Text a London

London is the capital of Great Britain. It lies on the banks of the Thames river. The population of the city is over seven million. London is the biggest industrial and cultural center of the United Kingdom.

London consists of three main parts: the City, the West End and the East End. The City is the most important commercial and financial centre of the country: there are banks and offices of the firms from all over the world and over a million so-called white collars work there.

The West End is the district where most of the theatres, bars, restaurants and hotels are situated. Only rich people live in this district.

In the East End there are most of the factories and docks. Many buildings are very old, streets are dirty. The East End is the district where poor citizens of London live.

There are very many old buildings in London downtown. One of the oldest is the Tower, built in the eleventh century by William the Conqueror. Over the centuries the Tower served as a fortress, a residence of British kings and even a prison. Another famous building is Saint Paul`s Cathedral a masterpiece of architecture. Westminster Abbey is the place where nearly all kings and queens have been crowned. It is also a burial place where there are the graves of many outstanding writers and poets, such as Dickens, Chauser and other.

The House of Parliament is the site of highest legislative body.

London is famous for its parks, museums, art galleries, theatres, libraries. Most well-known of them are Hyde Park, British Museum, National Gallery and others.

London is also a modern city. A lot of skyscrapers have been built there.

No doubt, London is a city worth to see.

Vocabulary

Downtown - центр города

fortress - крепость

prison - тюрьма

masterpiece - шедевр

be crowned - короноваться

burial place - кладбище

site - место расположения

legislative body - законодательный орган

white-collars - белые воротнички, банковские служащие

scyscraper - небоскреб

no doubt - без сомнения

be worth - стоит, имеет значение

Questions

1. Where is London situated?

2. What parts does London consist of?

3. What is London famous for?

4. What is the most important commercial and financial centre of the country?

5. Why is London a modern city?

Exercise 1. Are these statements true or false?

1. There are very many old buildings in London downtown.

2. London consists of five main parts.

3. In the West End there are most of the factories and docks.

4. London lies on the banks of the Potomac River.

5. Westminster Abbey is the place where nearly all Kings and queens have been crowned.

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences from the text.

1. The City is the most…

2. One of the oldest…

3. The population of the city…

4. The House of Parliament…

5. Over the centuries…

6. It lies on the…

7. Most well-known of them…

Exercise 3. Make up your own questions.

1. Only rich people live in the West End.

2. London is the largest city of the United Kingdom.

3. Hyde Park is famous all over the world.

4. A lot of skyscrapers have been built in London.

5. One of the oldest buildings in London is the Tower.

Exercise 4. Translate into Russian.

1. London has the most international visitors of any city in the world.

2. The Greater London Urban Area is the second largest in the European Union with a population of 8,278,251.

3. London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who called it Londinium.

4. London`s ancient core, the City of London, Largely retains its square-mile mediaeval boundaries.

5. London is a leading global city with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence.

Exercise 5. Translate into English.

1. В центре Трафальгарской площади находится памятник Нельсону.

2. Лондон играет важную роль в развитии промышленности Великобритании.

3. Гайд парк известен уголком поэта.

4. Трафальгарская площадь является одним из туристических центров Лондона.

5. Много домов 18 века вы можете увидеть на знаменитой Даунинг улице.

6. Официальная резиденция британского Премьер Министра находится на Даунинг улице №10.