Do Americans feel they are superior to everybody else?

The YouTube video Do Americans feel they are superior to everybody else? discusses this common
idea about Americans, considering why people might think like that, and whether it’s true.

Listening - Gapfill

Here is a transcript of the first section of the video. Listen, and fill in the gaps by writing the correct words in
the numbered spaces below the text. There are no more than three words for each gap.

History entertains us with Roman empires, the territorial tales of the Ottoman
Empire, and the swashbuckling British Empire, but what about the Americans’
(1)…… on the world? Although not really an empire in the traditional sense,
Americans have left an imprint of culture, influence and global economics
around the world. Most (2)……. countries have a section of society who will
take pride in their nationalism. In Thailand, all citizens stand still in public
twice a day to respect the monarch. Indians have a high sense of national
pride with over (3)…… of her citizens believing she is the best country in the
world. The Brits are still (4)……. about their past empire and world war
victories, but when it comes to national pride the good old USA just seems
to (5) Today we find out why, in this episode of the Infographics show Do
Americans feel they are superior to everybody else? (0.49”)

1. imprint

2. if not all

3. 40%

4. vocal

5. have the edge

Listening – MCQs

For each of the following idiomatic phrases (underlined), choose the option which best explains the meaning
of the phrase in the context of this text.

6. “…the United States is no mere two bit player…”

A crazy gambler
B irresponsible worker
C unimportant actor
D selfish businessman

7. “…The moon landing is not to be sneezed at…”

A impressive
B exaggerated
C surprising
D unbelievable

8. “…a major industrial shot in the arm…”

A vaccination
B correction
C opportunity
D stimulation

9. “…revolution that’s taken the world by storm…”

A damaged the global economy
B imposed enormous changes
C surprised everyone in the world
D defeated other countries

10. “…and giving birth to the new world…”

A inspiring
B suggesting
C reporting
D creating
Selecting True statements
Which five of the following statements are true i.e. they reflect accurately the meaning of the text?
Write the letters identifying your choices in the boxes below - make sure you write them in alphabetical
order.

A Opposition to the Vietnam War grew out of the civil liberties movement.

B The civil liberties movement combined with those who opposed the Vietnam War.

C The civil liberties movement took a stand against opposition to the Vietnam War. D

Travelling to where your ancestors came from makes Americans feel superior.

E Travelling to where your ancestors came from proves that some Americans do not feel superior.

F Travelling to where your ancestors came from shows that no American feels superior.

G An academic study demonstrates that Americans feel superior to their neighbours.

H An academic study demonstrates that Americans feel superior to other cultures

I An academic study demonstrates that Americans tend to feel superior to everybody.

J The text suggests that younger Americans are more nationalistic than older Americans.

K The text suggests that older Americans are becoming less nationalistic than younger Americans.

L The text suggests that younger Americans are becoming less nationalistic than older Americans.

M The text concludes that fear causes people to be ignorant of other cultures, and so want to feel superior.

N The text concludes that fear causes people to feel superior to other cultures, and so prefer to be ignorant.

O The text concludes that ignorance causes people to be fearful of other cultures, and so want to feel
superior.

11. A

12. E

13. I

14. L

15. M