3 Translate the text in writing. Be ready to retell it

Paris

If Paris is undeniably the center of French civilization, it is also in many ways the center of the Continent. Perhaps more than any other city, its history has been Europe’s history; the culture it has dictated, Europe’s culture and thanks to the long arm of Occidental influence world culture.

The Gallo-Roman burg of Lutetia Parisorum sprang into existence in 52 BC, on a site blessed by the fertile confluence of Seine and Marne and surrounded by hills facilitating its defense. By the year 360 it had changed its name to Paris and become influent enough to host the crowning of Julian as Emperor.

In the 12th century Paris already belonged to France and Europe as much as to its own burghers.

As commerce, craft, and consequently, construction boomed, Notre-Dame established the city as a leader in Gothic architecture. Paris became an international center for students, monks and teachers, resulting in the founding of the University of Paris in 1215 and of the Sorbonne in 1257.

Paris was now established as the cultural center of Europe, until the Hundred Year’s War in which Joan of Arc offered thanks to Saint-Denis at his basilica – froze its expansion.

The intense construction (e.g., Saint Eustache and Louvre additions) and refined civilization of the Renaissance, under Francis I, broke this stasis. The 16^th century was also a time of religious violence and political turmoil, exemplified by Catherine de Medici’s massacre of Protestants (primarily in Paris, on Saint Bartholomew’s Day, 1572), Henry III’s flight from Paris, and Henry IV’s return and proclamation that «Paris deserves a Mass».

The Bloody Revolution put an end to the privileges of the kings of France, beginning in 1789 with the sack of the Bastille, and Modern Europe was born.

Napoleon came, and centralized France and his empire around the capital, enriching Paris with the spoils of war. But it was his nephew Napoleon III, with his prefect and city planner, Baron Haussmann, who shaped modern Paris more than anyone else.

Revolution, riots and frequent changes of government continued to rock Paris throughout the 19^th century, but didn’t prevent the city from renewing its place as cultural center of Europe.

The city was also a center for technology and sports: by the turn of the century, Mr. Eiffel’s Tower (1887–89) shocked the world at the Fair, and Paris opened its Metro (1899) and hosted the Olympic Games (1900).

Today Paris remains uniquely central to Europe and the world.

4 Make up 10 questions to the text in writing.

5 Complete the sentences using the text

1. If Paris is undeniably the center of French civilization ….. .

2. By the year 360 it had changed its name to Paris and …. .

3. As commerce, craft, and consequently, construction boomed, Paris became an ….

4. The University of Paris was founded … and the Sorbonne …. .

5. The 16^th century was …. .

6. …. put an end to the privileges of the kings of France.

7. Napoleon came …. .

8. ….. continued to rock Paris throughout the 19^th century.

9. The city was also a center for …. .

10. Today Paris ….. .