© Н. В. Черствова школа 634 С - Петербург 2007

INDEX London Overview Westminster The Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey Buckingham Palace Ceremonies and Parades Trafalgar Square The Thames St. Paul’s Cathedral The Tower of London The White Tower Tower Bridge Life in London Quiz

‘ When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life: for there is in London all that life can afford.’ Samuel Johnson 1777

WESTMINSTER Documented history goes back to the time when Westminster was still a marsh. The Romans inhabited the land which became the City, building a bridge across the Thames and creating a center of commerce. Westminster, established as a royal palace shortly before the invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066, grew in importance as it became the seat of government. QUIZ

The Palace of Westminster is now the houses of British Parliament. The first palace was built for Edward the Confessor in Since then it has been rebuilt many times. Big Ben, the voice of London, has been telling the time since Construction of the clock tower began in the year Queen Victoria came to the throne in Why Big Ben? Really, it is the name of the bell inside the Clock, that has four faces, each measures 7m in diameter. It could been named after Sir Benjamin Hall, chief Commissioner of works at that time. THE HOUSES OF PARLAMENT QUIZ

WESTMINSTER ABBEY The Abbey was founded in 960 AD as a monastery. And it has been the setting for Coronations since that of William the Conqueror in It has also witnessed numerous other royal occasions such as weddings and funerals. It’s famous for the Poets’ Corner, where a lot of famous people were buried: Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, Rudyard Kipling, Jane Austen and many others. In fact, Westminster Abbey is a living church, worship is offered every day. QUIZ

BUCKINGHAM PALACE It is the official London residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, both her home and office. Its nineteen states rooms form the heart of the working palace. They are used to receive and entertain guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions. In front of Buckingham Palace there is the Queen Victoria Memorial. The garden at Palace has been described as a ‘walled Oasis in the middle of London’. QUIZ

CEREMONIES AND PARADES Every day at Buckingham Palace there is a special ceremony, it is changing of the Guard. All the Guardsmen are wearing helmets made of bear skin.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE It is the centre of London. The tall column, a Monument to legendary admiral Nelson, Victor of the Battle of Trafalgar 1805, is in the middle of the square. Four bronze lions guard the monument. There are also two nice fountains in front of the National Gallery, one of the richest in the world. QUIZ

THE THAMES The Thames is described variously as ‘liquid history’ and ‘the noblest river in Europe’. It is gliding smoothly through the heart of London. Everyone can enjoy some wonderful riverside views of majestic buildings.

ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL This wonderful church is the masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren, the great English architect. It took him 35 years to create the building after the Fire of London in It is 110m high. Here in 1981 Prince Charles and Princes Diana were married. As well as Wren himself, many other famous people are buried there including the Duke of Wellington and Admiral Nelson. QUIZ

THE TOWER OF LONDON This ancient fortress was founded by William the Conqueror and over 900 years of British history have been played out within its walls. The Tower used to be a residence for the kings and Queens of England, a fortress, a state prison, mint and zoo. The Tower has been home to the world famous British Crown Jewels since the beginning of the 14 th century. Yeoman warders, who often called Beefeaters combine their traditional ceremonial role with tourist guide. QUIZ

THE WHITE TOWER The first stones of this building were laid around 1078 by order of William the Conqueror. Its mighty walls are now home to display the Royal Armories and the collection of weapons.

TOWER BRIDGE It was opened in 1894, built in the Gothic style. It is situated nearby the Tower of London. Nowadays two parts of the bridge are risen and let ships pass through.

A WAY OF LIFE

LONDON QUIZ 1. Who built the first bridge across the Thames? The Romans The Celts The Irish

2. WHEN DID WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR INVADE INTO BRITAIN? In 1666 In 1066 In 1966

3. WHERE IS THE SEAT OF BRITISH PARLAMENT NOW IN LONDON? In Buckingham Palace In the Palace of Westminster In Westminster Abbey

4. HOW LONG HAS BIG BEN BEEN TELLING THE TIME IN LONDON? For 140 years For 200 years Since 1859

5. HOW BIG ARE THE FACES OF BIG BEN? 5 m in diameter 7 m in diameter 9 m in diameter

6. WHAT THE MAIN ROYAL OCCASION IS HELD IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY? Coronation Worship Meetings

7. WHERE WAS WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR BURIED ? In the Tower In Westminster Abbey In St. Paul’s Cathedral

8. WHERE DOES THE QUEEN OF THE UK LIVE? In Buckingham Palace In the Tower At 10 Downing Street

9. WHAT MONUMENT IS THERE IN FRONT OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE? To Admiral Nelson The Queen Victoria Memorial To William the Conqueror

10.WHERE IS THE NATIONAL GALLARY SITUATED? In Trafalgar Square In Piccadilly In Hyde Park

11. WHO BUILT ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL? Sir Christopher Wren William the Conqueror Beefeater

12. WHERE ARE THE CROWN JEWELS KEPT? In the Tower In Buckingham Palace In the National Gallery

13. WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT THE TOWER? The British Prime Minister Beefeaters Students

WHAT IS THE BUILDING? The Tower of London Big Ben St. Paul’s Cathedral Tower Bridge Queen Victoria Memorial Monument to Admiral Nelson Buckingham Palace The Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey

WELL DONE