BRITISH – AMERICAN STUDIES

[Văn minh văn hóa Anh – Mỹ]

A GLIMPSE INTO AMERICA
CHAPTER 1: AMERICAN PEOPLE AND GEOGRAPHY
PART 1: American People
I. Approximate tribal locations prior to Europeans:

1 Eastern – The Native Americans on the East coast were fishermen and farmers. They were first to encounter
Woodlands many of the Europeans who came to settle in the new world.
2 Plains – Tribes in the Plains, the midle of North America, largely hunted bison. They were famous for their
encounters with pioneers in the 1800’s remarking many long wars.
3 Northwestern – The people of the Pacific. They live in longhouses designed to keep them dry from the rain. Totem
Poles were a traditional art practiced.
4 Southwestern – Southwestern Native Americans made their homes and pots out of clay. They are also famous for
making colorful jewelry.
5 Arctic – Alaskan Natives made their clothes and homes to battle the cold temperatures. Ice fishing and
snowshoeing were common in the winter.
II. Beliefs and Values
• Strong connection to nature - using resources from Mother Earth in moderation.
• Respect for elders.
• Code for Ethics
• Land is not property to be owned by one, but a resource to be shares with all.
“All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man, the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports.” – Chief Seattle
III. Native Americans Nowadays
• Before 15th cent. 10 million people. Now: 5,2 million; 2% US population (2012)
• highest concentration in western part of the country
• 14 states with more than 100,000 Native residents: Alaska (19.6 %), Oklahoma (13.4 %), New Mexico (10.4%),
• Sovereign governments
• Native Americans won full U.S. citizenship in 1924,
• currently 566 federally recognized Indian tribes in 325 American Indian reservations. 78% live outside a reservation.
IV. The First Anglo Saxon Immigrants to the U.S.
• Separatist Puritans (Pilgrims) from Britain on Mayflower to America
• Mayflower carried 102 passengers on 65 day -voyage landing at Plymouth on Dec. 26, 1620. Two died on the way.
• During the first winter, half of the colonists died of starvation, exposure and disease.
• The Mayflower left Plymouth on April 15,1621.
V. Thirteen colonies
• Founded along the Atlantic coast of America. (first Virginia, last Georgia),
• Including people from Spain, France, Sweden, Holland, and England
• Purposes: religious freedom, economic opportunity, escape persecution
• Divided into three groups namely New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies.
• Each colony had its own unique characteristics.
Region Geography Government & Economy Religion & Society
NEW – Coastal areas with good – Small farms, Lumber – Most people organized as congregations.
ENGLAND harbors. mills, Fishing, (Puritans)
COLONIES – Inland areas with dense Shipbuilding and Trade – Lived on farms, Merchants controlled trade.
forests. flourished. – Artisans made goods, unskilled workers and
– Poor rocky soil & short – Cities developed along slaves provided labor.
growing season. coast.

MIDDLE – Fertile soil and long – Colonies grew large – Wealthiest people owned large farms & most
COLONIES growing season. amounts of rye, oats, business.
– Rivers ran into barley, potatoes & wheat – Most farmers produced a small surplus.
backcountry. as cash crop. – Tenants’ farmers rented land or worked for
 – Cities on coast. wages.
– Religious diversity: Catholic, Quaker,
Protestant
SOUTHERN – Favorable climate and – Tobacco, rice & indigo – Wealthy elite controlled most land.
COLONIES soil for agriculture. grown on large – Labor supply: indentured servants & African
– Wide rivers made cities plantations as cash crops. slaves.
unnecessary. – Religion: Anglican
– "Plantations"

o By 1776, American colonists were divided into 3 groups:

– Neutral 40%
– Patriots 40%
– Loyalists 20%
 Loyalists wanted to remain British colonies.
 Patriots supported separation rom Britain (independence)
VI. Causes
– The British passed a series of laws to restrict the colonies and hold them partly responsible for British protection from
possible attacks by the French or native Americans.
– British gov. wanted Americans to pay extra taxes on a variety of items most often used in the Colonies.
– the colonists had no official representation within the gov. "No taxation without representation" became a rallying cry for
American revolutionaries.
– Fifty-six colonial leaders, including George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Sam Adams, met in Philadelphia in 1774 →
1st Continental Congress.
– 2nd Continental Congress (May 1775) called for an official separation from Britain. A committee was selected to write a draft
of all the reasons for a complete separation from Britain.
– Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft the agrument.
VII. American Independence War
– On July 2, 1776, during the second year of the American Revolutionary War, in Philadelphia, representatives from 13
colonies of UK voted to declare themselves independent from the crown, forming the United States of America.
– On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed - and each year since, Americans have celebrated.
– 1783 – The Treaty of Paris officially ends the Revolutionary War
VIII. The Declaration of Independence
– Written by Thomas Jefferson
– It is the "Birth Certificate of the United States"
– Document listed rights and grievances against King George III
  All men are born with "natural rights" of life, liberty, & preperty
 Citizens can break their social contract with their gov. when their gov. becomes tyrannical.
IX. Unwilling immigrants
– 500,000 Africans brought over as slaves between 1619 and 1808
– Particularly work in the plantation of the agrarian South
– Slavery ended after the civil war
– Black Americans won citizenship with the 14th Amendment in 1868
– 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote. (1870)
X. Black American
– In late 1950s + early 1960s: (Led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.), used boycotts, marches + other forms of nonviolent protest
to demand equal treatment under the law & an end to racial prejudice.
– Today:
+ 12.7 % of the total U.S. population
+ Have made great strides.
+ Black middle class grow substantially.
XI. Civil War
– Happened from 1861-1865
– between northern and Pacific states ("the Union" or "the North") and southern states that voted to secede and form the
Confederate States of America ("the Confederacy" or "the South").
– The central cause of the war was the status of slavery.
– The North won -> end the slavery over the USA.
– The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
(1865)

PART II: AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY

[Geography at present]
The United States is a federal union of 50 states:
• 48 states are in the single region between Canada and Mexico.
• contiguous United States, (CONUS) or the Lower 48.
• Alaska, at the northwestern end of North America.
• Hawaii is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.
 The capital city, Washington, DC: a federal district, located on land donated by the state of Maryland.
[Location]
1- The United States is situated almost entirely in the Western Hemisphere
2- Shares land borders with Canada and the Arctic Ocean in the northernmost areas.
3- Bounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea, in the west.
4- The Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea, in the eastern and southeastern areas
5- Territorial water boundaries with Canada, Russia, the Bahamas, and numerous smaller nations.
[Area comparative]
– about half the size of Russia
– about three-tenths the size of Africa
– about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil)
– slightly larger than China
– almost two and a half times the size of the European Union.

