 SET 3
1. In practice, the Queen can dismiss a minister. F (in theory)
2. In reality, the Queen can
a. Appoint a prime minister
b. Reject a bill
c. Dissolve a Parliament before its term
d. Visit another country as the British head of state
3. The British monarchy gives British people a symbol of … (the country)

 THE APPEARANCE
- The Queen has almost absolute power
- No legal concept of “the people”  undemocratic (không dân chủ)
- Elizabeth II (1952) – Queen
- Every autumn: make a speech at the state opening of Parliament
- Choose anybody she likes to run the government
- Appear to have great power over Parliament
o Summon a Parliament
o Dissolve before a general election
- Embody the law in the courts
- Accuse people of a crime
o USA: "the people"
o Other countries: "the state"
o Britain: "the Crown"
 Sent to "Her Majesty” ‘s prison legal authority of the monarch
- People are described as: "subject" (of Her Majesty the Queen) thần dân
 Queen Elizabeth is above the law

21
  THE REALITY

In theory In practice
Choose anybody she likes to run Cannot choose amyone to be PM (Prime Minister)
the government  The leader of the strongest party to be PM
 Choose SO has the support of the majority of MPS
(member of Parliaments) on the House of Commons
 The PM decides the next other government ministers

The Queen could refuse the royal The Monarch is impossible to refuse the request about
assent to a bill passed by dissolution of Parliament when he or she wants to holds
Parliament & stop it becoming an election
law
 The Queen has almost no power
 Cannot stop the government going head with any of
its policies

 The role of the monarch

- The personal embodiment of the government
- A final check on a government that was becoming dictatorial: Royal assent to bills
- Performing the ceremonial duties so that the government has more time for the actual job of
running the country

 THE VALUE OF THE MONARCHY

- British monarchy is more important to the ECONOMY of the country than to the system of
government
- The monarchy is popular with the majority of British people
- Symbol of continuity, expression of national pride
- The glamorous lives of the royals" provide a source of entertainment (TV soap opera)
- Occasions in Britain make up for the lack of colour & ceremony (no local parades, few
traditional local festivals survive...)

22
  Summary: Royal birthdays

On 21 April 2006, Elizabeth Windsor celebrated her eightieth birthday. As this person is the
reigning British monarch, this fact did not go unnoticed by the media. But for two reasons, there were
few public celebrations to mark the occasion. The first reason is constitutional. Elizabeth was born on
21 April, but the 'official birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland is always celebrated on a Saturday in June. Some find this anomaly
absurd, but in fact, it is a nice indication of the distinction between the individual and the institution...
The second reason is less happy. During Elizabeth's reign, respect for the monarchy has fallen
dramatically. Forty years ago; the vast majority of British people were positive about it. These days,
only half of the population think Britain would be worse off without it.
 British words and phrases

1. the seat on which a monarch sits (it is used to symbolize the position of monarch)
Throne (ngai vàng)
2. The person who will become monarch after the present monarch dies Heir to the throne
3. Resign from the position as monarch Abdicate
4. The crime of plotting to overthrow the state Treason (phản quốc)
5. The swearing of loyalty (to a monarch, a flag, a country, etc) Coach of allegiance
(lòng trung thành)

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 CHAPTER 9: PARLIAMENT

1. When British journalises refer to “MPs”, who are they talking about?
a. Members of the House of Commons
b. Members of the House of Lords
c. Both
2. By what name is the Palace of Westminister generally known?
a. Members of the House of Commons
b. Members of the House of Lords
c. Members of the House of Parliament
3. Who chairs debates and other proceedings in the House of Commons?
a. Black Rod
b. The Chief Whip
c. The Speaker
4. Which pronoun must an MP never use when speaking in Parliament?
a. I
b. You
c. She
5. What is the name of the daily reports of debated in the Common?
a. The Bulletin
b. Hansard
c. Sittings
6. By what name is proposal for a new law called when it is debated in Parliament?
a. A Bill
b. A Reading
c. A WhitePaper
7. When the division bell rings in the House of Parliament, what do MPs do?
a. Finish for the day
b. Go to their seats
c. Vote

 Summary
1. 1910 The House of Lords: twice rejects a budget passed by the House of Commons.
2. 1911 The first Parliament Act: remove the Lords’ ability to stop a bill passed by the
Commons becoming law. It can now merely delay the bill for 2 years.
3. 1949 The second Parliament Act: reduces the Lords’ legislation blocking power to one year
4. 1958 The Life Peerage Act: allows for the appointment of (non-hereditary) life peers.

