American English

[Lenka]

I read a book (by Penguin Readers - level 5; The Grapes of Wrath by J. Steinbeck) written in American English. I found some sentences which looked weird to me. Now I'd like to ask you whether they are just American or if typical English.
If they are typically English, can you explain them?


1) Highway 66 was the main route for a people in flight from dust and empty land. <= why "a" ? I thought "people" is plural...

2) He must be real sick. <= why not "really"? Is it used just by Americans?

3) I've never seen him cry in his life. <= I am totally confused by this sentence. I think it would be grammatically right to say "...seen him crying", wouldn't it? Or perhaps "to cry"? I don't know... Anyway, can you explain it, please?

4) I'd rather die all at once. <= what does "all at once" mean?

[Tdol]

1 a people = a group (nation, class, religion, region, etc)
2 No, it's used in some regions of the UK
3 It's correct. We could also use the gerund
4 Quickly, immediately