UNIT 13, American Beliefs and Values 22A

A nation as large and ______ as the US would surprise nobody when Americans dispute among themselves as to what constitutes “American values”.

• alike

• similar

• varied

• discreet

This so-called “American way of life” ______ the basic values that almost all Americans share and affirm.

• embodies

• conceals

• excludes

• obscures

The following are some of the most ______ and fundamental ones that underline the “American way of life”.

• irrelevant

• salient

• equivalent

• dependent

More often than not the child’s preference will be ______.

• written

• expressed

• accommodated

• complicated

Similarly, Americans also admire people who have overcome ______ circumstances, for example, poverty or a physical handicap, and “succeeded in life.

• favorable

• inaccurate

• weak

• adverse

American legal and institutional heritage prescribes equal rights, ______ special privileges, and demands equal opportunity and representation for every citizen.

• condones

• condemns

• encourages

• disapproves of

Americans are generally quite uncomfortable when someone treats them with obvious ______.

• preference

• deference

• interference

• persistence

Americans look directly into each other’s eyes when talking, conveying informality, ______, and equality in the exchanges of glances.

• embarrassment

• reserve

• spontaneity

• discipline

In the eyes of Americans, a hard worker is one who “gets right to work” on the task ____ ____.

• right in

• with delay

• without delay

• without doubt

Bringing in other people to mediate a dispute is considered somewhat ______, the act of a person without enough courage to speak directly to someone else.

• fearless

• normally

• voluntary

• cowardly