Find Russian and English equivalents.
London Vocabulary
conurbation [ˌkɔnɜː'beɪʃ(ə)n] конурбация, большой город с пригородами, городская агломерация
commute [kə'mjuːt] - ездить на работу в город (о жителе пригорода)
fortification [ˌfɔːtɪfɪ'keɪʃ(ə)n] 1) (fortifications) укрепления
plague [pleɪg] - мор, эпидемия; чума
succumb [sə'kʌm] (succumb to) погибнуть, умереть (от чего-л.) ; стать жертвой (чего-л.)
to succumb to a disease — умереть из-за болезни
calamity [kə'læmətɪ] беда, бедствие, катастрофа
commercial and financial centre – торговый и финансовый центр
luxury ['lʌkʃ(ə)rɪ ] -богатство, пышность, роскошь
shipyard ['ʃɪpjɑːd] верфь
magnificently [mæg'nɪfɪs(ə)ntli] - великолепно, величественно; производящий впечатление, внушительно
royal residence – королевская резиденция
shrine [ʃraɪn] – святыня
confessor [kən'fesə] - духовник; исповедник
Unknown Warrior [,ʌn,nəun'wɔrɪə] - могила Неизвестного солдата
commemorate [kə'meməreɪt] - почтить чью-л. пам'ять
affection [ə'fekʃ(ə)n] - любовь, чувство близости, привязанность
masterpiece ['mɑːstəpiːs] - шедевр
tomb [tuːm] 1. 1) могила 2) а) надгробие; надгробный памятник б) мавзолей; гробница
pilgrimage ['pɪlgrɪmɪʤ] - 1) а) паломничество б) место паломничества 2) странствие, длительное путешествие
erect – сооружать, воздвигать
pedestal ['pedɪst(ə)l] 1. 1) а) пьедестал, подножие, подставка б) фундамент, основание, цоколь 2) основа, основание
bas-relief [ˌbɑːrɪ'liːf ], [ˌbæsrɪ'liːf] – барельеф
observatory [əb'zɜːvətrɪ] – обсерватория
arsenal ['ɑːs(ə)n(ə)l] - арсенал, цейхгауз, склад оружия
to be executed – быть казненным
Crown jewels драгоценности из королевской казны
armour ['ɑːmə] - доспехи, броня; латы
the Keep - главная башня, сокровищница
London
London is the capital of the United Kingdom, one of the largest and one of the world's most enjoyable cities. London is the largest conurbation in Europe. Nearly 8 million people live in London, and a further million commute every day to work in London. Their city is both the capital of Britain and a major economic centre. It is also one of the world's three great centers of international finance.
London is more than 20 centuries old. Its buildings express all the different areas of its history, for London manages in a unique way to reflect its past and at the same time to fulfill the functions of a modem city.
London was not built as a city in the same way as Paris or New York, it began life as a Roman fortification at a place where it was possible to cross the
River Thames. A wall was built around the town for defence, but during the long
period of peace which followed the Norman Conquest, people built outside the
walls. This building continued over the years, especially to die west of the City.
In 1665 there was a terrible plague in London, so many people left the city and
escaped to the villages in the surrounding countryside. About 69,000 people succumbed to the dread disease. In 1666 the Great Fire of London ended the
plague, but it also destroyed much of the city. A destructive fire spread over 340
acres, burning about 15,000 houses.
From these calamities the city recovered with marked rapidity. These days not many people live in the city centre, but London has spread further outwards into the country, including surrounding villages. Today the metropolis of Greater London covers some 700 square miles and the suburbs of London continue even beyond this area.
Sightseeing in London
London offers the visitors a great variety of places of interest. It's a city of dream to everybody interested in the English history and culture.
World famous places are the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London and so on and so forth.
The City, the oldest part of London, is the commercial and financial centre of the country. Westminster is the political heart of London. The West End is the richest and the most beautiful part of London, the symbol of wealth and luxury, where the most expensive hotels, restaurants, shops and clubs are situated. The East End is the industrial part. There are many factories, workshops and shipyards there.
