1. What is the population of the United States?

328,2 miliona (2019)

2. Why is the United States called “a nation of immigrants”? because the country was
settled and developed by generations of immigrants from many European and non-European
countries.
3. What is the percentage of African-Americans 13,4%, Hispanic Americans18,5%
and Native Americans in the US 1,3%?
4. Where do the Hispanic communities concentrate in the U.S.? In 2019, California had
the highest Hispanic population in the United States, with over 15.57 million people claiming
Hispanic heritage. Texas, Florida, New York, and Arizona rounded out the top five states.

5. What are the best known Indian tribes living in the American West? The Navajo
tribe is the most populous, with 308,013 people identifying with the group. The Cherokee
tribe is the second most common, with 285,476 Americans identifying with that group.
The Plains Indians were one tribe which had many other groups in it such as the Apache, the
Comanche, the Cheyenne, the Arapaho, the Pawnee, and the Sioux. The Indians in the
Southwest and Far West were the Navajo, the Nez Perce, and the Apache which were also
in the Plains Indians tribes.

6. What were the three waves of Polish immigration to the U.S.?

Polish American immigration into three "waves",
The largest from 1870 to 1914,
The second after World War II,
The third after Poland's independence in 1989.

Five most populous cities in the United States (2006)

1 New York City 8,215,000
2 Los Angeles 3,850,000
3 Chicago 2,830,000
4 Houston 2,145,000
5 Phoenix 1,513,000
Montana, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico Rocy States

Highest point: Mt. McKinley, Alaska, 6,198 m

Lowest point: Death Valley, California, 86 m below sea level
the Mississippi (3,779 kilometers) and the Missouri (3,726
kilometers)
Superior (US/Canada) 82,414 sq km, 406 m
Huron (US/Canada) 59,596 sq km, 229 m
Michigan-Erie (US/Canada) 58,016 sq km, 281 m
Ontario (US/Canada) 19,477 sq km, 237 m
Great Salt Lake 4,662 sq km, 5–8 m
Jamestown was the first English settlement in the U.S.; F
the Pilgrims, consisted of fifty men, twenty women and thirty-four
children. They decided to start a new colony, which they called the Plymouth Plantation
Str 53
2. The USA borders Mexico on the south. T
3. The Mississippi is longer than the Missouri.T
4. The Rocky Mountains are in the East. F West
5. Death Valley is in California.T
6. New England is in the Northeast region. T
7. Before 1836 Texas was a French colony. F Texas was a Mexican province
8. The Grand Canyon is in Montana. F Arisona

9. The highest peak in the U.S.A., Mt. McKinley, is in California. F Mt. McKinley, Alaska,
6,198 m

10. The ancestors of the American Indians came from Africa came from Asia about 10,000
years ago. At that time the Bering Strait was frozen, so animals and people could pass from
Siberia to Alaska on foot. They gradually spread all over North and South America.

1. The USA is a federal union of _____ independent states.

a) forty b) fifty c) fifty-two
2. The United States of America is ________.
a) bigger than Canada b) bigger than Russia c) bigger than Australia.
3. The population of the U.S.A. is over _________.
a) 300 million ( 3239 mln) b) 350 million c) 150 million
4. The longest river in the U.S.A. is the ___________.
a) Missouri b) Mississippi c) Rio Grande
5. How many colonies had been formed on the eastern seaboard in the middle of the 18th
century?
a) 10 b) 12 c) 13
6. General Tadeusz Kościuszko contributed to the victory of the American army at the battle
of
_____ .
a) Ticonderoga b) Saratoga c) Yorktown
7. Which day is the national day of the United States of America?
a) the 4th of July b) the 14th of July c) the 1st of April
8. Which sailor and chronicler gave America its name?
a) Amerigo Vespucci b) Christopher Columbus c) Ferdinand Magellan
9. The USA bought Alaska from ...
a) England b) Canada c) Russia
10. How many time zones are in the USA?
a) Two b) Five c) Four

Str 64
1. Which states make up the Midwest? Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan

2. What have you learnt about Chicago?

 America’s third largest city
 lies on Lake Michigan, the most important city in Illinois,
 one of the principal industrial cities in the U.S.
 U.S. center of livestock trading and meat packing
 a busy grain market
 the most lawless city in the US.
 Chicago is the center of American commerce and transportation.
3. How many Polish Americans live in Chicago?
Over 300,000

4. What is Detroit famous for? the Motor City The D

The heart of America’s automobile industry

5. What is Wisconsin famous for?

Its natural beauty, clean lakes (Superior) , rolling hills, quiet valleys and deep forests

Str 81
1. What two groups of states make the American West?

