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.

Dialogue 2

Excuse me, can you tell me the way to Trafalgar Square?

Certainly. Go down Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus and go down the Haymarket. Turn to the left at the bottom and in less than a minute you’ll be in Trafalgar Square.

- Thank you very much. How far is it from here?

- If you walk, it’ll take you ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

- Is there a bus?

- There’s sure to be. But you’d better ask the policeman over there. He’ll give you all the information you want.

- Thank you.

Dialogue 3

- Excuse me, can you tell me where South Street is, please?

- Take the second on the left and go straight on.

- Is it far?

- No, it’s only about five minutes walk.

- Thank you.

- Not at all.

Dialogue 4

- Is there a bus from here to the National Gallery?

- Yes, take a 12 and ask the conductor to put you down at Trafalgar Square.

- Thank you.

- That’s OK.