Английский для бакалавров. Зарубина Л.П - 188 стр.

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188
X. Read the text ‘The Tower of London’. Find the answers to the following
questions:
1. What was the Tower of London in ancient times?
2. What was kept there?
3. What is the Tower of London today?
4. Why are the ravens cared so carefully in the Tower?
5. What tradition has been kept since reign of Henry VIII?
THE TOWER OF LONDON
The Tower of London was begun by William the Conqueror as a fortress and
palace. Later kings made it larger and stronger and kept soldiers, armour, weapons,
treasure, and sometimes important prisoners there. For five hundred years coins of
realm were minted at the Tower and official documents were stored in some of the
castle buildings. There was even a zoo there which began as the king’s private collec-
tion of animals.
Nowadays it is busy with thousands of visitors. In fact the Tower today is like a
traditional English village. The ravens are certainly among the most important resi-
dents in the Tower, for – so the story goes – if they ever leave, the Tower will fall and
England with it. These days there are usually about six ravens hopping and pecking
around the Tower lawns in the daytime. One of the Yeoman Warders cares for them.
He feeds them on raw meat, biscuits soaked in blood, rabbits’ heads, fruit and eggs.
He takes them back into their cage every night, and from time to time clips their
wings - just to make sure that they never do leave.
The Yeoman Warders have guarded the Tower since reign of Henry VIII. Every
day at the Tower ends with the Ceremony of the Keys. The soldiers of the Tower
Guard escort the Chief Yeoman Warder as he locks the outer gates. When this is done
the guard salute “the Queen's keys” and the Chief Warder calls out “God preserves
Queen Elizabeth”. Then he takes the keys to the Governor in Queen’s House. The
Tower of London is safe and secure for the night. It is a very old ceremony – 700
years old.

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