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they have consistently been in the forefront of political trend-setting. . . .

manifest destiny: the nineteenth-century belief that the U.S. had the right and duty to expand across the North American continent.

frontier: see page 26.

56

PART C Exercises

1. Text Analysis

Refer to the chart below and explain how air conditioning has affected the process of Americanization in the South.

ECONOMY

A"

SENSE OF PLACE I

AIR CONDITIONING

RURAL & URBAN POPULATION

SOUTHERN WAY

V-OF LIFE

2. Discussion

"Americanization"

In what areas do you find strong American influences in your country?

How do you feel about these influences?

3. Comprehension

Southern Women —Still Ladies?

1. After reading the interview for the first time, answer the following questions:

a) Is the Southern lady a bygone figure of the past?

b) Describe the mother-daughter relationship.

c) How is a girl taught to be a lady?

d) What visible differences are there between a Southern girl and a Northern girl?

e) What is said about the political attitude of Southern girls?

2. Read the interview again and answer the following questions:

a) What does Cora McKinney mean when she says "the Southern woman is a kind of breed that hasn't died out"?

b) Name important preconditions for becoming a lady.

c) Why is it that a Southern lady today is not that different from a lady in the

antebellum South?

d) Why is the book Party Manners and White Kid Gloves still popular in the South?

e) What is the significance of the balls at the end of the dancing lessons?

f) What does a Southern girl do to make herself look more feminine?

g) How do Northern girls differ from Southern girls in their attitudes towards controversies?

h) Why is it important for a Southern lady to join a sorority?

4. Discussion

Imagine you have applied for a student's exchange with one of the exchange organizations like American Field Service or Youth for Understanding.

When asked which region of the United States you would prefer to go to, how would you decide on the basis of the information about the different regions given in this unit?

ARCHITECTURE

5. Comprehension

The Nation's Most Strongly Defined Region Decide whether the following statements are true or false and correct the false statements:

1. New England, the Midwest and the South are all clearly defined regions of the United States.

2. Opinions differ as to the number of states that make up New England.

3. The people who live in New England use some special words which are not used in the rest of the country.

4. To a New Englander, "regular" means coffee, with cream.

5. Boston is the official capital of New England.

6. New Englanders have a reputation for being warm and friendly to visitors.

7. New England is known for its good weather.

8. Foreigners often expect all Americans to be like New Englanders because of the high profile of New England throughout the ages.

9. The immigrants who arrived in 1620 were known as Yankees.

10. John Winthrop was anxious that the New England settlers should set an example to the world.

6. Comprehension

What Is a Middle Westerner?

Do you remember the traits of a Middle Westerner? Match numbers and letters.

Characteristics

a) hardly ever doubting the Tightnes s of his/her actions or words b) having the skill to do

what is necessary and working hard to achieve it

c) valuing everything in terms of money d) distrusting foreigners

and outsiders e) believing strongly in

modern machines and techniques

f) valuing money and possessions highly and spending money in order to attract attention and prove one's high social position

g) concerned with

practical use, i.e. "Does it work?"

h) easily satisfied by answers that make sense

Traits

1. competent 2. self-assured 3. materialistic 4. technologic 5. simplistic 6. functionalist 7. pecuniaristic 8. xenophobic

58 AMERICA IN CLOSE-UP

7. Comprehension

"Just Like the Rest of Us, Only More So"

After reading the text, try to find the missing words first without looking at the list below.

Then complete the task by choosing the right phrase from the list.

For many Americans, California is the ultimate expression of l^T It is not just a state but a "&

and embodies America's "& For some people it is the place to find or spend "Й" New religions, living arrangements and forms of entertainment can be attributed to California's

■$" Being wealthier, more easily satisfied and more optimistic than the ordinary American, Californians arc ■& Americans. Being more self-indulgent, enjoying more privacy and being more mobile, Californians have developed a greater -fr Californians have always been in the forefront of political "& , because they do not fit into hard and fast ideological categories.

sense of freedom state of mind

quintessential tolerant social climate

fortunes frontier spirit

manifest destiny trend-setting

8. Discussion

1. Compare the characterizations of Middle Westerners, New Englanders and

Californians. In order to find out for yourself whether they are merely stereotypes or if there is some truth in them, ask Americans you know to comment on the authors' descriptions.

2. Show how each of the authors relates regional traits to national characteristics.

3. Can you trace any definable traits in the regions of your own country?

4 The U.S. Есотюту