听力原文：M: Hi, Catherine. Haven't seen you for a long time. How is your vocation？W: Terri

听力原文：M: Hi, Catherine. Haven't seen you for a long time. How is your vocation？

W: Terrific ! I went to Washington D. C. to visit my cousin. I saw the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the White House.

M: What a pity is that I've never been there. What do you like best？

W: No doubt the White House. It's been the official home of the American presidents since 1800.

M: I didn't know the history of it. Is it really as nice as everyone says it is？

W: It's a two - story building built of stones. But it is simple and dignified. It was named the White House after the British burned it in the war of 1812.

M: I remember now. The president then was James Madison. And his wife Dolly ran out of the burning building carrying the portrait of George Washington.

W: That's right, it's hanging in the East Room now.

M: How big is the White House？

W: There are one hundred thirty - two rooms inside it and covers eighteen acres of land outside. It has to be painted every four years.

M: How much are the visitors allowed to visit？

W: Only six rooms are open to the public. It's a popular, and there are always too many people waiting for their turns.

When was the White House built？

A．1800.

B．1600.

C．1812

D．1884