INVESTICE DO ROZVOJE VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ
Projekt Síť vzdělavatelů učitelů cizích jazyků NEFLT
registrační číslo CZ.1.07/2.4.00/31.0074
An Outline of American Life and Institutions
Tamara Váňová
Projekt Síť vzdělavatelů učitelů cizích jazyků NEFLT
registrační číslo CZ.1.07/2.4.00/31.0074
je součástí IPRM Ústí nad Labem Centrum.
Tento projekt je spolufinancován Evropským sociálním fondem a státním rozpočtem České republiky
Tato publikace byla vytvořena na Pedagogické fakultě Masarykovy university v Brně v
rámci projektu NEFLT (Network of Educators of Foreign Language Teachers).
Projekt je zaměřen „na prohloubení vazeb mezi vzdělavateli budoucích učitelů cizích
jazyků na veřejných vysokých školách a následně vazeb na učitele samotné. Cílem projektu je
spolupráce mezi institucemi a oboustranný transfer zkušeností, tj. ze strany aplikační sféry
soubor aktuálních problémů a potřeb (zejména v kontextu reformy školství a globalizačních
tendencí) - ze strany terciárního školství reakce v rámci výuky a odborná pomoc skrze
workshopy, semináře, odborné studijní materiály, kontaktní platformy a metodická centra“
(http://neflt.ujep.cz/).
Jedním z výstupů projektu je série příruček a brožur pro učitele cizích jazyků, v nichž
autoři předkládají nové nápady pro výuku. Tato série se snaží pokrýt celou škálu úrovní a
typů vzdělávacích institucí. Čtenáři v ní najdou např. nové přístupy k práci s překladem,
učitelé mladších žáků typy pro komunikativní výuku prostřednictvím her a aktivit založených
na dětském příběhu. Jiné materiály přicházejí s nápady, jak tvořivě pracovat s písněmi, poezií
a literárními texty. Konkrétní postupy a návody popsané krok za krokem jsou většinou
doplněny o kopírovatelné pracovní listy připravené k přímému použití ve třídě a přinášejí
osvěživé činnosti, které nelze běžně najít v učebnicích.
Příručka An Outline of American Life and Institutions je studijní materiál pro středně
pokročilé studenty. Je psaný jednoduchou angličtinou a zahrnuje tipy k opakování, testy po
každé kapitole a závěrečný test na konci. Publikace je určena především k samostudiu, ale
tím, že jednotlivé testy a klíče i návrhy na opakování látky jsou vždy na samostatné stránce,
je možné je použít i ve třídě podklad pro kontrolní práci. Úroveň je nastavena pro studenty
středních škol a nepřekračuje znalost 1900 slov. V textu jsou zvýrazněny některé výrazy,
které jsou pak na konci brožury vysvětleny. Studenti by měli být vedeni k tomu, aby co
nejvíce používali internet pro získání aktuálních informací a rozšíření svých znalostí.
2
This publication has been created at the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University,
Brno within the framework of NEFLT project.
Network of Educators of Foreign Language Teachers is aimed at “creating a
cooperative network of relationships between the tertiary education of future teachers of
foreign languages and the practical or applied sphere, i.e. between extramural, secondary,
primary, and pre-school educational levels, deepening the ties between the educators of
future foreign language teachers in public schools of higher education and the resulting ties
with the teachers themselves and enhancing cooperation between institutions and the
mutual transfer of experience, i.e. from the applied sphere - a set of real problems and
requirements (especially in the context of school reforms and globalizing tendencies), and
from the tertiary school sphere - reactions within the framework of instruction and expertise
through workshops, seminars, scholarly study materials, contact platforms, and a
methodological advisory centres” (http://neflt.ujep.cz/en).
One of the outcomes of the project is a series of handbooks and booklets for teachers
of foreign languages in which the authors provide new ideas for the lessons. This series tries
to address all possible levels and types of educational institutions. The readers will find, for
example, new approaches of working with translation, teachers of young learners will get a
lot of tips for communicative teaching through games and activities based on a children
story. Other materials come with new ideas how to work creatively with songs, poetry and
literary texts. Procedures and step-by-step instructions are mostly completed by
photocopiable worksheets ready to be used in the classroom and offer creative activities
which cannot be usually found in textbooks.
An Outline of American Life and Institutions is a study material for intermediate
students written in simple English and accompanied with suggestions for revision, tests with
keys after each chapter and a final test at the end. The booklet is intended primarily as a
means of self-study, but since the individual tests and their keys as well as the suggestions
for revision and further studies are always on separate pages, they can be used in the
classroom as revision handouts and ideas for presentations. The readability level is set for
3
secondary school students, not exceeding the knowledge of 1900 words. Throughout the
text, some vocabulary items are highlighted and explained at the final part of the booklet.
Students should be advised to use the Internet as much as possible for updating the
information and widening their knowledge.
4
Contents
1. Geographical Description ................................................................................................................ 8
1.2. Places of Interest ...................................................................................................................... 9
Questions for you to revise ........................................................................................................... 10
Exercise 1.1: Complete the sentences:.......................................................................................... 11
Exercise 1.2: Select the correct answer......................................................................................... 12
Exercise 1.3: Geographical Names ................................................................................................ 13
Exercise 1.4: Answer the questions or fill in the missing words ................................................... 14
Key to the Exercises ....................................................................................................................... 15
2. National Economy in the United States ........................................................................................ 16
2.1 Main Regions in the United States .......................................................................................... 16
2.2 American Industries................................................................................................................. 17
2.3 Farming .................................................................................................................................... 18
2.4 Transportation System ............................................................................................................ 18
2.5 Sources of energy .................................................................................................................... 19
Questions for you to revise ........................................................................................................... 20
Exercise 2.1: Complete the sentences........................................................................................... 21
Exercise 2.2: Find the right answer ............................................................................................... 22
Exercise 2.3: Facts about American economy ............................................................................... 24
Exercise 2.4: Answer the questions or fill in the missing words ................................................... 25
Key to the Exercises ....................................................................................................................... 26
3. The System of Government in the U.S.A. ...................................................................................... 27
3.1 Federal Government ............................................................................................................... 27
3.2 Checks and Balances................................................................................................................ 28
3.3 Local Governments .................................................................................................................. 28
3.4 Political Parties and Elections .................................................................................................. 28
Questions for you to revise ........................................................................................................... 30
