Unit One Introduction 1
1.1 Names of the UK and the USA 1
1.2 Population of the UK and the USA 3
1.3 Language of the UK and the USA 11
1.4 Main Cities of the UK and the USA 13
Exercises 22
Unit Two Geography 24
2.1 Locations of the UK and the USA 24
2.2 Climate of the UK and the USA 25
2.3 Rivers and Mountains of the UK and the USA 27
Exercises 31
Unit Three Beginnings of the UK and the USA 33
3.1 Beginnings of the UK 33
3.2 Beginnings of the USA 36
Exercises 45
Unit Four British and American Economy 47
4.1 Features of the British and American Economy 47
4.2 British and American Industry 50
4.3 British and American Agriculture 53
4.4 British and American Trade and Finance 55
Exercises 59
Unit Five British and American Culture 61
5.1 British and American Literature 61
5.2 British and American Radio and Television 65
5.3 Spots in Britain and America 68
5.4 British and American Scenic Spots 72
Exercises 81
Unit Six British and American Education 83
6.1 Present Education System of the UK and the USA 83
6.2 Elementary and Secondary Education of the UK and the USA 84
6.3 Higher Education of the UK and the USA 90
Exercises 97
Unit Seven British and American Social Life 99
7.1 British and American Characters and Customs 99
7.2 British and American Holidays and Festivals 106
7.3 British and American Religions 110
Exercises 115
Unit Eight British and American Political Systems 117
8.1 Political System of the UK and the USA 117
8.2 Legislative Body of the UK and the USA 120
8.3 Executive Body of the UK and the USA 125
8.4 Judicial Body of the UK and the USA 129
Exercises 135
Unit Nine British and American Foreign Relations 137
9.1 British Foreign Relations 137
9.2 American Foreign Relations 141
Exercises 148
Unit Ten Significant Events of the UK and the USA 150
10.1 Significant Events Before World War Ⅰ 150
10.2 Significant Events in the Two World Wars 156
10.3 Significant Events in the Postwar 159
Exercises 170
Appendixes 172
Appendix 1 Counties of the UK 172
Appendix 2 Prime Ministers of the UK 175
Appendix 3 Presidents of the USA 178
References 180