American Review Questions

VALUES AND BELIEFS

1/ Present six traditional American values with specific examples
+ Personal control over the environment: People can/should control
nature, their own environment and destiny. The future is not left to fate.
Example: Most American homes have central heatin and air
conditionin.
+ !hane: !hane is seen as positive and ood. The means proress,
improvement and rowth.
Example: They usually "uy a new car every three or four years. They
li#es to have the latest technoloy in their homes.
+ Time and its control: Time is valua"le$achievement of oals depends on
the productive use of time.
Example: Most American li#e thins to "ein on time. %usiness meetins
usually "ein and end on time.
+ &ndividualism: People are seen as separate individuals 'not roup
mem"ers( with individual needs.
Example: People can act as they choose to, as lon as their actions do not
hurt another person.
+ Materialism: Material oods are seen as the )ust rewards of hard$word,
the evidence of *+od,s favor-.
Example: Most Americans li#e to own nice thins. They usually own a
car, one or more T.s, and a computer.
/0 Americans are seen as carin more for thins than people, or
relationships.
+ &nformality: Americans "elieve that formality is *un$American- and a
show of arroance and superiority.
Example: &n some "usiness, Americans dress in informal clothes. A
casual, ealitarian attitude "etween people is more accepted.
2/ Bellah believes that individualism has a bad effect on American
society. Do you agree or disagree with Bellah Describe examples that
support your opinion.
&n %ellah,s opinion, individualism can include a ris# that every
person can have the riht to own uns and the un control may not very
effective. Althouh this issue is still arued "y many experts and cannot
find the conclusion now, & still "elive this aspect of individualism has a
"ad effect on American society.
&n fact, the purposes of un ownership can vary from sportin,
huntin, and collectin 'for recreational purposes( to acurate fear of crime
and past victimi1ation experience as well as lac# of faith in collective
security 'defensive purposes(. 2owever, the recent mass
shootins/massacres at shools in the 3nited 4tates are the o"vious
evidences that un ownership has caused o"session for people and un
control,s a"ility did not show its effectiveness. 5or example, on 67
8ecem"er, 7967, a massacre happened in !andy "oo# $%ew &own'
(onnecticut) #illed 7: people includin 79 children. Another example can
"e the one on ;uly 79, 7967. ;ames 2olmes dressed as the ;o#er in
%atman movie and shot <6 people.
Anyway, those events are the conse=uence of individualism in the 3nited
4tates.
*/ +or you personally' which American value is the most difficult to
understand or accept ,hy !upport your opinion with specific
examples.
&n my opinion, materialism may "e seen as the most difficult to accept for
> reasons.
The first reason is that it can hinder your success. Money or stylish
livin is not the most important reason for someone to choose their )o".
2e can ive up the )o" early if the only purpose for it is money. &f you
choose a )o" which suit your interest, it will let you #eep wor#in for it
even thouh you are not rich with that )o". &t is o"vious that the "est way
to reach to success is findin out what your passion is, not money.
?elationship "etween people can "e seen as the second reason.
Especially, women who are called @old diers, will ma#e a relationship
with someone that they can ta#e advantaes of. Those irls do not care
the personalities of the others and will never o with someone who have
nothin for them.
The last reason is related to happiness. Ahen someone easily ives
up "efore difficulties, he will feel as a loser, even the most unluc#y
person in the Earth. Bn the other hand, materialism can lead people to
unsuita"le partner and, as the result, they are not often ended with a
happy marriae.
&n conclusion, amon American values, materialism is the one
easily has "ad effects on people,s lives.

LANGUAGES AND IDIOMS
1/ ,hat is AA-. !hould African Americans be discouraged from
spea#ing AA-.
AA.E stands for African American .ernacular Enlish. &t is the
#ind of Enlish spo#en in some African American communities. 4ome
scholars also use the term E"onics to identify this reality.
&n my opinion, African American people should spea# AA.E for 7
reasons:
$ &t is an impediment to socioeconomic mo"ility.
African American who only spea# AA.E can have a difficult time findin
a ood )o" "ecause their lanuae is not familiar with the community. &t
also shows that they have a limited education. Cac#in of #nowlede for
specific ma)ors leads them to low salary )o". Thus, they hardly ever
"ecome richer if they still #eeps usin AA.E only.
$ The second reason is that discrimination can "e eliminated.
As the fact that, people who spea# AA.E are often seen as unintellient,
or uneducated. Althouh they can spea# "oth standard Enlish and AA.E
in many different situations, they are sill underestimated "y people spea#
standard Enlish. This variation of Enlish may"e a cause leads to
discrimination "etween people. &f African Americans use standard
Enlish instead of their AA.E, the 3nited 4tates will have a uni=ue
lanuae spo#en throuh out the country. There is no more discrimination
in social status, a"ility, intellience "etween "lac# and white people
"ecause they now spea# the same lanuae. 5or example, President
B"ama, a "lac#, spea#s standard Enlish can receive love from people,
not discrimination. 2e is an o"vious evidence that AA.E should "e
discouraed.