5
Exercise 3.1: Complete the sentences........................................................................................... 31
Exercise 3.2: Find the answer ........................................................................................................ 32
Exercise 3.3: True or false? ............................................................................................................ 33
Exercise 3.4: Answer the questions or fill in the missing words ................................................... 34
Key to the Exercises ....................................................................................................................... 35
4. Education in the United States ...................................................................................................... 36
4.1 Elementary and Secondary Schools ........................................................................................ 36
4.2 Colleges and Universities......................................................................................................... 37
4.3 Organization of University Education...................................................................................... 37
Questions for you to revise ........................................................................................................... 39
Exercise 4.1: Find the Meaning ..................................................................................................... 40
Exercise 4.2: Schools and Students ............................................................................................... 40
Exercise 4.3: select the answer ..................................................................................................... 42
Key to the Exercises ....................................................................................................................... 44
5. The Media and the Arts in the United States ................................................................................ 45
5.1 Television ................................................................................................................................. 45
5.2 Radio ........................................................................................................................................ 45
5.3 Press ........................................................................................................................................ 46
5.4 Movies ..................................................................................................................................... 47
5.5 Music ....................................................................................................................................... 47
5.6 American Theatre .................................................................................................................... 48
5.7 Some Modern American Writers and Poets............................................................................ 48
Questions for you to revise ........................................................................................................... 50
Exercise 5.1: Complete the sentences........................................................................................... 51
Exercise 5.2: Select the answers.................................................................................................... 52
Exercise 5.3: Matching test ........................................................................................................... 53
Exercise 5.4: True or false? ............................................................................................................ 54
6
Key to the Exercises ....................................................................................................................... 55
6. FINAL TEST ..................................................................................................................................... 56
Key to the Final Test ...................................................................................................................... 59
Results of the Final Test ................................................................................................................ 61
List of Words...................................................................................................................................... 62
Bibliography and references ............................................................................................................. 64
7
1. Geographical Description
Near the coasts in the east and west are two great mountain ranges, the
Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains, both leading from north to south. Between them
lies a large plain. Northeast of this plain are the Great Lakes. In the middle flows the
Mississippi, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.
Eastward from the Mississippi and the Great Lakes an inclined plain rises until it
meets the slopes of the Appalachian Mountains. Farther east, along the Atlantic coast, is a
flat land and rolling hills. Westward from the Mississippi a sloping plain rises until it reaches
the Rocky Mountains. West of the Rockies are the hills and deserts of Nevada and Arizona.
Nevada is well-known for the gambling casinos in Las Vegas and Arizona’s greatest attraction
is the Grand Canyon.
California is famous for its two ports, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The country
consists of 50 states, the Federal District of Columbia, the US territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin
Islands) and several islands in the South Pacific. The District of Columbia is the seat of the
federal government and Washington, D.C., is the national capital. The most well – known
sites are the White House and the Capitol. The Pentagon, (the seat of the US Department of
Defense), was badly hit in 2001 in a terrorist air attack.
The United States spreads from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic and her neighbors
are Canada in the north and Mexico in the south. The total area of the 50 states exceeds
9,000,000 square kilometers and the total population in 2005 was estimated at over 295
million. The largest states are Alaska and Texas, the smallest state is Rhode Island. The
biggest mountain is Mount McKinley (6,194m) in Alaska. The lowest point is Death Valley in
California (86m below sea level). The longest river is the Mississippi (6,400km). New Orleans,
at the mouth of the Mississippi, is the largest southern harbor. The river Rio Grande
separates the United States from Mexico.
Two famous national parks, located in the West, are Yosemite [jo:’semiti] and
Yellowstone. The principal characteristics of Yosemite are its main waterfalls. Yellowstone,
the oldest and best known national park, is mostly composed of volcanic mountains and has
about 10,000 hot springs and geysers. Alaska is bitterly cold for much of the year. Hawaii, on
the other hand, is a tropical paradise enjoying sunny weather all the year round.
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1.2. Places of Interest
New York City, also nicknamed as “The Big Apple“, is the door to the United States. It
lies at the mouth of the Hudson River and consists of five parts: the Bronx, Brooklyn,
Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond. It is the seat of the United Nations. Wall Street with its
Stock Exchange is the financial heart of American banks. The New York metropolitan area
has a population of over 8 million. With the surrounding cities it has about 15 million
inhabitants. It has a wonderful skyline of skyscrapers and the worst slums. The Twin Towers
of the World Trade Center had been the highest buildings in New York until September 11,
2001, when they were destroyed by two airplanes flown by Islamic extremists. One of the
places of interest is the Central Park, consisting of almost 150,000 square meters.
Chicago has enjoyed a quick rise that, despite the Great Fire of 1871, has continued
to the present day. Today it is a thoroughly modern city. Chicago can boast of some of the
most modern architectural developments in the nation, including the 455-meter-tall Sears
Tower, America’s tallest building.
Philadelphia played an important role in American history, especially in the War of
Independence, but it is also one of the principal cities of the northeastern United States.
Among its historical buildings most notable is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of
Independence was proclaimed and US Constitution drawn up.
9
Questions for you to revise

