Vocabulary

merely ['mɪəlɪ] – только

Stock Exchange ['stɔkiks¸ʧeinʤ] – Лондонская фондовая биржа

in commemoration of [kəmemə'reiʃ(ə)n] – в память о ком-л, чем-л.

sightseer ['sait¸siə] – турист, осматривающий достопримечательности

bury - хоронить

‘double-decker’ bus – двухэтажный автобус (в Лондоне красный), букв. Двухпалубный

1. Answer the questions:

1) What is the capital of Great Britain?

2) Is London a big city?

3) What river does London stand on?

4) What parts is London divided into?

5) Why is the City called the business centre of London?

6) What is the West End famous for?

7) Why is the central square in London named Trafalgar Square?

2. Complete the text using the given words:

1) London is the ____ of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre.

2) It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in ____.

3) Its ____ is about 8 million.

4) London is situated on the river ____.

5) The city is very old. It has more than 20 ____ old history.

6) Traditionally it is ____ into several parts: the City, the West End and the East End.

7) ____ is the oldest part of London, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are concentrated here.

8) ____ is the richest and most beautiful part of London. The best hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs, parks and houses are situated there.

9) ____ is an industrial district of London. The old port area is now called "Docklands". There are now new office buildings in Docklands, and thousands of new flats and houses.

10) London has rather wide streets but low houses. It looks very grey because there is so much _____ and ____ there. Only ____ are red.

Thames	The West End	The City	buses	fog	centuries
Europe	The East End	capital	rain	population	divided

3. How well do you know...? Complete the sentences.

1. _________ and the Strait of Dover separate Great Britain

from the continent.

2. The UK lies on two islands; the largest of them is ________

and the smallest is ________.

3. The climate of the UK depends on which is

a warm oceanic current.

4. There are many rivers in the country. The most important river is the Thames. The longest river is .

5. The UK is a _______monarchy.

6. ________ is legally the head of the UK.

7. This is Downing Street. At No 10__________live. And have lived for the last two hundred years.

8. St. Paul's Cathedral is situated in ______.

9. The biggest bell in Britain is _________.

10. Lewis Carroll 's famous book is ______ .

4. Read the statements and mark each of them as True of False.

1. Welsh is an official language in Wales.

2. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.

3. The BBC stands for 'Best British Culture.'

4. A mile is longer than a kilometre.

5. Elizabeth II has two birthdays

6. Traditionally a double decker is a big sandwich.

7. Speakers' Corner is part of the British Parliament.

8. The London Underground is commonly called the Metro.

9. The President of Britain is elected every seven years.

10. Haggis is a traditional Scottish musical instrument.