17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
ETHNIC AND RACIAL DIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES
1. Some are inclined to see the United States as a sale bowl where the various groups have remained distinct and differe somewhat
nt from one another, creating a richly diverse country.
2. The process by which these many groups have been made a part of a common cultural life
with commonly shared values is called assimilation.
3. Many Americans strongly disapproved of the political bosses. these criticisms, Despite
many scholars believe that the political bosses performed an important function.
4. Integrated neighborhoods are the exception, rather than the rule. Sociology professor John
Logan has studied this phenomenon and reports that the 2000 census found the United States
as segregated a nation as it has ever been.
5. Some immigrants risk their lives to come to the United States without documentation to
do agricultural or construction work.
6. In 1965, the United States made important changes in its immigration laws, allowing many
more immigrants to come, and entirely eliminating the bias of the older laws in favor of white European immigrants.
7. Segregation and discrimination are against the law, but residential patterns create largely
segregated neighborhood schools, particularly in many urban areas.
*********************************************
TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES AND BELIEFS
Self-[reliance] is an important American values.
Most Americans [emphasize] the importance of eventually becoming independent and
standing on your own two feet.
They teach this [concept ] to their children as they are growing up, expecting them to
[achieve] financial and emotional independence by the time they are in early twenties.
Americans do not [reject ] their adult children; they still love them and believe this is the
best preparation for life in American culture.
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TRADITIONAL AMERICAN VALUES AND BELIEFS
John Zogby is an American pollster who → surveys public opinion.
Of course, new immigrants continue to → face challenges.
Millions came to the United States their fortunes. to → seek
The working poor have low-paying jobs that do not → provide a decent standard of living.
By freedom, Americans mean the desire and the right to → control their own destiny.
*******************************************
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT about:blank 1/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
1. The Supreme Court both interprets a [law] and determines whether it is constitutional.
2. The president may veto a [bill] he doesn’t like and send it back to Congress.
3. The Senate has to ratify a [treaty] that the president has signed.
4. If an election is very close, a candidate may request that the officials recount the [recount].
5. The president serves a [term] of four years.
6. The judicial branch settles [disputes] about the exact meaning of the law through court cases.
7. The Democratic and Republican parties each nominate a [candidate] for president.
The organization of the American federal government The three [separate] branches
1. Legislative Branch ([lawmaking] branch: [2] houses
a. the Senate: 100 [Senators], 2 from each state
b. the House of [Representatives]: the Congress, 435 representatives (congressmen), divided
among the 50 states by [population ] Function: making laws
2. Executive Branch: headed by [President] (chief executives),
Function: carrying out the laws 3. Judicial Branch: - The [Supreme] Court - Lower national courts
Function: [settling] disputes, interprets the law and determines whether the law is [constitutional]
*******************************************
EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES
1. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation denied black children an equal about:blank 2/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
opportunity to an education; this [violated] the Constitution.
2. In the past, many students who went to competitive schools such as Harvard received their
high school education at [elite] private schools for the rich.
3. Sports, clubs, and other [extracurricular ] activities held after school held students get a well-rounded education.
4. Maintaining discipline and trying to teach children who come from broken homes and have
severe problems are two of the numerous [burdens] the public schools are now expected to carry.
5. At school graduation ceremonies, students receive [diplomas].
6. Some Americans worry that if students do not study a core body of knowledge, they will
not learn enough about American culture, and this could lead to the [fragmentation ] of American society.
7. At the university level, there is no free system of public education; even universities
supported by public funds charge student [tuition ] .
8. In order to integrate public schools, the courts ordered [mandatory ] busing; parents and children had no choice.
9. Some Americans would like to see major changes in their public education system; they want to [transform] it.
10. Before the civil rights laws were passed, segregation of public [facilities ] was legal in the South.
11. Those who are in favor of multicultural education believe that it is important to study
history from the [perspective ] of a number of cultures.
12. Some American high schools offer [vocational ] education to prepare students for jobs
right after school; these students do not attend college.
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EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES
1. What did the mayor of New York City say in his toast at the dinner for Tocqueville? → National blessing.
2. Who was Allan Bakke? → A white student who was denied admission to a medical school.
3. When were public schools first established in the United States? → In 1825. about:blank 3/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
4. What segment of the population in the public schools has increased by 218 percent
since 1986? → Hispanic (Latino).