The Houses of Parliament, a symbol of London, spread magnificently on the north bank of the Thames. This structure is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture. The Clock Tower called «Big Ben», is known the world over. Its hour bell is named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first Commissioner of Works. The Houses of Parliament, called officially the Palace of Westminster, were formally a palace for kings and queens. Until the 16th century it was used both as a royal residence and as a parliament house. After the royal family moved to Whitehall Palace, the Westminster Palace was occupied by the Parliament and became its permanent home.
Opposite the Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey is situated. It's a national shrine where the kings and queens are crowned and famous people are buried. It was founded by Edward the Confessor in 1050. The construction lasted 300 years. One of the greatest treasures of the Abbey is the oaken Coronation Chair made in 1300. Near the West Door of the Abbey the Unknown Warrior lies in a simple grave commemorating the men who died in the First World War. The memorials to G.G. Byron, R. Burns, W. Shakespeare, W.M. Thackeray, W.Scott attract tourists to the Poets' Corner.
Londoners have a particular affection for St Paul's Cathedral, the largest Protestant Church in England. It is an architectural masterpiece of the eminent architect Sir Christopher Wren. It stands on the site of the former Saxon and Norman churches destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The building was completed in 1710. Wren is buried under the roof of his own great work. «If you want to see his monument, look around», is written on his tomb.
Trafalgar Square is a place of pilgrimage for visitors. It's the natural centre of London. It is usually full of visitors feeding the pigeons and looking at the statues and fountains. In the middle of the square we can see Nelson's Column with the statue of Nelson at the top. This monument was erected to commemorate Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 where he defeated the French and Spanish fleets. The pedestal of the Column is decorated with bas-reliefs representing Nelson's most famous victories. Here in Trafalgar Square the National Gallery is situated. It contains an outstanding collection of paintings from British, Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch and other famous schools. The Tower of London is also a real attraction for tourists. It is one of the first and most impressive castles built after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. William the Conqueror built it to protect the City of London. The Tower has been used as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state prison where many famous people have been executed. It is now a museum where one can see the Crown Jewels, the finest precious stones of the nation and a fine collection of armour, exhibited in the Keep. The security of the Tower is ensured by «Beefeaters» or the Yeoman Warders who still wear their picturesque Tudor uniform. A lot of ancient traditions and customs are carefully kept in the Tower.
And it is true to the whole city. In every part of London you can find a very genuine affection for national traditions.
London (exercises)
Find Russian and English equivalents.
One of the world's most enjoyable cities, to fulfill the functions of a modem city, to be built for defence, to succumb to the dread disease, to recover with marked rapidity, the suburbs of London, a great variety of places of interest, the symbol of wealth and luxury, to spread magnificently, a national shrine, оne of the greatest treasures, architectural masterpiece, contains an outstanding collection of paintings, most impressive castles built after the Norman invasion, the finest precious stones of the nation, find a very genuine affection for national traditions, город мечты, ездить на работу каждый день, большой город с пригородами в Европе, разрушительный огонь, выдающийся пример готической архитектуры, использовался как королевский дворец, был занят Парламентом, просто могила в память умершим, привлекать туристов к «Уголку поэтов», место паломничества большинства туристов, большинство известных людей было казнено.
Finish the sentences.
1. London is situated on the banks of the river …
2. The oldest part of London is …
3. Its population is …
4. The aristocratic official part of London is …
5. The symbol of wealth and luxury is …
6. The industrial district is called …
7. … is a national shrine where the kings and queens are crowned and famous 8. people are buried.
9. Its buildings … all the different areas of its history, for London … in a unique way to … its past and at the same time to fulfill the functions of a modem city.
10. … is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture.
11. … s named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first Commissioner of Works.
12. After the royal family moved to …, the … was occupied by the … and became its permanent home.
13. One of the greatest treasures of the Abbey is … made in 1300.
14. … is a place of pilgrimage for visitors. It's the natural centre of London.
15. … is one of the first and most impressive castles built after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. … built it to protect the City of London. … has been used as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state prison.
16. Near the West Door of the Abbey the Unknown Warrior lies in a simple grave commemorating …