George Washington
Gilbert Stuart Williamstown Portrait of George Washington
George Washington was born on 22 February, 1732. He served as the first constitutional President of the United States from 1789 to 1797, and as the commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. His role in the revolution and subsequent independence and formation of the United States was significant. That is why Washington is called “Father of his country”.
Washington was probably the most revered of the U.S. presidents. A member of the economic and political elite of the English mainland colonies, he exhibited many of the moral qualities of this colonial elite: he was not personally ambitious and he had a strong sense of duty. Washington’s greatest contribution to the nation was simply the fact that a large portion of the U.S. population trusted him.
George Washington always pursued two interests: military arts and western expansion. At the age of 16 he helped survey Shenandoah lands for Thomas, Lord Fairfax. Commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1754, he fought the first skirmishes of what grew into the French and Indian War. The next year he was an aide to Edward Braddock.
Married to a widow, Martha Dandridge Custis, Washington devoted himself to a busy and happy life. But like his fellow planters, he felt himself exploited by British merchants and hampered by British regulations. As the quarrel grew, he voiced his resistance to the restrictions. In 1775 Washington was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army and on July 3 he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six years. In 1781 George with the aid of French allies forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
George Washington was elected the President after the new Constitution was ratified in Philadelphia. His presidency lasted till 1797 when he retired and went to his estate at Mount Vernon. Washington died of a throat infection on 14 December, 1799. The Nation mourned him for months.
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Abai Kunanbaev
Abai Kunanbaev - great poet, writer, public figure, founder of the modern Kazakh written literature, culture reformer in spirit of rapprochement with Russian and European culture on the basis of the educated liberal Islam.
Abai was born on August 10, 1845 in Chingiz Mountains, Semipalatinsk region (nowadays administrative division) He was the son of one of four Kunanbai’s wives. Abai’s family was aristocratic, both grandfather (Oskenbai) and great-grandfather (Irgizbai) predominated over the sort as governors. He was lucky relatively to family cosiness and house upbringing as both mother Ulzhan and grandmother Zere were extremely charming and gifted natures. Exactly following mother's example name given by his father "Ibragim" was replaced by caressing "Abai", that means “circumspect, thoughtful”. With this name Abai lived his life and has gone down in history.
The joining to oral people amateur of and house education with mullah started in early childhood has been continued in madrasah of Ahmed-Riza imam. At the same time he was studying in Russian school and by the end of five years' study he starts to write poems. From age of 13 Kunanbai starts to accustom Abai to administrative activity of the head of a sort. Abai’s appeal to the Russian culture which has experienced in XIX century the period of "storms and impacts" in literature and art, appeared to be especially natural so as poetic word was highly appreciated in east tradition. Pushkin, Lermontov, Goethe and Byron's poetry appeared to be really close to Abai, and he subtly transferred the spirit of the translated poems and adapted for attitude of his nation.
During 20 years versatility blossoms the Abai’s genius, he gains extraordinary authority, huge and hitherto unknown popularity in steppe. Akyns, singers, composers was flowing down, the talented youth was crowding about him. Social-philosophical and literary schools were created. But as the master of thoughts Abai causes wild envy, blind fury shown in guileful forms. The last stroke of destiny was concerned with death of Abdrahman and Magavya. He rejected treatment of an illness and voluntary condemn himself to death. He is buried near his wintering in Zhidebai valley, not far from Chingiz mountains.
Who is Abai Kunanbaev?
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Read the texts; make some necessary notes to talk about Christopher Columbus, George Washington and Abai Kunanbayev.
Language development
Fill in the correct word(s) from the list below:
reduce increase health (2) avoid disease fat lead (2) less
Eating fruit and vegetables can help _____ the chances of heart problems in later life.
Eating fried food may _____ the risk of heart _____.
You should control de amount of dairy products that you eat as they are high in _____.
You are _____ likely to have trouble with your heart if you keep fit.
Excessive drinking can _____ to alcoholism.
Stopping smoking is one step to good ______.
Eating fatty food can _____ to the narrowing of arteries.
Eating sensibly will help you _____ problems with your _____ in later life.
Fill in the missing prepositions: