Where do Americans go on their vacations? (1) __________________ of them like to go abroad. Either they visit (2) __________________ different countries but spend very (3) _________________ time in each of them, or they visit only (4) __________________ countries but get to know each of them well.

However, (5) __________________ Americans prefer to visit places in their own country. For example, there are (6) __________________ national parks in the United States – forty, to be exact – and each of these parks offers so (7) __________________ spectacular scenery that it has to be seen to be believed. Only (8) __________________ of the national parks are in the east (one each in Maine, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida). Most of the parks are in the western part of the country, but (9) __________________ of them are not even in the continental limits of the United States (there are two in Hawaii, one in Alaska, and one in the Virgin Islands). Camping in the natural wilderness of the national parks has become so popular that people complain about the crowds: there are too (10) __________________ camp sites and too (11) __________________ campers. However, outdoor camping will continue to be an enjoyable vacation for (12) __________________ citizens because it costs so (13) __________________ money and offers so (14) __________________ pleasure.

In addition to the national parks, there are (15) __________________ historical parks, national monuments, and memorials to visit. Just (16) __________________ time spent at some of these – battlegrounds of the Revolution or Civil War, or the birthplaces of presidents and poets – can give an American (17) __________________ pride in the nation’s history and culture.

In the winter, quite (18) _________________ people prefer to vacation on the sunny beaches of Florida and southern California. (19) __________________ people in the northern part of the country can resist the clear blue sky and the warm sunshine of the south – especially when there is so (20) ____________ cold and so (21) __________________ snowstorms in the north.

(22) _________________ children and teenagers spend at least part of the vacation at summer camps. Here there is so (23) __________________ to do that the campers have a difficult time choosing from the (24) _________________ activities. (25) __________________ activities (such as nature walks and study of animals or stars) are somewhat like school. Of course, (26) ____________ time spent learning about nature can be useful and enjoyable. However, most of the activities are less like school: they are athletic (such as swimming, boating, hiking, or horseback riding) or crafts (such as wood carving or leather working).

Finally, (27) _________________ people don’t go anywhere on their vacation. They simply stay home, work in their garden, play golf or tennis, visit relatives and friends – in other words, simply relax. For them, perhaps there is (28) _________________ money to go anywhere and too (29) _________________ things to do around the house.

Whether Americans camp in a national park, visit a large city, sun themselves on a beach, or simply remain home and relax usually depends on how (30) _________________ times they have done it before and how (31) _________________ time and money they have.

Comprehension Check

 Write the boldface word that makes the statement true.

1. ________________ (Many/Few) people go camping in the national parks.

2. ________________ Some people in the north spend (little/much) time on the beaches of Florida or southern California.

3. ________________ Compared with traveling abroad, camping in the national parks requires (little/much) money.

4. ________________ (A few/Many) activities at summer camp are studied like school subjects.

5. ________________ Americans have (few/many) ways to spend their vacations.

Write Now

Write a paragraph that describes possible vacations in your country. Try to use much, many, few, a few, little, and a little.

By Erin Bouma