Topic LONDON
I. Listen, read, remember, write down the transcription of unknown words:
a) the Bank of England Английский банк
the Stock Exchange Лондонская фондовая биржа
the Old Bailey Центральный уголовный суд, находящийся в Олд-Бейли
St. Paul’s Cathedral собор св. Павла (главный собор англиканской церкви)
the Tower of London Лондонский Тауэр
Westminster Abbey Вестминстерское аббатство
Westminster Palace Вестминстерский дворец
(the House of Parliament) (здание английского парламента)
Big Ben «Биг Бен», «Большой Бен» (колокол часов-курантов на здании парламента,
бой которых передается ежедневно по радио как сигнал точного времени)
Buckingham Palace Букингемский дворец (главная королевская резиденция в Лондоне)
Trafalgar Square Трафальгарская площадь
Nelson’s Column колонна Нельсона (памятник адмиралу Нельсону)
the National Gallery Национальная галерея (крупнейшее в Великобритании собрание картин)
the National Portrait Gallery Национальная портретная галерея
the British Museum Британский музей (один из крупнейших в мире)
b) Sir Christopher Wren Кристофер Рен
Julius Caesаr Юлий Цезарь
William the Conqueror Вильгельм Завоеватель, Вильгельм I (первый король из норманнов в Англии)
Newton Ньютон
Darwin Дарвин
Chaucer Чосер
Dickens Диккенс
Tennyson Теннисон
Kipling Киплинг
с) commercial торговый
financial финансовый
numerous многочисленный
ancient древний
striking поразительный, замечательный
royal королевский
governmental правительственный
outstanding выдающийся
official официальный
wealthy богатый
splendid великолепный
priceless бесценный
narrow узкий
unimpressive невпечатляющий, невыразительный
d) population население
epoch эпоха
firm фирма
church церковь
fortress крепость
palace дворец
prison тюрьма
association ассоциация
statesman государственный деятель
scientist ученый
painter художник
tower башня
residence резиденция
wealth богатство
symbol символ
luxury роскошь
restaurant ресторан
column колонна
manuscript рукопись
coin монета
sculpture скульптура
workshop мастерская
dock док
e) to belong to принадлежать
to found основывать
to rebuild перестраивать
to crown короновать
to bury хоронить
to contain содержать
to populate населять
f) to be famous for быть знаменитым … , славиться
to be divided into делиться на
densely густо
in memory of в память о
II. Listen and read the text and then answer the questions after it:
LONDON
London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.
Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs.
The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St Paul's Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison. Now it is a museum.
Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London.
Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, etc.
Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as "Big Ben".
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen.
The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs, and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people.
Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson's victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson's Column stands in the middle of the square.
On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum – the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc, and is famous for its library.
The East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the buildings are unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families.
1. Is London the largest city in the world?
2. What's the population of London?
3. Traditionally London is divided into several parts. Can you name them?
4. What do you know about the City?
5. Who was St Paul's Cathedral built by?
6. Who founded the Tower of London? When was it rebuilt?
7. What is the historic, the governmental part of London?
8. What building has more historic associations than any other building in London?
9. What is Big Ben?
10. Can you describe Trafalgar Square?
11. Where do the working people of London live?
12. What are the most famous London museums and art galleries?