Unit 9: Topic 6 - Globalized Culture

Question 1

consumerism

Answer 1

Refers to the cultural and economic trend of continually purchasing and consuming goods and services in large quantities. Consumerism is driven by the idea that personal happiness and success can be achieved through owning and consuming material goods. It is characterized by the promotion of the idea that increasing consumption is good for the individual and good for the economy.

Question 2

social media

Answer 2

Refers to online platforms and technologies that allow people to share, create, and exchange information, ideas, and content. Social media includes a range of websites and applications that are designed to facilitate communication and collaboration among users. Some of the most popular social media platforms include Facebook and LinkedIn. Social media allows people to connect with others and share information and experiences in real-time. It also provides a platform for businesses to connect with customers and promote their products and services.

Question 3

World Cup

Answer 3

The World Cup is an international association football tournament organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It is the largest and most prestigious competition in the sport of football (also known as soccer) and is held every four years. The World Cup brings together the best national teams from around the world to compete in a month-long tournament, with the winner being crowned the world champion of football.

Question 4

branding

Answer 4

Branding refers to the marketing practice of creating a name, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes a product or company from others. It is a key component of a company’s overall marketing strategy and helps to build recognition, credibility, and customer loyalty. A strong brand can also add value to a company’s products and services, making them more attractive to consumers.

Question 5

British Broadcasting Company

Answer 5

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a public service broadcaster based in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1922 and is funded by a television license fee paid by UK households. The BBC provides a wide range of programming across multiple platforms, including television, radio, and online.

Question 6

Olympic Games

Answer 6

The Olympic Games are a multi-sport event held every four years, alternating between the Summer and Winter Games. The Summer and Winter Games are the largest international multi-sport events in the world, with athletes from different countries competing in various events. The Olympic Games are organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and are held in different cities around the world.

Question 7

Reggae Music

Answer 7

Reggae is a genre of popular music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. It is characterized by a strong, steady beat and a repetitive melody, often accompanied by lyrics that address social and political issues. Reggae music is typically played on instruments such as the guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, and is influenced by styles such as ska, rock steady, and rhythm and blues. Reggae music gained international recognition in the 1970s, largely due to the success of reggae artist Bob Marley.

Question 8

Bollywood

Answer 8

Bollywood is a term used to describe the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India. Bollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world and produces a significant number of musical films, known for their colorful and elaborate song-and-dance numbers.

Question 9

Lagaan

Answer 9

Lagaan is a Bollywood musical sports film released in 2001. Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, the film is set in the late 19th century and tells the story of a group of villagers in India who challenge the British colonial government to a cricket match to avoid paying high taxes (known as “lagaan”). The film explores themes of oppression, bravery, and determination, and is considered one of the greatest Bollywood films of all time.

Question 10

Alibaba

Answer 10

Considered one of the world’s largest and most successful e-commerce companies, Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate specializing in e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology. Alibaba operates several online and mobile commerce platforms, including the Alibaba.com wholesale platform, the Taobao and mall retail platforms, and the Alipay payment platform.

Question 11

Pele

Answer 11

Pelé, full name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is a retired Brazilian professional footballer who is widely considered one of the greatest football players of all time. He was born on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil.

Question 12

Bob Marley

Answer 12

Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, and musician. He is considered one of the pioneers of reggae music and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential musicians of the 20th century. Marley’s music is known for its positive, spiritual message, and his lyrics often touched on themes of love, peace, and social justice. He is also remembered for his activism, which focused on promoting equality, unity, and freedom.

Question 13

Mark Zuckerberg

Answer 13

Zuckerberg is an American technology entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Facebook, one of the largest social media companies in the world. Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook in 2004 while he was a student at Harvard University. Under his leadership, Facebook has grown into one of the most valuable companies in the world with more than 2.7 billion monthly active users.

Question 14

Michael Phelps

Answer 14

Phelps is a retired American swimmer. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest swimmers of all time, and holds numerous Olympic and world records.

Question 15

Hari Krishna

Answer 15

The Hare Krishna movement is a spiritual group with roots in Hinduism, founded in the 16th century by the philosopher and saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Its members, known as devotees, practice bhakti yoga, which involves chanting the Hare Krishna mantra as a means of attaining a connection with God. The movement is also known for its distinctive form of devotional music and dance, as well as its promotion of vegetarianism and simple living.