What countries and oceans surround the United States?

What is the total area and the total population?

What are the two biggest mountain ranges?

Where is the Grand Canyon?

Two important cities and ports in California?

What do you know about Washington, D.C.?

What is the name of the biggest mountain in the US and where does it lie?

Where is the lowest point in the country?

What are the two largest states and what is the name of the smallest state?

Where does New Orleans lie?

What river separates the US from Mexico?

What do you know about two famous national parks in the West?

What do you know about New York?

What can you say about Chicago?

What is Philadelphia famous for?

Check all the proper names on Wikipedia
10
Exercise 1.1: Complete the sentences:
In each empty space write in its correct form the word from the list that best completes the meaning
of the sentence. There are more words on the list than you will need.
capital
Paradise
ports
territories
consist
Parks
slope
touch
gambling
Plain
slums
waterfalls
1) Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands are the most important American _________________ .
2) The United States _______________ Canada on the north.
3) Los Angeles and San Francisco are two important ___________ in California.
4) Las Vegas is well known for its ________________ casinos.
5) Yosemite and Yellowstone are two national ___________.
6) New York City ________________ of five parts.
7) Between the Rocky Mountains and the Appalachians lies a __________.
8) The poorest people in New York live in _____________.
9) Yosemite is famous for its ______________.
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Exercise 1.2: Select the correct answer
Circle the letter that gives the correct answer to the eight questions. Only one answer is correct.
1. The highest mountain range:
A. Rocky Mountains
B. volcanic mountains in Hawaii
C. Appalachian Mountains
D. Mount McKinley
2. Which city is NOT a harbor:
A. Philadelphia
C. New Orleans
B. Los Angeles
D. San Francisco
3. The water boundaries of the United States are not formed by
A. the Pacific Ocean
B. the Mississippi River
C. the Atlantic Ocean
D. the Gulf of Mexico
4. The two largest states in size do NOT include:
A. California
B. Alaska
C. New York
D. Texas
5. The smallest state:
A. Federal District of Columbia
C. Arizona
B. Nevada
D. Rhode Island
6. The famous national park in the West:
A. Yellowstone
C. Death Valley
B. Grand Canyon
D. Central Park
7. Yosemite is famous for
A. geysers
C. volcanoes
B. waterfalls
D. hot springs
8. What building in Washington, D.C., was hit by terrorists in 2001:
A. Sears Tower
B. Independence Hall
C. World Trade Center
D. Pentagon
12
Exercise 1.3: Geographical Names
Expressions on the left are related to different geographical names on the right. Write in the empty
space on the left the letter of the corresponding name. There are more items on the right than
needed.
1. Seat of the United Nations _____
A. McKinley
2. Ocean lying on the west _____
B. New York
3. Highest mountain peak in North America _____
C. Atlantic Ocean
4. Outlying US territory _____
D. Nevada
5. The lowest point in the US _____
E. Rio Grande
6. Separates the US from Mexico _____
F. Rocky Mountains
7. The desert state west of the Rocky Mountains _____
G. Death Valley
H. Virgin Islands
I. Pacific Ocean
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Exercise 1.4: Answer the questions or fill in the missing words
1. What is the total area of the United States? ______________ square km.
2. What city lies at the mouth of the Mississippi River?___________.
3. How high is Mount McKinley? _____________ m
4. The centre of the American financial world: __________________
5. How large is the Central Park in New York? ________________ square meters
6. What two places did the terrorists attack in 2001? ______________
and____________________.
7. What city lies at the mouth of the Hudson River? ______________
8. What is the total population of the US as of 2001? _________ million.
14
Key to the Exercises
Exercise 1.1: Complete the sentences 1. territories; 2. touches; 3. ports; 4. gambling; 5. parks; 6.
consists; 7. plain; 8. slums; 9. waterfalls.
Exercise 1.2: Select the answer 1. A; 2. A; 3. B; 4. C; 5. D; 6. A; 7. B; 8. D
Exercise 1.3: Geographical names 1. B; 2. I; 3. A; 4. H; 5. G; 6. E; 7. D;
Exercise 1.4: Answer the questions 1. 9,000,000; 2. New Orleans; 3. 6,194 ; 4. Wall Street; 5.
150,000; 6. World Trade Center; Pentagon; 7. New York; 8. 281.
15
2. National Economy in the United States
2.1 Main Regions in the United States
Northeast
The Northeast is the most economically and industrially developed region. New York
is the largest city and America’s financial capital. Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania is known as the
center of steel industry. The most important industries in New Jersey are petroleum refining
and food processing. Boston, to the north, is the heart of the New England States. It is an
important commercial and industrial center on the Atlantic coast.
Great Lakes Region
Chicago, the second largest city in the US, is an important railway and shipping
center. It is known for its meat – packing industries and agricultural machinery. Detroit is the
center of automobile industry. The State of Michigan is rich in iron ore and copper.
The Middle West
The Middle West includes the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.
They have the richest farmland in the country. On a typical farm in the Middle West, the
farmer will own about 90 hectares and plant one main crop. He will also have a large herd of
livestock.
The South
Southward from Washington, D.C., begins the south. This area is an agricultural
region specializing in production of cotton, tobacco, vegetables and fruit. Texas leads the
country in petroleum production.
The West
Perhaps the most important state in the West is California, which is an important
producer of petroleum. The West leads in aircraft and computer production. The center of
computer industry is the Silicon Valley in California. Oregon has a developed timber industry.
Idaho is the nation’s leading potato producer.
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Alaska and Hawaii
Alaska is the largest state with a very small population. You must drive through
Canada or take a boat or airplane to get there. It has great ranges of mountains. Its economy
depends largely on fishing, oil fields, mining and lumber. Hawaii consists of many islands. Its
pineapple plantations and beaches are world famous.
2.2 American Industries
In nearly all branches of production and trade, the United States exceeds every other
country. American industry and commerce are based on innovations in industrial methods
and an important role at present is played by the development of computer science. The
most important directions in economic life have been improvement in shipbuilding and
shipping, the mechanization of agriculture, processing of iron and other metals, the refining
of petroleum for fuel, the mass production of durable goods, especially automobiles. From
1880 to just after the middle of the 20th century, the value of mineral production multiplied
over 50 times. The main products include coal, natural gas, petroleum products, metal ores.
The US still has vast quantities of timber which provides an important source for
building industry. By the middle of the 20th century, the forests of the nation were
estimated to contain enough lumber to build a six-room house for every person in the US.
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2.3 Farming
From the early colonial period until the 20th century, farming provided the main
source of income and employment for the nation. Farm production continued to rise
between World War I and World War II, but the percentage of population employed in
agriculture decreased considerably. At the time of the American Revolution (1775 – 83), 95
percent of the population was engaged in agriculture; today only 2-3 percent of the
population is directly employed in agriculture.
The use of new technology has been characteristic of American farmers. By the time
of the American Civil War (1861 – 65) machines were taking over the farmer’s work. After
the war, overproduction became a serious problem for the American farmer. The Great
Depression in the 1930s drove farm prices lower and quite a lot of farmers could not survive
on their land. A great help for them came with the New Deal.
American fisheries provide an important source of income, employment and food.
The main fisheries are in the oceans surrounding the US, including Alaska. Towards the end
of the 20th century there were more than half a million persons employed in fishing
industry.
2.4 Transportation System
The transportation system includes roads, inland waterways, railways and air
transport. The road system can be divided into rural farm – to – market roads, city streets,
and interstate highways. Transportation of passengers within cities was revolutionized by
the automobile, which has practically replaced all tramway lines; only some subways and
transit buses remained. Interstate highways, also called superhighways or throughways,
have two or more traffic lanes in each direction. Many of these highways are toll roads,
where a certain fee must be paid. At National Economy in the United States the beginning of
the 21st century, there were almost 50,000 km of highways.
Two main divisions of inland water transportation exist in the US: shipping on the
Great Lakes and shipping on the rivers and canal systems. Heavy products predominate in
waterway movement. The 19th century was a railway age in the US, but the 20th century
saw a relative decline in the importance of railway transport. Air transport predominates in
18
the transportation of passengers and mail. It seems entirely possible that, in this field,
aviation may revolutionize American transportation in the 21st century much as the railway
did in the 19th.
2.5 Sources of energy
From the start of the nation’s industrial development, the economic progress relied
in the past on an enormous increase in the use of energy from mineral fuels and water
power. An important role is played at present by atomic power plants. More than two thirds
of the nuclear reactors are owned by the federal government and the rest by private
industry.
Meanwhile, American scientists are experimenting with other renewable sources of
energy, including solar energy. Although solar power production is still not economical,
some recent developments might make it more acceptable.
19
Questions for you to revise

What are the main regions in the United States?

Describe each of them.

What is the economic importance of Alaska and Hawaii?

What innovations are American industry and commerce based on?

What has always been an important source for housing construction?

What has been characteristic of American farmers?

What effect did the Great Depression in the 1930s have on the farmers and how were they
helped during that period?

How can the water transportation system be divided?

What is the total length of highways at the beginning of the 21st century?

What are interstate highways also called?

What happened to railroad transport in the 20th century?

What may revolutionize American transportation in the 21st century?

What were two important sources of energy in the past?

What is another important source of energy today?

What may be an important and renewable source of energy in the future?

