Other sights of Washington

Washington is a wonderful city; its fine parks, gardens and squares help to make the city beautiful. And one can hardly find a park, a square or an open area in it without a monument or a memorial. The most impressive and the best-known ones are the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The Washington Monument, which looks like a very big pencil is not far from the Capitol, on the Mall, a long grass-covered area that extends from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. When its cornerstone was laid, a speaker said, «Build it to the skies, you cannot outreach the loftiness of his principles.» The height of the Monument is 160 metres and it's hollow inside. A special lift brings visitors to the top in 70 seconds and from it they can enjoy a beautiful view of the whole city.

The Lincoln Memorial is built in the style of a classic Greek Temple. But it is neither temple, palace nor tomb but embodies something of each. Its marble walls seem to hold the spirit of Lincoln's character and his belief that all men should be free - free to think and express themselves, and free to apply their natural talents and ambitions to lawful enterprise. The Memorial has 36 columns that show the number of states in the Union in Lincoln's time. Inside the Memorial there is a large white marble statue of the 16th President of the Linked States who was well loved by his friends and supporters and fiercely hated by the enemies of the Union who killed him in 1865. On the stone walls of the Memorial two of Lincoln's most famous speeches are carved, one of which is the speech he made on hjs second inauguration.

Washington is an important scientific and cultural center. There are five universities there (the most famous are Georgetown University, George Washington University and Howard University), the National Academy of Science and the famous Library of Congress, one of the largest libraries in the world. Every book, magazine or newspaper produced in the USA have to give a copy to the Library to keep. It is paid for by the government and is open to the public. The Library contains more than 13 million books and newspapers and 19 million manuscripts, including the personal papers of the US presidents.

Another place of interest, though very solemn, is Arlington National Cemetery, which is on the other side of the Potomac River, opposite the capital. It is a resting place of many soldiers and leaders of the US military and other professions. The 35th President of the USA, J.F. Kennedy, the youngest and one of the most popular presidents of the country, killed in 1963 in Dallas, is also buried there. The Vietnam Memorial Wall, located on the Mall, has become a major attraction for the visitors of Washington.

Washington is a city of museums and art galleries where one can see all kinds of things: the original of the Declaration of Independence, famous paintings and sculptures, the largest blue diamond in the world, the dresses of some presidents' wives and the like. Washington's most popular tourist attractions are the Air Space Museum which is part of the world famous Smithsonian Museum, Washington Museum of Arts, The Natural History Museum, and the Holocaust Museum which recollects the terrible World War II events.

There are no skyscrapers in Washington, because they would hide the city's numerous monuments from view. Besides, no building in the city may be more than 40 meters tall, that is, it can't be higher than the White House.

Speaking activities

Answer the following questions:

If you had a choice, where would you go, to Washington or to New York, and why? Some people say that the real capital of the USA is New York. What is your opinion?

It is possible to say that Washington is, in some respect, different from all the other capitals in the world. Why?

If you were asked to choose which place of interest to visit: the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial, where would you go and why?

Which in your opinion is more important and interesting to visit: the Capitol or the White House? Why do you think so?

If you could spend only one day in Washington, which places of interest would you choose to see and why?

Activity 7. Capitals quiz

Answer the questions of this quiz and find out how much you know about the three capitals given in this unit.

Where in Kyiv can you see monsters in the street?

In which of London's parks can you find the lake with a snake name?

What fruit tree is honored in one of Washington's festivals?

Who is the patron saint of Kyiv? Are there any churches in Kyiv in his memory?

Where will you go in London to find the lodgings of Mr. Sherlock Holmes?

In 1814 Admiral Sir George Cockburn was ordered by the US President to burn the Capitol and the White House. Can you guess why?

Yaroslav the Wise commemorated his own name in the name of St. Sofia's Cathedral. How?

Where in London can people of different historic epochs get together?

Abraham Lincoln's name can be found on the map of the USA. Where?

Activity 8. Speak on the following:

In your opinion, can the capitals of the countries be called their typical cities? Explain why or why not.

If you could visit only 3 places of interest in Kyiv, London and Washington, which would you choose and why?

Can you explain what attracts people in the big cities like the capitals you've read about?

If you visit some new place do you prefer to see it from the bus or car window or to explore it on foot? Explain why.

Find at least 3 similarities and 3 differences in the three capitals you've read about in this unit.

Are you interested in the history of cities, towns and villages in general and capitals in particular?

Why? What can you learn from the history of these places.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30