Tasks 1 Understanding the text Some of the statements below are not correct. Can you find out which ones are not true and correct them? a Christopher Columbus discovered America. b The Vikings were the first people who actually lived in America. c There are 52 states in the USA. d There are no superpowers left in the world. e Many Americans say that they wish for a good life for their family. f It can be difficult to find a bus in America outside the cities. g America is still the land of the free. h Americans have more or less stopped going to church. i The American Dream is still alive.
2 Reflection Go back to the mind map you made before reading this text. Is there anything about the map that you would like to change now? Something that should be added, or taken away?
3 Looking at language a The language Josie uses is the type we use when we talk to our friends. This is typical of language used on online forums and social media. Go through her answers again, and see if you can spot at least four examples of informal language. (See page 98 for help on informal language.) b What sort of person do you think Josie might be, judging from her answers? Does she come across as typically American in any way?
4 Writing The American Dream is very important to many Americans. Write a story in which someone’s dream of fame and fortune comes true. You may choose one of these ways to begin your story: – On her way home from the night-shift, Mary Watson found a coin on the sidewalk … – Silje had always dreamed of moving to America to become a Hollywood star … – Juan was really excited on his first day at work in New York. He knew he would have to work hard to make it in the USA …
5 Talking Stereotypes are often unfair and untrue descriptions of a group of people with a particular characteristic. For example: all teenagers are lazy / all Americans are fat / all Englishmen are polite. People from different countries have been asked what they think about Norwegians. Here is what they had to say: – “Norwegians are not easy to get to know.” – “Norwegians work hard enough while at work, the problem is they’re not at work long enough.” – “Norwegians have no sense of humor.” a Discuss in groups whether you think these statements give a correct picture of Norwegians. hour in “The land of the automobile” – rush New York City
b Are there other (perhaps totally different) characteristics and attitudes you would say are typically Norwegian? If so, which ones? NOrth america
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