Inspiring – надихаючий

stunning – вражаючий, прекрасний, чудовий

ceiling – стеля

tract – ділянка, простір

headquarters – головне управління, центр

scattered – розкиданий. окремий, розрізнений

stipulation – умова, застереження, угода

to obstruct – перешкоджати, загороджувати, заслоняти

a tomb – могила, надгробний пам’ятник

to cherish – пестити, любовно виховувати, вирощувати

to honour – шанувати, поважати

to bury – ховати (мертвих)

cemetery – кладовище

doubt – сумнів

attic – горище

countless - незліченний

With its neoclassical buildings and its tree-lined avenues, Washington D.C. strikes the visitor as a lovely and formal city. But it wasn’t always this way. From the gentle waters of the Potomac River, aboard the wooden vessels of the revolution, the view was scenic perhaps, but not spectacular. In the late 18^th century, the verdant river banks and marshland betrayed nothing of the future for the area just south of the tobacco port of George Town. But by 1791 President George Washington had decided the area was the sensible place to build a permanent capital city for the fledgling United States of America. Sensible, because it represented a geographic compromise between politicians from the North and the South. Sensible also because it was naturally protected from the Atlantic Ocean. And, especially sensible for President Washington because it was conveniently located near his Mount Vernon estate.

Washington dreamed of a city with shining white marble buildings connected by broad boulevards and lush green parks. If only he could have taken in the view two centuries later, from the window of a commercial airliner.

On final approach to National Airport, banking right and setting in over the Potomac River, a skyline like no other suddenly comes into view. It is a low-slung panorama whose most striking features are not the cold steel-gray skyscrapers of elsewhere. Rather, one notices the white marble and green foliage of George Washington dreams, radiating the freshness and beauty of parks in harmony with imposing monuments and powerful government buildings.

A French military engineer, Pierre L’Enfant, designed a new capital in 1791. Drawing upon his experience with the gardens of Versailles in his homeland, L’Enfant drew up a plan for a city that literally springs from the centre in all directions, with its broad avenues emanating from focal points in circles and small parks.

Originally a ten-by-ten square, carved from the states of Maryland and Virginia, the District of Columbia actually shrunk in size when all land of the west side of the Potomac River was returned to Virginia in 1846. However, as the United States grew from 13 to 50 states, Washington D.C. grew as well, expanding government operations into Virginia and Maryland as suburbs sprang up around the city.

Today, the functional and aesthetic beauty of Washington D.C. remains true to the dreams of its namesake and the designs of its architect.

The oldest public building in Washington D.C. is also the most famous residence in America. The cornerstone of the ‘President’s House’ – as it was originally named – was set in place in 1792. President George Washington ordered a stone facing for the exterior walls, which were whitewashed because the Virginian sandstone used was too soft to face the elements on its own. It is unclear, however, if this was the origin of the President’s House being renamed ‘The White House’, or whether the name can be attributed to a brilliantly white coat of paint that was applied several years later. It is clear, though, that George Washington never lived in The White House, because it was under construction together with the Capitol.

The White House has been the home of all American presidents since November 1800 when George Washington’s successor, John Adams, moved in with a prayer, ‘May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof’. For the next century the affairs of state and domestic life were intermingled under that roof until President Theodore Roosevelt observed the need for ‘dignified office space’ in The White House. He decided to build the West Wing in 1902. Thus the first reconstruction was started. A major reconstruction of the building occurred during the tenure of President Harry Truman. Minor facelifts, redecorating and landscaping occur often as successive presidents personalize The White House to their needs and tastes.

In addition to serving as an office for the president and a home for the first family, The White House serves as one of the nation’s premier tourist attractions. The half-hour public tour brings up 6,000 ‘houseguests’ a day through the doors of the East entrance of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, America’s most prestigious address.

When Thomas Jefferson looked out across Pennsylvania Avenue from the front entrance of The White House, he decided that the front yard was too big. The frugal President ordered that the area directly across the street be turned into a public park. Lafayette Square soon became a strategic location for activities as varied as food distribution, army encampments and political demonstrations.

Today, Lafayette Square is enjoyed by roller bladers, tourists, chess players, and the homeless who share space with a variety of protesters camped along the south side. A beautiful garden with a perfect view of The White House for a backdrop also makes Lafayette Square a prime photo stop for tourists.

The United States Capitol stands proudly atop a hill at the east end of the Mall, an American icon, a symbol of democracy and the most prominent landmark in Washington D.C. The Legislative Branch of the U. S. Government is centered here in wings dedicated to the Senate and the House of Representatives. The dominant feature of the Capitol is its dome. Crowned by the statue ‘Freedom’, a spectacular roof for the Great Rotunda rises from the middle of the Capitol. The Rotunda serves as the Capitol’s chief ceremonial room, best known as a place where presidents have lain the state prior to burial.

A growing nation made the Capitol, like The White House, subject to numerous and minor renovations and reconfigurations over the years. Nowadays, the Capitol is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, an awe inspiring symbol of American government.

