Topic 6. Capitals of the World

VOCABULARY for reading thetexts.

 

1. Write out all proper nouns form the texts A,B,C. Find their translation and transcription in the dictionary. Be ready to pronounce and translate them properly while reading the text.

2. Read and translate some international words: status, major, convention, de facto, millennia, population, global, concentration, decorate, attract, cultural institution, film premieres, giant, immigrant, extensive, distance, bohemian area, mysterious, patron, private collection, locate, select, public, reconstruct, monument to, construct, residence, memorial to, decade.

3. Some new words for the text A “London”.

to grant –предоставлять

to confirm –подтверждать

ancient –древний

core –центр, ядро

to retain –держать, вмещать

medieval –средневековый

boundary –граница

entertainment –развлечение

diverse –разнообразный

range –ряд, диапазон

to restrict –ограничивать

to obstruct –препятствовать, затруднять

skyscraper –небоскреб

storey –этаж

carving –резная работа, гравировка

heritage –наследие

site –место

settlement – поселение

include –включать

retailer –розничный торговец

 

 

Text A London

 

London's status as the capital of England, and later the United Kingdom, has never been granted or confirmed officially – by statute or in written form. Its position was formed through constitutional convention, making its status de facto. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia. Its history goes back to the Romans, who founded and called it Londinium. London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its square-mile medieval boundaries. According to Eurostat, it is the most populous city and metropolitan area of the European Union. With the population of 7,8 million (in 2010) it is the 25th largest city in the world.

London is a leading global city, with strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, research, tourism and transport. It is stated, that London's 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education in Europe and London Heathrow is the world's busiest airport by number of international passengers. The London Underground or the Tube is the oldest and second longest metro system in the world, dating from 1863. It is the first city to host the modern Summer Olympic Games three times.

London has a diverse range of peoples, cultures, religions. More than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. Since 1965 Greater London has been divided into 32 London boroughs in addition to the ancient City of London, which is the main financial district.

High-rise development is restricted at certain sites if it would obstruct protected views of St Paul's Cathedral. Nevertheless, there are plans for more skyscrapers in central London, including the 72-storey Shard London Bridge which is currently under construction. Older buildings are mainly brick built, most commonly the yellow London stock brick or a warm orange-red variety, often decorated with carvings.

Tourism is one of London's prime industries. London sightseeing attract over 14 million international visitors per year, making it the world's most visited city. London contains some World Heritage Sites such as the Tower of London; the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey the historic settlement of Greenwich in which the Royal Observatory marks the Prime Meridian. Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Wembley Stadium. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, British Library, Wimbledon and 40 theatres.

The West End is London's main entertainment and shopping district, attracting tourists. West London includes expensive residential areas. The entertainment district of the West End has its focus around Leicester Square, where London and world film premieres are held, and Piccadilly Circus, with its giant electronic advertisements. London's theatre district is here, as are many cinemas, bars, clubs and restaurants, including the city's Chinatown district (in Soho), and just to the east is Covent Garden, an area housing specialty shops.

1 mile (1.6 km) long Upper Street, has more bars and restaurants than any other street in the United Kingdom. Oxford Street is the Europe's busiest shopping area. It is a home to many retailers and department stores, including the world-famous Selfridges, Knightsbridge, Harrods.

The East End is the area closest to the original Port of London, known for its high immigrant population, as well as for being one of the poorest areas in London. At present East London area has been redeveloped as part of the Thames Gateway, with the Olympic Park for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. The largest parks in the central area of London are the Royal Parks of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Regent's Park. Regent's Park contains London Zoo, the world's oldest scientific zoo, and is located near the tourist attraction of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

4. What are the English equivalents to the following word-combinations:

восходит к римлянам; мощь (сила); по количеству; организовывать(принимать у себя); внутри границ; высотное строительство; строится в настоящее время; обычный Лондонский желтый кирпич; основная отрасль промышленности; где размещаются специализированные магазины.

5. Read the text and answer the following questions:

What is the peculiarity of London’s official status?

Who founded London?

Why is London a leading global city?

Are only English people inhabit the city?

What is administrative division of London?

What is characteristic feature of London’s architecture?

What tourists attractions are there in London?

Why is West End very popular among tourists?

Has East End changed its notorious image?

6. Assignment for a curious student.

a) What writers describe London in their literary works?

b) Watch the film “London City Guide”and make a list of places visited by the guides.

7. Read the text B “Moscow ” and tell what information is new for you. The following words will help to understand the text.

frontier –граница

wealthy –состоятельный

according to –в соответствиис

census –перепись

network –сеть

railroad terminal –железнодорожный вокзал

ridership –пассажирские перевозки

landmark –достопримечательность

to erect –строить, возводить

to commemorate –почтить чью-либо память

conquest –завоевание, покорение

world-renowned –всемирно известный

on the one hand –с одной стороны

on the other hand –с другой стороны

gorgeous –великолепный

to boast –гордиться, хвастать

to experience –испытать

to donate –передавать в дар, дарить

plaster cast –гипсовая копия

to host –организовывать

it’s worth mentioning –стоит упоминания

average –среднее число

to compare –сравнивать

along with –наряду с

Text B Moscow

View as seen from Sparrow Hills: Moscow-City, Moskva River, Luzhniki Stadium, Luzhnetsky Metro Bridge, Building of Russian Academy of Sciences

 

The history of Moscow began in 1147, and since then Moscow, founded by Yuri Dolgoruky, has always had a leading position in the life of the whole country. The city is situated on the Moskva River and is named after it. From a small frontier settlement, Moscow turned into a wealthy city. It’s total area is about 900 thousand square kilometers. The population of Moscow according to the results of the 2010 Census, is 11,5 million people. That is why it is the most populous city in Europe, and the sixth largest city in the world.

