Text 6 Westminster

Tourists in London always want to visit Westminster and see «Big Ben». They want to see the clock in its tower, and they want to hear the bells.

«Big Ben» is really a bell. You hear it every hour. It is the big bell with a deep voice, and it counts the hours. You hear its deep voice on the radio: «This is the BBC. The time is six o’clock». And you hear the deep BOOM of Big Ben six times.

The famous clock tower stands beside the Houses of Parliament. The country’s leaders speak in the Houses of Parliament. The men and women there are the voice of the British people. The people choose 650 men and women for the Houses of Commons. The second «House» is the House of Lords. The men and women in it are the dukes, earls, and lords of the great families, heads of the Church of England, head judges, and some modern «Life Peers», «Life Peeresses». These two «Houses» are the Parliament.

Westminster Bridge is a bridge across the River Thames in London. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament stand beside the River Thames. You can go on a boat from Westminster and see London from the river.

Answer these questions:

1. What do tourists in London always want to visit and see? 2. What is Big Ben? 3. Where does the famous clock tower stand? 4. How many men and women do the people choose for the Houses of Commons? 5. Who are the men and women in the House of Lords?

Text 7 Scotland

Scotland is a country in the north of Great Britain. It is a part of the United Kingdom. A lot of places in Scotland are natural paradise, still untouched by man.

The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, well known for its castle. Glasgow is the industrial capital of Scotland. It is the third largest city in Great Britain. The typical products of Scotland are timber, whisky, salmon. Golf is the Scottish natural sport and it seems to have originated in the country.

Scotland is also the land of myths and mysteries; every castle has its ghost.

Answer these questions:

1. Where is Scotland situated? 2. What is the capital of Scotland? 3. What are typical products of Scotland? 4. What are Scottish castles famous for?

Text 8 Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital, and one of the most beautiful cities in Britain. The heart of Edinburgh is the thousand-year-old castle, where the kings of Scotland lived for centuries.

From Edinburgh castle you can see for miles, north over the beautiful streets and squares to the «Firth», an arm of the sea that pushes inland. Far away are the mountains of Central Scotland, often covered with snow.

Edinburgh has a busy cultural life. Every year, in September, the International Festival takes place. Musicians, actors and singers come from all over the world and thousands of visitors fill the city. In the evening, the opera house, the theatres and the concert halls are full. In cafes and pubs, small groups sing, act and read poetry.

The castle is at its best in Festival time. Every night there is a magnificent military «Tattoo». Highland soldiers wearing «kilts» play the bagpipes, and march to the music.

Tartans, the patterns of the kilts, have an interesting history. Since the fifteenth century each Scottish family has worn its tartan as a kind of badge. It was a useful way of recognizing people, especially in times of war. Many tartans date only from the nineteenth century, but some of the old patterns still exist. «Dress» tartans, worn on special occasions, have light, bright colours. «Hunting» tartans are usually green, blue or brown.

Answer these questions:

1. What is the capital of Scotland? 2. Where did the kings of Scotland live for centuries? 3. Has Edinburgh a busy cultural life? 4. When does the International Festival take place? 5. What do you know about Edinburgh Festival? 6. What do highland soldiers do in Festival time? 7. Do tartans have an interesting history? What do know about it?