Piccadilly Circus

It is difficult to say what is the real centre of London, but many people would choose the Piccadilly Circus. This is because it is not only central but also where we find most of London’s best-known theatres and cinemas, the most famous restaurants.

The buildings around the Circus are decorated with bright signs advertising goods and entertainments.

It is especially in the evening that Piccadilly Circus is crowded with people going to the theatre or the cinema, or perhaps to a restaurant. Many others have come for an evening walk; they will probably have a cup of coffee or a glass of beer before they go home. There are people of many nationalities in the crowd. Many foreign visitors are among them too. One hears around various languages. It has been said that if you listen carefully, you may even hear English!

Task 5. Say what information the text gives about:

- the attractive features of Piccadilly Circus;

- the evening life of it.

Task 6. You are a stranger in London. You would like to see some places of interest. What would you prefer? Explain, why?

Could you tell me the way in the City?

London

Task 1. Read the piece of information and say:

1. What is the Tube?

2. What must you do when waiting for a bus?

3. Would you prefer to travel in London by bus, by taxi or by tube?

4. Compare it with the city you live in.

The easiest way to travel around London is by a London Regional Transport bus or underground train. These run from the centre of the city right out into the countryside. British people queue up when waiting for a bus. They get very annoyed with queue jumpers – people who don’t wait their turn in the queue. The London Underground – or “tube” – has nine lines. It’s very fast, and in Central London you are never more than a few minutes’ walk from a station.

Task 2. Take a map of the London Underground and discuss with your partner how to get to various places of interest and historic buildings in London:

- Piccadilly Circus;

-The Tower of London;

-The Houses of Parliament.

Task 3. a) Find out where your colleague lives and how he/ she gets to work.

b) Ask him/ her how long it takes him/ her to do that.

c) Tell him/ her where you live and how you get to work.

Task 4. Read the text to understand the conversation.

Tom and Susan spent a few days in London last month. They left their car at home and stayed in a good hotel in the centre of a town. They spent a lot of money. This is what happened the day they went home.

Susan: Why do we have to walk to the station? And where is it?

Tom: It’s just down that road … I think.

Susan: Look! There’s a policeman! Ask him the way.

Tom: All right. Excuse me. Can you tell me the way to Waterloo Station?

Policeman: Yes. Walk down this road, take the first turning on the left. Then walk until you come to the river. You can’t see it very clearly from here. When you come to it, there’s a bridge. Just walk across it. Follow the signs that say “To Waterloo Station”. You can’t miss it.

Tom: And is it very far? I mean, how long does it take to walk there?

Policeman: About fifteen minutes, if you walk quickly.

Tom: I see. Thank you very much.

Policeman: Not at all.

Susan: Fifteen minutes! And with these heavy suitcases too! I think we ought to take a taxi.

Tom: Not at this hour. Look at the traffic. It’s moving very slowly. We can get there just as quickly on foot.

Susan: Well, I can’t possibly carry this case any farther. Taxi! Taxi!

Task 5. Answer the questions according to the text.

1. Where did Tom and Susan spend a few days last month?

2. Where did they stay?

3. What did they do in London?

4. What was the first thing Tom asked the policeman?

5. What exactly were the policeman’s instructions?

6. How long would it take to walk to Waterloo Station? Why did Susan take a taxi?

Task 6. You are a stranger in a town. Telephone your friend and ask him how to get to his place.

Task 7. There are some of the rules from the British Highway Code. Please help your Russian colleagues, who don’t understand English, and write the rules in Russian so that they can use them when in London.

The Green Cross code is a guide for pedestrians:

1. First find a safe place to cross, then stop. It is safer to cross at subways, footbridges, islands, Zebra and Pelican crossings, traffic lights or where there is a policeman, a “lollipop”man or traffic warden. If you can’t find any good crossing places like these, choose a place where you can see clearly along the roads in all directions. Don’t try to cross between parked cars. Move to a clear space and always give drivers a chance to see you clearly.

2. Stand on the pavement near the kerb.

3. Look all around the traffic and listen, only then cross.

For a driver:

1. When coming to a Zebra crossing keep a look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross. When any one has stepped on to a crossing, you must give way. Signal to other drivers that you mean to slow down or stop. Allow more time for stopping on wet or icy roads. Do not signal to pedestrians to cross: another vehicle may be approaching.

2. In traffic queues, leave pedestrian crossings clear.

Task 8. Read the sign.

GIVE WAY
TURN LEFT

ONLY