2/ /ohn 0ic#ford says that 1AA-. may be an impediment to
socioeconomic mobility.2 Do you believe that people discriminate
against each others because of their accent or the way they tal# !upport
your opinion with specific examples in the 3.!.
'dDa trEn cFu 6(
IMMIGRATION
1/ Although all these groups of immigrants faced hardships' some of them
experienced much more serious hardships than others. Discuss which
group of people faced the most serious hardships. ,hy
!hinese immirants is the roup which experiences the most serious
hardships than others with some reasons "elow:
$ They are not only face with hard wor#in "ut also violence and
discrimination.
$ Americans distrusted the !hinese more than other immirants.
$ &n 6GG7, the 3.4. !onress passed the !hinese Exclusion Act,
which #ept nearly all !hinese from enterin the country. !hina was
the only country restricted "y the 3.4. overnment at that time.
$ The reason for this Act was )ust "ecause !hinese loo#ed different
from the +erman and &rish immirants.
$ &n 6G:H Transcontinental ?ailroad, !hinese immirants were used
to "uild the western railways "y areein to lower$payin waes
than other wor#ers, and "y endurin the rouh and danerous
wor#in conditions.
2/ 4any immigrants to the 3nited !tates feel compelled $b5 b6t bu7c) to
adapt to their new country. !ometimes this adaptation means losing
previously held values and adopting new ones. 8n your opinion' should
immigrants give up their native values and try to be more li#e American
9r is it more important to maintain the values of one:s cultural heritage
Ahen immirants come to a new country, there are lots of
unfamiliar thins to them. &f they do not adapt those new thins and
values, they cannot associated with the community. &n my own opinion,
immirants should ive up their native values and try to "e more li#e
American for 7 reasons:
The first reason is that this adaptation will support their lives.
Civin with different race people, immirants cannot find a )o" or earn
enouh money for their families without "ein one part of the
community.
4econd, the adaptation can "e seen as a chance for them to
experience new ood values which may "e "etter than their native values.
&n fact, most of immirants who come to America now "ecome "etter in
livin conditions and education. &t is o"vious provement for the
neccessity of replacin old values "y new ones.

*/ ,hat problems or challenges do ;eneration 1.< immigrants face
;ive a specific example of each problem or challenge. "ow does the
American government partially solve these problems
Pro"lems or challenes:
$ &mmirant children often feel upset or depressed "ecause the
ad)ustment is difficult.
$ &mmirant children enerally have more family responsi"ilities
than 3.4. "orn children.
Ex: Many immirant children must ta#e care of themselves.
4ometimes they also have to act as parents for their youner "rothers
and sisters.
$ Canuae "ro#erin is another responsi"ility of +eneration 6.H
Ex: Many immirant children acts as lanuae "ro#ers for their
parents. They translate in many places li#e stores, overnment offices,
or doctor,s offices.
$ .alue conflicts
Ex: The children learn that new values can differ from their parents,
values. This cause conflict with their parents. They must fit in at home
and in American culture.
$ 8iscrimination
Ex: &n school, some teachers may treat students li#e they are not
intellient "ecause they do not spea# Enlish. 4ome native$"orn
Americans may see +eneration 6.H students as *foreiners-.
4ometimes, they call +eneration 6.H students 5.B.% 'fresh off the
"oat( to suest how "ac#ward they are.
4olution from American overnment:
&n some school system, services for immirant students may "e limited.
Iewcomer schools is a special system where immirant children learn
how to ad)ust to the 3nited 4tates and learn "asic Enlish. They help the
children with the adaption process and affirm the value of home cultures.
They also help new comers "uild confidence and self$esteem.
GEOGRA!"
1/ ,hat do you #now about the car=oriented culture in the 3nited !tates
&n the early 6J99s, cars were considered fussy toys for the rich and
famous. &ts cost "ecomes an o"stacle for the averae American to have
one. Althouh most of Americans couldnKt afford a car, virtually all of
them wanted one. Model T, a product of 2enry 5ord, "rouht the
automo"ile to middle class citi1ens and was the "einnin of AmericaKs
love affair with its cars.
&n the 6JH9s, a eneration of teenaers have enouh income to "uy
their own cars. These cars "ecame so much more than )ust modes of
transportation. They were reflections of a lifestyle.
Bn the other hand, cars were incorporated into artwor#s includin
music, "oo#s and movies. 5or example, "etween 6J9H and 6J9G, more
than 679 sons were written in which car is the su")ect. The movie *The
5ast and The 5urious '7996(- is another example. &t opened L6 at the "ox
office, and "ecame a trend for teenaers to reflect personalities.
