Part I Reading Comprehension

Passage 1

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following passage:

In Washington D.C., 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is a very special address. It is the address of the White House, the home of the president of the United States.

Originally the White House was gray and was called the Presidential Palace. It was built from 1792 to 1800. at this time, the city of Washington itself was being built; it was to be the nation’s new capital city. George Washington, the first president, and Pierre Charles L’Enfant, a French engineer, chose the place for the new city. L’Enfant then planned they city. The president’s home was an important part of the plan.

A contest was held to pick a design for the president’s home. An architect named James Hoban won. He designed a large three-story house of gray stone.

President Washington never lived in the President Palace. The first president to live there was John Adams, the second president of the United States, and his wife Mrs. Adams did not really like hew new house. In her letters, she often complained about the cold. Fifty fireplaces were not enough to keep the house warm!

In 1812 the United States and Britain went to war. In 1814 the British invaded Washington. Theu burned many buildings, including the Presidential Palace.

After the war James Hoban, the original architect, partially rebuilt the president’s homes. To cover the marks of the fire, the building was painted white. Before long it became known as the White House.

The White House is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. Every year more than 1.5 million visitors go through the five rooms that are open to the public.

1. The White House was built in Washington .

A. because a French engineer was invited to design it

B. because President George Washington liked to live in it

C. because the British invaders lived in it in 1812-1814

D. because it was to be the nation’s capital city

2. The Presidential Palace was .

A. painted gray and white B. made of gray stone

C. made of white stone D. made very warm in winter

3. The president’s home and the city of Washington were .

A. built by the American army B. built by the British troops

C. planned by George Washington D. planned by the French

4. The original home of the president needed to be rebuilt .

A. because John Adam’s wife did not like it

B. because it was cold in winter even with 50 fireplaces

C. because it had burned down during the war

D. because George Washington was not willing to live in it

5. The new presidential home was painted white to .

A. cover the marks of fire B. attract tourist from France

C. to please Mrs. John Adams D. keep it warm in winter