Here too is that touching symbol of a nation’s grief, the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Whitehall is the street of Britain’s Ministries. It runs between Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square. Branching off Whitehall is a small unimpressive street that no one would give a second look if not for the fact that the Prime Minister has his official residence there at number 10 Downing Street.

Trafalgar Square is so named in commemoration of Nelson’s great victory at Trafalgar. In the middle stands the famous Nelson Column surmounted by the statue of Nelson 170 feet high so as to allow him a view of the sea. The column stands in the geographical centre of the city. It is one of the best open air platforms for public meetings and demonstrations.

The City which is the centre of Britain’s banks and monopolies, occupies only a small part of the Metropolis. Over a million people enter the City in the daytime on business. At night it is practically deserted. In keeping with tradition no reigning monarch may enter the City without the permission of the Lord Mayor, whose functions are mainly ceremonial nowadays.

Londoners usually either take the tube or the double decker. At times it seems incredible that these huge double deckers should be able to maneuver through the narrow streets without running into one another or the pedestrians.

Only one quarter of the mileage of the Underground is actually underground. The rest is on the surface. To the stranger, and even to many Londoners, the tube network is most confusing. Even with a map it is difficult to navigate. Trains do not have any fixed schedule as they do in Moscow for instance. During rush hours big crowds gather.

London is a big cultural centre. There are many theatres, among them Covent Garden, Drury Lane, etc. But tickets are very expensive. Cinema seats are much cheaper. Although London is a city of monuments, history and tradition, its people are undoubtedly the most interesting feature.

Exercise 2. Find the English equivalents in the text.

Движение левостороннее; требуется время, чтобы привыкнуть; тронная речь в палате лордов; шествие, пришедшее из средних веков; место коронации и погребения британских монархов; всемирно известный «Уголок поэтов»; могила неизвестного солдата; маленькая невпечатляющая улица; официальная резиденция; в память о великой победе Нельсона; центр британских банков и монополий; днем; ночью; в соответствии с традицией; без разрешения Лорда Мэра; метро; двухэтажный автобус; протяженность метро в милях; трудно найти дорогу во время часов пик; самая интересная черта.

Exercise 3. What is it?

1. an inhabitant of Moscow

2. a place worth seeing

3. a person going sightseeing

4. public celebration in which there is a procession of people in costumes

5. place where the British monarchs are crowned

6. place where the British monarchs are buried

7. chief city of a country, capital

8. inhabitants of London

9. person walking in a street

10. net of tube routes

11. timetable for work

the tube network, schedule, a “must”, the crowning place, Metropolis, a sightseer, a Muscovite, Londoners, pageant, a pedestrian, the burial place

Exercise 4. Fill in the blanks with the prepositions where it is necessary.

1) As soon as the traveler leaves … the airport, he is surprised again.

2) You should remember that in London traffic keeps … the left.

3) Locking … … the Tower is the Ceremony that came … the Middle Ages.

4) London is famous … many places of interest.

5) Nelson Column is surmounted … the statue of Nelson 170 feet high.

6) Sometimes fogs in London are so awful that cars and buses run … one another or pedestrians.

7) London is a city … monuments, history and traditions.

Exercise 5. Transform into Passive Voice.

1. The Queen makes the Throne Speech in the House of Lords.

2. A squad of four escorts the Queen’s keys.

3. The warders lock up the Towers one after another.

4. People named Trafalgar Square in commemoration of Nelson’s great victory at Trafalgar.

5. The City occupies only a small part of the Metropolis.

6. Londoners usually take the tube or the double-decker.

Exercise 6. Complete the sentences according to the text.

1. There are two surprises for a traveler in London, they are …

2. There are many places of interest in London, such as …

3. Great Britain is a country of traditions, one of them is ….

4. Westminster Abbey has its world famed Poet’s Corner with memorials to …

5. 10 Downing street is ….

6. The underground in London is confusing, because …

Exercise 7. What new facts about London have you found in the text?

Exercise 8. Make up the detailed plan of the text.

Text 3

Exercise 1. Pronounce correctly the proper names

Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Bristol, Avon, Gascony, Spain, Portugal

Exercise 2. Read the text and do the exercises.

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