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专八考试中有一项为人文知识，包括：
英语国家概况类，英美文化，和语言学知识类。
题型为选择题。
英语国家概况方面的考点主要集中于英国和美国，加拿大等其他英语国家略有涉及。
范围包括英语国家的地理，政治，历史文化等。
英语国家概况
一 Geography
The British Isles are a group of islands situated off the continent of Europe. The British state is made up of
Great Britain (English, Wales, and English) and Northern Ireland. Its full name is The United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK).
一) Geographical Features 地理特征
With an area of about 243,000 sq km, Britain is just about 600 miles from north to south. It is therefore possible to
travel to any part of the country within one day.
Britain is an island country, surrounded by the sea. It is separated from the rest of Europe by the English Channel
between England and France is quite narrow and the narrowest part is called the Strait of Dover (多佛海峡). In May
1994, the “Chunnel” which joins England and France was open to traffic. The United Kingdom is divided politically into
four parts and they are:
1. England
England occupies the largest, southern part of Great Britain with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north, which
takes up nearly 60% of the whole island. The Pennies (奔宁山脉) are the principle mountain chain.
2. Scotland
Scotland is in the north of Great Britain. There are three natural zones: 1) Highlands in the in the north and Ben Nevis,
the highest mountain in Britain (1,343m) is located there; 2) the central lowlands, the most important area in Scotland
which contains most of the industry and population; 3) the southern uplands.
Though the Gaelic language is still heard in the Highlands and the Western Isles, English is spoken all over
Scotland.
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.
3. Wales
Wales is in the west of Britain, most of which is mountainous. Cardiff is the capital. (加的夫，威尔士首府和最大城市，位
于威尔士东南部的布里斯托尔海峡)
4. Northern Ireland
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. (贝尔法斯特，北爱尔兰首府及最大城市)
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