The Story Behind Washington's Iconic Cherry Blossom Trees Washington's cherry blossoms have become an iconic (1)__C_ of springtime in the nation’s capital. And while the trees can be appreciated only for the ethereal beauty they cast on the shores of the Potomac River, the historical (2)___ of the trees are more complicated.
Ann McClellan, a recognized expert on the trees who has written two books on
Washington's annual festival celebrating the blossoms, told “Power Players” that the first trees (3)___ Washington from Japan in 1910 were a symbol of international friendship.
The trees were given in (4)___ of then-first lady Helen Taft, wife of the 27th president William Taft, who had (5)___ an interest in the blossoming trees from her travels to Japan and was working to beautify the park area today's tidal basin reservoir, which was a swampland at the time.
“Mrs. Taft had not seen the trees in bloom, but saw how they were planted and thought Washington, which was just under (6)___ at that time, would be a great place for them, and she was right,” McClellan said.
Japan sent thousands of full-grown trees to Washington to beautify the park, but those trees would never be planted on the shores of the River Potomac. After the Department of Agriculture (7)__ the trees, it was determined that they had to be destroyed.
The final decision to burn Japan's gift was made by President Taft himself. But (8)___ causing a diplomatic crisis, Japan sent 3,000 more trees in 1912 that (9)__ the Department of Agriculture’s standards and were the start of the trees that still line the tidal basin today.
Since Mrs. Taft, first ladies have continued (10)___ an instrumental role in maintaining the cherry blossoms.

1) A portrait B copy C image D model
2) A roots B basics C homes D sources
3) A allowed in B taken in C handed over D given to
4) A pride B honour C regard D status
5) A told B made C demonstrated D shown
6) A construction B creation C composition D production
7) A reviewed B checked C inspected D assessed
8) A in addition to B except for C instead of D by means of
9) A met B fitted C matched D fulfilled
10A to realise B to play C to make D to take

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