The U.K. of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
28 important questions on The U.K. of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
What are the classifications of middle classes in terms of occupation?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C1
What types of jobs are classified as blue-collar?
- Class C2
- Class D
What distinguishes white-collar and blue-collar occupations?
- White-collar: Office or administrative work
- Blue-collar: Manual labour-based jobs
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How are social class and language connected?
- Language usage
- Communication styles
How does language function as a social marker of social class?
- Leading to judgement and criticism
- Causing division among classes
- Associating certain words with specific social classes, e.g., ‘lavatory’ for upper class
What vocabulary distinctions were made during the Victorian Era?
- The upper class using ‘lavatory’
- The middle class opting for ‘toilet’
- The middle class aiming to sound refined
What was the significance of pronunciation in class identification?
- Identifying social status
- Distinguishing between working-class and upper-class accents
- Listening to others to understand their background
What are the characteristics of Cockney and RP accents?
- Cockney representing a working-class accent in London
- RP (Received Pronunciation) associated with the upper class
- RP used by only 2-3% of the population
How does the play Pygmalion depict social mobility through accent change?
- A method to gain acceptance
- Moving up the social ladder
- The importance of class structure during that era
What is the current state of class accents compared to historical times?
- Much weaker than before
- Less pronounced than during the Victorian era
- Reflects a shift in social dynamics
What impacts does belonging to a particular social class have on individuals?
- Historical roles in governance (e.g., House of Lords)
- Inherited titles (e.g., Lord, earl, duke)
- Continuing presence of hereditary peers in parliament
How does the Old Boys Network affect political influence in the UK?
- Networks of former private school pupils
- Background of influential leaders
- Limited access to quality education for lower classes
What is the percentage of UK children attending private versus state schools?
- Approximately 6.5% in private schools
- 93% in state schools
- Cost of private education (Eton) around €50,000 per year
How does social class affect school readiness in children?
- Children in less mobile areas being less prepared at age 5
- Disparity in educational preparedness between class areas
What are some consequences of social immobility in the UK?
- Lower university attendance in poorer areas
- Differences in home ownership rates
- Barriers to upward mobility for lower classes
How does wealth influence access to higher education in the UK?
- Higher university attendance rates in wealthier areas
- Fewer opportunities for lower-income families
- Educational outcomes linked to socio-economic status
What does social mobility refer to?
- Very hard and rare in the UK
- Lowest social mobility rate in Europe in 2012
- Lower class to middle class transition
What was a significant statistic about social mobility in 2018 in the UK?
150 years to reach the national average income.
- Five generations in the UK
- Two generations in Denmark
- Three generations in Sweden
How did the 60s influence social mobility in Britain?
- Growth in social mobility
- More involvement of lower background people
- Flexible class boundaries
- Accents became less defined
What does the outcome of the Brexit referendum illustrate about social class?
- Working class voted against the system
- Influence on political participation
- Reflection of division in social class
What four countries compose the United Kingdom?
- England
- Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
What are the five largest cities in the UK?
- London
- Birmingham
- Manchester
- Glasgow
- Leeds
What is the population distribution across the UK regions?
- England: 57.3M
- Scotland: 5.5M
- Wales: 3.2M
- N. Ireland: 1.9M
What is the role of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament?
- The upper chamber of Parliament
- Similar to the Dutch Eerste kamer
- Composed of members inheriting titles (Dukes, Counts, Barons)
How does private schooling affect social segregation in the UK?
- Charging around 50,000 euro per child
- Serving mainly upper- and middle-class children
- Only 6.5% of children attending private institutions
How do popular TV shows differ between the UK and the US?
- Feature working-class characters
- Reflect relatable lifestyles for most Brits
- Contrast with posher, wealthier US shows
What does the slang term "toff" signify in British culture?
- A stereotype of someone with aristocratic origins
- Associated with the landed gentry
- Characterized by a sense of superiority
What factors contribute to social identity in the UK?
- Race
- Religion
- Gender
- Geography
- Stance on Brexit
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