Comprehension Ex.1 Are the sentences true or false? Correct the false ones.

1. There are two rivers in Oxford.

2. The Radkliffe Camera is more interesting on the outside.

3. There are no modern buildings in the centre of Oxford.

4. The Ashmolean was the first museum in England.

5. Oxford has some good restaurants.

6. Young people have nothing to do in the evenings.

7. The countryside round Oxford is beautiful.

8. The White Horse is in Oxford.

Discussion

Ex.1 Answer the following questions.

1. Can you say that your home town is your favourite place in the world? Why?

2. What is the most exciting building in your home town? What's so interesting about it?

3. Is there any entertainment for the young in your home town?

4. What don't you like about your home town? Why?

5. Describe your ideal city. It can be a real place or you can imagine it.

– Where is it and what kind of city is it?

– What are the most interesting and unusual things about it.

– What can young people do during the day or in the evening?

– Why do you think it is a perfect place to visit or to live in?

What is it like living in London?

What is it like living in London? We asked a few young people who moved to London from other countries. Here are some answers.

I came to London in September 2001 to study. London is great! It's got everything a large city can offer: nice shopping places with cutting-edge fashion; a place where big movie stars often appear; handy and convenient eating places, all those beautiful and elegant architecture with classic flavor... But above all, I like the people there. Although they may appear reserved at first, they are always ready to help.

However, I don't feel safe in London. I would worry if I had to go out on my own and come back late! My friends have got mugged here...

Patricia, China

I moved to London a year ago. Before that I'd lived in the USA for four years. Coming originally from Poland I welcomed the more 'European' atmosphere of the city. My favourite thing about London is that museums (not all but most of them) are free, so you can just walk in to see one particular work of art without having to pay for expensive tickets.

What I most dislike about London (and at the same time miss most about New York City), is that the underground does not operate during the night. This means that when you are coming back late from a party, theatre or cinema, you have to take the bus, so it takes a long time to get home.

Natalya, Poland

I moved to London 10 years ago because I got a job at one of the London universities and I have been here ever since! I love this city because you have access to so many different cultures! I also enjoy the theatre, cinema, concerts, etc, not to mention restaurants with food from all over the world.

What don't I like about the city? Public transport. It is not reliable and it really needs to improve. Also, people move in and out of the city a lot, so you make new friends all the time but also 'lose' friends all the time as well!

Ines, Spain

I was born in Sri Lanka and lived for a while in Nigeria and many different parts of England before finally moving to London fourteen years ago. Although I have spent almost all my life as a foreigner, I feel more at home in London than in any other place. What I love about London is that it does not really belong to any nationality or group. It is a truly multicultural place.

In spite of the stress, the high cost of living and the overcrowded and inefficient public transport system, it still feels like the centre of the world, where life seems to be always happening.

Notes

cutting-edge	самый современный, новейший
handy	расположенный поблизости
reserved	сдержанный
get mugged	быть ограбленным на улице
to welcome	приветствовать, одобрять
access	доступ