24
 5. 1963 The Peerage Act: gives people the right to disclaim their hereditary peerage (so that
they can be elected to the House of Commons)
6. 1999 The House of Lords Act: removes the automatic right of aristocrats to sit the House of
Lords
7. 2000 Establishment of the House of Lords’ Appointment Commission

 British words and phrases

1. A change which is made to a written document (such as a bill) Amendment
2. ‘yes' (used in the north of England, Scotland, the royal navy - and Parliament) Aye
3. MPs who are the most important people in the most important parties Frontbencher
4. Walk towards or away from a place in a casual way, without obvious purpose (like a piece of
wood ploaring on the sea) Drift
5. A raised platform at the front of a hall, used by a speaker to address everybody there
Podium
6. A large gathering of people in a public place in support of a political party or other cause
Rally
7. The use of chemical and/or eloquent language when giving a public speech Oratory
8. The area that an MP represents in Parliament Constituency

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 CHAPTER 14: EDUCATION

1. What percentage of children in Britain go to public schools?

a. More than 90%
b. About 50%
c. Less than 10%
2. What percentage of children in Britain go to independent schools?
a. More than 90%
b. About 50%
c. Less than 10%
3. What percentage of 17-year-olds in England study a foreign language?
a. More than 90%
b. About 50%
c. Less than 10%
4. What proportion of 20-year-olds in Britain study at university?
a. More than 65%
b. About 35%
c. Less than 15%
5. Most Britain children between the ages of 5 and 7 go to ___ schools.
a. Junior
b. Prep
c. Primary
6. Most British children between the ages of 11 and 16 go to ___ schools.
a. Comprehensive
b. Grammar
c. Technical
7. At which these places could you not study for A-levels?
a. Further education college
b. Sixth form college
c. Grade school
8. What is the typical number of subject studied at school by students in their second year of
A-levels?
a. One
b. Three
c. Five

26
 9. What kind of qualification does a student who completes a course of undergraduate
university study in Physics normally get?
a. Cert Phys
b. DipSc
c. BSc = Bachelor of Science. (BA = Bachalor of Arts)
10. Which of these schools in the odd one out (different from the others)?
a. Eton
b. Harrow
c. Summerhill
11. What are the hours of the typical school day in Britain?
a. 8:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m
b. 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m
c. 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m
12. Compared to the EU average, how long is the school year in Britain?
a. Long
b. Short
c. About average
13. What is the wold used to describe the act of submitting written work as your own when in
reality is was written by someone else?
a. Impresonation
b. Plagiasrim
c. Revisionism
14. How long do most university students in England take to graduate?
a. Three years
b. Four years
c. Five years

 The difference

Content Britain Vietnam

1. Compulsory schooling Up to age 16 Up to age 15

2. School system - State school: non-fee paying school >< Public/Private/Independent

institutions and schools: pay fee

27
3. Stages Primary: 5 – 11 Primary: 6 – 11
Secondary: 11 – 16 Junior: 11 – 15
Tertiary: Beyond 18 Senior: 15 – 18
Colleges or universities: Beyond 18
4. Organization - Little central control or - Too much central control, lack of
uniformity, decentralization: 3 decentraliation: 1 department
departments - Control books and materials are
- Little control over curriculum, used
text books and examinations
5. Aims Learning for its ownsake Learning for particular practical
Style purpose
Teaching - Prioritize to developing - Tend to theoretical education
method understanding factual knowledge - Comprehensive development:
- Emphasizing acedemic ability academy culture, art, sports, …
rather than practical ability
- Emphasis on sports
6. School life - Time: 9:00 AM  4:00 PM - Time: 7:00 AM  5:30 PM
- 5-day a week - 6-day a week
7. Public Examining - independent - Set by government
exam board - 7 exam boards: AQA - 1 exam board: MOET (Ministry of
(Assessment and Qualifications Education and Training)
Alliance); …
- LEA devides which board’s exam - Students have to join
its pupils take can choose > 1
Exam & - GCSE (General Certificate of - National high school Graduation
certifications Secondary Education) Examination  High school
- SCE (Scottish Certificate of Graduation Certificate
Education)
- A Levels (Advanced Levels)  18 - Scores determine the Universities or
– wish to go on higher education Colleges

