Hollywood, Pennsylvania Avenue, the Big Apple, the Potomac River, D.C., The Hudson River, Siers Tower, Broadway plays, Arlington National Cemetery, Jefferson Memorial, the Great White Way, Beverley Hills, WallStreet, White House, the Capitol, Empire State Building, the Met, O'Hare International, Central Park, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the Statue of Liberty, the WTC Memorial, Congress,

II. Complete the sentences about New York and Washington:

- New York City consists of five boroughs: …

- The most famous ethnic neighborhoods of NYC are …

- Manhattan is surrounded by … and …, which are crossed by 50 bridges, among them … and …

- Washington is divided into four sections: …

- In and around Washington, D.C., there are many memorials to honor important people in American history like …

- There are also many famous museums, including …

III. Learn one of the dialogues by heart.

DIALOGUE 1. WASHINGTON, D.C.

A: Could you tell me what D.C. after the name of the capital stands for?

B.: Willingly. It stands for District of Columbia.

A: Is it the name of a state?

B.: Oh no, the District of Columbia does not belong to any of the 50 states. It is a tract of land about 70 square miles on the east bank of the Potomac River. The city was founded in 1790 on the site chosen by George Washington, the first President of the U.S. Maryland and Virginia granted land on each side of the river.

A: Have you got an idea about the city’s population?

B.: Yep. About one million.

A: Is it like other large cities in the U.S.?

B.: No, quite different. The city was built according to a preliminary plan. There is a law that forbids to build structures more than 90 feet high in the city.

A: You mean, there are no skyscrapers in Washington?

B.: That’s right. The White House, the official name of the President’s executive mansion, is only four stories high.

A: Where is it located?

B.: It’s located on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue, facing Lafayette Square.

A: They say it is the oldest public building in Washington.

B.: Absolutely so. The first President who lived in the White House was Adams. It was back in 1800.

A: I wonder why it is called “White House”?

B.: You see, during the war of 1812-1814 the British burnt most of the public buildings in Washington, including the White House and the Capitol. In 1814 the brown stone walls of the Presdient’s home were painted white and it has been the White House ever since.

A: That’s interesting. You seem to know a lot about the White House. Do you know anything about the East Room or the Blue Room. I mean, what are they used for?

B.: Well, I’ve read somewhere that the White House has 132 rooms. Large receptions and news conferences are held in the East Room. The elliptical Blue Room is for different social, diplomatic and official receptions. The Red and Green Rooms are used for private and quasi-official gatherings.

A: Thanks a lot for the information.

DIALOGUE 2. NEW YORK CITY

A: You are well acquainted with New York City, aren’t you?

B.: More or less. I’ve been to the city several times.

A: New York is the world’s largest city, isn’t it?

B.: I’m afraid, you are wrong. New York is the third largest city. But it comes first in the United States. It comprises five boroughs: Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Richmond.

A: Manhattan is the heart of the city, isn’t it?

B.: It is. Do you know Manhattan is an island?

A: Oh, is it?

B.: It is. And quite a large one. It’s about 12½ miles long and 2½ miles wide.

A: Twelve and a half miles is about twenty kilometers.

B.: True. On the west Manhattan is bounded by the Hudson River and on the East by the East River. Manhattan is linked to all the other boroughs by bridges, tunnels and ferries.

A: I’ve read that the Manhattan Indians sold the island to the Dutch way back in 1626.

B.: Correct. But do you know how much the Indians were paid for the island?

A: No, I’m afraid not. How much?

B.: They received trinkets worth 24 dollars.

A: Really?

B.: Yes, and a settlement was built there and named New Amsterdam. But after the British seized the colony, they renamed it New York, for the Duke of York.

A: Amazing!

DIALOGUE 3. AMERICAN CITIES

TEACHER:    Can you name the most important cities in the USA?

STUDENT:    I think I can, but you’ll have to help me a bit.

TEACHER:    Oh, I’m sure you are able to do so without my help. Well, go ahead!

STUDENT:    The capital of the USA, Washington, D.C. should be mentioned first.

TEACHER:    Right. It’s good that you started with the capital.

STUDENT:     Then comes New York, which is the largest city and seaport in the USA.

TEACHER:    What about Chicago?

STUDENT:     Chicago is the second largest city in the U.S. It is an important center of heavy industry.

TEACHER:    Do you happen to know what Chicago produces?

STUDENT:    It produces different electrical and agricultural machines.

TEACHER:    It’s also famous for its tinned meat industry, isn’t it?

STUDENT:     It is, yes. And after Chicago comes Detroit, a large city in SE Michigan. Detroit is one of the biggest producers of in the motor-car industry.

TEACHER:     You’re right! Detroit produces millions of cars. Now say a few words about Baltimore, will you?

STUDENT:     Baltimore is a large city in northern Maryland and a ship-building center.

TEACHER:   And it is also a big center of the aircraft, electronics, chemical, electrical and food industries.

STUDENT:   I think we should also mention Boston, which is a large seaport and a ship-building center.

TEACHER:   Boston also produces aeroplanes, chemical, electronic and othe machines.

STUDENT:   Another ship-building and machine building center of the USA is Philadelphia.

TEACHER:   Philadelphia is also famous for its agricultural and food industries.

STUDENT:   San Francisco is a large port and a ship-building center, the second largest city in California. Los Angeles is a port in southern California, the third largest city in the United States.

TEACHER:   What is L.A. famous for?

STUDENT:   It’s famous for Hollywood, the center of the motion-picture industry in the U.S.

IV. Work in pairs. Ask your partner if the facts are true to the following text: