Text 50. LONDON

London is the capital of Great Britain. It stretches for nearly thirty miles from North to South, and nearly thirty miles from East to West. The river Thames divides London into two parts. The streets are always full of life. The houses are not very big. They are mostly two-storeyed buildings. The most im­portant parts of London are the City, the West End, the East End and Westminster. The City is the business part of the capital. There are most of London’s banks, offices and firms there. The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. There are fine theatres, museums and big shops there. The streets and parks are the finest in the capital, one of the busiest streets in the West End is Oxford Street. The main feature of Trafalgar Square is the tall monument, 185 feet high, with a statue of Admiral Nelson on the top.

The East End is the poorest part. There are many factories, workshops and docks there. The workers live in this part of Lon­don. Westminster is the central part of London. Most government buildings are in Westminster. The Houses of Parliament is the largest building in Gothic style. In one of the towers we see the clock well known as Big Ben. London is the centre of Britain’s cultural life. There are many museums and art galleries in Lon­don. The British Museum is well known as one of the largest muse­ums in the world. It is really a history museum. The museum has a rich library with copies of rare manuscripts. The National Gal­lery, the Portrait Gallery, the National History Museum are in London too. London is rich in parks and flowers. Londoners love their parks. Hyde Park is probably best loved of all. Here you can walk or lie on the soft green grass, play games. There is the Orator’s Corner where the speakers make long speeches about something. At present the population of London is eleven million.

Answer the following questions:

1. Is London a big city?

2. How many parts are there in London?

3. What are they?

4. What is the main feature of the Trafalgar Square?

5. Where are most government buildings?

6. Why is London the centre of Britain’ cultural life?