Check all the proper names on Wikipedia
20
Exercise 2.1: Complete the sentences
In each empty space write in its correct form the word from the list that best completes the meaning
of the sentence. There are more words on the list than you will need.
durable
meat – packing
processing
superhighway
livestock
mineral
rural
forests
lumber
predominate
water power
solar
1. Railway transport does not __________________any more in the transportation system of the
United States.
2. A collective name for cows, horses, sheep and other farm animals is ____________
3. Mass production of ___________goods, especially automobiles, started in the 20th century.
4. American economic progress relied in the past on the use of energy from _________fuels.
5. ________areas in the Middle West are known for their highly developed agricultural production.
6. There are several lanes on American ________________________.
7. Alaska’s economy depends on fishing, oil fields and ____________.
8. Chicago is known for production of agricultural machinery and for its
____________________industry.
9. American ______________contain enormous quantities of lumber.
10. __________________of iron and other metals is a very important part of US economic life.
21
Exercise 2.2: Find the right answer
Put a circle around the letter of the word or group of words that gives the correct answer to the ten
questions. Only one answer is correct.
1. The region with the most developed economy and industry:
A . the South
B . the Middle West
C . the West
D . the Northeast.
2. The heart of the New England states:
A . New York
B . Chicago
C . Boston
D . Philadelphia.
3. The state with the highest petroleum production:
A . Pennsylvania
B . Texas
C . California
D . Alaska.
4. Famous beaches are found in
A . Hawaii
B . New Orleans
C . Ohio
D . Indiana.
5. Waterway movement is mainly concerned with the transport of
A . passengers
B . heavy products
C . cattle
D . petroleum.
6. American nuclear reactors are owned mainly by
A . banks
B . the federal government
C . foreign investors
D . individual states.
7. The road system includes
A . subways
B . railways
C . tramway lines
D . highways.
8. Until the last century the main source of income and employment was
A . farming
B . automobile industry
C . banks
D . fishing industry.
9. How many persons did the fishing industry employ at the turn of the millennium
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A . more than half the million
B . tens of thousands
C . 50 times more than in 1880
D . less than 2 percent
10. The Great Depression in the 1930s made the farmers poor because
A . the prices of farm products went down
B . rural roads were not repaired
C . the number of farmers was reduced to two percent
D . they did not use new technology.
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Exercise 2.3: Facts about American economy
The words on the left are completed by the expressions on the right. Write in the empty space on the
left the letter of the corresponding expression on the right.
1. livestock _____
A. steel plants
2. pineapple _____
B. Alaska
3. Chicago _____
C. Detroit
4. timber industry _____
D. Midwest
5. automobiles _____
E. California
6. Pittsburgh _____
F. New Deal
7. computers _____
G. Oregon
H. Hawaii
I. meat – packing industry
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Exercise 2.4: Answer the questions or fill in the missing words
1. What is the length of American highways? ___________ km.
2. Where is center of computer industry in California? ______________.
3. What metals is Michigan rich in? ___________ and ____________.
4. What is the main source of income and employment until the 20th century? __________________
5. What are called the highways when you have to pay for using them: ______________ roads
6. Air transport is mainly used for transportation of passengers and __________.
7. In the past the most important sources of energy were ________________ and ____________
power.
8. Nowadays the percentage of population employed in agriculture: ____%.
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Key to the Exercises
Complete the sentences: 1 – predominate; 2 – livestock 3 – durable; 4 – mineral; 5 – rural; 6 –
superhighway; 7 – lumber; 8 – meat – packing; 9 – forests; 10 – processing.
Find the right answer: 1 – D; 2 – C; 3 – B; 4 – A; 5 – B; 6 – B; 7 – D; 8 – A; 9 – A; 10 – A.
Facts about American economy: 1 – D; 2 – H; 3 – I; 4 – G; 5 – C; 6 – A; 7 – B;
Answer the questions: 1 – 50,000; 2 – Silicon Valley; 3 – iron, copper; 4 – agriculture; 5 – toll; 6 –
mail; 7 – mineral, water; 8 – 2 - 3%
26
3. The System of Government in the U.S.A.
3.1 Federal Government
According to the US Constitution, the powers of the government are divided between
the federal government and the 50 states.
The federal government consists of three separate branches:

legislative (Congress)

executive (the President and his Cabinet)

judicial (courts).
The legislative branch is made up of elected representatives from all the states. It
consists of the Congress which is responsible for making the federal laws. Congress is divided
into two houses:

Senate

House of Representatives.
The Senate consists of two senators from each state. There are 100 senators who
serve terms of six years each. Approximately one-third of the seats are up for election every
two years. Their total number does not change.
The members of the House of Representatives serve two years. Each member
represents a district in his or her home state and there are altogether 435 representatives.
The number of representatives from each state changes every ten years and depends on the
actual size of the population. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the
Speaker, who is usually the leader of the majority party.
Executive Branch - The chief executive of the United States is the President, who,
together with the Vice President, is elected to a four-year term. A President can be elected
to only two terms. The powers of the President are not without limitations. He often
proposes new laws to Congress and can veto any bill passed by Congress, but this veto can
be overridden by a two – thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
He is Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces. He appoints the heads of executive
departments who form a body called the Cabinet. All his appointments must be approved by
the Senate. The President often represents the United States abroad and makes treaties
27
with other countries. The President can be removed from office only by impeachment, i.e.
when the House of Representatives accuses him of irregular conduct and the Senate convicts
him. The Vice President’s duty is to preside over the Senate.
Judicial Branch - The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court with nine
members. The Court’s most important function is to decide whether congressional
legislation violates the Constitution. Its decisions are final. There are also lower federal
courts in the United States. All judges are appointed for life.
3.2 Checks and Balances
These three branches are not independent of one another so that no one branch
becomes too powerful. The system of checks and balances helps keep serious mistakes from
being made by one branch or another. If Congress passes a law that the President thinks is
not reasonable, he can veto it and the proposal does not become law. But Congress can
override the President’s veto. If Congress passes a law which is then challenged in the courts
as contrary to the Constitution, the Supreme Court has the right to declare that the new law
is unconstitutional and therefore not valid. Congress has some influence over the other two
branches because it controls the Government finances and the Constitution requires the
Senate to approve judicial and executive appointments.
3.3 Local Governments
All state governments have the same three branches as the federal government, but
their functions are mainly concerned with the needs of the state and its residents. At the
head of the executive branch is the Governor. Each state is divided into counties, cities and
villages. Most large cities have an elected mayor and an elected council to help him. No
state law is valid if it conflicts with the Constitution.
3.4 Political Parties and Elections
There are two political parties in the United States, the Democratic and the
Republican. The Democratic Party is considered to be more liberal and the Republican more
conservative. Democrats generally believe that the government should provide social and
economic programs for those who need them. Republicans want to encourage private
28
enterprise and believe that a strong private sector makes citizens less dependent on
government.
Each party holds conventions, nominates candidates, decides upon its program and
conducts the campaigns for the election of its candidates. In each state both political parties
select their candidates by primary elections. Finally, presidential candidates of both parties
are then nominated at the National Conventions.
At the national level, elections are held every two years in November. The voting age
is 18. The President and the Vice President are not elected by direct vote of the people. They
are elected by so-called electors whose number in each state is equal to the number of
Representatives and Senators from that state. Whichever party receives the most votes for
its list of presidential electors wins all the electoral votes of that state.
29
Questions for you to revise

How are the powers of the government divided?

How many separate branches does the federal government consist of?

What are the two houses of the legislative branch?

How many members are there in the House of Representatives and the Senate have?

What are the terms of office for a representative and for a senator?

What is the main duty of Congress?

Who is the head of the executive branch?

What is the Cabinet?

What is impeachment?

What is the most important function of the Supreme Court?

Explain the system of checks and balances.

How are the local governments organized?

What are the two major political parties and how do they operate?

How are the candidates for election nominated?

How are the President and the Vice President elected?

