8.4.1 Read and translate the text
Political system of the USA
The United States of America is a parliamentary republic. The people rule the country through the representatives they elect. Today any citizen who is at least 18 years old can vote. The Constitution of the USA was written in 1787. It is the basis for its laws.
The United States has a federalist system. There are fifty states in the USA. Each state has its own government and there is a federal or national government. Each state has its own constitution and can collect taxes. But only the national government can print money.
The national government is divided into three branches. They are the legislative branch, the executive branch and the judicial branch.
The legislative branch is represented by the US Congress. The US Congress consists of two parts. They are the House of Representatives and the Senate. The congress's main function is to make laws. There are 100 senators (two from each state) and 435 representatives. The number of the representatives from each state depends on the size of the state's population.
Senators are chosen for six years. But one-third is re-elected or retired every two years.
The executive branch is headed by the President and his Administration. The president of the USA is the head of the country. The executive branch administers the laws. The executive branch consists of departments and agencies. The US President is elected for a 4-year term. The US President commands the armed forces, conducts foreign affairs and recommends laws to the Congress.
The judicial branch is headed by the US Supreme Court. The US Supreme Court has nine members. They are Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices. They are appointed for life. The judicial branch interprets the laws and makes sure that new laws are in keeping with the Constitution.
Each branch has certain controls over other branches. The US Congress makes laws, but the President can veto a law, and the Supreme Court can decide that the law is unconstitutional.
There are two main political parties in the USA. They are the Democtatic Party and the Republican Party. The Democratic Party is symbolized by a "donkey." The Republican Party is symbolized by an "elephant." There are no clear differences between these parties. The Republicans are more conservative. They have more support among the upper classes. The Democrats are more liberal. They have more support among the working class and the poor.
8.4.2 Post -Text Exercises
8.4.2.1 Pronounce the following words and geographic names
the United States of America (the USA) -
the US Congress -
the Senate -
the US Supreme Court -
Chief Justice -
parliamentary republic -
to rule -
representative -
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to elect -
at least -
to vote -
law -
tax -
to print -
to divide -
function -
to depend on -
to re-elect -
to retire -
executive -
legislative -
judicial -
to head -
to administer -
department - (.)
agency -
armed forces -
to conduct -
foreign affairs -
to appoint -
associate justice -
to interpret -
certain -
to veto -
support -
the upper classes
8.4.2.2 Answer the questions
1 The USA is a parliamentary republic. What does it mean?
2 When was the Constitution of the USA written?
3 How many states are there in the USA?
4 How many parts is the national government divided into? What are they?
5 What is the US Congress? What does it consist of?
6 What is the main function of the US Congress?
7 How many senators and representatives are there in the US Congress?
8 What does the number of the representatives from each state depend on?
9 How many years are senators chosen for?
10 Who heads the executive branch?
11 What does the executive branch consist of?
12 For how many years is the US President elected?
13 What are the functions of the US President?
14 What is the third branch of the US government?
15 How many members does the US Supreme Court have? What are they?
16 How many years are the members of the US Supreme Court appointed for?
17 What are the functions of the judicial branch?
18 How many main political parties are there in the USA? What are they?
19 What is the symbol of the Democratic Party?
20 What is the symbol of the Republic Party?
21 What differences are there between the main parties of the USA?
8.4.2.3 Match the two parts of the sentences
| 1 The Democratic Party is symbolized by... 2 The number of the representatives from each state depends on... 3 The Constitution of the USA was written... 4 The executive branch is headed by... 5 The Republican Party is symbolized by... 6 The US Congress makes laws, but... 7 The US President commands... 8 The national government is divided into... | - the president can veto a law and the Supreme Court can decide that the law is unconstitutional. - the President and his Administration. - a "donkey." - three branches. - an "elephant." - the size of the state's population. - the armed forces, conducts foreign affairs, recommends laws to Congress. - in 1787. |
8.4.2.4 Choose the right version
1 Senators are chosen for... years.
2, 6, 10
2 The US Supreme Court has... members.
three, eight, nine
3 The national government is divided into... branches.
four, three, five
4 Today any citizen who is at least... years old can vote.
18, 21, 16
5 There are... senators and 435 representatives in the US Congress.
71, 100, 80
6 The Constitution of the USA was written in....
1787, 1878, 1978
8.4.2.5 Read the beginning of the sentence and find its end in the text
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1 The Congress's main function is...