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 CHAPTER 19: HOUSING

1. What is the most common name in 21 st century Britain for the room in the house with
armchairs, a sofa, and a TV?
a. Drawing room
b. Living room
c. TV room
2. If you want to buy or sell a house in Britain, where would you look in the phone books?
a. Advocates (= lawyer)
b. Estate agents (đại lí bất động sản)
c. Realtor (người kinh doan bất động sản)
3. What is the name used by lawyers and officials for all the people who live in a house?
a. Family
b. Occupancy
c. Household
4. Which of these is not a charity which supports the homeless?
a. Crisis
b. The Samaritans (là một tổ chức từ thiện cung cấp hỗ trợ tinh thần cho bất cứ ai gặp khó
khăn về tình cảm, đấu tranh để đối phó hoặc có nguy cơ tự tử)
c. Shelter
5. If you wanted to find a place to live, where in a newspaper’s adverts would you look?
a. Accommodation
b. Occupation
c. Shelter
6. By what name are people who own the house in which they live generally knowns?
a. Owner-habitants
b. Owner-occupiers
c. Owner-residents
7. What is the name for a group of houses all built at the same time, often to the same design?
a. An estate
b. A neighbourhood
c. A project
 British words and phrases
1. A house which is not attached to other houses: Detached house (nhà riêng)
2. A house which is joined to other houses on both sides: Terraced house (nhà bậc thang)
3. The money which a person borrows to buy a house: Mortgage (thế chấp)
4. A small, old-fashioned house in a village or in the countryside: A cottage (nhà tranh)
5. The owner of a property in which someone else lives: Landlord or landlady (chủ nhà)

29
  Summary
For several reasons, British people tend to prefer to live in houses rather than flats. First and
foremost, houses provide more privacy and allow a clearer demarcation between public and
private space. In addition, they allow scope for individual expression and are more likely to have a
private garden attached. Most Britain people find all these characteristics desirable, which perhaps
explains why renting is less common in Britain than it is in most other EU countries - it is easier to
feel private and express yourself if you own the place where you live. However, this attitude does
not mean that Brits are deeply attached to their houses. It is the idea of "home" which they love,
not the building itself, so they are perfectly willing to sell their house if they can get a good price
for it.
 OWNING AND RENTING
- Most British people do not “belong” to particular place. Wherever they are, they like to put
down roots. However, houses prices are really high. Not most people can have a home of their
own.
For owned, it could be owned outright and owned with mortgages.
For rented, most people will choose to rent from local authority while the rest choose rent
privately.
- Between 1950s and 1960s, millions of homes were built by local government authorities. It was
designed to provide families in need with rent below the market price.
- By 1977, two-thirds of all tenants lived in these “council house”
- Once they are given a council house, tenants have security and also be position of priority on list
of households. As a result, they do not have to move out even if they become rich.
- From 1950 to 1980, with both owner-occupiers and council tenants increasing in number, the
percentage of people who rented from private landlords became one of lowest in the world –
and continues to be so.
- During 1980s, the council tenants were allowed to buy their council houses and were given
financial incentives to do so, it leads to the number of council tenants actually decreased.
 The difference:

Characteristics Britain Vietnam

They want to have … detached houses owned houses

The general cost of the higher than other countries in EU lower than other countries in Asia
houses
The architecture of the has the tendency that are similar is not the same and different
houses to others but not the same completely
The house type unchanges through the time. changes through the time.

30
Most houses are built by … Organizations Individuals
The houses structures Furnitures, doors, rooms, …
Houses Interiors Depend on the weather
CHAPTER 20: FOOD AND DRINK

1. What kind of cooking is involved in traditional national dishes in Brtiain?

a. Boiling
b. Frying
c. Roasting
2. What of these is sometimes regarded as the modern national dish in Britain?
a. Chicken tikka
b. Chicken tikka masala
c. Roast chicken
3. What kinds of dishes does a “greasy spoon” most typically serve?
a. Fry-ups
b. Soup
c. Roasts
4. What kinds of dish on a restaurant menu are most likely to be given English names?
a. Starters
b. Main dishes
c. Puddings
5. Which of these drinks is most frequently served in a pub?
a. Beer
b. Spirits
c. Wine
6. What would be the reaction of most British people if you said “I got very drunk last night”?
a. Amusement (thích thú)
b. Envy (ghen tị)
c. Pity (đáng tiếc)
7. If a British person mentions the local, to what is he or she the probably referring?
a. The neighbourhood pub
b. The neighbourhood restaurant
c. The neighbourhood shop

31
  Summary
British life does not revolve around food. This is because of the attitude to food which
prevailed fifty years ago. This attitude placed little importance on the pleasures of the table.
Indeed, too much interest in food was regarded as suspiciously "foreign" and there was a
reluctance to try anything new. By now, the prevailing attitude has changed. British people are now
very open to "foreign" food and you can get ingredients from all over the world in the shops. In
fact, the most popular dishes in 21 st century Britain are not British ones. In addition, much more
attention is now paid to the enjoyment of food, as witnessed by numerous cookery and food
programs on TV.

