Unit 3 Topic: London Text 1. General information about London

London is the capital of Great Britain. It was founded on The Thames river not far from its mouth. It is the largest city in Europe and the oldest one in the world. It is more than two thousand years old.

London is one of the famous cities. It attracts crowds of visitors from home and abroad. They come to explore its historic buildings, to see its museums and galleries, streets and parks. London is the center of the nation’s commerce, finance and legal system. It has the biggest university, the greatest possibilities for entertainment and sport in this country. Today its population is more than 8 million people.

London can be divided into the following parts: the City, the West End and the East End. The City of London is the financial center. The Britain’s wealthiest banks, insurance and trading companies are here. This part of London is very small and only a few thousand people live here. It is full of life at daytime but at night it’s dead.

There is a great contrast between the West and the East End. The West End is the richest part of the town with its palaces, beautiful monuments of the past, picturesque parks, the best theatres and museums, the most expensive shops and restaurants and luxurious hotels. The East End is the district where the poor people live. Some of them are still live in slums. The part includes all the main docks and is heavily industrialized.

Words and phrases to remember:

to be founded – быть основанным

to attract – привлекать

to explore – исследовать

to include – включать

a wealthy bank – богатый

an insurance company – страховая компания

a trading company – торговая компания

a picturesque park – живописный парк

an expensive shop – дорогой магазин

a luxurious hotel – роскошный отель

Answer the questions:

1. What is the capital of Great Britain?

2. Where is it situated?

3. Why do the tourists come to London?

4. What are the main parts of London?

5. What is the City of London?

6. What is the richest part?

7. What is the poorest part?

Ex.1. Translate from Russian into English.

1. Московский университет был основан в 18 веке.

2. Лондон привлекает тысячи туристов каждый год.

3. Колумб хотел исследовать неизвестную землю.

4. Цена за комнату включает завтрак.

5. В западной части Лондона живут только состоятельные люди.

6. Когда я разбил свою машину, страховая компания заплатила за ремонт.

7. В Японии много торговых компаний.

8. Достопримечательности Лондона очень живописны.

9. Она любит ходить по роскошным магазинам и покупать дорогую

одежду.

Text 2. Parks of London

There are more than 80 parks in London and you may walk for hours from one to another. One of the biggest is Hyde Park. In the sixteenth century King Henry VIII hunted wild animals there. Today Hyde Park is the place for all sorts of national parades and mass meetings. In Speaker’s Corner you can listen to people giving their points of view on all kinds of subjects. Hyde Park is very popular with Londoners. They like to spend their free time there. In summer they enjoy bathing or boating at the Lido, an artificial lake running the whole length of the park.

Kensington Gardens is a favorite playground of children. Children and adults enjoy sailing model boats on the Round Pond here.

The Royal Botanic Gardens is probably the largest botanic garden in the world. Almost all the exotic plants and flowers can be found here. Richmond Park is famous for a herd of deer. In St. James’s Park one can admire a beautiful lake and pelicans. And the London Zoo can boast a fascinating collection of different animals, birds and reptiles.

Words and phrases to remember:

to give one’s point of view on smth. – высказывать свое мнение

to be famous for – быть знаменитым чем-либо

to admire – восхищаться

a fascinating collection – захватывающая коллекция

Answer the questions:

1. How many parks are there in London?

2. What is the biggest park?

3. What is it famous for?

4. How do the people like to spend their free time there?

5. What other parks would you like to visit? Why?

Ex. 2. Translate from Russian into English.

1. Гайд Парк знаменит озером Лидо. Это искусственное озеро, проходящее

по всей длине парка.

2. Я хочу выразить свою точку зрения по поводу этой идеи.

3. Мы восхищались красотой природы.

4. Она рассказала нам захватывающую историю о своей поездке.