Iowadays, with the developmeny of the nation,s vast system of
interstate hihways, families or individuals li#e to drive to places far from
civila1ation in summer. They want to en)oy the sense of freedom that cars
supposedly offer. !ars "ecome an indispensa"le part of American
people,s life. The spirit of adventure which is displayed in television
commercials and movies has confirmed that the 3nited 4tates is a car$
oriented culture.
2/ &he mythic version of the American ,est has been popular around the
world. 8n your opinion' why do people outside the 3nited !tates en>oy
,estern stories so much
& thin# that people outside the 3nited 4tates en)oy Aestern stories
"ecause it is a sym"ol of American values. Music, films and novels create
a fantastic world for people in American Aest. That is a place where ood
always triumpled in its encounter with evil. American Aest is also a
sym"ol of freedom. The picture of cow"oys ridin on their horses with
uns satisfy people,s desire to o everywhere they want and find )ustice
for themselves.
&n Aestern history, people, especially frontiresmen faced incredi"le
hardships, so the stron will of people on this land is admired "y people
outside the 3nited 4tates.
MUSI#
1/ 0obert !antelli says that American music 1connects us despite our
cultural diversities. 8t sidesteps class and other social barriers.2 Do you
thin# music in the 3nited !tates has a unifying effect' as !antelli says' or
do different #inds of music divide people by culture and class !upport
your opinion with examples from what you have read about American
music.
&n my opinion, there is no "order in music. People can sin
whatever #ind of music they li#e. There is one #ind of music which most
American people can sin or play and it is a proof that music can connect
people from many races with different s#in colors. That is "lues music.
As we #now that, this #ind of music oriinated in African$American
communities. &t can "e seen as the music of the American people "ecause
it spea#s to happiness, heart"rea#M and it does not care a"out any s#in
color. &n fact, many white siners "ecame famous with this music enre
such as: Paul %utterfield, ;oe %onamassaM
Iot only this enre of music, "ut also other ones created from wor#in
class or slaves such as: )a11, soul, roc# and rollM can "e played widely in
America. The spirit of music actually sidesteps class and other social
"arries.
2/ (hoose one American value from (hapter 1' and explain how
American music expresses that value.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
1/ ,hat are the responsibilities of each branch in the federal
government "ow do three branches control and chec# one another
,hat are the advantages of the system of chec#s and balances
N The federal overnment includes > "ranches: the Ceislative %ranch
'!onress(, the Executive %ranch, and the ;udical %ranch.
$ !onress consists of the 4enate and the 2ouse of ?epresentatives.
&t is the responsi"ility of !onress to propose and pass law.
$ The Executive %ranch consists of the President, the .ice President,
the !a"inet and the thirteen 8epartment, and the independent
aencies. &t,s the responsi"ility of the executive to enforce laws.
$ The ;udical %ranch consists of the 4upreme !ourt, 66 !ircuit
!ourts of Appeals, and JO 8istrict !ourts. This "ranch explains and
interprets laws and ma#es decisions in lawsiuts.
N &n the system of chec#s and "alances:
$ !onress can refuse to approach President appointments, can
override a President veto and can remove the President from office.
$ The President 'the Executove %ranch( can veto any "ill 'law( pf
!onress.
$ The ;udical %ranch can declare the President,s actions
unconstitutional and can declare laws unconstitutional.
N The advantaes of the system of chec#s and "alances:
$ This ensures that no sinle overnment "ranch can overta#e another
when ma#in policy decisions, attemptin to create a sinle overnment
entity.
$ Each "ranch of the overnment has procedures to punish or restrict their
mem"ers from actin in an unethical manner.
$ The main intent is to ma#e the 3.4. overnment deli"erately inefficient.
2/ !ummari?e the process of electing a 3nited !tates president.
The process of electin a 3nited 4tates president consists of O staes:
$ The primary election
$ The Presidential compain
$ The popular vote
$ The electoral vote
EDU#ATIONAL S"STEM
1/ 8n your opinion' what are the advantages/ disadvantages of American
educational system !upport your answer with specific examples.
N A8.AITA+E4
$ Puality of Education
Example: The collees and universities in the 3nited 4tates, provide the
"est =uality of education anywhere else in the world. An American deree
is lo"ally acclaimed and accepted.
$ 5lexi"ility
Example: Cocal flexi"ility ensures that students can ta#e up su")ects
which are more in tune with their talents and interest rather than "ein
"urdened with su")ects that they find difficult to learn.
$ +reat !areer !hoices/ Bpportunities
Example: After raduated from university or collee, people can find a
hih payin )o" even thouh they wor# in the 3nited 4tates or outside
"ecause university or collee deress are lo"ally acclaimed and
accepted.
