英美国家Exercises

第一篇：英美国家Exercises

1.2.3.4.A.HawaiiB.CaliforniaC.AlaskaD.New York A.1366B.1633C.1636D.1363 A.FloridaB.MaineC.VirginiaD.Massachusetts The U.S.A is known as a “Melting Pot”A.mixture of nationalitiesB.mixture of climates

C.mixture of habitsD.mixture of religions

5.Most of the colleges and universities in the US are located ____D________.A.in only 5 or 6 states along the Atlantic coast

B.in the south

C.in states with a large population

D.along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts

6.7.The most famous leader of black movements in the US was ____B______.A.DouglasB.Martin Luther KingC.Malcolm XD.Garrison The important thing done in the Second Continental Congress was that __D__________.A.the Articles of Confederation was signed

B.the Revolutionary War ended

C.a new government was discussed

D.George Washington was appointed commander of the Continental army

8.9.On which day is Halloween celebrated?BA.5 NovemberB.31 OctoberC.17 MarchD.25 December In the Civil War, Lincoln issued the famous __B___________.A.the Bill of RightsB.the Emancipation Proclamation

C.the Federalist PaperD.the Declaration of Independence

10.The current U.S.President is ___D_________.A.George W.BushB.John F.Kennedy

C.Benjamin FranklinD.Barack H.Obama

11.The largest state of all the states of America is ____B______.A.TexasB.AlaskaC.CaliforniaD.Hawaii

12.The United States is ____A_______ populous country in the world.A.the third mostB.the second mostC.the mostD.the fourth most

13.The British established 13 colonies along ______C______.A.the west coast of north AmericaB.the west coast of South America

C.the east coast of north AmericaD.the east coast of south America

14.___B________, the youngest American President, was assassinated in 1963.A.Thomas JeffersonB.John F.Kennedy

C.Benjamin FranklinD.John Adams

15.Which of the following event speeded up the Westward Movement?A

A.Gold rush in California.B.Boston Tea Party.C.The first shot in Lexington.D.Greensburg sit-ins.16.The origins of the most Americans are __A_______.A.IndiansB.BritishC.FrenchD.Chinese

17.The Declaration of Independence was drafted by ___A________.A.Thomas JeffersonB.George Washington

C.Benjamin FranklinD.John Adams

18.___C______ is NOT an American tourist attraction.A.Yellowstone national parkB.The Statue of Liberty

C.Giant’s CausewayD.Grand Canyon national park

19.The first ten amendments to the U.S.Constitution was called ____C_______.A.The Treaty of ParisB.The Federalist Paper

C.The Bill of RightsD.The Articles of Confederation

20.___A_______ is considered America’s unique contribution to music.A.JazzB.Rock and RollC.Country MusicD.Western Music

21.____D______ is the first permanent British colony in North America.A.GeorgiaB.MassachusettsC.MarylandD.Virginia

22.Who resigned because of Watergate Scandal, the first president to do so in American history? ___C_____.A.KennedyB.JohnsonC.Richard NixonD.Truman

23.American Presidents are elected ____B_________.A.every two yearsB.every four yearsC.every five yearsD.every six years

24.Which branch of American government has the power to interpret the Constitution?A

A.The Supreme CourtB.The PresidentC.The HouseD.The Senate

25.The largest city of the U.S.is ______A_______.A.New YorkB.ChicagoC.Washington, D.C.D.San Francisco

26.The Constitution of _______, drawn up in 1787, is the oldest written constitution in the world.A.USAB.BritainC.IrelandD.Canada

27.Slavery is the major cause of ____________.A.The Civil WarB.the war of Independence

C.the Indian WarD.the Trenton War

28.The largest religious group in America is ____________.A.Roman CatholicsB.ProtestantsC.OrthodoxD.Presbyterians

29.The main purpose of Ku Klux Klan is ___________.A.persecuting blacksB.killing politicians

C.kidnapping foreignersD.murdering millionaires

30.Which of the following American universities is NOT located in the northeast of the US?

