Read the text about the parts of London. Complete the table below.

Make up your own sentences using the words from ex.2.

Read the text and answer the questions to the text.

LONDON-THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

UNIT 3

London

London is the capital of Great Britain. The full name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. London is an ancient city. It grew up around the first point where the Roman invaders found the Thames narrow enough to build a bridge. They found a small Celtic settlement then known as Londinium and by A.D. 300 (к 300 г.н.э.) they had turned it into a sizeable port and an important trading center.

Over 8 million people live in London. It is the home of the nation’s commerce and finance, the main center of its legal system and the press. It has the largest university and the greatest possibilities for entertainment and for sport in the country. London is one of the most famous capital cities of the world, and every year it attracts crowds of visitors from home and abroad. They come to explore its historic buildings, to see its museums and galleries, its streets and parks, and its people.

London is a city of great contrasts. The heart of London is the City, its commercial and business centre. Here is situated the Tower of London that comes first among the historic buildings of the city. St. Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches, is situated not far from the Tower. Not far away is Westminster. Many English sovereigns, outstanding statesmen, painters and poets are buried here. Walking around London you can also see and admire Westminster Palace, Trafalgar Square, the British museum and many other places of the city.

1. What is London?

2. When was London founded?

3. Who turned London into a sizeable port and an important trading center?

4. Why is London one of the most famous capital cities of the world?

5. What is the heart of London?

6. Where is the Tower of London situated?

7. Where are outstanding statesmen, sovereigns, painters and poets buried?

2. Translate the words from the text:

1. древний; 2. завоеватели; 3. поселение; 4. узкий; 5. большой порт; 6. юридический; 7. развлечение, отдых; 8. привлекать; 9. исследовать; 10. восхищаться.

London consists of four parts: the financial and business part is called the City; the government center is in Westminster; the shopping and entertainment center is the West End; the industrial center is the East End.

The City

The City of London is one of the major banking centers of the world and you can find banks of many nations in the famous Threadneedle Street. Here you can find the Bank of England and the Sock Exchange. The center of the country’s judicial system is in the western part of the city.

Fleet Street is famous as the home of the nation’s newspapers but, in fact, only two of them - the Daily Express and the Daily Telegraph – are still in Fleet Street.

There are some historic buildings in the City. St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London are the most famous of them. St. Paul’s Cathedral is the work of the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. It is one of the finest pieces of architecture in Europe. The interior of the Cathedral is very beautiful. It is full of monuments.

The Tower of London is one of the most ancient buildings of London. It was founded in the 11^th century by William the Conqueror. For many centuries the Tower was a fortress, a palace, a prison and the royal treasury. Now it is a museum.

The grey stones of the Tower could tell terrible stories of violence and unjustice. Two queens were executed here, and two princes murdered. The ravens still live here as part of its history. There is a legend that if the ravens disappear the Tower will fall. That is why the birds are carefully guarded.

Westminster

Westminster is a political part of London. Parliament is in Westminster.

Opposite the House of Parliament stands Westminster Abbey. From Norman times British monarchs have been crowned there and since the 13^th century they have been buried there. Many other famous people are also buried in Westminster Abbey including statesmen, musicians and writers. In Poet’s Corner can be found status and the tombs of poets such as T. S. Eliot.

The West End

The West End is the name given to the area of central London. It includes Trafalgar Square, the main shopping areas of Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, and the entertainment centers of Soho, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue. Its name is associated with glamour and bright lights.

Trafalgar Square was built early in the last century to commemorate (праздновать, отмечать, служить напоминанием) the Battle of Trafalgar. Admiral Lord Nelson’s statue stands on top of a column in the middle of Trafalgar Square. The square makes a good place for people to meet.

Most of London’s big department stores are in Oxford Street and Regent Street.

Piccadilly Circus is the centre of night life in the West End. It is usually top of everyone’s list of things to see in London, because it is so well known.

London is famous for its live theatre, and there are over thirty theatres within a square mile.

The East End

It covers a wide area. There are kilometers and kilometers of docks, and the great industrial areas that depend on shipping. Down by the river, there are many wharfs (пристань, причал) and warehouses (товарный склад). The East End is unattractive in appearance, but very important to the country’s commerce.

It is also one of those areas of London where people from abroad have come to find work. For centuries foreigners have made London their home.

The East End markets are famous throughout the world. Petticoat Lane market takes place every Sunday morning and has become one of sights of London.