Text 2 London

London was not built as a city in the same way as Paris or New York. It began life as a Roman fortification at a place where it was possible to cross the River Thames. A wall was built around the town for defence, but during the long period of peace which followed the Norman Conquest, people built outside the walls. This building continued over the years, especially to the west of the city. In 1665 there was a terrible plague in London, so many people left the city and escaped to the villages in the surrounding countryside.

In 1666 the Great Fire of London ended the plague, but it also destroyed much of the city. Although people returned to live in the rebuilt city after the plague and the Great Fire, there were never again so many Londoners living in the city centre.

These days not many people live in the city centre, but London has spread further outwards into the country, including surrounding villages. Today the metropolis of Greater London covers some 610 square miles (1580 sq. km.) and the suburbs of London continue even beyond this area. Some people even commute over 100 miles (over 150 km.) every day to work in London, while living far away from the city in the country or in other towns.

The gradual growth of the city helps to explain the fact that London does not have just one centre, it has a number of centres, each with a distinct character: the financial and business centre called the City (spelt with a capital ‘C’), the shopping and entertainment centre in the West End, the government centre in Westminster. Places like Highgate and Hampstead have kept their village-like character - they have their own newspapers and the famous Hampstead Heath is a reminder of country origins.

Task 2. Answer the questions.

1. Why was a wall built around London?

2. What destroyed London in the 17^th century?

3. Do many people live in the city centre?

4. What parts does Greater London consist of?

Task 3. Match left and right.

1. Where is the Tower of London? 2. What are ravens? 3. How old is the Tower of London? 4. Why is the Tower of London so famous? 5. What are beef-eaters? 6. What are the Crowns Jewels? 7. How many jewels are there on Queen’s Crown? 8. Does the Queen live in the Tower of London?

a) There are 2,868 jewels on the crown. b) They are special guards. There are 40 Beefeaters in the Tower. They live in the Tower. They wear blue and red clothes every day but on special days they wear red and gold clothes. c) Ravens are big black birds. They eat meat. Every day they eat 150 grams of meat, eggs, and biscuits with blood. There are six ravens at the Tower. The Beefeaters give meat to the ravens every day. d) No, she lives in Buckingham Palace. e) It’s 900 years old. It’s very strong. The walls are 4 metres thick! It’s called ‘The Tower of London’ but there are 21 towers. f) The Tower of London is on the River Thames, near Tower Bridge. g) It’s got Beefeaters, ravens, the Crown Jewels and ghosts. h) They are the Queen’s special jewels. She wears them once a year.

Task 4. Read the text and tell your friends about everything they need to know about Scotland.