Part II introducing great britain section 1 edinburgh

1. Read and translate the text

Edinburgh is a capital of Scotland and one of Britain's most attractive cities.

It's a city for people who like to walk. You are never far from green parks, gardens and hills – even in the main shopping streets. It's a busy modern city, but history is everywhere. At the top of the highest hill in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle. Soldiers have marched through its gates for nearly a thousand years. It was the home of Scotland's royal family until the year 1603 when King James the Sixth of Scotland became king of England as well and went south to live in London.

There is a famous road called the Royal Mile. It begins at the castle and goes eastwards. Off the Royal Mile you can explore old narrow streets on foot. You'll find some interesting shops.

The kilt, the most important part of Scotland's national dress, is made from tartan cloth. To make a kilt takes eight metres of tartan cloth. Kilts are worn by men and women, but a man's kilt has a pocket made from leather and silver. It's worn in front and it's called a sporran. For a souvenir, how about a tartan hat? Or perhaps a useful tartan umbrella.

Bagpipes - the national instrument of Scotland. In workshops, craftsmen make the wooden pipes. The bag is made of leather and covered in tartan.

At the other end of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It was built by a Scottish king before Scotland and England were united to make Great Britain. Now Holyroodhouse is a second home for the British king or queen, who usually visits Edinburgh in summer. When the royal family is not there, you can visit the palace. You can see the staterooms and walk around the gardens and the ruins of the abbey, a much older building.

Behind Holyroodhouse is one of Edinburgh's nine hills. There you can see a long-dead volcano; it's called King Arthur's Seat. From the top you can look northwards to the great river, the Firth of Forth, and the road bridge which crosses it. The road bridge is modern, but the rail bridge is quite old. It has carried trains to the Highlands for more than a hundred years.

2. Answer these questions.

1 Who lived in Edinburgh Castle until 1603?

2 In which direction does the Royal Mile go?

3 What is a kilt made from?

4 How much material is needed to make one?

5 When does the Queen visit Edinburgh?

6 What can you see and do at the Palace of Holyroodhouse?

7 How many hills are there in Edinburgh?

8 Which river runs north of Edinburgh?

3. Choose the phrases on the right which complete the phrases on the left.

1 Edinburgh is a city...	by craftsmen in workshops.
2 Edinburgh is full of...	was built by a Scottish king.
3 Many of the buildings...	for people who like to walk.
4 Off the Royal Mile...	green parks, gardens and hills.
5 You can buy many tartan things	are made of grey stone.
6 Bagpipes are made...	you can walk through old, narrow streets.
7 The Palace of Holyroodhouse...	as a souvenir.