A.California UniversityB.Yale University

C.Harvard CollegeD.Chicago University

31.The President during the American Civil War was __________.A.Andrew JacksonB.Abraham Lincoln

C.Thomas JeffersonD.George Washington

32.The western part the of the United States is covered with ____________, which stretches from British

Columbia in Canada to the state of New Mexico.A.Appalachian MountainsB.Rocky Mountains

C.Cascade MountainsD.Sierra Nevada Mountains

33.The Head of the Representatives is called ___________.A.ChancellorB.SpeakerC.ChairmanD.Leader

34.The capital city of the U.S.is ____________.A.New YorkB.ChicagoC.Washington, D.C.D.San Francisco

35.American president has the following power except ____________.A.appointing government officialsB.commanding the armed forces

C.making foreign policiesD.interpreting the Constitution

36.According to the United States Constitution, the legislative power is invested in _________.A.the Federal GovernmentB.the Supreme CourtC.the CabinetD.the Congress

37.When was the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Continental Congress? _____________.A.On July 2, 1776B.On June 4, 1776C.On July 4, 1776D.On July 6, 1774

38.____________ has been called the “cradle of American liberty”.A.BostonB.PhiladelphiaC.PlymouthD.Chicago

39.Valentine’s Day on February 14 is a day ____________.A.for family unionB.for university students

C.to memorize those killed by the Roman EmpireD.for lovers

40.Which of the following river is located in the United States?

A.Mississippi RiverB.Thames RiverC.St.Lawrence RiverD.Yellow River

41.How many continental states were there at the time of independence of the United States?

A.13B.53C.48D.35

42.Which of the following company is not headquartered in the United States?

A.AppleB.Coca ColaC.Wal-MartD.Shell

43.The following are the factors that have contributed to the development of the US economy EXCEPT ________.A.the vast space and resources of the land

B.the ideal economic opportunity

C.English as its national language

D.hard work by the people

44.Which of the following cities is NOT located in the Northeast, U.S.?

A.HustonB.BostonC.BaltimoreD.Philadelphia

45.The oldest sport in the United States is ____________.A.footballB.baseballC.basketballD.hocky

46.Whoever said “I have a dream”? _____________.A.Benjamin FranklinB.Francis BaconC.LincolnD.Martin Luther King

47.There are totally __________ states in the United States.A.48B.51C.49D.50

48.The emblem of the Democratic Party is ____________.A.elephantB.donkeyC.bearD.bull

49.The tenure of office of federal judges is ___________ in the US.A.4 years longB.8 years longC.for lifeD.5 years long

50.Which of the following served the longest presidential term in the US?

A.Franklin RooseveltB.John AdamsC.Thomas JeffersonD.George Bush

第二篇：英美国家的

英美国家的“厕所”文化

这样一则笑话：一个外宾想上厕所，便对翻译说：“I wonder if I can go somewhere?”(我可以方便一下吗?)而翻译却把somewhere误解为“某处”，因而回答道“Yes, you can go anywhere in China.”(行，中国你哪儿都可以去。)外宾不禁愕然。可见，如不了解英语中“厕所”的一些表达法是会误事的。1.Public lavatory意为“公厕”，在公共场所，厕所门上都标有Gent’s(男厕)，或Ladies’(女厕)，有时也标有Men’s, Men’s room, Gentleman’s, Women’s, Women’s room.如：Where is the Gent’s?(厕所在哪儿?)If you would like a wash, the Gentleman’s is just over there.(如果要上厕所，男厕就在那边。)2.toilet是最常用的一个词。可指“公厕”，也可指“私厕”。例如：I wonder where the toilet is.(我想知道厕所在哪儿。)3.lavatory是个客气的词，但不如toilet常用。4.bathroom是书面语。

5.loo是一个口语词，在英国用得很普通，主要指私人住宅中的厕所。如：Excuse me, would you like to tell me where the loo is?(请问，厕所在哪儿?)6.powder room是美语，女士常用。如：I would like to powder my nose.就表现了美国人的幽默。

7.wash room, washing room, restroom常用于美国英语。

8.W.C.是water closet的缩写，常用于英国英语，表示“冲水厕所”，有时也可用手势表示，即拇指和食指圈成圆，其他三指向上，模仿成英文W和C的形态。不过随着时间的推移，很多西方国家根本不用WC表示厕所了。因为在英语里，WC的内涵基本可以理解为咱们中国话所说的茅坑儿，是比较粗糙的大俗话。

9.John是俚语。如：Last night I went to visit John twice.(昨晚我去了两趟厕所。)10.go and see one’s aunt是俚语，常用于英国英语，表示“上厕所”“去大便”。

