American Studies
Lesson 7
Aim – to learn some information about New York City. New York City
What is so special about New York? Is it the Empire State Building? The Statue of Liberty? Madison Avenue? Broadway? Greenwich Village?
New York is all this and a little bit more. Some people love it, some hate it. It is the city of contrasts. It can be beautiful and it can be ugly. It can be friendly and it can be rude. It can be good and it can be bad. But it is never boring. It is the most exciting city in the world! There is a saying: “If you can’t do it in New York, you can’t do it anywhere.”
Manhattan is the central part of New York. When you say Manhattan, many tourists think of big stores, skyscrapers and hotels. They forget about Greenwich Village which is the heart of the city. This is the area of art, latest fashions, old films, books.
Harlem is sometimes called Black Manhattan. It is known for its street life. It is especially famous for its music and jazz clubs. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, who were two of the greatest jazz musicians, first started to play in Harlem.
Exercise 1
Find the English equivalents in the text.
Откусить; статуя Свободы; город контрастов; небоскрёбы; район искусства и последней моды; уличная жизнь; джазовые клубы.
Exercise 2
Answer the questions.
1. What is New York called?
2. What are the main attractions of New York?
3. What is the symbol of New York?
4. Where is it situated?
5. What do you know about Greenwich Village?
6. What is so interesting about Manhattan?
7. What is Harlem called?
8. What is Harlem famous for?
9. What famous musicians come from Harlem?
10. What saying about New York do you know?
Exercise 3
Make up 5-6 false and true statements based on the text.
Additional task Mistakes on the Signpost
There are spelling mistakes in the words. Can you correct them?
At the end of Lesson 7 you can start learning the poem “Eldorado” by Edgar Рое by heart.
Eldorado – a city or country of fabulous riches held by the 16th century explorers to exist in South America; a place of great wealth, abundance, orELDORADO
Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.
But he grew old –
This knight so bold –
And o’er his heart a shadow
Fell, as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.
And, as his strength
Failed him at length
He met a pilgrim shadow –
“Shadow,” said he,
“Where can it be –
This land of Eldorado?”
“Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,”
The shade replied, –
“If you seek for Eldorado!”
Lesson 8 Aim – to learn some facts about American holidays. HOLIDAYS IN THE USA
In the USA different states celebrate different holidays, but there are holidays celebrated by everyone. Below you can see a list of American holidays. Match the holiday with a suitable description.
On this day, in 1776, America signed the “Declaration of Independence” and started to fight for freedom from British rule.
On this day people buy cards, flowers and chocolates for their mothers.
(the second Sunday in May)
On the fourth Thursday in November American families meet for a special dinner, usually with turkey and pumpkin pie. They give thanks to God for the past year, and recollect the first harvest of the first European Americans in 1621.
New Year’s Day
St. Valentine’s Day
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Independence Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas
Read the text below
FATHER’S DAY
(the third Sunday in June)
Last week Nancy and Tom bought presents for Father’s Day. They hid them so that their father couldn’t see them. Today, they want to surprise him with the presents.
Their father is sitting on the patio when they give him their presents. He is surprised and pleased to see the presents. Nancy is giving him a portable radio and Tom – an electric shaver. They both say: “Happy Father’s Day, Dad,” as they hand him their gifts.
Exercises
1. WHAT YOU SEE: Tell where the following people and objects are located in the picture.
a. Dad
b. Nancy
c. Tom
d. Nancy’s present
e. a chair
f. a ribbon
g. a sweater
II. DESCRIPTION: Describe (a) Dad (b) Nancy (c) Tom (d) Nancy’s present.
III. QUESTION AND ANSWER: The following phrases or statements are the answers to questions. Make the questions that the phrases or statements answer and ask your classmates these questions. Use WHO, WHEN, WHERE, HOW (MUCH) (MANY), WHY.
Example: Statement: Last week.
Question: When did Nancy and Tom buy presents for Father’s Day?
1. No, he didn’t.
2. Because they hid them.
3. On the patio.
4. With the presents.
5. Yes, he is surprised.
6. She’s giving him a portable radio.
7. An electric shaver.
8. Happy Father’s Day!
IV. ORAL PRACTICE: Tell the story about “Father’s Day” in your own words.
V. PERSONAL INTEREST: Answer the following questions about yourself.
1. Do you celebrate Father’s Day in your country?
2. Do you like to give or receive presents? Why?
3. What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
VI. DICTATION: Put down the reading your teacher does. Correct your own mistakes.
By Nadejda Beregovaia