$ Multi$!ultural Experience:
Example: 4tudents can learn plenty of new thins from other cultures
"ecause a lot of people from all over the world come here to live and
study.
N 8&4A8.AITA+E4
$ !ost of education and livin
Example: A lot of American and other countries students cannot o to
collee or university "ecause the institution fee is too exspensive.
$ Io scholarships or rants for international students
Example: Most sholarships are reserved for "orn$American students.
$ Each state follows its own curriculum and standards which often
leads to differin standards amon students.
$ !ulture shoc#:
Example: &nternational students need a lon time to "e used to new values
and customs. &t ofen ma#es students feel frustrated.

2/ (ompare the difference between the student @ professor relationship in
the 3.! and in -ietnam
&n 3.4
$ %oth students and professors attempt to have a ood relationship.
$ Professors tend to "e more informal in class, even students can call
them "y their first name.
$ Teachers tend to create more relationships outside classroom with
students.
$ 4ome professors can invite students to ta#e part in their own
activities so that "oth students and professors are provided the
opportunity to et to #now one another as fellow human "eins
rather than in their roles as student and teacher.
&n .iet Iam
$ Teachers en)oy much respect and prestie in .ietnam
$ Teachers are only facilitators of students, assistin students in
esta"lishin their own way of learnin.
$ Teachers find it hard to communicate with students as friends
$ 4tudents sometimes fear to esta"lish a ood relationship with
teachers.
$ Teachers have "een considered as fathers and mothers of students,
especially at elementary school.
*/ (hoose one American value from (hapter 1' and explain how
American educational system expresses that value.
!ompetition in American Education
&n America, there is a mix of pu"lic and private shool which ma#es
schools must do their utmost to improve their =uality. !hildren can have
their voice on learnin sylla"us. Example, they need to #now how to
thin# critically in math, readin and scienceQ they must "e drivenQ and
they must learn how to adapt, since they will "e doin it all their lives.
These demands re=uire that schools chane, if not, the free mar#et may
do it for them.
The competition in education can expressed "y students, wor#in
in class. They always try to do "est to et hih position. Ahen teachers
ive students a meaninful reward for winnin, the winnin "ecomes
important, and students understand that ettin the reward as the =uality
of their effort.
!OLIDA"S
,hat are the origin and the meaning of &han#s ;iving Day/
8ndependence Day in the 3.! ,hat do Americans do to celebrate this
holiday
N Than#sivin 8ay 'on the fourth Thursday in Iovem"er(
&ts oriin can "e traced "ac# to the 6:th century when the first
than#sivin dinner is said to have ta#en place. The event that Americans
commonly call the R5irst Than#sivinR was cele"rated "y the Pilrims
after their first harvest in the Iew Aorld in 6:76. This feast lasted three
days, and it was attended "y J9 Iative Americans 'as accounted "y
attendee Edward Ainslow( and H> Pilrims. The Iew Enland colonists
were accustomed to reularly cele"ratin Rthan#sivinsRSdays of
prayer than#in +od for "lessins such as military victory or the end of a
drouht.
N &ndependence 8ay 'on 5ourth of ;uly(:
&t is a federal holiday in the 3nited 4tates commemoratin the adoption
of the 8eclaration of &ndependence on ;uly O, 6<<:, declarin
independence from the Tindom of +reat %ritain. &ndependence 8ay is
commonly associated with firewor#s, parades, "ar"ecues, carnivals, fairs,
picnics, concerts, "ase"all ames, family reunions, and political speeches
and ceremonies, in addition to various other pu"lic and private events
cele"ratin the history, overnment, and traditions of the 3nited 4tates.
&ndependence 8ay is the Iational 8ay of the 3nited 4tates.
T!E MEDIA
1/ (hoose one type of American mass media and describe how it
influences the contemporary life of Americans.
American movies have a reat influence on the contemporary life of
American people. American films are the primary tool for this outpourin
of individualism. 5or example, many superheroes in films can save and
lead the earth. 4ome films tell audiences that anyone livin in America
can o"tain success in their careers as lon as they are sufficiently hard$
wor#in. Audiences who watch movies can "e affected "y fashion styles
of actors or actresses and superstars, livin style. 5ilms also have "ad
effects on sociaty. &t can "e a model of crime or illeal actions. &n fact,
many of violent actions are oriinated from action films li#e car racin,
illeal fihtins, mass shootinsM Those effects ma#e American people
live in unsafe conditions.
2/ Present three misconceptions about the 3.! that the American media
promote in -ietnam.
$ Most American women are "eautiful 'accordin to contemporary
Aestern standard(, and most American men are handsome
'accordin to the same standard(. Those who are not "eautiful or
handsome are criminals, deceiful people, or mem"ers of lower
class.
$ .iolent crime is an ever$present threat in all parts of the country.
$ 2ih$speed automo"ile chases fre=uently occur on American
streets.