第三篇：英美国家文化学习心得

英美国家文化学习心得

教育信息与技术学院 吴利平

这学期，我选了英美国家文化这门选修课，一开始，我就发现这门课跟我的口语课——英美国家概括很类似，老师都是讲一些关于说英语国家的东西，但是我发现两位老师有着完全不同的教学方法。口语课老师注重给我们介绍许多内容丰富的关于英美国家的概况，主要是介绍英国和美国，涉及地理、文化、政治、饮食等等，我们还了解了这些国家的首都、主要城市、领导人、民族宗教、风景、语言等等许多有趣的东西，让我真的对这些英美国家十分神往，特别是对澳大利亚和加拿大。他还让我们自己讲课，目的在于让我们自己主动去了解更多关于这些国家的东西，因为课堂上能学到的东西毕竟非常有限。但是，说实在的，我真的没记住什么东西，很快就忘了，可惜啊课后也没花什么功夫。

李老师则侧重给我们讲西方思想，他希望教会我们学会用西方思想思考问题，确实，很多时候我们需要走出来，不以中国人的普遍思想，用西方的眼光来看待事情，也许我们会收获很多。很多时候，用西方的思想来处理问题确实很不错，只可惜在中国这个大国里，能这样做的人实在太少了，很多人都抱一种无所谓的态度，于是，我们就也真的无所谓了。李老师在课堂上，给我们介绍西方国家政体、文化等的同时，结合自己了解的许多关于英美国家的事情，也结合自己了身边的现象，对比中西方思想，以全新的视角来教我们思考问题。这种授课方式，确实很吸引人，所以每周来上课的人都挤满教室，对比其他的选修课——门可罗雀，所以李老师的课受欢迎也是必然的。只可惜，上课了一个月，因为上党校，恰好时间全部冲突，每周四周五选修课，也恰好是党校时间，没办法，党校是绝对不能缺的，负责人幽默的狠话，使我不得不放弃了这个选修课很长时间，真的是十分遗憾，因为党校只有一次，这课也只有一次啊！不过还好，除了期间有两次因为科技楼考试封楼外，我还是尽量坚持去上课。每次都早早的去，因为晚了就没位子啦！不过，虽然我缺了不少课，但这堂课的目的总体还是算达到了吧，我会学着在以后的生活中去用西方思想来思考问题。就像我的室友说的，她辅修汉语言文学，她也很喜欢那位老师上课，因为那位老师也总是教他们用国外先进思想来思考问题，她说文学家就是跟着政治走的，我们从小就是看着这些书长大的，所以我们都很少有自己的新颖的犀利见解，因为我们思想都被这些文学家束缚了同化了。如果以西方思想我们来看待某件事情应该是怎样怎样的，事实又是怎样怎样的。确实，我觉得我们生活的圈子太小了，我们总是看国内的书，所以跟大多数中国人的普遍思想没什么两样，这是不应该的，作为大学生，应该走在时代前列，多看看国外的书，去看看外国人是如何评价我们的，如何评价我们的国家，如何评价我们的处事方法的。往往我们都被文学家的赞美而迷惑，不知道自己身处险境，当发现时已经是很久之后的事了。如果我们能先人一步，用西方人的思想去看待，我们国家或许要走很多弯路。

一开始，老师就给我们讲了两节课的文化，《辞海》对广义文化的解释是指人类社会历史实践过程中，所创造的物质财富和精神财富的总和。传统意义上所说的，一个人有或者没有文化，是指他所受到的教育程度。后者是狭义的解释，前者是广义的解释。李老师是这么定义文化的：A set of learned beliefs, values and behaviors;the way of life shared by the members of a society。文化代表了一个国家，它是一个国家不可取代的灵魂，真正的崛起是文化的崛起，如果一个国家丧失了自己的文化被其他的强势文化取而代之，那么这个国家无论从经济还是其他方面都成了强国的傀儡。中华民族五千年的文明，我们都是炎黄子孙，龙的传人，龙就是我们国家的一个象征。目前，听到一些很可笑的事，我记得说过孔子也有4分之1是韩国血统，韩国人怎么能把孔子和李白变成韩国人的？还有，韩国人称李时珍是韩国人，本草纲目为韩国人著作，甚至端午节在中国申请为非物质文化遗产时，已经被韩国首先申请了，所以他们说端午是韩国的，说李时珍是韩国的。韩国人就是喜欢这样，老想着把中国的传统文化占为己有，但是他们能占得去吗？

