《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》38 Presidents of the United States

　　Unit 38

Presidents of the United States

Here are some astonishing facts about the national chief executives: When electing US Presidents, Americans haven't been partial to one type of man. Commanders in Chief of all kinds, tall and short, handsome and homely 1, well-educated and barely schooled, scoundrel and saint were sent to Washington to serve. The following questions look behind the formal portraits of the nation's Presidents to reveal their unique characters, oddities and ironies 2. The answers may challenge your perceptions of he men and the highest office in land they held.

Which President is credited with saving 77 lives? Ronald Reagan, as lifeguard in his hometown. But some of the rescues may have been young women faking it simply to get the handsome Reagan's attention.

Which President was also a King? The 38th President Gerald Ford 3. Giving birth to him in 1913 by the name of Leslie L. King, Jr., his mother divorced and remarried. His stepfather informally adopted him, renaming him Gerald R. Ford.

Which President's son was personally affected 4 by three Presidential assassinations 5? Abram Lincoln's oldest son, Robert Todd, was at is father's side after the 16th President was assassinated 6 at Ford's Theatre in 1865. Sixteen years later he was at the Washington rail depot 7 where the 20th President, James Garfield was shot in 1881. In 1901 Lincoln was in Buffalo 8 at the Pan-American Exposition, where the 25th President William McKinley was assassinated. Thereafter Robert Todd avoided functions where a President was present.

Who were the largest, smallest and tallest Presidents? Elected in 1909, the six-foot William Howard Taft weighed 335 pounds. Once, Chauncey Depew, a renowned 9 turn-of-the-century orator 10, pointed 11 to Taft's massive stomach and asked, "What are you going to name the baby?" Taft replied: "If it's a boy, he will be a junior. If it's a girl, I'll name her Helen. But if, as I expect, it is only gas, I'll name it Chauncey Depew." James Madison was the smallest leader: 5 feet 4 inches, 100 pounds. Abraham Lincoln, 6 feet 4 inches, was the tallest.

Which two Presidents died on the Fourth of July, 1826? Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, 50 years the day after The Declaration of Independence.

Which President was taught by his wife to read and write? In 1827, in Greeneville, Tenn Eliza McCardle, 16, married Andrew Johnson, 18. He was a tailor who could barely read or write. Yet he was extremely ambitious. In the evening his wife taught him to read and write. And from there his political career took off, from mayor of his town to governor to Vice 12 President and Finally President.

Who was the first President to play Little League Baseball? George W. Bush, for the Midland, Texas Cubs 13 from 1954 to 1958. His coach, Frank Ittner, now 94 years old, recalls Bush as a fine defensive 14 catcher who needed work on his hitting.