Тексты на английском языке с заданиями по страноведению

Тексты c заданиями для изучения достопримечательностей Лондона.

1.      London Eye

The London Eye is a giant observation wheel situated on the bank of the river Thames. It is 135 meters high. As the wheel turn it stops to allow tourists to see fantastic views over the city. It takes half an hour for the London Eye to complete one rotation.

Since opening in March 2000 the London Eye has become a symbol of modern Britain. The London Eye is visited by over 3,5 million people a year.

The wheel carries 32 sealed and air-conditioned egg-shaped passenger capsules. Each 10 tones capsule holds 25 people, who are free to walk around inside the capsule, though seating is provided

Questions: Where is the London Eye situated? Since what time has the London Eye become a symbol of modern Britain? How many tourists visit the London Eye a year? How many passengers does the wheel carry?

True or false: 1.The London Eye is situated on the bank of the river Volga 2. It is 135 meters high. 3. It takes two hours for the London Eye to complete one rotation. 4. The London Eye is opened in March 2000. 5. Each capsule holds 25 people,

2.      Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is the most famous bridge over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name. Sir John Wolfe Barry designed it.

The bridge consists of two towers which are tied together. The bridge was officially opened on 30 June 1894 by the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII), and his wife.

The bridge is 244 meters (800 feet) in length with two towers each 65 meters (213 feet) high.

Thousands of tourists visit Tower Bridge every year.

Questions: 1.      What is the most famous bridge in London? 2.      Why does it give its name? 3.      When was Tower Bridge officially opened? 4.      Who was Tower Bridge officially opened by? 5.      Who designed Tower Bridge?

True or false: 1.Tower Bridge is bridge over the River Irtysh. 2. The Tower of London gives it its name to bridge. 3. Sir Cristopher Wren designed it. 4.The bridge was officially opened on 30 June 1894. 5. The bridge is 250 meters in length.

3.      Tower of London. The White Tower.

The Tower of London is one of the most imposing and popular of London’s historical sites. Now it is a museum. It comprises 20 towers. The oldest is the White Tower, dates back to the 11^th century and the time of William the Conqueror. Nowadays a lot of tourists visit the Tower of London, because of the Tower’s evil reputation as a prison. The Tower has got Beefeaters, ravens, the Crown Jewels. The royal Crown has got three hundred jewels on it and the celebrated Indian diamond.

Many stories associated with British history come from the Tower in 1483 King Edward IV’s two sons were murdered in the so-called Bloody Tower. Over two centuries later the skeletons of two little boys were found buried beneath steps in the White Tower.

The ravens, huge black birds, are an official part of the Tower. Legend states that it the ravens were to leave the Tower the Crown will fall and Britain with it. Under the special care of the Raven Master, the ravens eat raw meat every day. And there is no danger of them flying away, because their wings are clipped.

Questions: 1.What is the most imposing and popular historical sites in London? 2.How many towers does the Tower of London comprise? 3.When was the Tower of London founded? 4.What is the Tower of London famous for?

True or false: 1.The Tower of London is a museum now. 2. It comprises 10 towers. 3. The oldest is the White Tower. 4. The Tower has got Beefeaters, ravens, the Crown Jewels. 5. The ravens, huge black birds, are an official part of the Tower

4.       Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is one of the major tourist attractions in London. It is the official residency of the British monarchy. At the moment British monarchy is led by Queen Elizabeth II. Each time the royal family is in the palace, a flag flies on the roof.

The palace was built in 1705 by the Duke of Buckingham. In 1761 King George III bought this palace for his wife. It became a private house of Queen Charlotte and was known as “The Queen’s House”. During the 19th century the house was enlarged and became the official royal residence. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to reside in the palace. She moved there in 1837 leaving Kensington Palace, where she grew up.

Buckingham Palace has nearly 600 rooms, including a throne room, a ballroom, a dining-room, picture gallery and even a swimming-pool. Some of its rooms can be visited in summertime, only when the Queen is not at home. One of the most interesting parts of the palace is the Queen’s Gallery, where works of art of the royal collection can be seen.

Royal garden and stables are also curious sights. Every year more than 50 000 invited guests are entertained at garden parties, receptions and banquets.

Many tourists come here to see the Queen Victoria Memorial which is set right in front of the Buckingham Palace. Every day at 11 am Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place. It is the time when colorfully dressed New Guard parades along the building and replace the existing Old Guard. The ceremony is accompanied by music and attracts a lot of viewers.

Questions: 1. What is the Buckingham Palace? 2.When does a flag flies on the roof? 3.When was the palace built? 4. How many rooms has Buckingham Palace? 5. What do many tourists come here to see?

True or false: 1. Buckingham Palace is the official residency of the British monarchy.  2. Each time the royal family isn’t in the palace, a flag flies on the roof. 3. The palace was built in 1710 by the Duke of Buckingham 4. Buckingham Palace has nearly 600 rooms 5. Every day at 10 am Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place.

5.      Big Ben

The famous clock Big Ben stands near the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is a big bell. The clock has four faces and five big bells. The biggest bell is known as Big Ben. The bell is named after Sir Benjamin Hall; the first commissioner of works when the Houses of Parliament were rebuilt in 1850. He was a tall man, whose nickname was Big Ben. So people know the clock as Big Ben. You hear it every hour. The bell weighs 13720 kilograms. It has a deep tone and you can hear it on the radio: “This is the BBC. The time is six o’clock.” And then you hear the deep boom of Big Ben of six times.

Big Ben looks most attractively at night when the clock faces are illuminated. You even know when parliament is in session, because a light shines above the clock face.

Questions: 1.      Where does Big Ben stand? 2.      Who was the bell named after? 3.      Do we hear it every hour ? 4.      How many does the bell weigh? 5.      Where can we a deep tone hear?

True or false: 1.Big Ben is a small bell. 2.The clock has four faces and five big bells. 3. The bell is named after Sir Benjamin Hall. 4. Big Ben was a small man. 5. The bell weighs 13000 kilograms.

6.      Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is the geographical center of London. It was so named to commemorate Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. In the middle of the square there is a very famous monument Nelson’s Column with the statue of Lord Horatio Nelson on the top. The Column is over 170 feet high. Its pedestal is decorated with bas-reliefs of famous naval battles. At the base of Nelson’s Column are four great lions.

Trafalgar Square has become famous as a point for all kinds of demonstrations, marches and political meetings.

Each year in December, the people of Norway send a gift of an enormous Christmas tree to Britain which is erected in Trafalgar Square. This is thanks for Britain’s part in liberation during the Second World War.

Questions: 1.Why was Trafalgar Square so named? 2.Where is Column of Nelson situated? 3.Name the high of it. 4.What are there at the base of Nelson’s Column? 5.What can you tell about Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square?

True or False: 1.Trafalgar Square is the geographical center of Madrid. 2. It was so named because of victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. 3. On the top of column there is the statue of Lord Horatio Nelson. 4. The Column is over 160 feet high. 5. At the base of Nelson’s Column are five great lions.