[The 19th century expansion]

[Thirteen Colonies]
I. Present geography of U.S
6 main regions:
1- New England
2- The Middle Atlantic
3- The South
4- The Midwest
5- The Southwest
6- The West
1. [Main Features] – Where are The Appalachian Mountains, the Rocky Mountains, The Mississippi River & The Great Lakes?

[Geographical main features]

 – The coastal plain of Atlantic seaboard (the Atlantic Coastal Plain) is a lowland in
North America that stretches along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New
York to the tip of the Florida Peninsula.
– gives way further inland to deciduous forests and the rolling hills of the Piedmont.

Death Valley is a desert

The Mississippi – valley in Eastern
Missouri River, the California and Western
world’s fourth longest river Nevada. It is the lowest,
system, runs mainly north hottest and driest area
– south through the heart of the United States.
of the country.

– The Great Lakes are a group  Hình mục [Main Features] – The Great
of five freshwater lakes of Plains is a vast prairie region extending from
central North America between Alberta and Saskatchewan and Manitoba in
the United States and Canada, Canada south through the west central
including Lakes Superior, United States into Texas; formerly inhabited
Huron, Erie, Ontario, and by Native Americans.
Michigan. French traders first
sighted the lakes in the early  At 20,320 feet (6,194 m), Alaska's Denali
17th century. Today the eat (Mount McKinley) is the country's tallest
Lakes connect Midwestern ports with the Atlantic Ocean the St. peak.
Lawrence Seaway.

– The Continental Divide is a series of mountain ridges extending from

Alaska to Mexico that forms the watershed of North America. Most of it
runs along peaks of the Rocky Mountains and is often called the Great
Divide in the United States.
2. [Geography at present (cont.)]
• Population: 295,734,134 (July 2005 est.)
• Ethnic groups: white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific
islander 0.2% (2003 est.)
• Religions: Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)
• Languages: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000
census)
3. [American natural hazards]
– Active volcanoes are common throughout Alaska's Alexander and Aleutian Islands, and Hawaii consists of volcanic islands.
– Tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts;
tornadoes in the mid-west and southeast; mud slides in California.

REVIEW QUESTIONS - Part 1: AMERICAN PEOPLE

A. Choose the best answer:
Question 1: The first people on the American continent came from ASIA.
A. Africa B. Asia C. Europe D. Australia
Question 2: Who were the dominant ethnic group among early ettlers of th U.S? [Nhóm dân tộc thống trị trong số những người định
cư đầu tiên ở Hoa Kỳ là ai?]
A. The British B. The Irish C. The German D. The Spanish
 Evidence: The colonies were founded by Great Britain between 1607 and 1732.
Question 3: .... were brought to work as slaves in the U.S. between 1619 and 1808.
A - East Africans B - West Africans C - South Africans D - North Africans
 Evidence: [Among the flood of immigrants to North America, one group came unwillingly. These were
Africans, 500,000 of whom were brought over as slaves between 1619 and 1808.]
Question 4: When did the Congress passed the Johnson - Reed Immigration Act to set limits on newcomers?
A - in 1921 B - in 1922 C- in 1923 D - in 1924
Evidence: In 1924 Congress passed the Johnson-Reed Immigration Act. For the first time, the United States
set limits on how many people from each country it would admit.
Question 5: From the 1870s to the 1930s more immigrants from buthern and eastern Europe come to America because
of ......
A - poverty B - discrimination C - poverty and discrimination D - land hunger
Evidence: The colonists came to America for: political freedom, religious freedom, economic opportunity, to escape
 persecution.
Question 6: When did the U.S begin to grant immigrant visas?
A - in the early 1960s B - in the mid 1960s C - in the late 1960s D - in 1970
Evidence: The year 1965 brought a shake up of the old immigration patterns. The United States began to grant immigrant visas
according to who applied first.
B. Answer the following questions:
Question 9: Who were the unwilling immigrants to America?
– African Americans
Question 10: Where did they have to work as slaves?
– On the plantation of South America.
Question 11: Which was ended slavery in America? when?
– The Civil War, 1861-1865.
Question 12: Who are Hispanic - Americans?
– People who originate from Spanish – speaking countries.
Question 13: Who helped to demand equal treatment to the lack and an end to racial prejudice?
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
Question 14: What did immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe help the U.S?
– Helped the country to become an industrial nation.
Question 15: What problems do native - born Americans and legal immigrants worry about illegal immigration?
– Losing jobs and threatened culture.
Question 16: What does the Statue of Liberty symbolize/ represent for?
– The willingness to welcome newcomers.
C. Complete the following sentences with suitable words of phrases:
The most distinctive characteristic of the United States is its [17] people Walt Whitman said: “The U.S is not merely a nation but a
nation of [18] …nations…” People from around the world have come to the United States and influenced its [19] history and [20]
culture.
REVIEW QUESTIONS - Part 2: AMERICAN GEOGRAPHY
A. Choose the best answer.
Question 1: The highest point of the U.S is in __________
A. Alaska B. Hawaii C. The West D. The East
 Evidence: Mount Denali (McKinley) (in Alaska at 20,320 feet (6,194 metres) is the highest point in the U.S.
Question 2: Hawaii is a chain of __________ islands, only ________ of which are inhabited.
A. Fifteen – seven B. Twenty - seven C. Fifteen – eight D. Twenty – eight
 Evidence: Hawaii is a chain of twenty islands, only seven of which are inhabited. [Hawaii là một chuỗi gồm 20 hòn đảo, trong
đó chỉ có 7 hòn đảo có người sinh sống]
 Question 3: A large number of rivers in the _______ of the nation.
A. East B. West C. South D. North
 Evidence: there are a large number of the rivers in the eastern part of the nation.
Question 4: Which region is the smallest one?
A. New England B. The Middle Atlant C. The South D. The Mid West
 Evidence: Middle Atlantic: 191,299.86 sq mi (495,464.4 km2) & New England: 71,987.59 sq mi (186,447.0 km2)
Question 5: Which region is perhaps the most distinctive and colourful American one?
A. The Middle Atlantic B. The Southwest C. The South D. The West
 Evidence: Each of the South's history deals with slavery and the American Civil War. southerners emphasise family,
religion, and conservative values. People here are known for their "Southern hospitality." Southerners share a feeling of
pride for their region and country which forms a strong sense of community and brings people together.
Question 6: Chicago, Illinois, the nation’s third largest city is in the mid-west.
A. New England B. The South C. The South-west D. The mid-west
Question 7: Most of the Midwest is flat.
A. Mountainous B. Deserted C. Flat D. coastal
Question 8: Las Vagas, one of the world’s centers for gambling, is in Nevada.
A. Texas B. New Mexico C. Nevada D. Arizona

