The American way of life

In Europe there are people who have lived in the same houses and been in the same job for 20, 30, 50 years and would hate to change something. That’s not the American way of life. They love changes, they call it “the spirit of adventure”, a spirit that they think is more characteristic of America than of Europe. In the States they seem to be constantly pulling down old and often quite beautiful houses or throwing away things merely because they are old. They have none of the Englishman’s sentimental love for things because they are old. The Englishman prizes privacy, the American prefers sociability. The American houses have no hedges or fences separating them from each other. There are none of those little shut off gardens, generally just a strip of grass with trees on it.

The American in his house doesn’t object to being seen by everyone - he actually likes it. And inside the house, instead of the separate hall, living room, dining room so typical of the English house, the American has ”open plan” house, just one large room where all the family activities go on. With this sociability goes overwhelming hospitality. You are invited to parties at the houses of your friends, to theatres, dinners, sports meetings. They all show the interest in your affaires and ask you to let them know if they can help you. When you are invited to a home where food will be served, it is best to let your host or hostess know in advance if you have dietary restrictions. In some houses the atmosphere is formal. In others, it is informal and you may sit at the kitchen table dinner. Informality is not a slight or discourtesy, but the way of taking you into the warmth of the family circle.

Вариант № 3

1. Переведите предложения (Страдательный залог):

1. This model was advertised on the radio.

2. The problem was settled yesterday.

3. This machine is produced in England.

4. These books are read with great interest.

5. A catalogue was enclosed with this letter.

2. Переведите предложения с модальными глаголами:

1. I cannot see the name of the hotel.

2. Can you open your suitcase, sir?

3. Should we leave now for the airport?

4. You should speak English at the lesson.

5. I must go home.

6. You shouldn’t work so much.

3. Определите время:

1. I shall start my paper with the statement of the problem.

2. My paper will consist of several sections.

3. Did you pass your exam yesterday?

4. What are you going to do in the near future?

5. The cat was sleeping all day long.

6. I waved her but she wasn’t looking.

7. The rain had stopped before we started.

8. By this time we had been already informed about what to expect.

4. Составьте предложения со словами из скобок:

1. You went to Ann’s house but she wasn’t there. (she/go/out) She had gone out.

2. You went back to your home town after many years, but it wasn’t the same as before. (it/ change/ a lot)………………….

3. I invited her to the party but she couldn’t come. (she/ arrange / to do something else)……………………..

4. You went to the cinema last night. You arrived at the cinema late. (the film/ already / begin)…………………….

5. I was very pleased to see Tim again after such a long time (I / not / see / him for five years)………………………..

6. I offered Sue something to eat but she wasn’t hungry. (she/ just / have / breakfast)……………………….

5. Переведите предложения и определите время:

1. I work in the travel agency. Before that I worked in the shop.

2. We had invited them to our party but they decided not to come.

3. She passed her examination because she had studied very hard.

4. I studied biology in Kazan.

5. The conference considered problems of theoretical and experimental research.

6. Some papers contained entirely new data.

6. Откройте скобки, употребив Past Simple или Past Perfect:

1. He suddenly (to remember) that he (not to tell) them his name.

2. It (to be) perfectly true that he never (to take) any interesting his clothes.

3. It (to be) nine o’clock and we (to come) to her room two hours before that.

4. He (to tell) them what he (to say) to the rector and what the rector (to say) to him.

5. When he (to come) back, his manner and his looks (to change).

7. Составьте вопросы к следующим предложениям:

1. The rain had stopped before we started.

2. By this time he had finished the work.

3. She looked sad, because she had got a bad news.

4. After the book had been read it was returned to the library.

5. By this time we had already been informed about what to expect.

8. Составьте предложения со словами из скобок и закончите их словом before:

1. The man sitting next to me on the plane was very nervous. It was his first flight.…(fly). He had never flown before. Or He hadn’t flown before…..

2. A woman walked into the room. She was a complete stranger to me. (see) I………………………..before.

3. Simon played tennis yesterday. He wasn’t very good at it because it was his very first game. (play) He……………………

4. Last year we went to Denmark. It was our first time there. (be) We………………………………….

9. Прочитайте и переведите текст: