STAGE

This ungraded summary is for the teacher’s use only

and should not be given to students.

Chapter summary
Chapter 1 (In the beginning)) shows the USA as a vast
country of more than 300 million people of all different
races and ethnic groups.
Chapter 2 (The Pilgrim Fathers)) looks at how
Christopher Columbus reached the New World in 1492, but Chapter 9
it was not until the 17th century that Europeans settled in three separate but equal parts of the government of the
America. The first of these were the Pilgrim Fathers. At USA: the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court.
first life was hard for them, but they learned much from the The President is elected every four years and is the head
Native Americans. of state. Congress makes the laws, but the President can
Chapter 3 (The War of Independence)) shows that by refuse to approve them. The Supreme Court decides what
1770 there were thirteen British colonies along the east the laws mean.
coast of North America. But the colonists wanted to be Chapter 10 (Living in the USA)) talks about the USA as
free from British rule. They won the War of Independence the richest country in the world. However, there are still
and elected George Washington as their first president. many poor Americans. There is no state religion and there
Chapter 4 (The Civil War)) describes how the country is freedom of speech for all.
kept on growing, and by the mid-19th century it had more Chapter 11 (Eating and drinking the American way)
than 31 million inhabitants. But there was conflict between looks at ‘Fast food’, an American invention. Eating too many
the Northern and Southern states. The South wanted the hamburgers, hot dogs, and french fries can lead to obesity.
right to keep its slaves, but President Lincoln opposed this. But across America you can eat the food of all nations.
A bloody civil war between the North and the South ended Chapter 12 (Music from America)) shows how American
with defeat for the South. music has conquered the world. Jazz and blues are
Chapter 5 (The Wild West)) is about the 19th century and examples of black music. Country and western is the music
the USA moving west. Cowboys worked with cattle and of southern whites. Nowadays rap and hip-hop are popular
drove them up to the North to be killed. Farmers moved with black and white youngsters alike.
west too and soon there was a railway from coast to coast. Chapter 13 (Some great American cities)) shows that
Chapter 6 (Native Americans)) shows that when the first whilst New York is the USA’s biggest city, other American
Europeans landed in America, there were about two million cities are important. Boston on the east coast is a centre of
Native Americans living there. But as white settlers moved learning, while Los Angeles on the west coast is the centre
west, they fought the Native Americans for their land. After of the film industry.
their defeat at the battle of Wounded Knee, most Native Chapter 14 (California)) describes how California has
Americans had to live in reservations. the biggest population of any American state. It has high
Chapter 7 (New Americans)) looks at the time between mountains and deserts. It also has the USA’s most beautiful
1880 and 1930 when 27 million people emigrated from city, San Francisco.
Europe to the USA. They were often poor and had suffered Chapter 15 (Beautiful places to visit) shows how the
badly in their own countries. USA has wilderness too. National Parks like Yosemite and
Chapter 8 (Black Americans)) shows that more than Yellowstone protect nature and wildlife. And the Grand
10% of Americans today are black, the descendants of Canyon is one of the wonders of the world.
slaves brought to America from Africa. Although black Chapter 16 (Hot and cold, big and small) describes
slaves were set free after the Civil War, they suffered from the largest state in the USA - Alaska. Like Texas, it is now
discrimination and prejudice. It was not until Martin Luther important for its oil. Hawaii and Florida attract people to live
King led the fight for civil rights in the 1960s that black there because of their warm climates.
Americans became equal citizens.

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The USA
3 Pre-reading activity

What do you know?

1 What do you know about the USA? Tick the correct statements:
a New York is the capital of the USA.
b Thirteen per cent of Americans are black.
c The USA has borders with Canada and Mexico.
d The US film industry is based in Sam Francisco.
e Baseball is America’s favourite sport.
f The USA is made up of fifty states.
g You can’t drink alcohol in the USA until you’re 21.

2 How many of these Americans do you know? Match the people with the descriptions?

1 Martin Luther King a first President of the United States

b Native American woman who became friends with the

2 Walt Disney
first English settlers.

c first black woman to be US Secretary of State for Foreign

3 George Washington
Affairs

4 Pocahontas d black leader who led the fight for civil rights

5 Condoleezza Rice e creator of Mickey Mouse

3 What do you think? Give your answers to these questions.

a Religion
There is no state religion in the USA and religion is not taught in schools. Why not? Do you
think this is a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
b Equality
Slavery was abolished in 1867. But black Americans still suffer from prejudice. Why?
c Immigration
Millions of people left Europe for the USA in the late 19th and early 20th century. Why did they
leave their homes? Why did the USA welcome them?
d Culture
Many ethnic groups want to keep their own traditions. They want to be Italian-Americans, Irish-
Americans, Mexican-Americans. Is this a good thing? Are there any dangers in this attitude?

To the teacher

Aim: To prepare students to read about the story of the either individually or in pairs.
USA Key 1: 1. Students should tick Statements b, c, e, f, and
Time: 20–30 minutes g. Students could flip through Chapter 1 to see if they can
Organization: 1 Use a map of the USA. Ask students find the answers to any of the questions, e.g., b and f.
to point out some features, e.g., the east coast and the 2. Ask students to see how many of these people they
west coast, New York, the Rockies (if shown). Or use an know. They shouldn’t worry if they don’t know many of
American flag: what do the stars stand for? (The number of these people. They will learn about them in the book.
US states now.) What do the stripes stand for? (The original Key 2: 3. 1d; 2 e; 3 a; 4 b; 5c.
thirteen American states.)Then ask them to do Exercise 1

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 STAGE
The USA
3 While reading activity

Spot the mistakes

Read this summary of Chapter 7, New Americans, and correct the mistakes.
beginning
At the end of the 19th century America was mainly rural and there were many cities. But then
farms were built and new cities grew up. America needed new workers. People from European
countries like Ireland, Poland, and Mexico came to America. Often these immigrants were rich.
Many had left because they had suffered from hunger, like the Irish, or from prejudice, like the
Jews.
America refused these newcomers. On the Statue of Liberty in New York harbour are the words:
‘Give me your tired, your poor …’
Immigrants came from other countries too. More than 300,000 Japanese people came to live in
California in the 19th century. Today most immigrants come from countries like Mexico and
Puerto Rico and Italian has become America’s second language.
Although few immigrants want to learn English and become Americans, they also want to keep
their own way of life. So in many cities there are areas called Chinatown or Little Italy. And on
St Patrick’s Day the whole of New York – not just the Italian-Americans – celebrates with a big
party.

Now write a summary of the second part of Chapter 8, Black Americans, and include five
mistakes. When you have written it, give it to someone to correct.

To the teacher

Where: At the end of chapter 7 Immigrants came from other countries too. More than
Aim: To consolidate comprehension of the importance of 300,000 Chinese people came to live in California in the
immigration as a factor in the growth of the USA 19th century. Today most immigrants come from Spanish-
Time: 30 minutes speaking countries like Mexico and Spanish has become
Key: The corrected summary should look like this: America’s second language.
At the beginning of the 19th century America was mainly Although most immigrants want to learn English and
rural and there were few cities. But then factories were become Americans, they also want to keep their own way
built and new cities grew up. America needed new of life. So in many cities there are areas called Chinatown
workers. People from European countries like Ireland, or Little Italy. And on St Patrick’s Day the whole of New
Poland, and Italy came to America. Often these immigrants York – not just the Irish-Americans – celebrates with a big
were poor. Many had left because they had suffered from party.
hunger, like the Irish, or from prejudice, like the Jews.
America welcomed these newcomers. On the Statue of
Liberty in New York harbour are the words: ‘Give me your
tired, your poor …’

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 STAGE
The USA
3 After reading activity

Character crosswords

1 Look at this crossword about President Reagan.

FO R TIETH PRESIDENT
SPOK E WELL
WAS A N ACTOR
G OVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA
B E C A M E P R E S I D E NT I N 19 8 1
DIED I N 2004

2 Make crosswords about these American presidents.

K L
E I
N N
N C
E O
D L
Y N

3 Now choose one of these presidents and use the information in your crossword to write
a short paragraph about him.

To the teacher

Aims: a) To recall key characteristics of important American You could ask students to research other presidents on the
presidents b) To write sentences from notes internet (using websites suggested in the in-book activities)
Time: 30 minutes (Longer if internet is used.) and draw up crosswords for them.
Organization: Ask students to work in pairs or small Finally ask students to expand the ‘crossword’ notes so as
groups. Brainstorm key words that could be used in each to make full sentences and a short paragraph about one of
crossword, e.g. KENNEDY might use killed, died, Dallas, the three presidents, e.g. Ronald Reagan was the fortieth
young, elected; LINCOLN could use shot, slaves, North, President of the USA. He was an actor and he spoke
born, etc. well….

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