Located just behind the Capitol, the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress is a stunning example of Victorian Rococo design. The Great Hall of the Library of Congress is adorned with mosaics, paintings, and a carving marble stairway. The Main Reading Room of it is the favourite room of many Washingtonians and on the top ten list of tourist destinations. Anyone over the age of 18 can enter the Library of Congress’ Main Reading Room as a researcher, but they will have to seriously concentrate to get any research done under the beautifully adorned 160-feet-high domed ceiling. The Library contains some 90 million items, of which slightly less than one-third are books and pamphlets, written in 470 languages. Maps and atlases alone account for more than four million items.

A suitable tract of land could not be found inside the District of Columbia, and so the Pentagon, one of the largest office buildings in the world, was constructed just across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia.

The idea to build one central and self-contained military headquarters took on great urgency as World War II spread throughout Europe and the U.S. government found its War Department and military leadership scattered in 17 locations across Washington. Construction of the Pentagon began in 1941 with the stipulation that the five-sided building be no higher than five stories, to ensure that the view from Arlington Cemetery remains unobstructed.

Half a century later, the Pentagon still functions as the coordinating headquarters for all branches of the military under the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking military officer under the Secretary of Defense.

Parts of the mammoth structure are open to the public, with guided tours taking visitors through hallways lined with portraits of military leaders past and present, artists’ impressions of war, and models of military equipment and aircraft.

The rolling hills of Arlington hold more than 213,000 graves and represent America’s history of war from the Revolutionary war to present day. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the most cherished monument to all American men and women who were killed in the service of their country. A continuous honour guard has been placed at the Tomb since 1937. An eternal flame marks the location of the single most visited grave in the U.S. – the burial place of President John F. Kennedy. In fact, Arlington National Cemetery is the place where almost all the famous people of America are buried.

The most famous museum of Washington is, without doubt, the Smithsonian Institute. Mark Twain called the Smithsonian Institute ‘the nation’s attic’. This comment is even more true today, when, with its thirteen museums, the Smithsonian has at least a little of everything.

Washington D.C. also has many monuments honouring its outstanding citizens like George Washington, the first president, Abraham Lincoln, the author of the Emancipation Proclamation which gave freedom to Negro slaves, Thomas Jefferson, who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence and others.

While Washington has countless monuments and historical sites to visit, it also offers many other attractions and events, including a grand centre for performances like music, dance and films.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1. Answer the questions.

1. Where was Washington D.C. built?

2. Why had George Washington decided the area was the sensible place to build a permanent capital city?

3. What city did Washington dream of?

4. Who designed a new capital?

5. What was the plan for a city like?

6. What states did the District of Columbia expand government operations into?

7. How did The White House get its name?

8. Who has lived in The White House?

9. Who started the first reconstruction and why?

10. Does The White House serve as an office for the president only?

11. How was Lafayette Square changed by Thomas Jefferson?

12. What makes Lafayette Square a prime photo stop for tourists?

13. Where does the United States Capitol stand?

14. Why is the Capitol an awe inspiring symbol of American government?

15. Why is the Library of Congress well-known all over the world?

16. Where was the Pentagon constructed?

17. What are the functions of the Pentagon today?

18. What is Arlington National Cemetery famous for?

19. Why is the Smithsonian Institute sometimes called ‘the nation’s attic’?

20. What monuments does Washington D.C. have?

Exercise 2. Translate from English into Ukrainian.

1. With its neoclassical buildings and its tree-lined avenues, Washington D.C. strikes the visitors as a lovely and formal city. But it wasn’t always this way. From the gentle waters of the Potomac River, aboard of the wooden vessels of the revolution, the view was scenic perhaps, but not spectacular.

2. Washington dreamed of a city with shining white marble buildings connected by broad boulevards and lush green parks. If only he could have taken in the view two centuries later, from the window of a commercial airliner.

3. Drawing upon his experience with the gardens of Versailles in his homeland, L’Enfant draw up a plan for a city that literally springs from the centre in all directions, with its broad avenues emanating from focal points in circles and small parks

4. George Washington never lived in The White House, because it was under construction together with the Capitol. The White House has been the home of all American presidents since November 1800.

5. The major reconstruction of The White House occurred during the tenure of President Harry Truman. Minor facelifts, redecorating and landscaping occur often as successive presidents personalize The White House to their needs and tastes.

6. Thomas Jefferson ordered that the area directly across Pennsylvania Avenue be turned into a public park. Lafayette Square soon became a strategic location for activities as varied as food distribution, army encampments and political demonstrations.

7. The United States Capitol stands proudly atop a hill at the east end of the Mall, an American icon, a symbol of democracy and the most prominent landmark in Washington D.C.

8. Located just behind the Capitol, the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress is a stunning example of Victorian Rococo design. The Great Hall of the Library of Congress is adomed with mosaics, painting , and a carving marble stairway.

9. A suitable tract of land could not be found inside the District of Columbia, and so the Pentagon, one of the largest office buildings in the world, was constructed just across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia.

10. Parts of the mammoth structure are open to the public, with guided tours taking visitors through hallways lined with portraits of military leaders past and present, artists’ impressions of war, and models of military equipment and aircraft.

