Questions. 1. Why is the climate in Britain mild?

1. Why is the climate in Britain mild?

2. The weather in Britain is very changeable, isn't it?

3. What comparison do the British use when they want to describe a person whose mood and opinion changes very often?

4. How often does it rain in Britain?

5. The weather is the favourite conversational topic in England, isn't it? Do you find this topic of conversation interesting?

6. What is the best time of the year in Britain?

7. When do the British prefer to stay at home by the big fire?

8. How do the British spend their short British summer?

9. What do you know about London fogs?

10. What kind of weather do you like best of all?

11. Where do you get the weather forecast (['fo:ka:st] прогноз погоды) from? Do you always believe it?

12. Which do you like better: when it's cold or hot?

13. What is the weather like today?

14. Do you know the weather forecast for tomorrow?

15. What is the weather like in Russia in winter (summer, autumn, spring)?

LONDON

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It's one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.

London is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world.

Traditionally it's divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre.

Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St Paul's Cathedral, the greatest of British churches. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison. Now it's a museum.

Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London.

Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling.

Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as "Big Ben".

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen.

The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It's the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs, and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people.

Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson's victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson's Column stands in the middle of the square.

On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum - - the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc, and is famous for its library.

The East End was once the poorest district of London — with lots of factories and docks, narrow streets and unimpressive buildings. Today, the district is changing very fast. There are huge offices and new blocks of flats in the East End.

Names

the Bank of England Английский банк

the Stock Exchange ['stok iks^Jeindj] Лондонская

фондовая биржа

the Old Bailey [,auld 'belli] Центральный уголовный

суд, находящийся в Олд-Бейли

St Paul's Cathedral [sant ,po:fc ka'0i:dral] собор

св. Павла (главный собор англиканской церкви)

Sir Christopher Wren [sa: ,kristafa теп] Кристофер

Рен

the Tower f'taua] of London Лондонский Тауэр

Julius Caesar [.djuMias 'si:za] Юлий Цезарь

William the Conqueror j^wiljam da 'kot)kara]

Вильгельм Завоеватель, Вильгельм I

(первый король из норманнов в Англии)

Westminster Abbey [,westminstar 'aebi]

Вестминстерское аббатство

Newton ['nju:tn] Ньютон

Darwin ['da:win] Дарвин

Chaucer ['t|o:sa] Чосер

Dickens ['dikinz] Диккенс

Tennyson ['tenisn] Теннисон

Kipling ['kiplirj] Киплинг

Westminster Palace [,westminsta 'paelis] (the Houses

of Parliament) Вестминстерский дворец (здание

английского парламента)

Big Ben "Биг Бен", "Большой Бен" (колокол

часов-курантов на здании парламента, бой

которых передается ежедневно породив как

сигнал точного времени)

Buckingham Palace [.bAkigam -paelis] Букингемский

дворец (главная королевская резиденция в

Лондоне)

Trafalgar Square [tra,faelga 'skwea] Трафальгарская

площадь

Nelson's Column [,nelsnz 'kolam] колонна Нельсона

(памятник адмиралу Нельсону)

the National Gallery [,naejanl 'gselari] Национальная

галерея (крупнейшее в Великобритании собрание

картин)

the National Portrait [ po:trit] Gallery

Национальная портретная галерея

the British Museum Британский музей (один из

крупнейших в мире)