Check all the proper names on Wikipedia
30
Exercise 3.1: Complete the sentences
In each empty space, write the word, in its correct form, from the list that best completes the
meaning of the sentence.
balances
convention
impeachment
primary
council
elections
mayor
senate
checks
Governor
president
Supreme Court
1. The principle of dividing the powers of government into three separate and independent branches
and restricting these powers is called a system of ___________and ___________________.
2. All federal and judicial officers may be removed only by ______________________.
3. The party programs (platforms. of both parties are announced at the sessions of the National
_______________________.
4. The heads of executive departments are appointed by the ________________and approved by the
_________________.
5. An elected ______________, helped by a _______________, directs the affairs of the town.
6. _________________in the United States take place every two years.
7. The _________________is the head of the executive branch in each state.
31
Exercise 3.2: Find the answer
The sentences on the left are completed by the expressions on the right. Write in the empty space on
the left the letter of the corresponding completion on the right. There are more expressions in the
right column than you will need.
1. According to the US Constitution, the powers of government
A. two consecutive terms
are divided between the federal government and _____
2. The federal government has three branches: the legislative,
B. the Senate
the executive and _____
3. The powers of each branch are limited by _____
C. the Governor
4. The US Congress is composed of the Senate and _____
D. the state governments
5. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is
E. unconstitutional
_____
6. The US President is elected for _____
F. the judicial
7. The executive head of each state is called _____
G. the Chief Justice
8. The Supreme Court has the right to declare laws to be _____
H. the Speaker
9. The head of the Supreme Court of the United States is _____
I. a four – year term
J. the House of
Representatives
K. a system of checks and
balances
32
Exercise 3.3: True or false?
Some of the following answers are true, some are wrong. Write T in the empty space before each
sentence if it is True. Write F if it is False.
_____ 1. The Supreme Court has the right to decide whether a law is valid or not.
_____ 2. One third of all the Senators are elected every four years.
_____ 3. The Senate must approve all the members of the President's Cabinet.
_____ 4. The total number of members of the House of Representatives is changed every ten years.
_____ 5. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is usually the leader of the majority
party.
_____ 6. The Supreme Court has nine members.
_____ 7. There are 100 senators in the US Senate.
_____ 8. Presidential candidates are approved by the Senate.
_____ 9. The delegates to the party conventions nominate presidential candidates.
33
Exercise 3.4: Answer the questions or fill in the missing words
1. What may be used by the president to refuse a congressional bill: ___________.
2. How many members does the House of Representatives have? ________.
3. The term of office for a senator is ______ years.
4. The voting age is ______ years.
5. Who can override the president? _________________together with ___________________
by a two – thirds vote.
6. What are the elections called where party members elect party candidates for presidency:
___________________________.
7. What is the term of office for a member of the House of Representatives: ______years.
8. What must no federal or state law conflict with: ___________________________________.
34
Key to the Exercises
Exercise 3.1: Complete the sentences 1 – checks, balances; 2 – impeachment; 3 – Convention; 4 –
President, Senate; 5 – mayor, council.; 6 – elections; 7 – Governor.
Exercise 3.2: Find the answer 1 – D; 2 – F; 3 – K; 4 – J; 5 – H; 6 – I; 7 – C; 8 – E; 9 – G.
Exercise 3.3: True or false? 1 – T; 2 – F; 3 – T; 4 – F; 5 – T; 6 – T; 7 – F; 8 – F; 9 – T.
Exercise 3.4: Answer the questions or fill in the missing words 1 – veto; 2 – 435; 3 – six; 4 – 18; 5 –
the Senate, the House of Representatives; 6 – primary elections; 7 – two; 8 – the Constitution.
35
4. Education in the United States
4.1 Elementary and Secondary Schools
Almost 90 percent of American students below the college level attend public
primary schools: elementary (Grades 1 – 4) and middle schools (Grades 5 – 7). Secondary or
high schools have Grades 8 – 12. Primary and secondary schools do not charge tuition, but
they are paid by local or state authorities.
All states require young people to attend school. In most states required
(compulsory) attendance is up to age 16, in some up to 18. In order to graduate, all
American students must successfully complete 12th Grade.
Most of the students who do not attend public primary or high schools attend private
schools, for which their families pay tuition. There is also a small but growing number of
parents who educate their children themselves; this practice is known as home schooling. In
some schools children can attend kindergartens at the age of five.
Although there is no national curriculum, certain subjects are taught in practically all
primary or secondary schools throughout the country. Almost every elementary school, for
example, teaches mathematics, English (including reading, grammar, writing and literature),
science, social studies (history, geography, economics) and physical education. Nowadays
practically in every school children are taught how to use computers.
Each state determines its own educational policy. In addition to required courses,
secondary schools offer electives. Popular electives include driver’s education, cooking,
home economics (household management) and “shop” (use of tools and repair of
machines).
36
High school lasts, as a rule, four years. Its objective is to provide

a general education for all students

subjects useful for those who will leave high school for employment

preparatory education for those planning to enter college.
The high school student usually studies 4 – 5 major subjects per year in addition to
several minor subjects. If they fail a course, they repeat only that course and not the work of
the whole year. High schools are generally coeducational.
4.2 Colleges and Universities
A college is a four – year institution of higher learning. But colleges can also be
different parts of universities. A large university typically consists of several colleges and one
or more professional schools (for example, a law school or a medical school). In many areas,
junior colleges provide a bridge between high school and four – year colleges for some
students. In junior colleges, students can generally complete their first two years of college
courses at low cost and remain close to home.
Every state has its own university or several colleges. Unlike public elementary or
secondary schools, public colleges and universities usually charge tuition, which does not
cover room and board. Some outstanding students may get scholarships (fellowships). Many
students get federal loans that must be repaid after graduation. Because of high cost of
education many students work part – time while continuing their studies.
The students attending college or university are called “freshmen” in the first year,
“sophomores” in the second, “juniors” in the third and “seniors” in the fourth year of their
studies.
4.3 Organization of University Education
Four years of study are usually necessary to get the bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.Sc.)
with at least one additional year for the master’s degree (M.A. or M.Sc.) The highest
university degree is the doctor’s degree. American universities use the credit or point
system, as a rule requiring 120 credits for the B.A. degree. The average student takes about
15 credits per semester. Some schools charge tuition according to the number of credits
taken by the student. Many prominent universities continue their school work in summer,
37
usually covering six weeks in July and August. The final ceremony when university students
get their diplomas is called graduation.
The President of a university is helped in his/her function by a Board of Trustees. All
colleges and universities try to secure additional financial resources in the form of
endowments (grants), donations from former graduates (alumni) and other gifts. Private
colleges and universities are located mostly in the Northeast and the best are Harvard, Yale,
Princeton and Columbia University. There is no clear distinction between the quality of
education provided at public and private colleges. This does not mean that all institutions
are equal. A student who has graduated from a highly regarded college may have a distinct
advantage as he or she looks for employment. Thus competition to get into the more
renowned schools can be intense. The most popular extra – curricular activity are sports and
games. A typical students’ organization on the campus are fraternities for men and sororities
for women. They are designated by Greek letters. Most of these organizations are open only
to selected students chosen by the members of the fraternities or sororities. Some of them,
however, accept their members on the basis of the students’ academic achievement.
38
Questions for you to revise

How many grades do most primary schools and how many have high schools have?

What is the required school attendance?

What is home schooling?

What subjects does almost every elementary school teach?

What are “electives”?

What is the objective of high schools?

What are major and minor subjects?

What is the difference between “college” and “university”?

What is “junior college”?

What do public and private colleges charge?

How are university students helped in case of financial difficulties?

What is the “credit system”?

What are the three main university degrees?

What are the best universities in the Northeast?

What are some extracurricular activities and organizations on the campus?

