OXFORD – THE CITY OF DREAMING SPIRES

1A THE CITY OF DREAMING SPIRES

READING

track 1

How much do you know about Oxford? Tick (√) the sentences which you think are true.

1. Oxford is famous only for its University. 2. The first colleges were opened in the 19th century. 3. There is a river running through the city. 4. Students wear gowns for some occasions. 5. Two universities,

Oxford and

Cambridge, compete in a boat-race. 6. Shooting films is not allowed on the college grounds. 2 Read the text once and check your answers. A This bustling cosmopolitan town, known as the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’, is a mixture of ancient and modern. The breathtaking architecture of the medieval buildings that dominate the town and the lovely parks scattered all over the city provide a great source of fascination and suit all ages and tastes. B Oxford is certainly best known for its famous, prestigious colleges, which date back to the 12th century. Most of the colleges are closed to the public, but some are open during certain hours and certain seasons so that tourists can stroll around the fascinating historical grounds and chapels. From time to time, visitors can see Oxford students wearing their gowns. The largest and most striking college is Christ Church, where many of the scenes in the Harry Potter feature films were shot. The Great Hall itself was replicated at film studios as the grand dining hall at Hogwarts and Harry Potter’s popularity continues to attract people to visit the film’s locations. COne of the landmarks of the town is a charming pedestrian bridge for the students of Hertford College, which has popularly become known as the ‘Bridge of Sighs’. It is named after the famous bridge in Venice because of its supposed similarity to it. The bridge links the old and new areas of Hertford College so the students don’t get wet and it saves time. There is a false legend saying that many decades ago Hertford College’s students were the heaviest. In order to help them lose weight, the college authorities decided to close off the bridge and the students were forced to take the stairs instead. However, if the bridge is not used, students actually climb fewer stairs than if they use the bridge. D If someone wants to do something that’s romantic and fun in Oxford, punting could be an appropriate activity. A punt is a shallow wooden boat that is propelled by a long pole. You can also hire someone to do the punting for you, although it is easy and fun to do it yourself. Twice a year, traditional inter-college boat races take place and the famous Oxford-Cambridge boat race is an opportunity for both universities to enjoy the great atmosphere and experience real college spirit. E With so many choices of country walks, cycling, sailing or punting, there are activities to suit everyone. Everything in the centre of Oxford is within easy reach and a visitor can just walk around and enjoy the atmosphere.

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spire – a tall narrow pointed structure on the top of a roof or tower bustling – very busy and lively, full of people cosmopolitan – made up of people from different countries and cultures chapel – a place in a church for private prayer; a small church scatter – spread around an area striking – remarkable, outstanding, attractive replicate – do something again in exactly the same way; reproduce punting – moving a boat by pushing a long pole against the bottom of the river pedestrian bridge – a bridge that people can walk across sigh – let out a deep breath expressing relief or sadness gown – a long cloak worn on formal occasions by university students and staff propel – drive, push, or cause to move

VOCABULARY

3

Which paragraph talks about:

1. various activities on the river? 2. why the bridge was closed? 3. the college which is the most prestigious? 4. the architecture of the city? 5. the filming of a famous film for children and adults?

4

According to the text, which sentences are true and which are false? Justify your opinion.

1. Most of the old buildings are very attractive. 2. Tourists can enter all the colleges. 3. The famous ‘Bridge of Sighs’ in Venice was named after the bridge in Oxford. 4. Oxford offers a lot of activities which are suitable for everyone. 5. If you want to go punting, you have to hire somebody to do it for you.

DID YOU KNOW?

• • Oxford University is an association of thirty-five colleges. About half of Britain’s Prime Ministers were educated at Oxford. ? • For centuries teaching and studying at Oxford were for the few.

1

Match the words from the text with their definitions.

A

B

1. feature film 2. grounds 3. race 4. medieval 5. similarity 6. stroll 7. prestigious a. an area of land around a building b. relating or belonging to the Middle Ages c. likeness, having one or more qualities in common d. go for a relaxed walk e. important, impressive, prominent f. a full length film g. contest, competition

2

Circle the correct answer. In some cases there is more than one correct answer!

1. Cosmopolitan is most similar in meaning to A worldly B respectable C provincial 2. Bustling is most similar in meaning to A demanding B still C busy 3. The closest opposite to shallow is A low B deep C small

4. The closest opposite to scatter is A collect B spread out C break up 5. Grand is most similar in meaning to A impressive B ordinary C modest

6. The closest opposite to link is A connect B separate C bring together

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VERBS WITH PREPOSITIONS

Add the correct preposition that follows the verbs in the box. Choose from: around, from, on, for and after.

name ... apologize … stroll ... to be known …

prevent … suffer … concentrate … wait …

2

Complete the sentences with the correct form of a verb + preposition from the box.

1. Rose ______________ a severe headache and has to see a doctor. 2. The town is ______________ its fascinating architecture. 3. It was a very pleasant evening and we decided to ______________ the park. 4. I think you should __________the boy __________ his maternal grandfather. 5. Diana finds it hard to _________________ her studies when she is in love.

SPEAKING

1

2

Mention three things that, in your opinion, can appeal to every visitor to Oxford.