2 Each branch has certain controls over...
3 The US Congress consists of two parts. They are...
4 There are no clear differences...
5 The judicial branch interprets...
6 There are two main political parties in the USA. They are...
8.4.2.6 Put in the missing words according to the text
1 The Republicans are more....
2 But one-third is... or... every two years.
3 Each state has its own constitution and can collect....
4 They have more... among the working class and....
5 The United States of America is....
6 The Democrats are more....
7 There are no clear... between these parties.
8.4.2.7 Choose the correct verb for each blank: recommends, has, depends, is elected, conducts, commands, interprets, rule, are chosen
1 The people... the country through the representatives which they elect.
2 The US President... for a 4-year term.
3 The number of the representatives from each state... on the size of the state's population.
4 The judicial branch... the laws.
5 The United States... a federalist system.
6 Senators... for six years.
7 The US President... the armed forces,... foreign affairs,... laws to the Congress.
8.4.2.8 Read and learn the dialogue by heart. Then act it out
Mark: May I speak to Fred?
Fred: Speaking. Is that Mark?
Mark: Yes, it's me. How are you?
Fred: It's OK. And how are you?
Mark: Fine. Are you free now?
Fred: Oh, yes. Why do you ask?
Mark: I know that you are very good at History. If it's not much of a trouble, can you tell me about the political system of the USA?
Fred: What exactly do you want to know?
Mark: Can I ask you several questions? I'm sure it'll be enough for my short report.
Fred: Yes, of course.
Mark: I know that the president is the head of the USA. Tell me please, what are his main functions?
Fred: Let me think for a moment. As far as I remember, he commands the armed forces, conducts foreign affairs and recommends laws to the Congress...
Mark: For how many years is the US President elected?
Fred: I know for sure every four years.
Mark: By the way, would I be able to elect the President if I were American?
Fred: If I'm not mistaken, any citizen who is at least 18 years old can vote.
Mark: What a pity! I'm sixteen.
Fred: Don't worry! You can elect the President of Russia.
Mark: OK. I think I have enough information for my short report. Thanks.
Fred: You're welcome.
Unit 5. George Washington
8.5.1 Read and translate the text
George Washington
George Washington was the first president of the United States. He was born in the family of a Virginian planter on the 22nd of February 1732. His father died when he was only eleven years old. George went to a little country school where he learned to read and to do sums in arithmethic. He was a good student and a great favourite with his playmates.
When George was 20 years old he was appointed major of Virginia militia. Three years later George Washington was made colonel and commander of all Virginia's forces.
He took part in the French War of 1754-1763. This war was called the French or Indian war. It lasted several years and resulted in the English getting possession of the land from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River. George Washington distinguished himself by capturing Fort Duquesne.
A few years later the American colonies had a war with England. Getting independence from Britain became the major problem of the American colonies.
In 1774 George Washington was chosen one of Virginia's delegates to the First and in 1775 to the Second Continental Congress.
When the War of Independence began (1775), Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of all the colonial forces.
Washington clearly understood the difficulty of fighting a powerful enemy with a badly equipped and poorly trained army. The colonists were not accustomed to taking orders. Washington faced great difficulties in his efforts to establish strict discipline. He insisted that it was necessary to impress upon the mind of every soldier the importance of the cause they were fighting for.
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By 1781 he had managed to build up a strong army which won a victory in the war. The war lasted eight years and resulted in the independence of the colonies. The colonies formed a new nation. In 1783 the Treaty of Paris recognized the independence of the USA. In 1787 the Constitution of the USA was written. By common consent on the 6th of April in 1789 George Washington was elected President of the United States of America. He served two terms from 1789 till 1797.
