A land of diversity ---Reading

Unit 1

Ocean on the east coast _________________

Ocean on the west coast __________________

Country to the north of USA __________________

Country to the south of USA ________________

Mountains range in the west ______________________

Atlantic Ocean

Pacific Ocean

Canada

Mexico

Rocky Mountains

Great Lakes :

Longest river in the USA :

Some important cities:

Superior, Michigan, Huron,

Erie and Ontario

Mississippi River

New York, Washington D. C.,

Los Angeles, San Francisco,

Chicago, New Orleans

Let’s appreciate

some more pictures of the

USA. Can you name these

famous scenic spots?

Golden Bridge

Disneyland

Chinatown

Big Bear Lake

Universal Studio Hollywood

Palm Springs (棕榈泉 )

How much do you know about California? Let’s have a quiz.

1. California is also called:

A. Golden State

B. Beach State

C. Silver State

D. China State

2. California is the ________ largest state.

A. first

B. second

C. third

D. fourth

3. California, a state in the western USA, borders ________. A. the Pacific Ocean B. the Indian Ocean C. the Atlantic Ocean D. the Arctic Ocean

4. _____ is California’s largest and the nation’s second largest city. A. Sacramento B. Los Angeles C. San Diego D. San Francisco

California (the Golden State)

Lying on the Pacific Ocean, California is on the westwest coast of the United States. It has an area of 411 square kilometers, and it has the largest largest population, with the most

developed economy. Meanwhile, its pleasant weather, long beach, and graceful natural landscape make the tourism tourism prosperous.

SkimmingReading Comprehension I

1. The passage focuses on the ______. A. population of California B. customs and languages of California C. people of California D. history of California2. No specific group is mentioned in ____. A. NATIVE AMERICANS B. GOLD MINERS C. THE FUTURE D. LATER ARRIVALS

How are these pictures related to California?

Life of Native

Californian Indians

Each illustrates something about California. Discuss in groups what each picture means to you.

A Californian gold miner around 1849

A traditional Chinese building in San Francisco’s Chinatown

A native American Indian –one of the first people to live in California.

How did they arrive there?What sufferings did the arrival of Europeans bring to them?

How did they arrive there?

The first settlers crossed the Bering Strait from Asia to Alaska __________ a land bridge which existed in ___________ times.

by means of

prehistoric

Thousands were killed by Europeans.Or were forced into slavery.Many died from the diseases.

What sufferings did the arrival of Europeans bring to them?

True or False1. California is the largest state in the USA with the largest population. 2. The native Americans were well treated after the arrival of Europeans. 3. Of the first Spanish to go to California, the majority were religious men. 4. In the early 1800s, Russian hunters began settling in California.

scanning

Reading Comprehension II

5. During Gold Rush Period, many

achieved their dream of being rich.

6. In the late 19th century, Chinese

immigrants arrived in California.

7. It is believed that soon there will be

only a mixture of many races and

cultures.

15,000 years ago

16th

century:

1821

1846

1848

1850

First settlers crossed the Bering Strait from Asia. These people are now known as Native American

Spanish soldiers arrived in South America

Became part of Mexico

The US declared war on Mexico

Gold was discovered in California

California became the 31st state of the US.

California has a long history

A. Europeans B. The Pacific IslandersC. AsiansD. South AmericansE. Americans

Put them in order according to the times they rushed in.

What is their common dream? Did they realise their dream?

Their dream is to get rich. Only a few achieved their dream.

Listening and speaking 1.where did George’s tour start and in which direction has he been travelling?

3.Why did George have the wrong idea about California before he went there?

4.Why are there so many different kinds of music,food and art in California?

He started in northern California,and he has been travelling south.

He had watched too many American movies.

4.Why are there so many different kinds of music, food and art in California?

Many people from different countries moved to california. They brought their own customs, cultureand food. They kept them up and so produced thelarge variety of food, music, customs, art and cultural activities.

Listen again and complete the

postcard George wrote.

Dear Christie,

I’m here in Joshua Tree National

Park, in the______________________.

Have been traveling around the state

of California for three weeks now. Very

different from what I have seen

southeastern california

in _______________. Not everyone is ___

and not everyone lives near the

___________. First travelled southeast

through rich farmland then to the central

part. They grow everything here

including ____________________and

fruit. Cattle too. Then traveled

further________ into mountains

and ______.

American movies

beach/ coast

rich

cotton, nuts, vegetables

southeast

desert

Californians are very friendly, and

they are from many different _____

and cultures. Every culture has its

own______, _______, food and art.

Most interesting.

Wish you were here. Give my love to

Paula.

George

races

music festivals