A. Determining the main idea.

    Choose the best answer. Do not refer to the text.

The main idea of the text is that ______.( D )

(a) London, the capital of Britain, with a large area of land, consists of a number of cities, towns and villages

(b) Greater London, though very big, is most famous only for a very small area where stand the centres for finance and trade and the Queen's home

(c) London, large and busy as it is, is the center for art, culture and politics of Britain

(d) London, a small village centuries ago, has developed into a vast urban area and the center of Britain

B. Comprehending the text.

    Choose the best answer.

1. The "City of London" _________.( D )

(a) has a population of nine million

(b) makes one large urban area

(c) consists of a number of cities, towns and villages

(d) is a very small part of London

2. The River Thames divides London into two parts: ______.( B )

(a) "Greater London" and "City of London"

(b) the north bank and the south bank

(c) the East End and the West End

(d) the east bank and the west bank

3. Westminster Abbey has a history of ______.( A )

(a) two thousand years

(b) six hundred years

(c) one thousand years

(d) one thousand and four hundred years

4. The Tower, one of the most famous sights of London, ______.( B )

(a) was the spot where William the Conqueror was crowned

(b) used to be a prison

(c) was used as a museum of jewels

(d) was a place where criminals from poor people were executed

5. The name closely associated with journalism is ______.( D )

(a) Hyde Park

(b) the West End

(c) Oxford Circus

(d) Fleet Street

6. The Lord Mayor of London is ______.( C )

(a) appointed by the Lord Chief Justice

(b) chosen by the Queen

(c) elected by the citizens

(d) appointed by the Greater London Council

7. Greenwich, one of the London boroughs, is famous for ______.( D )

(a) its great writers and artists

(b) its royal palace

(c) its old buildings

(d) Greenwich time

8. London has grown so large that ______.( B )

(a) it is not allowed to build any new buildings

(b) it needs an official permit to put up any new buildings

(c) people have to move to other cities

(d) any entry into London needs the permission of the government

9. There are many museums and art galleries in London and ______.( D )

(a) most of the collections in them are donated by the royal family

(b) they make a good profit for the government

(c) many of the visitors are under twenty-five

(d) many of the pictures in them are donated by wealthy individuals

C. Understanding vocabulary.

    Choose the correct definition according to the context.

1.Modern London is not one city that has steadily become larger through the centuries; it is a number of cities, towns and villages that have, during the past centuries, grown together to make one vast urban area. ( C )

(a) of an outer area of a city

(b) green with trees and grass

(c) of or belonging to a city

(d) wealthy and pleasant

2. The division between the "City" and the "West End" would be less obvious from this bird's-eye view. ( D )

(a) view seen by a flying bird

(b) general view

(c) impressive view

(d) view seen from above 

3. For hundreds of years the Tower was used as a prison, and visitors today may see the exact spot where many great nobles were executed. ( A )

(a) killed as a punishment by law

(b) asked to exercise patience

(c) sentenced to death

(d) given verdicts

4. The name "West End" came to be associated with wealth, comfort, and goods of high quality. ( C )

(a) combined

(b) meant

(c) connected

(d) stressed

5. The most popular sight, however, is probably the strongly guarded room in which the Crown jewels are kept and displayed. ( B )

(a) decorated

(b) protected

(c) locked

(d) constructed

6. The city is concerned with finance, but it is also a market for goods of almost every kind, from all parts of the world. ( C )

(a) has trouble with

(b) is an important place of

(c) concentrates on

(d) is famous for

7. The Lord Mayor's Show celebrates the election of a new Lord Mayor of London. ( A )

(a) choosing by vote

(b) progress made

(c) appointment by the local government

(d) holding of a position

8. It crosses the boundary and stops at the Law Courts, where the Lord Mayor is presented to the Lord Chief Justice. ( B )

(a) is hoping to see

(b) is introduced to

(c) is to give a public speech to

(d) is handed over to

9. The Mayor makes a solemn promise to carry out his duties faithfully, and the Lord Chief Justice hands the Mayor his sword of office. ( D )

(a) formal

(b) sincere

(c) immediate

(d) serious

10. And the Museum of London illustrates the history of London from prehistoric times to the present day. ( C )

(a) represents

(b) keeps pictures of

(c) explains by giving examples

(d) paints lots of pictures of

D. Discussing the following topics.

1. Name three landmarks of London. Can you add some more information about them?

2. If you have the chance, which place would you like to visit first, St. Paul's Cathedral, the British Museum, Tate Gallery, or Hyde Park? State your reasons.