Vocabulary:

to count — насчитывать

huge-большой, гигантский, громадный,

bank — берег (реки)

mouth — устье

due to — благодаря; вследствие; в результате

favorable — благоприятный

conquest — завоевание (процесс покорения на народов, земель и т. д.)

trade — торговля

downtown — деловой район, деловая часть города, бизнес-центр

pavement — мостовая, тротуар

well-to-do people — преуспевающие, обеспеченные люди

district — район; округ; область

to be buried — быть похороненным, захороненным, погребенным

to strike — ударять, бить (о часах)

quarter — четверть, пятнадцать минут eastwards — на восток, в восточном направлении

crowded — переполненный, перенаселенный, наполненный

the Tube — «труба» (Лондонское метро)

QUESTIONS:

1. Is London a young city?

2. Where is London situated?

3. How many bridges cross the river Thames?

4. What was that favorable feature which made London to be an important trade centre soon after the Roman conquest?

5. What is the oldest part of London?

6. What is situated in the West End?

7. Can poor people afford to live in the West End?

8. Where are most of Government buildings situated?

9. Where is the largest clock in the country located?

10. How often does Big Ben strike?

11. When did the clock « Big Ben » come into service?

12. What is the official London residence of the Queen?

13. What square is in the centre of the West End situated?

14. When was the British Museum founded?

15. How is the area where most working people live called?

16. How is London underground called?

Translate into english:

1. Лондон является старым городом, его история насчитывает более двух тысяч лет.

2. Из-за благоприятного географического положения, вскоре после завоевания римлянами, маленький город стал важным торговым центром.

3. Лондонский Сити является финансовым центром Великобритании.

4. Вест-Энд полон богатыми гостиницами, большими супермаркетами, лучшими.

5. Другой важный район Лондона – Вестминстер, где расположено большинство правительственных зданий.

6. Метрополитен, построенный в Лондоне, был первым метрополитеном в мире.

Higher education in great britain

The academic year in Britain's universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education is divided into three terms, which usually run from the beginning of October to the middle of December, from the middle of January to the end of March, and from the middle of April to the end of June or the beginning of July.

There are 46 universities in Britain. The oldest and best-known universities are located in Oxford, Cambridge, London, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Southampton, Cardiff, Bristol, and Birmingham.

Good A-level results in at least two subjects are necessary to get a place at a university. Universities choose their students after interviews. For all British citizens a place at a university brings with it a grand from their local education authority.

English universities greatly differ from each other. They differ in size, history, tradition, general organization, methods of instruction, way of student life.

After three years of study a university graduate will leave with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, etc. Later he may continue to take a Master's Degree and then a Doctor's Degree. Research is an important feature of university work.

The two intellectual eyes of Britain - Oxford and Cambridge Universities-date from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

In the nineteenth and the early part of the twentieth centuries the so-called Redbrick universities were founded. These include London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Birmingham. During the late sixties and early seventies some 20 «new» universities were set up.

During these years the Government set up thirty Polytechnics. The Polytechnics, like the universities, offer first and higher degrees. Some of them offer full-time and sandwich courses.

Some of those who decide to leave school at the age of 16 may go to a further education college where they can follow a course in typing, engineering, town planning, cooking, or hairdressing, full-time or part-time.

There is an interesting form of studies which is called the Open University. It is interesting for people who study in their own free time and who «attend» lectures by watching television and listening to the radio. They keep to touch by phone and letter with their tutors and attend summer schools. The Open University students have no formal qualifications and would be unable to enter ordinary university.

VOCABULARY

interview — собеседование

grant — стипендия

Bachelor of Arts — бакалавр искусств

Master's Degree — ученая степень магистра

Doctor's Degree — ученая степень доктора

QUESTIONS

1. How many terms are there in Britain's academic year?

2. What are the oldest Universities in Britain?

3. How do Universities choose students?

4. What will a graduate receive after three years of study?

5. What does the Open University mean?