11. Washington D.C. has also many monuments honouring its outstanding citizens like George Washington, the first president, Abraham Lincoln, the author of the Emancipation Proclamation which gave freedom to Negro slaves, Thomas Jefferson, who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence and others.

Exercise 3. Translate from Ukrainian into English.

1. До 1791 року Джордж Вашингтон вирішив, що ця місцевість була розумним місцем розташування постійної столиці недосвідчених ще Сполучених Штатів Америки. Розумним, тому що воно представляло географічний компроміс між політиками Півночі та Півдня, а також було природно захищено від Атлантичного океану.

2. Підлітаючи до Національного аеропорту, будь-хто помічає білий мармур та зелене листя мрії Джорджа Вашингтона, що випромінює свіжість і красу парків у гармонії з вражаючими пам’ятниками та значними урядовими будівлями.

3. Сьогодні функціональна та естетична краса Вашингтона залишається відданою мріям свого тезки та дизайнам свого архітектора.

4. Білий дім служить як офісом для президентів та домом для першої сім’ї у державі, так і головним місцем, що притягує туристів. Півгодинна загальнодоступна екскурсія приводить у дім 6000 гостей на день .

5. Домінуючою рисою Капітолію є його купол. Увінчаний статуєю Свободи, ефектний дах Великої Ротунди піднімається з середини Капітолію. Ця Ротунда служить головним церемоніальним залом .

6. Бібліотека Конгресу налічує біля 90 млн. примірників, серед яких менше однієї третини це книги та брошури написані 470 мовами. Тільки карти та атласи налічують більше 4 млн. примірникiв.

7. Будівництво Пентагону розпочалось у 1941 році за умови, що п’ятистороння будівля не буде вищою за 5 поверхів, щоб ніщо не затуляло вид Арлінгтонського кладовища.

8. Могила Невідомого солдата є найбільш шанованим пам’ятником всім, хто був убитий під час служіння своїй країні. Постійна почесна варта була поставлена біля могили у 1937 році.

9. Вашингтон має незліченні пам’ятники та історичні міcця, а також пропонує багато атракціонів та розваг, такі як музика, танці та кіно у великому розважальному центрі.

Exercise 4. Read and dramatize the following dialogues:

A: What can you tell me about Washington D.C.?

B: Oh, Washington D.C. strikes the visitor as a lovely and formal city. It’s the capital of the USA.

A: Are there any beautiful buildings which are worth seeing?

B: Of course, there are. The White House is the oldest public building in Washington D.C. It is also the most famous residence in America.

A: And what is the Capitol?

B: Don’t you know. The Capitol is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, an awe inspiring symbol of American government.

A: That’s interesting. Thank you very much.

* * *

A: Have you ever been to Washington D.C.?

B: No, it’s my first visit here.

A: Have you seen much of the city?

B: No, I haven’t. Can you tell me what is the most interesting place to visit?

A: Willingly. I’d advise you to see the Library of Congress. It is a stunning example of Victorian Rococo design. The Main Reading room of it is the favourite room of many Washingtonians and on the top ten list of tourist destinations.

B: How many books are there?

A: The Library contains some 90 million items, of which slightly less than one-third are books and pamphlets, written in 470 languages.

B: Thank you ever so much. You’ve given me so much information.

Exercise 5. Complete the following dialogue:

A: …

B: Yes, I am. And I have only a couple of days to see the sights. Is it possible to see anything in Washington in a day or two?

A: …

B: I’d like to see as many places of interest as possible. What do you think I ought to see first?

A: …

Communicative situations

1. You are writing a letter to an American friend. Ask him about the places of interest which are worth seeing in Washington D.C.

2. Suppose you are on excursion. Ask the guide about the historical places of Washington D.C.

ЛІТЕРАТУРА

1. Вигран О. Ф. Знайомтеся: Великобританія. Пробн. підруч. для 10 кл. спец. серед. загальноосвіт. шк. з поглибл. вивчен. англ. мови. За ред. О. М. Константинової. – К.: Форум, 2001. – 304 с.

2. Вигран О.Ф. Знайомтеся: Сполучені Штати Америки. Пробн. підруч. для 11 кл. спец. серед. загальноосвіт. шк. з поглибл. вивчен. англ. мови. За ред. О. М. Константинової. – К.: Форум, 2002. – 304 с.

3. Статут Національного технічного університету України «Київський політехнічний інститут» // Київський Політехнік. – № 39. - К.: ТОВ «АТОПОЛ-інк», 2007. – 4 с.

4. Шпанько М. С. Англійська мова. Підруч. для 10-11 кл. серед. шк. з поглибл. вивч. англ. мови. – К.: Равлик, 1997. – 256 с.

5. Forbes M., Phillips H. English edition Washington D. C. – Markham.: Irving Weisdorf and Co. Ltd., 1997. – 63p.

CONTENTS

1. The National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”………………………………………………………….. 3

2. Ukraine ………………………………………………………….. 13

3. Kyiv ……………………………………………………………... 20

4. Great Britain …………………………………………………….. 27

5. London …………………………………………………………... 37

6. The United States of America …………………………………... 48

7. Washington D. C………………………………………………... 57

8. Sources…………………………………………………………….67