我还记得老师给我们讲，超市买东西的事情，两根火腿，两种口味，虽然条形码不容易刷，外国人还是刷两次，中国人则麻利的乘以二，我特地注意过的，每次都是。虽然好像没什么事，钱是一样的，但确实如老师所说，库存乱了，没人知道库存还有多少，这在中国是习以为常的事，没人会去批评收银员的，但是确实是不可取的。我觉得老师很有情趣，开了网店卖花，给我们看了很多漂亮的花后，还讲了点养花小技巧，我那天听课回来就把我的芦荟好好照顾了一番，受益匪浅啊！游戏也很好玩，当然更新鲜难忘的当然是外教给我们上的一节课了，老外教到退休年纪了，可依然离开家园，来到中国黄石这个并不发达的地方继续从教，发挥余热，他的精神值得敬佩！事实上，我在学校并没有看到有几个外教，在校园看到他时，总是投去尊敬的目光。深深记得，他在课堂上的那种教学热情，这也是他说的，老师最重要的要有热情。他很有感情的朗读着，仿佛把我们带入了另一个世界，我们静静听着，陶醉着，他夸张的表情，逗得我们大笑。我还注意到，他总是在看手表，时刻把握这时间，四十五分钟，刚好一节课时间，他准时下课，这让我看到了许多与中国人不同的地方。高中我们的老师总是拖堂，甚至可以一直拖到下节课，大学老师还好，知道学生都想早点下课，但是迫于教务处的压力，也不敢提前太多下课，似乎都对这种时间观念不是很强。我倒是十分欣赏外国人的时间观念强，因为我个人就比较喜欢守时的人，早了不好晚了也不好，准时就没异议了吧！老师还给我们讲了他在外院上课的情况，按照西方的时间发卷收卷，对不及格的学生，也不另外法外开恩，确实是，学生总是心存侥幸，这样对学生不好，对一个学生留情了，还有更多的学生等着留情„„还有，包括我们大学老师，说真的，有的讲课水平真的不高，上课气氛很压抑，许多学生逃课打瞌睡，我想至少大多数学生还是愿意听课的吧，所以逃课也不仅仅全都是学生单方面的问题，至少我看到有的选修课教室是满满的，我还听到同学说，她们选修课一学期下来，一直都有站着听课的人。

中国确实处处都是人情，就拿考公务员来说，要考高分外，还必须得有“关系”，中国求人办事都要送礼找关系，这似乎是中国的通病。有时我就在想，如果我们国家要能真正做到法治就好了，依法治国，不讲那么多的人情。本来应处以死刑的人，多给点好处，结果减刑到最后无罪释放了，这对受害人是多么不公平啊！类似“我爸是李刚”的事什么时候能不再发生了呢？同样是犯人，家里有钱，多给点好处送点礼，在监狱里日子可能就好过多了，这是同学讲的她家亲戚的真实事情。如果我们真能做到法治，不讲那么多人情，所有人一视同仁，我们是不是也能像新加坡那样发展得那么快呢？也许不是，新加坡的“鞭刑”听起来令人胆战心惊，似乎很残酷，但是确实起着一定的作用的，美国少年在新加坡受鞭刑(1994年)，就连克林顿总统说情，新加坡当局也没有宽容。这个，在中国是绝对做不到的。

对于美国，想必一直是我们关注的焦点，世界上最强的国家，联邦政府，现任总统黑人奥巴马，我们还喜欢看美国的好莱坞大片，喜欢过西方的节日，圣诞节、情人节、愚人节、母亲节以及即将到来的父亲节，这些甚至似乎比自己本国的传统节日更受青年人欢迎。我对老师讲的英国政治感兴趣，英国人分为高级阶层、中级阶层、工人阶层，我们当然相比处在最后一个阶层了，所以要努力奋斗！英国实行君主立宪制以及议会民主制，同中国的少数服从多数类似。英国女王伊丽莎白二世，是英国世袭国家元首，除英国外，女王同时也是澳大利亚、新西亚、加拿大等17个英联邦国家的元首，女王宫殿白金汉宫，由于需要经费，聪明的女王决定，近十年来，白金汉宫这最古老最豪华的部分，允许世界各国的游客在夏季进入参观，所以很佩服这位85岁得女王。在英国，君主是世袭制的，而贵族则分为世袭制和终身制，世袭制只传男不传女，终身制是对那些做出巨大贡献的杰出人才的，可男可女，但是不能传。