Check all the proper names on Wikipedia
39
Exercise 4.1: Find the Meaning
Circle the letter of the word (or group of words) that best fits the meaning of each numbered
expression.
1. Coeducational
A. a co-operative school
C. compulsory
2. Campus
A. university grounds
C. sports field
3. Home economics
A. finances
C. governmental department
4. Home schooling
A. special schools for women
C. help to weak students
5. Tuition
A. truth
C. fellowship
6. Minor
A. worker in coal mines
C. less important
7. Trustee
A. college student
C. university president
8. Fraternity
A. parents
C. social organization of university
9. Scholarship
A. higher school for ship crews
C. money paid to needy students
B. open to boys and girls
D. selective
B. military barracks
D. rural school
B. saving of money
D. household management
B. teaching by parents
D. private school
B. intuition
D. money paid for university courses
B. national minority
D. musical term
B. monopoly
D. member of a university governing board
B. university organization for girls students
D. all brothers in a family
B. co. educational school
D. curriculum
Exercise 4.2: Schools and Students
The definitions on the left are related to different expressions on the right. Write in the empty space
on the left the letter of the corresponding expression.
1. School with grades one to seven
A. Board of Trustees
2. College students in their second year
B. President
3. Institutions of higher education containing several colleges
C. Sophomores
40
4. Attended by pre-school children
D. Kindergarten
5. Secondary school in the United States
E. Coeducational
6. Head of a university
F. Juniors
7. School where boys and girls learn together
G) Elementary school
H) High school
I) University
41
Exercise 4.3: select the answer
Put a circle around the letter that best completes the sentence. Only one answer is correct.
1. Education required by law is called
A – secondary
C – compulsory
B – decentralized
D – elective
2. What is NOT determined by individual states:
A – tuition fees for private schools
B – educational policies
C – curricula
D – length of required school attendance
3. The American high schools do NOT provide
A – general education
C – special preparation for teaching
B – preparation for college
D – study of subjects needed for employment
4. A course of study or a programme of study is called
A – curriculum
B – organization
C – integration
D – elementary
5. University degrees in the United States do NOT include the degree of
A – Master of Science
B – Bachelor of Arts
C – Bachelor of Science.
D – Senior
6. To get the bachelor’s degree the student must
A – study at least five years
B – have about 120 credit points
C – have a scholarship
D – graduate from a summer school
7. Tuition fees charged by universities do NOT include
A – room and board
B – use of laboratories
C – use of libraries
D – charge for courses.
8. A ceremony at which diplomas are received is called:
A – sorority
B – coeducation
C – appointment
D – graduation.
42
Exercise 4.4: Complete the statements about American schools and
universities
1. The head of a university is called ____________________.
2. The governing body of a university is ________________________.
3. Up to what age is the minimum school attendance in most states: _________.
4. University grounds are called: ____________.
5. What are university students in their fourth year of studies called: ____________.
6. How many major subjects does the high school student usually study in a year: ___or____.
7. The subject which the high-school or university student specializes in is called:
_____________.
8. The three highest university degrees are: bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and
__________degree.
9. Where can students complete their first two years of college courses? _________________
10. What are grants to universities called? ___________________.
43
Key to the Exercises
Exercise 4.1: Find the meaning 1 – B; 2 – A; 3 – D; 4 – B; 5 – D; 6 – C; 7 – D; 8 – C; 9 – C.
Exercise 4.2: Schools and students 1 – G; 2 – C; 3 – I; 4 – D; 5 – H; 6 – B; 7 – E.
Exercise 4.3: Select the answer 1 – C; 2 – A; 3 – C; 4 – A; 5 – D; 6 – B; 7 – A; 8 – D.
Exercise 4.4: Complete the statements about American schools and universities 1 – President; 2 –
Board of Trustees; 3 – 16; 4 – campus; 5 – seniors; 6 – 4 or 5; 7 – major; 8 – doctor’s; 9 – junior
college; 10 – endowments.
44
5. The Media and the Arts in the United States
Mass media of the United States consist of several different types of communications
media: television, radio, cinema, press, i. e. newspapers, magazines as well as Internet-based
websites. As far as arts are concerned, the United States is often said to be a cultural melting
pot because it is a place where influences from across the world come together and new
methods of cultural expression are created.
5.1 Television
According to a recent study, the average American spends about eight hours a day
with the print and electronic media either at home, at work or on the road. This includes
four hours watching television, three hours listening to the radio, a half an hour listening to
recorded music, and another half an hour reading the newspaper. All this shows the
importance of mass media in the life of Americans.
Since World War II television has developed into the most popular medium in the
United States. Practically every American home has at least one TV set and 65 percent have
two or more. Three biggest privately owned companies (NBC – National Broadcasting
Corporation, CBS – Columbia Broadcasting System and ABC – American Broadcasting
Company) offer free programs financed by commercials. In the 1980s the pay cable
television spread very rapidly. Among the new cable channels are several that show movies
24 hours a day; CNN (Cable News Network) broadcasts news around the clock. In addition to
commercial TV stations, there are about 350 public stations serving local community
interests.
5.2 Radio
The beginning of commercial radio broadcasts in 1920 brought a new source of
information and entertainment directly into American homes. Despite the importance of
television, radio is still a very popular medium at the beginning of the 21st century. Ninetynine percent of American households in 1999 had at least one radio set; the average is five
per household. There are approximately 10,000 commercial stations, and 2,500 noncommercial stations, in the United States. Most of these are financed by public funds and
45
private donations. A new form of radio which is gaining popularity is satellite radio and a
number of radio stations streaming live on the internet.
5.3 Press
The history of American newspapers begins as early as the beginning of 18th century
with the publication of the first colonial newspapers. The creation of chains of newspapers
dates from the early 20th century. This trend accelerated after World War II and at the
beginning of the 21st century about 75 percent of all US daily papers are owned by
newspaper chains.
The top five daily newspapers by circulation in 1995 were the Wall Street Journal,
USA Today , the New York Times , Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. The biggest
American newspapers are available on the Internet and anyone with the Internet access can
read papers from across the country. Two most popular magazines are Times and
Newsweek. Two biggest international news agencies are Associated Press (AP) and United
Press International (UPI).
The front page of an American newspaper contains the most important articles of the
day. The headlines tell the reader what the story is about and by their size indicate its
importance. The opening paragraph of a news article is called the lead and contains all the
essential facts of the story. The rest of the article gives additional details organized according
to their importance. Some articles have a byline just under the headline, indicating who
wrote the. Some magazines (notably Reader's Digest) place bylines at the bottom of the
page, to leave more room for graphical elements around the headline. The opinions of the
editor are found on the editorial page. Advertising provides the main source of income.
46
5.4 Movies
Moving pictures have been one of the most important American contributions to
world entertainment. The major companies are located in the Hollywood section of Los
Angeles. But many of the most interesting American movies are made by independent
companies and sometimes make little profit. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts in
Hollywood annually awards prizes, or Oscars, to the best American as well as foreign films.
Awards are made in several categories.
5.5 Music
Native Americans were the earliest inhabitants and played the first American music.
Immigrants from Europe began arriving in large numbers at the beginning of the 17th
century, bringing with them new styles and instruments. African slaves brought their own
musical traditions, and each subsequent wave of immigrants contributed to the melting pot.
Many American classical composers tried to write music based on European models until
late 19th century. When Antonín Dvořák visited the United States in 1892, he expressed the
idea that American classical music should find its own models instead of imitating European
composers and he helped to inspire composers to make a distinctly American style of
classical music, which appeared when such composers as George Gershwin and Aaron
Copland used native melodies and rhythms in their work. Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and
his opera Porgy and Bess were influenced by jazz and Afro-American folk songs.
Jazz is a music genre that appeared at the end of the 19th century within the AfricanAmerican communities of the Southern United States and quickly became more popular
than ragtime as the mainstream music in the early 1920s. There is a number of different
styles, such as traditional jazz, swing, modern jazz, etc.
By the early 1950s traditional jazz (represented by performers such as Duke Ellington,
Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald) had lost some of its attraction. A number of
new forms of pop music came into existence, for example blues, rock, R&B, gospel, soul,
funk, heavy metal, punk, disco, house, techno and American pop music has had a significant
influence on global culture.
47
Just to name a handful of popular songwriters: Irving Berlin, widely considered one of
the greatest songwriters in American history; Cole Porter, one of the major songwriters for
the Broadway musical stage; Bob Dylan, an influential figure in popular music and culture for
more than five decades; Johnny Cash, considered one of the most influential American
musicians of the 20th century; Tom Waits; Suzanne Vega, known for her folk-inspired music;
Joan Baez, an American folk singer, songwriter, musician, and political activist; Linda Perry;
the recently deceased Lou Reed and his wife Laurie Anderson. (see Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:American_singer-songwriters for others).
People in America are interested in classical music, too. The best known symphony
orchestras are the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Washington National
Symphony Orchestra. Famous singers, musicians and orchestras give their concerts in
Carnegie Hall in New York.
5.6 American Theatre
The modern period of American theatre may be said to have begun in 1918 by the
establishment of the Theatre Guild in New York, the first commercially successful art
theatre. Since that time, Broadway has become the theatrical center of the United States.
Community theatres present noncommercial plays in small theatres for small audiences.
University theatres are established in many colleges and universities. The musical shows
after 1930 gained in popularity with musicals like My Fair Lady or Hello, Dolly.
One of the outstanding playwrights of the first half of the century was the Nobel
Prize winner Eugene O’Neill. Over the period after World War II two playwrights
predominated: Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller who wrote dramas including plays such
as All My Sons (1947), Death of a Salesman (1949), The Crucible (1953) and A View from the
Bridge. Another prominent figure in American theatre was Edward Albee, known for works
such as The Zoo Story (1958), The Sandbox (1959), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962).
5.7 Some Modern American Writers and Poets
American literature was shaped by the history of the country. This long and
sometimes difficult road found its expression in the work of many American writers, who
were describing and criticizing social evils facing the modern United States. Among them
should be mentioned Sinclair Lewis (Nobel Prize winner in 1930) and Pearl Buck, who for a
48
long time until 1993 was the only American woman writer that received this prize (1938).
After World War II, American literature took on a new life. Three of the nation’s leading
novelists received Nobel Prizes – William Faulkner in 1949, Ernest Hemingway in 1954 and
John Steinbeck in 1962. In the following decades other writers were awarded the same prize:
Saul Bellow in 1976, Isaac Singer in 1978, William Golding in 1983 and Toni Morrison in 1993.
Even though a strong oral tradition often similar to poetry existed among Native
Americans and poems were written from the very beginning of the colonization of America,
first high quality English-language poetry in the United States was the work of two 19th
century poets Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Since then generations of outstanding
poets from Ezra Pound and T. S. Eliot, Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, up to present day
performers of slum poetry and singer-songwriters whose lyrics can be considered poetry as
well have been published in various forms including a number of new online journals, 'zines,
blogs and other websites.
49
Questions for you to revise

