Changing America

I. Pre-reading activity: look up the words in the dictionary and memorize their pronunciation.

decade suburban

predictable prejudice

senior nuclear

increase illegal

Hispanico

II. Read the text. Divide it into logical parts. Find a key sentence for each part.

The United States is similar to most other countries in the world. Like other countries the United States changes quickly. Values and people are changing and many people are afraid of these changes.

The 1950s was the last decade of calm for this country. It was a problem free time when life was predictable. Since that time there have been many changes in the country. The American population is changing. There are now more Asian Americans and Hispanicos that ever before. Americans are getting older and the number of senior citizens increases. People have fewer babies because of birth control, the high cost of raising children and because of the uncertainly about the future.

Americans are moving too. They go to the warmer parts of the country, to some of the older cities, to some large suburban areas. They have to create new friends wherever they go. Sometimes, the office becomes the new neighborhood and people at the office become their friends and "neighbors".

America is the wealthy country, but wealth is not evenly distributed. There arc homeless people, hungry children, and crime in the country. Some foreigners have the idea that "the streets are paved with the gold". Hard work brings great result but unemployment is a problem in many parts of the countries.

American woman work more now, but still do not have '.he opportunities for equal salaries and career as men. They often find that they have two jobs now: taking care of the house and the children and working at the office.

Racial discrimination is illegal, but prejudice and fear of other groups still exist. Religious is a privet issue.

Americans worry about the same things as other people around the world, about their children, and how their lives will be. They worry about nuclear war, international terrorism. They know that this time is a period of change and face many difficulties, but perhaps the pioneer spirit which built the country will help Americans change, improve and adapt to the future.

III. Answer the questions based on the content of the text.

1. What happens to America in the course of time?

1. it changes rapidly

2. it remains the same

2. What is changing in the USA?

1. values and people

2. customs and traditions

3. When was the last decade of calm in the United States?

1. in the 1950s

2. in the 1930s

3. in the 1980s

4. How is American population changing?

1. now there are more Hispanicos and Irish Americans

2. now there are more Asian Americans and Hispanicos

5. What parts of the country do the Americans usually move to?

1. some large suburban areas

2. northern parts of the country

3. some new cities

6. America is a wealthy country. How is wealth distributed?

1. it is evenly distributed

2. it is not evenly distributed

7. What kind of idea about America do some foreigners have?

1. that it is very poor country

2. that the streets are paved with gold

8. What do the Americans worry about?

1. nuclear war, international terrorism

2. their children, their future

9. What is illegal in America?

1. international friendship

2. racial discrimination

9. What will help the Americans change, improve and adapt to the future in a period of change?

1. the pioneer spirit

2. great enthusiasm

3. pessimism

IV. Tell whether the statements are true or false. Explain your choice.

1. The USA is similar to most countries in the world.

2. Values and people are changing but people are not afraid of that.

3. The 1970s was the last decade of calm for the country.

4. Americans are getting younger and the numbers of senior citizens do not increase.

5. People have fewer babies now.

6. America is a wealthy country but wealth is not evenly distributed.

7. For all Americans the USA is a land of opportunities.

8. American women have the same opportunities for equal salaries and career as men.

9. Racial discrimination is illegal in the country but prejudges are fear of

other groups still exist.

10. American worry about the same things as other people around the world.

V. Give English equivalents to the following word combinations.

предсказуемый страна больших возможностей

пожилые граждане предрассудки

контроль над рождаемостью личное дело каждого

неуверенность в будущем столкнуться со многими трудностями

распределить поровну приспособиться к будущему

равная зарплата и возможность карьерного роста

VI. Make up a report "The United States of America in present days ".