B. Answer the questions.

Question 9: Which states do not have a common border with at ast one other state?
– They are Alaska and Hawaii.
Question 10: Which area is the lowest point of the country?
– Part of Death Valley.
Question 11: Which river is the longest one of the country?
– The Missouri with 3,942 km
Question 12: In which region are there top - ranking universities and colleges?
– The New England are region having top - ranking universities and colleges.
Question 13: Where were the thirteen colonies located?
– Along the Eastern coast.
Question 14: To which area was the country expanded in the 19th entury?
– The Western area.
Question 15: Which state in the west is a vast land of few people and great stretches of wildness?
– Alaska
Question 16: Which is the most densely populated area of the United States?
– The most populous area is the Northeast, which accounts for nearly one fourth of the nation's population.
Question 17: Describe briefly:
 The Coastal Plains long, gently rolling lowland areas; flat and swampy; poor
soil.
The Appalachian low, broken mountains with coal and iron;
Mountains East: highly productive agricultural land.
The Rockies high, discontinuous chain of mountains;
lead, uranium, gold
The interior plains vast plains:
Central Plain: wetter;
Great plain: drier; good soil

C. Complete the following sentences, table, and pie chart with suitable words or phrases:
Question 18: Most of the country has a __humid continental __ climate the hot summers and cold winters.
Question 19:
Weather features Cause
Climate not generally temperate Tremendous size of N. America heightens extreme variations in temperature and
precipitation.
Spectacular weather in Great Plains Lack of natural barriers to the North and South allowing dry air and humid air to flow
into the region.
Southwest part of Great Plains very Rain shadow created by the West Pacific range and Sierra Nevada.
rid
Question 20: The Nations Power Supply:
49 %  Electric power
33 %  Gas
10 %  Nuclear power
8%  Others
D. Puzzle
Use the clues to solve these crossword puzzles.
[Thirteen Colonies]
Across – 2. colonists were against "taxation without _____” [Representation]
– 4. people who lived in America before the Europeans arrived [Indians]
– 7. the first 13 colonies became our first 13 ____ [States]
– 10. the pilgrims landed on _____Rock in 1620 [Plymouth]
– 11. people from Great Britain [British]
– 12. first goveming document of the new colonies (2 words) [Mayflower Compact]
– 13. people who lived in the colonies [Colonists]
Down – 1. 13 [Thirteen]
– 3. the U.S. flag has thirteen ________ to represent the original colonies [Stripes]
– 5. state that shares North Carolina's southem border (2 words) [South Carolina]
– 6. first of the 13 colonies [Virginia]
– 8. colony that was located the farthest south [Georgia]
– 9. the ocean next to the 13 original colonies [Atlantic]

[Statue of Liberty]
Across  1 – shape of the wall that surrounds the statue [star]
 5 – political idea that the statue represents [freedom]
 7 – country that gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States [France]
 8 – tourists ride these special boats to get to Liberty Island [ferries]
 10 – number of rays from the Statue of __________Liberty's crown [seven]
 11 – item the Statue of Liberty is holding in her left hand [tablet]
 12 – the United States declared its independence from this country (2 words) [Great Britain]

Down  2 – item the Statue of Liberty is holding in her right hand [Torch]
 3 – name of the island the Statue of Liberty is located on [liberty]
 4 – metal her surface is made from [copper]
 6 – last name of the man who designed the Statue of Liberty [Bartholdi]
 7 – "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe _____.” [France]
 9 – harbor the Statue of Liberty is located in (2 words) [New York]
 CHAPTER 2: AMERICAN HOLIDAYS [Reading Course Book]
REVIEW QUESTIONS – Chapter 2: AMERICAN HOLIDAYS
A. Choose the best answer:
1. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on _____
A. the first Thursday in November C. the third Thursday in November
B. the second Thursday in November D. the fourth Thursday in November
2. Today, Thanksgiving dinner almost always includes ______
A. Roast turkey and pumpkin pie C. Roast turkey, sauce, potatoes and pumpkin pie
B. Roast turkey and cranberry sauce D. Sauce, potatoes and pumpskin pie
3. Independence Day is a day of _____ [A and B]
A. Picnics and patriotic parades C. Picnics and concerts
B. Picnics and fireworks D. Picnics and songs
4. Jews in America observe their high holydays in ________
A. August B. September C. October D. November
5. Which city is particularly rich in many ethnic celebrations?
A. Los Angeles B. Chicago C. New York D. San Francisco

