Exercises

1. Read the text and arrange the following statements in correct order:

– the fall of the British Empire;

– the English kingdoms;

– the Romans times;

– England under Normans;

– the Britons.

2. Answer the questions on the text:

1. Where did the name “Britain” come from?

2. How long did the Romans stay in Britain?

3. Who made French the official language in Britain?

4. What British colonies do you know?

5. Why did the UK lose its colonies?

5. What country has got its independence from the UK recently?

Text 2. From the history of London

Read the text with a dictionary and answer the questions that follow it.

London is without doubt one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It has a long history. The birthplace of London is the old city. Here, on the banks of the Thames was a small settlement, called Lyndin that means a lonely port. To this place in the year 55 B.C. Julius Caesar came from Rome. Britain was conquered and for 400 remained a province. The Romans called the place Londinium and unclosed it in wall, parts of which still remain. There is a street called London Wall and there are a number of districts named after gates in the old wall – Old gate, Older gate … .

The Romans made it a large and rich city and built long and straight roads, beautiful palaces, shops and villas. Trade was growing.

In the 5^th century the Romans left Britain. The Saxons and Brides and Danes came to the British shores. They conquered the land and ruined the city. During nearly 400 years Londinium lay in ruins.

In the 8^th century and later Saxon kings began to rebuild the ruined city of Londinium. Soon 2 miles west from it another center, Westminster Abbey was founded.

In 1066 William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, came and made London the capital of Norman Britain, as the Normen were masters of Britain for 500. They brought with them Latin and French civilization.

Westminster Abbey was finished and William was the first king to be crowned there. Since then for nearly 1000 years, all English monarchs have been crowned there. Many of them are buried there too.

At that time the Tower was built on the Thames.

London has overcome two big catastrophes. In the year 1665 the Plague broke out and it carried of 1/5 of population. So many people left the city and escaped to the villages in the surrounding countryside. The second was the Great Fire of London. It was burning for 4 days. It’s also interesting to note that the Plague has gone with the fire. It also destroyed much of the city. These days not many people live in the city centre, but London has spread further towards into the country, including surrounding villages.

Answer the questions on the text:

1. What are the previous names of London?

2. Who occupied London?

3. What’s Westminster Abbey noted for?

4. What great catastrophes has London survived?

5. Who conquered London? What was their influence?