Americanization, by Frederick C. Millett In today s world, the term Americanization is strongly associated with the idea of globalization. We may say that it is seen as the globalization of the world by the USA. The American economy is an ever-present force in the world today. Pepsi ads now clutter the streets of every big city, Big Macs are being ordered throughout the entire world and the term "Always Coca-Cola" is being muttered all over, although some people have no idea what the phrase means. Over the past few decades, American capitalism has rapidly taken over the entire world. Not even the most communist nations of China and Russia are immune to this rapid invasion of American culture. China's youth today can not only watch The X-Files, Baywatch, and the newest films starring Tom Cruise for entertainment, but also go to the American Dream Park, an amusement park in Shanghai which duplicates typical American attractions. When they get hungry, the Chinese can eat at any of 130 McDonald's restaurants. It goes without saying that American globalization is present everywhere in today s world, which is not only changing it, but also causing wrong judgments to be made about American life. In Europe, Americans are stereotyped by globalization as being shallow, spoiled, and short-sighted, which also causes many nations to hate the American way. It may have even caused the terrorist attacks on September 11. Thomas Friedman, in an article published in 1998, warns that Americanization not only creates hatred for the United States, but also allows the people who foster this hatred to do something about it - through technology. Ramzi Yousef, the man behind the first World Trade Center bombing, kept track of all his plans on a Toshiba laptop. Osama bin Laden for a time was running a multinational JOL, Jihad Online. Many people blame bin Laden solely for the recent terrorist attacks on the U.S. But is he the only one responsible? Who's really to blame for September 11? Look no further than the clothes you wear, the food you eat. Blame Nike, blame McDonald's, and blame Coca-Cola. These companies are the icons of Americanization - the renewed movement which is taking over the world, destroying traditions, and creating new Osama bin Ladens. As G. Pascal Zachary writes, "We are all Americans now, like it or not". If he is saying this statement now, what will the world be like if America continues this trend in ten years? How about even twenty years? How far will American globalization go, or more importantly, will it ever end? https://www.msu.edu/~millettf/americanization.html (abridged and adapted) Página 1 de 9
Part I A. Choose the correct evidence for the following statements. Quote from the test. 1. Out of the USA people with completely different political and social systems are adopting a lot of aspects of American culture. a) Not even the most communist nations of China and Russia are immune to this rapid invasion b) American capitalism has rapidly taken over the entire world. c) Thomas Friedman, in an article published in 1998, warns that Americanization not only creates hatred for the United States d) As G. Pascal Zachary writes, "We are all Americans now, like it or not". 2. Some cultures consider the American way a bad thing. a) the renewed movement which is taking over the world, destroying traditions, and creating new Osama bin Ladens. b) which is not only changing it, but also causing wrong judgments to be made about American life. c) In Europe, Americans are stereotyped by globalization as being shallow, spoiled, and short-sighted, d) which also causes many nations to hate the American way 3. People like Osama bin Laden may not be the only responsible for terrorist attacks. a) Thomas Friedman, in an article published in 1998, warns that Americanization not only creates hatred for the United States b) Ramzi Yousef, the man behind the first World Trade Center c) Look no further than the clothes you wear, the food you eat. Blame Nike, blame McDonald's, and blame Coca-Cola. d) Many people blame bin Laden solely for the recent terrorist attacks on the U.S. 4. We are all part of the problem. a) Thomas Friedman, in an article published in 1998, warns that Americanization not only creates hatred for the United States b) American capitalism has rapidly taken over the entire world. c) As G. Pascal Zachary writes, "We are all Americans now, like it or not" d) The American economy is an ever-present force in the world today. 5. Americans are different from what we see at first sight. a) In Europe, Americans are stereotyped by globalization as being shallow, b) which is not only changing it, but also causing wrong judgments to be made about American life. c) Americanization not only creates hatred for the United States, d) These companies are the icons of Americanization - the renewed movement which is taking over the world, destroying traditions, and creating new Osama bin Ladens. Página 2 de 9