B. Answer the following questions:

6. What are the national holidays that Americans share with many countries?
– New Year’s Day, Christmas, Easter Day.
7. How do Americans celebrate New Year’s Day?
– Make resolutions, stay out all night, go nuts at midnight, watch New Year’s ball drop, hug and kiss.
8. When is Easter Day celebrated?
– On a Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th.
9. How do americans prepare for Christmas?
– Go shopping, decorate homes, prepare food.
10.What are the two holidays that cherish national origins?
– Independence Day and Thanksgiving
11.Name uniquely American holidays in chronological order of the year.
 – Martin LutherKing Day; President’s Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran’s Day;
Thanksgiving Day
12.Which marked the beginning of American Independence and now stands as a universal symbol proclaiming freedom
from tyranny?
– Liberty Bell
13.What is the name of the National Anthem of the United States of America?
– Star Spangled Banner
14.How do you know about the origin of the anthem? [bỏ]
15.What are the American’s popular eating habits on The Fourth of July?
– Barbecue and Outdoor Cooking
C. Are these statements True or False?
1 Martin Luther King Day is celebrated to memorize the day when Dr King was assassinated. F
6
1 Memorial Day is celebrated to honor the fallen soldiers. The U.S president often gives a speech and lays a wreath on their T
7 tombs.
1 Every nation in the continent of America shares the same observances with the U.S on Columbus Day on October. F
8
1 The United States’ culture and traditions are rich because of the contributions made by the many ethnic groups of people. T
9
2 Veterans Day is celebrated to honor the soldiers who served in World War I. F
0
D. Puzzle
Use the clues to solve these crossword puzzles.
[Fourth of July] – Independence Day [Thanksgiving Day] – Fourth Thursday in November
Acros 2 – number of original American colonies [Thriteen] 1 – small ship the pilgrims sailed on [Mayflower]
s 4 – last name of main writer of the Declaration of 4 – month Thanksgiving is in [November]
Independence [Jefferson] 5 – popular meat eaten on Thanksgiving [Turkey]
8 – country the colonies declared independence from 7 – location where the pilgrims landed (2 words) [Plymouth
[Britain] Rock]
10 – red, white, and _____ [Blue] 8 – type of cream put on top of pumpkin pie [Whipped]
12 – often waved at parades on July 4th [Flag] 9 – season Thanksgiving is in [Autumn]
13 – state Philadelphia is in [Pennsylvania] 10 – mixture of bread, eggs, and spices cooked inside a turkey
[Stuffing]
Down 1 – light these in the evening to celebrate July 4th 2 – type of sport that fans watch on TV on Thanksgiving
[Fireworks] [Football]
 3 – popular American food eaten on a bun (2 words) 3 – yellow vegetable the indians taught the pilgrims how to
[Hotdog] grow [Corn]
5 – type of holiday when schools, post offices, and 5 – day Thanksgiving is on [Thursday]
government offices are closed [Federal] 6 – type of pie eaten on Thanksgiving [Pumpkin]
6 – to eat outside with friends [Picnic]
7 – large melon often eaten at picnics [Watermenlon]
9 – cook food outside on a grill [Barbecue]
11 – month Independence Day is in [July]

CHAPTER 3: THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

"From the earliest days of American colonies, education and literacy have been given exceptional attention as the means to spiritual
salvation, to self-democratic government, and to economic and social advancement."
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
– Decentralization - no central controlling authority - education- the responsibility of individual states
– States and local districts have a primary role in the organization and operation of U.S. schools.
– Each state has its own Department of Education
– County and city boards responsible for implementing the curriculum.
1. Administration of Education System in USA
• Federal Gov: 10% budget, Determine Age group, International Standardized Tests, determine some value&ethics.
• State and local Gov: budgeting 60%, curriculum, curriculum, test books, learning Standers, years of compulsory education,
• Local School District: budgeting 30%, teaching Strategies, subjects to be Taught, Assessment Strategy
2. Education Policies-Laws
a) No Child Left Behind Act - 2001
– Every child has the right to access
– No child will be left behind / Assessment every year
– Every school has to perform better than previous year
b) Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - 2004
– Individual with disabilities must have access
– Proper placement the disabled ones
– at teaching methods for individual
3. Size
• 119,235 elementary + secondary schools (58,000 public elementary + 21,000 public secondary schools), 59.9 million sts
• 2,819 institutions offering Bachelor or higher degrees, 2,657 institutions offering associate degree, 4,927 institutions offering
shorter non-degree programs of less than two years in duration.
4. Types of schools in the USA: [Public school – Private school – Home Schooling]
 Public School Private School Home Schooling
• Majority of school types • Religious and nonsectarian • Online tutoring, family or private tutor
• Majority of student Enrollment (49 • Minority of student (6 million) • Practice family religious and moral
million) • Require tuition fee values
• No tuition fee required • Depend on religious org, • Follow state curriculum and family
• Depend on local, state and federal endowments, grand, donations requirements
funding • Types: • In some case Homeschooled students
• Religion free – Independent school have to face state-administered
• Types: – Parochial school placement tests
– Charter School – Proprietary school • A growing number of student (1.5
– Magnet School million)
5. The Educational Ladder – Americans views their public school system as an education ladder: [Kindergarten  High school:
pre-college].

College
High
Elementary School
Kindergarten School

6. The philosophy of the Educational Ladder

• The educational ladder concept is an almost perfect reflection of the American ideal of individual success based on equality of
opportunity and on "working your way to the top."
• Individuals may climb as high on the ladder as they can. The abilities of the individuals, rather than their social class, are
expected to determine how high each person will go.
7. Academic Year
• Elementary and secondary levels: September - 2nd week in June
• Post-secondary level: 15 - 18 wks each per academic year
• Latter two systems: 2 out of 3 trimesters or 3 out of 4 quarters.
8. Language of education
• NO official language stated in the law
• English is the language of Instruction
9. Teacher training
• At elementary & secondary school level: Teacher must have completed a four-year Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, with a
major in Education.
 • Some states also require the completion of a higher degree in order to become a licensed teacher.
II. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
1. Subjects Taught:
Pre-Primary Kindergarten Elementary
Focus on WRITING Focus on READING • Science • Health • Development
• Alphabet • Math • Mathematics education • Music
• Shapes • Science • Social studies • Language • History
• language • Environmental • Fine Arts Geography
edu • Physical
2. Primary Education & Pre – Schools:
[Primary Education] [Pre-schools]
Pre-school [age 3 - 4]

Early Childhood
Day Care (Center)

Education
Kindergarten [age 5 - 6]
Nursery School
Elementary [age 6 - 11]
Kindergarten

All school systems in the US have 12 years of elementary, middle school and senior high school.
– Junior high school: A difficult period for many
Elementary school High school
children due to the onset of puberty.
6 years Junior high school [2 years]
Senior high school [4 years]

[Elementary – Education - unstandardized.

