12. Read the following text and write down Russian equivalents for the words and expressions in bold type. Edinburgh

1. Edinburgh the capital of Scotland is the centre of Scottish culture, commerce, education, the site of the Scots national parliament. Its population is 448 900 inhabitants.

2. Located in southeastern Scotland, the original burgh, now known as Old Town, arose in the eleventh century, around Edinburgh Castle, the royal residence of Malcolm III MacDuncan. In 1329 Robert Bruce granted Edinburgh a town charter, it became the capital of Scottish Kingdom in 1437. The city was destroyed in 1544 in the border wars with England; its characteristic use of stone architecture began with this rebuilding. The 18th century saw a cultural and intellectual renaissance in Scotland. Edinburgh was home to such luminaries as David Hume, Adam Smith, Robert Burns and Walter Scott. It was the birthplace of the Encyclopedia Britannica (1768). The city expanded in the late 18th century with the development of Georgian-style New Town, separated from the Old Town by a valley.

3. Now, Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, full of historical monuments of great interest. It is home to the University of Edinburgh, which was founded in 1582, National Library, National Gallery, and Royal Scottish Museum.

4. The dominating feature of the city is the Castle, standing high on a steep rock. It is in the royal apartments of the Castle that the son of Mary Queen the Scots, the future King James I, was born. Every citizen in Edinburgh checks his watch by the One O’Clock Gun which is fired every day in Edinburgh Castle.

5. The Royal Palace of Hollyrood House is the official residence of the present queen of England, Elizabeth II. When she comes on a visit to Scotland, she stays in this palace.

6. The main shopping area is Prince Street and it is also the finest street in the capital. In the gardens on its south side stands the monument to Walter Scott, the famous writer of historical novels. Beyond the Scott monument, at the foot of the Castle, is the National Gallery of Scotland.

7. Edinburgh is also an important centre of cultural life. Every year, in late August and early September, it produces a festival of music and drama which is famous all over the world.

8. The Scottish capital has become the outstanding centre of tourism in Scotland. Its picturesque surface features led to its being called “The Athens of the North”.

9. Edinburgh is famous for rubber manufacturing and engineering and also for its biscuit industry.

Comprehension check

13. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the Edinburgh Castle famous for?

2. What places of interest can tourist visit in this city?

3. What branches of industry are developing in the capital of Scotland?

14. Match the following English words and expressions with their Russian equivalents:

1) the original burgh	a) духовное возрождение
2) inhabitant	b) приграничная война
3) dominating feature	c) житель
4) intellectual renaissance	d) подлинный город
5) a town charter	e) быть известным во всем мире
6) the border war	f) характерный признак
7) picturesque surface features	g) городская привилегия
8) to be famous all over the world	8) to be famous all over the world

15. Have another look at the text “Edinburgh” and pay attention to the historical dates and proper names. Tell what these dates and names mean in the history of Edinburgh .

16. Which parts of the text “Edinburgh” correspond to the following headings? Put them into logical order.

1. Edinburgh – the centre of cultural life.

2. The cultural and intellectual renaissance of the city.

3. The Edinburgh Castle.

17. Use the structural pattern built in task 16, add 1 – 3 sentences to illustrate each heading. Use the phrases given above (See Unit 1).

18. Read the following text and translate the sentences in bold type into Russian in writing