George Washington died in 1799. In honour of the first president the newly-built capital of the country was named Washington.
8.5.2 Post -Text Exercises
8.5.2.1 Pronounce the following words and geographic names
Virginia militia - ,
Duquesne -
planter -
delegate -
to die -
chief - ,
to do sums -
clearly -
playmate -
difficulty -
to appoint -
to fight (fought, fought) -
major -
powerful - ,
colonel -
enemy -
commander -
to equip - ,
force -
poorly -
to take part -
to train -
to result -
to accustom -
to take possession of -
to order - ;
order - ,
to distinguish -
to face -
to capture -
effort
to establish - ,
strict -
discipline -
to insist -
necessary -
to impress -
mind ,
soldier -
cause - ,
to manage - ()
to form -
treaty -
to recognize -
common -
consent -
to elect -
to serve -
honour -
newly-built - ,
to name
8.5.2.2 Answer the questions
1 Who was the first president of the US?
2 When and where was George Washington born?
3 What was his father? When did he die?
4 Did George go to school? Was he a good student?
5 What was George appointed when he was 20 years old? Was his career successful?
6 What was the war in 1754-1763 called? Did Washington take part in this war?
7 How long did this war last? What were the results of this war?
8 A few years later the American colonies had a war again, didn't they?
9 With whom did they have a war? What did they want to get?
10 What was George Washington chosen in 1774?
11 When did the War of Independence begin?
12 How did Washington manage to build up a strong army?
13 How long did the War of Independence last? What was the result of this war?
14 What did the colonies form after the War of Independence?
15 When was George Washington elected President of the USA?
16 How many terms did he serve?
17 When did Washington die?
18 When did the Treaty of Paris recognize the independence of the USA?
19 When was the constitution of the USA written?
20 Why was the capital of the USA named after George Washington?
8.5.2.3 Match the two parts of the sentences
| 1 He insisted that it was necessary 2 Getting independence from Britain 3 George Washington was 4 By 1781 he had managed to build up a strong army 5 When George was 20 years old 6 He served two terms 7 Washington clearly understood the difficulty of 8 The War of Independence lasted 9 George went to a little country school where | ... from 1789 till 1797. ... he learned to read and to do sums in arithmetic. ... he was appointed major of Virginia militia. ... to impress upon the mind of every soldier the importance of the cause they were fighting for. ... eight years and resulted in the independence of the colonies. ... became the major problem of the American colonies. ... which won a victory in the war. ... fighting a powerful enemy with a badly equipped and poorly trained army. ... the first president of the USA. |
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8.5.2.4 Put in the missing words according to the text
1 Three years later George Washington was made... and... of all Virginia's forces.
2 By common... on the 6th of April in 1789 George Washington was elected President of the USA.
3 In... of the first President the newly-built capital of the country was named Washington.
4 He was a good student and a great favourite with his....
5 It lasted several years and resulted in the English getting... of the land from the Atlantic to the Mississippi.
6 When George was 20 years old he was appointed... of Virginia....
7 George Washington distinguished himself by... Fort Duquesne.
8 Washington faced great difficulties in his efforts to establish strict....
8.5.2.5 Choose the correct verb for each blank: was chosen, formed, was written, served, was appointed, died, recognized, took part, was born
1 In 1787 the Constitution of the USA....
2 George Washington... in 1799.
3 In 1774 George Washington... one of Virginia's delegates to the First and in 1775 to the Second Continental Congress.
4 He... in the French War in 1754-1763.
5 The colonies... a new nation.
6 Washington... commander-in-chief of all the colonial forces.
7 He... in the family of a Virginian planter on 22nd of February 1732.
8 In 1783 the Treaty of Paris... the independence of the USA.
9 He... two terms from 1789 till 1797.
8.5.2.6 Read and learn the dialogue by heart. Then act it out
Olga: Sorry to interrupt you.
Frank: That's all right. Can I help you?
Olga: It seems to me that I've just lost my way. Can you tell me how to get to the Washington Monument?