At present Moscow is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational center of Russia. There is an extensive transportation network there. It includes four international airports, nine railroad terminals, and one of the deepest underground tubes in the world, the Moscow Metro, second only to Tokyo in terms of ridership. It is recognized as one of the city's landmarks due to the rich and varied architecture of its 185 stations.

Moscow has always been a popular place of interest for tourists. Some of the better known attractions include such World Heritage Sites as Moscow Kremlin, Red Square and Church of the Ascension at Kolomenskoye. The Kremlin ensemble consists of 3 magnificent cathedrals, palaces, fortress walls, 20 towers and the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great. The most famous of the towers is the Spasskaya Tower with a big clock.

Red Square is the place of parades, meeting and demonstrations. Here one can see St. Basil’s cathedral, erected by architects Postnik and Barma to commemorate Russia’s conquest of the Kazan Kingdom in 1552. It is a masterpiece of Russian architecture. Tourists can see the History Museum and the monument to Minin and Pozharsky designed in memory of the Russian victory over the Polish invaders.

Moscow's architecture is world-renowned. On the one hand some skyscrapers decorate Moscow. The most recognizable are the so called Seven Sisters. These are seven massive skyscrapers, including Moscow University, situated at about an equal distance from the Kremlin. All seven towers can be seen from the highest points in the city. They are among the tallest constructions in central Moscow. On the other hand, the Old Arbat Street, a popular tourist street that was once the heart of a bohemian area, preserves most of its small buildings some of which are gorgeous, old and mysterious.

The city has more than 40 drama and musical theatres, including the Bolshoi Theatre, the Art Theatre, The Maly Theatre, The Vakhtangov Theatre. Moscow can also boast of many museums. One of them is the Borodino Panorama, which provides an opportunity for visitors to experience being on a battlefield with a 360° diorama. It is a part of the large historical memorial commemorating the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 over Napoleon’s army.

The Tretyakov Gallery and Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts are famous for pictures of Russian and West-European painters. The Tretyakov Gallery was founded by Pavel Tretyakov, a wealthy patron of the arts who donated a large private collection to the country. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, which was founded by, among others, Marina Tsvetaeva's father is similar to the British Museum in London in that its halls are a cross-section of world civilizations, with many plaster casts of ancient sculptures. It also hosts famous paintings by Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Pablo Picasso.

It’s worth mentioning that Moscow is a very green city. There are on average 27 square meters of parks per person in Moscow compared with 6 for Paris, 7.5 in London and 8.6 in New York. Izmaylovsky Park created in 1931 is one of the largest urban parks in the world along with Richmond Park in London. Its area is six times greater than that of Central Park in New York.

 

8. Read the text C “ Washington D.C. ” and be ready to answer the questions comparing three world capitals.

The following words will help to understand the text:

numerous –многочисленный

to restore –восстанавливать

downtown –центральная часть города

as well as –также как и

to consider –считать, рассматривать

impressive –впечатляющий

scene –место, сцена

reception –прием

middle-income –средний достаток

suburb –пригород

to remain blighted –оставаться разрушенным

neighborhood –район

to contain –содержать в себе

affluent –богатый

notable –заметный

Text C Washington D.C.

 

 

National Mall The Capitol Smithsonian Institute Supreme Court

 

The city of Washington, the capital of the United States of America, is located in the District of Columbia (DC) on the Potomac River. This place was originally selected by President George Washington. The city came under attack during the War of 1812. That is why later numerous public buildings, including the White House and United States Capitol were reconstructed according to the McMillan Plan. It helped to restore and beautify the downtown area, as well as establish the National Mall with numerous monuments and museums.

Many people consider Washington DC to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is filled with many parks, wide streets and impressive buildings. Located on the Capitol Hill, the Capitol is in the very center of Washington. It is the highest building in Washington and there is a law in Washington not to construct buildings higher than the Capitol. The Capitol is the seat of the government of the United States of America. It is known that, the corner stone of the Capitol was laid by George Washington on Sep 18th, 1793.

The White House, the official residence of the President is situated at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The largest room in this building is the East Room, which is also a scene of many state receptions, balls and musicals. Other famous rooms are: the Green Room, the Blue Room, the Red Room, which are used for afternoon teas and for receptions held before state dinners. The Blue Room is an oval-shaped room connecting the Green and the Red Rooms.

Other landmarks in Washington DC include memorials to three Presidents: The Washington Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial and The Jefferson Memorial; The Library of Congress, The National Gallery of Art, The John F. Kennedy center for the Performing Arts.

Unique among cities with a high percentage of African Americans, Washington has had a significant black population since the city's creation. Following World War II, many middle-income whites moved out of the city's central and eastern sections to newer suburban housing. Large sections of the central city remained blighted for decades. Today, DC is marked by contrasts. There are lower-income neighborhoods in the eastern part of the central city. By contrast, areas between the Georgetown and Chevy Chase contain some of the nation's most affluent and notable neighborhoods. A rising economy in the late 1990s and early 2000s led to revitalization of many downtown neighborhoods.

 

9. Compare London, Washington D.C. and Moscow.

Which is the youngest capital?

Why are they called this way?

What is their common feature as world capitals?

What is the characteristic of their population?

What makes each capital peculiar?

Answer Key