The Mountain states ( Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho,Utah, Arizona,
Nevada)
The Pacific states,( outlying states Alaska and Hawaii ,Washington,Oregon, California).

2. Why is California one of the wealthiest states?

Abundant natural resources, excellent soil and a very good climate: petroleum and natural
gas, manufacture of aircraft, ships, electronic equipment and foodstuffs
3. Where is the Mormon region?
Utah ( Salt Lake City)

4. What is Las Vegas famous for?

the entertainment capital-casinos, gambling houses, and hotels (Excalibur)

5. Where is Glacier National Park? Montana

Str 84
1. Boston is the capital of Massachusetts.T
2. New York consists of Manhattan Island and Rhode Island. .five boroughs: The Bronx,
Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
3. Gettysburg is in Pennsylvania.T
4. Tobacco is a major industry in North Carolina. F Kentucky
5. Elvis Presley was born in Alabama. Nashvile
6. Disney World is in California. F Florida
7. Chicago lies on Lake Michigan.T
8. Texas was a part of Mexico.T
9. Las Vegas in California. Nevada
10. Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens are in Alaska. Washington

MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST

Circle the letter a), b) or c) with the correct answer.
1. New England in the _____ region.
2. a) Northeast b) South c) Midwest
3. The most populated U.S. city is:
a) New York b) Los Angeles c) Chicago
4. The largest state is:
a) Texas b) Alaska c) California
5. The Grand Canyon is in _____
a) Montana b) California c) Arizona
6. The Golden Gate Bridge is in ________
a) Los Angeles b) San Francisco c) New York
7. Little Rock is in _______ .
a) Texas b) Arizona c) Arkansas
8. _______ is a Rocky Mountain state.
a) Idaho b) Montana c) Maryland
9. ________ is the capital of Texas.
a) Austin b) San Antonio c) Houston
10. _______ is a Mormon state.
a) Utah b) Michigan c) Washington
chapter 6
str 151 Test your knowledge17

1. When were the first free public schools opened in America? 17 th

2. What was the contribution of Horace Mann to the development of public education
in the U.S.?
Horace Mann (1796–1859) introduced many changes in public education that later became
models for schools all over the country. State legislatures became more aware of the need for
efficient public education. Mann believed that public education was the key to the nation’s
progress. By 1850 every state had developed a system of free public schools paid for by
public taxes.

3. What is the structure of the education system in the U.S.?

The compulsory age of education may vary from state to state, but typically begins at age five
or six and ends a age sixteen. Education system in the United States consists of three basic
levels: elementary, secondary and higher education. Additionally, states carry out
vocational training programs or adult education. There are state-supported (public) and
private schools. The latter are usually run by churches, and religious instruction is an
obligatory part of their curriculum. Religious instruction is not provided in public schools.
However, the curricula in both types of schools are similar. There are also “charter schools,”
which are publicly funded but privately administered. Some private schools called preparatory
schools, or prep schools, prepare students for admission to highly selective colleges. Public
education is supervised within each state by a State Board of Education. General
requirements established by the State Board of Education are implemented by school districts.
The State Board of Education determines educational policy.

4. What is cultural illiteracy?

In many public elementary and high schools due to the lack of qualified teachers, changes in
curricula and lowering of educational standards, e.g. there were reports about students who
were graduated from high schools although they were functionally illiterate and could not
read and write well enough to complete an application for employment. 29% of the American
population has only basic literacy skills, and 14% has below-basic skills.
5.What happened at Columbine High School in April 1999?
The tragedy at Columbine High School in Colorado in April 1999, where two teenage
students shot dead twelve schoolmates and a teacher before committing suicide, has been the
worst tragedy of its kind in the history of American public schools.

Str 155
pre-school education start introduction to formal education usually begins in kindergarten
classes which are
available in most public school systems. Children begin instruction at the age of four or
five.

1. What skills are taught in pre-school education?

The preschool program emphasizes the development of a child’s self-reliance and

community integration. Children learn a number of basic skills which will be useful when
they go to school. For example, they learn the letters of the alphabet, basic colors, shapes, etc

2. What is the main feature of elementary education?

It targets the general intellectual and social development of children from six to twelve or
fourteen years of ageThe emphasis is on co-operation rather than competition throughout
elementary school.

