Piccadilly Circus

London's West End is the richest part of the city, and its heart is Piccadilly Circus. This is London's theaterland, and at night it is bright with electric signs. Under the Circus lies one of the busiest stations of London's underground railway network.

In the centre of the Circus stands the bronze statue of Eros on a high pedestal above the fountain. It was erected by architect Alfred Gilbert in 1892.

North of the Circus, the streets shade off into Soho and to Oxford Street and the Telecom Tower. South of the Circus, in Haymarket, there is the colonnaded Theatre Royal, founded in 1720. West of the Circus, is the Royal Academy of Arts. The West End also covers Mayfair and Marble Arch, the shopping centres of Oxford Street and Bond Street. (from Поликарпова 1994).

(from Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture 2002).

Lesson 10. Towns and Cities of Great Britain

Pre-reading

Task 1. Read the questions and choose the suitable answers to them.

1. What city is considered to be the largest one in Great Britain after London?

a) Glasgow;

b) Liverpool;

c) Manchester;

d) Birmingham;

2. What city is historically famous for its dock systems?

a) Edinburgh;

b) Liverpool;

c) Manchester;

d) Birmingham;

3. What British city has a vast area of parklands?

a) Glasgow;

b) Liverpool;

c) Manchester;

d) Birmingham.

4. Do you know what British city has world-famous football clubs?

a) Manchester;

b) Edinburgh;

c) Liverpool;

d) Birmingham.

Task 2. Think about most prominent cities of your country. Compare them with British towns and cities. Decide on the outstanding features of each one while reading.