3

GW. Read and match the titles with the paragraphs.

1. Interests and Hobbies 2. Doing Housework 3. Characters traits*

A) Visitors always report that most Americans are friendly, helpful and polite. They say, “If you don’t have anything to say, then don’t say anything at all”. The habit of informality still surprises foreign visitors. In casual conversations many Americans like the topics about income, religion and politics. “Kidding around” is a part of the daily life of many Americans. In general they like to joke about their abilities and achievements and then see how the others react.

B) The lives of most Americans revolve* round their homes and houses. Most American homeowners do everything around their houses themselves.They do food shopping once a week at the local supermarket. In many families children help their parents around the house. They vacuum the rugs (mats, carpets), mow the lawn, weed flower beds, clean windows, trim hedges, keep the car clean and so on.

C) Life is often hectic*. The pressure is on at work and at school. Many adults and teenagers often volunteer to work in hospitals. They are under pressure to do well in their exams, to get into a good school, to get a better paying job, to improve themselves to get slimmer* or even to relax.

3

IW. Look through the words in bold in task 2 above and use them in sentences.

4

CW. Discuss and say if you agree/disagree giving your own reasons.

1. The Azerbaijanis are hardworking.
2. The Americans are kind and friendly.
3. The Azerbaijanis respect the old.
4. The English are polite.
5. The English like gardening.
6. The Americans like relaxing.
7. The Azerbaijanis are hospitable.
8. The Americans are very helpful.
5

GW. List some typical qualities of the Azerbaijanis/ the English/the Americans and other nationalities under each heading.

Nationalities | Character traits | Interests/ Hobbies
The Americans | • friendly | • like working around the house
The Azerbaijanis | • friendly • hospitable | • like receiving guests and showing respect for a guest
Other | ? | ?

*revolve - go around
*hectic - busy, intensive

*slim - thin
*trait - feature, quality