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Exercise 1. Read the text about the capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Edinburgh

The largest city of Scotland and its capital, Edinburgh is situated in the eastern part of the Central Lowlands. The city has been an important strategic centre throughout the long Scottish history with its numerous wars. Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the country, historically it is divided into the Old Town and the New City. The Old Town with the Castle that towers over Princess Street is situated on the Castle Rock, one of several hills which overshadow the modern city. The New City began to be built to the north of the Castle in the mid-18^th century and was eventually linked with the Old Town by bridges.

Edinburgh’s industries are of considerable importance. The city is considered as a major centre of rubber production. There are also baking and milling industries. The port of Leith makes possible a direct access to the North Sea. Edinburgh is famous for its University, founded in 1583, and also for its international music festivals.

Cardiff

Cardiff, the largest city of Wales, became its capital in 1956. It is situated near the mouth of the river Taff, which flows into the English Channel. The site was first occupied by a Roman fort. The Castle now standing at the site of the Roman fort and the old fortress walls around it give a special flavour to the city. There are numerous offices, a government building and several colleges of the University of Wales, and the city park stretches beyond them. Industries are concentrated in the south of the city and near the port. The port played a great role in the growth of Cardiff in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, when most of the Welsh coal exports were handled by it. Engineering in Cardiff includes ship-repairing and the making of railway cars, oil engines, vehicles and electric gear. It is also known for a great range of light industry.

Belfast

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is the leading industrial, especially engineering centre of the region. Its prominent role is explained by its advantageous geographic situation opposite Britain. It has grown into a large port as a result. After Ulster had seceded from Ireland, the Belfast port began to handle most of the raw materials and fuel for Northern Ireland. The physical and industrial growth of Belfast was promoted to a large extent by the policy of the British ruling classes, which backed the development of the eastern part of Ulster with its predominantly English population.

Belfast was the gateway for the English colonization of Ireland and today is the centre of major economic and political contacts with Ulster.

Exercise 2. Say what these cities are famous for.

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Exercise 1. Read and translate the dialogues

Dialogue 1. A Visit to London

David: This is Whitehall. All these big buildings are Government offices. At the beginning of November every year the Queen drives down Whitehall from Buckingham Palace to open Parliament. Many people come to watch the Queen and the soldiers who ride with her.

Margaret: What are those buildings at the end of the street?

David: You know the building with the clock; that’s the Houses of Parliament. The building beside it with two towers is Westminster Abbey. Now we’ll go by boat to the Tower.

Edward: How far is it?

David: About three miles. It’s near Tower Bridge.

Edward: Is that the bridge that opens in the middle to let boats go through?

David: Yes. Now we are going under London Bridge. This bridge isn’t old, but there was a bridge here many years ago with houses and shops on it.

Margaret: Is that the Tower of London? But there are a lot of towers there.

David: Yes, but the one in the middle – the White Tower – is the Tower.

Margaret: How old is it?

David: About nine hundred years old. Years ago kings and queens lived – and died – here.

Margaret: Can we get to the National Gallery from here?

David: Yes. We’ll go by bus. Then you can see all the interesting buildings on the way. That’s the Bank of England. This is Fleet Street, with all the newspaper offices. Now we are in the Strand. Charring Cross Station is on the left, and now we are coming to Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery is on the right.

Margaret: How many pictures are there in the Gallery?

David: About six hundred, I think.

Edward: I am so tired after our tour about the city, but tomorrow, I hope, we’ll visit the Gallery and enjoy the masterpieces. Thank you very much for your interesting excursion.