The White House is the official home and workplace of the President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. The building has 132 rooms, including the famous Oval Office where the President works. Every year, thousands of visitors take tours to see the public rooms and learn about American history. The White House is an important symbol of the U.S. government and its history.

The White House is where the U.S. President lives and works, and is an important historical symbol.

The Grand Canyon is a massive canyon in Arizona. It was formed over millions of years as the Colorado River slowly cut through layers of rock. The canyon is famous for its colorful rock layers, some of which are over a billion years old! It is now a national park where people can hike, camp, and take breathtaking photos of the amazing views.

A diagram with labels showing measurements

Mount Rushmore is a famous sculpture in South Dakota. It features the faces of four U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Because the mountain was made of solid granite, the sculptor used special drills and dynamite to carve the faces. Today, it is a popular tourist destination that helps people remember important leaders from American history.

It features the faces of four U.S. Presidents.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is an engineering marvel. When it was built in the 1930s, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The bridge is painted a special color called 'International Orange' so that it can be seen easily in the city's frequent fog. As a result, it has become one of the most photographed bridges on Earth.

It can be seen easily in the fog.

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, is the tallest monument in the United States. It was built to honor the westward expansion of America during the 1800s. Visitors can take a tram to the top for a fantastic view of the city and the Mississippi River. The Arch's shiny stainless steel surface makes it glimmer in the sunlight, creating a memorable sight for all who see it.

To describe the Gateway Arch and explain its importance

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is known as the birthplace of the United States. Inside this building, both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. Because of its great historical importance, it is now part of a national park. Tourists can walk through the same rooms where the Founding Fathers made decisions that created a new nation.

It has great historical importance.

The Space Needle is a famous tower in Seattle, Washington. It was built for the 1962 World's Fair. The tower is 605 feet tall and has an observation deck at the top. From this deck, visitors can see the entire city, the Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. A restaurant at the top slowly rotates, giving diners a changing view while they eat.

The Space Needle is 605 feet tall and was built for a World's Fair.

Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the world. It was created in 1872. The park is famous for its geysers, like Old Faithful, which shoots hot water high into the air on a regular schedule. Yellowstone is also home to many animals, including bears, wolves, and large herds of bison. The park's purpose is to protect these natural wonders for everyone to enjoy.

Yellowstone National Park is a historic and important park that protects natural wonders.

The Lincoln Memorial is a grand building in Washington, D.C., that honors President Abraham Lincoln. Inside, a large statue of Lincoln sits in a chair, looking out. The walls are inscribed with words from his famous Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address. The memorial has 36 columns, one for each state that was part of the U.S. at the time of Lincoln's death. People visit to remember his leadership during the Civil War and his fight for unity.

A caption under a picture of the interior walls

The Hoover Dam is a huge structure on the border of Arizona and Nevada. It was built on the Colorado River during the Great Depression to control floods and provide water and electricity. Building the dam was difficult and dangerous work. Today, the dam creates Lake Mead and provides power for millions of homes and businesses in the Southwest.

The author sees it as an impressive project that solved problems.

The Liberty Bell is an American symbol of freedom located in Philadelphia. It is famous for its large crack. The bell was originally cast in 1752 and rang to mark important events, like the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Today, the silent bell is on display for visitors. It reminds people of the country's fight for independence and the idea of liberty for all.

It rang to mark the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Niagara Falls is a group of three massive waterfalls on the border between the United States and Canada. Millions of gallons of water flow over the falls every minute. The powerful roar of the water can be heard from far away. Because of their incredible beauty and power, the falls attract millions of visitors from around the world each year.

They attract millions of visitors.

The Alamo is a historic mission in San Antonio, Texas. In 1836, a small group of Texan defenders fought a large Mexican army there during the Texas Revolution. All of the defenders died in the battle. The cry 'Remember the Alamo!' became a rallying call, and Texas later won its independence. The Alamo is now a museum that teaches visitors about this brave stand and Texas history.

The Alamo is a historic site where a brave fight for Texas independence took place.

Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest lake in the United States. It was formed over 7,000 years ago when a massive volcano collapsed. The lake is known for its clear, deep blue water and its purity. Since it is filled only by rain and snow, the water has very little pollution. Scientists study the lake to learn about volcanoes and clean water ecosystems.

Where the lake is located in Oregon

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., holds the world's largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft. Visitors can see the original Wright brothers' flyer, the Apollo 11 command module, and even moon rocks. The museum's goal is to teach the public about the history of flight and space exploration. Many of the exhibits are hands-on, allowing people to experience the science behind aviation.

The author sees it as an important and educational place for everyone.

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X.2 Reading informational texts - famous places

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What are informational texts about famous places?

Informational texts about famous places are nonfiction writings that describe real locations, their importance, history, and features. Their purpose is to teach readers facts and details.

Examples of famous places you might read about:

The Statue of Liberty in New York
The Grand Canyon in Arizona
The White House in Washington, D.C.

Note

These texts are not stories. They are filled with true information meant to explain and inform.

Identifying the main idea and details

The main idea is the most important point the author wants you to know. Key details are facts, examples, or reasons that support and explain the main idea.

Example from a text about the Statue of Liberty:

Main Idea: The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and welcome.
Key Detail: It was a gift from France in 1886.
Key Detail: The statue holds a torch and a tablet with the date of American independence.

Note

Ask yourself: "What is this mostly about?" for the main idea. Ask "What facts prove that?" for the key details.

Using text features to find information

Text features are parts of a text that organize information and make it easier to understand. They help you find facts quickly without reading every word.

Common text features in informational texts:

Headings and Subheadings: Tell you what a section is about.
Bold Words: Show important vocabulary or key terms.
Captions: Explain pictures, maps, or photographs.
Maps and Diagrams: Show where a place is or how it is built.

Note

Always look at text features before you start reading. They give you a roadmap to the information.

Understanding cause and effect relationships

A cause is why something happened. An effect is what happened as a result. Authors use this to explain events in history or changes to a place.

Example from a text about the Grand Canyon:

Cause: The Colorado River flowed for millions of years, wearing away rock.
Effect: The deep Grand Canyon was formed.

Note

Look for clue words like because, since, so, as a result, and therefore to spot cause and effect.

Distinguishing your point of view from the author’s

Your point of view is what you think or feel about a topic. The author’s point of view is what the author thinks or the reason they wrote the text.

Example from a text about a national park:

Author's Point of View: The author believes Yellowstone National Park is important to protect for its wildlife and geysers.
Your Point of View: After reading, you might think, "I would like to visit Yellowstone someday."

Note

The author's point of view is based on the facts and opinions they present. Your point of view is your personal reaction.

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