Geography and Government of the UK and US
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Questions and Answers

What, officially, is the full name of the country that we call "Britain" or "the United Kingdom"?

The United Kingdom

Why do some people object to the name "British Isles" for this island group?

Because they claim that Ireland is a separate and independent country.

In what country may many people feel that they, not the UK, are the rightful holder of (a) Gibraltar and (b) the Falkland Islands? Which of the two has there been, fairly recently, a war over?

(a) Spain (b) Argentina; The Falklands Islands were the site of a war in 1982.

What person (i.e., the title) actually is the head of the British government? (King Charles is the head of state, but what's the title of the head of government?)

<p>The Prime Minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two Houses of Parliament? Which of these two is elected, and holds effective power to make laws?

<p>The House of Commons and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is elected.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do a group of politicians need to do, if they hope to form a government in Britain?

<p>They need to win a general election and form a coalition with other parties or groups to get a majority in the House of Commons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region is good for cattle but rather too dry for farming?

<p>The Great Plains</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region includes the region once known for cotton and slaves (there is less cotton now, and no slaves)?

<p>Appalachia</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region is covered with hard rock and very little soil, has forests and mines but not much farming?

<p>The Wilderness</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region contains the continent's highest mountains?

<p>The Cordillera</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region was settled by Scots-Irish whose music was the "ancestor" of today's country music?

<p>Appalachia</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region contains the "Corn Belt", the best farmland in North America?

<p>The Interior Lowlands</p> Signup and view all the answers

What part of the US is meant, exactly, by the terms "New England", "the mid-West" and "the South"?

<p>New England: north-east; the mid-West: central; the South: south-east</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the patron saint of England?

<p>St. George</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the patron saint of Northern Ireland?

<p>St. Patrick</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the patron saint of Wales?

<p>St. David</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the informal name for the U.K. flag?

<p>The Union Jack</p> Signup and view all the answers

King Charles is also the king of which other countries?

<p>Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica</p> Signup and view all the answers

In each of the four overseas countries where Charles is king, he is represented by a...

<p>governor-general</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the central mountain range that divides England?

<p>the Pennines</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are Britain's highest mountains located?

<p>in Scotland</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are features that distinguish Scotland?

<p>deep inland lakes and fjords</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Hebrides islands are located to the west of...

<p>Scotland</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which UK river is considered to be the longest?

<p>the Severn</p> Signup and view all the answers

The unofficial name for someone from Liverpool is...

<p>a Scouser</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term "Mancurian" refers to someone from...

<p>Manchester</p> Signup and view all the answers

A Glaswegian is someone from...

<p>Glasgow</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term "Cockney" refers to...

<p>a person who lives in the City of London</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term "The Borders" refers to...

<p>the hilly country straddling England and Scotland</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is The House of Lords predominantly constituted?

<p>It is mostly appointed, with some hereditary peers and bishops.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the House of Lords?

<p>It debates and makes suggested changes to bills, but cannot delay a law for more than a year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which house of Parliament holds the real power to pass laws and budgets?

<p>The House of Commons</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is each member of The House of Commons elected?

<p>Each member is elected by a first-past-the-post system in a geographically defined district or constituency</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the official title of the leader of the opposition?

<p>His Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Prime Minister of the UK?

<p>Keir Starmer</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is the present leader of the opposition?

<p>Kemi Badenoch</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is typical of the members of the Cabinet of the UK?

<p>They are typically members of the same political party as the Prime Minister .</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cabinet ministers always have seats in the elected House of Commons.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the "shadow cabinet"?

<p>The shadow cabinet is composed of Opposition members of Parliament, each of whom focuses on the work of a cabinet minister.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is "Question Period"?

<p>A period in Parliament when members ask questions of the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Population Figures

  • Britain (2022): 67.6 million
  • United States (2024 estimate): 340.1 million
  • England: 57.1 million
  • Scotland: 5.5 million

UK Overview

  • Full name: The United Kingdom
  • Controversy of "British Isles": Some object to the name because it doesn't include all the islands.
  • Gibraltar and Falkland Islands: Some countries feel they, not the UK, are the rightful holders of these territories (disagreements/conflict).

UK Government

  • Head of State: King Charles
  • Head of Government: (The title of the head of government in the UK)
  • Houses of Parliament: The House of Lords and the House of Commons
  • Effective Power: The House of Commons holds effective power to make laws.
  • Forming a Government: A group of politicians need to form a majority in the House of Commons to form a government.

US Geography

  • Regions: Eastern Coastal Plain, Appalachia, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, Wilderness, Cordillera.
  • Cattle Region: The Interior Lowlands, previously full of buffalo.
  • Cotton and Slavery Region: The Interior Lowlands, historically associated with cotton farming and slavery.
  • Rocky Region: The Cordillera
  • Country Music Region: The South, or Scots-Irish ancestors.
  • Best Farmland: The CornBelt
  • New England, Mid-West, South: Definitions of these regions within the US.

Ranked Questions

  • Ranking Criteria: Obvious relevance, suitability for the course, interest, and importance.

Flags and Patrons of the UK

  • Flowers: Rose (England), Thistle (Scotland), Shamrock (Northern Ireland), Daffodil (Wales).
  • Patrons: George (England), Andrew (Scotland), Patrick (Northern Ireland), David (Wales)

UK Flag

  • Informal Name: Union Jack

King Charles's other Roles

  • Other Countries: King of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica

History and Monarchy

  • Magna Carta: Document signed by King John in 1214 establishing the consent of nobles for ruling.

  • Henry VIII: Separated the Church of England from Rome

  • Oliver Cromwell: English military leader who executed Charles I.

  • Charles II: Restoration of monarchy

  • Queen Victoria: Reign from mid 19th century, defining the period as "Victorian."

  • Edward VIII: Abdication in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson.

U.S Review Questions

  • Government Center: Washington D.C.
  • Puerto Rico: A U.S. territory

Other topics

  • US Population Shifts

  • Black Population: Percentage of Black Americans

  • Religion: Percentage of Roman Catholics in America

  • Indigenous Population: Proportion of Indigenous Americans

  • Hispanic Population: Percentage of Hispanic Americans

  • US Motto: "In God we trust"

  • US National Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner"

  • US Flag: Flew over a fort during the War of 1812.

  • Pledge of Allegiance

  • Ground Zero

  • Presidents' Faces: Faces carved on Mount Rushmore

  • Mayflower

  • Yankees

  • Dixie

  • highest U.S mountain: Mountain named Denali

  • Super Bowl: American football championship

  • Constitution of the USA

  • Compromise between strong central government and independent states;

  • Concerns about concentrated power

  • Individual Rights

  • Bill of Rights/Amendments

  • Second Amendment: Right to bear arms

  • Federal vs. State Powers:

  • Chief Executive: President (and individual state Governors) and advisors (Secretaries)

  • Congress: Senate and House of Representatives

  • President's Veto: Can veto laws but can be overridden by 2/3 of Congress

  • Supreme Court justices: Nominated by President, confirmed by Senate.

  • Manifest Destiny

  • Louisiana Territory

  • Indian Removal Act

  • Oregon Treaty

  • Texas Annexation

  • Mexican-American War

  • Gold Rush

  • Custer's Last Stand

  • Alaska Purchase

  • Panama Canal

  • Cultural Groups in the US

  • Indigenous rights

  • Jim Crow laws

  • Cultural Significance/diversity: Melting pot or salad bowl metaphors for the US

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Description

Test your knowledge on the demographics, geography, and governmental structures of the United Kingdom and the United States. This quiz covers population figures, the UK political system, and key regions of the US. Challenge yourself and see how well you understand these two nations!

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