school] – Teachers receive a book to give to the students for each subject & brief overview of what they’re expected to
teach.
– Subjects:
+ basic arithmetic,
+ rudimentary algebra in mathematics,
+ English proficiency (such as basic grammar, spelling, and vocabulary),
+ fundamentals of other subjects.
[Middle school – Other names: "Middle school", "junior high school", and "intermediate school"
(Grades 6/7- 8)] – Students take classes from several teachers in a given day.
– Subjects: science, math, English, social science courses, reading and/or technology class.
– Electives: one or two classes.
[Senior high • Runs from grades 9 through 12.
school] • Basic curricular structure
– Science (biology, chemistry, and physics)
– Mathematics
– English (four years)
– Social Science (various history, government, and economics courses, always including American history)
– Physical education (at least 1 year)
– Electives.
– Extracurricular activities.
a. [Electives]
• Visual arts (drawing, sculpture, painting, photography, film)
• Performing Arts (drama, band, orchestra, dance)
• Shop (woodworking, metalworking, automobile repair)
• Computers (word processing, programming, graphic design)
• Athletics (football, baseball, basketball, track and field, swimming, gymnastics, water polo, soccer)
• Publishing (journalism, yearbook)
• Foreign languages (French, German, and Spanish are common; Chinese, Latin, Greek and Japanese are less common)
b. [Extracurricular activities]
• Sports (football and/or basketball....
• Nonathletic extracurricular activities”
– Student government,
– school newspapers,
– various academic groups such as writing clubs, debate teams, quiz teams, club sports (not provided with the same funds or
privileges as other sports programs),
– peer groups, and various other activities.
c. [Standardized testing]
• No Child Left Behind Act: – All American states must test students in public schools statewide to ensure that they are achieving
the desired level of minimum education and students show some improvement each year.
• The SAT & ACT: most common standardized tests when applying to college.
– SAT: Scholastic Assessment Test / Scholastic Aptitude Test
– ACT: American College Testing
III. POST – SECONDARY EDUCATION
After high school, the majority of students go on to college.
2 years of study at a community college  Associate degree
Undergraduate studies  bachelor's degree, or college diploma
Graduate studies  Master's and doctoral degree
1. Higher Education
• American education on the college level is provided by more than 3,000 institutions.
• Most are coeducational.
• Admittance: good high school record & test scores
• Classification:
– college - offer only undergraduate courses university - have undergraduate, graduate & professional schools.
– community college - offer the first 2 years of college only, Associate of Arts (AA)
2. What are the differences and similarities between a university and a college?
University College
Similarities • Four years for undergraduates
• Admit students with a high school diploma
Differences – Much larger No graduate or professional programs
– Several different colleges in it
3. [Entrance requirements]
– No universal exam for enrolling a college or a university,
– different universities have different requirements.
– Students apply to receive admission into college, with varying difficulties of entrance.
– Admissions criteria:
+ Test scores (SAT & ACT)
+ Class ranking
+ Extracurricular activities performed prior to the application date.
⁈ What are the differences and similarities between entrance requirement USA vs UK?
Requirement USA UK
Qualifications High Schook Diploma, SAT/ACT A-levels and interview
Application System Common App, Coalition App UCAS website
 Recommendation Required Required
Letters
Admission Factors Completely (academics, Focused on academics and chosen subject
extracurriculars)
Interview Encouraged, not compulsory Compulsory for some courses/top
universities
Additional Exams SAT BMAT, UKCAT, LNAT for specific
subjects
4. Colleges look for students who are “well-arounded”:
 Grades in high school
 Scores on tests like the SAT
 Extracurricular activities
5. What's the significance of extracurricular activities?
 Demonstrate their special talents
 Demonstrate their level of maturity and responsibility
 Demonstrate their leadership qualities
 Demonstrate their ability to get along with others
6. [College Grades]
– from highest to lowest, run A, B, C, D, F.
– F is a failing grade. A student does not get credit for having taken a particular course if he receives an F in that course.
– College students must maintain at least a low C average in order to remain in school
7. [Public or Private]
– Most college students in the US are in "public" institutions, and only a minority are in "private" ones.
– The oldest, and in some ways the most prestigious, colleges are private, founded partly from endowments, and partly by
contributions from business and above all, former students.
8. How do a university or a college get money for its expenses?
– They are funded in one of the following three ways:
• A publicly funded one: get money from public state government.
• A privately funded one: get money from private sources.
• Funded by a religious group.
9. The Ivy League
– Some of the best-known private universities in the United States are located in the Northeast.
– They are the oldest ones in America as well, known informally as the Ivy League.
– These include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, and University of Pennsylvania, with the first
three known as "The Big Three".
REVIEW QUESTIONS – Chapter 3: The American system of Education.
A. Choose the best answer:
[Question 1: Which test is the most common standardized test required for admission to most undergraduate institutions in
the U.S?
A. TOEFL B. SAT 1 C. ACT D. GRE
ACT: American College Testing
[Question 2: What kind of visa does a non-U.S. citizen need if he/she has been accepted into a program to study or conduct
research at an accredited U.S. college or university?
A. M Visa B. F Visa [Foreign Visa] C. J Visa D. K Visa
[Question 3: Which of the following statements about community colleges is true?
A. Community Colleges provide two-year associates degree programs but do not award Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degrees.
B. Community Colleges provide training to members of the community in which they are located.
C. Community Colleges provide more hands-on and vocational training than four year colleges and universities.
D. All of the above.
[Question 4: Accreditation [sự cấp phép] of U.S, schools, postsecondary institutions and other education providers is:
A. Mandatory for all institutions
B. Mandatory only for institutions with more than 5,000 students
C. Mandatory only for institutions offering services to students with special needs.
D. A voluntary process based on the principles of academic self-governance.
[Question 5: What is the percentage of public-school attendance in the U.S?
A. about 30% B. about 50% C. about 70% D. about 90%
B. Answer the following questions:
[Question 6: Who plays a primary role in the organization and operation of U.S school?
– States and local districts
[Question 7: What, according to the standard educational system, are the grade grouping?
– Elementary school (K-5th/6th grade),
– middle school (6th/7th-8th grades)
– and high school (9th-12th grades).
[Question 8: What are responsible for public school management in each district?
– School district.
[Question 9: What are usually the functions of public schools?
– Provide access to free education.
– Guarantee (bảo đảm) equal education opportunities for children.
[Question 10: What is the purpose of private schools? In what ways are they different from public schools?
 – Private schools are for special needs; Private schools offer specialized programs.
– Differences in funding, administration, and curriculum.
[Question 11. What is undergraduate study?
– Study at college or university (consists of satisfying university and class requirements) to achieve Bachelor’s degree. [4 years]
[Question 12. What are the factors used to determine admission to college or university?
– SAT/ ACT (test scores); Class ranking; Extra-curricular activities.
[Question 13. What is GPA and how is it calculated?
– GPA: Grade point average.
– Grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total amount of grade points earned by the total amount of credit hours
attended.
[Question 14. What is criteria for entrance into graduate programs?
– A student’s undergraduate academic performance & professional experience OR their score on a standardized entrance exam.
[Question 15. How do students without scholarships or money grants manage their study at university?
– They can borrow money, or find jobs and earn it.
C. Are these statements True or False?
16. The age limit of the children is the same in all states. F
17. The United States does not have a national school system. T
18. Public colleges and universities are usually free of charge. F
19. GRE is a quantitative figure representing a student’s accumulated grades. F
20. The community college awards the associate’s degrees, and the university awards the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. T
CHAPTER 4: THE U.S. MASS MEDIA
Facts
• Only 17% of Americans could name all five freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment.
• Only 25% of students knew it was legal to burn the flag in protest.
• As far as censoring a student newspaper at a public university, it is against the law.
 Forty-Five Important Words – The First Amendment : "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof: or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of rances."
 Freedom of Speech – Free speech is the liberty to speak and express one's opinions. It is the right to express ideas,
information, opinions, etc. with very limited government restrictions.
 What types of communications protected under freedom of speech? – Face to face – Internet communication – Art – Music –
Clothing.
Name some of the limits to freedom of speech. (Note: Đề cao chủ nghĩa cá nhân)
– Do not have the freedom to provoke a riot.
 – Cannot speak or write in a way that leads immediately to criminal activities or efforts to overthrow the government by force.
– May not spread lies that harm a person's reputation.
– May not interfere with the rights of others.
 The press is often called "the fourth branch government." It helps to keep the other three branches in check.
 Without a free press, this would not be possible, and the democratic conditions we enjoy in the United States, would not exist.
 How far can it go?
– Keep sources confidential when the state needs evidence in criminal prosecutions.
– Keep liability for civil action in cases where private individuals and not public officials are defamed.
 How does freedom of press limit the government?
– The government cannot practice censorship.
– It cannot ban printed materials or films merely because they contain alarming or offensive ideas.
 How does freedom of press limit the government?
– The government cannot practice censorship.
– It cannot ban printed materials or films merely because they contain alarming or offensive ideas
 THE BIRTH OF THE INTERNET: – The U.S. Department of Defense laid the groundwork for the Internet in the late 1960s
during the so-called Cold War. It did so by having its Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) tie together computers on
various academic campuses and research centers around the country in a network called ARPANET.

