Track 18
LEAD-IN
UNIT 4B
NATIONAL DIVERSITY
1D o you think that people in foreign countries are different from people in yours? If you do, what differences can you mention? 2 Which of the following do you think is the best way to learn about the characteristics of a nation?
Travelling to a foreign country Having a computer pen friend Reading books by foreign authors
Meeting foreign people Watching films
READING
ни ке
Read the text once and circle the correct answer according to the opinions expressed in the talk show.
за
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1. The three young Brits have learned about America a. from books and films. b. by meeting people. 2. Americans ................... people they don’t know. a. don’t mind talking to b. don’t socialize with 3. Americans seem to a. enjoy life and work. b. spend a lot of time enjoying themselves. 4. In modern times, different nationalities have many characteristics in common. a. True b. False
За
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The British journalist Mark Lowell asked Anna Perry, Ian Holmes and Michael Wright, three young Brits who had just returned from America, to take part in his talk show on national differences. Mark Lowell: Do you think that there are stereotypes that can be applied to the Americans and the English? Ian: When we talk about national stereotypes, most of the time these images are created by popular books, animated cartoons, films or propaganda. Although these types of behaviour are certainly not exclusively typical of only one nationality, I believe that there are some characteristics which can be found in most Americans or Englishmen. Anna: I often heard the Americans boasting about their friendliness and openness. I think it is true that they are, on the whole, much more spontaneous than the British. They are generous (they spend a lot of money on all kinds of charities), lively and amusing, kind, good-tempered, goodhumoured and inquisitive. On the other hand, the English are considered to be more reserved; they like to keep themselves to themselves and praise privacy.
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