3. Составьте диалог, используя изученные слова и словосочетания по теме.

Active Vocabulary

to be situated in to be washed by the total area population a climatic region subtropical a land of rivers and lakes to be rich in smth. natural and mineral resources to produce smth. copper oil iron ore coal a highly-developed industrial and agricultural country the national capital the centre of government to be named after smbd. the world leading country

находиться в омываться (чем-либо) общая площадь население климатический регион субтропический страна рек и озер иметь большие запасы чего-либо природные ресурсы и полезные ископаемые производить что-либо медь нефть железная руда уголь страна с высоко развитой промышленностью и сельским хозяйством столица страны правительственный центр быть названным в честь кого-либо ведущая мировая держава

UNIT 8. WASHINGTON, D.C. - THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Прочитайте и переведите текст.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The United States is a federal union which is made up of fifty states and one independent district - the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia is the territory of the national capital of the USA, Washington, with its own laws and regulations. Washington, D.C. is situated on both banks of the Potomac river, between the two states, Maryland and Virginia.

This place was chosen by the first American President George Washington. The plot of land of a hundred square miles was bought from private owners by the state. In 1790 George Washington laid the corner-stone of the Capitol where the Congress sits. The place was called the District of Columbia in honour of Columbus, the discoverer of America. The capital got the name of Washington after the name of its founder. Washington has been the federal capital since 1800.

Washington is sometimes called the heart of America. It is the place where the federal government works and where each President of the United States lives. Washington is smaller in size than the largest cities of the USA, such as New York, Chicago, Detroit or Los Angeles. The population of Washington is about 11 million people. The buildings in Washington are not very tall because no building must be teller than the Capitol. But in political sense Washington is the center of the country and the most important city of the United States.

2. Подготовьте чтение текста. Используйте аудиозапись.

3. Ответьте на вопросы, опираясь на словарь, приведенный в конце урока.

1. What is the United States made up of?

2. What is the District of Columbia?

3. Where is Washington, D.C. situated?

4. Who chose this place?

5. When was the corner-stone of the Capitol laid?

6. Who laid the corner-stone of the Capitol?

7. Was the place called the District of Columbia in honour of the discoverer or the president?

8. Whose name did the capital get?

9. Since when has Washington been the federal capital?

10. How is Washington sometimes called?

11. Washington is smaller in size than the largest cities of the USA, isn’t it?

12. What is the population of Washington?

13. Why are the buildings in Washington not very tall?

14. What is Washington in political sense?