REVIEW QUESTION – CHAPTER 4: THE U.S MASS MEDIA:

A. Choose the best answer:
1. What percentage of American households own at least one television?
A. 85% B. 90% C. 95% D. 100%
2. Which commercial TV network has come into being and challenged the big three network?
A. WB B. UPN C. Fox D. Cable network
3. Which amendment to the U.S Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press?
A. 9th Amendment C. 1st Amendment
B. 23rd Amendment D. Not an amendment – It’s Article III

B. Answer the following questions:

6. What is mass media in general meaning?
 All forms of information communicated to large groups of people.
7. How does information play an important role in American society?
 Well-informed people is the strongest guardian of its own liberty.
 8. What are the printed media? What are the electronic media?
• Printed media: Newspapers and magazines.
• Electronic media: the Internet, radio and TV.
9. Give a brief account on the development of newspapers in the States?
- 1690: the first newspaper
- By 1730s: Colonial press
- By 1820s: 25 daily newspapers and 400 weeklies
- After civil war: Yellow journalism
- 20th century: lost circulation
10. What is one common belied held by newspaper editors?
 The best way to attract reader was to give them all sides of a story without bias.
11. What can be the reasons for newspapers losing circulation in recent years?
 Increasing availability of news from TV and other sources.
12. Explain in what ways new technology has made American newspapers enlarge their national and international
audiences?
– Technology has transmitted newspapers via satellite to printing plants around the country, Europe and Asia.
13. How do magazine publishers respond to the interference of the television and the Internet?
– Appeal more to carefully defined audience than to the public at large.
14. Name some popular national television networks in the States and their competition to win the audience. What
television programs can group of audience with special needs turn to?
– NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox
– Silent Network.
15. What are some current issues concerning mass media?
– Violence
– Privacy
C. Are these statements True or False?
1. There is no national radio station in the U.S. [bỏ]
2. The creation of chain of newspapers was made in the 19' century. F
3. In 1993, Time became the first magazine to offer an online edition. T
4. TV has enormous influence on the country's elections and way of life. T
5. As reading habits of Americans have changed over time, the number of daily newspapers has decreased, and the T
number of weekly community newspapers has increased. T or F?

CHAPTER 5: THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

PART I – THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Do you know?  The current President of the United States is Joe Biden.?
⁈ Who is the present president of the U.S.?  He is from the Democratic Party.
⁈ Which party does he belong to?  He receives an annual salary of $400,000, along with additional
⁈ How much money does he receive every allowances and benefits for expenses and travel.
year?  His primary roles and responsibilities include serving as the chief
⁈ What are his roles/ responsibilities? executive, commander-in-chief, chief diplomat, chief legislator, chief
of state, economic leader, and crisis manager, among others.

A. THE US CONSTITUTION
I. [The constitution]
 [The Constitution]
– Written in 1787
– Based on the doctrine of the separation of powers
– Still works as well today as when it was written because of its
amendment and flexibility.
– Establishing the system of checks and balances

II. [The political system of the USA]

1. Legislative:
– Carried out by Congress
– New national laws
– Modify existing ones
– Federal taxing and spending
– Coin money
– Declare war on other countries
– Oversea the executive branch of government – Congress:
+ Capitol in Washington, D.C  The Congress makes the laws and controls finances. The
+ Bicameral body House of Representatives/ Senate Congress meets in the US Capitol.
⁈ Did You Know: – When Philadelphia was the capital of the United States, the House and Senate met in Independence Hall. The
Senate met on the upper floor and the House met on the lower floor. Even today, the Senate is referred to as the "Upper House" and
the House of Representatives is called the'" Lower House."

 Two chambers of Congress:

The House of Representatives The Senate
- Lower house - Upper house
- Specific district - Each state  Two senators (regardless of population)
- Proportion to population. - Six – year terms
- 435 voting members - 100 members
- Serve two – year terms

The House of Representatives has 435 representatives; the number The Senate has 100 senators, two from every state; one-third
of congressmen from each state depends on the number of people of them is elected every two years for a six-year term.
who live in each state; elections take place every two years.

– dynamic institution – conservative

– 435 members/ elected every 2 years. – 100 senators/ elected every 6 yrs.
– by-elections in case of vacancies – nomination (by State Governor) in case of vacancies
– its chairman (speaker) can become President. – privileged of unlimited debate to safeguard the rights of
minorities.

