IV. Answer the questions:
1. Why is it difficult to speak about the USA as of a single country?
2. What questions can be asked about women from the South of the USA?
3. When do Southern girls start learning to be ladies?
4. What is the most important distinguishing feature of a lady?
5. Why are Southern girls willing to identify with their mothers?
6. Is it possible to distinguish a Southern girl from a Northern girl, simply by appearance?
7. What are the Southern girls’ preferences?
8. What are the Northern girls’ preferences?
9. Is politics more important in the South or in the North?
10.What is the highest virtue for the Southern girl?
11.Are Southern women still ladies?
V. Go through the vocabulary notes to understand the text better:
subway, n – метро (USA)
track, n – колея, рельсовый путь
borough, n – (амер.) один из пяти районов Нью-Йорка
token, n – жетон
token booth – касса (метрополитена)
globe, n – круглый стеклянный фонарь
staff, n – персонал
staffed – обеспеченный (обслуживающим) персоналом
decal, n – переводная картинка; изображение
suspended from the ceiling – подвешенный к потолку
for the sake of safety – в целях безопасности
car, n – (здесь) вагон
entrance, n – вход; (антоним) exit, n – выход
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN NEW YORK
The New York City Transit Authority runs one of the largest and most complex subway systems in the world with about 720 track miles connecting four boroughs. Trains stop at 470 stations, so you're almost certain to find one near where you need to go.
You'll need a token to enter, and you can purchase them at token booths in every subway station. You'll see globes outside most subway entrances. A green globe means that the entrance is staffed 24 hours a day. A red globe indicates the entrance is closed or restricted in some way. Read the sign posted above the stairs if you see a red globe. On signs outside the station, you'll also see colored decals displaying subway-route numbers or letters. These decals tell you which trains stop at the station.
Once you're in a subway station, you'll find a Passenger Information Center near the main token booth. This large bulletin board displays maps, service schedules and information about service changes. Follow the signs displaying the subway route you want to take.
When you're traveling during off-peak hours (especially midday and at night), look for a yellow sign, usually suspended from the ceiling and indicating Off-Hour Waiting Areas where it is recommended to wait for the sake of safety: the token-booth clerks will be able to keep watch over the passengers (sometimes by using a video camera). During off-peak hours, they also suggest you ride with groups of people or in the same car as the train's conductor — usually in the middle of the train.
The buses (usually air-conditioned) are a welcome alternative to the subway. They are extremely handy for traveling from east to west, which is not so easy by subway. Bus stops are indicated by a yellow mark on the curb, showing a bus and line number. Several lines may stop at one bus stop: check the number of the bus indicated on the front and back of the vehicle.
The bus fare is the same as the subway fare and is paid by a token or with the exact money in coins.