Frank: Don't worry! It's as easy as ABC. Go along this street, then turn to the right and go down the street until you get there. You can't miss it.
Olga: Thank you very much.
Frank: Excuse me, you are from Russia, aren't you?
Olga: Yes, you are right. You have certainly heard about St. Petersburg. This is the city I live in.
Frank: Of course I have. I visited your wonderful city last year. Our cities have much in common, don't they?
Olga: You don't say so!
Frank: If I'm not mistaken, the place for St. Petersburg was chosen by Russian Tsar, Peter I.
Olga: Exactly. As far as I remember, George Washington chose the place for your city, didn't he?
Frank: Right you are. And St Petersburg was named in honour of the greatest Russian Tsar.
Olga: And Washington D. C. was named after the first President of the USA. By the way, did George Washington live and work in the White House?
Frank No, he didn't. It was built from 1792 to 1800 and Washington died in 1799, but he took part in its building. Have you visited the White House yet?
Olga: No, we haven't. But we are going there tomorrow. Thanks.
Frank: Not at all. All the best!
Unit 6 Washington D. C.
8.6.1 Read and translate the text
Washington D.C.
Washington is the capital of the United States of America. It is situated on the Potomac River in the District of Columbia. The population of the city is 900,000 people. Washington was named after the first US president George Washington. He selected the place for the capital. It was founded in 1790.
Since 1800 Washington D. C. has been the federal capital. The French engineer, Pierre L'Enfant designed the city. Washington D. . isn't like other cities of the USA. It has long wide avenues, gardens, beautiful parks and no skyscrapers at all, because no other building must be taller then the Capitol.
The Capitol is the seat of the American Congress. The 535 members of the Congress meet here to discuss the nation's affairs. It is situated in the centre of the city. The Capitol has a big white dome standing on a circle of pillars. It is a huge building, full of paintings and statues.
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The White House is the official residence of the US President. It was built in 1799. The US President works and lives there.
Washington is a large scientific and cultural centre. There are many museums, theatres, research institutes, five universities, the National Academy of Science and the Library of Congress there.
The Library of Congress is situated not far from the Capitol. It is the largest library in the States. It contains more than 13 million books, more than 19 million manuscripts, including the personal papers of the US presidents.
There is one more well-known building in Washington Pentagon. It is the residence of the US Military department. It is situated in the suburbs to the south of the Potomac.
There are many monuments in the city. The most impressive and the best-known ones are the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. Thousands of tourists visit Washington every day. Washington D. . is the city where you think about the glorious history of the USA.
8.6.2 Post -Text Exercises
8.6.2.1 Pronounce the following words and proper names
Potomac - p.