May reject each other's bills!

 Main Functions of Congress:

Main Function of Congress

Scrutinizing politices & actions of the Upholding interests of states &

Making laws Controlling nation's finance
Executive districts
 How a Bill become a Law: TEXTBOOK
2. Executive
- Enforces the laws. - Independent agencies
- President (Head) - Executive office of the President
- Vice-president - Employees over 4 million people
- Cabinet - Commands military

The President
(Head of The executive)

Departments Treasury, State, Agencies Ervironmental Protection Agency,

Defense... Securities and Exchange Commission

 The Executive Departments:  The Independent Agencies:

• Departments- federal laws, and • Independent agencies - matters that
specific areas of national and have become too complex for the
international affairs extent of ordinary legislation
• The heads: chosen by the • The agencies are created by the
President and approved by the Congress
Senate. • Not part of the executive
• The Departments are divided departments, but they have important
into divisions, bureaus, and responsibilities.
services.

DID YOU KNOW:

⁈ The president tosses the first ball of baseball season!
⁈ If the president is unable to fulfill his or her duties, the vice president must take over.
⁈ When George Washington became president at the age of 57, he only had one tooth left!
⁈ George Washington started as president with a salary of $25,000 per term.
 ⁈ Woodrow Wilson didn't have to go to school until he was 9 years old.
⁈ Jimmy Carter could read 2,000 words per minute!

3. Judicial
• Interpret laws
• Use them to settle disputes
• Supreme Court and lower federal courts
[The judicial branch]
– interprets the laws and makes sure that new laws are in keeping with the Constitution.
– has 9 members (judges) appointed for life by the President.
– The Supreme Court:
+ Highest court in the US
+ One chief justice and eight associate justices
+ "Guardian of the Constitution"
+ Decisions are definitive
+ Job for life
[U.S Presidency]
1) The office of the president:
a. Legal qualifications:
– be a natural born citizen of the United States;
– be at least thirty-five years old;
– have been a permanent resident in the United States for at least fourteen years. (Article II, Section 1, Clause 5)
b. Facts:
• No one under 40 has ever been electe President. Most Presidents have been their fifties or sixties when elected.
+ Youngest President elected - Kennedy (43)
+ Oldest President elected - Joe Biden (78)
• All Presidents have been male
• All but two have been married
• Only one has been divorced a 3rds have had legal training
c. Term of office:
• Four years
• Before the 22nd Amendment (1951), a president could serve an unlimited number of term.
 Eg: D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms in office.
• 22nd Amendment does not allow anyone to be elected president more than twice, or once if that person served more than
half of another president's term.
d. Compensation:
– $400,000 per year salary.
– Fixed by Congress but cannot be increased nor decreased
during a term.
– Live in White House (132 rooms) with staff.
– $50,000 expense account (Taxable)  Total Cost to run vast operation of WhiteHouse
– Suite of offices with staff. including:
– YACHT (du thuyền) • Salaries of Administrative.
– Fleet of automobiles. • Domestic and Security Staff.
– AIR FORCE ONE • Expenses for Supplies: 38.9 MILLION
– Camp David – Resort Hideway DOLLARS
– Finest medical, dental and health care. • $9.5 MILLION to maintain WhiteHouse.
– Protection from secret service.
– Lifetime pension of $143,800 PER YEAR
– Presidental widow receives pension of $20,000 PER
YEAR
– Travel and Entertainment funds

e. The President
- Term of office: elected by the people through the electoral college (a 4 yr term in office, limited to 2 terms)
- Salary: $400,000 p.a.
- Inauguration: Jan 20th

f. Role of Presidents:
 Chief executive Chief excutive:
 Commander in chief – Enforce the federal laws, treaties, and federal court rulings
 Foreign policy director – Develop federal policies
 Legislative leader – Prepare the national budget
 Party head – Appoint federal officials
 Popular leader
 Chief of State

g. Vice – Presiden
Choosing a Vice - Presiden
– Nomination of the Vice-Presidential candidate occurs at the party's national convention
– The convention delegates usually nominate the person preferred by the presidential nominee
– The Vice-Presidential candidate is often called the presidential nominee's running mate
– After a bitter campaign for the presidential nomination, the nominee may want a running mate who can help restore party
harmony.
– The choice for vice president may be one of the losing candidates for the presidential nomination, or a supporter of one of the
loser.

Roles of vice president

– Has almost no political power
– Can have power with the legislative branch and he the shape the U.S foreign policy if the president give him important
diplomatic missions
– Performs the duties of the chairperson and can't take part in any Senate debates or vote, except in the rare case of a tie when
presiding over the Senate
– Enforces the rules established by the Senate for its own guidance.

B. THREE BRACHES OF U.S. GOVERNMENT

 The US constitution outlines the system of government in the USA.
 There are 3 braches of government:
What brach can declare laws To whom do cabinet members What brach of government initiates
unconstitutional? report? and approves laws?

The US Capitol The White House The Supreme Court

LEGISLATIVE [hội đồng lập pháp] EXECUTIVE [tổ chức hành pháp] JUDICIAL [toà án]
(make laws) (carries out laws) (evaluates laws)

• Make laws. • Signs laws • Decides if laws are constitutional.

• Approves presidential appointments. • Vetoes laws • Are appointed by the president.
• Two senators from each state • Pardons people • There are 9 justices.
• The number of congressmen is based • Appoints federal judges. • Can overturn rulings by other
on population • Elected every four years judges
 CONSTITUTION
(provides a separation of power)

LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL

(make laws) (carries out laws) (evaluates laws)

Congress President Supreme Court

- 9 justices nominated by the president and
must be president and must be approved
Senate Vice by the Senate (with at least 51 votes)
- 100 elected senators total; President
- 2 senators per state
Other Federal
Cabinet Courts
House of Representatives - Nominated by the president
and must be approved by the
- 435 elected representatives total; Senate (with at least 51 votes)
representatives based on each
state's population.