 British words and phrases

1. A kind of food and drink which is regared as essential: A staple (thực phẩm chủ yếu)
2. Not really tasting of anything: Bland (nhạt)
3. A day trip to France or Belgium mainly for the purpose of buying alcohol:
A booze cruise (thế chấp)
4. An old fashioned name for a pub which also provides rooms for the night:
An inn (quán trọ)
5. The social phenomenon where by people drink a very large amount in one night:
Binge drinking (uống rượu)
 The difference

Content Britain Vietnam

1. Food - Don’t care about the quality - Quality is one of the most
- Instant coffee important things
- When paying attention to food, - Real coffee
they want to notice what they - Appreciate food every time
don’t like about it - Caring about how they are served
- No longer conservative about day by day
the way they are served
2. Eating out - People refer to go out rather - Elder people want to eat at home
than eating at home. - Younger prefer to eat street food
- They often go to expensive
restaurant. - People want to eat tasty
- People want to eat quickly - Vietnamese dishes have
- All the dishes in many have Vietnamese/English name
non- English name, mostly - They like eating street food more
commonly French than eating fast food
- Fast food at restaurant is not

32
 expensive and also popular for
young people

3. Kind of Wine, beer, spirits, lager, Beer, homemade rice alcohol,

Alcoho alcohol stout, cider,… Ruou can,…
l Drinking age Over 18 Over 18
Alcohol The average weekly household 340 million litter of spirits and 3,92
consumption spend on alcohol consumed in litter of beer (2016)
the home was £8.70, while £8.00
was spent on alcohol consumed
outside the home. (2018)
Negative Drink-drive accidents Traffic accidents
effect Drink-drive casualties Cancer
4. Pubs Design Charm Morden
No two are ever the same Focus on sound, light and space
Playground Most British pubs are family- Familiar entertainment and relax
friendly and even have a place for younger
playground out back for the kids
Drink Wine, beer, spirits, lager Beer, home-made rice alcohol,
ruou can, …
Food BBQ, potatochips, biscuit, Potato chips, fruits. Spring rolls,
sausage pilaw, peanut,..
Closing time Close at 11:00 pm on weekdays Keep serving until the wee hours so
and weekends (before) long as revelers keep ordering
At the end of 2005 it permitted
licensees to theoretically operate
24 hours a day

33
 CHAPTER 23: HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

1. About how much paid holiday does the average employee in Britain get each year?
a. Two weeks
b. Four weeks
c. Six weeks
2. Which of these is not a well-know seaside resort town?
a. Blackpool
b. Brighton
c. Bristol
3. Very roughly, what proportion of Britain’s population rakes a holiday abroad each year?
a. 10%
b. 30%
c. 50%
4. Which country is the most popular holiday destination for British tourists?
a. France
b. Spain
c. The USA
5. Which of these is a common greeting to another person around Christmas time?
a. “Good Christmas”
b. “Joyous Christmas”
c. “Merry Christmas”
6. Which of these is a common greeting to another person on the anniversary of their birth?
a. “Congratulation”
b. “Happy Birthday”
c. “Merry Birthday”
7. What is the common name in Britain for public holidays?
a. Bank holidays
b. Council holidays
c. Office holidays

 Associations
1. Boxing Day (26 December): Winter sales
A secular holiday celebrated the day after Christmas Day
2. Bank holiday weekends: Traffic jams
- Spring Bank Holiday (the last Monday in May): used to be a holiday on “White Monday”
celebrating the Christian feast of Pentecost.
- Summer Bank Holidays (the last Monday in August)

