Great Britain 

 a) Read and say what makes London a unique city.

WHAT IS LONDON?

Speaking about London you should remember that it is unlike

any other city in the world. It has wide streets but low houses.

This city has never been planned and it has many parts which

are different from each other.

Modern London is really three cities: the City of London, a

commercial and trade1 centre, the City of Westminster (the West

End) that can be called the historical centre of London with lots of

historical places and famous parks, and the City of Southwark

(the East End), where workers live.

London stands on the deep river Thames, which runs into the

North Sea, so all kinds of ships can come into the port of London.

There is so much to see in London that even Londoners can

always fi nd new places of interest. They like to say, “When a man

is tired of London, he is tired of life.”

There are nearly 300 places of interest that are worth seeing

in London. They range from magnifi cent National Gallery to Old

1commercial and trade [k39mER:Sl 3nd treid] — комерційний і торговий

St Thomas’ Operating Theatre, and from ancient Charterhouse to

modern Canary Wharf. Among numerous museums, galleries,

churches, parks and gardens there are ten top tourist attractions.

Everyone who arrives to London for the fi rst time should start with

St Paul’s Cathedral, Hampton Court, Buckingham Palace

(Changing of the Guard), the British Museum, the National Gallery,

Madam Tussaud’s, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of

London and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The oldest part of London is Lud Hill, where the city originated.

About a mile west of it there is Westminster Palace, where the king

lived and the Parliament met, and there is also Westminster Abbey,

the coronation church. The British Museum is the largest and

richest museum in the world. It was founded in 1753 and contains

one of the world’s richest collections of antiquities. The Egyptian

Galleries contain human and animal mummies. Madam Tussaud’s

Museum is an exhibition of hundreds of life-size wax models of

famous people of yesterday and today. Here you can meet Marilyn Monroe, Elton John, Picasso, the Royal Family, the Beatles and many others.

b) Ask and answer in pairs.

1 Why do they say that London is unlike any other city in the world?

2 What is modern London?

3 Where can you go to see historical places?

4 What part of London is good for doing shopping?

5 Why can all kinds of ships come into the port of London?

6 What do Londoners say about their city?

7 What is the oldest part of London?

8 What is Westminster Palace?

9 What is the largest and the richest museum in the world?

What unique collections does it contain?

10 What can one see in Madam Tussaud’s Museum?

 

 a) Read the stories 

My friends like to go to Soho. It is a district in the centre of London. It is known for its nightclubs, casinos and restaurants. I enjoy every evening spent there. And, of course, I like Piccadilly Circus, known for its lovely night-life.

I am interested in history. And I am fond of going to museums. My favourite places in London are the Tower of London, the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, the British Museum and, of course, Madame Tussaud’s.

Sightseeing has become a hobby for many people. When tourists come to London, they visit Westminster Abbey first of all. That’s because a lot of famous people are buried there. Then, there is Buckingham Palace, the official home of the British Royal family. My favourite sight in London is St Paul’s Cathedral and, of course, I am fond of Hyde Park, St James’ Park and Regent’s Park. It’s so nice to walk there in any weather!

I am a student of the Academy of Music. It’s an important music college. I have a lot of friends who study in London. Some of my friends study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. We often meet in the library of the British Museum. We all love London very much.

I am fond of music, especially classical music. I am sure London is the right place for lovers of music. First of all, there is the Royal Opera House, which is called Covent Garden. I am a regular visitor of Albert Hall. Most of all I like the Promenades. It’s a specific concert where there are no seats. You are free to come and go when you want. The Proms, as we call them, are extremely popular.

 

Answer the questions.

1 Where can you see the British Prime Minister?

2 Which building has got the memorials of many famous men?

3 What palace is the living place for the British Queen?

4 Where would you go to see beautiful paintings?

5 Which square in London is round?

6 What palace has got the famous clock tower?