Reading. The United States of America

Text 1

The United States of America

The United States of America is the 4^th largest country in the world after Russia, Canada and China. It occupies the central part of the North American continent, Alaska and the Hawaii. The total area of the country is more than 9 mln square km.

The country is washed by three oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Arctic. The climate conditions are rather¹ different. The coldest regions are in the north and north-east. The south has a subtropical climate.

The USA is a land of rivers and lakes. The longest rivers are the Mississippi and the Missouri. On the US territory there are mountains and lowlands. The highest mountain chains are the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera and the Sierra Nevada.

The country is rich in natural and mineral resources: oil, gas, iron ore, coal and various metals. The USA is a highly developed industrial and agricultural country. The main industrial branches are aircraft², automobile, electronics, radio-engineering and others.

The United States of America is a federal republic, consisting of 50 states and one District of Columbia. The states differ in size, population and economic development. Each state has its own capital. The nation’s capital is Washington, DC. It is named after the 1^st US President – George Washington. At present the population of the US is about 250 mln people. The largest cities of the country: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San-Francisco, Philadelphia and some others.

There are several political parties in the USA, the largest of them are the Republican (symbolized by a donkey³) and the Democratic (symbolized by an elephant).

Notes:

1. rather – довольно

2. aircraft – самолетостроение

5. donkey – осёл

Answer the following questions:

1. Where is the USA situated?

2. What is the total area of the country?

3. What is the climate like?

4. What is the country washed by?

5. What mineral resources is the country rich in?

6. What are the names of the biggest mountain chains?

7. What big cities are there in the USA?

VI. Просмотрите текст «The United States of America» и, используя ключевые слова, передайте его основное содержание:

the 4^th largest country – четвертая по величине страна

is washed by – омывается

different climate conditions – различные климатические условия

many rivers and lakes – много рек и озер

developed industrial country – развитая промышленная страна

is rich in natural and mineral resources – богата природными ресурсами

the largest cities – крупнейшие города

50 states – 50 штатов

the capital of the USA – столица США

VII. Прочитайте текст и кратко изложите его содержание в виде тезисов:

Text 2

History of the U.S.A.

North America's first settlers were people, who came from Asia, using the land bridge between North America and Asia. Later the natural bridge was covered with water, the Bering Strait appeared¹. So the continents were isolated and the migration stopped. Modern Europeans knew nothing about American continent till the 15^th century when Christopher Columbus discovered it.

In 1492 C. Columbus, an Italian sailor, whose life-time dream was to find a new way to India, sailed westwards with three little ships. It was a very difficult voyage but in three months the ships reached² and landed on one of the Bahamas islands. Until the end of his life Columbus thought that the islands and the mainland were the part of India. That's why they were called West Indies and the red-skinned natives - «Indians».

In 1497 another Italian seaman Amerigo Vespucchi explored the coast of South America and proved that the land discovered by Columbus was not India but the new continent. The «New World» was decided to name after him – America, the land of Amerigo.

But only at the beginning of the 17^th century Englishmen established several colonies and called them new England. It happened in 1620 when some English families (about 100 people) left England on board the ship³ «Mayflower» and sailed to America. From the Atlantic coast colonists penetrated into the depths⁴ of the continent. They drove back the native population, took away their lands by force⁵ and destroyed them.

The colonists became richer and stronger, but they were ruled by England and paid duty⁶ on different things. At the end of the 17^th century (in 1775) the colonists started the War of Independence. It lasted eight years. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. Thirteen colonies declared themselves free and independent of England. This day (July, 4) is considered to be the birthday of the American nation.

After the end of the War of Independence in 1783, 16 states were formed and they chose George Washington as their first president. At present there are 50 stars on the American flag, symbolizing 50 U.S. states, the stripes⁷ represent 13 original states.

Notes:

1. the Bering Strait appeared – появился Берингов пролив

2. to reach – достигать

3. on board the ship – на борту корабля

4. penetrated into the depths – проникли в глубины

5. by force – силой

6. to pay duty – платить налог (пошлину)

7. stripe – полоса

VIII. Проверьте свои знания о США, выполнив тест:

1. America used to be a British colony.

a) True b) False

2. The traditional Thanksgiving Fay dinner includes

a) goose b) turkey c) chicken

3. What do Americans celebrate on the 4^th of July?

a) Columbus Day b) Independence Day c) Election (выборы) Day

4. Which American holiday is NOT celebrated in October?

a) Columbus Day b) Halloween c) St. Patrick’s Day

5. Which is the youngest of all American states?

a) Illinois b) Alaska c) Hawaii

6. Which American President freed the slaves?

a) George Washington b) Abraham Lincoln c) George Bush

7. The Mississippi is the longest river in the US.

a) True b) False

8. Who was the first person to walk on the moon?

a) John Glen b) Neil Armstrong c) Jim Lowell

9. What are the two main parties in the US?

a) the Republicans and the Democrats

b) the Conservative Party and the Labour Party

c) the Democrats and the Socialists

10. What did James Marshal discover in California in 1848?

a) oil b) coalc) gold

11. The Pentagon is a museum of modern art in New York.

a) True b) False

12. Where is Hollywood?

a) in Florida b) in Los Angeles c) in San Francisco

13. How many presidents died at the hand of assassins?

a) two b) three c) four

14. New York City’s nickname is the Big Apple?

a) True b) False

15. Which city is the biggest car producer in the USA?

a) Las Vegas b) Detroitc) Philadelphia