Assignment 1 (Mini-Test 1)

Mini-test 1
Individual Written Assignment (50%)

Topic: 3. Pick out a recent book you read (any kind of books) or a
song/poem. Describe two aspects (as depicted in the book/the song/poem)
that you come to understand more after studying British culture in the past
few weeks. What culture features are reflected in the cultural product you
picked?
=======
The book: ”In Britain” by Michael Vaughan-Rees.

A few notes about the picture:
It is “Girl with a Dolphin” sculpture. It sits in the middle of a fountain and
shows a girl dancing with a dolphin. The sculpture was made in 1973 by the
British sculptor David Wynne.
David Wynne: died in 2014 at the age of 88, enjoyed a long and successful
career with many of his works focusing on animals. He was awarded OBE in
1994.
OBE (The Order of the British Empire) was established in 1917 by King
George V, honors contributions to arts, sciences, charity, and public service.
Behind the sculpture is Tower Bridge which crosses the River Thames in
London.
Tower Bridge is notable for its Victorian Gothic style and its drawbridge
mechanism, which allows larger ships to pass through. It's one of London's most
photographed landmarks and a popular tourist attraction.
Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Fact: Many confuse it with London Bridge as they are located next to each other
in the Pool of London, on the River Thames. London Bridge is the oldest river
crossing in London, bringing river and road traffic together. It was rebuilt
multiple times, from timber to stone and concrete and steel. London Bridge was
actually the sole crossing of the Thames until the construction of Putney Bridge
in 1729. By the 1870s, around a million people were living east of London
Bridge, so getting across it could take hours. Tower Bridge came out of this
need for a new river crossing, and was completed in 1894. Its Neo-Gothic
design was chosen to blend with the Tower of London, a request by Queen
Victoria.
The picture below is London Bridge.
Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
River Thames is a river that flows through southern England including
London. At 215 miles (346 km), it is the longest river entirely in England and
the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the River Severn.
The paragraph:
Britain's rich history, coupled with its distinctive cultural identity and
abundance of heritage, invites us to explore and appreciate its values. This book
fulfills those needs by providing a concise yet informative overview of Britain,
with each piece of information supported by visuals that facilitate a deeper
understanding of its essence. Among the myriad insights provided, two aspects
stand out in deepening my understanding of Britain: the monarchy and the
lifestyle of its people. Queen Elizabeth II serves as a central figure in British
governance, despite her primarily ceremonial role. While she holds little
political power compared to the Prime Minister, her symbolic presence serves
as a pillar of British national identity, providing continuity and a source of pride
for Britons. However, it's not uncommon for her family to become entangled in
scandals. In 1992, all of the Queen’s married children either separated or
divorced. This situation has caused a decline in the British people's respect for
the royal family, as they hold the expectation that the monarch should set a
positive example. Despite that, she still earns an important position in the
British people’s hearts. Another intriguing aspect of British life is the liberal
attitude towards marriage and family. Unlike some Asian cultures like Vietnam,
where marriage and childbearing are highly valued, British society exhibits a
more relaxed approach. Cohabitation without marriage is common, and
individuals often delay starting families until they feel ready. Moreover,
different generations do not live under the same roof, and the nuclear family is
dominant in Britain. The average number of people living in each household in
Britain is lower than the European average; the proportion of people living
alone is higher. This reflects their priority of personal autonomy and freedom.
These observations help me understand that British people have a strong sense
of identity and seek independence and liberty in all aspects of life. I believe that
their determination to advocate for equality and freedom in society is an
inspiring example for us all.

Assignment 1 (Mini-Test 1)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Assignment 1 (Mini-Test 1)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Assignment 1 (Mini-Test 1)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Mini-test 1

Individual Written Assignment (50%)

The book: ”In Britain” by Michael Vaughan-Rees.

Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

You might also like