C. TWO – PARTY SYSTEM

 We begin the election of 1800 …
Federalist Party [John Adams] vs Democratic Republican [Thomas
Jefferson]
 Thomas Jefferson wins
 This was the creation of the PARTY
SYSTEM in the United States
 As time goes bye … more and more Americans are allowed to vote:
• The 15th Amendment - gave African American men the right to vote.
• The 18th Amendment - gave women the right to vote.
[Faculty Parties]
 Two-party system
 Republican Party (1854) and Democratic Party (1824)
 Great investment (No amount limit; buying broadcasting time allowed)
 Geography and religion are factors in ideological positioning
 "Red states" → won by Republican party states"
 "Blue states” → won by Democratic
1. Democratic Party
– founded in 1828
– generally associated with larger government programs and higher taxes
– Members of the Democratic Party are often referred to as "liberals" or
"progressives."
– Symbol: donkey. [Xanh – DEMOCRAT]

2. Republicans Party [Đảng Cộng hòa]

– founded in 1854 by anti-slavery activists.
– generally associated with smaller government and lower taxes.
– Members of the Republican Party are often referred to as "conservatives."
– symbol: the elephants. [Đỏ]

 Two-party System:
The Democratic The Republican
- more liberal - more conservative
- supported among working classes and the poor. - supported among upper classes.
 - Favored farmers, laborers and religious and ethnic Pro free markets and individual achievement
minorities. - Against universal health care
- Against unregulated business and finance  Socially Conservative Economically Liberal
 Socially liberal, economically conservative.

 Advantages and Disadvantages of two-party system:

Advantage Disadvantages
 having only two parties helps the  Two-party systems give the voters only two choices:
government to run smoother.  Voters start to think that their vote doesn't count for much, causing
 Leading to a more stable government and them not to participate.
less radical politics.  It also makes it difficult for people with new ideas to have an
influence in the government.

 How do elections work?

Primary Elections General Elections
• Voters nominate candidates for the general election. • Voters make final decisions about the candidates and
• Republicans vote for Republicans. issue.
• Democrats vote for Democrats • Everyone votes for who they want.

 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROCESS

Step 2 – Candidates from each political party campaign throughout the country to win the favor of their party
Primary members.
Election & – PRIMARY-A vote in a state to determine who will represent the party in the upcoming election. (AZ, OK,
Caucuses etc.)
– CAUCUSES- Like a town meeting where members of a party discuss who will represent them in the
upcoming election.
Step 3 – National Each party holds a convention to select a final Presidential nominee. The Presidential candidate
Conventions then chooses a running mate (Vice-President)

Step 4 – General People in every state across the country vote for the president. When people cast their vote they are
Election & Popular Vote actually voting for a group of people known as ELECTORS.
 Step 5 – – In the electoral college system each state gets a certain number of electors based on its representation in
Electoral congress.
College  Representatives + Senators=Electoral votes
– Each elector casts one vote following the general election, and the candidate who gets more than a half
(270) wins. [270 TO WIN]

 THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

 The President and Vice-President are sworn in to office on Jan. 20, at noon 20th Amendment
 “I do solemnly swear that i will faithfully execute the office o President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States."
Review Questions America Studies – chapter 5:
A. Choose the best answer.
1. The U.S Constitution was written in Philadelphia in_______. [Hiến pháp Hoa Kỳ được viết ở Philadelphia vào năm 1787]
A. 1785 B. 1786 C. 1787 D. 1788
2. How many members are there in the House of Representatives? [hạ viện]
A. 420 B. 425 C. 430 D. 435
3. Representatives [đại diện] are elected every _________.
A. two years B. four years C. five years D. six years
4. Each state has ______ senators in the Senate.
A. one B. two C. three D. four
5. Who appoints the department heads? [Ai bổ nhiệm các trưởng bộ phận?]
A. Congress C. The Vice - President
B. The President D. The chairman of the House of Representatives
6. Which of the followings can prevent any branch of Government from having too much power?
A. The Congress C. The Supreme Court
B. The Presidency D. Checks and Balances
7. The leader of each state is called …….
A. senator B. chairman C. governor D. mayor
B. Answer the following questions.
8. Why does the Constitution work as well today as when it was written? – The Constitution can be amended & flexible.
– The Constitution can be amended:
• 15th Amendment gave black Americans the right to vote.
• 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.
– The Constitution can be flexible: its basic principles can be applied and interpreted differently at different times.

9. List differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives The Senate
– dynamic institution – conservative
– 435 members/ elected every 2 years. – 100 senators/ elected every 6 yrs.
– By elections in case of vacancies – nomination (by State Governor) in case of vacancies
– its chairman (speaker) can become – privileged of unlimited debate to safeguard the rights of
President. minorities.

10.List the main functions of 11.What are the two major 12.How many basic roles does the
Congress. political parties in the United President have? What are they?
– Making law States? – 7 roles:
– Scrutinizing policies and actions – The Republican party  Chief executive
of the Executive – The Democratic party  Commander in chief
– Upholding interests of states and  Foreign policy director
districts  Legislative leader
– Controlling nation’s finance  Party head
 Popular leader
 Chief of State

13.Which amendment to the constitution provides that no one may be elected president more than twice? [Điều sửa đổi
hiến pháp nào quy định rằng không ai được bầu làm tổng thống quá hai lần?]
– 22nd Amendment [Franklin Roosevelt held office the longest. He was elected 4 times.]
14.What are the legal qualifications of the President?
• Age: at least 35 years old
• Citizenship: Natural born U.S citizen
• Residency: Have lived in the U.S at least 14 years
15.Who decides the roles of the Vice President?
– The President
D. Are these following statements true or false?
T  16. The United States is an indirect democracy.
F  17. The President, his cabinet and staff can be members of Congress.
F  18. Vice - President hasn't been given important tasks such as in foreign affairs.
T  19. The President is not elected directly, but by an Electoral College.
T  20. Nine members in the Supreme Court are appointed for life by the President after being approved by the Senate.

E. Puzzle:
Across 1 – Senate and House of Representatives [Congress]
3 – head of the legislative branch of government [Congress]
7 – there are two from each states / they work in the Congress [Senators]
9 – head of the executive branch of our government [President]
12 – has power to declare war [Congress]
15 – month when we vote for president [November]
16 – The _____can veto bills and select Supreme Court justices, but he or she cannot declare war. [President]

Down 2 – highest court (2 words) [Supreme Court]

3 – has power to make laws [Congress]
4 – head of a state government [Governor]
5 – becomes president if the president dies (2 words) [Vice president]
6 – special group that advises the president [Cabinet]
8 – has power to interpret laws [Supreme Court]
10 – The _____ elect members of Congress. [People]
11 – chooses members of the Supreme Court [President]
13 – head of a city government [Mayor]
14 – number of branches of government [Three]