3. What subjects are taught in elementary school?

The subjects include English, mathematics, science (the basics of chemistry, physics, and
biology), social studies (geography, history, sociology and civics ,i.e. knowledge about the
workings of federal state, and local governments), music, and physical education (called
gym). A foreign language is often introduced towards the end of elementary school or in
middle/junior high school and university?
1. What is the structure of secondary education?

From the age of about twelve to fourteen pupils enter secondary education. They may
attend a six-year high school which is sometimes divided into junior high and senior high.
Some students who have completed the eighth grade in elementary or middle school continue
their education in a four-year high school. The U.S. education system has no equivalent of
Polish matura examination.

2. What courses are taught in high school?

In high school pupils do not specialize in any particular field, and they take classes in all
kinds of subjects. Courses include English, science, social studies, mathematics and physical
education. Elective (optional) subjects include foreign languages, advanced English literature,
composition or social sciences, arts, or training in such fields as agriculture, business, home
economics, child care and care of the sick. Students interested in business or industry may
take typing, shorthand, bookkeeping, business machines Students who want to attend college
or university choose courses with a special emphasis within their interests, e.g. science
courses (biology, chemistry or physics), more advanced mathematics (algebra, geometry,
trigonometry, and calculus), foreign languages

3. What grades do high school students receive?

Students are usually graded from A (excellent) to F (fail) in each course.

4. What extracurricular activities can high school students pursue?

High school students are also involved in many extracurricular activities such as orchestras,
bands, choirs, drama groups, debating clubs, computer clubs, flying, swimming, diving and
many sports activities. Students receive report cards at least twice a year which indicate their
progress in their studies

5. What are SAT and ACT?

There are two widely used and nationally-administered standardized tests for high
school students who wish to attend a college or university: SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
and ACT (American College Testing)

str162
1. What are the different types of U.S. institutions of higher education?

U.S. institutions of higher education include two-year colleges (known as community or

junior colleges), four-year colleges, universities, institutes of technology, vocational and
technical schools, and professional schools such as law and medical schools.

2. What are the main features of an American university?

The modern university in America is distinguished by two features which date back to the late
19th century: an elective curriculum for undergraduates after fulfilling a set of core
requirements, and a school for graduates, who sometimes do some of the undergraduate
teaching too. American universities aim to fulfil three educational functions: vocational,
scholarly and teaching liberal arts. The vocational function is the most utilitarian (training
students for various occupations), the scholarly function involves research, and the liberal arts
function exposes students to the influence of general knowledge and high culture.

3. What degrees can be earned at a university?

After four years of college most American students receive a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) degree
or a B.S. (Bachelor of Science) degree. Many students continue their study for an MA (Master
of Arts), an MS(Master of Science) an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) or an MBA (Master of
Business Administration) degree. These degrees usually take another year or two of study.
Some students also continue to study for a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree, the most
advanced, which usually requires another three to four years of study.

Str 165
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. The first free public schools were opened in America in the …. century.
a) 17th) b) 18th c) 19th)

2. The Supreme Court’s verdict in Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, was
ruled in …… .
a) 1854 b) 1954 c) 2004

3. Elementary school lasts ….. years.

a) three to four b) four to five c) six to eight

4. In the U.S.A. school usually begins at eight o’clock a.m. and finishes about ….
o’clock.
a) twelve or one b) one or two c) three or four

5. Secondary school is usually called ….. in the U.S.A.

a) junior school b) high school c) college

6. According to recent statistic the U.S. has …………. dropout rates among the
developed countries.
a) the highest b) one of the highest c) lowest

7. There are over …… universities and colleges in the U.S.A.

a) 2,000 b) 4,000 c) 6,000

8. A bachelor’s degree can be obtained after ….. years of study.

a) 2 b) 3 c) 4

9. A community college offers a(n) ….. degree.

a) associate b) bachelor’s c) master’s

10. The highest grade in American colleges and universities is …..

a) A+ b) E+ c) D+
Str 233
What are the most characteristic values shared by Americans?
An activist approach to life, emphasis on achievement and success, love of freedom and
democracy, a high esteem of individual rights, self-reliance, an egalitarian view of social
relations ,patriotism, nationalism, enthusiasm and vigour in undertaking new ventures are
most common characteristics shared by the majority of Americans.