5. What is SAT? → A test for those who want to enter a college or university.
6. What did the Supreme Court rule in 1954 about segregated schools? → Segregated schools were not legal.
7. Who said, “Effective participation by members of all racial and ethnic groups in the
civic life of our Nation is essential if the dream of one Nation, indivisible, is to be
realized.”? → Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
8. What is the “canon”? → The traditional set of western great books.
******************************************* THE AMERICAN FAMILY
1. Many [conscientious ] American mothers would like to stay at home with their young
children, but they have to work to make ends meet.
2. Many young mothers who work have an [exhausting ] lifestyle _ they work all day at their
jobs and then care of their families and homes.
3. Most Americans would probably agree that fathers, as well as mothers, should be able to [nurture] their children.
4. Parents who do not have enough time for their children may feel guilty and then try to
[compensate ] by giving their children material gifts.
5. Sometimes a demanding career can be a [priority ], even though a parent would like to
have more time to spend with the children.
6. [Blended] families can be a source of stress, as parents try to cope with raising each other’s children, plus their own.
7. In the United States, [courtship ] is the time that young people in love get to know each
other and decide if they want to get married.
8. Although marriages are not very [stable ] in the United States, most Americans still believe
that it is an important institution in society.
9. Families have traditionally provided an important [refuge] from the competitive stresses of American society.
10. [demographic ] studies show that young Americans are now waiting longer to get married and have children.
11. In spite of all its problems, the institutions of marriage and the family will certainly never [vanish].
12. [juggling] a career and family responsibilities is very stressful.
******************************************* American culture
1 The United States provides their citizens with….. years of free education. A 12 B 13 2.The president of the US …
A has the power to make official treaties with foreign government without the approval of the about:blank 4/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g Congress.
B can veto a law that has been passed by the Congress (
C is elected if his political party wins most of the seats in Congress. Part 1: Multiple choice
Câu 1:When do people in the US celebrate Thanksgiving each year?
A.Towards the end of November - the exact date is declared by the government B.28th November
C.On the fourth Thursday in November
Câu 2: What do Americans celebrate on the 4th July? A.Washington’s birthday
B.The signing of the constitution
C.The Declaration of Independence
Câu 3: What do the red and white stripes on the American flag symbolise?
A.The 13 first presidents of the USA
B.The day on which the flag was adopted - 13th June 1777
C.The 13 colonies that declared independence
Câu 4: What is the most spoken language after English? A.Chinese B.Spanish C.German
Câu 5: The US is the world’s largest producer of which of the following products? A.Oil B.Machinery C.Cars
Câu 6: What’s the largest ancestry group in the US? A.German B.English C.Irish
In fact, German ancestry makes up about 14% of the American population. 10.6% are Irish
and the English only make up round about 7.8% of the US population.
Câu 7: What’s the most popular sport in the US? A.American Football B.baseball C.Basketball about:blank 5/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
all three are popular sports in America. However, American Football is still top of the list.
Câu 8: Which American state has the most interstate highway kilometers? TEXAS
Câu 9: What is the capital of the United States? Washington D.C
Câu 10: What is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States? Harvard University
Câu 11: Which was the first official national flag of America? Stars and Stripes
Câu 12: Who appoints the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation? the U.S. president
Câu 13: What is the central banking authority of the United States? Federal Reserve System
Câu 14: Do you happen to know which political party has a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives? A.Republican Party B.Democratic Party
Câu 15: Do you happen to know which political party currently has a majority in the U.S. Senate? A.Republican Party B.Democratic Party
Câu 16: Which of the following rights is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the
Constitution? The right of free speech
Câu 17: A filibuster in the U.S. Senate can be used to prevent legislation from coming to a
vote. Of the 100 U.S. senators, how many votes are needed to end a filibuster? 60???
Câu 18: In the case of a tied vote in the U.S. Senate, is the deciding vote cast by … The vicepresident
Câu 19: What is the nickname for the old regulations requiring racial segregation? Jim Crow laws
Câu 20: What result determines the winner of the US presidential election?
