文章背景介绍

※ Fast Roads in the U.S.

● Highways: connect cities

● Superhighways: a road with six or more lanes

● Interstate highways: connect cities in different states

● Freeways: roads within a city

● Expressways: fast roads in or near cities

● Turnpike: pay money before you use it

※ Pennsylvania Dutch Town

Location

The heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country is Lancaster County. It is located in south central Pennsylvania, one and half hours west of Philadelphia. Most of the Amish Country attractions are in Lancaster County, and almost all of the local Amish people live here as well.

People

Amish

The Amish are a religious group who live in settlements in 22 states of the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The oldest group of Old Order Amish, about 16,000—18,000 people live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Amish stress humility, family and community, and separation from the world.

Amish’s beliefs

The Amish was part of the early Anabaptist movement in Europe, which took place at the time of the Reformation. The Anabaptists believed that only adults who had confessed their faith should be baptized, and that they should remain separate from the larger society. They also believe in non-resistance and basic Bible doctrines.

Amish’s lifestyle

● These people as a whole are not as materialistic as modern society today. They do not use electricity or modern conveniences.

● Amish men have beards, but not mustaches.

● Most Amish are trilingual: dialect of German, High German and English.

● Old Order children attend one-room school through the eighth grade.

● They are a private people who believe God has kept them together. They are a strong example of a community that supports cares for its members. They are a people apart; they are also a people together.

Antique shopping (Para. 2)

Pennsylvania Dutch town is called “Sunday Antiques Capital of the United States”. Over 3,000 antique dealers gather here to display and sell their merchandise.

Outlet shopping (Para. 2)

Here, you’ll find over 240 factory outlet stores featuring name brands and quality merchandise prices at reduced prices.

Scenery

● Amish oldest meeting house

● Hand-made quilts

● They ride their horse and buggy and have a slower-paced lifestyle.

Covered bridge

※ Cliff’s Notes

● Cliff’s notes are a series of reference books written to help undergraduate students to understand and appreciate important literary works.

● With such notes, students don’t have to read the work itself and be able to write papers and take exams.

※ Civil War

Civil War was the war from 1861 to 1865 fought between the northern and southern states.

The Civil War battlefield mentioned in paragraph 2 is the battlefield of famous Gettysburg battle in July, 1863. At Gettysburg, Union army defeated Confederate army. This victory is the turning point of the Civil War. After the campaign, on November 19, President Lincoln delivered the well-known Gettysburg Address.

※Beethoven

Lugwig Van Beethoven is one of the greatest composers in the world.

His famous symphonies include:

No. 5 (Fate)

No. 6 (Pastoral)

No. 9 (Choral)

※ USA Today

USA Today is one of the most popular daily national newspapers serving the interest of a general public in the United States.