RSSText.The Capital of Great Britain. London.
Read the text
London
London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. The city of London was founded by the Romans in 43 AD (Anno Domini). Now its population is more than 10 million. It lies on both sides of the river Thames. It is the largest and the oldest city in Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. Traditionally London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs.
The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. It is a very small part of London. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there. Few people live in the City but over one million come here to work every day. Two masterpieces – St.Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London – are situated there. St.Paul’s Cathedral designed by Sir Christopher Wren is the burial place of many famous men. Saint Paul’s is the cathedral of the City of London. Up to 3 million people visit it each year. The Tower of London, one of the oldest parts of the capital was built in 1078. The history of London is closely connected with the Tower. It was founded by William the Conqueror and served as a fortress, Palace and prison. It has many tragic associations. Now it is a museum. A group of ravens live at the Tower. The tradition goes that if they disappear the building will collapse.
Westminster is the historic, governmental part of London. On the left bank of the Thames is Westminster palace, famous as the Houses of Parliament. It is the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower with the hour-bell called ”Big Ben” is known the world over. Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Kipling and others.
The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, the largest department stores, clubs, restaurants and theatres are situated there. The best streets and parks of the capital are there too. Trafalgar Square is one of the nerve-centres of London. It was named like this to commemorate the historic victory won by the British fleet under the Command of Nelson in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson’s Column stands in the middle of the square. Not far from Trafalgar Square is the British Museum – the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc., and is famous for its library. Madame Tussaud’s, near Baker Street Station, is the world’s most famous wax museum.
The East End is the poorest district of London. It includes the port, docks and factories. The streets are narrow and the buildings are unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families. The narrow streets and poor houses are a striking contrast to the houses of the rich people of the West End. It is also one of those areas of London where people from abroad have come to find work. The East End markets are famous throughout the world. Traditionally someone born in the East End is known as a cockney although this name is not given to anyone who speaks like a Londoner.
(taken from Совершенствуй свой английский: грамматика, чтение, говорение, письмо: учеб.-метод. пособие : в 2 ч. / Н. Г. Оловникова [и др.]. – 2-е изд., доп. и испр. – Минск : Белорус. гос. пед. ун-т, 2009.–Ч.2.– с.127)
Exercise 1. Make up sentences using the following words:
1. Divided, London, is, traditionally, parts, several, into.
2. Heart, City, is, the, of, the, London.
3. Closely, Tower, the, with, history, London, of, is, connected, the.
4. Part, of, governmental, historic, Westminster, is, the, city, the.
5. Queens, have, here, crowned, been, all, English, nearly, kings, and.
6. Parks, are, capital, streets, best, the, and, there, the, of.
7. Circus, of, West, the, End, life, Piccadilly, centre, night, is, in, the.
8. Main, End, the, includes, East, all, areas, dock.
9. London, the, of, End, the, West, in, finest, parks, are.
10.Interesting, in, is, Park, sight, Hyde, Corner, Speaker’s, an.
Exercise 2. Answer the following questions to the text:
1) What is the largest and the oldest city in Britain?
2) What is the population of London?
3) Traditionally London is divided into several parts. Can you name them?
4) What do you know about the City?
5) Who was St.Paul’s Cathedral designed by?
6) Who founded the Tower of London?
7) What is historic, governmental part of London?
8) What is called ” Big Ben”?
9) What can you say about the West End?
10) Can you describe Trafalgar Square?
11) What is the biggest museum in London?
12) Where do the working people of London live?
Future Simple
https://www.native-english.ru/grammar/future-simple (правило)
https://www.native-english.ru/grammar/future-simple (упражнения)
