UK
Name the difference between UK and GB.
UK = United Kingdom, it concists of: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Island
GB: Great Britain, it consists of: England, Scotland and Wales
Who was Christopher Columbus and why is he a controversial topic in the USA today?
He was an Italian explorer who explored America and colonized it. A lot of Native Americans hate him because of his cruel way of treating the Natives.
What is meant by GM food / GMOs?
GM food = genetically modified food
GMOs = genetically modified organisms
What's the carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions.
Black Friday = black day in the history of wall street (Friday before Thanks Giving)--> many special prices
Buy Nothing Day = counter movement to Black Friday, a day when you buy nothing
What's Brexit?
Britain's exit from the EU
Explain the term American Dream
It's about the pursuit of happiness. Belief that with hard work and discipline everything is possible.
- from rags to riches
- everyone is welcome in the USa
What is a robositter?
A robot who cares for young children or elderly persons.
Why is nuclear energy said to be a "green energy"?
Because there are no carbon emissions
Name the difference between circular and linear economy
linear = has a clear beginning like the production of a product and end which is the disposing of the product by the consumer which produces waste.
circular = is a continuous cycle of a product where more reusable raw materials are used and consumers return products to the manufacturer, who then re-use or recycle.
Name pros and cons of the British empire.
Pros: better infrastructure, spread of English language, more cultural exchange, improvement of education
Cons: all goods were taken to Britain, slave trade, forcing chritianity
Name push factors and pull factors for immigrating to the USA
push factors making it attractive to leave one's home: war, political / religious persecution
pull factors making it attractive to come to the USA: peace, political/religious freedom, social benefits ...
What are the pros and cons of autonomous driving?
Pros: use the time differently/more effective, no emotional drivers, less accidents, more environmental friendly, ...
Cons: danger of being hacked, no answer to "moral questions", ...
Name the different kinds of environmental problems.
air/water/plastic pollution, climate change, water scarcity, rise of natural catastrophes (floods, earthquakes, storms...)
Why is it bad for us to own a lot of things?
- a lot of things don’t do anything but take up space
- Things must be replaced very often
- You are a slave to your possession
- Costs exceed more than just money=space
- stress hormones reach very high when getting rid of stuff
What's so special about social classes in the UK?
There are 7 classes:
precariat, traditional working class, emergent service workers, technical middle class, new affluent workers, established middle class, elite
Name pros and cons of stricter gun laws.
pros: reduce the number of gun-related deaths,
burglars are less likely to carry a gun ifthese are less easily available, even legally owned guns can easily bestolen and used in illegal ways, Suicides can be reduced, Accidents caused by guns in the hands ofchildren can be reduced
Cons: countries with very strict gun laws likeMexico have even higher rates of deathsthrough gunshots.
selfdefense; people feel a lot more securewhen they have a gun, conflict with 2nd amendment, A person who wants to commit suicidewill find another way
What are the pros and cons of new technologies?
Pros: make life easier, make it possible to travel/communicate ..., save lives, ...
Cons: survaillance, need a lot of electricity, make humans think less, ...
What can we do to save our environment?
What's Asian hate? Where does it come from?
In the history of the USA: Asian people as scapegoats for many bad happenings: unemployment, WWI, ...
Nowadays: Trump's rhethoric with regard to coronavirus "Kung flu", "Chinese virus", Asian people are linked with the pandemic
Name pros and cons of Brexit
Pros: independence of UK, no more need to give money to EU, ...
Cons: no more free trade, no more financial advantages (especially for farmers), no more free travelling, passport is needed to travel to the UK / EU, problems with a lot of traffic at the border, need of visa to work in the UK, access for blood or organs for transplants are in danger
Name the difference between Trump and Biden
Trump: posting things on Twitter, very impulsive, focus on economy, quitting Paris Agreement, dividing USA (hate, coronavirus)
Biden: joining Paris Agreement, focus on social factors, try to unite the country
In which way does social media have a negative effect?
fake news, addiction, lack of movement, less sleep, no real contacts, huge impact ...
Name different kinds of alternative energy and their disadvantages
- wind energy
- solar energy
- water energy
- geothermal energy
cons: expensive, not possible everywhere, an eyesore to many people, bad for fish/birds....
Name different aspects coronavirus has an impact on.
- economy (more unemployment ...)
- health (deaths, depressions, lack of social interactions ...)
healthcare (lack of workers ...)
society (is devided because of the vaccination)
environment (less travelling / production)
technology (needed for a lot of things: contact tracing ...)