District of Columbia -
Washington D. . -
Pierre L'enfant -
the Capitol -
the Congress -
the Library of Congress -
the Lincoln Memorial -
the Washington Monument -
the Jefferson Memorial
to name -
to select -
to found -
to design - ,
avenue -
skyscraper -
affair -
dome -
circle -
pillar - ,
huge -
research -
to contain -
manuscript -
suburb -
impressive
glorious - ,
8.6.2.2 Answer the questions
1 What is the capital of the USA?
2 Where is Washington situated?
3 What is the population of the city?
4 Who was Washington named after?
5 Who selected the place for the capital?
6 When was the city founded?
7 Who designed the city?
8 Since what time has Washington D. . been the federal capital?
9 Why isn't Washington D. C. like other cities of the USA?
10 Where is the seat of the American Congress? Where is this building situated?
11 Can you describe the Capitol?
12 Where is the official residence of the US President? When was it built?
13 What is Washington D. C. famous for?
14 What is the largest library in the states? Where is it situated?
15 How many books and manuscripts does the Library of Congress contain?
16 What building is the residence of the US Military department? Where is it situated?
17 What monuments do you know in Washington D. C.?
18 Do you want to visit Washington D. C.? Why?
8.6.2.3 Match the two parts of the sentences
| 1 The White House is 2 The Library of Congress contains 3 Since 1800 Washington D.. has been 4 Washington was named after 5 The Capitol has 6 Pentagon is 7 Washington D. . has 8 Washington D. . was founded in | ... the residence of the US Military department. ... 1790. ... the official residence of the US President. ... a big white dome standing on a circle of pillars. ... more than 13 million books, more than 19 million manuscripts, including the personal papers of the US presidents. ... long wide avenues, gardens, beautiful parks and no skyscrapers at all. ... the first US president George Washington. ... the Federal capital. |
8.6.2.4 Put in the missing words according to the text
1 The 535 members of the Congress meet here to discuss the nation's...
2 Pentagon is situated in the... to the south of the Potomac.
3 There are many museums, theatres,..., five universities, the National Academy of Science and the Library of Congress there..
4 The Capitol is... building, full of... and statues.
5 Washington D. C. has long wide... gardens, beautiful parks and no... at all.
6 Washington is situated on... in the District of Columbia.
7 The Library of Congress contains more than 13 million books, more than 19 million... including the personal... of the US presidents.
8 The Capitol has a big white... standing on a circle of....
8.6.2.5 Choose the correct verb for each blank: is, meet, has been, is situated, selected, contains, has designed, was built
1 The White House... in 1799.
2 Pentagon... in the suburbs to the south of the Potomac.
3 Since 1800 Washington D. .... the federal capital.
4 The French engineer, Pierre L'Enfant,... Washington D. .
5 The Capitol... a big white dome standing on a circle of pillars.
6 The Library of Congress... more than 13 mil lion books, more than 19 million manuscripts, including the personal papers of the US presidents.
7 George Washington... the place for the capital.
8 The 535 members of the Congress... here to discuss the nation's affairs.
9 Pentagon... the residence of the US Military department.
8.6.2.6 Read and learn the dialogues by heart. Then act them out
Dialogue 1
- Well, Donald, could you do me a favour?
- Yes, what is it, Ronald?
- I know you have been living in Washington for about five years. You must know it very well. Could you tell me something about the capital of the USA?
- With great pleasure, Ronald. George Washington, the first President of the USA, after whom the city was named, selected the area for the capital. A hundred square miles were taken from the states of Maryland and Virginia. It was called
the District of Columbia (D.C.).
- Is the city well planned?
- Yes, it is. The city is divided into four sections: NW (north-west), NE (north-east), SW (south-west) and SE (south-east). Numbered streets run north and south: First Street, Second Street... Lettered streets such as A-street, B-
street run east and west.
- I'll try to remember it.
- Bear it in mind that every section has an independent street division. If you are looking for Third Street, you should know in what section of the city it is.
- What's the heart of Washington?
- The Capitol is. All the tourists begin sightseeing from the Capitol and see the Senate Chamber, the Representative Hall, the Statuary Hall and so on.
- Are there any monuments in the city?
- Of course. The Washington Monument which is 555 feet tall is called "Pencil" because of its shape. It is three blocks south of the White House. There is an elevator which will carry you to 500 foot level observation windows. You should
also see the Lincoln memorial which is west of the Washington
monument and the Jefferson memorial which is south of the
Washington monument near the Potomac River.
- I'll follow your advice. I hear the Library of Congress is worth seeing.
- That's right. It contains millions of books and manuscripts. Are you interested in churches and cathedrals?
- Yes, I am.
- You should see the Washington Cathedral in Massachusetts Avenue, the Arlington National Cemetery which is outside the city limits. John F. Kennedy was buried there. The famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is worth seeing too.
Dialogue 2
Alice: Hi! Glad to meet you. You look wonderful.
Mary: Hi! Thanks.
Alice: Had good holidays?
Mary: Yes, I travelled about the USA.
Alice: Oh? What was it like?
Mary: It was great!
Alice: What cities did you visit?
Mary: A lot. New York, Los Angeles, San-Francisco and Washington.
Alice: You are lucky! I'm going to Washington next holidays, too. What would you advise me to see in Washington in the first place?
