The best London Museums and Art Galleries are in the West End.
The British Museum in Russel Square comprises the National Museum of Archeology and Ethnography, the richest collection of prints and drawings and the National Library.
It was founded in 1753 and opened to the public on the 15th of January, 1759.
The Library of the British Museum is one of the largest collection of books and manuscripts (py) in the world.
It also comprises national museum of archeology and ethnography which together with the library originated in 1753 when the art collection and library of Sir Hans Sloane was aquired by the government. The museum has among its holdings collections of ancient and medieval artifacts and art.
The Natural History Museum in Cromwell Road is the home of the national collections of animals () and plants, and of the minerals and rocks from which the earth is built up. It has a twofold function to increase man's knowledge of the animal, plant and mineral Kingdoms as an institution for scientific research, and to spread knowledge of natural history as widely as possible.
The Tower of London was once a fortress (penoc). Kings of England, when the battle turned against them, often found safety in the Tower.
From Norman days the Tower has been a state prison: ithas been a place of torture and of execution.
Continuously from the 11th century the Tower hasheld a military garrison. Arms and armour have always been stored there and today it contains the National Collections of them. Today the Tower is a museum visited by tourists.
As it was the strongest fortress in the land, the safe custody ' of the Crown jewels has been entrusted to it since the time of Henry III.
The National Gallery offers a wonderful range of pictures.
Everyone can find some kind of picture to enjoy. It was opened to the public on the 10th of May, 1824. And in 1836 after series of troubles the collection of pictures of the National Gallery was established at Trafalgar Square. Old masters in the newly-built building both British and foreign are being kept there.
The Tate Gallery from the very beginning was intended as a collection of contemporary (co) British painting only. It became the national collection of British painting of all periods, and in addition to this the national collection of modem foreign painting and of modern sculpture, both British and foreign.
The Science Museum exhibits machinery, scientific instruments and apparatuses for scientific research and for educational purposes.
Text D
Sport and Recreation
Interest in sports and recreations, such as basketball, darts, skiing, athletics and snooker, has increased, thanks partly to extensive coverage on television. More people participate in sport, mainly because of the increase in leisure time and facilities, greater mobility and improvements in living standards. It is estimated that 25 million people over the age of 13 regularly take part in sport or exercise. Walking, including rambling and hiking, is followed in popularity by swimming, football, golf, keep fit and yoga, athletics, angling, squash and badminton.
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Britain has pioneered facilities for sports for disabled people. Disabled athletes are encouraged to participate either in direct competition with able-bodied athletes or in parallel events.
Wimbledon, one of the four grand slam tennis tournaments, is the world's premier grass court tournament. The British Open Golf championship attracts enormous interest. In horseracing there are five classics flat races the Derby, the Oaks, the Two Thousand Guineas, the One Thousand Guineas and the St Leger. One of the world's principal sailing events is the regatta at Cowes in the Isle of Wight. Rowing events include the Oxford and Cambridge University boat race and Henley regatta, both on the Thames.
In 1990 England were World Cup soccer semi-finalists. The Government has worked closely with the football authorities and the government of other European countries to combat spectator violence. Legislation severely restricts access to alcohol at matches. The National Football Intelligence Unit, set up in 1989, co-ordinates police information about football hooligans and strengthens liaison with overseas police forces. The use of closed-circuit television on all Football League grounds has helped the police to identify lawbreakers.
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I. Language
Sentence patterns
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Illustrative examples
I can speak English
I cannot speak English
Can I speak English?
Yes, you can. No, you cannot (cant)
We could drive on the left in England
We could not drive on the left in Kiev.
Could we drive on the left in England?
Yes, we could. No, we could not (couldnt)
He may come later.
He may not come later.
May he come later?
Yes, he may. No, he may not. No, he mustnt
They might show us the city.
Might they show us the city?
Yes, they might. No, they might not.
She must come in time.
She must not (mustnt) come in time.
Must she come in time?
Yes, she must. No, she must not. No, she neednt.
Grammar
