Salt Lake City

On the morning of July 23, 1847, a small vanguard company of Mormon pioneers reached the camp on the bank of a pure stream. They named it City Greek. The next day 147 pioneers arrived in the valley. This event is now celebrated as Pioneer Day. Within a few days, plans were drawn for Great Salt Lake City, named after the salty inland lake, which dominated the desert to the northwest. The unexpected discovery of gold in California in 1848 contributed greatly to Salt Lake City’s early growth. Congress turned the ‘State of Desert’ into the Utah Territory in 1850. Salt Lake City became the territorial capital in 1856.

With the discovery of lead and silver and other mineral resources hundreds of copper, silver, gold and lead mines were opened in nearby canyons.

In 1896, Utah was proclaimed the 45^th state in the Union. Salt Lake City prospered and grew rapidly. World War II produced a mixed experience. Economic and political transformation had ushered Utahans into anew land of prosperity, social dislocation, adventure, death and mystery.

At present the population of the state is estimated to be more than 172, 000 people.

The distance from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City is 2, 976 kilometers.

The USA is one of the 12 countries to have competed in all 19 Winter Olympic Games.

Utah is like no other place in the world. It’s a state rich in pioneer heritage, with great geographical variety: a drive from one end of the state to the other will you through deserts, red – rock country, canyons with towering cliffs and scenic byways winding through heavy forests. The US has hosted the Olympic Games four times: in 1904 – St. Louis, in 1932 – Los Angeles, in 1984 – Los Angeles, in 1996 – Atlanta.

The Winter Olympic Games were founded in 1926 in France. The United States hosted the Winter Olympic Games three times: Lake Placid, New York in 1932 and again in 1980, and in Squaw Valley, California, in 1960. The Winter Games returned to the US in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sportsmen from 78 countries competed in skating, skiing, hockey, and figure skating…

Comprehension Check

Task 1. Answer the questions.

1. In what year did Salt Lake City become the capital of the Utah Territory?

2. Who reached the camp on the bank of a pure stream on the morning of July 23, 1847?

3. When was Utah proclaimed the 45^th state of the Union?

4. What favoured the quick economic development of the state?

5. What is the distance from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City?

6. How many Winter Olympic Games have the US competed in?

7. In which years did the USA host the Olympic Games?

8. How many times were the Winter Olympic Games held in the USA?

9. Which winter sports are included in the competitions of the Winter Olympic Games?

10. In which year did Salt Lake City host the Winter Olympic Games?

Task 2. Put the sentences in the correct order (1- 10).

1. Salt Lake City became the territorial capital in 1856.

2. The Winter Games returned to the US in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

3. Salt Lake City prospered and grew rapidly.

4. Sportsmen from 78 countries competed in skating, skiing, hockey, and figure skating…

5. At present the population of the state is estimated to be more than 172, 000 people.

6. The next day 147 pioneers arrived in the valley. . It’s a state rich in pioneer heritage, with great geographical variety: a drive from one end of the state to the other will you through deserts, red – rock country, canyons with towering cliffs and scenic byways winding through heavy forests.

7. They named it City Greek.

8. At present the population of the state is estimated to be more than 172, 000 people.

9. The unexpected discovery of gold in California in 1848 contributed greatly to Salt Lake City’s early growth.

10. The USA is one of the 12 countries to have competed in all 19 Winter Olympic Games.

Text 11

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