阅读理解
American culture is unique because it is formed and developed under certain conditions.The major
factors contributing to the making of this flew nation and the forming of a new culture are the hard
environment, ethnic diversity(多民族) and plural religion, which is quite different from other nations in
the world.What is more, these elements are still influencing the American culture.
The early immigrants who were English Puritans settled down in northeast part of America. From
1607 to 1892, frontiers were pushed further west.The frontiersmen looked for a land of rich resources
and a land of promise, opportunity and freedom.Actually they looked for a better life.So individualism
(个人主义), selfreliance, and equality of opportunity have perhaps been the values most closely
associated with the frontier heritage(遗产) of America.
In history, people from different countries in the world rushed to America three times.They brought
their own culture to America and later on,different cultures were mixed together.Thus the unique
American culture is formed,a common cultural life with commonly shared values.
The fundamental American belief in individual freedom and the fight of individuals to practice their
own religion is at the center of religious experience in the United States.The great diversity of ethnic
backgrounds has produced religious pluralism; almost all of the religions of the world are now practiced
in the United States.
Nowadays, we can see the continual influence of the three elements in the current American society.
American family is typically parents and their unmarried children.Middleaged and elderly people generally do not live with their married children.The people in America have a very strong desire to start a new life
in a new place.Quite a number of people change residences every year.The average American moves
fourteen times in his lifetime.
1. American culture is unique because of the following factors EXCEPT________.
A. hard environment
B. ethnic diversity
C. plural religion
D. advanced modernization
2. We can learn from this article that________.
A. the frontiersmen left important society values for American culture
B. the early immigrants brought about the unique American culture
C. people in the world once rushed to America because of its unique culture
D. the American family members don't get along well with each other
3. What's the author's attitude towards American culture?
A. He is critical of it.
B. He admires it very much.
C. He just states the facts.
D. He looks down upon it.
4. What might be the most suitable title of this article?
A. The Immigrants in America
B. Why American Culture Is Unique
C. The Influence of American Culture
D. Plural Religion and American Culture
