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 Travel
America
Learn before you travel. This section of Fun Easy
English focuses on facts and other cool stuff about
your favorite U.S. state. This is great English
reading practice. This page focuses on the state of
Vermont. |
 Hey
if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English
dictionary
(opens in a new window) |
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 Vermont
In 1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain came
upon a large lake in the area we know today as
Vermont and named it after himself. The state's name
comes from two French words vert (green) and mont
(mountain), which explains Vermont's nickname, the
"Green Mountain State." Ethan Allen and the Green
Mountain Boys defended their homeland from the
British during the Revolutionary War. Vermont is one
of the six New England states and became the 14th
state in 1791. Some of Vermont's major industries
are dairy farming and tourism. One of the most
picturesque states, Vermont has millions of visitors
each year who come to see the leaves turn colors in
the fall and the snow-covered mountains in the
winter. The state flower is the red clover and the
tree is the sugar maple. Vermont maple syrup is one
of the state's most popular products. |
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Vermont
State Flag
Vermont's state flag was authorized in 1919 and
features the state coat of arms (which includes the state
motto) against a field of blue.
From Vermont Statutes Online:
The Coat of Arms, Crest, Motto and Badge of the State shall
be and are described as follows
(1) Coat of Arms. Green, a landscape occupying half of the
shield; on the right and left, in the background, high
mountains, blue; the sky, yellow. From near the base and
reaching nearly to the top of the shield, arises a pine tree
of the natural color and between three erect sheaves,
yellow, placed diagonally on the right side and a red cow
standing on the left side of the field.
(2) Motto and Badge. On a scroll beneath the shield, the
motto: Vermont; Freedom and Unity. The Vermonter's badge:
two pine branches of natural color, crossed between the
shield and scroll.
(3) Crest. A buck's head, of natural color, placed on a
scroll, blue and yellow. |
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Source:
State Symbols USA |
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 Vermont
State Facts
Picture: state seal of Vermont |
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State Capital |
Montpelier |
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Nickname |
Green Mountain State |
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Motto |
Freedom and Unity |
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Statehood |
March 4, 1791 (14th) |
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Origin of Name |
Based on "verts monts," French for green mountains |
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Largest Cities |
Burlington |
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Border States |
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York |
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Area |
9,249 sq. mi., 43rd largest |
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State Bird |
Hermit Thrush |
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State Flower |
Red Clover (trifolium pratense) |
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State Tree |
Sugar Maple (acer saccharum) |
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State Song |
Hail, Vermont |
 Travel and tourism
site for Vermont - This state travel and territorial
tourism site provides ideas for your vacations, meetings, and more. |
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Vermont Stories |
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The Town Meeting
Have you ever been to a town meeting? Do you know
what goes on in one? Town meetings are a popular
form of local government in Vermont and elsewhere.
During these meetings, all citizens are welcome to
discuss local issues such as the cost of running the
schools and government. Taxes are almost always an
issue. Should they be raised or lowered? What type
of computers should be purchased? What to do about
overdue property taxes? These are just some of the
topics that could be discussed and voted on at a
town meeting.
University of Vermont political science professor
Frank Bryan calls the town meeting the "Secret Flame
of Democracy." But some people think the town
meeting has outgrown its usefulness. They say that
American society has grown too large and complex for
the town-meeting style of government. Others think
that town meetings are "alive, but troubled." They
say that town meetings are mostly attended by those
who are self-employed, retired, or otherwise not
working at regular daytime jobs, so they cannot
accurately reflect the views of the majority of the
town's citizens.
Do you think the town meeting will survive? |
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Vermont Maple Syrup
Do you like pancakes with maple syrup? Did you know
that Vermont produces more maple syrup than any
other state in the United States?
The process used to make maple syrup is essentially
the same one that Native Americans first used
hundreds of years ago.
For four to six weeks in the winter or early spring,
farmers collect the sweet-water sap of dormant sugar
maple or black maple trees. The sap is extracted
through tap holes, which are carefully drilled into
the trees and fitted with spouts and buckets or the
more modern and common method, plastic tubing. The
sweet-water sap is then boiled in pans to evaporate
the liquid. The sap only yields one-thirtieth to
one-fiftieth the amount of syrup as the original
quantity of sap.
Maple syrup can be used to improve a number of
dishes in many ways, but mostly it's used to turn
pancakes and waffles into delicious treats. |
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Source:
Library of Congress |
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 National
Forests of Vermont
The following is a description of national
forests in the state
of Vermont. There are no national parks or
monuments in this state. If you plan to visit or live in
Vermont for awhile then you should
definitely plan to visit some of these
fantastic places. |
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National Forests |
 Green
Mountain
In Vermont's Green Mountains, this forest
includes eight wilderness areas. Among the
900 mi (1,400 km) of trails in the forest
are the Appalachian Trail and two National
Recreation Trails: Long and Robert Frost. |
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Cool America |
 About the U.S.A.
About the U.S.A. is an American
Studies reader that examines the customs, government, and history of the
United States of America. The text provides a wealth of information on U.S.
geography and history; the roles of local, state, and federal government;
national holidays and symbols; the Constitution; and citizenship. The book,
which was written for intermediate to advanced learners of English, contains
a range of activities for language students to practice listening, speaking,
reading, and writing. (opens to a new PDF window)
Great English reading
practice. |
 About
America
Learn about the fascinating history and government of
the United States of America. Lessons include content on
American Government, American History, and Integrated
Civics. Handouts with interactive games and
student-centered activities encompass all four language
skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Great English reading practice for
beginning to intermediate students. |
 American Teens Talk!
Americans Teens Talk! is a collection of interviews of
American high school students. Each interview is accompanied by vocabulary
notes and discussion questions. The interviews in American Teens Talk! give
learners a view into the lives of adolescents in the U.S. Through the
written format of the interviews, learners are able to increase their
vocabulary, practice their reading and listening skills, engage in
discussions, and learn more about U.S. culture. These
interviews come with audio programs.
Great English listening and
reading |
 Sing Out Loud Children's Songs
Sing Out Loud Children's Songs includes popular children's songs in the U.S.A. Posters accompany the
individual Sing Out Loud Children's Songs. These
songs come with audio programs.
Great English listening and reading
practice. |
 Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs
The Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs
collection contains 13 traditional American folk songs and song lyrics.
Listen to the songs online, read the lyrics, and collect the posters that
accompany the songs. These
songs come with audio programs.
Great English listening and reading
practice. |
 Sing Out Loud American Rhythms
Do you love music? Want to use it
to learn English? Check out the hip-hop inspired song "Peace" from Sing Out
Loud American Rhythms. American Rhythms includes a variety of musical genres
from many different artists in the U.S.A. These songs will appeal to teens
and young adults. These
songs come with audio programs.
Great English listening and reading
practice. |
 Route
66 - Famous American Road
U.S. Route 66 (US 66 or Route 66), also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the
Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was one of the original highways in
the U.S. Highway System. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads
in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri,
Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica,
California, near Los Angeles, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). It was
recognized in popular culture by both the hit song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route
66" and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s. |
Route 66: The Highway That's the Best
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Chicago: The Start of Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Going West for Decades on Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Arizona: The Spirit of Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Route 66 California: The End of the Trail
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Ten Must-See Route 66 Attractions
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Four Famous Foods On Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
International Tourists Drawn to Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
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