Vocabulary

I. Choose the words from the box to complete the sentences.

land	Virginia	rich	Native	England
officer	surveyor	plantation	Half-brother	well-to-do

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, on his family estate in .

His father Augustine was from the family that migrated from—

He was a plantater and died when George was 11.

Washington was brought up by his-— —_x Lawrence, whom he idolized.

George's mother, Mary /Ball/ Washington was a of Virginia.

Washington grew on a and received a simple education.

At 15, George knew what he wanted in life - to be — and respected.

His problem was that he had no -because his brother had inherited the plantation.

First, George learnt to be a — but that career was a dead end, though.

-of the British army.

COMPREHENSION

II. Scan for the details and fill in the gaps.

1. He later explored frontier lands in a/ Western Virginia, b/ Georgia, c/ Maryland.

2. Washington made his only journey from American shores to a/ Cuba, b/ Barbados.

3. There George became ill with a/ cholera, b/ smallpox which immunized him.

4. George inherited land and was commissioned a a/ lieutenant, b/ captain, c/ major.

5. He was put in charge of training a/ soldiers, b/ militia, c/ minutemen.

6. He began to study a/ military tactics, b/ historical novels, c/ artillery.

7. In 1753 he volunteered for a a/ vital mission, b/ secret operation, c/ hard job.

8. Washington carried a message to the a/ British, b/ French in Ohio.

9. On this dangerous mission, Washington narrowly escaped a/ prison, b/ death.

10. As a reward, the governor promoted him to a/ colonel, b/ lieutenant colonel.

GRAMMAR

III. Fill in the gaps with the words in the Past Simple /Active and Passive/.

1. In 1754 the French and Indian War /begin/ .

2. At 22, lieutenant colonel Washington /lead/ 150 soldiers to build the new fort.

3. At the point he /make/ one of the few mistakes of his military career.

4. He attacked a small French force, even though France and Britain /be/ not at war.

5. The French /kill/ a third of Washington's soldiers.

6. Trapped and outnumbered, the Virginians /surround/ .

7. Later Washington and his men /release/ and rode back to Virginia.

8. Washington /welcome/ as a hero.

9. He /appoint/ colonel and entrusted with the defense of Virginia's frontier.

10. In 1758 he /become/ — -— a country gentleman and successful businessman.

DISCUSSION

IV. Put questions to these answers.

1. As a leader in opposition to British policy, he was a delegate to the Congress.

2. In 1775, George Washington was named as commander in chief of the army.

3. Cold winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge was a severe test of Washington's leadership.

4. French troops joined General Washington in New York.

5. The British Army surrendered on October 17, 1781.

6. In 1789, George Washington was elected the first President of the U.S.

7. He headed the troops put down the Whisky Rebellion in 1794.

8. Washington declined to serve the third term and retired in 1796.

9. George Washington died on December 14, 1799 at Mount Vernon.

PROJECT.