Tower bridge

Notes: Wharf (pl.wharves) – пристань, причал

Hinge – шарнир

The Pool of London – Пул (название участка р. Темзы ниже Лондонского моста, вверх по реке океанские суда не поднимаются)

Bascule – подъемное крыло или ферма моста

To ply – курсировать, совершать рейс (о корабле)

This bridge built in 1894, is still in daily use though the traffic in and out of the London wharves has increased to an extraordinary extent during the course of the 20^th century.

Even today Tower Bridge regulates a large part of the impressive traffic of the Port of London. Due to a special mechanism, the main traffic-way consisting of two parts fixed to two hinges at the ends can be lifted up. In this way, the entrance and departure of extremely large vessels is possible, and allows them to reach the Pool of London.

While the central stay measures 142 feet, each bascule to be raised weighs 1,000 tons. Nowadays the pedestrian path is closed. This footpath crossing which used to be allowed was by the upper bridge which connected the top of each tower, situated at a height of 142 feet above the waters of the famous Thames.

Tower Bridge commands wide and magnificent views of both the city and the river. After Tower Bridge, the wharves, of London extend until Tilbury. The gigantic port of this city, which has one of the heaviest movements of ocean-going traffic in the entire world, occupies practically the whole of the Thames from Teddington. It is virtually impossible to get a complete idea of its colossal extension. In fact it is one wharf after another, apparently continuing endlessly.

There is one way to form a closer idea of the grandiosity of this port: to view it from Tower Bridge on a clear day. To get the most accurate idea of its formidable extension and complexity, one can recommend taking one of the boats that during the summer months are organized to ply popular sightseeing trips along the Thames.

Exercise 2. Say into how many parts and what parts it can be divided.

Text 8

Exercise 1. Listen to the text “Parks and Gardens of London”.

These words will help you understand the text better:

Notes: A lawn – лужайка, газон

A flower-bed – цветочная клумба

A fountain - фонтан

An avenue - аллея

Scents of flowers and plants – ароматы цветов и растений

Ancient oaks – древние дубы

Glittering water – сверкающая вода

An open-air theatre – зеленый театр (на открытом воздухе)

Graceful – грациозный, изящный

Outdoor entertainments – развлечения на открытом воздухе

To drift away – перемещаться

Answer the questions:

1. Why do Londoners love their parks? Why are they proud of them?

2. What are the names of the parks mentioned in the text?

Exercise 2. Say what each park is famous for. Which park would you like to go to and why?

Text 9

Exercise 1. Read the text about the most famous sights of London and say which place you would like to visit and why. What do you know of this place?

Sights of london The Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are relatively modern. The whole building which is in the Gothic style was built in the middle of the last century instead of the ancient Houses of Parliament (destroyed by the fire in 1834). But the Westminster Hall at the far end of the building was not touched by the fire and it stands intact for centuries (built in 1097). The world’s known clock “Big Ben” which strikes the hours on the thirteen ton bell is housed in St. Stephen’s Tower. The clock bell is called Big Ben after Sir Benjamin Hall. He had the job to see that the bell was put up. Sir Benjamin was a big man. One day he said in the Parliament. “Shall we call the bell St. Stephen’s?” But someone said for a joke, “Why not call it Big Ben?” Now the bell is known all over the world by that name.