2. Why do think Americans have a high regard for privacy?

The concept of privacy is strictly related to a basic human right which guarantee the
individual and his or her family not to be intruded by anyone., which means that Americans
can keep to themselves whatever they regard as personal matters.
Str 234
1.How often does the average American change his or her job in a lifetime?
The average American changes his/her job about ten times during his/her working life.

2.What does the term “family” usually refer to in the U.S.?

In the United States, the term “family” usually refers to the “nuclear” family, i.e. father,
mother and children; grandparents, aunts, uncles and aunts are usually called “relatives”.

3. How much time does it take for the average American man and woman to get
showered, dressed and groomed? 51 minutes
Str 237
1.What is culture shock?
Culture shock occurs when a newcomer to a place gets bewildered with that place’s
otherness of social norms culture traditions habits ways of life.

2. How do Americans behave conventionally in social situations (greetings, getting

acquainted, going to a restaurant)?
American greetings are generally quite informal and straightforward which reflects
American belief that everyone is equal. A small talk is American Social conversation; People
ask brief questions about the weather, sports and expect brief answers. Controversy topics.
about race, religion are avoided. Talking about sensitive topics is regarded as politically
correct in a multi-cultural society and thus it is not practiced to avoid insulting someone.
Americans have one set of friends at work, another set of friends at school.
They believe that expressing openly and honestly ones feelings towards a friend enables
building fair and sound relationship.
Whether a couple fancy eating out a man or woman may pay for both and it is arranged
beforehand to avoid misunderstanding. When going to dinner or lunch, the person who
invites pays, whether it is a man or a woman. Dating does not necessary imply a sexual
involvement or a long-term emotional commitment it can be Platonic.
Shaking hands is a common way of greeting in the USA while hugging and kissing, even of
people you know very well, is best left for social occasions.

Str 239
1.Are there any official national holidays in the U.S.A.?
Officially, there are no national holidays in the United States, except for 4 July
(Independence Day). Each state has its own public holidays.

2. Which holidays are generally observed in most states?

Generally, the following holidays are observed by most of the states: New Year’s Day (1
January); Martin Luther King’s Birthday (third Monday in January); Washington’s Birthday or
President’s Day (third Monday in February); Memorial Day (last Monday in May); Labour Day
(first Monday in September); Columbus Day (second Monday in October); Veteran’s Day (11
November); Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November); Christmas Day (25
December); New Year’s Eve (31 December).

3. How is Thanksgiving Day celebrated?

The tradition goes back to the 17th century when the Pilgrims, the first English settlers,
thanked God for a bountiful harvest, and they seemed to have copied the Green Corn
ceremony of thanksgiving of the Northeast Indians. Today, traditional foods are prepared,
e.g. roast turkey with chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce and corn dishes, peas and carrots,
hot corn bread, pumpkin pie, apple cider, etc. Charitable organizations provide food or serve
dinners for the poor.Thanksgiving parades are held in many cities. Attendance at religious
services is common.

4. How is Christmas celebrated?

Christmas is the most important religious holiday for Christians. Most shops are closed on
this day. Many businesses give their employees a special Christmas “bonus”(extra money) to
show appreciation for their work. Christmas shopping is a major activity after Thanksgiving is
over.
On Christmas Eve many people go to church and sing carols. Children are told that Santa
Claus will come to their house with presents for them. They usually hang a big sock on the
mantle of the fireplace. Gifts on Christmas Day are given to children, members of the family
and friends. Most Americans send greeting cards to their friends and relatives who live far
away. Most families who observe the festival have a Christmas tree in their homes. The tree
– a real or artificial one – is decorated with smallelectric lights and colorful ornaments. Other
decorations such as lights and wreaths of holly or evergreen and signs wishing a “Merry
Christmas” can be found inside and outside many homes. Christmas dinner traditionally
consists of roast turkey or ham, with vegetables, salad and desserts, especially fruitcake.

5. What ethnic holidays are observed in the U.S.A.?

There are also many traditional holidays observed by a large number of Americans which are
unofficial, e.g. Groundhog Day (2 February); St Valentine’s Day (14 February); Easter Sunday;
Arbor Day (tree-planting day on the last Friday in April); St. Patrick’s Day (17 March);
Mother’s Day (14 May); General Pulaski Memorial Day (11 October);Halloween (the last day
of October).