随着当今科技的发展，国家与国家间的交流也逐渐加深，英国、美国作为两大经济大国，带动着整个世界的进步，他们的文化也逐渐扩散开来。中国作为一个发展中的大国，受到英美文化的极强渗透。我们应当关注这种文化渗透现象，学习英美文化，并将其与中国文化和谐融合，使这种世界性的文化融合趋势良性影响我们的生活，使其促进国家的发展，这是我们义不容辞的责任。

第四篇：英美国家文化试题

英美文化试题

院系：姓名：学号：考试日期：2012.12.19 时间90分钟成绩1.2.Black cats, broken mirrors, ladders, owls, salt and sparrows are related with bad luck.3.British Character：4.British conservation is known to the world, but British teenage crimes rate unexpectedly is highest in the world.5.6.7.Christianity was first brought to England by the Romans.8.9.10.Contemporary Americans believe that should be more than a restorative for work;it should be viewed as an

important part of modern life and be regarded as a worthwhile end or goal in and of itself.11.Fish and chips is considered the most famous British snack.12.13.14.15.Horseshoes, four leaf clover and rabbit's foot are symbols of good luck.If you appreciate the dinner you are invited to, you can do all of the following: send flowers later as a thank-you for a very special evening or give a phone call the next day to say how much you enjoyed 16.In Britain, if a person is very good at tennis, and someone asks him if he is a good player, he will reply think I’m quite good” or “Well, I’m very keen on tennis”.17.18.In the United Kingdom, head of government;in the United States, the head of

government.19.20.In the US, the largest single religious group is that of Roman Catholics.21.22.23.Martin Luther King, Jr, a young black clergyman, became a national leader of the Civil Rights Movement.24.their neighborhood.25.Pilgrims came to America in a ship called the May Flower.26.Poverty reemerged as a social program in the 1960s and was perceived as a condition that represented a glaring gap between American ideals and reality.27.28.feast between the Indians and the Pilgrims during the settlers’ first year in America.29.30.That “All men are created equal” is from the document “”.31.The Anglo-Saxons were the ancestors of the English and the founders of England.32.33.The British national characteristic of reserve finds its expression in the fact that many British people still prefer to have a

fireplace in their living room, and still adhere to the Monarchy.34.composed of the monarch, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.35.36.37.The longest river in Britain is Severn River.38.The most striking characteristics of magazine development in the U.S.during the twentieth century was a trend toward

in the decades following World War I influenced magazine development.39.The movie Brave Heart ’s ruling.40.The movie Patriot reflects American Independence War.41.42.The Romans led by Julius Caesar launched their first invasion on Britain in 55 B.C.43.The Three branches of the American federal government are the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and Judicial 44.45.46.47.There were 13 continental states at the time of independence of the United States.48.49.50.US have the highest porce rate in the world.1.Can you briefly introduce the traditions of Thanksgiving Day?

2.If you are offered a chance to visit UK or US for one week, where are you going to visit? Please state your reasons.3.What are the differences between “a bowl of salad” and “a melting pot” as metaphors of the American society?

4.What do you know about the Declaration of Independence?

5.What is the “American Dream”?

第五篇：英美国家概况主观题

1.Great Charter:

It refers to the document sealed by King John of England on June 15, 1215, which contains 63 clauses.The most important are as followed: the King could not exact payment from the vassals without their consent;no freeman should be arrested, imprisoned, or deprived of their property unless they are convinced by a jury;merchants would be allowed to move about freely.If the King attempted to free himself from the law, the vassals had the right to force him to obey the law by every means possible, even by means of a civil war.It is regarded as the foundation of the British constitutionalism.2.“A-level”:

A-level—is an academic qualification offered by educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the British Crown dependencies to students completing secondary or pre-university education.3.Pilgrim Fathers:

The first English immigrants who came to America by the ship Mayflower in 1620.They came to the America to run away from the religious persecution in England.They landed the America from Plymouth and settled down in this land.4.WASPs:

“WASP” stands for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.It is considered the basis of the mainstream culture of the United States.The people who settled in the 13 North American colonies were mostly white European Protestant believers.The United States was founded and formed largely by Protestants.5.Wall Street:

Wall Street is the financial district of New York City, named after and centered on the eight-block-long, 0.7 miles(1.1 km)long street running from Broadway to South Street on the East River in Lower Manhattan.Over time, the term has become a metonym for the financial markets of the United States as a whole, the American financial sector(even if financial firms are not physically located there), or signifying New York-based financial interests.6.Independence Day:

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.7.Hollywood:

