1、UNIT 31.what is an American? Comment on the answer to the question by crevecoeur?(1)American is either a European, or the descendant of a European , hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country. He is an American, who leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and
2、manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holdsThe American is a new man ,who acts upon new principles. He must therefore entertain new ideas and form new opinions.this is an American.(2)According to Crevecoeur, The America
3、n in those days had the mixed blood of Europeans or their descendants without taking into consideration other nationalities such as American Indians ans blacks. But today , the picture of an American is more complex.2 How did modern development in Europe influence the settlement of North American co
4、lonies?Some new and powerful social forces began to emerge which led to the awakening of Europe and the discovery of America.The first new force was the development of capitalism, and it produced the bourgeois class and the working class. The second major force was Renaissance, which was marked by a
5、 changing outlook on life.The third influential force was Religious Reformation, a religious reform movement that started form Germany.3 What was the unique American phenomenon ? How did it come into being? Do you think it still exists in todays American society?on the one hand, the English and othe
6、r Europeans went to North American for seeking freedom. But on the other hand, these very white people who were seeking and fighting for their own freedom deprived black Africans of their freedomThe two events combined constituted a unique American . First one is that on July, 30,1619,the first meet
7、ing of an elected legislature took place in North American. The second one is a dutch ship brought in over 20 Negroes, who were acted as servants for years.Yes, I do.4 In what way did Puritanism influence American culture?The Puritans believed that governments should enforce Gods morality. They stri
8、ctly punished drunks, adulterers, violators of the Sabbath and other religious believers different from themselves. Roger Williams, one of the Puritans who protested that the state should not interfere with religion, was driven out of Massachusetts. In 1635, he set up Rhode Island colony, which guar
9、anteed religious freedom and the separation of church and state. The Puritans also have left rich cultural heritage to future Americans. The American values such as individualism, hard work, respect of education owe very much to the Puritan beliefs.5.what were some causes of the American RevolutionL
10、ong-term social, economic, and political changes in the colonies before 1750 provided the basis for an independent nation with representatives political institutions. More immediately, the French and Indian War (1754-1763) changed the relationship between the colonies and their mother country. Final
11、ly, a decade of conflicts between the British government and the colonist, beginning with the Stamp Act crisis in 1765, led to the outbreak of war in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence inUNIT 51. do you agree that cultivators of the earth are most valuable citizenYes, I do agree the point that
12、 “cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens”. My reasons for my agreement can be illustrated as follows:Firstly, though outward forms have changed, the vital importance of agriculture has not. Agriculture provides the sustenance that meets peoples most basic needs. Agriculture and its
13、related industries serve as the foundation of American economic lifeSecondly, They have shown a spirit of individualism that the rest of society has admired. To a large extent, agricultural values have been adopted and celebrated by the society as a whole.Thirdly, American agriculture is big busines
14、s. It provides the rest world with lots of food. So as the main body of agriculture, cultivators of the earth contribute a lot to Americans economic.2. It is known to all that buying and selling stocks is a risky business. Why do you think there are still so many people involved in it?In order to in
15、vest, individuals do not have to have a great deal of money: they can buy just a small portion of a businesscalled a share. The business of buying and selling shares in enterprises has become so big that offices have had to be set up where the selling of shares, or stock , can take place. These plac
16、es, located in many cities in the United States and around the world, are called stock exchanges. 3.Give examples of industries which are declining, and industries which are fast developing in the US.Generally speaking, declining industries would be industries where labor cost is high and its growth
17、 potential is limited. The Auto industry is in a declining state but of course if they reinvent their automobiles things could pick up for them. Developing industries would be the hi tech sector. Especially in companies that are developing new types of technology to help our environment by developin
18、g new types of technology in many areas. Especially energy conservation technology and new types of alternative energies. Also, new types of technology where we would be using fewer resources for our daily usage.4.What is the current economic situation in America? How did the great recession begin?w
19、hat does it show?(1) In late 2007 the US economy suffered a severe recession, it was a crisis that began in America but soon turned global. Millions of people in America and all over the world lost their homes and jobs. It has resulted in the collapse of large financial institutions, and downturns i
20、n stock markets around the world,(2) Many economists believe that the problems are revealing defects in the free market system and US government financial policies.(3) Question the soundness of this countrys economy and even the appropriate shape of a capitalist system,UNIT 61 In what way do you thi
21、nk that religious freedom was a historical necessity in the United States?A few Americans were so influenced by the new science and new ideas of the Enlightenment in Europe that they became deists, believing that reason teaches that God exists but leaves man free to settle his own affairs. Many trad
22、itional Protestants and deists could agree, however,“all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights,“ and that “the laws of Nature and Natures God“ entitled them to form a new nation. Among the rights that the new nation guaranteed, as a political n
23、ecessity in a religiously diverse society, was freedom of religion. The First Amendment insured that American government would not meddle in religious affairs or require any religious beliefs of its citizens.2 What is the relationship between government and religion in America?In some ways, the gove
24、rnment supports all religions. Religious groups do not pay taxes in the United States. But government does not pay ministers salaries or require any beliefnot even a belief in Godas a condition of holding public office. Oaths are administered, but those who, like Quakers, object to them, can make a
25、solemn affirmation, or declaration, instead3 What promotes the diversity in American religion?Continuous immigration. The united states has always been a fertile ground for the growth of new religious movements. Frontier American provided plenty of room to set up a new church or found a new communit
26、y.Many religious communities and secular utopias, or experiments in new forms of social living.were founded in 18th, and 19th century America.Other world religions are increasing their numbers and influence in America such as Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.4. What are some of the features in religion
27、 that are particularly American? What are some of the major differences between American religion and religion in Europe?First of all, Americans with different religions live together under the same law. Secondly, the religious beliefs of Americans continue to be strong with social progress.In Europ
28、e, scientific and economic advance and rising material prosperity have accompanied by a decline in religious observance bu in the US, this has not happened.Thirdly, in the United States every church is a completely independent organization, and concerned with its own finance and its own building.The
29、re has been little concentration on doctrine or religious argument such as in European history,UNIT 81. What is the goal of education in the United States? Discuss the similarities and differences in Great Britain, the United States and China concerning the goals of education.The goal isand has been
30、 since the early decades of the republicto achieve universal literacy and to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote both their own individual welfare as well as that of the general public. Though this goal has not yet been fully achieved, it remains an ideal toward wh
31、ich the American educational system is directed. The progress which has been made is notable both for its scope and for the educational methods which have been developed in the process of achieving it.2. How did American education begin to develop?In 1634, they opened a “lateen grammar” school, a sc
32、hool for those who wanted to prepare for college.In 1636, Harvard College was founded for the training of religious ministers.In 1634 and 1638, the Puritans passed laws declaring that all property could be taxed for the common good, which included the support of school.In 1642 and 1647, the Bay Colo
33、ny passed laws requiring all parents to provide reading educating for their children.At the end of the 18th century, elementary education throughout the United States was in local hands.3. What are the major characteristics of education in America?(1)Different education laws for different states.(2)
34、Several levels of schooling：Elementary Schooling，Secondary Schooling and High Schooling.(3)curricula for students: there is no national curriculum in the United States.(3)Compulsory education for all students.(4)Equal education opportunities for minority groups.(5)Strong demand for higher education.
35、(6)The complex system of higher education.Some states play a strong role in the selection of learning material for their students.Schools were asked not only to teach this new information, but to help students ask their own questions about it. The “inquiry” method of learning , focusing on solving problems rather than memorizing facts, became popular.