1. What is a picnic?
A picnic is usually a family outing to the woods or picnic grove. However, it may also be an
organized event attended by several hundred people, who go to a lake or river to have lunch
there

2. What messy games are played by children during picnic parties?

Usually games and sporting competitions are held for people of all ages. Children take part in
watermelon-eating contests holding their hands behind their backs. A pie-eating contest is
similar. The contestants look pretty messy by the time the game is over. Adults prefer
softball games or the beer tent.

3. What meals are eaten at picnics?

Picnic meals include barbecued ribs or chicken, grilled steaks, hamburgers, frankfurters (hot
dogs) and roast corn, salad, chips, fruit and juice. Children like to roast marshmallows (a
spongy white confection) over a fire.

1. What are the most popular ethnic festivals?

is Mardi Gras which takes place Lent in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a huge parade and
feast. It lasts almost two weeks and is known as the “biggest free show on earth”. The
participants dress up in costumes for these events and enjoy this celebration by going to
public parades. They have meaning: purple stands for justice, green for faith and gold for
power. King Cakes are eaten during this holiday
Fiesta San Antonio is a joyful nine-day citywide celebration, which includes exciting
carnivals, spectacular sports, fantastic fire-works, lively entertainment, ethnic feasts, art
exhibits and sparkling parades that glide down San Antonio’s River Walk and streets.
St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) is a holiday for people of Irish descent. San Gennaro’s Day and

2. Why is it possible to eat pizza or tacos at a Polish ethnic festival3. Mention a few ethnic
festivals in the U.S. St. Paulinus’ Day are celebrated by the Italian community in New York
City.
The traditional Chinese New Year’s Day is celebrated in the Chinatown districts of New York
City and San Francisco. Polish Americans celebrate Pulaski’s Day on 11 October and 􀀳􀄅czki
Day before Lent.

1. What does “Homecoming” mean?

Homecoming is one of the most popular traditions old graduates . It takes placein many
schools and colleges organized in autumn and involves parties, dances and dinners.

2. Compare a “prom” with a similar Polish high school ceremony.Prom is counterpart of

Polish Matura special dance organized in the spring for junior and senior high school
students

1. Which birthdays have a particular significance?

In the US the special birthdays are the eighteen, then the twenty-first, the thirtieth and
fortieth

2. Who is the birthday “boy” or “girl”?

The birthday “boy” or “girl” is a person whose birthday is celebrated and who makes a wish
and then blows out all the candles.
What are the most popular fast-food dishes? hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas, colas and cokes,
Sander’s Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell
2. What ethnic foods are popular in the United States? American food is a mixture of many
national traditions– British, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, etc. In America you can eat food from
all over the world. In Texas, New Mexico or California, apart from the traditional American
brunch, you can have Mexican enchiladas, Japanese
sushi or Italian lasagna.

3. What is Tex-Mex?
4. What is a dip? A dip is one of several dishes of Mexican in origin served before a party.
Cheese, sour cream, yoghurt, pureed vegetables, and crab meat are used to make dips
accompanied by crackers, potato or corn chips and vegetables

5.What is a frankfurter?
Frankfurters grilled and served on a warmed roll with mustard and/or ketchup are a popular
fast food not only in America but all over the world. In 1906, frankfurters were nicknamed
hot dogs by a cartoonist named Tad Dorgan who thought that they looked like dachshunds.

6.What are the most popular fast-food restaurants and what do they serve?
McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Wendy’s, Hardee’s, TGI Friday’s and Planet Hollywood
specialize in fast food: hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas, colas and cokes. Coca Cola and Pepsi
Cola are now the most popular non-alcoholic drinks in the U.S. and elsewhere. Other famous
fast-food restaurant chains include Colonel Sander’s Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell
(Mexican food), Dunkin Donuts (doughnuts) and Arby’s (a delicious roast-beef sandwich
laced with creamy horseradish sauce).

Str 244
1.What entertainment does Broadway offer?
Broadway professional theaters present a variety of performances including classical and
modern dramas, musicals, and shows.
2. Where is Disneyland? California
3. Where is Disney World? Florida Disney World is the biggest amusement park in the
world, larger than Manhattan Island.

4. What can be heard in the Grand Ole Opry?

Grand Ole Opry is the oldest continuing radio program in the United States devoted to
country music
The most popular forms of outdoor recreation in the U.S
Most popular outdoor recreation activities in the USA include camping, picnicking, wildlife
viewing, jogging and walking; host of activities such as festivals, sports and outdoor
competitions.