Mary: Oh! Washington is one of the most beautiful and unusual cities in the United States.
Alice: Unusual! Why?
Mary: First, it's the capital of the country. Washington is very green and you can hardly find a park, a square or an open area in Washington without a monument or a memorial.
Alice: I see. I'm looking forward to my holidays and visiting Washington.
Unit 7 New York
8.7.1 Read and translate the text
New York
New York is the largest city in the United States and one of the largest cities in the world. Its population is over eight million. It is situated in New York State, at the mouth of the Hudson River. In early times the New York area was populated by Indians. In 1626 the Dutch Trade Company bought Manhattan Island from the local Indians for twenty four dollars. Here the Dutch founded their colony and gave it the name New Amsterdam. Forty years later the English fleet entered the habour, captured the city and renamed it New York.
New York consists of five parts, called boroughs. They are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Richmond. All districts of New York are linked together by numerous bridges.
Manhattan is an island 13 miles long and 2 miles wide. It is the centre of American finance, advertising, art, theatre, publishing, fashion and everything else. It is the real centre of the city. Manhattan is divided into the East Side and the West Side. The dividing line is Fifth Avenue. Manhattan is also divided into Lower (Downtown) Manhattan and Upper (Uptown) Manhattan.
1,500,000 people live in Manhattan but five million people work here every day. Many of New York offices, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Empire State Building are situated here.
New York is a city of "skyscrapers." The first skyscraper in New York was built in 1902. It was twenty storeys high.
Now you can have a good view of New York City from the top of the Empire State Building (102 storeys). The Empire State Building is one of the tallest buildings in the world. It was built in 1931. It has become a symbol of New York.
The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of American democracy. It stands on Liberty Island in New York port. France gave the statue to America in 1884 as a symbol of friendship. Liberty carries the torch of freedom in her right hand. In her left hand she is holding a tablet with the inscription "July 4, 1776" American Independence Day.
Today New York City is nicknamed "the Big Apple," because it has an energy that few other cities can equal.
New York is an industrial and cultural centre of the country. The most important branches of industry are producing vehicles, glass, and chemicals. There are many museums, art galleries, theatres here. There are two world-famous streets in New York Broadway and Fifth Avenue. Broadway is the centre of the theatres and night life. Fifth Avenue is the great shopping, hotel and club avenue.
8.7.2 Post -Text Exercises
8.7.2.1 Pronounce the following words and proper names
New York --
Hudson River .
the Dutch Trade Company -
Manhattan -
New Amsterdam - -
Brooklyn -
Queens -
the Bronx -
Richmond
the New York Stock Exchange - -
the Empire State Building -
Broadway -
the Statue of Liberty -
Fifth Avenue -
to populate -
local -
to enter -
harbour -
to capture -
to rename -
to consist of -
borough - ,
numerous -
wide -
advertising -
publishing -
fashion -
to divide -
lower -
upper -
skyscraper -
view -
democracy -
to carry -
torch -
freedom -
tablet - ( )
inscription -
to nickname -
energy -
equal - ;
