What it is like in the usa word

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• #1

Hi, everyone

I think I mix up the meaning of «What is it like» and «How is it like». Which one is the correct form?

Thank you

• #2

Can you provide a complete sentence with these expressions in it?

• #3

Offhand, I can’t think of any use for «How is it like?» It strikes me as Chinglish.

If you’d like to give us context — the situation in which you would use this — we can ensure our answer is correct.

• #4

I am sorry for not making myself clearly.

Here is a situation. If I meet a new friend from another country, I’d like to know the life in his country. Should I say «What’s it like to live in XXXX»?

Thanks so much

• #5

Yes, say, «What’s it like to live in XXXX?» This invites him/her to tell you about general daily life
or
«How do you find living in XXXX?» This asks him/her to tell you about his/her experiences.

Don’t use «How is it like» — it sounds very awkward.

• #6

You’re right!

• #7

Many English language learners use «how» where native speakers use «what.» To find out the name of something, we say «What is it called?» but many inquiries here use «How is it called?» Likewise for «What is <something> like?» vs. «How is <something like>?» In the case of «like,» the confusion might be caused by the related construction without «like,» which does require «how» instead of «what.»

What is life like in North Ustantsia?
How is life like in North Ustantsia?
How is life in North Ustantsia?

What is the weather like today in North Ustantsia?
How is the weather like today in North Ustantsia?
How is the weather today in North Ustantsia?

(Can’t give any more examples; I’ve used up my allotment of X’s and check marks. )

• #8

hi, Irene!
normally, there’s no difference between What and How in this case -if we talk about some experience but you can add ing clause into What’s it like?
What is it like, living in USA?
What’s living in USA like?

but there are some rules depending on the situation

physics and mood caractheristics:
What is she like? tall, short
How’s she like? — pretty, sad

• #9

but there are some rules depending on the situation

physics and mood caractheristics:
What is she like? tall, short
How’s she like? — pretty, sad

I can’t think of any use for «How is she like?» The two sentences to use are «What is she like?» (permanently: tall, short, pretty, mean, etc.) and «How is she?» (right now: sad, injured, in a coma, etc.).

• #10

Thanks for your comprehensive replies. I think I understand

• #11

It seems to me to be completely grammatically incorrect to use «how», but, that said, I did have an English teacher one year who frequently said, «How do you mean?», so I presume there may be a regional element to it.

• #12

The only way «How is it like» would be correct is if it were followed by something else. For instance, «How is it like Florida?»

• #13

The only way «How is it like» would be correct is if it were followed by something else. For instance, «How is it like Florida?»

I think it helps English learners to offer the context you might use these more «unusual» phrasings — in this case, it’s a comparison:

I think New York is a lot like Florida.
What? How is it like Florida? Tell me … I’d like to know.

• #14

I’m with Copyright here. I don’t think How is it like X? is an absurd or ungrammatical question at all. If someone has said that Y is like X, it is the most obviously succinct way of asking in what way it is like X.

Without the X — a simple How is it like? — only makes sense to me if the like is purely rhetorical. There are some BE speakers who lard their conversation with the word like for reasons best known to them. The word is strictly meaningless on their lips, and seems to be added to give time for thought, though the resultant sentences don’t often suggest that the time has been well used.

• #15

How is …?
We use How is …? to ask about someone’s general health or about the condition or state of something, or how people experience something:

A:
How’s your mother these days? (How is her general health?)
B:
Oh, she’s fine, thanks.

[talking about an old house]

A:
How are the walls in the kitchen? (What is the condition/state of the walls?)
B:
Well, they need redecorating really.

A:
How’s your new car?
B:
Wonderful. It’s so much easier to drive than the old one.

What is … like?
We use What is … like? to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour):

A:
What’s her new house like?
B:
It’s a modern one, quite big, with a nice garden.

A:
What’s your new teacher like?
B:
He’s nice. He’s very good-looking! But he’s quite strict.

Warning:
We don’t use How is … like? to ask for a description of something:

A:
Have you ever had Korean kimchi?
B:
No. What’s it like?
A:
Well, it’s sort of spicy fermented vegetables, cabbage and things.

