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Say whether you agree or disagree with these statements. Give your reasoning. Use the introductory phrases given in the previous Units.

 

1. The building of the Capitol assumed its name from the temple of Athens.

2. Construction of the Capitol started in 1893.

3. The Rotunda, a monumental hall, is decorated with some works of Roman art.

4. The eastern point of the Major monument area is the Jefferson Memorial.

5. Pennsylvania Avenue is nicknamed the “Processional Street of America”.

6. Maryland and Virginia can hardly be seen from the top of the Washington Monument.

7. Thomas Jefferson was the founder of the Republican Party.

8. The Smithsonian Institute is a higher educational institution.

9. The Pentagon shape is six-sided.

10. The oldest Catholic college is situated in Georgetown.

 

Put the following headings in a logical order according to the Text.

1. The tall structure located behind the White House.

2. The building containing the main offices of the US Department of Defense.

3. The seat of the US Congress.

4. A legal holiday in Alabama, Missouri and Virginia.

5. The area comprising federal government buildings and tourist attractions.

6. The place where George Washington is buried.

7. A large group of different museums and scientific institutions.

8. The route of the President’s inauguration procession.

9. The area known for its university.

10. The memorial to the third President of the United States of America.

 

 

Read Text 11B again. Give a brief outline of the information each paragraph contains.

TEXT 11C

The White House

1. When the capital was moved to the city of Washington, Congress decided to build a special home for all future presidents. This house would belong to the nation, and it would serve as the home and the office for each President.

2. When you enter the White House, history comes alive to you. Throughout the big, public rooms, there are paintings, furniture, and other items that belonged to some of the famous Presidents of early years. One room, for example, is called the Lincoln Room. President Abraham Lincoln worked in this room and used the furniture that is still there.

3. But the White House is not a museum. It is a hard-working building; it is still the home of American Presidents and the place where they do most of their work.

4. Today it is much larger than it was when President John Adams moved in. It has more than 150 rooms! It has offices and a health clinic, a post office, a swimming pool, a barbershop, a kitchen and all other rooms needed by the President and the staff.

5. Every day the White House hums with activity. Heads of other nations, members of Congress come to the White House to talk to the President. From there the President speaks to the whole nation on radio and television. There is a special line to Russia that provides direct communication between the two most powerful nations in the world.

6. Part of the White House is open to the public. Visitors may tour the library and some of the dining rooms and reception rooms on the ground floor and the first floor. Private rooms on the second and third floors include family rooms, guest rooms, and recreation rooms.

7. The White House is more than the President’s home and workshop. Like the Capitol, it is a national symbol. Its white walls and setting remind people of the strength and beauty of the American nation.

 

Ask your groupmates about Text 11C and let them answer the questions.

1. What was done when the capital was moved to Washington?

2. What is the White House like?

3. Is the White House still the home of American Presidents?

4. How many rooms does the White House have?

5. What offices and facilities does the White House contain?

6. What every day activities is the White House engaged in?

7. May visitors tour any rooms in the White House?

Consider the following statements.

1. When you enter the White House, history comes alive to you.

Do you agree? Can you give your reasons?

2. Part of the White House is open to the public.

What is really meant? What do you think about it?

3. The White House is a national symbol.

How do you understand it? Can you express your opinion on the above?

 

Discuss pros and cons of the fact that the White House is the place where American Presidents work, their home and a museum at the same time.

Here are some useful expressions for the supporters:

The point I’m making is …, it is generally felt …, I’m bound to say …, I’m inclined to point out …, everyone knows that …, etc.

Some useful expressions for the opponents:

That’s not the point …, I think it’s absurd to …, anyone can see …, the facts just don’t support …, etc.

 

Retell the story as if you were a guide to the White House.

Make up a story about Washington D.C., the capital of the United States of America based on the information given in the above Texts.

 

SPEAKING

DIALOGUE 1

Washington, D.C.

A.: What’s the meaning of D.C. after the name of the U.S. capital?

B.: Oh, it stands for District of Columbia.

A.: Is it the name of a state?

B.: No, the District of Columbia does not belong to any of the fifty states of the USA. It is a tract of land about 70 square miles (181 sq. km) on the east bank of the Potomac River. The city was founded in 1790 on a site chosen by George Washington, the first President of the US. Maryland and Virginia granted land on each side of the river.

A.: What is the population of the city?

B.: About one million.

A.: Is it like other large cities in the US?

B.: No, quite different. The city was built according to a preliminary plan. There is a law that forbids to build structures more than 90 feet (27.4 metres) high in the city.

A.: You mean, there are no skyscrapers in Washington?

B.: That’s right. The White House, the official name of the President’s executive mansion, is only four stories high.

A.: Where is it located?

B.: It’s located on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue, facing Lafayette Square.

A.: They say it is the oldest public building in Washington.

B.: Yes, that’s true. The first President who lived in the White House was Adams. It was back in 1800.

A.: Why is it called “the White House”?

B.: You see, during the war of 1812 – 1814 the British burned most of the public buildings in Washington, including the White House and the Capitol. In 1814 the brown stone walls of the President’s home were painted white and it has been the “White House” ever since.

A.: That’s interesting. You seem to know a lot about the White House. Do you know anything about the East Room, the Blue Room? I mean, what are they used for?

B.: Well, I’ve read somewhere that the White House has 132 rooms. Large receptions and news conferences are held in the East Room. The elliptical Blue Room is for different social, diplomatic and official receptions. The Red and Green Rooms are used for private and quasi-official gatherings.

 

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