Sunday 14 March 2010

Newspapers

The main differences between a broadsheet newspaper such as The Guardian or The Times and a tabloid newspaper like The Sun or The Daily are:
l The former is an official broadcast media, fairly and objectively report some news including politics, business, environment and so on.
l The latter is not as formal as the former, it also contains some gossip news about some famous persons.

By contrast, I prefer the former in daily life, because I’d like to know some offbeat news and interesting stories of some local areas. But if I have assignments to do, the tabloid newspapers are not as helpful as the official newspapers do. The Guardian and The Times are more useful to our essays.

Wednesday 20 January 2010

education

most education system of British and Chinses are the same, for example, both have nursery schools and private schools in own countries. In China, we do have senior school enterance exams which is similar to UK's GCSEs. Because of the large population in China, so the competition is very intense. Also the university enterance exams we have just like the A-levels in Britain, students have to study hard and try their best to get high marks in the exam so that they can get the opportunities to enter their ideal universities.
On terms of private schools, it may be a little difference between this two countries. In China, usually, private schools are not as normal as public schools, it not means private schools are bad. For example, generally speaking, primary public schools accept pupils when they reach 8 years old, but in private schools they don't obey this rule and accept pupils no matter they are 7 or 6.

Sunday 17 January 2010

food

A traditional English breakfast is a cooked meal which may contain food such as sausages, bacon, kippers , sblack pudding, scrambled or fried or poached egg , mushrooms, fried tomatoes, baked beans, hash browns and toast.
















For lunch, many people eat a sandwich. Some people have a simple meal such as cheese and biscuits or soup and bread. It is also traditional for people to go to a pub with some friends for a pub lunch and a drink. Fish and chips is the traditional diet of UK which is convinent and cheap.












Mostly, potato is common to see in the meal. To tell the truth, I don't like English meals very much, except for the delicious cakes. By contrast, there are various types of Chinese food. We always balance the vegetable and meat in a meal.


Saturday 5 December 2009

Saturday 28 November 2009

UK government

Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs minister: Hilary Benn ,
who has overall responsibility for all Departmental issues and represents the UK at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council and at the EU Environment Council, also leads for the UK in other international negotiations on sustainable development.



Secretary of State for Transport minister: Lord Adonis,
whose responsibilities are sustain economic growth and improved productivity through reliable and efficient transport networks, and improve the environmental performance of transport, further, strengthen the safety and security of transport and enhance access to jobs, services and social networks, including the most disadvantaged.


Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs minister: David Miliband
Who is responsible for relations with foreign countries, matters pertaining to the Commonwealth of Nations and the UK's overseas territories and the promotion of British interests abroad.





Secretary of State for Work and Pensions minister: Yvette Cooper
who has overall responsibility for the work of the Department. She takes personal responsibility for public expenditure and Departmental security issues.






Secretary of State for Defence minister: Bob Ainsworth
who is the Cabinet Minister charged with making and executing Defence policy, and with providing the means by which it is executed, the Armed Forces. He is Chairman of the Defence Council and of its three Boards, (the Admiralty Board, the Army Board and the Air Force Board).



Home Secretary for the Home Office minister: Alan Johnson
who is responsible for immigration control, security and order. Also, responsible for the police, United Kingdom Borders Agency and MI5, It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs, counter-terrorism and ID cards.



Secretary of State for Health minister: Andy Burnham
who is responsible for NHS , social care delivery , system reforms, Finance and resources and Strategic communications.





Chancellor of the Exchequer minister: Alistair Darling
who is the head of the treasury and control the finance of Britain.








The Prime Minister's responsibilities: As head of the UK government, the Prime Minister oversees the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies, appoints members of the Cabinet, and is the principal government figure in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister presides over the Cabinet, is responsible for allocating functions among ministers and, at regular meetings with the Queen, informs her of the general business of the government. The Prime Minister's other responsibilities include recommending a number of appointments to the Queen. These include high-ranking members of the Church of England, senior judges and certain civil appointments. He also recommends appointments to several public boards and institutions, as well as to various royal and statutory commissions.

Sunday 22 November 2009

Visit to the Welsh Assemble

Senedd, a innovative building located on the waterfront in Cardiff bay, houses the Welsh Assembly for Siambr and Committee Rooms. Look from outside, the roof looks like the waves in the sea and make the whole build seemed like a modern version boat overlooking the bay. What impressed me most is the magic design, in one word, sustainable. No air-conditions in the Senedd thanks to the flexible windows and the roof. Also the glass wall make inside lightful and save the electric changes. The rational utilization of solar energy, wind power, rain, geothermal energy and so on, is not only sustainable but also economic.

After the staff’s introduction, we entered the Siambr which is the large, circular debating chamber which lies at the heart of the building. It houses the full meeting of all 60 Assembly Members under a spectacular funnel which hangs from the roof. Fortunately, we came across one of the sixty Assembly members who called Christopher Franks and we also asked a few questions. Mr. Franks friendly answered each question such as the employment of Chinese students and showed us a bright future.

Through the short term but rich content trip, we have a better understanding with Welsh Assembly and are more familiar with, both the building style of Senedd and the system of Assembly.

Tuesday 17 November 2009

Britian Parliament

The three main parts which make up Parliament
Britain Parliament is made up of three main parts: House of Commons, House of Lords and monarch

Five key differences between Parliament and government
forming a government ;
ministers and MPs ;
scrutiny of the government ;
confidence motion ;
government bills


A brief explanation of the main roles of Parliament
checking the work of the government: Parliament examines and challenges the work of the government. Parliament examines and challenges the work of the government. Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords use similar methods of scrutiny, although the procedures vary. The principal methods are questioning government ministers, debating and the investigative work of committees. The government can publicly respond to explain and justify policies and decisions.

making laws: Parliament is responsible for approving new laws (legislation). The government introduces most plans for new laws, or changes to existing laws - but they can originate from an MP, Lord or even a member of the public or private group. Before they can become law, both the House of Commons and House of Lords must debate and vote on the proposals.

representing UK citizens: For example, rise issue in the house of commons that matter to people; ask ministers question and make speeches or raise petitions; hold 'surgeries' and find out about people's problems; attend local functions and meet a wide range of people.





Group 1 : Ella, YoYo, Aven, Jimmy