A. Majority of the popular vote
B. Majority of seats that a candidate’s party holds in Congress
C. Majority of the Electoral College vote: phần đa số phiếu đại cử tri :)))
D. Majority of the popular vote combined
Caau 21: How many Electoral College votes are there? A 100 B 538 C 435 D 453
Cau 22:the senate and the house of representatives, both meet in the capitol building in about:blank 6/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g Washington, D.C
Cau 23: which one of these is NOT a power of presidency? A vetoing legislation
B nominating Supreme Court justices
C serving as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces D Approving foreign treaties
Cau 24: How long do US Supreme Court justices serve? A 2 years B four years C 6 years D lifetime
Cau 25:There are ...... Representatives in the House of representatives. A 100 B 538 C 435 D 400
Cau 26: What is the legislative branch of US government called?
A Congress (cơ quan lập pháp HK ( quốc hội) ) B parliament C House of representatives
Cau 27 If the President vetoes the Bill, he/she........it A passes B changes C rejects D postpones
Cau 28:Member of the...... usually prefer to spend tax money for military purposes rather than for social programs.
A Democratic Party B Republican party
Cau 29: The ....... or lawmaking branch of the government is called Congress. A Judicial B Legislative C Supreme Court D Executive
Cau 30: which of these statement is True?
A Most of the money to pay for American public schools comes from local taxes.
B Religious schools that serve middle-class students receive money from the national
government, but elite private schools do not.
C The national Department of Education determines the curriculum for all schools and sets
the standards for high school graduation and college admission.
Cau 31:Americans believe that family exists primarily to serve the needs of its…… family members. A.All B individual about:blank 7/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
Cau 32: State governments follow a pattern… the federal government. A different from B similar to
Cau 33: Martin Luther King, Jr. used ………. methods is his fight to gain equal rights for Black citizens. A nonviolent B violent
Cau 34: The president of the US … (ko chắc đáp án)
A has the power to make official treaties with foreign government without the approval of the Congress.
B can veto a law that has been passed by the Congress (
C is elected if his political party wins most of the seats in Congress.
Cau 35:The United States provides their citizens with….. years of free education. A 12 B 13
Cau 36:At the time Martin Luther King wrote “ I have a dream”
A Black people were judged by character rather than by color of their skin.
B Black people were judged in the same way as White people
C Black people were judged by the color of their skin rather than by their character
Cau 37:The American belief in quality of opportunity means that
A Americans believe that everyone should be equal
B Everyone should have an equal chance to succeed C all Americans are rich
Cau 38:Scholar who see “ salad bowl” emphasize….
A the wonderful flavors of American food
B the great extent of racial and ethnic groups in the USA
C the many differences between racial and ethnic groups in the USA
Cau 39 Americans consider Abraham Lincoln….. A the father of the country
B the greatest of all American heroes
C a perfect example of a self-made man D B and C
Cau 40: Americans see their material possessions as ..
A having nothing to do with social status
B the natural reward for their hard work
C no indication of a person’s abilities
Cau 41: Which American value is reflected in the quotation “ stand on their own feet”? about:blank 8/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g A competition B individual freedom C self-reliance D Hard work Cau 42: After Civil War…
A Blacks continued to suffer from segregation and discrimination
B slavery continued to be legal
C most blacks easily found good jobs
D most black Americans went to Africa
Cau 43: Some say Americans is a “ melting pot” because
A most immigrants do not fully assimilate
B all Americans have the same religion
C many races have been combined into one culture.
Cau 43: In “Barba Nikos”, the shopkeeper wants to teach the boy A not to steal B How to sell fruits C how to eat well D pride in Greek culture
Cau 44: the American belief in self-reliance means that
A receiving money from family, charity or government is not allowed
B if a person is very dependent on others, he or she will respected by themselves
C people must take care of themselves and be independent, or risk losing freedom D everyone in society is equal
Cau 45: Cultural speaking, “ assimilation” is the process
A by which many ethnic groups have been made a part of common cultural life with commonly shared values
B of taking possession and control of territory
C of changing slightly, especially in order to make suitable for new conditions Cau 46: Most young Americans
A live with their parents after they get married B achieve riches at age 18
C live apart from their family if they can be financially independent
D do not get a job until after university graduation about:blank 9/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
Cau 47 Many say American family is “ disappearing” because
A today there are many single-parent families B American have many children
C there is lots of unemployment
Cau 48: this branch is responsible for interpreting laws. what is its name? A legislative branch B Judicial branch C Executive branch
Cau 49:the legislative branch is composed of A representatives and senators
B the judges at supreme court and the lower courts
C the president and his cabinet
Cau 50:The American people indirectly elect their president via.. A popular votes B electoral college vote C the winner-take-all
Cau 51 the abilities of the individuals rather than their social class background, determine how high each person will go
A this is reflected in the concept of an educational ladder
B this is reflected in the concept of an educational phylosophy
C this is reflected in the concept of an education
Cau 52: what images used to describe theories of cultural assimilation in the US? A a salad bowl B a melting pot C a mosaic D all of the above
53. Your American friend tells you, “I want to practice my Vietnamese”. Let’s go to the
market. At the market, she struggles to ask for something, so you assist her by
speaking for her. She seems angry. what cultural value is illustrated?? 1. self-reliance 2. individual freedom 3. competition 4. hard work
54 What term is used to described the election system in which only one candidatethe one about:blank 10/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
with more votes is elected to a given office in one district A proportional voting B winner-take-all C indirect election D all of the above
55 which fact reflects how difficult it is for people to truly engage in hard work to gain material wealth?
