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Questions and Answers
What, officially, is the full name of the country that we call "Britain" or "the United Kingdom"?
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?
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?
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?)
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?)
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What are the two Houses of Parliament? Which of these two is elected, and holds effective power to make laws?
What are the two Houses of Parliament? Which of these two is elected, and holds effective power to make laws?
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What do a group of politicians need to do, if they hope to form a government in Britain?
What do a group of politicians need to do, if they hope to form a government in Britain?
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Which region is good for cattle but rather too dry for farming?
Which region is good for cattle but rather too dry for farming?
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Which region includes the region once known for cotton and slaves (there is less cotton now, and no slaves)?
Which region includes the region once known for cotton and slaves (there is less cotton now, and no slaves)?
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Which region is covered with hard rock and very little soil, has forests and mines but not much farming?
Which region is covered with hard rock and very little soil, has forests and mines but not much farming?
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Which region contains the continent's highest mountains?
Which region contains the continent's highest mountains?
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Which region was settled by Scots-Irish whose music was the "ancestor" of today's country music?
Which region was settled by Scots-Irish whose music was the "ancestor" of today's country music?
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Which region contains the "Corn Belt", the best farmland in North America?
Which region contains the "Corn Belt", the best farmland in North America?
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What part of the US is meant, exactly, by the terms "New England", "the mid-West" and "the South"?
What part of the US is meant, exactly, by the terms "New England", "the mid-West" and "the South"?
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Who is the patron saint of England?
Who is the patron saint of England?
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Who is the patron saint of Northern Ireland?
Who is the patron saint of Northern Ireland?
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Who is the patron saint of Wales?
Who is the patron saint of Wales?
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What is the informal name for the U.K. flag?
What is the informal name for the U.K. flag?
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King Charles is also the king of which other countries?
King Charles is also the king of which other countries?
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In each of the four overseas countries where Charles is king, he is represented by a...
In each of the four overseas countries where Charles is king, he is represented by a...
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What is the name of the central mountain range that divides England?
What is the name of the central mountain range that divides England?
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Where are Britain's highest mountains located?
Where are Britain's highest mountains located?
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Which of the following are features that distinguish Scotland?
Which of the following are features that distinguish Scotland?
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The Hebrides islands are located to the west of...
The Hebrides islands are located to the west of...
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Which UK river is considered to be the longest?
Which UK river is considered to be the longest?
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The unofficial name for someone from Liverpool is...
The unofficial name for someone from Liverpool is...
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The term "Mancurian" refers to someone from...
The term "Mancurian" refers to someone from...
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A Glaswegian is someone from...
A Glaswegian is someone from...
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The term "Cockney" refers to...
The term "Cockney" refers to...
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The term "The Borders" refers to...
The term "The Borders" refers to...
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How is The House of Lords predominantly constituted?
How is The House of Lords predominantly constituted?
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What is the main function of the House of Lords?
What is the main function of the House of Lords?
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Which house of Parliament holds the real power to pass laws and budgets?
Which house of Parliament holds the real power to pass laws and budgets?
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How is each member of The House of Commons elected?
How is each member of The House of Commons elected?
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What is the official title of the leader of the opposition?
What is the official title of the leader of the opposition?
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Who is the Prime Minister of the UK?
Who is the Prime Minister of the UK?
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Who is the present leader of the opposition?
Who is the present leader of the opposition?
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What is typical of the members of the Cabinet of the UK?
What is typical of the members of the Cabinet of the UK?
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Cabinet ministers always have seats in the elected House of Commons.
Cabinet ministers always have seats in the elected House of Commons.
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What is the purpose of the "shadow cabinet"?
What is the purpose of the "shadow cabinet"?
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What is "Question Period"?
What is "Question Period"?
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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
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Magna Carta: Document signed by King John in 1214 establishing the consent of nobles for ruling.
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Henry VIII: Separated the Church of England from Rome
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Oliver Cromwell: English military leader who executed Charles I.
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Charles II: Restoration of monarchy
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Queen Victoria: Reign from mid 19th century, defining the period as "Victorian."
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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
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US Population Shifts
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Black Population: Percentage of Black Americans
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Religion: Percentage of Roman Catholics in America
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Indigenous Population: Proportion of Indigenous Americans
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Hispanic Population: Percentage of Hispanic Americans
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US Motto: "In God we trust"
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US National Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
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US Flag: Flew over a fort during the War of 1812.
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Pledge of Allegiance
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Ground Zero
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Presidents' Faces: Faces carved on Mount Rushmore
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Mayflower
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Yankees
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Dixie
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highest U.S mountain: Mountain named Denali
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Super Bowl: American football championship
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Constitution of the USA
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Compromise between strong central government and independent states;
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Concerns about concentrated power
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Individual Rights
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Bill of Rights/Amendments
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Second Amendment: Right to bear arms
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Federal vs. State Powers:
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Chief Executive: President (and individual state Governors) and advisors (Secretaries)
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Congress: Senate and House of Representatives
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President's Veto: Can veto laws but can be overridden by 2/3 of Congress
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Supreme Court justices: Nominated by President, confirmed by Senate.
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Manifest Destiny
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Louisiana Territory
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Indian Removal Act
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Oregon Treaty
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Texas Annexation
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Mexican-American War
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Gold Rush
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Custer's Last Stand
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Alaska Purchase
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Panama Canal
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Cultural Groups in the US
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Indigenous rights
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Jim Crow laws
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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!