Two American Cities

Have I chance to visit an English-speaking country I'd start to the USA. I'd like to listen to the modern American speech because it differs so much from English we are used to. Most of all I'd like to visit Niagara Falls, Disneyland and rodeo. I look forward to visit two American cities: New York and Washington, District Columbia.

New York is considered to be one of the most densely populated and bustling cities and, on the contrary, Washington — the most quiet city of the USA. Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States.

I've read that New York is one of the largest cities in the world. It is one of the leading manufacturing cities in the world. The most important branches of industry are those producing paper products, vehicles, glass, chemicals, machinery. New York traffic is very busy.

The sea encircles many of the city areas. The centre of New York is Manhattan Island. In 1626 it was bought from the Indians for a handful of trinkets that cost twenty-four dollars. Today Manhattan is the centre of business and commercial life of the country. Many skyscrapers house banks and offices of American businessmen. Broadway begins here, the Stock Exchange is located here. Very few people live in Manhattan, although the majority work here. Numerous bridges link Manhattan Island with the opposite shore.

New York is inhabited by people of almost all nationalities. It is even called «Modern Babylon». At the turn of the 20th century a lot of people came to the USA from different countries of the world. They entered the USA through New York, "the Gateway of America".

Washington lies on the Potomac River. The city's site was selected by President George Washington. A French engineer and architect planned the future capital. The city was founded solely as a seat of government. Washington, D.C., was named after George Washington and Christopher Columbus. There are impressive government buildings, magnificent monuments, important historical landmarks, fine museums and broad, tree shaded avenues and malls.

The US Congress meets in the building of the Capitol. It is constructed of white sandstone and marble and crowned by an impressive dome. On top of the dome stands a bronze Statue of Freedom. The Capitol is set in a small park around which are a number of impressive government buildings, among which are the Supreme Court Building, modelled after a Greek temple and the Library of Congress, one of the largest libraries in the world.

The White House has been the home of every president with the exception of George Washington.

The White House has been the official residence of the President of the US since it was first occupied by President John Adams in 1800.

Задание 24

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Words to know

to confuse — путать a coast — побережье

north-west — северо-запад industry — промышленность

a district — округ a mainstay — главная поддержка,

опора

to hide — загораживать to plan — планировать

freeborn — свободнорожденный a skyscraper — небоскреб

to struggle for — сражаться за independence — независимость

to fire — сжигать to rebuild — строить заново

the First Family — семья президента an interior — интерьер

а residence — резиденция a law — закон

to lay out a plan — составить план to display —демонстрировать

to overlook — возвышаться над outstanding — выдающийся

an artistic treasure house — сокровищница произведений искусства

a permanent site — постоянное местонахождение

a resident — постоянный обитатель Белого дома на время выполнения им функций президента

the rooms for public functions — зд. помещение официального назначения