Improve Your English: English in Everyday Life

racially segregated:
Separated on the basis of race.
running gag:
A joke, funny story, or tale that is told 
frequently.
segregated society:
A society in which the races live 
largely separated from one another.
slow motion:
Moving at less than normal speed.
spotlight:
In this context, the center of the focus of 
attention.
the student:
Th
e speaker probably means 
students
.
suck on your instrument (
usually
, to suck at some-
thing):
To not be very good or skilled at playing one’s 
instrument.
underestimate:
Th
e speaker probably means 
disrespect
.
upbringing:
Th
e guided or directed growth of a child by 
his or her parents or guardian into adulthood.
the West:
Th
e western United States.

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Impr
ov
e Y
our Englis
h: Englis
h in Ev
er
yda
y Life
18
QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES
1. List what these speakers like about life in the 
United States.
2. Which speakers have had experiences in the 
United States similar to yours and why?
3. Which speakers have had experiences most dif-
ferent from yours and why?
4. Describe where you have lived in the United 
States.
5. What do you like about life in the United States?
6. What is the most diffi
cult thing about living in 
the United States?
7. Identify three words or phrases in this chapter 
that are new to you, and write a sentence with 
each one.

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