The USA – English Vocabulary, Phrases & Examples

The USA – English Vocabulary, Phrases & Examples

Describe the geography, history, the system of government and population of the USA

Geography: is the fourth largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada, China). Border on: N Canada, S Mexico, E the Atlantic ocean, W the Pacific ocean. A part of the USA is also Alaska and Hawaiian Islands.

Can be divided into 5 main areas: Appalachian Highlands, Mississippi Basin, Cordilleras, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevadas

Has many rivers: Mississippi (the 3rd longest in the world), Missouri, Hudson, Yukon (the biggest in Alaska)

There are some very important lakes: Canada border –they are the biggest reservoirs of fresh water in the world. Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie -these 2 lakes are connected by the Niagara River and they form the famous Niagara Falls. There are Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges, Cordilla mountain range occupies one half of the continental USA, including the Rocky Mountains and the famous Grand Canyon. The highest peak of the USA is in Alaska -it is Mt. McKinley. There are Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone National Park

Population: It has the population of about 300 million people. The country is the third most populous in the world behind China and India. Is a very multicultural country. There live many different races and religions: African, American, Asian, Indian, Eskimo, Hispanic people... The official language is English. Religion is important in the USA. The majority of church are Protestants

History: American continent was discovered by Vikings around the year 1000 A.D. People in Europe didn’t know about the existence of the American continent until 1492, when Columbus made his voyage from Spain. In 1620 first people came to America on their ship called Mayflower. During their first winter, over one half of the settlers died. The rest of them survived and learned how to farm. The following November after their 1st successful harvest, they celebrated and had a special Thanksgiving dinner. Since then the Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving Day

– The first 13 colonies were under the British control –American people wanted to be independent and they didn’t want to pay taxes to Britain -started a war –America won the war and on July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was signed. The colonies became independent and that day was called the Independence day

– The American civil war started in 1861 -it is known as the war between the North and the South –the North fought for making slavery illegal –the North won the war

System of gouvernment: The US is a federation consisting of 50 states. The head is the president George Bush. He is elected for 4 years and may only be elected twice. The Constitution creates the three branches of the national government: 1.Executive branch -led by the President (1st president – Washington), 2.Legislative (law-making) branch –represented by the Congress, 3.Judicial branch -headed by the Supreme Court. The currency is 1 dollar which is divided into 100 cents. Presidents: Richard, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald. George, Bill, George W. Bush, Barack Obama

What are the most cosmopolitan cities in the USA?

Washington, D.C.: the capital city of the USA. D.C. means “District of Columbia”. Is the seat of the White House –the seat of the President. Some interesting places in Washington: Jefferson Memorial, White House, Arlington National Cemetery, Museum of Natural History

Las Vegas: lies in Nevada. More than 12 million people visit Las Vegas every year. There are many nightclubs and casinos. In LV people can also see many famous singers, comedians dancers, musicians

New York: the largest city. The nicknames of NY are: Melting Pot –it is a very multicultural city, Big Apple

In NY we can visit: Manhattan –the real centre of NY. It is famous for its Manhattan skyline –a large number of skyscrapers (highest is called the Empire State Building) on a small area. The Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is symbol of freedom and democracy

Los Angeles –California: a beautiful country with warm weather. There is the Disneyland

Name five things that are typical for American people

American only sports (Baseball, American football, NASCAR races). American football is very different from the football we play in Europe. People sometimes say that the USA is the place, where all your dreams can come true. Fast food is a typical feature of American life style – Brownies, Peanut butter, Starbucks. Typical music: Country, Jazz, Hip-Hop. Santa Claus and Coca cola

Situation: You are going to work as an Au-pair in the USA. Your host family call you because they want to know some more information about you. What will you tell them about you?

 My name is Lucy. I'm 27. I am from Slovakia and I live here. I would like working for you. I studied nursing. I have ten years experience. I worked in hospital in Austria and Czech republic. I have experience with little child and with old people