1.What are the most popular team sports in the U.S.A.? Baseball and American football and
volleyball have become the most popular sports in America
2. How is baseball played? The object of the game is to score runs by hitting the ball and
then touching the four bases before the other team catches the ball. If the other team does
catch the ball and touches the player with it, then the player is out (unless he is standing on
a base). A baseball game has nine innings during which each team can score runs. In each
inning, the team players take turns trying to hit the ball.
If a batter misses three good chances, he strikes out. After three players strike out, then the
other team gets a turn. After both teams strike out, the inning is over. At the end of nine
innings, the team with the most runs wins.

3. Is American football similar to soccer? American football is different from European

rugby or soccer. It has a set of
special rules and those spectators who do not understand them miss most of the game.
American football developed from British rugby. Soccer is now becoming more and more
popular in the United States.

4. What are the most popular professional sports in the U.S.A? Professional basketball is one
of the most popular sports in the U.S. nd hocey.
5. Who invented the game of basketball? Basketball, America’s native game, was invented
and first played in America in 1891 although its creator was a Canadian, James Naismith
(1861–1936).
1. What do Americans think about their work load and holiday time? Many Americans feel
that they have become a country of isolated “slave-to-the machine”workaholics. Americans
have the shortest average vacation time in the developed world, say their vacation time is
insufficient.

2. What are favorite domestic holiday destinations? Honolulu, Las Vegas and Miami
3. What is Amtrak? The National Railroad Company , which today controls most inter-city
passenger trains
4. Why is driving the most popular means of travel now? The automobile has long been the
most popular means of travel The system of public roads is very good American self-driven
trailer vehicles they are fully furnished, they contain every facility including bedroom,
bathroom, lounge and kitchen with a microwave oven and deep freeze.

10. American football and baseball are the most popular sports in the United States.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The average working week in the U.S. is about ….. hours
a) 30 b) 40 c) 50
2. The majority of American families prefer live in …..
a) a single house b) a block of apartments c) wooden houses
3. When addressing a woman in a letter, you should use the title ….
a) Mrs b) Miss c) Ms
4. Memorial Days is particularly devoted to
a) those who lost their lives in wars b) all those who died c) to those members
of family who died
5. The traditional dish on Christmas Day is ….
a) roast chicken b) b roastbeef c) roast turkey
6. The ethnic holiday Mardi Gras is celebrated in ….
a) New York b) New Orleans c) Alaska
7. Baseball was invented in ….
a) England b) the United States c) Canada
8. The prom ceremony may cost …
a) 100 dollars b) 1000 dollars c) 10000 dollars
9. The most popular means of travel in the United States is ….
a) the Greyhound bus b) the airplane c) the trailer
251
10. Amtrak is ……
a) the National Railroad Company b) the National Air Travel Company
c) the National Automobile Company

4. Tobacco is a major industry in North Carolina. F Kentucky

1. New England in the _____ region. . a) Northeast b) South c) Midwest

3. The most populated U.S. city is: a) New York b) Los Angeles c) Chicago
4. The largest state is: a) Texas b) Alaska c) California
5. The Grand Canyon is in _____ a) Montana b) California c) Arizona
6. The Golden Gate Bridge is in ________
a) Los Angeles b) San Francisco c) New York
7. Little Rock is in _______ . a) Texas b) Arizona c) Arkansas
8. _______ is a Rocky Mountain state. a) Idaho b) Montana c) Maryland
.
9. ________ is the capital of Texas. a) Austin b) San Antonio c) Houston
10. _______ is a Mormon state. a) Utah b) Michigan c) Washington

True or false
1. The United States has a uniform system of education. F The educational system in the
U.S.A. is based on a strong tradition of local control.
2. There are no state-subsidized schools in the U.S.A. F By 1850 every state had developed a
system of free public schools paid for by public taxes. There are state-supported (public)
and private schools. The latter are usually run by churches, and religious instruction is an
obligatory part of their curriculum.

