[originaltext]M: Hi, Jane. How is your vacation?W: Terrific! I went to Washing

M: Hi, Jane. How is your vacation?
W: Terrific! I went to Washington D.C. to visit my cousin. I saw the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution, and the White House.
M: I’ve never been to Washington. What did you like the best?
W: Oh, the White House. Did you know that it’s been the official home of our presidents since 1800? And every president except George Washington has lived in it.
M: I didn’t know it was that old. Is it really as nice as everyone says it is?
W: It’s only a three-storey building built of stone. But it’s simple and definite. It used to be called the "President’s House". President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901. The White House has a fascinating history. It survived a fire at the hands of the British in 1814.
M: I remember now. The president then was James Madison. And his wife Dolley ran out of the burning building carrying Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of Washington.
W: Yes, that’s right. It’s hanging in the East Room now.
M: How big is the White House?
W: It’s big. Imagine 18 acres of land with gardens and 132 rooms. It has to be painted every four years.
M: How much were you allowed to see?
W: Not very much. Only six of the rooms are open to the public. It’s a popular tour, and there is always a line of people waiting. They want to look at their property, I guess.
M: Their property?
W: Sure. The White House is owned by the people of the United States. We elect the leaders who live in it.
M: But can just anyone go inside?
W: Of course. Anyone can see our president’s home.