The Story Behind Washington's Iconic Cherry Blossom Trees Washington's cherry blossoms have become an iconic (1)__C_ of springtime in the nation’s capital. And while the trees can be appreciated only for the ethereal beauty they cast on the shores of the Potomac River, the historical (2)___ of the trees are more complicated.
Ann McClellan, a recognized expert on the trees who has written two books on
Washington's annual festival celebrating the blossoms, told “Power Players” that the first trees (3)___ Washington from Japan in 1910 were a symbol of international friendship.
The trees were given in (4)___ of then-first lady Helen Taft, wife of the 27th president William Taft, who had (5)___ an interest in the blossoming trees from her travels to Japan and was working to beautify the park area today's tidal basin reservoir, which was a swampland at the time.
“Mrs. Taft had not seen the trees in bloom, but saw how they were planted and thought Washington, which was just under (6)___ at that time, would be a great place for them, and she was right,” McClellan said.
Japan sent thousands of full-grown trees to Washington to beautify the park, but those trees would never be planted on the shores of the River Potomac. After the Department of Agriculture (7)__ the trees, it was determined that they had to be destroyed.
The final decision to burn Japan's gift was made by President Taft himself. But (8)___ causing a diplomatic crisis, Japan sent 3,000 more trees in 1912 that (9)__ the Department of Agriculture’s standards and were the start of the trees that still line the tidal basin today.
Since Mrs. Taft, first ladies have continued (10)___ an instrumental role in maintaining the cherry blossoms.
1) A portrait B copy C image D model
2) A roots B basics C homes D sources
3) A allowed in B taken in C handed over D given to
4) A pride B honour C regard D status
5) A told B made C demonstrated D shown
6) A construction B creation C composition D production
7) A reviewed B checked C inspected D assessed
8) A in addition to B except for C instead of D by means of
9) A met B fitted C matched D fulfilled
10A to realise B to play C to make D to take
I was very glad to hear from you. I haven't written for ages because of my school activities.
Now I want to tell you about my summer holidays. When my holidays came I was very happy! The weather was fine so my friends and I went for a walk every day. It was fun! Then I spent a month in the country where my grandfather and grandmother lived. It was great. I drank milk and ate a lot of tasty food which my granny prepared for me. I have many friends in this village because I go there every holidays. We played football and tennis every day! There is a small river near the forest and we swam when the weather was fine. It was great! I liked my holidays very much.
That's enough for me today. I have to go now.
Best regards to your family.
Write soon.
Yours Anita
Дорогая Анна,
Я очень рада получить весточку от тебя. Я не писала долго, потому что была занята своими школьными делами.
Теперь я хочу рассказать тебе о моих летних каникулах. Когда наступили каникулы, я была очень счастлива! Погода была хорошая, так что мои друзья и я ходили гулять каждый день. Это было весело! Затем я провела месяц в деревне, где живут мои дедушка и бабушка . Это было здорово. Я пила молоко и ела много вкусной пищи, которую моя бабушка готовила для меня. У меня много друзей в этой деревне, потому что я езжу туда каждые каникулы. Мы даже играли в футбол и теннис! Около леса есть небольшая речка. Мы купались, когда погода была хорошая. Это было здорово! Мне очень понравились мои каникулы.
Думаю достаточно на сегодня. Я должна идти.
С наилучшими пожеланиями твоей семье.
Пиши быстрее.
Твоя Анита.