Переведите текст на русский язык. The Palaces of Interest in London

The Palaces of Interest in London

1. London is the capital of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. It is one of the largest European cities in with the population of about 11 million people. It stands upon both banks of the River Thames.

2. London is an ancient city. It is more than two thousand years old. London’s most famous sights are Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

3. The Houses of Parliament is a beautiful building in late Gothic style built in 1850. It is called " Houses" because the Parliament consists of the two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. On the right of the building rises the Clock Tower with famous Big Ben.

4. Big Ben is the name of the huge clock in one of the tall towers of the Houses of parliament. The Clock Tower, overlooking Westminster Bridge is 316 ft high and 40 ft square. There is no lift and there are 340 steps up to Big Ben. The faces of the clock are very large. The minute hand is 14 ft long, the hour hand is 9 ft long; the figures are 2 ft long.

5. Westminster Abbey is opposite the Houses of Parliament. First it was a monastery, then a royal church. This ancient building was founded in the XI century. For nearly 1000 years all the kings and queens of England - 37 in all - have been crowned here. Many of the English monarchs and famous people lie here buried, among them Newton, Darwin, Dickens and Kipling.

6. The Buckingham Palace is the winter residence of Queen Elizabeth II, and her family. When the flag is flying on the top the queen is at home. It has been the residence of the English kings for two centuries. In front of the palace you can see a traditional ceremony " Changing of the Guard".

7. The Tower of London is a very old building. It is more than 900 years old. It was a fortress, a royal palace and later a prison. It is a museum now. There are a lot of interesting collections in the Tower of London. The ravens are another famous sight. The legend says that without them the Tower will fall.

8. There are many interesting and picturesque places and sights in London. You can find here a lot of museums such as the British Museums, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, the National History Museum and many others.

Ответьте на вопросы.

а) What places of interest do you know in London?

б) What is Westminster Abbey famous for?

в) What is the residence of the queen?

г) What does a legend about the ravens in the Tower say?

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