3. School education is a federal responsibility. Public education is supervised within each

state by a State Board of Education.
4. Children start school in the U.S.A. at the age of four or five. F Five or six
5. School violence is a growing problem in the U.S.A. T
6. A high school diploma entitles students to enter a university. T
7. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) are standardized tests taken by U.S. high school
students applying to colleges or universities.T
8. Study at a community colleges usually lasts four years.F two years
9. Yale is the oldest university in the U.S.A.F Harvard University
10. An increasing number of Americans participate in adult or lifelong education.T

True or false
1. Americans strongly believe in individualism and personal freedom. T
2. Competition is a characteristic part of American life. T
3. Americans rarely address one another by their first name. F
 4. In America people rarely change their place or work. F An average American can move
four or five times during his life
5. Americans spend a lot of time cooking. F
6. Americans never shake hands. F Americans rarely shake hands upon leaving.
7. American women are very fond of handkissing. F Do not touch a woman in a business
setting except to shake her hand. Hugging and kissing, even of people you know very well, is
best left for social occasions. Polish style handkissing is seen as rather strange.
8. The 4th of July is the only official national holiday in the U.S.A. T
9. The prom is a ceremony of awarding a high school diploma. T
10. American football and baseball are the most popular sports in the United States.T

GENERAL QUIZ
1. Multiple Choice Quiz
Choose the correct answer.
1. How many U.S. states are there?
A 48
B 50
C 51
D 52
2. Which region of the U.S. is Oregon in?
A The Southwest
B The Midwest
C The South
D The Pacific Northwest
3. Which is the capital of New York?
A Albany
B Buffalo
C New York City
D Manhattan
4. What is the approximate population of New York City?
A 8.5 million 8,215,000
B 10.5 million
C 15.5 million
D 20.5. million
5. Which is the biggest city in Massachusetts?
A San Francisco
B New York City
C Chicago
D Boston
6. Which state is Yellowstone National Park located in?
253
A Iowa
B California
C Wyoming
D New Mexico
7. Which is the capital of Florida?
A Tallahassee
B Miami
C Orlando
D St. Petersburg
8. Which region of the US is New Mexico in?
A The Southwest
B The Midwest
C The Southeast
D The Northwest
9. Which of the following is NOT a borough of New York City?
A Manhattan
B Queens
C Rhode Island
D Brooklyn
10. Which state legalized gambling in 1932?
A California
B New Jersey
C Nevada
D Utah
11. Which is the smallest US state?
A Hawaii
B Rhode Island
C Washington, DC
D Texas
12. Which is the capital of California?
A Los Angeles
B Sacramento
C San Francisco
D San Diego
13. In which city did jazz music originate?
A New Orleans Luisiana
B Atlanta
C New York City
D Nashville
14. Which of the following rights is NOT guaranteed by the US Constitution?
A the right to bear arms (guns)
B the right to free speech
C the right to a free press
D the right to free education
15. When was the American Constitution written?
A 1787
B 1776
C 1492
D 1812
2. True or False Quiz
Read carefully the statements below and mark them T (True) or F (False). Explain why a
statement is false.
Geography and population
1. The population of the USA is about 180 million. F 328,2 mln
2. The US is a federation of forty-eight states and two overseas territories. F The U.S.A. is a
federation of fifty states.
3. McKinley is the highest mountain in the USA. T
4. Death Valley is in California. T
5. The US is divided into four Standard Time Zones. T
6. The US flag has fifty stripes and thirteen stars. F fifty stars and thirteen stripes
7. The Apaches are the largest group of Indians in the US. F Navajo
8. New England is in the Northeast region. T
9. San Francisco is California’s largest city. F Los Angeles
10. Austin is the capital of Texas. T
11. Idaho is a Rocky Mountain state. T
12. Mt. St. Helens in the state of Washington is an active volcano. T
13. Kennedy Space Center is in California. F Florida
14. The Midwest is an industrial heart of the US. T
Str 255
15. The Mississippi is longer than the Missouri River.T
16. Boston is in Massachusetts.T
17. The District of Columbia is not a state but part of the state Washington. F an area
separated from the neighboring states which is the property of the US government
18. Little Rock is in Texas. F Arkansas
19. Nashville is in Tennessee.T
20. Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie are in the Southeast. F Midwest
21. Chicago is the most populous city in the United States. F New York
22. The Golden Gate Bridge is in San Francisco. T
23. Before 1836 Texas was a Spanish colony. F a Mexican province
24. The Grand Canyon is in Montana. F Arisona
25. Utah is a Mormon state. T