A When immigrants first arrived to America, they believed they could go from rags to riches very easy.
B very few people believe in the American Dream
C As economy moves from industry-based labor to service-based labor, fewer high paid jobs are available D All of the above Part 2:Gap filling
1. Martin Luther King, Jr. used ……nonviolent………. methods is his fight to gain equal rights for Black citizens.
2. More recently, some people have compared the U.S. as a …mosaic…, a picture made of many different pieces.
3. WASPs stands for White Anglo-Saxon ...... Protestants…
4. According to John F. Kennedy,The US is seen as a country of immigrants
5.Black people in the 1950s and early 1960s did not have the same freedom and equality as
whites in the South; they had to fight for their [civil rights]
6..Martin Luther King Jr. was able to [inspire ] his followers to demonstrate against segregation.
7.King was the most important black leader in America from the late 1950s until his
[assassination] by a white gunman in 1968
8…Judicial…...branch interprets laws but can not create them
9. Newspaper and other media are not controlled by the government. this is an illustration of freedom of speech.
10. The system of checks and balances, established by the Constitution, is to prevent any
branch from having too much power.
11.For years, it was thought that the US was and should be a “ melting pot”- in others words,
that people from all over the world come and adopt American culture as their own
12.The phrase” padding one’s own canoe”/ “ stand on their own feet” reflects the American value of self-reliance
13.If people are dependent, they risk loosing freedom as well as the respect of their peers about:blank 11/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
14 Affirmative action is an active effort to improve the opportunities of members of groups facing discrimination.
15. Americans believe that self-reliance is an important trait and should be taught to children at an early age
16. In making decisions about which students to admit, colleges look for those who Well rounded
17. More recently, some people have compared the US as a mosaic, a picture made of many different pieces
18. Because titles of nobility were forbidden in the Constitution, no formal class system developed in the US
19. The Supreme Court and lower national courts make up the Judicial branch.
20.the last two states joining the USA are Alaska and Hawaii
21.The US president lives and works in a building called White House
22. George Washington was praised the father of the country.
23. those who do not like to compete and are not successful when they try are often
dishonored by being called losers
24.People who like to compete and are more successful than others are honored by being called winners
25.within the national government, power is divided among 3 branches (legislative, executive and judicial branches)
26.A price to be paid for individual freedom is self-reliance
27. An American schools had to put more emphasis on developing critical thinking than they
do on acquiring quantities of facts
28.The monetary value of education means the more schooling people have, the more money
they will earn when they leave school
29.Congress makes the laws, but the president can veto a law and the supreme court can
decide a law is unconstitutional
30.Vice president is the president of the Senate
31 What is the name of the black woman who refused to give her seat to a white person on a bus in Montgomery? Rosa Parks
32. the price to be paid for equality of opportunity is competition
33. The dominant American culture that grew out of nation’s early history then, was English-
speaking, Western European, Protestant and middle class in character
34. the six basic values presented in chapter are individual freedom, self-reliance, equality of
opportunity, competition, material wealth and hard work ( trang 25 giáo trìnhVHM)
35. Eagle is animal symbol in the USA
36the development of social and interpersonal skills maybe considered as important as the about:blank 12/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