to equal -
branch -
vehicle -
chemical
8.7.2.2 Answer the questions
1 What is the largest city in the USA?
2 What is the population of New York?
3 Where is New York situated?
4 Who was the New York area populated by in early times?
5 When was Manhattan bought from the local Indians? How much did it cost?
6 When did the English fleet enter the harbour and capture the city?
7 How many parts does New York consist of? What are they?
8 How are the districts of New York linked together?
9 What is the real centre of the city?
10 How many parts is Manhattan divided into?
11 What avenue of Manhattan is the dividing line?
12 How many people live in Manhattan? How many people work there?
13 When was the first skyscraper in New York built?
14 What statue is the symbol of American democracy?
15 Where does the Statue of Liberty stand?
16 What country gave this statue to America as a present? When? Why?
17 What is there in the hands of Liberty?
18 Why is the nickname of New York "the Big Apple"?
19 New York is an industrial and cultural centre of the USA, isn't it?
20 What most important branches of industry are there?
21 What two world-famous streets in New York do you know?
22 What are they famous for?
8.7.2.3 Put in the missing words according to the text
1 Manhattan is an island 13 miles... and 2 miles.
2 In early times the New York area was populated by....
3 In her left hand she is holding... with... "July 4, 1776" American Independence Day.
4 The first... in New York was built in 1902.
5 New York consists of five parts, called....
6 All districts of New York are linked together by... bridges.
7 New York has an energy that few other cities can....
8 The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of American....
9 The most important... of industry are producing....
10 New York is the centre of American...,.... art, theatre and everything else.
11 The first skyscraper in New York was twenty... high.
8.7.2.4 Read the beginning of the sentence and find its end in the text
1 Manhattan is the centre of American...
2 The Statue of Liberty is the symbol...
3 New York consists of five parts, called boroughs. They are...
4 In 1626 the Dutch Trade Company bought...
5 Today New York City is nicknamed...
6 Liberty carries... in her left hand she...
7 It is situated in New York State...
8 Forty years later the English fleet...
9 There are two world-famous streets in New York
10 Manhattan is divided...
11 New York is a city of...
12 Manhattan is the centre of....
8.7.2.5 Choose the correct verb for each blank renamed, carries, gave, has, is divided, entered, is nicknamed, has, are linked, bought, captured
1 Manhattan... into the East Side and the West Side.
2 All districts of New York... together by numerous bridges.
3 France... the statue to America in 1884 as a symbol of friendship.
4 In 1626 the Dutch Trade Company... Manhattan Island from the local Indians for twenty four dollars.
5 Liberty... the torch of freedom in her right hand.
6 Today New York City... "the Big Apple", because it... an energy that few other cities can equal.
7 Forty years later the English fleet... the harbour,... the city and... it New York.
8 New York City... an energy that few other cities can equal.
8.7.2.6 Read and learn the dialogues by heart. Then act them out
Dialogue 1
- I say, Mike, what are your plans for today?
- Nothing special. Why?
- I want you to show me round. You have been living in New York for almost eight years, so you know better what is worth seeing.
- All right. You'll come for a ride with me and I'll show you some of the sights.
- It will be very kind of you.
- So we can start from Washington Square and go along Fifth Avenue. We shall pass Greenwich Village and Union Square.
- The only thing I know is that Fifth Avenue is the place where very rich people live.
- That's right. Do you know what Times Square is famous for?
- No idea.
- It's famous for its theaters and movies. If you are interested in skyscrapers you should pay attention to the Empire State Building.
- There must be your famous Central Park nearby.
- Yes, it is a pleasure ground and besides there are a number of museums there.
- We'll go to the museums tomorrow. Agreed?
- Sure. Now I want you to see Park Avenue which is a fashionable residential section of the city. It's on the opposite side of Central Park from Broadway.
- I hear the Frick Museum and the famous Metropolitan Museum are there.
- That's right. Do you want to watch a game of baseball?
- Yes, I do.
- In that case I'll take you to the Stadium. Tomorrow I'll show you some other sights: Rockefeller Center Radio City, George Washington Bridge and Bronx Zoological Gardens.
- I am looking forward to visiting those places.
Dialogue 2
Alex: Hello, Steve! Nice meeting you again. How have you been?
Steve: Hi! I've been quite well and I'm happy to see you too. Where have you been all this time?
Alex: I was having my vacation in New York.
Steve: Did you like it there?
Alex: "Like" is not the right word. It was great!
Steve: How long were you in New York, Alex?
Alex: About two weeks.
Steve: What have you seen?
Alex: Not much, I'm afraid. I've been on a sightseeing tour, through squares, monuments, historical buildings and all that.
Steve: Have you visited the Museum of Modern Art?
Alex: Not yet. But I've read a lot about it.
Steve: What a pity! Their Impressionists are very good.
Alex: Yes, Cezanne is my favourite. But between you and me, I don't understand abstractionists. I mean I don't know what people see in them.
Steve: Tastes differ.
