4. Taking words apart

Noun or Adjective Nouns serve as subjects of sentences and objects of verbs and prepositions. Adjectives are commonly used before nouns or after linking verbs (such as be, seem, and feel).

Underline the correct word form for each sentence.

1. The U.S. is a (competition/ competitive) society.

2. Voting is an (importance / important) part of a democratic (society / social).

3. To have a successful democracy, it is (necessity / necessary) to have (education / educated) citizens.

4. To have a successful democracy, well-educated citizens are a (necessity / necessary) .

5. Americans believe in (equality / equal) opportunity for all.

6. Most Americans understand the (importance / important) of participating in their (democracy / democratic) government.

7. Americans are practical. In other words, they are (pragmatism / pragmatic).

8. Traveling from one (region / regional) of the country to another, American tourists see a great (variety / varied) of people and places.

9. There is a lot of (ethnicity / ethnic) (diversity / diverse) in the U.S.

10. Do Americans value money and possessions more than anything else? Are they (materialism / materialistic)?

What are four common endings on the nouns in this exercise?

What are four common endings on the adjectives in this exercise?

5. Sharing ideas

1. Issues

Debate these issues in small groups. Then choose one and write about it.

1. Is there really equality of opportunity in the U.S.? If not, what can be done to create it?

2. What's good and what's bad about majority rule?

3. Americans are usually described as sociable, conventional people who join groups and try to behave like everyone else in the group. However, some American books and movies have made a hero of the person who fights the majority will and tries to accomplish something good independently. What's better-to be ajoiner or a loner?

2. On a personal note

Write about one of these topics.

1. Do you think wealth and possessions make a person important? If not, what does?

2. In the 1980s, a Russian immigrant and popular entertainer named Yakov Smirnov became famous for his three-word reaction to the U.S. Whenever something surprised him, he said, "What a country!" What surprises you about the U.S.? Why?

3. Americans are often accused of admiring youthful beauty and energy over the experience and wisdom of older people. Who should be most respected-young adults, middle-aged people, or senior citizens? Why?

4. Would you like to live to be 100 years old? Why or why not?

American Etiquette

BEFORE YOU READ

Discuss

1. How do American manners compare to polite behaviour in other countries?

2. On what occasions is it traditional to give gifts? Do you think this is the same everywhere?

3. Many workers who perform services for others expect to receive tips. Name the types of workers that you would tip.

Guess

Try to answer the questions. Then look for the answers in the reading.

1. What is the expected response to the formal greeting, "How do you do?"

Check ( ) one:

____"I'm fine." _____ "I'm a student." ______ "How do you do?"

2. What is the polite response when someone sneezes? Check ( ) one:

____"My condolences." _____ "Bless you." _____ "Please cover your nose."