The house of parliament

The Houses of Parliament with its Big Ben, the chimes of which are heard throughout the world on the BBC World Service are situated in the West End. Big Ben, the voice of London, has been telling the time to the second since 1859. Construction of the 320 foot clock tower began in the year Queen Victoria came to the throne, 1837, as part of the reconstruction of the Houses of Parliament. The Great Bell cracked, was recast and cracked again, given us the famous resonating boom. Why Big Ben? There are two answers — either can be chosen. It could have been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, chief commissioner of works at that time. Or, perhaps, it was named by workmen — Benjamin Caunt — who brought the bell from White chapel Foundry on a cart pulled by 16 white horses. The Palace of Westminster — among the world’s most famous buildings — houses the British Parliament: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The first palace was built for Edward the Confessor, who came to the throne in 1042. Every British citizen has the traditional right to ask to see his or her Member of Parliament, and they meet in the highly decorative Central Lobby. When Parliament is sitting, it is possible to hear debates from the Strangers’ Galleries. Even the Queen is subject to restrictions. For the State Opening of Parliament she has to sit enthroned in the Lords — a custom which goes back to the era of Charles I. For relaxation, the Members of Parliament have reception rooms which lead onto the riverside terrace. In gardens across the road is the Jewel Tower. Among modern sculptures to have been placed in the vicinity is the statue of Sir Winston Churchill, with his larger-than-life size sculpture raised on a plinth.

VII. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. In what part of London the Houses of Parliament are situated ?

2. How many houses are in the British Parliament? Name them.

3. When Big Ben was constructed?

VIII. Выпишите из текста предложение, содержащее герундий. Переведите его.

КОНТРОЛЬНОЕ ЗАДАНИЕ № 3

Чтобы правильно выполнить задание 3, необходимо усвоить следующие разделы курса английского языка:

1. Грамматические функции и значения слов that, one, it.

2. Пассивный залог (the Passive Voice) видовременных форм Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect.

3. Функции глаголов to be, to have, to do.

4. Простые неличные формы глагола.

Вариант 1

I. Перепишите следующие предложения, определите в каждом из них видовременную форму и залог глагола-сказуемого. Переведите предложения.

1. New material is explained by the teacher at every lesson.

2. New material has been explained by the teacher for then minutes since 9 o’clock in the morning.

3. New material is being explained by the teacher now.

4. New material will have been explained by the teacher by the end of the 1^st lesson.

II. Перепишите предложения и переведите их, обращая внимание на разные значения слов it, that, one.

1. It is on this square that sports events took place last year.

2. I have no pen. I am going to buy one.

3. The rivers in England are not so long as those of Russia.

III. Перепишите предложения и переведите, обращая внимание на разные значения глаголов to be, to have, to do.

1. I have to go to the country today.

2. In winter the nights are longer than the days.

3. What book do you like best of all?

4. First of all I do my morning exercises.

IV. Перепишите и переведите предложения, обращая внимание на функцию инфинитива.

1. To see is to believe.

2. It was a difficult problem to solve.

3. To greet the teacher the students stand up when the teacher enters the classroom.

4. She is sure to be accepted to the University.

5. He wanted me to read this.

6. We are glad to have seen you.

V. Прочитайте, перепишите и письменно переведите текст.

ENGLISH WRITERS

English writers stand high in world literature. Shakespeare and Swift, Byron and Dickens, and many others are dear to all those who love literature. Have you heard of a boy who hasn't travelled with Gulliver or stayed on a small sea island with Robinson Crusoe? Both young and old enjoy books written by English authors.

In their works the reader is taught to love man, to struggle for all that is good and great, and to fight against all that is bad and low. We can say that the best works of English writers are and will always be a great school of life for their readers. Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers that ever put pen to paper. More than three centuries have passed since he was buried, but people in all lands still enjoy his plays. The same can be said about the works of Byron and Shelley, the two great poets of the English people. The loved freedom, and told their readers how people had fought for it.

Among the books we read and enjoy, there are many English novels. One of the first novels in English literature was written on the British Isles in 1719; it was Robinson Crusoe by Defoe. A few years later, Swift wrote his famous "Gulliver's Travels" and soon, by the middle of the century. Fielding had become one of the greatest English writers.

As you see, English literature is rich in great writers. Poems and novels by English writers are translated into Russian, French, German, Chinese and other languages. British authors have many friends among Russian readers.

VI. Ответьте письменно на вопросы:

1. What is the reader taught to do in the works of English writers?

2. How many centuries have passed since Shakespeare was buried?

3. When and by whom was "Robinson Crusoe" written?

Вариант 2

I. Перепишите предложения, определите в каждом из них видовременную форму и залог глагола-сказуемого, переведите предложения.

1. The letters are sent every day.

2. The letters have been sent before you came.

3. The letters were being sent at this time yesterday.

4. The articles will have been typed by 2 o’clock.

II. Перепишите предложения и переведите их, обращая внимание на разные значения слов it, that, one.

1. It is this book I looked for at all shops.