Washington, d.C.

Washington, D. C, is the capital of the United States and the first carefully planned capital in the world. It is situated between Virginia and Maryland on the Potomac River. The district is named after Columbus.

The city was planned by a French engineer Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant. This work was completed by Major Andrew Ellicott and Benjamin Banneker, a freeborn black man, who was an astronomer and mathematician.

Washington is one of the most beautiful and unusual cities in the USA. It has little industry. One reason Washington looks different from other cities is that no buildings in the city may be more than 40 meters tall. There are no skyscrapers because they would hide the city's monuments from view.

The federal government and tourism are the mainstays of the city's economy. Thousands of tourists visit Washington every day. People from all parts of the United States come to see their capital and the monuments to those who in past centuries struggled for the independence of their country.

The White House

The White House, the official residence of the President, is at Pennsylvania in Washington, D. С. The place was chosen by President Washington and Pierre Charles L'Enfant. The building was fired by the British in 1814, during the War of 1812.

From December 1848 to March 1952, the interior of the White House was rebuilt.

The rooms for public functions are on the first floor; the second and third floors are used as the residence of the President and the First Family. There are 132 rooms in the White House.

US Capitol

When the French architect and engineer Major Pierre L'Enfant first began to lay out the plans for a new Federal city (now Washington, D. C), he said that Jenkins' Hill, overlooking the area, was "a pedestal waiting for a monument". That was the place where the US Capitol was built.

US Capitol is the tallest building in Washington, D. C, and the most famous building in the USA, because this is where the laws are made.

Besides, the Capitol Building is also an artistic treasure house. Works of famous artists are displayed on the walls. There are many paintings of events in the US history and sculpture of outstanding Amer­icans.

Don't confuse Washington, D. С with the State of Washington!

Washington, D. C. doesn't belong to a state, you know. It's a city and district — the District of Columbia (D. C.). The state of Washington is situated in the north-west of the USA. Washington, D. C., is situated on the East Coast. It was chosen by George Washington as the permanent site for the nation's capital on December 1, 1800.

Задание 25

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Задание 26

Студент должен:

Ознакомиться с разговорными клише социально бытовой сферы общения.

1) Как выразить согласие, несогласие с мнением собеседника

Of course (not). — Конечно (нет).

Certainly (not). — Конечно (нет).

All right (1 am afraid not). — Да (Боюсь, что нет).

I (don't) agree with you. — Я (не) согласен с вами.

I don't mind (I'd rather not). — Я не возражаю (Я против).

You are (not) right. — Вы (не)правы.

It's a go (No go)! — Пойдет! (Не пойдет!)

I am all for it (I am against it). — Я полностью «за» (Я против этого).

I (don't) think so. — Я так (не)думаю.

Naturally (Hardly). — Конечно (Вряд ли).

Far from it. — Далеко от этого.

You are welcome. — Всегда пожалуйста.

You are mistaken. — Вы ошибаетесь.

It's a great idea! — Это замечательная идея!

Nothing of the kind. — Ничего подобного.

It goes without saying. — Безусловно.

It's out of the question. — Об этом не может быть и речи.

I wish I could. — Если бы я мог.

On the contrary. — Наоборот.

Dialogue

— Are you going to visit your grandmother?

— Of course. It goes without saying.

— Could you help her? Some trees in her garden need cutting.

— I am afraid not. I have no time. I'll do it next time.

— And could you do me a lift?

— Naturally. You are welcome!

2) Как выразить восторг, удивление

Great! — Грандиозно!

Terrific! — Потрясающе!

Grand! — Здорово!

That's fine! — Это прекрасно!

Fantastic! — Фантастика!

How wonderful! — Как чудесно!

Really? Is that really so? — Неужели? Неужели это так?

You don't say so! — He может быть!

That's surprise! — Это сюрприз!

That's news to me. — Это новость для меня.

How come? — Как это может быть?

Believe it or not! — Верьте или не верьте!

Just fancy! — Только представьте!

Dialogue

— Hi! You look so happy.

— Hi! I've won the first prize at the conference!

— Is that really so? That's surprise! My congratulations on your excellent results!

— Thanks! I'd like to invite you to our party. Does 6 o'clock

suit you?

— It's O.K. Are you going to invite your friends?

— Of course. It goes without saying.

— And could you do me a lift now?

— Sorry. I'm afraid not. I'm in a hurry now.

— No need to be sorry. We'll meet soon.

— See you soon.

3) Как выразить сомнение, предостережение, совет, предложение

It can't be helped. — Этому нельзя помочь.

I don't know. — Я не знаю.

If I am not mistaken. — Если я не ошибаюсь.

As far as I remember. — Насколько я помню.

It seems to me. — Мне кажется.

I can't answer right now. — Я не могу ответить прямо сейчас.

I wish I knew. — Если бы я знал.

It's hard to say. — Трудно сказать.

I doubt it. — Я сомневаюсь в этом.

I am not sure of it. — Я не уверен в этом.

Look at. — Осторожно.

Mind the steps. — Осторожно, ступеньки.

Don't take chances. — He рискуй.

Don't jump to conclusions. — He торопись с выводами.

Come on, stop it. — Перестань, прекрати.

You'll wait and see. — Поживем — увидим.

Mark my words. — Помяни мои слова.

The sooner... the better. — Чем быстрей... тем лучше.

Hurry up! — Поторапливайся!

Don't be long! — He задерживайся!

Dialogue

• Hi! What's the matter with you?

• I can't find my wallet. Maybe I've lost it.

• As far as I remember it was a black one. It seems to me that you left it in the last shop.

• I doubt it. I am not sure of it.

• Don't jump to conclusions. Go back and make it clear.

—All right!