34
3. Christmas dinner: Brussel sprouts.
- The traditional meal: stuffed roast turkey with roast potatoes & vegetables (Brussel sprouts)
- Christmas pudding: sweet dish made of dried fruits
- Christmas cake
- Listen to the Queen’s Christmas message
- 10 minutes TV broadcast  monarch speaks directly to her people
- Christmas is a time for families (the only time that people are all together)
4. Christmas lights: Oxford Street
Christmas Day (25 December):
- Christmas: secular + religious feast
- Commercialization of Christmas
- Xmas cards, gifts
- Xmas trees and decorations (sumboys of Xmas: Holly & mistletoe plants – cây tầm gửi)
- Crib (nôi) – a model depicting the birth of Christ
5. Christmas stockings: Santa Claus = Father Christmas
- Come to house by chimney on the night and give gifts to children
6. Easter (4-day weekend): Eggs
- Few customs and habits except chocolate Easter eggs
- Eat hot croos buns on Good Friday
- A lot of people go away
7. April the first (1 April): Jokes
8. Good Friday: Hot cross buns
The Strange name in English for the day commemorating Christ’s crucifixion
9. Gretna Green: Marriage
10. Guy Fawkes (Bonfire Night – 5 Nov): Fireworks
- Bonfire parties - the “guy” is burnt
- Cooking food in them embers of the bonfire (chestnuts/ potatoes)
- Accidents with fireworkds  kill several people
11. Halloween (31 October): trick or treat
12. New Year’s Day (1 January): Auld Lang Syne
- New Year’s Eve for friends (time for friends)
- People attend a gethering & see in the new year with a group of people
- Drink a large amount of alcohol
- London: Trafalgar Square
- Scotland: New Year = Hogmanay (2 January)
- British New Year customs:
Singing the song “Auld Lang Syne”
First footing (coal) – người xông đất đem theo than đến nhà
35
 - 12 days of Xmas and back to work and school after New Year
- 6 Jan: Xmas decorations removed (Some people say it is bad luck to keep them up after
this date)
13. May Day (the first Monday in May)
- It is an ancient spring festival and a traditional spring holiday in many cultures
- Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the festivities
14. Pantomime: Principal boy
15. Remembrance Sunday: Poppies
16. Shrove Tuesday: Pancakes

 TRADITIONAL SEASIDE HOLIDAYS

- Initiated by the upper class, the middle and working class
- A week or two every year at seaside resort towns
- Boarding houses, bed, and breakfast or full board
- Fish and chips Sandcastles, icecreams, donkey rides Paddle, swim, sunbathe
- Funfairs, amusement arcades, bingo halls, dance halls, discos, bowling alleys
- Holiday camps and chalets knobby knees competitions;

 MODERN HOLIDAYS
- Caravan holiday
- Foreign tourism/holidays, package holidays
- Hiking
- Pot-holing
- "activity" holidays
- Working holidays

 British words and phrases

1. An Event with merry-go-rounds and other rides and amusements, mainly for children:
A funfair (hội chợ vui chơi)
2. A fold-out chair made of wood and canvas, associated mainly with beaches:
A deck chair (ghế xếp, ghế võng)
3. A long platform extending cut into the sea on which are placed various leisure facivities:

A pier (bến tàu)

4. Walking for pleasure in the countryside, often in mountains:
Hiking (đi bộ)
5. Religious songs with a Christmas theme:
Carols (a carol song or hymn)
36
In what ways does the education system in the UK differ from that of Vietnam?

The education system in the UK has several discrepancies compared to that in Vietnam in terms of
curriculum, teaching style, and workload.
Regarding curriculum, the UK’s institutions have a variety of subjects based on students’ interests. This
means that students are entitled to choose the courses that they yearn for without any compulsion,
which leads to the incentive to study. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, almost every subject is mandatory for
students, rendering them a sense of confinement and unwillingness. In this way, they are likely to feel
weary of lessons and unable to reach their full potential. Moreover, exams in the UK are less rigorous
than in Vietnam. This is because the former schools tend to focus on the studying progress rather than
results whereas academic achievements raise the most concern that may put students under pressure.
Concerning teaching style, students in the UK are always encouraged to express their viewpoints
without any punishment because they are the centric subjects in class and their teachers are just
instructors and motivators. However, students in Vietnam tend to dread being criticized for their
mistakes, and asking questions and encouragement is also not so indicative.
Last but not least, workload is another difference. Schools in the UK let their students grasp the lesson
in class and assign little homework but require extracurricular activities. In contrast, students in
Vietnam can have tons of assignments after school, which deprives them of participating in any other
activities.

What is the relationship between the local government and the national government in Vietnam? Is it
similar or different from that in the UK?
The relationship between the local government and the national government in Vietnam is centralized.
More specifically, the local government and the national government have a hierarchical relationship
with the national government holding more power. The local government is responsible for
implementing policies and regulations set forth by the national government. The local government is
made up of people’s councils and people’s committees, which are elected by the people. The national
government consists of the president, the prime minister, and the National Assembly. In comparison,
the relationship between the local and national in the UK is complex and multi-layered, with different

37
levels of government responsible for different areas of policy and decision-making. Devolved
governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have varying degrees of power, allowing them
to decide on specific areas. Moreover, local governments in the UK have more autonomy with control
over local matters, elected officials through local elections, and their revenue sources.

38