6. Practice

6.1. Compose the dialogue «What do you know about London?». Ask your friend:

Знает ли он какие-нибудь достопримечательности Лондона; интересуется ли он церквами и соборами; что он думает о музеях Лондона; в какой части Лондона он хотел бы жить.

Take into consideration phrases given below: What do you think of ...?, Do you happen to know ...?, Are you keen on ...?, I wonder ... .

The answers begin with: Well, I think ... , Well, no, not really ... , Well, yes and no. On the one hand ... On the other hand ... , To tell the truth ... .

6.2. Agree or disagree with these statements.

1) They have left-hand traffic in London. 2) It is not important to be polite in Britain. 3) Westminster is the financial and business centre of London. 4) The London Underground is called the «tube». 5) The buses in London are all red and double - decked. 6) People are not allowed to cross the grass in Hyde Park.

I (don’t) think that’s right. I’m afraid I can’t agree here. On the contrary, ... There’s no doubt about it. I doubt in. Quite so. All right

6.3. Develop the situation from one of the given sentences or make up a short dialogue:

1. You are in London at first time.

2. You tell about your native town to your English friend.

Grammar task

1. Revision

Revise the formation of The Present Perfect Tense, The Past Perfect Tense, The Future Perfect Tense (in an affirmative, negative and interrogative sentence), the numerals, the gerund.

2. Read the text; translate it in written form, paying attention to the verbs in the Perfect tense forms.

FROM THE HISTORY OF LONDON

In the year 55 before our era a Roman legion headed by Julius Cesar crossed the English Channel that divides the British Isles from the continent of Europe. Having landed in Britain the Romans founded a military station on the northern bank of the river Thames. Being skilled in the art of building they started fortifying their settlements with thick massive walls and laying roads across the country leading to the sea coast. After staying in Britain for two centuries the Romans returned to the continent having left behind excellent roads and strong fortifications. One of Roman settlements was called Londinium Augusta. Four centuries later, according to some historians, the capital of Britain was founded in its locality, part of the Roman wall still lying deep under the ground beneath modern London.

No other ancient monuments of Roman times have remained in the city. The earliest historical monument of English architecture is the so called Tower of London which has retained its name up to the present day. Being erected on the ruins of a Roman fortress, it consists of parts belonging to different periods of English history, its central and most ancient part being the huge square tower four storeys high. It was called the White Tower, deriving its name from the white stone it was built of. The White Tower was surrounded with a double row of walls with smaller towers forming the inner and outer court with the scaffold in the back of it.