Choose the right variant:

1) The United States of America is situated in:

a) the central part of the North American continent

b) North America

c) In South America

Welcome to the USA!

2) The USA is washed by the … ocean in the west

a) Atlantic

b) Pacific

c) Arctic

3) The USA consists of … conterminous states

a) 48

b) 50

c) 51

4) The United States has the world’s … largest population

a) second

b) third

c) fourth

5) What is the federal capital of the USA?

a) New York

b) Chicago

c) Washington DC

6) What is the largest American state?

a) Alaska

b) Texas

c) Florida

7) What is the largest city in the USA?

a) Washington DC

b) New York

c) Philadelphia

The United States territory consists of … separate parts

a) 2

b) 3

c) 4

9) The… major mountain ranges traverse the country from the north to the south

a) 2

b) 3

c) 4

Welcome to the USA!

10) The Appalachian Mountains are in:

a) the eastern part

b) the central part

c) the western part

11) The oldest mountains of the USA are:

a) The Rockies

b) The Cascades

c) The Appalachians

12) Where are the Rocky Mountains situated?

a) in the north

b) in the East

c) in the west

13) The highest peak of Alaska and the whole North America is:

a) mount Whitney

b) mount Mc Kinley

c) mount Kea

14) The land area of Hawaii consists of:

a) emerged volcanic mountains

b) majestic icy mountains

c) beautiful sloppy hills

15) Mauna Kea is translated as:

a) “Snowy mountain”

b) “Star Mountain”

c) “White mountain”

16) The Interior Plains occupy the…part of the US territory

a) eastern

b) central

c) western

17) The Coastal Plain extends from the:

a) North to the South

b) Southwest to the East

c) Southwest to the Northeast

18) The Mississipi – Missouri system, the longest waterway, has a lot of tributaries and…is one of them

Welcome to the USA!

a) The Yukon

b) The Colorado

c) The Ohio

19) The rivers in…of the country are unsuitable for navigation because they flow through deep canyons and are cut by numerous rapids

a) the west

b) the east

c) the south

20) The Mississippi carries most of the water which drains into the:

a) gulf of Mexico

b) the Great Lakes

c) the Atlantic Ocean

21) The Great lakes are accessible to the sea via…

a) the Ohio river

b) the St. Lawrence river

c) the Hudson river

22) Niagara Falls is situated near:

a) New York

b) Washington D.C.

c) Boston

23) Niagara is an Indian word which means:

a) great waters

b) high waters

c) roaring waters

24)There are two famous salty lakes in the… of the USA:

a) west

b) east

c) south

25) The climate is mostly…in the USA:

a) tropical

b) temperate

c) arctic

Welcome to the USA!

26) The climate is warmer in:

a) the interior of the country

b) along the coasts

c) in the South

27) What climate do the Southeastern states have?

a) temperate

b) continental

c) subtropical

28) About one-third of the USA is…

a) forestland

b) grassland

c) cropland

29) What animals can be met on the Cordillera slopes?

a) badgers and gophers

b) sheep and grizzly bear

c) rodents and reptiles

30) The agency of the federal government of the USA which is charged with protecting the environment is called:

a) the environmental Protection agency

b) Health and Human services

c) National Security council

Welcome to the USA!

Literature:

1) Америка. Какая она? / What it is Like in the USA. Учебник по страноведению США. В. Пеппард, Н.Д.Токарева. – М.: Высшая школа, 2005. – 334 с.

2) Знакомьтесь: Америка! Бурлак А.И. — М., 2005. – 112с.

3) Лингво-страноведение США. Михайлов Н.Н. – М., 2008. – 288с.

4) О Соединенных Штатах Америки. Сборник текстов для чтения на английском языке для старшеклассников и студентов. Костина Е.А. – М.: Московский лицей, 2001. – 184 с.

5) Соединенные Штаты Америки: Пособие по страноведению. – Спб.: КАРО, 2008. – 448с. Голицынский Ю.Б.

6) Страноведение: Соединенные Штаты Америки: Учебное пособие/В.А. Радовель. – Ростов н/Д: Феникс, 2006.- 320с.

7) Страноведение: США. Бурова И. И., Силинский С. В. — СПб., 2002. – 180 с.

All About the USA. Издательство Pearson, 2008. – 133 с.