What about you? Which of the following would you like to see or do first?

a. go punting b. watch a boat race c. visit the Great Hall d. walk over the Bridge of Sighs e. go sightseeing in the colleges which are open to the public f. stroll around the parks

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GRAMMAR - TENSE REVIEW

THE PRESENT SIMPLE and CONTINUOUS TENSES

1

Match the tenses and their uses (a-h). The first one has been done as an example.

The present simple… __a______________ 2

The present continuous…

_________________ …is used for a. general facts. b. activities in progress at the moment of speaking, or near the moment of speaking. c. repeated actions or habits. d. situations that we see as permanent. e. definite arrangements in the future, as in timetables. f. something that someone has arranged to do in the near future. g. situations that we see as temporary. h. situations which are slowly changing.

Match the examples (1-8) with the explanations (a- h) to show that you understand the use of tenses.

1. He is taking four examinations in

June. 2. Water boils at 100 degrees

Centigrade. 3. He is working in the garden at the moment. 4. She gives me a lift to work every morning. 5. The Jacksons live in a very nice house in the suburbs. 6. Geoff is staying in his sister’s flat while he’s looking for a place to settle down. 7. The days are getting shorter and colder. It will be winter soon. 8. The football match starts at six o’clock.

Note: The present tenses are also used in conditional sentences type 0 and 1. E.g. If you click on delete, you lose everything that you have written. If my mother buys me this jacket, I’ll be very happy. I’ll come back later if you’re working now.

3

Match the two halves of the sentences to get the right meaning.

1. If I go to Cambridge, a. it will cost you less. 2. If you buy a return ticket, b. I won’t be able to send you the photos. 3. You will need some more money c. if he is sleeping. 4. Don’t disturb him d. if you want to buy all these things. 5. Unless you give me your email address, e. I’ll certainly visit King’s College.

FOCUS ON

UNLESS The word unless means the same thing as if ... not. For example: We’ll arrive at ten o’clock unless our flight is late. (We’ll arrive at ten o’clock if our flight isn’t late.) Unless is often used in conditional sentences.

READING and GRAMMAR

Stratford-upon-Avon

Read Anne’s email to Peter and put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or present continuous tense.

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Hi Peter, I ____________(visit) Stratford-upon-Avon for a relaxing weekend. As you know, this picturesque town is the birthplace of the world’s greatest playwright, William Shakespeare. I’ve read a few things about the town in a brochure. I ___________(think) the best way to see as much as Stratford-uponAvon __________(offer) is to use one of the sightseeing hop on hop off bus tours. If I ________ (manage) to get on that bus, it will take me past all the main sights of the town. Besides, I can get off the bus at stops around the city where places of interests __________ (be). I ______________ (look) forward to walking around the centre of the town and seeing the final resting place of William Shakespeare, Holy Trinity Church. I__________(also plan) to visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which is situated on the bank of the river Avon. This is a ‘one-room’ theatre, which ___________(allow) the actors and the audience to share the same space, as they did in Shakespeare’s time. Here the Royal Shakespeare Company _____________(perform) Shakespeare’s plays all year round. Tonight they __________(perform) Othello. And finally, I’m going to do some shopping. I ____________(not/want) to come back empty-handed! Love, Anne

1

PHRASAL VERBS with GET

Study the use of the phrasal verbs with GET and do the exercise.

1. get along/on have a good relationship with 1. I was surprised how well my new girlfriend and my sister got along/on.

2. get on 3. get off

enter a bus/train leave a bus/train 2. They’ve already got on the bus. 3. Follow them to see where they will get off.

4. get away with

escape the consequences of 4. He always gets away with cheating on his maths tests.

5. get over recover from an illness/ loss; overcome 5. I’ve just got over the flu and now my sister has it.

6. get down to give one’s attention to something 6. Let’s get down to work. 7. get through succeed in making contact; reach 7. I can’t get through to Tom on this phone.

8. get rid of eliminate, throw away 8. We must get rid of our old furniture.

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2

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verbs with get.

1. I hope she’ll _____________ her illness. 2. He couldn’t _____________ his crime because the police found a witness. 3. It’s time to ________________business and finish it. 4. He didn’t _______________ with his boss and finally decided to leave the company. 5. Why do I always _____________to the wrong department when I phone Jim? 6. She wants to _______________all the clothes she can’t wear any more.

WRITING

Go to an Internet site or look through books to find out the answers to the following questions.

1. When and where was Shakespeare born? 2. What did he write? 3. Name a few of his plays. 4. Where did he live while he was writing? 5. Where were Shakespeare’s plays performed in his time?

What did the theatres look like then? 6. Where did he die? Using the answers to these questions, write a short biography of William Shakespeare. You may add other details about his life and work.

DID YOU KNOW?

?There are many expressions in modern English which have come from Shakespeare’s plays. Discuss the following quotations.

All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. (As You Like It) But love is blind, and lovers cannot see. (The Merchant of Venice) Neither a borrower nor a lender be. (Hamlet) All’s well that ends well. (All’s Well That Ends Well) Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. (Merry Wives of Windsor)

The Globe Theatre celebrated its 400th anniversary in 1999.