The Historic City of York

As well as being an example of living history, the city knows well how to show its history to visitors. The National Railway Museum’s collection of steam trains and Royal Carriages is world-famous. In the Castle Museum one can imagine oneself in a 19^th century world of Victorian streets, shops, farmhouses and homes. York Story, in Castlegate, is a lively museum showing how the city of York grew during 1900 years. In the newest museum, visitors travel in a special electric car (like a time machine) through an original Viking street with the sights, sounds and smells which a Viking in York would have experienced.

Most splendid of all, of course, is the magnificent Minster. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe and the most important church in the North of England. It is famous for its mediaeval stained glass windows, and the interior is full of colour and light. You can see the huge Minster for miles. You can climb to the top of the tower or take a trip into history below ground, where you can see the Roman remains.

(From: Get It Right by Jane Povey)

11. Find in the text English equivalents

Так же как; живая история; посетители; коллекция паровозов, работающих на пару; всемирно-известный; представить себе; век; на протяжении; как машина времени; собор в готическом стиле; цветное стекло; взбираться; совершить путешествие в историю; под землей; остатки.

12. a) And towns that are very popular with visitors to Britain. How many have you heard of? Do you know what part of Britain they are in? Look at the map.

Bath Edinburgh Oxford

Cambridge York Chester

Canterbury Norwich Stratford-upon-Avon

b) Can you name ten cities in Russia well worth seeing? Explain your choice.

13. Describe life in a big city. Use the models and the adjectives below:

1. Cities are too crowded.

2. The traffic here is quite busy.

3. The air in big cities isn’t fresh enough.

Adjectives: polluted, noisy, busy, built-up, dull, exciting, quiet, expensive.

14. a) Read the conversation about advantageous and disadvantageous of living in the city:

• I don’t like cities.

• Oh, I do. I think big cities are exciting. There’s always something to do.

• Yes, but cities are crowded and dirty.

• I agree. The suburbs are clean. And there are lots of trees and flowers.

• It’s quiet in the suburbs, and cities are too noisy.

b) Make your own conversations about living in a city, its pros and cons. Use the conversation above as a model. These phrases may help you:

Yes, but …

I can’t agree …

I disagree, I’m afraid…

I don’t think that’s right…

Nonsense!

You can’t mean that!

You can’t be serious!

True enough…

That’s quite right…

15. Note the difference in prepositions and articles used with the verb arrive. Translate the sentences below into English:

home

at a port/ airport

arrive at a station

in a country

in a big city

in harbor

on the scene

1. Когда прибывает самолет из Рима?

2. Поезд приходит на станцию ровно в семь. У нас ещё много времени.

3. Когда приезжаешь в большой город, хочется увидеть все его достопримечательности.

4. Корабль прибыл в порт невредимым, но опоздал из-за плохой погоды.

5. Они приехали в Клин ровно в восемь часов утра.

6. Поезд ещё прибыл на эту станцию.

16. Make up a story of one of your favourite Russian city according to the plan:

• Geography

• Famous people

• Sightseeing