They influenced American Culture by questioning the existing state of affairs and contributing to the rise of the Civil Rights Movement.
<em>The Beat Generation</em> was a new cultural and literary movement in the 1950's. They were behind the concept of non-conformity, questioning the existing values and beliefs in America. They were against materialism, a society that relies heavily on consumerism and materialistic gadgets. They advocated sexual freedom, social equality ( gender and racial ,) and they were against wars. The spiritual quest during one's life was of great importance to them.
<em>Rock and roll</em> impacted American culture by breaking down racial barriers. Not only because of some black artists but also because of both races listening to the same type of music. The music became the voice of the young, united against the war and questioning racial inequality, supporting free thinking and the freedom of expression.
They're most likely referring to urban sprawl, which is usually associated with rapid, less thoughtfully planned development.
It's usually thought of in a negative light, because the neighborhoods that develop lack the amenities, infrastructure, and/or identity of traditional neighborhoods. And because they're on the edges of cities, everyone usually relies on cars, which leads to traffic jams, pollution, and a lack of sense of community.
A city state is a city that its surrounding territory forms an independent state