development of intellectual skills
37 there are of 4 years of high school
38. Malcolm X urged a rejection of basic American values and complete separation ofblacks
from white culture. / leader of black Muslim
39. De Tocqueville was a neutral observe who saw both the good and bad sides of the American character traits.
40. Happiness is based primarily on companionship
41 Harry Edwards, American view organized sports as” a laboratory in which
young men, regardless of social class, can learn the advantages and rewards ò competitive system”
42. .Americans view their public school system as an educational ladder rising from
elementary school to high school and finally college undergraduate and graduate programs. Part 3: T/F
1. In the Civil Rights Movement, Americans fought against segregation of black and white people. -> TRUE
2. The process of assimilation in the United States has been the same for all ethnic groups. ->
FALSE ( the process by which these many groups have been made A PART OF a common
cultural life with commonly shared values is called assimilation)
3. After the end of the Civil War, blacks continued to be the victims of strong racial prejudice
in the North, as well as in the South.-> TRUE
4. Before the civil rights laws were passed, there had been no segregation of public facilities.
-> FALSE (the Black continued to be the victims of strong racial prejudice in the south and north)
5. The executive branch is the most powerful of the three branches of government because it
consists of the president.-> False
6. State governments follow a pattern different federal government-> False
7. An American president can win the presidency by electoral college but not by popular vote-> True
8.Public schools in the US reflect the nation’s value of equality of opportunities->True
9.Every American can study at elite private schools, which is another indicator of equality of opportunities->True
10 State universities in the US are public universities and their tuition fees are much lower than private ones -> True
11.Affirmative action is an active effort to improve the opportunities of members of groups
facing discrimination.-> True
12.At the time Martin Luther King wrote “ I have a dream”, Black people were judged by
character rather than by color of their skin.-> False about:blank 13/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
13. The Southern States depended on Agriculture for its economy-> True
14 some people are inclined to see the US as a melting pot where various groups have
remained somewhat distinct and different from one another-> False
15. The people of England gave the Statue of Liberty to the US as a symbol of the president -> False( France)
16 After Civil War, American no longer had to fight against discrimination-> False
17. American children are expected to “ leave the nest” at about age 18, after they graduate from high school-> True
18 Hispanic population forms the largest cultural minority in the USA-> True
19 Public schools are free and open to all elementary and secondary level but public
universities charge tuition and have competitive entrance requirements-> True
20. most of money to pay for American public schools comes from local taxes-> True
21. the development of social and interpersonal skills maybe considered as important as the
development of intellectual skills-> True Part 4: Matching
1 representatives and senators: elected officials
2 the Federal Government: The national government
3 Bill of Rights: the first amendments to the Constitution/ another statement of the
American belief in the importance of individual freedom
4 Segregation: the separation of one social or racial group from another
5 Quota: a maximum number or quantity that is permitted or needed
6 mandatory: something that must be done-one has no choice
7 irreconcilable difference: differences people can not agree about
10 Counselor: a person who helps people with their personal problems.
11 Congress: can override a veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.
12 heritage: maybe a source of pride, a happy discovery; it may also at times be a
source of embarrassment, a burden
13.making olives and figs: three-thousand year history of Greek people.
14 Statue of Liberty: A gift of France to America and Famous symbol of Freedom
15 Land of plenty: People can come to seek their fortunes
16.Legislative branch: make laws
17.Executive branch: administer the laws passed by Congress
18. Judicial Branch: determine whether laws of congress or actions of the president violate the constitution about:blank 14/15 17:25 7/8/24 American Culturals - hi hi g
19.Supreme Court members: 9 members appointed by the president and serve for a lifetime
20 Winner take-all-election system: only one candidate-the one with more votes is
elected to a given office in one district
21 Indirect election: the Electoral college Representatives of the people in presidential
elections, 270/538 electoral votes guarantee the Presidency
22. SAT: is aimed more at general reasoning and problem-solving skills
23 The ACT is curriculum-based with tests on English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing.
24 ACT = American College Testing
25Public schools: paid with taxes & state chooses curriculum; paid by student after high school
Private schools: tuition & school decides curriculum, (can be religious)Elite schools
26. Breadwinner: the member of a family who earns the money that the family needs
27 extended family: gđ có nhiều thế hệ :)))
28. nuclear family/ immediate family ( gđ hạt nhân, 1 thế hệ): consisting of husband, wife and their children
29 Boomerang kids: young people have left the nest once but are now back again
30: couch potatoes: people who would rather watch a baseball game on TV than go play
softball in the parks with friends or even go to the movie
31. “ Hustle you can’t survive without it”, “ a quitter never wins” : slogan used to drive
home the competitive virtues for the young participants
32. The US : representative democracy about:blank 15/15