Ex.4 Find the English equivalents to the following words.

1) большой порт; 2) торговый центр; 3) коммерческая и финансовая деятельность; 4) определенный вид деятельности; 5) королевский лес для охоты; 6) плыть в лодке; 7) театр под открытым небом; 8) прилив; 9) наводнение; 10) стихийное бедствие; 11) уменьшать; 12) дамба; 13) потрясающий; 14) двухэтажный автобус; 15) подземная железная дорога; 16) часы пик.

Ex.5 Guess what place is described here.

1 One of the world’s most famous museum, that houses a collection of objects from ancient civilizations as well as Britain’s 15-million-volume national reference library.

2 The official royal residence since 1837. Named in the honour of its first owner who lived there in the early 1700’s.

3 They serve as a meeting place for two legislative bodies of Great Britain. Constructed during the mid-1800’s instead of the old ones which burned in fire.

4 The centre of the Church of England in London. Its huge dome towers 365 feet (111 metres) above the ground.

5 William the Conqueror was first crowned king there. Since then all the country’s monarchs have been crowned there.

6 The huge Nelson Column towers 56 metres above the ground on this square.

7 This place is known for its Marble Arch and Speakers’ Corner.

8 It contains one of the world’s largest collections of trees and hothouse plants.

9 London’s oldest landmark built by Julius Caesar. It has served as a fortress, a palace and a prison. Today it’s a national monument and a museum of armour.

10 The centre for study and practice of law. It has four groups of courtyards just west of the City.

11 It presents modern masters of England and France. Its collection of French Impressionists is outstanding.

12 Bult in 1894, this bridge is still in daily use. It regulates a large part of the impressive traffic of the Port of London.

13 The headquarters of the Metropolitan Police in London.

Ex.6 Combine the dates and the events.

1 The first railway station was opened.

2 William Shakespeare began to present his plays at the Globe.

3 London’s subway system started.

4 The Great Plague – a terrible epidemic of bubonic plague – broke out in London.

5 London got the right to govern itself and the first mayor was elected.

6 The Palace of Westminster became the meeting place of Parliament.

7 A Clean Air Act was passed in London after 4000 people died of smog in a year.

8 The Great Fire of London broke out.

1215 1547 1599 1665 1666 1846 1863 1956

Ex.7 Choose the right variant.

1 Westminster is … ; a) the centre of commerce; b) a famous London park; c) place where Parliament meets.

2 Fleet Street is a place …: a) where the most famous shops in London are: b) where the centre of publishing industry is; c) where the London port is situated.

3 London Zoo is …: a) in Hyde Park; b) in Covent Garden: c) Regent’s Park.

4 Central London lies …: a) to the north of the Thames; b) to the south of the Thames; c) on the two banks of the Thames.

5 Downing Street 10 is a place where …: a) the Queen lives; b) the Prime-Minister lives; c) the Mayor lives.

Ex.8 Translate.

1. Маленькое кельтское поселение Лондиниум находилось в месте, где Темза была достаточно узкой, чтобы построить мост. 2. Лондон – это британский центр коммерческой и финансовой деятельности, юридической системы и прессы. 3. Туристы приезжают в Лондон посмотреть на его исторические здания, а также из-за возможности хорошо отдохнуть и провести время. 4. Резиденция Премьер-министра – это тихий, ничем не примечательный дом на маленькой боковой улице недалеко от Уайтхолла. 5. Лондон знаменит своими парками. Дети особенно любят парк “Кенсингтон Гарденз”, где находится статуя Питера Пена, а также “Регент Парк” с его зоопарком. 6. Темза уже стала причиной нескольких наводнений, поэтому чтобы избежать стихийных бедствий, в Лондоне была построена дамба.

Ex.9 Read the dialogues and say what factors should be borne in mind if you are visiting London. To what extent did the author's visit change his mind about the city?

Visiting London

- Here we are in England. I'm very glad the trip is over.

- You don't feel well, do you?

- I was a little air-sick. But I'm all right now.

- That's well. By the way, how long are you going to stay in London?

- Only three days. I can't have much time for my sightseeing. So I'd like to make a trip through the streets of London right now in order to get the general impres­sion of the city.

- Let me accompany you. I know the city well. And the weather is so brilliant.

- Oh, that's the first surprise of mine. We used to think that there are fogs or rains in London nearly every day of the year. But the weather is perfectly well today. A slight wind is blowing and the air is full of spring smells.

- We'll see more of the city from the top of the bus. We shall begin from the West End and see the principal historical buildings and monuments such as Westmin­ster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery.

- Now we are moving along Oxford street. You can see numerous shops, banks and restaurants on both sides of the street. The pavements are crowded with people. In the roadway there is a constant stream of cars, taxis, buses and lor­ries. It's dangerous to cross the road until the traffic is stopped.

- An unusual thing is that your drivers keep to the left.

- Oh, yes. It's very important. We have left-hand traffic here and if you are driving along the street first look to the right, and when you reach the middle of the road, look to your left.

- Your buses differ greatly from our buses. They are all red and double-decked. Are there trolleybuses and trams in London?

- Yes. In some parts of London we have trolleybuses and trams as well.

- Don't you find that it's too noisy in the streets?

- Oh, yes. The noise is deafening. It lasts till midnight. But the matter is that people get used to it very soon.

- Look at that building with many towers, please. Is that the Houses of Parlia­ment? I recognize it from the pictures.

- You are quite right. It's the Houses of Parliament, the place where the Gov­ernment sits. It's very beautiful there. And can you recognize Westminster Abbey?

- Oh, here it's, on the left. I know, the greatest English poets are buried there. I'd like to come to this place once again. And is this place Picca­dilly Circus?

- No, this is Trafalgar Square. There's a bus stop over there. We'll get off and see the National Gallery.

- OK and then we'll spend the rest of the day in some of the parks nearby.

- We are in Hyde Park, aren't we?

- You are quite right. It's the famous Hyde Park.

- It's splendid here! I'm delighted. Everything around is green and fresh. It's a good place to have a rest. The ducks are swimming in the pools. Children are playing in playgrounds. People in light spring clothes are walking not only along the paths but also across the grass.

- Yes, people are allowed to do everything on the grass. You can sing, or dance, or cry, or preach and nobody will make you a remark.

- I've heard a lot about the Speakers' Corner. It's a big open place where a man can stand on a chair, or on a platform, or on the ground and speak everything he likes. You can listen to him, ask questions or you may pass him by without any reaction.

- We are sure to see the place. It's worth seeing it.

- By the way, are there many such parks in London?

- Quite a lot. Except Hyde Park which is one of the best there is Green Park, Kensington Gardens, St. James Park and others. People call them "lungs of London".

- I've got sure it's a wonderful place to spend time in. But it's getting dark, and I dream of seeing the city at night.

- At night all the streets are lit by electricity, or in some districts by the brilliant shop-windows and the illuminated signs and advertisements, so that after dark everything looks as bright as in broad daylight.

- I see. The picture is breathtaking when you first see it. I thought I knew London in a way but it turned out to be a new world for me today. So many impressions!

- That's really more than enough for one day. I'm glad you liked it.

- Thank you ever so much. It was so kind of you to accompany me. Buy.

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