英美概况术语解析及简答题.doc

I. Define the following terms. 1. Monopoly: Monopoly, economic situation in which only a single seller or producer supplies a commodity or a service. One or more of the following elements are of great importance in establishing a monopoly: (1) control of a major resource necessary to produce a product, as was the case with bauxite in the pre-World War II aluminum industry; (2) technological capabilities that allow a single firm to produce at reasonable prices all the output of a particular commodity or service, a situation sometimes described as a natural monopoly; (3) exclusive control over a patent on a product or on the processes used to produce the product; and (4) a government franchise that awards a company the sole right to produce a commodity or service in a given area. Among the various kinds of economic monopolies are public utilities, trusts, cartels, and industrial mergers. 2. Big Ben: Big Ben is the largest clock in Britain and has kept exact time for the nation since May 1859. It is famous the world over for being the giant four faced clock in London, England. Big Ben is the name of the giant 14-tonne bell that hangs inside the clock tower and chimes every hour of every day in England. The huge bell was hung in 1858 and named after Sir Benjamin Hall, Chief Commissioner of Works at the time the bell was hung. In England you can hear Big Ben chiming daily the nation over, either on television news or radio. 3. Independent schools: Independent schools are fee-paying educational institutions. Independent schools usually provide pupils with two stages of education. The principal schools for children of over thirteen (13 ~ 18) are usually called public schools and those for younger pupils (8 ~ 13) are usually called preparatory (colloquially prep) schools. Many such schools are long established and have gained a reputation for their high standards. However, only about 6% of all children attend these schools. 4．Redbrick: Redbrick is the name for a group