9) The everything American history book/ by Loriann Hoff Oberlin. 2001. – 305 с.

10) www.wikipedia.com

11) http://www.alleng.ru/engl-top/071.htm

12)http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/usapolit.html

13)http://www.gymnasia8.kz/projects/science/article/59

Welcome to the USA!

The United States is always compared with a ‘melting pot’ as people of different nations have immigrated to the USA. In 2000, white Americans were about 75% of the population, blacks or African Americans – about 12% of the population, Asians and Pacific Islanders – nearly 4 %, and American Indians and Alaska Natives – about 1%. About 8% were of mixed race and other races. Between 1492 and 1880 many immigrants came from Britain, Ireland, and Northern Europe. In the 19th and early 20th century European immigration to the USA increased massively, and another era of heavy immigration is occurring right now. The USA still accepts more immigrants each year than any other country in the world. People come to the USA as they all see this country as a land of hope and opportunity. The term ‘melting pot’ implies that all immigrants have become alike and have adapted to their new homeland.

In the USA the aim of upbringing is to raise a responsible,

self-reliant individual. At the age of 18 young people usually move out of their parents’ house and live independently. A grown-up person who is still living with his or her parents may be considered ‘immature’, or ‘tied to the mother’s apron strings’.

Americans believe that all men are created equal. It means that one tends to treat other people as peers, and that everyone expects to have equal opportunities to achieve his or her goals of life. As a result Americans are quite informal in their general behavior and in their relationships with other people. People of high standing can be seen in public wearing jeans, sandals, or other informal clothes. Americans call each other by their first names irrespective of a person’s social position or age. When people talk, they usually smile a lot and use a lot of jargon and slang. Americans always feel uncomfortable with silence. They prefer to talk in order to fill the pause.

Working hard is greatly valued in the United States. Americans respect doers, problem solvers and achievers. Great importance is attached to such qualities as efficiency, punctuality and practicality. Self-improvement is very important to any American. Idleness is considered to be shameful. Americans can’t afford to waste time, to daydream, or to do nothing. There are many workaholics and people who are addicted to their work

in the USA. Such people think constantly about their job and feel frustrated if they are kept from it, even during weekends and holidays. Americans see as heroes those people who have overcome a great number of obstacles in order to succeeded in life.

In the USA the words ‘This is a self-made man’ are the best praise. People are placed in the stratification structure based on their individual merits or achievements. Americans are individualists. They consider themselves as separate individuals who are responsible for their own lives. Americans value privacy and personal space.

Americans seem to be constantly in a hurry. They are extremely punctual and well-organized and hate to be late for meetings. Americans often say that ‘time is money’. They become quite irritated if they have to wait more than 15 minutes beyond the scheduled time for appointments.

Americans like to be open and honest. They ask direct questions and expect ‘straight’ answers. But at the same time, they are reluctant to discuss financial and health matters or to talk about their private life. Americans hate to argue or to refuse point-blank. Instead of saying ‘no’ directly, an American will say something like ‘it is not convenient now’.

Many Americans know very little about other cultures and the world beyond the borders of the USA. They are sure that their country is superior, probably the ‘greatest’ country in the world. Americans don’t like foreigners and they tend to think that people born in other countries are not so lucky as they are. Most Americans are proud of their political system and they believe that it has advantages which other political systems lack. Democracy has become a synonym for the American way of life.

