Topic 62: The Commonwealth: Cultural Diversity. The Development of Linguistic Variety. Influences and Intercultural Examples. The Novels of E. M. Forster, D. Lessing and N. Gordimer.

Question 1

What is the official name of the organization?

Answer 1

The Commonwealth of Nations.

Question 2

What event led to the emergence of the concept of “The British Commonwealth”?

Answer 2

The First World War.

Question 3

How many independent countries comprise the Commonwealth today?

Answer 3

56.

Question 4

Name two countries that are part of the Commonwealth but have no historical link to the United Kingdom.

Answer 4

Mozambique and Rwanda.

Question 5

What year marked the formation of the modern Commonwealth?

Answer 5

What year marked the formation of the modern Commonwealth?

Question 6

What document defined the Commonwealth as a “free association” of independent member countries?

Answer 6

The London Declaration.

Question 7

What is one of the Commonwealth’s key strengths?

Answer 7

Its shared values and cultural diversity.

Question 8

Name one initiative that celebrates cultural diversity within the Commonwealth.

Answer 8

The Commonwealth Games.

Question 9

What event threatens the cultural diversity celebrated by the Commonwealth in Britain?

Answer 9

Brexit.

Question 10

What document outlines 16 core shared principles for Commonwealth members?

Answer 10

The Commonwealth Charter (2012).

Question 11

Why did English become a dominant world language?

Answer 11

The establishment of the British Empire.

Question 12

Name three regions where English is the first language for a significant portion of the population.

Answer 12

The United States, British Isles, Canada. (Other valid answers exist)

Question 13

In what aspect does significant variety exist in world Englishes?

Answer 13

Phonology (pronunciation), vocabulary, and intonation patterns.

Question 14

What is the official language of the Republic of Ireland?

Answer 14

Gaelic

Question 15

What is a notable phonetic feature of many Northern Irish accents?

Answer 15

A pronounced rhotic /r/ (pronouncing the ‘r’ sound at the end of words).

Question 16

What two main influences shaped Australian English?

Answer 16

Irish and London English.

Question 17

Name three accents usually mentioned in relation to Australian English.

Answer 17

Cultivated Australian English, Broad Australian English, General Australian English.

Question 18

What is becoming more influential than British English in Australia?

Answer 18

American English.

Question 19

What is a significant influence on the vocabulary of Australian English?

Answer 19

Aboriginal languages.

Question 20

Which aspect of Māori English is particularly impressive?

Answer 20

Their use of vowel sounds and rhythm.

Question 21

What language was promoted as the official language in South Africa following the arrival of the British?

Answer 21

English.

Question 22

What language became the primary language of the state during Apartheid?

Answer 22

Afrikaans

Question 23

What is a notable feature of South African English lexicon?

Answer 23

Borrowings from Afrikaans and African languages.

Question 24

Give an example of a South African English loanword.

Answer 24

Apartheid or trek.

Question 25

What is Canada's official language status?

Answer 25

Officially bilingual (English and French).

Question 26

Where is the British influence on Canadian English more significant?

Answer 26

The West.

Question 27

Where is the American influence on Canadian English more significant?

Answer 27

The East.

Question 28

Name some words where British and American English differences are found in Canada.

Answer 28

chips/French fries, serviette/napkin.

Question 29

What kind of English is found in Canadian academic journals?

Answer 29

British English spelling is often found.

Question 30

Give an example of a word in Canadian English borrowed from Amerindian languages.

Answer 30

Hockey or puck.

Question 31

What was declared the first national language of India?

Answer 31

Hindi.

Question 32

What language is regarded as essential for everyday communication in India?

Answer 32

English.

Question 33

What is a characteristic of Indian English?

Answer 33

Use of elegant, pompous words and constructions; hyperbole and metaphors.

Question 34

Who wrote Howards End?

Answer 34

E.M. Forster.

Question 35

What is a key theme in E.M. Forster's novels?

Answer 35

Intercultural relationships and conflicts.

Question 36

Name another novel by E.M. Forster.

