London, Capital of Great Britain
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.
London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End, and the East End.
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 the 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 governmental part of London.
Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned in Westminster Abbey. 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, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big 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.
The 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 the Trafalgar Square is 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 also famous for its library.
There are a lot of factories, workshops, and docks in the East End.
Questions:
1. Is London the largest city in the world?
2. What's the population of London?
3. Traditionally London is divided into four parts. Can you name them?
4. What do you know about the City?
5. Who was the St. Paul's Cathedral built by?
6. Who founded the Tower of London? When was it rebuilt?
7. What is 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 the Trafalgar Square?
11. Where do the working people of London live?
12. What are the most famous London museums and art galleries?
Vocabulary:
numerous — многочисленный
ancient — древний, старинный
striking — поразительный, замечательный
to found — основывать
fortress — крепость
royal — королевский
to crown — короновать
outstanding — выдающийся
statesman — государственныйдеятель
to bury — хоронить
tower — башня
official residence — официальнаярезиденция
wealth — богатство
luxury — роскошь
in memory of— впамятьо
to contain — содержать
priceless — бесценный
WRITING
Make a comparison of two countries: Canada and Kazakhstan.
Use the following questions as prompts.
1. Where are the countries situated?
2. What is the size of the area of each country?
3. What can you say about the population?
4. What are the capitals of the countries?
5. What is the official language?
6. What can you say about the industry in each country?
7. What problems does the country suffer?
Module 1 Unit 11 TRAVELLING. TRANSPORT AND SIGHTSEEING.
GRAMMAR
Future forms in English
Here are some ways you can talk about your future plans and intentions in English. These are activities that you know will happen, because you planned them and decided to do them.
Be going to + verb
Use this to talk about activities you planned before.
Remember to change "be" to the correct form for the subject:
I am going toplay tennis tomorrow.
You are going to see your cousin next week.
He / She is going to get married in September.
We are going tohave a party this weekend.
They are going to save up for a new car.
Question form
As with all verbs that use the verb "to be", change the subject and the form of the verb to make questions:
Am I going to…?
Are you going to…?
Is he / she going to…?
Are we going to…?
Are they going to…?
Short replies
Yes I am / No I'm not
Yes you are / No you aren't (or No you're not)
Yes he is / No he isn't
Yes we are / No we aren't (or No we're not)
Yes they are / No they aren't (or No they're not)
Negative form
I am not going to leave my job.
You aren't going to visit your cousin this week.
He / She isn't going to get married.
We aren't going to move house.
They aren't going tostudy at university.
Present Continuous
We use the Present Continuous to talk about planned appointments and activities. These are the types of activities that you write in your diary, for example. We often give a time reference.
Very often, "be going to" and the Present Continuous can be used in the same situations.
I'm visiting our new office in London this afternoon. (I'm gong to visit our new office…)
You're meeting the boss tomorrow. (You're going to meet the boss…)
He / She is working from home next week. (He is going to work from home…)
We're taking the train to Scotland. (We are going to take the train…)
They're leaving later today. (They are going to leave…)
See our grammar page on the Present Continuous to find out more.
Be planning to / Be thinking of
You can use the verbs "plan" and "think" in the present continuous is to talk about activities that aren't 100% definite.
I'm planning to study abroad next year.
We're thinking of getting a dog.
Remember: "be planning to" is followed by the verb; "be thinking of" is followed by a gerund (ing form).
Review of "will"
We can use "will" to talk about the future and make predictions.
For example:
"We won't have enough money to buy a new house this year."
"I think he'll get a promotion next month."
We can also use "will" to talk about decisions that we make at the time of speaking (NOT decisions that we plan before):
"I'll help you with your bags." (at the moment you see someone with a heavy bag)
It is wrong to say "I'm going to help you with your bags" or "I'm helping you with your bags" in this situation.
Exercise 1