Washington d. C.

1. Words and expression to remember:

   marshy	болотная пустошь	exhaust	выхлопные газы
   wilderness	юрисдикция	fumes	пригород
   jurisdiction	проектировать,	suburb	дело
   to design	проспект	affair	купол
   avenue	небоскреб	dome	огромный
   skyscraper	круг	huge	исследовательский
   circle	славный, знаменитый	research	содержать
   glorious	столб, колонна	to contain	производящий.
   pillar		impressive

2. Read and translate the text.

Washington sprang out of a marshy wilderness. It’s named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. Washington is situated on the Potomac River in the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia is outside the jurisdiction of any state and subjects only to the control of the Federal Congress. Washington is the seat of the Federal Government of the United States. It has been the capital of the USA since 1800. It has about 900 000 inhabitants.

Washington is one of the least industrialized metropolises in the world. However, in many ways it’s a typical American city. Washington often rates as “dangerous” on the scale of air pollution. The air is periodically toxic from exhaust fumes. The water in Potomac is polluted. There are traffic jams in rush hours in its streets. Washington is often called the city of underprivileged and poor blacks.

In spite of all its problems, Washington has another nickname — the American Paris, as its conception is purely French. It has long wide avenues, gardens, beautiful parks and no skyscrapers at all. The major attractions for tourists are in the heart of Washington. Among them there is the National Museum of History, the National Museum of Natural History. The National Gallery of Art exhibits thousands of the world’s finest canvases. The Library of Congress is the younger rival of the London Library of the British Museum. It contains a lot of books, prints and photos. There’s hardly a park, a square or a open area in the capital without monument or a memorial.

The most impressive and best-known of them are the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Washington Monument looks like a very big pencil. It rises 160 metres and is hollow inside. A special lift brings visitors to the top in 70 seconds from where they can enjoy a wonderful view of the whole city.

The Lincoln Memorial is devoted to the memory of the 16th President of the US, the author of the Emancipation Proclamation, ‘which gave freedom to Negro slaves in America.

Washington has many historical places. The largest and tallest among the buildings is the Capitol with its great House of Representatives and the Senate chamber. There are no skyscrapers in Washington because no other building must be taller than the Capitol.

The oldest building in Washington is the White House, the official residence of the President. All American presidents except George Washington (the White House was not yet built in his time) have lived in the White House. It was built in 1799.

There is one more well-known building in Washington - Pentagon, the residence of the US Military department. It is situated in the suburbs to the south of the Potomac.

Washington’s broad and long streets add to the poise of the city. Most of them are called after states — Pennsylvania Avenue, Connecticut Avenue. The capital is also proud of its research institutes, five universities, and the National Academy of Science.

3. Answer the questions.

1. What is the capital of the USA?

2. Where is Washington situated?

3. What is the population of the city?

4. Who was Washington named after?

5. Since what time has Washington D. C been the federal capital?

6. What is another Washington’s name?

7. Is Washington a typical American city?

8. Where is the seat of the American Congress? Where is this building situated?

9. Can you describe the Capitol?

10. Where is the official residence of the US President?

11. What is Washington D. C. famous for?

12. What is the largest library in the states?

13. What building is the residence of the US Military department? Where is it situated?

14. What monuments do you know in Washington D. C?

15. Do you want to visit Washington D. C? Why?

4. Match the two parts of the sentences.

   1. The White House is	... the residence of the US Military
   2. The Library of	department.
   Congress contains	... 1790.
   3. Since 1800	.. .the official residence of
   Washington D. C has	President.
   been	...a big white dome standing on a circle of
   4. Washington was	pillars.
   named after	... more than 13 million books, more than
   5. The Capitol has	19 million manuscripts, including the
   6. Pentagon is	personal papers of the US presidents.
   7. Washington D. C has	... long wide avenues, gardens, beautiful
   8. Washington D. C was	parks and no skyscrapers at all.
   founded in	… the first US president George
   	Washington.
   	...the Federal capital.

5. Put in the missing words according to the text.

1. The 535 members of the Congress meet here to discuss the nation's …

2. Pentagon is situated in the ... to the south of the Potomac.

3. There are many museums, theatres, ..., five universities, the National Academy of Science and the Library of Congress there.

4. The Capitol is ... building, full of... and statues.

5. Washington D. C. has long wide ... gardens, beautiful parks and no ... at all.

6. Washington is situated on ... in the District of Columbia.

7. The Library of Congress contains more than 13 million books, more than 19 million including the personal... of the US presidents.

8. The Capitol has a big white ... standing on a circle of...

6. Choose the correct verb for each blank.

1. The White House ... in 1799.

2. Pentagon ... in the suburbs to the south of the Potomac.

3. Since 1800 Washington D. C ... the federal capital.

4. The French engineer, Pierre L’Enfant... Washington D. C

5. The Capitol... a big white dome standing on a circle of pillars.

6. The Library of Congress ... more than 13 mu lion hooks, more than 19 million manuscripts, including the personal papers of the US presidents.

7. George Washington ... the place for the capital.

8. The 535 members of the Congress ... here to discuss the nation’s affairs.

9. Pentagon ... the residence of the US Military department.

Canada