2.Freedom was Shaped by the Founding Fathers Bill of Rights. U.S. constitution’s Bill
Rights ratified in 1791, assures individual rights, provision for freedom of speech, press and
religion. and freedom to question government actions. People charged with grave crimes have
the right to trial by a jury of their peers.
3. American Civil War The Vietnam war was the longest war for the United States and the
most
controversial one since the Civil War of the 1860s In 1964 Johnson began to send American
advisors to South Vietnam and to direct air attacks on North Vietnam in February 1965
8. Nashville Nashville, Tennessee, is the capital of the “country and western” style. Nashville
has
developed a multi-billion dollar country music industry. Elvis Presley’s home Graceland
has become the most visited celebrity museum in the country
12. Puritans Massachusetts became an English colony in the 17th century, when groups of
English Puritans made settlements at Plymouth (1620), Salem (1628) and Boston (1630).
Massachusetts was the initiator of the revolution in the American colonies
13. Halloween American Halloween follows Celtic pagan rather than
Christian traditions of All the Hallow’s Eve. Halloween (the last day of October).
14. Mayflower

16. “melting pot” and “salad bowl” the “melting pot” and “salad bowl”or ”pizza” metaphor of
the
United States The United States has also been called “melting pot” because the new land
offered
a unique opportunity of assimilation and integration for many different nationalities. Today
the “melting pot” metaphor, which implies a smooth assimilation resulting in homogeneity,
is replaced instead by the more realistic “salad bowl” or “pizza” metaphors, which mean
that various ethnic communities make up American society without losing their cultural
attributes
19. Declaration of Independence in 1776 on 4rd July, meant overruling the king of
England. British colonial settlers declared their independence from England and established
their new nation, The United States of America.

.
21. Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November of surviving
servicemen and women.
Thanksgiving Day is a family holiday. The tradition goes back to the 17th century
when the Pilgrims, the first English settlers, thanked God for a bountiful harvest, and they
seemed to have imitated the Green Corn ceremony of thanksgiving of the Northeast
Indians. Today, traditional foods are prepared, e.g. roast turkey with chestnut stuffing,
cranberry sauce and corn dishes, peas and carrots, hot corn bread, pumpkin pie, apple
cider,
26. Martin Luther King leader of Civil Rights Movement
27. Pearl Harbor The Japanese attacked the US naval base in Pearl Harbor in 1941.
28. The Gettysburg Address President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address on 19
November

General Knowledge Quiz

How many of the questions below can you answer without consulting the book?
1. Can you name any outstanding geographical features of the US? The conterminous United
States may be divided into seven broad physiographic divisions: from east to west, the Atlantic–Gulf
Coastal Plain; the Appalachian Highlands; the Interior Plains; the Interior Highlands; the Rocky
Mountain System; the Intermontane Region; and the Pacific Mountain System.
2. What are the climatic zones of the US? : tropical, subtropical, moderate warmer and
moderate cold
3. What are the principal natural resources of the US? iron ore, lead and copper, as well as energy
resources such as coal, crude oil, and
natural gas.
4. What was the influence of immigration on the growth of the US population?
5. Between 1900 and 1920 immigrants flooded the largest cities like New York and
Chicago. These communities grew very fast and soon immigrants outnumbered natives
They made ethnic neighbourhoods like Little Italys or Chinatown. In 1890 New York was
a city of foreigners and 1893 Chicago had the largest Czech population in the world and
as many Poles as Warsaw
5. What do you know about Native Americans (Indians)?
6. What are the main differences between American English and British English?
7. What are the main cultural regions of the US?
8. What were the causes of the American Revolution?
9. What were the causes of the Civil War?
10. What do you know about New York City? New York City, which is often referred to as
Big Apple or Never Sleeping City is divided into five brought Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx
Queens Staten Island
11. What are the distinctive features of the South?
12. What do you know about California?
13. What do you know about Alaska?
14. What are the main provisions of the American Constitution?
15. What is the structure of the US government?
16. What is the structure of the American legal system?
17. What are the main political parties in the US and what are the differences between
them?
18. What are the largest religious creeds in the US?
19. What are the largest television networks in the US?
20. What are the most popular American newspapers and magazines?
21. What is the structure of the US education and why is it so varied?
22. Can you name some of the most outstanding American writers?
23. Who are the greatest American composers of popular music?
24. Who are the most outstanding American jazz performers?
25. What are the most popular sports in the US?
26. What percentage of Americans live below the poverty level?
27. What is the ideological heritage inherited from the Mayflower Pilgrims?
28. When and how did slavery end?
29. Who are the most popular American movie stars at present?
30. Do you know any famous Polish Americans?
The three groups of ‘Natives’ in Alaska are Aleuts Eskimos Indians