The Linguistic Culture-11 (The American English Language) (1157949), страница 4

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As the automobile plays such a large part in American life, it has a great impact on American economy. Now the manufacture of automobiles in America is becoming more and more international. Japanese companies like Honda and Toyota do not just sell cars in America; they have their own plants where they build them. The major American automobile companies, such as Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler have also formed various kinds of partnerships with Japanese and German manufacturers. In addition to the traditional sedans, station wagons, and sports cars, different kinds of jeeps and vans have become especially popular in recent years. Some Americans take special pride in their cars. They give them special names (John, Marietta, etc.), wash and wax them regularly. Others constantly trade and buy them.

National Symbols

One feature of American life that some European observers often comment on is the frequent display of flags and other national symbols in the U.S. The pride of Americans of their country is perhaps not much different from that in other nations, but it seems more apparent. The ‘Star-Spangled Banner” and the flags of the states are found in many places and displayed on many occasions, including even demonstrations against the government. Advertisements, too, sometimes cater to a shared sense of national pride. To Americans, patriotism is largely a natural response to the nation’s history and its ideas. Immigrants who apply after five years of residence to be naturalized and become American citizens must prove that they know the national symbols and support the Constitution of the USA.

1. Answer the questions.

1 .Why is it so difficult to make generalizations about American character?

2. What is the main idea of the “Melting pot”?

3. What are the most distinctive American characteristics from your point of view?

4. What can you say about American social life?

5. Why are Americans so much involved in volunteer work?

6. Why do so many American parents think that part-time jobs are “good for their kids”?

7. What is the impact of cars on the US economics?

8. What are the main demands for an immigrant to be naturalized and become an

American citizen?

2. Speak about recent changes in American lifestyle according to the models:

Now that VCRs have come in drive-ins are getting out; Now that compact discs have come in records have gone out; Economy cars-big cars; push-button-telephones-dial telephones; aerobics-jogging; canned and frozen food-traditional cooking; wash and wear clothes-ironing; credit cards-checkbooks; checkbooks-cash.

3 .Match the names in the left part with the definitions in the right one:

Car park 1) a window that you drive up to and get your banking problems done;

Parking meter 2) a special area for parking cars;

Parking lot 3) a multi-stored building for parking cars;

Parking ticket 4) a place where people can watch movies staying in the cars;

Drive-in theater 5) a metal box on a stick to drop the money for parking;

Drive-in bank 6) a document for paying a parking penalty;

Drive-in food stand 7 ) a window that you drive up to and buy some food.

4. Discussion problems:

1. The American Frontier and American character;

1. Compare typical English and American characters. Which traits are in common and which are different?

1. American houses and homes;

2. American society and cars

CULTURAL LIFE

Read and translate the following words and word combinations:

to set the problem to pull the leg

to degenerate progenitor

to steer boats gospel music

expatriate romantic crooning

to defer (deferred) at large

to enchant spiritualism

ensuing unconventional

to be nourished to shuttle back and forth

Although it is a generalization, it is useful to divide the US cultural history into three broad stages.

The first stage stretches from colonial times until about the Civil war. In this period, American art, architecture, music and literature were strongly influenced by European ideas and traditions. What was fashionable or popular in London, Paris, Rome or Vienna us

Характеристики

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