How much time does an average American spend daily with mass media?

What are the three biggest TV companies in the Unites States and what is CNN?

How many commercial TV stations and how many public stations are there?

What is the percentage of American households having at least one radio set?

How many commercial radio stations and how many public stations exist in the country?

What is the percentage of all US dailies owned by newspaper chains?

What are the five biggest US newspapers?

What has the Internet made possible?

What are the two most popular magazines?

What are the two most important news agencies?

Describe an American newspaper.

Where are located the main film companies and their studios?

What are the Oscars?

Look up American composers and songwriters on the Internet. Choose two and prepare a
presentation.

The names of performers representing traditional jazz.

Name two famous American symphony orchestras.

What is the Theatre Guild?

What are community and university theatres?

Look up American playwrights on the Internet. Choose two and prepare a presentation.

Who among US writers was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature before and after World
War II?

Look up American Nobel Laureates in on the Internet. Choose two and prepare a
presentation.

Look up American film stars and pop groups on the Internet. Choose two and prepare a
presentation.

Check all the proper names on Wikipedia
50
Exercise 5.1: Complete the sentences
Write the word (in its correct form) from the list that best completes the meaning of the sentence.
There are more words on the list than you will need.
advertize
commercial
Internet
musical
award
feature
lead
native
chain
headline
medium
playwright
1. Television is the most popular _______________ for most Americans.
2. Private TV stations are financed by _________________ and newspapers by _________________.
3. About three quarters of US daily papers belong to newspaper ___________.
4. Most big American newspapers appear on the ___________________.
5. The ________gives the readers the most essential facts of newspaper articles.
6. George Gershwin incorporated ___________melodies in his work.
7. Tennessee Williams is considered one of the outstanding ________________________in the US.
8. “My Fair Lady” is one of the most popular ________________all over the world
9. Every year, the Oscars are _____________by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts to the best films.
51
Exercise 5.2: Select the answers
Put a circle around the letters of two words or groups of words that give the correct answer. Two
answers must be given.
1. Two famous orchestras:
A – Theatre Guild
B – Carnegie Hall
C – New York Philharmonic Orchestra
D – Washington National Symphony Orchestra
2. Two of the most popular musicals:
A – Rhapsody in Blue
B – Hello, Dolly
C – Porgy and Bess
D – My Fair Lady
3. In the 1950's two of the traditional jazz interpreters were
A – Louis Armstrong
B – Elvis Presley
C – Irving Berlin
D – Duke Ellington
4. Two of the biggest news agencies:
A – Cable News Network
B – Associated Press
C – United Press International
D – Newsweek
5. Two of the biggest American TV networks:
A – NBC
B – CBS
C – HBO
D – UPI
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Exercise 5.3: Matching test
Expressions on the left are related to different names on the right. Write in the empty space on the
left the letters of two corresponding names.
1. Traditional jazz _____
A. William Faulkner
2. Nobel Prize winners _____
B. Aaron Copland
3. Two composers _____
C. Ella Fitzgerald
4. Two famous playwrights _____
D. Arthur Miller
5. Two most popular American magazines _____
E. Tennessee Williams
F. Glenn Miller
G. Cole Porter
H. Newsweek
I. Sinclair Lewis
J. George Gershwin
K. Herald Tribune
L. Time
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Exercise 5.4: True or false?
Write T in the empty space before each sentence, if it is true. Write F if it is false.
1. ___All US dailies are in the hands of newspaper chains.
2. ___The sponsors have to bear a small part of expenses of American TV stations and the viewers
pay the rest.
3. ___There are more than 1,400 public radio stations.
4. ___In the 1980s the pay cable television became widespread.
5. ___Most American newspapers can be seen on the Internet.
6. ___Many interesting American films are made by independent companies.
7. ___Hollywood is the theatrical center of the United States.
8. ___CNN broadcasts films around the clock.
9. ___Pearl Buck received the Nobel Prize of Literature in 1938.
10. ___On the average, Americans spend about five hours daily with the newspapers and electronic
media
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Key to the Exercises
Exercise 5.1: Complete the sentences 1 – medium; 2 – commercials, advertising; 3 – chains, 4 –
Internet; 5 – lead; 6 – native; 7 – playwrights; 8 – musicals; 9 – awarded.
Exercise 5.2: Select the answers 1 – C, D; 2 – B, D; 3 – A, D; 4 – B, C; 5 – A, B.
Exercise 5.3: Matching test 1 – C, F; 2 – A, I; 3 – B, J; 4 – D, E; 5 – H, L.
Exercise 5.4: True or false? 1 – F; 2 – F; 3 – T; 4 – T; 5 – T; 6 – T; 7 – F; 8 – F; 9 – T; 10 – F.
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6. FINAL TEST
If you know the right answers straight away, you will need only about half an hour to finish the Final
Test successfully. If you have to look them up in the text, it might take longer. After finishing, check
the evaluation table and decide if your knowledge is good enough or whether you will have to return
to some of the passages later.
Fill in the information and if you are not sure, see the appropriate section the chapter given in the
brackets after each item.
1. What countries are bordering on the US: Canada and ____________. (Chapter 1/Subchapter 1)
2. The total area of the US is _____________square km and the population _____million inhabitants.
(1/1)
3. Two national parks in the West: ________________and ___________________. (1/1)
4. Two biggest mountain ranges: _________________________and _____________________. (1/1)
5. The longest river is the _____________________and the harbor lying at its mouth is
_____________________. (1/1)
6. The climate is extremely varied, from bitterly cold Alaska to a tropical paradise of
______________. (1/2)
7. Two most important cities in the Great Lakes Region: ____________and _______________. (2/1)
8. American industry and commerce are based on _____________________in industrial methods
and on the development of ______________science. (2/2)
9. American farmers are characterized by their readiness to use new ____________________. (2/3)
10. The main _________________are in the oceans around the US and employ more than half the
million persons. (2/3)
11. The US transportation system includes roads, water transportation, railways
and________transport. (2/4)
12. Sources of energy in the US are mineral fuels, water power and __________power plants. (2/5)
13. The federal government consists of three branches: legislative, executive and
_________________. (3/1)
14. The term of office for a ___________________is two years and for a senator _______years. (3/1)
