Before You Read

1．Build Your vocabulary.

Read the quotation from the Declaration of Independence at the beginning of the unit, and find the words with the following meanings.Write word next to its meaning.

____the act of trying to achieve something in a determined way

____easily noticed or understood; obvious

____that cannot be taken away from you

____given a good quality

2．Work in groups to find what is inappropriate in each case．Explain why and discuss what you would have done.

Situation One:

You were working as a volunteer for the Paralympic Games.One day, you saw an American athlete in a wheelchair that was going up a slope.You came directly to help him move up the slope.

Situation Two

You invited an American friend to your house.The friend went to your house with a gift wrapped up.You thanked the friend and put the gift aside without unwrapping it.

3．How much do you know about Americans?

Work with your partner.Put a tick(√)in the corresponding column.

Start to Read

Text A Typiicall Ameriican Behaviiors and Vallues

1．What are Americans like? What do Americans like? In spite of the great diversity in the ethnic makeup of America, Americans do share some typical American values, attitudes and beliefs.

2．Watching Americans in action, foreigners sometimes see behavior that seems rude, misguided, or just plain silly．Among them are the following traits, which are characteristically, but certainly not exclusively, American.

3．Hurry, Hurry, Hurry．Almost every American wears a watch, and, in nearly every room in an American home, there's a clock．“Be on time．”“Don't waste time．”“Time is money．”“Time waits for no one．”All these familiar sayings reflect the American obsession with promptness and efficiency． Students displease their teachers and employees displease their bosses when they arrive late．This desire to get the most out of every minute often makes Americans impatient when they have to wait．The pressure to make every moment count sometimes makes it difficult for Americans to relax.

4．The Importance of Money．After visiting the U．S．in the 1830s, the French historian Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, “I know of no country．．．where the love of money has taken stronger hold．．．”Americans are often accused of being materialistic, of valuing wealth and possession above all else．Money is valued both as a symbol of success and also for a more obvious reason—its purchasing power．Many items which did not even exist 50 years ago are now considered necessities in the American home．In addition, purchases are made in order to“keep up with the Joneses, ”to show friends that one can afford a bigger house or a fancier car．Also, advertising encourages people to keep buying things far beyond what they need．In the mid-nineteenth century, the American author Henry David Thoreau advised his countrymen, “Simplify your needs! ”However, Americans have moved in the opposite direction．Now, just as Thoreau predicted, many find that their possessions own them．They must work hard to earn enough money to buy and maintain the many possessions they consider necessities.

5．Yes, Americans love to make a lot of money and spend it on themselves—to buy things that save time, give them pleasure, or serve as status symbols．However, Americans are also very generous and very willing to donate money to good causes．The American character includes a strong sense of obligation to help those in need.

6．Say What You Mean, and Mean What You Say．Americans believe that“Honesty is the best policy．”They are direct and assertive．They ask for what they want．In many cultures, respect for those in positions of authority keeps people from expressing their true feelings or intentions．In the U．S．A．, however, children often argue with their parents and citizens express opposition to actions of the government．If the soup is cold or the meat is tough, the diner can complain to the waiter．If a teacher is wrong or confusing, a student may say so．If the boss makes a mistake, an employee may politely point it out． Assertive behavior sometimes seems improper and rude to foreigners, but it works well for Americans．In fact, assertiveness is almost a necessity in the business world.

7．The Need to Win．The extremely competitive nature of Americans is often criticized． Of course, competition is not always bad．In fact, it promotes excellence by encouraging individuals(and businesses)to try to do their best．But the desire to get ahead of otherscauses people to do things that are unkind and even dishonest.

8．The Practical Outlook．Americans admire what is practical, fast, efficient, and new． Sometimes they fail to appreciate cultures that prefer more traditional, leisurely ways of doing things．Conversely, people from other cultures may dislike the practical, hectic American lifestyle.

9．Despite these traits, which many foreigners may view as faults, Americans are usually considered very likable．Most are friendly, kind-hearted, and eager to help visitors and immigrants．In this nation of immigrants, the foreigner does not remain an outsider for long.