Hollywood is the US film industry centre.It is located in Los Angeles, California.There are big movie companies, including the Warner Bros.Pictures, Universal Studios, Columbia Pictures, and Paramount Pictures.The annual Oscar Award held there attracts the attention of the world;it has become the synonym of American film.1.Democracy with a constitutional monarch:

Constitutional monarchy is a form of democratic government in which a nonpolitical monarch acts as head of state within the boundaries of a constitution, whether written or unwritten.While the monarch may hold formal reserve powers and while government officially takes place in the monarch’s name, they do not set public policy or choose political leaders.It can be defined as “a sovereign who reigns but does not rule.” This form of government differs from absolute monarchy, in which the monarch controls political decision-making and is not effectively bound by a constitutional order.2.British Newspaper Culture:The United Kingdom has one of the world’s oldest established newspaper industries.In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, as the British economy began to industrialise, as the development of the society, and as literacy levels rose through the introduction of mass education, more and more newspapers began to appear.They began to influence British society and people’s life.There are two kinds of newspaper in the UK: the “quality press” and “tabloid”.The types of newspaper can reflect the reader’s social class.The quality press, such as The Observer, The Guardian, and The Times normally carries in-depth articles of particular political and social importance and are generally read by well-educated, middle-class readers.The tabloid refers to smaller format newspaper with color photos and catchy headlines.They are usually about scandals and gossips about famous people, whether in politics, sports or entertainment.The articles are short and easy to read.The readers are normally working-class and lower class people.3.Industrial Revolution:

The First Industrial Revolution first originated in the UK.The Industrial Revolution took root in Britain for a variety of reasons.First, Britain had a huge market.Second, from the colonies in America and India, England acquired enormous wealth with which to develop its industries.Third, the enclosure movement deprived many small landowners of their property.The Industrial Revolution began in the textile industry and was marked by a series of important inventions.They were the Spinning Jenny, the water frame, the power loom and the steam engine.By the middle of the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution was accomplished in Britain.It changed Britain in many ways.Its industrial productivity increased dramatically.Britain became the most advanced industrial country and also the financial center in the world.The country also underwent a process of mass urbanization.The Industrial Revolution also created changed in the class structure.（谢福之P.20）

The Second Industrial Revolution（谢福之P.149）: The Second Industrial Revolution, also known as the Technological Revolution, was a phase of the larger Industrial Revolution corresponding to the latter half of the 19th century until World War I.It is considered to have begun around the time of the introduction of Bessemer steel in the 1860s and culminated in early factory electrification, mass production and the production line.The Third Industrial Revolution: The first two industrial revolutions made people richer and more urban.Now a third revolution is under way.Manufacturing is going digital.4.Presidential Election:

America is a presidential government country.The presidential election is held every four years.The system of presidential government is complicated.It includes primary election, the popular vote, the Electoral College.The primary election is the first period.It is time for the party candidates won the presidential candidate of their own party.After the primary election, the candidate will spend huge amounts of money on electoral journey, competition on advertisement, electoral speeches and public debates.In most states, they work on “winner win all”.It means if one wins the most votes of states.He will gain all the votes of these states.American elections for the president are not decided directly by the popular vote, instead under the Electoral College.Each of the fifty states influence on the results equals its population.If both candidates gain 269 votes, or neither of them gains 270 votes, the president will be determined by the parliament.5.American Civil War:

In the early 1800s, the Northern states turned from farming to manufacturing.Black slavery soon disappeared in the North.But things were different in the South.The South expanded both its agriculture and its slavery.The problem of slavery became a serious political issue.The abolitionists tried to abolish slavery while the South tried to keep it.When Abraham Lincoln was elected President, the Southern states broke away and formed a new nation.Then Lincoln was determined to maintain the Union and the war broke out on April 12, 1861, Lincoln realized that he could win support for the Union at home and abroad by making the war a just war against slavery.So he issued Emancipation Proclamation.Thus England and France stood by the Union’s side.Many black slaves joined the Union Army.After a series of battles, Robert Lee could no longer hold Richmond.He surrendered on April 9, 1865.The Civil War ended.6.Separation of Powers:

The American constitutional system includes a notion known as the Separation of Powers.In this system, 3 branches of government are created and power is shared between them.At the same time, the powers of one branch can be challenged by another branch.This is what the system of checks and balances is all about.There are three branches in the United States government as established by the Constitution.First, the Legislative branch makes the law.Second, the Executive branch executes the law.Last, the Judicial branch interprets the law.Each branch has an effect on the other.