Famous Attractions of Architectural Interest in London

ТЕМА: Famous Attractions of Architectural Interest in London.

Today we are going to read about sights of London. One of the magnificent places of interest in London is St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. Christopher Wren is a scientist and a famous architect of the 17-18 century. He was one of the three or four greatest Englishmen.

Learn new words and write down into your exercise-books.

Active Vocabulary

landmark – орієнтир, об’єкт місцевості, що впадає в очі

latter -  останній, другий ( з тих, про які згадувалось)

former -  перший (з двох), минулий

prominent - видатний

whisper - шепотіти

underneath – під

huge dome – величезний купол

affection – приязнь, любов

climb – підніматися ( по східцях)

crypt - склеп

are buried - поховані

Read and translate the following text.

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL IN LONDON

St. Paul's Cathedral stands on the site of former Saxon and Norman churches. The latter were destroyed in the Great Fire in 1666 and the present building completed in 1710, is the work of the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. Londoners have a particular affection for St. Paul's. The 110-meter high dome, containing a remarkable Whispering Gallery, is a prominent landmark towering above the many-storeyed buildings which lines the Thames bank.Christopher Wren was an architect who had built many buildings. In 1675, he started on his greatest work. For 35 years the building of St. Paul's Cathedral went on, and Wren was an old man before it was finished.From far away you can see the huge dome with a golden ball and cross on top. The inside of the cathedral is very beautiful. After looking around, you can climb 263 steps to the Whispering Gallery, which runs round the dome. It is called so because if someone whispers close to the wall on one side, a person with an ear close to the wall on the other side can hear what is said. Then, if you climb another 118 steps, you will be able to stand outside the dome and look over London.

But not only can you climb up, you can also go down underneath the cathedral, into the crypt. Here are buried many great man, including Sir Christopher Wren himself.

Fill in the gaps using the words and phrases:

Greatest, is, ear, 35 years, down, wall, inside, particular, former, stands on, from far away, latter

1. This building ________ on the site of ________ Saxon and Norman churches.

2. The _________ were destroyed in the Great Fire in 1666.

3. This building __________ a prominent landmark towering above the many-storeyed buildings which lines the Thames bank.

4. Londoners have a __________ affection for that building.

5. In 1675 this architect started on his __________ work.

6. The building of this landmark went on for __________ .

7. __________ you can see the huge dome.

8. The __________ of this building is very beautiful.

9. If someone whispers close to the ________ on one side, a person with an ________ close to the wall on the other side can hear what is said.

10. You can also go __________ underneath the building.

Arrange the words in the correct order:

1. prominent, It, landmark, the Thames bank, is, on, a.

2. can, After, you, gallery, climb, looking around, a.

3. go down, building, You, the, can, underneath.

4. great, Many, buried, here, are, men.

5. runs around, gallery, dome, The, the.

Match the words to their synonyms:

1. huge a) very old

2. remarkable b) enormous

3. destroy c) striking

4. ancient d) outstanding

5. famous e) ruin

6. memorable f) wonderful

7. beautiful g) unforgettable

8. impressive h) special

What else should one see visiting London? Complete the dialogue with the replies (a-e).

a) I’ll do that then. Thank you.

b) Then why not go to the National Gallery?

c) Well, I think it is.

d) I suppose it is. What about going to the Zoo?

e) Do you like Art Galleries?

DIALOGUE

A  - Is it possible to see anything in London in one or two days?

B - ………………….1

A - What do you think I should see first?

B  - Well, if you are interested in churches and historical places, you should go to Westminster Abbey, the House of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower.

……………………..2

A – I think I do.

B  - …………………..3

A - I am told one should see the British Museum. Do you think I shall have time for that?

B - Well, you might, but if I were you, I should leave that for some other day. You could spend a whole day there. It’s much too big to be seen in an hour or so.

A - …………………….4

B - That’s not a bad idea. You could spend a couple of hours there comfortably. You could have tea there too.

A - ……………………5