1. Read the following sentences and circle TRUE or FALSE: 1) In 2000, white Americans were about 45% of the population. T|F|
2) In the 19th and early 20th century European immigration to the USA increased massively. T|F|
3) At the age of 21 young people usually move out of their parents’ house and live independently. T|F|
4) Americans believe that all men are created equal. T|F|
5) Americans are very formal in their general behavior and in their relationships with other people. T|F|
6) Self-improvement is considered to be shameful in the United States. T|F|
7) Americans see as heroes those people who lead a modest life. T|F|
Americans ask direct questions and expect ‘straight’ answers. T|F|
9) Americans usually say ‘no’ directly. T|F|
10) Americans are sure that their country is superior, probably the ‘greatest’ country in the world. T|F|
2. Complete each sentence (A-J) with one of the endings (1-10):
1. Between 1492 and 1880
2. The USA still accepts
3. The term ‘melting pot’ implies that
4. A grown-up person who is still living with his or her parents may be considered
5. Americans call each other by their first names irrespective of
6. When people talk, they usually
7. Great importance is attached to such qualities as
8. Americans can’t afford to
9. People are placed in the stratification structure based on their
10. Americans are reluctant to discuss
A. individual merits or achievements.
B. ‘immature’, or ‘tied to the mother’s apron strings’.
C. efficiency, punctuality and practicality.
D. more immigrants each year than any other country in the world.
E. financial and health matters.
F. all immigrants have become alike and have adapted to their new homeland.
G. waste time, to daydream, or to do nothing.
H. a person’s social position or age.
I. many immigrants came from Britain, Ireland, and Northern Europe.
J. smile a lot and use a lot of jargon and slang.
3. Answer the questions 1) Why is the United States compared with a ‘melting pot’?
2) Why do many immigrants come to the USA?
3) What is the main aim of upbringing in the USA?
4) What do Americans think of people’s equality?
5) What do you know about Americans’ behaviour in public?
6) What kind of person is respected by Americans? Why?
7) How can you describe a typical American workaholic?
What is the best praise in the USA? Why?
9) What do Americans think about other countries?
10) What are Americans especially proud of? Why?
4. Summarize all the information you have learnt and make up a short description of a typical American (10-12 sentences)

5. Read what other people think about Americans and comment on their opinions. Are there any statements you can’t agree with? Americans are so dedicated to their jobs.’ (Jamelia)
‘Too many of us look upon Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by the Americans themselves.’ (Albert Einstein)
‘Americans are very friendly and very suspicious, that is what Americans are and that is what always upsets the foreigner, who deals with them, they are so friendly how can they be so suspicious they are so suspicious how can they be so friendly but they just are.’ (Gertrude Stein)
Americans love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle.’ (George S. Patton)
Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.’ (Alexis de Tocqueville)
‘As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?’ (Alexis de Tocqueville)
‘I think the American Dream says that anything can happen if you work hard enough at it and are persistent, and have some ability. The sky is the limit to what you can build, and what can happen to you and your family.’ (Sanford I. Weill)

Read the information about some famous Americans and say who they are. Choose any well-known person from the list and prepare a report about him. (1930-) A former American astronaut, test pilot, university professor, and United States Naval Aviator. He was the first person to set foot on the Moon in 1969. As he did so, he said, That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.’
(1917-1963) The 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. He was an extremely popular president as he was young, attractive, and good at speaking in public. He was known to have had affairs with several women, including Marilyn Monroe.
(1862-1910). A US writer of short stories, whose real name was William Sydney Porter. His stories are known for treating the everyday life of working people. They are full of humour, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings.
(1915-1998) An American singer and actor. He became successful in the 1940-s, and is known especially for the song My Way. He was a member of the Rat Pack and fraternized with celebrities and presidents. He was also a dramatic actor and performed in From Here to Eternity and The Man with the Golden Arm. He also starred in such musicals as High Society, Pal Joey, Guys and Dolls and On the Town.
(1954-) An American actor, dancer, singer, producer and writer, best known for his leading roles in films such as Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), Pulp Fiction (1994) and Primary Colors (1997).
(1879-1955) A US physicist and mathematician who was born in Germany. He is best known for his theory of relativity and specifically mass-energy equivalence, expressed by the equation E = mc2. He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.
(1899-1961) An American writer and journalist. His novels include A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls and others. He received the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 for The Old Man and the Sea, and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. Many of his works are now considered classics of American literature.
(1963-) A retired American professional basketball player and active businessman. He was considered to be the best player of the 1980s and 1990s, helping his Chicago Bulls team win five NBA Championships. In 1997 he appeared in the film Space Jam.
A. What is a typical American like? Describe him using some adjectives from the table if you find them suitable. responsible, self-reliant, independent, hard-working, ambitious, informal, punctual, friendly, efficient, practical, persistent, well-organized, open, honest, patriotic, diligent, active, pushy, realistic, egocentric, self-confident

B. Read the text ‘What Are Americans Like?’ What is the main difference between Americans and other nations?