1. 21. London’s museums

Study the following advertisements with your friend and decide where to go.Read out the sentences which defined your choice.

a) London is a big city famous for many things, but peace and quiet isn't really one of them!

Jason's trip can change all that. For one and a half hours you can enjoy peace and tranquillity, just the gentle sound the engine powering a 1906 canal boat. It is a genuine piece of history and it travels a historic route too. It is an essential part of any visit to London. Jason's Trip starts on the Grand Union Canal in Blomfield Road, soon you'll be in Little Venice, one of London's prettiest areas. From there you will pass rows of brightly painted narrow boats before entering the Maida Hilt Tunnel. After the Tunnel you enter Regent's Park. Then comes the Zoo and you will get an excellent view of the Aviatory before turning past the new floating Chinese restaurant, unique in London, and passing the Pirates Castle. Finally you reach Camden Lock. We can offer you lunchtime meals and a choice of home made traditional afternoon teas.

b) THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY. It was founded in 1856 to collect the likeness of famous British men and women. Today the collection is the most comprehensive of its kind in the world, and constitutes a unique record of the men and the women who created (and are still creating) the history and culture of nation. The Gallery houses a primary collection of over nine thousand works, as well as an immense archive. The gallery continues to develop its role through its constantly changing displays, its programme of international exhibitions, and the annual portrait competition for young artists.

c) GUINNESS WORLD OF RECORDS EXHIBITION. Experience the Guiness World of Records, Europe's greatest three dimensional display of all that is superlative around the globe. The exhibition, imaginatively divided into six "worlds", brings the famous Guiness Book of Records vividly to life. Through the use of life size models, videos and the latest audio-technology, thousands of records come alive at the touch of a button. Now divided into six themed areas depicting The Human World, The Animal World, Planet Earth, Structures and Machines, Sports World and the World of Entertainment.

d) BARBICAN CENTRE. Welcome to the Barbican centre -"The City's gift to the nation". The range and quality of activity taking place under one roof cannot be matched anywhere else in the world: the Centre presents the best in music, theatre, cinema and the visual arts while offering superb facilities for conferences, seminars and business exhibitions.

Open 363 days each year, the Centre offers over 2000 events to 2 million visitors, with facilities including a concert hall, two theatres, two art galleries, two exhibition halls and three cinemas, as well as the public library, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, a conservatory, shops, bars and restaurants. The world famous resident London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Shakespeare Company provide the distinguished backbone of the arts programme. Standing half a mile from St Paul's Cathedral, the Guildhall and the Bank of England, the Barbican Centre is situated within the ancient City of London: a "barbican" is a fortified tower or gateway on city battlements, and the Centre is near the site of the City's Roman Wall.

Exercise

What place are these descriptions about?

1. ... continues to develop its role through its constantly changing displays.

2. ... standing half a mile from St Paul's Cathedral.

3. For one and a half hours you can enjoy peace and tranquillity.

4. ... is divided into six themed areas.

5. "The City's gift to the nation"

6. ... is near the site of the City's Roman Wall.

7. It is an essential part of any visit to London.

8. ...houses a primary collection of over nine thousand works, as well as an immense archive.