Answer 36

A Passage to India.

Question 37

What is a recurring theme in E.M. Forster's work?

Answer 37

Conflict between English middle-class respectability and other cultures.

Question 38

What writing style characterized E.M. Forster's work?

Answer 38

Free, colloquial, humorous, yet celebrating beauty and harmony.

Question 39

Who wrote The Golden Notebook?

Answer 39

Doris Lessing

Question 40

What is a key theme explored in Doris Lessing's works?

Answer 40

The clash of cultures and racial inequality.

Question 41

In what country was Doris Lessing born?

Answer 41

Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

Question 42

What is the title of Doris Lessing's first novel?

Answer 42

The Grass is Singing.

Question 43

What was a significant part of Doris Lessing's work?

Answer 43

Children of Violence series.

Question 44

What is a major theme in Doris Lessing's novels?

Answer 44

The free woman and her struggles with societal expectations.

Question 45

What is a notable aspect of Lessing's writing style?

Answer 45

Reflects changes in relationships between blacks and whites.

Question 46

Who wrote The Lying Days?

Answer 46

Nadine Gordimer.

Question 47

What is a dominant theme in Nadine Gordimer's novels?

Answer 47

Race and its socio-political context in South Africa.

Question 48

What is a defining characteristic of Nadine Gordimer's writing?

Answer 48

Clear expression and rationalization, sometimes criticized for being "cold."

Question 49

What major award did Nadine Gordimer receive?

Answer 49

The Nobel Prize for Literature.

Question 50

Name one of Nadine Gordimer's recent works.

Answer 50

The Pick Up.

Question 51

What are two key competencies that students should acquire according to the regional decrees mentioned?

Answer 51

Plurilingual competence and cultural and artistic competence.

Question 52

What type of activities can help students develop these competencies?

Answer 52

Readings on current issues and newspaper articles.

Question 53

What is another key competence that using graded readers helps students achieve?

Answer 53

Personal, social, and learning to learn.

Question 54

How can literary works help improve students' communicative efficiency?

Answer 54

By focusing attention on grammar and vocabulary, and providing opportunities for language use.

Question 55

What are the names of the decrees referenced in relation to teaching implications?

Answer 55

Decrees 109/2022 and 110/2022.

Question 56

When were decrees 109/2022 and 110/2022 published?

Answer 56

August 22nd, 2022.

Question 57

What is the main topic of the presentation?

Answer 57

The Commonwealth: Cultural Diversity, Linguistic Variety, Intercultural Examples, and the Novels of E.M. Forster, D. Lessing, and N. Gordimer.

Question 58

What is the significance of Queen Elizabeth II's quote at the beginning?

Answer 58

It summarizes the feeling behind the creation of the Commonwealth.

Question 59

What is a key difference between British and American English usage in Australia?

Answer 59

The increasing use of American English terms.

Question 60

In what way does Indian English demonstrate its unique character?

Answer 60

Its extensive use of elegant and pompous vocabulary, and unique phrasing.

Question 61

What sources were used for the presentation?

Answer 61

Sampson's The Concise Cambridge History of English Literature, O'Driscoll's Britain, and the Commonwealth webpage

Question 62

What was the status of English in South Africa during apartheid?

Answer 62

It was seen as the language of oppression by the black population.

Question 63

How does the author intend to use literary works in teaching?

Answer 63

To focus on grammar and vocabulary, and provide opportunities for language use.

Question 64

What is the overall purpose of this presentation?

Answer 64

To explore the Commonwealth, its linguistic diversity, and the portrayal of these themes in selected literature.

Question 65

How does the author connect the study of literature to the goals of education?

Answer 65

By showing how literature supports the development of plurilingual and cultural competencies.

Question 66

What is a major theme in A Passage to India?

Answer 66

Difficulty of achieving mutual understanding between English and Indians.

Question 67

What does Lessing's The Grass is Singing depict?

Answer 67

The realities of white colonial society in Africa.

Question 68

What does Gordimer's work often explore?

Answer 68

The socio-political world and middle-class lives in South Africa.