properly be called“american”.____，it is hard to

find characteristics which apply to all americans.we combine many extremes from many different cultures.____，we can make some generalizations.our main characteristics include individuality，a combination of idealism and

practicality，materialism，____a lack of parental influence，all of which permeate our lives.

____，we americans

value individuality.our country was founded by strong individuals，and we do not like to be forced

into conformity.therefore，we insist on having a great deal of

freedom.interestingly

enough，____，most americans use this freedom to

behave very much like most other americans，and we are suspicious of those who do not conform.hippies are individualists，____，but most americans do not like them.by the same token，we consider ourselves very faithful to the laws of our country，____there are few among us who

would not break one if it was felt that no harm would be done by doing so—such as by exceeding the speed

limit or failing to report informally-received cash income on tax forms.

____，we americans

are both practical and idealistic.we place great value on doing things forourselves，for this is what our pioneer

forefathers were forced to do.many foreign visitors are surprised to find that many couples of

comfortable means do their own yard work，their own house-work，their own repairs.____，we are very

idealistic：we think we

have the best political，social，and economic

system yet devised，and we ____expect everything to go smoothly.

____our idealism，we are easily disillusioned.this is why so many marriages end in divorce—young couples' expectations from

marriage are unrealistically high.____，it helps

explain the dissatisfactions and protests of many young people，and ____older people，who enjoy one of the highest

standards of living in the world.

a ____characteristics of us americans is that money is more

important than prestige to us.people work extremely hard，so many，unfortunately，either have little leisure time，or do not know how to enjoy it.why do we work so hard？it is not to achieve greater status or prestige，but simply to have more of the

material objects and comfort that money can buy.

____，our parents

have less influence on us than parents do in other countries.many children are left in day-care

centers by their working mothers，____with baby sitters when their parents go out at night.____，peer pressure is very great because children's feelings and desires

are taken very seriously，and they are given a lot of freedom to form strong personalities.we leave home at a relatively early

age，usually after

high school，to take jobs

and have our own apartments，____to go to college，where we are allowed a great deal of freedom.we choose our own spouses，even if our parents object，and，later in life，____our parents are old and helpless，we often live far away from them；many prefer to put them in nursing homes rather than to have the

responsibility of caring for them daily.many foreigners find this practice heartless.i suppose it is，____like many other qualities we

americans share，it is subject

to change over a relatively short period of time.

第三十五单元 总复习revision exercises

as is known to all，‘practice makes perfect’.good，effective

writing can only be achieved through much practice.so in this unit，we intend to give you 20 topics for

your writing practice.

exercise 35-1

directions：for this part，you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the title“computers”.you should base your composition on the following outline.your composition should be about

120 words.remember to

write clearly.

computers

1）计算机在现代社会中的作用；

2）计算机在家庭中的作用；

3）你对计算机的看法。

exercise 35-2

directions：write a 3-paragraph essay by using the cause-effect technique to

illustrate how overpopulatlon threatens the development of society.the following outline information

will be of help.

overpopulation poses a threat

to the development of societies

1）scarcity of

resources，including

land

2）shortage of

food

3）lack of

health care，educational

facilities and work opportunities

exercise 35-3

directions：write a 3-paragraph composition of no less than 120words on the

title“the advantages and disadvantages of air travel”

the advantages and disadvantages of air travel

exercise 35-4

directions：write a composition on the title“the project hope”.your composition should be based

on the outline below

and should be start with the given opening sentence：

education plays a very important role in the

modernization of our country.

the project hope

1）present

situation of education in our country；

2）necessity of

the project；

3）my

suggestions.

exercise 35-5

directions：write a 3-paragraph composition in no less than 120words on the

title“for a better understanding between parents and

children”.your

composition should bebased on the outline below and should be