美国文化背景.docx

1、美国文化背景1-1The population of the United States is over 250 million people. American family names Adams, Barbarino, Chan, Gomez, Kim, Kessler, Yamada show that its people, or their parents or grandparents, come from countries all over the world.Many people say that America is like a vegetable soup. Eac

2、h national group is important and adds to the flavor of America. Alexandra is living with a Hispanic family. Hispanic-Americans come from places such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central America, and South America. Hispanics, Greek-Americans, Chinese-Americans, and other people from around the worl

3、d are proud to remember their cultures and traditions. They often speak their native languages and follow many of their old customs at home. At school or at work, and on national holidays like Thanksgiving, however, everyone is an American.1-2When Richard Stewart introduced his family to Alexandra P

4、appas, he said, This is my wife Marilyn And this is my mother, Ellen Stewart and my father, Dr. Philip Stewart.Americans usually make introductions with first names and last names. They usually dont use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss in an introduction because they feel that these titles are very formal. I

5、n fact, if someone calls an American Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss, he or she usually says, Please call me Dave or Jane or Sandra. Americans usually call you by your first name right away, too. When they use first names, they are being friendly, not impolite.But if you are not comfortable with calling som

6、eone by his or her first name, especially an older person, dont! Alexandra says, Thanks, Mrs. Stewart. Medical doctors, judges, college officials, military officers, and clergy are usually addressed with an occupational title, however. Examples of occupational titles are Dr. Stewart, Judge Brown, De

7、an Rafer, Captain Snyder, and Father OHara. Of course you can always be very polite and call a man Sir or a woman Maam if you are not sure of his or her name.1-3Most Americans are happy to give directions on the street. When Harry asked for direction, he started with Excuse me. This is the usual way

8、 to begin a conversation with a stranger or to ask for information.When asking for directions, it often helps to add a little explanation, such as Im new here or Im afraid Im lost. You can also start with a question, such as Do you know this area? or Can you tell me how to get to ?Always repeat the

9、directions after you hear them. Repeating will help you remember, and it shows the person helping you that you understand.1-4Harry and Susan went on a blind date. They didnt know each other before. Blind dates are common in the United States. A family member of friend may know a man and a woman who

10、have a lot in common who share the same interests or background. So the friend or family member will arrange a blind date for the man and woman to meet.Some people enjoy blind dates very much. They like meeting and finding out about someone new. Other people get very nervous at the idea of meeting a

11、nd spending time with someone they dont know. Single people can also meet each other through clubs and organizations, such as church or political groups, or through dating services.1-5Most Americans retire after the age of sixty. The usual age of retirement is 65, although some people retire at 55 o

12、r younger. Other Americans do not retire at 55 or younger. Other Americans do not retire until they are in their seventies. This type of late retirement is more frequent now as population growth in the United States slows down, and the average age of the citizens increases.Most senior citizens want

13、to remain active after they retire. For many, retirement is an opportunity to pursue lifelong hobbies or interests.Americans usually make plans for their retirement well in advance. Their income after retirement may include interest on bank savings and a company pension. Americans also receive Socia

14、l Security payments from the federal government.Many retirees move to warm parts of the country. The Sunbelt the southern states has many retirement communities. In some town in Florida, for example, most of the citizens are retired person.1-6In the U.S., senior citizens often have to make decisions

15、 similar to those that Grandpa must make. For example, will they live permanently with their family? Or are they too independent? Will they prefer to live alone? Many older Americans must face these choices after the death of a lifelong mate, or if they have health problems of their own.Senior citiz

16、ens in the U.S. usually like to be active. Retired workers sometimes join service organizations. For example, retired businesspeople may become members of a group that gives advice to new businesses. Other retired persons may volunteer to work at libraries, schools, museums, or hospitals.2-1These da

17、ys, Americas are paying attention to their health. They are eating right and exercising to stay in shape. Aerobics is a popular form of exercise in the United States. This type of exercise helps breathing and builds a strong heart. Jogging, swimming, and bicycle riding are just three kinds of aerobi

18、c exercise.Americans are also watching their diet. Many people in the U.S. are eating food with less fat, salt, and sugar. Products without cholesterol, such as oat bran, are becoming very popular with Americans.2-2Many Americans see their doctor once a year for a complete physical, or checkup. Duri

19、ng a complete physical examination, the doctor checks the patients pulse and blood pressure. In addition, he may order blood tests and a chest X-ray. When the results of these tests are completed, the doctor gives patient a report on his or her general health. The doctor may also recommend a fitness

20、 program a diet or exercise for good health.2-3More than fifty years ago, at the New York Worlds Fair, the forecast for American life was something like this: In the future, technology will bring a higher standard of living. Labor-saving machines will give Americans more free time.But this forecast

21、was only partly true. Modern machines, like Robbies home computer, make work simper, but life is also more complicated. In many American families, both the husband and wife have jobs. This gives them less free time. Like Philip, many Americans have trouble finding time for personal activities such a

22、s fishing. But most Americans are able to enjoy some leisure time. Because they are so busy, many Americans need to plan their leisure time carefully.2-4Most Americans probably dont believe the actions like Grandpas fishermans magic will affect lives. Grandpa tells Robbie that to catch a fish, he sh

23、ould say, Fish, fish, send me a fish. This is a superstition, a belief that something brings good or bad luck without a scientific reason to think so. But there are some traditional signs of good luck and bad luck in the U.S., and Americans do pay attention to them sometimes.People sometimes say tha

24、t the following actions bring good luck: knocking on wood, finding a four-leaf clover, carrying a rabbits foot, hanging a horseshoe ever your door.Some people believe that events cause bad luck: walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror, seeing a black cat cross in front of you.Although people may s

25、ay that they dont believe in these superstitions, they often try to avoid the signs of bad luck and are happy to have a sign of good luck.2-5Americans of all religions celebrate Thanksgiving, a happy holiday on the fourth Thursday of each November. This holiday began with the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims

26、celebrated the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621. Americans still get together on this day to remember the reasons to be thankful.Families and friends celebrate this holiday with big dinners of turkey, turkey dressing, yams and other vegetables, and pumpkin pie.Parades are also

27、a part of the Thanksgiving holiday. Each year, Marcys, the largest store in the world, organizes the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. Parades are also a big part of other American holidays. Some of the largest parades occur on Columbus Day the second Monday in October, Veterans Day November

28、 11, Independence Day July 4, and Labor Day the first Monday in September.2-6Watching college football games on television is a typical Thanksgiving Day activity.In American football, the players use an oblong ball on a rectangular playing field. There are two teams, and each team has 11 men. The ob

29、ject of the game is to move the ball across the opposing teams goal line. The opposing team tried to stop this action by knocking the ball carrier down, or tackling him. If the ball carrier can cross the goal line with the ball, or if he catches a thrown ball a pass and runs across the goal line, th

30、e team scores a touchdown. If a player kicks the ball through the upright goalposts, it is called a field goal. American football is an extremely rough sport. The players wear equipment to protect themselves, but injuries are common.In England, the word football describes a different type of game wi

31、th a round ball. In the U.S., this game is called soccer.3-1Some people say that the typical American teenager likes loud music, computer games, and junk food. Teenagers may own a stereo system for listening to music at home and a walkman for listening to music on the streets. Teenagers also like to

32、 go to video arcades, and to play games on computers. But teenagers also have a serious, responsible side, since millions of them enter college each year.3-2In the United States, dog owners must register their pets with an animal control agency operated by the city or county government. The owner pays an annual fee for this registration. The dog must wear a collar that usually has the name of the dog, the registration number, and the address and telephone number of the dogs owner. This identi