ISFD 186

Profesorado de inglés

Intercultural Studies II

Spotlight on the USA - Introduction

Study Guide to discuss in class

1) As you have seen, the book gives us figures of 1990; so we should update the numbers! Check What the
population of the USA number is nowadays.
2) Who were the first Americans? Where did they come from? How long ago?
3) When Columbus arrived in America there were about 10 million aboriginal people in America. How many
indigenous inhabitants are there nowadays?
4) Trace a timeline with the most important events mentioned in the chapter (from 1600 till nowadays)
5) What do “mosaic” and “melting pot” refer to? Think of advantages and disadvantages of each.
6) Make a brief synopsis of the American political system. Name some Republican and some Democrat presidents
throughout history.
7) How does religion influence the government? How is religion spread throughout the country?
8) As regards family, check how much the figures have changed regarding:
a) Mothers in the workforce with children under 18.
b) Women’s age when having their first child.
9) Comment on the American Educational System. How different is it from the Argentinian?
10) What do American people do in their free time?
11) Which are the most remarkable holidays in the USA?
12) Have a look at the quiz at the end of the chapter and highlight/write down the answers.