B. Choose the equivalents/synonyms for the following words or expressions. 1. ( ), American capitalism has rapidly taken over the entire world.( ) (line 6) a) weakened b) amused c) dominated d) changed 2. ( ), Americans are stereotyped by globalization as being shallow, ( ) (line 14) a) perfect b) physically challenged c) profound d) superficial 3. ( ) but also allows the people who foster this hatred ( ) (line 17) a) people who forget b) people who forsake c) people who encourage d) people who ostracize 4. ( ) Many people blame bin Laden solely for the recent terrorist attacks on the U.S.( ) (line 20) a) gravely b) exclusively c) including d) definitely 5. ( ) what will the world be like if America continues this trend in ten years? ( ) (line 26) a) diminishes its influence b) stop this movement c) maintains this tendency d) increments its influence Página 3 de 9
C. Choose the most suitable way to complete the sentences according to the ideas expressed in the text. 1. According to the text, globalization a) of the world by USA is a consequence of their political and financial policies. b) is a good thing for everyone, including Europe and Asia. c) is promoting a positive image of Americans. d) will lead to world peace. 2. The Americanization of the world a) tends to slow down in the next 10 years. b) is creating negative and harmful stereotypes about the American people. c) is a way of leading foreign countries towards democracy. d) contributes to the annihilation of terrorism. 3. Technology and the media a) are preventing and controlling wrong ideas about the American way. b) are the best way to fight terrorism through information and education. c) allow anyone to see what the world is turning into. d) allow terrorists to divulge their ideals and to plan their attacks. 4. Osama bin Laden a) is the only responsible for the September 11. b) the most responsible for September 11. c) and Ramzi Yousef are responsible for September 11. d) isn t the only responsible for the September 11. 5. There is an amusement park called American Dream Park in a) the United States of America. b) China. c) Russia. d) Europe. Página 4 de 9
D. Choose the most suitable word to complete the sentences below. Americans think of their (1) as relatively (2). However, compared to the rest of the world, we are the (3) society. This causes a threat to many nations around the world. "For the rest of the (4), we are wild, crazy revolutionaries, with (5) in our noses and paint on our toes, overturning cultures and (6) wherever we go. Is this the message we want to (7) for the whole world to see? Americanization gives the world the wrong view of America; will it take another September 11 to (8) this out? Americanization must be (9), or else drastically lowered, so not to (10) other nation's traditions and beliefs. https://www.msu.edu/~millettf/americanization.html (abridged and adapted) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. a) views b) rings c) culture d) traditions a) way b) conservative c) suspicious d) awkward a) drawback b) revolutionary c) conservative d) threaten a) person b) youngsters c) world d) women a) rings b) necklaces c) watches d) sunglasses 6. 7. 8. 9. a) languages b) idioms c) traditions d) slang a) stopped b) buy c) threaten d) send a) figure b) put c) send d) come a) initiated b) maintained c) kept d) stopped 10. a) help b) threaten c) protect d) intimidate Página 5 de 9
Part II A. Choose from the given options the correct verb tense/ form to fill in the blanks : 1. Helen usually go to school? a) Do b) Did c) Does d) Have 2. I dinner tonight. Would you like to come? a) cooks b) am cooking c) have cooked d) cooked 3. I can't go out because I my work yet. a) am not finishing b) have finished c) am finishing d) haven t finished 4. he ever in Australia? a) have; been b) has; been c) haven t; been d) is been 5. The telephone is ringing. Ok, I answer it. a) doesn t b) will going to c) am going to d) will 6. When I arrived, John already. a) had; left b) have; left c) has; left d) have; leaved 7. Jane to come to the fitness center with us tonight. a) must b) ought c) can d) will Página 6 de 9
8. If I had found her address, I her an invitation. a) would sent b) would send c) would have sent d) would have send 9. A - Why has Fiona bought chocolates? B - She her grandma. a) will visit b) visits c) goes visit d) is going to visit 10. She read when she was only 2 years old. a) could b) may c) can d) might Página 7 de 9
Part III A. Identify and mark the word or expression that is incorrect. 1. Every man and woman are (A) required (B) to check (C) in (D) terminal A, gate 21. 2. Despite of (A) the (B) fact that (C) it was snowing outside, it was a nice evening (D). 3. I would (A) like to have (B) some friends over (C). I m thinking about to give (D) a dinner party. 4. Bill: "She will leave (A) tomorrow." - Bill said she would (B) leave (C) tomorrow (D). 5. If I didn t (A) see him this (B) weekend (C), I will phone him in the next month (D). 6. My brother is 25. I am 22. My sister is 19. My brother is older (A) than (B) I. My sister is the younger (C) person in our (D) family. 7. I don't know from who (A) the love letter came. It s possible that (B) it was sent (C) by (D) John. Página 8 de 9
8. Despite (A) he goes to (B) school every (C) day. He is not a good student but he writes good (D). 9. It s too (A) much (B) food for me. Please take this food scraps (C) and give they (D) to the dog. 10.My favorite (A) car is a Mercedes but it s to (B) expensive (C). So I m going (D) to buy a Ford. GOOD LUCK Página 9 de 9