Чтение, 10 клас
Reading
Comprehension Test
Americans : Myths, Stereotypes and
Paradoxes
When we think of Americans, we usually
associate them with colourful clothes, noisy behaviour and overweight. But what
are they really like? What values do they have? It is not possible to answer
these questions explicitly but it seems that some American characteristics are
a legacy of the Puritan ideology.
The Puritans thought of
themselves as a special people able to build “a city upon a hill”. They
considered their success and increasing prosperity a sign of God’s grace and
didn’t respect those who failed. They promoted hard work, self-reliance and
believed in man’s unlimited ability to make progress. Even today their ideas
are still popular. The special significance of succeeding in life has come to
characterize the American culture ever since.
American children are taught
that drive, initiative and activity are the essence of life. It is believed
that passivity warps the mind and that is why it is not accepted. Generally,
Americans are characterized by a very practical sense and optimism. They never
give up and ever they have problems, they are always trying to find some
solution. Their recipe is simple: You have no money? No jobs? Don’t wait! Do
something! Be flexible! There is always a way out! Take a course of gardening,
cooking, ceramics, embroidering, typing... Promote yourself! You must find
some way to achieve success! If you don’t, you are a muff and a crock.
Americans see their country as
a vast continent of unlimited possibilities, the Promised Land where everyone
has a chance to become perfect and successful. Success means money, hence
Americans seem to be preoccupied with the thought of how to make money . Many
of them still believe in the myth “ from rags to riches “. However, not
everyone becomes a millionaire in the richest country in the world. The vast
majority of Americans have their own house, a good car and a well-paid job. The
less fortunate ones rent a sleazy apartment and live on unemployment benefits.
It is also commonly accepted that in that country of welfare there are some
people living in cardboard boxes, sleeping on the pavement and carrying their
belongings in plastic bags.
Another Americans obsession, apart
from money , is being fit and healthy. Illnesses make life complicated , hence
Americans put a lot of effort into prevention. They regularly see specialists,
take tons of vitamins, minerals and pills, practise sports (especially
jogging), and keep a healthy, low-fat diet. Paradoxically, there are more
overweight people in the States than anywhere else. It is not surprising since they
are constantly temped by calorific “junk food” snacks, fry-ups, hot-dogs,
hamburgers, pizza, chocolate bars , chips, cookies and so on.
Mark the correct variant.
1. What
do we usually associate the Americans with?
a) with
conservative behaviour
b) with
a legacy of the Puritan ideology
c) with
rich people and big mansions
d) with
colourful clothes, noisy behaviour and overweight
2. What
is the Puritans ideology?
a) the
ideology with strict moral principles
b) the
ideology with mild moral principles
c) the
ideology with no moral principles
d) the
ideology without any principles
3. Why
are their ideas still popular today?
a) Because
the Puritans promote easy work and increasing prosperity.
b) Because
the Puritans promote hard work, self-reliance and ability to make progress.
c) Because
the Puritans promote leisure activities and sport.
d) Because
the Puritans promote environmental protection.
4. What
is the essence of life for the American children?
a) American
children are taught that drive, initiative and activity are the essence of
life.
b) American
children are taught that passivity and the desire to material enrichment are
the essence of life.
c) American
children are taught that the care of their parents is the essence of the life.
d) American
children are taught that love and beauty are the essence of the life.
5. What
traits of character are the Americans characterized by?
a) Americans
are characterized by greed and pessimism.
b) Americans
are characterized by a very practical sense and optimism.
c) Americans
are characterized by sincerity and hospitality.
d) Americans
are characterized by shyness and uncertainty.
6. What
is their recipe?
a) Don’t
wait! Learn something!
b) ‘Prosperity
is a sing of God’s grace’.
c) ‘Don’t
wait! Do something!
d) Don’t
be in a hurry!
7. Why
is American called the Promised Land?
a) Because
America is a country of unlimited possibilities.
b) Because
America is a country with unequal possibilities.
c) Because
America is a country with poor possibilities.
d) Because
America is a country with no possibilities.
8. Why
do the Americans still believe in the myth ‘from rags to riches’?
a) There
are some people in the USA sleeping on the pavement.
b) Americans
seem to be preoccupied with the thought how to make money.
c) Because
they are fond of mythology.
d) Because
they like to read fairy-tales.
9. What
is another American obsession, apart from money?
a) Another
American obsession is being fit and healthy.
b) Another
American obsession is playing football.
c) Another
American obsession is gardening.
d) Another
American obsession is reading.
10. Why
are there more overweight people in the USA than anywhere else?
a) Because
Americans are tempted by different diseases.
b) Because
Americans are tempted by calorific ‘junk food’.
c) Because
Americans don’t go in for sports.
d) Because
Americans are lazy.
Mark the correct definitions to the
words or phrases.
1.rags
a) sport
clothes b) elegant clothes
c
) old clothes d )work
clothes
2. junk food
a)
food that is healthy b) food that isn’t
healthy
c)
vegetarian food d) tasteless food
3. welfare
a)
smb’s health and happiness b)smb’s achievement
c)
social service d)
social progress