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15. The President appoints his __________________consisting usually from 10 to 12 departments;
he is also ________________________of the armed forces. (3/1)
16. The President can be removed from office by ____________________. (3/1)
17. The system of checks and ________________prevents serious mistakes from being made by any
of the three branches. (3/2)
18. The head of the executive branch in local governments is the __________________. (3/3)
19. Presidential candidates of both political parties are chosen at _________________elections.
(3/4).
20. National elections are held every _____years in November. (3/4)
21. The US system of education consists of primary schools, _______________schools and
universities. (4/1)
22. Required school attendance is mostly up to age _____. (4/1)
23. In private schools _________must be paid. (4/1)
24. There is no uniform national school system and no obligatory courses of study, i.e.
_________________, are set. (4/1)
25. High school students usually study 4 – 5 _________subjects per year in addition to minor
subjects. (4/1)
26. American universities and colleges are financed by the students’ tuition, by ___________ and by
money from former ______________. (4/3)
27. Four years of study, usually amounting to _______credits (or points) are required for
the________________________. (4/3)
28. The biggest TV companies are: National Broadcasting Corporation,
__________________________System and ______________________________ Company. (5/1)
29. __________News Network broadcasts news 24 hours a day. (5/1)
30. There are ____________commercial radio stations. (5/1)
31. Private TV stations are financed by ____________________. (5/1)
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32. The biggest dailies can be read every day on the ___________________(5/3)
33. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts awards annually _____________for the best films. (5/4)
34. Typical representatives of traditional jazz were Duke ___________________and Louis
___________________. (5/5)
35. Two playwrights predominated after World War II: _____________________________and
______________________. (5/6)
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Key to the Final Test
1 – Mexico
2 – 9,000,000, 295
3 – Yosemite, Yellowstone
4 – Rocky Mountains, Appalachians
5 – Mississippi, New Orleans
6 – Hawaii
7 – Chicago, Detroit
8 – innovations, computer
9 – technologies
10 – fisheries,
11 – air
12 – atomic
13 – judicial
14 – representative, 6/six
15 – Cabinet, Commander-in-Chief
16 – impeachment
17 – balances
18 – Governor
19 – primary
20 – two
21 – high
22 – 16
23 – tuition
24 – curricula
25 – major
26 – grants, graduates
27 – 120, bachelor’s degree
28 – Columbia Broadcasting, American Broadcasting
29 – Cable
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30 – 10,000
31 – commercials
32 – Internet
33 – Oscars
34 – Ellington, Armstrong
35 – Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller.
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Results of the Final Test
Write here the number of wrong answers in the Final Test: _________.
According to the number of wrong answers, in the following table you will find an evaluation of your
knowledge of American life and institutions.
Number of wrong answers
0–7
Evaluation of your knowledge
You have a very good knowledge of American life and
institutions. Congratulations!
You have a good knowledge of American life and
institutions. We suggest you revise those items where you
8 – 20
have made an error. Numbers in brackets after each
question indicate the Unit and the Section where the
answer can be found.
More than 20
Erase all your answers in the FINAL TEST, study again the
text of all Units and try this FINAL TEST once more.
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List of Words
ALUMNUS – a former university student (plural alumni)
CAMPUS – grounds round a school or university
COAST – the land along or near a sea or ocean
CONSIDER – to think of or regard (someone or something) in a specified way
COEDUCATIONAL – attended by students of both sexes
COMMANDER -IN-CHIEF – the supreme commander of the armed forces
COMMERCIAL – noun: a paid advertisement, adjective: related to or used in the buying and selling of
goods and services
CONSIST OF – to be made up of
CURRICULUM – the courses that are taught by a school, college, etc. (plural curricula)
DONATION – a gift
DURABLE – lasting a long time
ENDOWMENT – money given to a university for specific projects
ELECTIVE – a subject that can be chosen by the student
ESTABLISHMENT – the act of starting something that will last for a long time
GRADUATE – verb: to finish high school or university; noun: a person who has already graduated
(consult the dictionary for the difference in pronunciation!)
HANDFUL – a very small number of people or things
HERD – all the farm animals of one kind
INTERNET ACCESS – Internet connection
LANE – a strip marked on a street or highway to accommodate a single line of vehicles
LIVESTOCK – horses, cows etc. on a farm
LUMBER – harvested wood manufactured into boards
MAINSTREAM – thoughts, beliefs, and choices that are accepted by the largest number of people
MAJOR – a field of study in which the student specializes
MAYOR – the chief officer of a city
MELTING POT – a metaphor used for places where immigrants of different cultures or races form an
integrated society
MINOR – less important
MOUNTAIN RANGE – a series of more or less connected mountains ranged in a line or related in
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origin
NATIVE – born in a certain place, belonging to a certain country
OUTSTANDING – excellent
OVERRIDE – disregard, overrule
PLAIN – flat country
PLAYWRIGHT – dramatist
PREDOMINATE – to exist in large numbers, amount, quantity
PROCESSING – to prepare by a special production method
REQUIRE – demand, ask
RESOURCE –a supply of something (such as money) that someone has and can use when it is needed
RURAL – relating to, or characteristic of the country or farming; agricultural
SCIENCE – study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observations
SCHOLARSHIP – money or other aid to help the student
SIGNIFICANT – very important
SLOPE –the side of a hill or a mountain
SLUM – area of a city characterized by poverty and dirt
SUBSEQUENT – following in time or order; succeeding
TIMBER – standing or felled trees, before they are milled into boards referred to as lumber (US
usage)
TOLL – charge for permission to pass along a highway
TUITION – charge for instruction
VALID – legal, lawful
ZINE – shortened form of the word magazine, a small magazine written by people who are not
professional writers
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Bibliography and references
BERKA, Miroslav a HOLUBOVÁ, Geraldina. American history: American Life and Institutions. Dotisk 1.
vyd. Brno: Státní jazyková škola, 1991. 100 s. ISBN 80-900067-9-5.
STEVENSON, Douglas K. American Life and Institutions, Přepracované vydání. Klett, 1996, 176 s.
ISBN3125138000, 9783125138001
http://aboutusa.japan.usembassy.gov/e/jusa-portrait-usa12.html
http://en.wikipedia.org
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