Question 16

New Age

Answer 16

The New Age refers to a cultural and spiritual movement that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s characterized by an interest in alternative forms of spirituality, holistic health practices, and environmental consciousness. New Age beliefs and practices often draw from a diverse range of spiritual and metaphysical traditions and are often focused on personal growth and self-improvement. The movement emphasizes individual choice and experience, and its practitioners often seek a direct, experiential connection with the divine.

Question 17

Falun Gong

Answer 17

Also known as Falun Dafa, Falun Gong is a spiritual practice that combines meditation and exercises with teachings based on traditional Chinese morality and spirituality. It was introduced to the public in China in 1992 by its founder, Li Hongzhi, and rapidly gained a large following, estimated to be in the tens of millions. However, the Chinese government banned Falun Gong in 1999, citing it as a threat to social stability and the Communist Party’s control. Since then, the Chinese government has been actively suppressing the practice and its practitioners, leading to widespread reports of human rights abuses and persecution.

Question 18

nonbelievers

Answer 18

Individuals who do not have a belief in a deity or deities, or who do not subscribe to a particular religious faith. This can include individuals who identify as agnostic, atheist, secular, humanist, or who simply have no religious affiliation. Nonbelievers may hold a range of beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life, but they do not base these beliefs on a supernatural deity or divine revelations.

Question 19

National Basketball Association

Answer 19

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has a significant impact on globalization, as it has become a global brand and one of the most popular professional sports leagues in the world. The NBA has expanded its reach beyond the United States with a growing number of international players and fans, and has established partnerships and broadcast deals in countries around the world.

Question 20

modernism

Answer 20

An artistic, cultural, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe and North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It marked a departure from traditional forms and ideas, and was characterized by a focus on individualism, experimentation, and the rejection of traditional norms and conventions. Modernism was marked by a strong emphasis on innovation, particularly in the arts and literature, and a rejection of previous forms and styles.

Question 21

popular culture

Answer 21

The cultural elements and forms of expression that are widely accepted and appreciated by a large number of people in a society. It includes things like movies, music, television shows, fashion, sports, and technology, and is a product of the shared values and experiences of a society. Popular culture often reflects the attitudes, beliefs, and tastes of the general public, and is shaped by factors such as economics, politics, and technology.

Question 22

anime

Answer 22

A style of Japanese animated entertainment featuring colorful characters and fantastical themes. The genre has a large and dedicated following both in Japan and internationally, and covers a wide range of themes and styles, from action-adventure and science fiction to romance and comedy.

Question 23

K-pop

Answer 23

K-pop (short for Korean pop) is a genre of popular music originating from South Korea. It is characterized by its catchy, upbeat melodies, intricate choreography, and glamorous music videos. K-pop has gained a large following around the world, particularly in Asia, and has become a major aspect of South Korea’s cultural exports and soft power.

Question 24

Americanization

Answer 24

The process by which American culture, values, and influence spread and become dominant in other parts of the world. This can involve the export of American products, media, and cultural symbols, as well as the adoption of American ways of life, language, and political and economic systems. Americanization can occur through various means, such as global trade, media and technology, education, and cultural exchange programs.

Question 25

Malala Yousafzai

Answer 25

Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist and advocate for girls’ education. At the age of 11, she began writing a blog for the BBC under a pseudonym, documenting life in Pakistan under Taliban rule and advocating for girls’ education. In 2012, at the age of 15, she was shot by a Taliban gunman for her activism, but survived and continued her work and, in 2013, became the youngest person ever to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

Question 26

throwaway culture

Answer 26

The societal trend of disposing products, goods, and materials after a relatively short period of use, without repair or reuse. Throwaway culture is often associated with a focus on convenience and the production of cheap, disposable items that are designed to be replaced quickly. This approach to consumption has led to an increase in waste and environmental pollution, as well as a devaluation of the products and materials being consumed.

Question 27

streaming video

Answer 27

A technology that allows users to view video content over the internet in real-time without the need to download the entire video file first. The video is sent in a continuous stream of data from the server to the viewer’s device, allowing the viewer to begin watching the video before the entire file has been transmitted. This is different from traditional video playback, in which the entire video file must be downloaded before the video can be viewed.

Question 28

online commerce

Answer 28

Also known as e-commerce, online commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services over the internet. It includes a wide range of business activities from the purchase of physical products through an online retailer to the sale of digital products such as software or music. Online commerce has revolutionized the way that people shop as it offers consumers greater convenience and access to a wider range of products and services. It has also enabled businesses to reach larger audiences as they are no longer restricted by geographical boundaries.