Reading Comprehension Check Discuss the following problematic issues with regard to American values and assumptions.

1. Nobody’s going to hand you success on a silver platter.

2. “Equality of opportunity”. Can there ever really such a thing?

3. My father taught me to work, but not to love it. (Abraham Lincoln)

4. Why is it difficult to define an “average” American?

5. Explain the impact of immigration on American values and assumptions.

6. How do you explain the tremendous success in other countries of American programs such as Sesame Street, Dallas, or Dynasty?

7. Make a list of characteristics that you personally consider typical of Americans. Discuss your views in class.

8. There can be no freedom without discipline.

9. What would you consider the greatest contribution the US has made to the civilized world?

10. “The end justifies the means”.

11. “When prosperity knocks at the door, communication flies out of the window”.

Assignments

1. Enlarge upon the following abstract notions that you come across in the text: responsibility, privacy, informality, productivity, self-confidence, efficiency, equality, self-reliance, assertiveness, free enterprise, self-control, acquisitiveness, individualism, competitiveness, delayed gratifications.

2. Complete the right-hand column of the chart given below. Match the US values with their counterparts from a mere traditional country.

u.s.values

some otherтcountry’s values

Personal Control over the environment/Responsibility

Change seen as Natural and Positive

Time and Control

Equality/Fairness

Individualism/Independence

Self-Help/Initiative

Competition

Future Orientation

Action/Work Orientation

Informality

Directness/Openness/Honesty

Practicality/Efficiency

Materialism/Acquisitiveness

3. Look through the following word-combinations and make sure that you can use them correctly.

to consider smth normal and right

to have control over smth

to look out for one’s self-interests

to lie beyond the power of humans

to be strongly linked to progress and growth

to achieve some accomplishments

to be concerned with getting things accomplished

to be late for an appointment

to keep busy every minute

to work toward specific goals

toтhaveтanтequalтopportunityтto succeed

to differ in opinion on (about) smth

to have an aversion to treating people in a deferential way

to be individualistic in one’s thoughts and actions

toтhaveтaтstronglyтnegative connotation

to vote for a party

toтtakeтprideтinтclaiming individualism

to pride oneself in doing smth

toтtakeтcreditтforтone’s accomplishments

to climb (move up) the difficult ladder of success

toтbringтoutт(theтbest/worst)тinт an individual

to devise an economic system

to foster competition

to devalue the past

to be unconscious of the present

to direct energy toward doing smth

to culminate in smth worthwhile

toтscheduleтanтactiveтday-toтday dream

to be addicted to one’s work

toтidentifyтoneselfтwhollyтwith a profession

to engage in physical labour

to be (dis)respectful of people

to call smb/ by his/her first name

to be honest in doing smth

to be shocked at American bluntness

to save (lose) face

to soften the blow of directness

to lose confidence in smb

toтhaveтaтreputationтforтbeing practical and efficient people

to be given highest priority in making a decision

to contribute inventions to the world

“trial-and-error” approach

to list solutions to any given problem

to result from hard work and serious intent

to collect material objects

to value newness and innovatio

n