Вправа 7. Складіть розповідь про Велику Британію з використанням активних слів та виразів.

Lesson 20. London

20.1. Розмовна тема. Лондон

G Active Vocabulary:

observation – спостереження; proximity – близькість; medieval – середньовічний; landmark – архітектурна пам’ятка; renowned – відомий; wealth – багатство; celebrated – славетний; pageantry – урочиста церемонія; fascinating – чарівний.

London is one of the world’s greatest capital cities, with so much to see and do that Samuel Johnson’s observation that “When a man is tired of London he is tired of life” is just as true today as it was 200 years ago.

London was founded in AD 60 by Romans soon after they invaded Britain and was called Londinium. Remains of the wall Romans built around the city can still be seen today. Ever since its foundation nearly 2,000 years ago, London has been the capital of Britain and, because of its location on the Thames and its close proximity to the continent, it has been an important trading centre. Today it is still a great financial centre, attracting important businesses from all over the world.

London’s historic past can still be seen in its busy streets, from Roman walls, medieval churches and Tudor palaces to Georgian squares, Victorian railway stations and modern hi-tech office blocks. Landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament are high on every visitor’s list of places to see, but there is so much more to do.

London is renowned as a world-class cultural centre, with some of the finest museums and art galleries to be found anywhere in the world, including the British Museum and the National Gallery. Londoners and visitors alike enjoy all that the West End has to offer, with its many fine shops, restaurants and clubs, as well as the wealth of plays and musicals offered by its many celebrated theatres.

Another huge draw is the traditional and colourful pageantry London is so good at, including the Changing the Guard ceremony and the Lord Mayor’s Show, two of London’s best free shows. But London is also a modern, forward-looking city, and many major new landmarks, such as the London Eye (a 137 meter observation wheel) and the Tate Modern (an exhibition centre of modern arts housed in a converted 1960s power station) take the capital well and truly into the twenty-first century. It is this mix of the traditional and modern which makes London such a fascinating and exciting place to visit.

Дайте відповіді на запитання.

1. How old is London? 2. Who founded London? 3. On what river does London stand? 4. What are the main historical landmarks to see in London? 5. In what part of London are most shops situated? 6. What is the London Eye? 7. In what building is the Tate Modern housed?

20.2. Письмові завдання