Places to visit
LISTENING
You will hear a conversation been two friends about a trip to London. Choose the correct option.
1.
Becky went to London yesterday
(a) morning
2.
She went to London by
(a) car
3.
(b) afternoon
(b) bus
.
(c) underground
(b) Indian food
.
(c) Italian food
Becky says the restaurant was
(a) full
5.
(c) evening
Becky and her friends ate
(a) Japanese food
4.
.
(b) expensive
.
(c) quiet
After the meal, Becky and her friends
(a) sat and talked
.
(b) went to the cinema
(c) walked by the water
READING
LONDON
As well as being the capital of England, London is the Capital of the
UK. In the eighteenth century, Samuel Johnson, a great man of
letters, said. “A man who is tired of London is tired of life.” This
sentence is still true. London is a great political centre, a great
commercial centre, a paradise for theatregoers and shoppers, but is
also a very quiet place with its parks and ancient buildings, and a
capital of culture with its museums and libraries.
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the Queen and the royal family. When the
Queen is at home, the Royal flag flies on top. The only places open to the public are the Queen’s Gallery
and the Royal Mews. Every day, at 11.30 a.m., at the gates of Buckingham Palace, you can see the
changing of the Guard.
Trafalgar Square was named after Horatio Nelson’s victory over Napoleon at Trafalgar in 1805.
Nelson’s column commemorates the victory. The statue on top is over 5m high and shows Nelson
without one arm and one eye. He lost them in battle.
Piccadilly Circus is the centre of London’s entertainment world. In this area there are many theatres,
cinemas, restaurants, discos and nightclubs. Its landmark is the statue of Eros which stands in the
middle of the square.
Houses of Parliament, the building stands on the north bank of the river Thames and is the place
where the House of Lords and the House of Commons meet the discuss and pass laws.
Big Ben is the Landmark of London. It is the nickname of the bell in the clock tower next to the Houses
of Parliament.
The Tower of London is the old Norman fortress built by William the Conqueror. It is guarded by
Beefeaters in traditional Tudor Uniforms and the Crown Jewels are on show here; They belong to the
state and are used by the Royal Family only on state occasions. Many people, such as Anne Boleyn,
mother of Queen Elizabeth I, were executed here. Eight ravens are kept at the Towers; a legend says
that the tower will fall if they leave.
Tower Bridge, on the river Thames, is a drawbridge which can be raised to let ships pass through.
10, Downing Street is the official residence of the Prime Minister.
A) After reading the text carefully, answer the following questions.
1. Where are the official residences of the Queen and the Prime Minister?
2. When can you see the Changing of the Guard?
3. What does Nelson’s column commemorate?
4. Where are the Crown Jewels exhibited?
5. According to the legend, why are the eight ravens of the Tower of London so important?
THE WONDERS OF PARIS
‘The city of lights’, ‘the city of romance’, ‘the
culinary capital of the world’, all these are just
names Paris, in France, is known by. Over
seven million people visit this city each year.
Paris is one of the most amazing places you
will ever visit. There are so many phenomenal
things to see and do you’ll never get bored.
The most prominent landmark in Paris would have to be the Eiffel Tower. More than seven million
people visit the Eiffel Tower each year. For a small fee you can ride the elevator to the top. The
view from the top is spectacular. If you want to do some exercise, you can take the stairs that
go from the ground to the second platform. Many people like to go to the Eiffel Tower at night
because it is all lit up.
The Arc De Triomphe and Versailles are some of Paris’s other famous landmarks. The Arc De
Triomphe honours all the soldiers who fought for France, particularly during Napoleon Bonaparte’s
reign. Under the Arch lies the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier, which honours all of France’s soldiers
who have never been identified. And then there is Versailles which is one of the most extravagant
buildings in the world. It is a humongous palace with over 700 rooms, 67 staircases, 2000
windows, and 1250 fireplaces. The whole property is 19,262 acres.
There are also famous museums in Paris. Some of the more well- known ones are the Louvre
and the Musee de L’Air et de L’espace. The Louvre was originally a royal palace but became a
museum in 1793. Outside the museum there is a substantial glass pyramid. Inside there are
heaps of exhibits including artefacts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo
Da Vinci is also displayed there.
In conclusion, visiting Paris, in France, truly is a memorable experience. Paris is one of the most
beautiful cities in the world you can possibly visit. There are so many phenomenal things to see
and do that you will never get bored.
A. Match the parts of the sentences according to the text. Some expressions are not
necessary.
1. There are amazing places
(a) a very luxurious palace.
2.
(b) an old castle.
The view from the top of
3. Versailles is
(c) the Eiffel Tower is fantastic.
4.
(d) a very famous museum.
The Louvre is
(e) to visit in Paris.
(f) where we can meet people.
B. Name the place where you can see:
1. the Mona Lisa, a painting by Leonardo Da Vinci –
2. the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier –
3. a breathtaking view of Paris –
4. many rooms, windows and fireplaces –
C. Label the following landmarks according to their descriptions in the text.
1.
3.
2.
4.