2017-11-30
1874
1. What do you see when you cross the border from England?
2. What is the meaning of "Cymru"?
3. What are the Welsh famed for?
4. What is the most famous National Park in Wales?
5. Why is Wales sometimes called a land of castles?
6. Is Cardiff, the capital of Wales, an ancient city?
7. What origin are the Irish?
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon, famous the world over as the birthplace of William Shakespeare, is situated - almost symbolically -at the heart of England. Surrounded by countryside notable for its natural and historical appeal, the town enjoys a pleasant riverside setting. No town has a more fascinating history. Originating as a river-crossing settlement, the site of Roman and Saxon occupation, it became an important focus of roads, and from an early age served as the market centre of the surrounding countryside. Stratford is a town with a character and atmosphere of its own. Apart from the beauty of its river, its streets and buildings preserve many links with its past: the layout and the names of its central streets have changed little since medieval times. It is, however, the fame of the properties associated with William Shakespeare and his family, and of the Shakespeare Festival centred on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, that makes Stratford-upon-Avon a Mecca for visitors all over the world Shakespeare's plays are now produce: here for nearly eight months of each yea' to an audience representative of practically every nation in the world. At the same time Stratford has become a centre of cultural and academic activities.
William Shakespeare retired to live in Stratford in 1613, after the Globe Theatre where his company was performing, had been burnt down. He died on April 23 1616, and he was buried in the parish church where he had been baptised. Today people come to see the places associated with him, but surely the finest monuments of all is the wonderful series of plays and poems that he wrote.
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Ex. 23 Find the synonyms in the text.
- centre, core, heart
- famous, remarkable, noteworthy
- to focus, concentrate
- to save, to keep, to maintain
· honour, glory
- almost, practically, virtually
Ex. 24 Complete the expressions.
- to centre____
- famous the world_______ the birthplace_______ William Shakespeare
- the places associated_____ him
- surrounded____ the countryside
- to preserve______ many links_________ the past
- to serve______ the market centre
- to change little___ medieval times
- a Mecca___ visitors all_______ the world
Ex. 25 Answer the questions.
1. What makes Stratford-upon-Avon famous the world over?
2. Where is Stratford-upon-Avon situated?
3. What made Stratford-upon-Avon an important market centre?
4. Why is Stratford-upon-Avon notable for its historical appeal?
5. What is the most famous event in the life of Stratford-upon-Avon?
6. What places in Stratford-upon-Avon are associated with William Shakespeare?
