Politics
Flags
Lead-in questions:
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Would you include flags under the various forms of media? Why?
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What is the role/function of flags? For what purposes do people make/use flags?
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What kind of “information” or message(s) can flags communicate?
Task 1
Look at the descriptions of flags. Decide which country they belong to.
1)
Blue with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) and which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); known as the Union Flag or Union Jack; the design and colours (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, as well as British overseas territories.
2)
Thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory.
Task 2
Look at the words and expressions listed below. Decide which ones belong to the British and which ones to the American political system.