1) Вы проводите информационный поиск в ходе выполнения проектной работы. Определите, в каком из текстов A — F содержатся ответы на интересующие Вас вопросы 1 — 7. Один из вопросов останется без ответа.1. What can theatre-goers see in Covent Garden?
2. What can you find in Covent Garden?
3. What was the history of Covent Garden?
4. Why were Londoners surprised to see Covent Garden change its look?
5. Who is the owner of London’s oldest theatre?
6. Who didn’t like the changes in Covent Garden?
7. What does modem Covent Garden look like?
A. Covent Garden is one of the most popular places in London. Almost one million people visit it every week, from all parts of the world! Although it’s called Covent Garden, it isn’t a garden at all. It’s a public square with rich history, beautiful architecture and a unique cultural atmosphere. There are open-air cafes and restaurants, theatres and museums, shops and street artists.
B. In the Middle Ages, Covent Garden was a vegetable field. It gave food to the nuns of the nearby convent of St Peter. In 1540, King Henry VIII (the one who had 6 wives) took away the lands of the monasteries and convents. He used the field to train his falcons. The King soon got tired of this and the land was given to the first Earl of Bedford. In 1632, the 4th Earl of Bedford asked Inigo Jones to build a fashionable district there.
C. Inigo Jones was the most important architect of that time. He liked Italian cities, was very much influenced by their beauty and had spent a lot of time studying them. So he created an Italian-style square. The square was surrounded by arcaded buildings and dominated by the Church of St Paul. It became the first public square in the country. Londoners, used to narrow winding streets were shocked.
D. The architect wanted the new square to be a public one -and it became such a place. But this actually led to its fall. There were a lot of rich people who lived in the houses around the square. They soon began to get tired of all sorts of London criminal world under their windows. Also, they didn’t like the fruit and vegetable market which had just appeared in the square. When the private Bloomsbury Square and others were built (with special protection from outsiders), the rich went there instead.’
E. Today Covent Garden is a popular entertainment and shopping site where there is something for everyone: history, architecture, music, shopping, street theatre and coffee. And there are lots and lots of street performers - musicians, jugglers, mime artists, magicians and fire eaters. It’s also a nice place to walk around because there is no traffic. There is always a chance to see well-known actors and musicians walking around. Polite British people try to give them some space and avoid asking for autographs.
F. Covent Garden is home to many theatres. The Royal Opera House, often called simply ‘Covent Garden’, shows performances given by the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet. Operas are performed in their original languages! The Theatre Royal, known as ‘Drury Lane’, is the oldest theatre in London. If you buy a ticket you may get more than you think! 200 years ago actors found a secret room here. In the room there was a skeleton with a knife in it. Since then many people have seen the ghost. Drury Lane has been called one of the world’s most haunted theatres. Today, Drury Lane belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer who wrote famous musicals Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, the Phantom of the Opera and many others.