📖 Unit 4: Remembering the past - Reading lớp 9

London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, is situated on the River Thames, which meanders through the city. It is renowned for its numerous bridges. Among the bridges, the oldest one is London Bridge, which was originally built of wood but reconstructed in stone in 1217. However, the most unique bridge is Tower Bridge, which was designed to blend in with the nearby Tower of London.

London is a thriving commercial and cultural centre with many significant financial organisations such as the Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange. They are located in the area called the City. Docklands, the former port in east London, has been redeveloped as a business centre. The West End boasts theatres, cinemas, museums, and stores. Due to the high cost of housing near the city centre, many people working in London prefer to live in the suburbs and commute to work by train or bus. London’s transportation system is well-connected, with various modes of transportation available, including the red London buses, black taxi cabs, and the London Underground, commonly known as ‘the Tube’.

London is now a cosmopolitan, multicultural city which has attracted people from around the globe. Although some people from other parts of Britain view it as very noisy and dirty, many others visit London only for the ‘bright lights’ - the theatres round Shaftesbury Avenue or the shops of Oxford Street. People also take their children to visit Buckingham Palace, where the royal family lives, and the clock tower, from which Big Ben tolls the hour. Young people, on the other hand, are lured to the pubs and comedy clubs of Covent Garden, live music concerts, and the stalls of Camden market.

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Millbrook

I live in a small town of Millbrook in the rolling hills of upstate New York. It is a (26) ________ community of just over 1,500 residents. Despite its small size, Millbrook has a rich history and vibrant cultural scene (27) ________ numerous galleries, restaurants, and boutiques on its charming Main street. It is home to a diverse range of residents, from young families to retirees, and boasts a strong sense of community (28) ________. Every year, residents come together for events like the Millbrook Farmers Market and the Millbrook Literary Festival, which (29) ________ the town’s agricultural heritage and literary tradition. In spite of its rural setting, Millbrook is well-connected to nearby cities like Poughkeepsie and New York City, making it an attractive place to live for those seeking (30) ________ peaceful retreat from urban life. Overall, Millbrook is a warm and welcoming community with a strong sense of place and identity.

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ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSES

In the 1800s and early 1900s, most children went to school in one-room schoolhouses. At that time, most people lived (1) __________ farms. The farms were spread out. One-room schoolhouses were built because there weren’t many children in the farm areas. Most of the one-room schoolhouses only (2) __________ about fifteen to twenty children. The one-room schoolhouses had just one teacher. That teacher instructed all students from the age of five or six up to ages thirteen or fourteen or even older. The teacher also (3) __________ all subjects. In one-room schoolhouses, students did a lot of reciting and memorising. Reciting means that they said out loud (4) __________ they learned. The teacher would ask a question, and the students would stand up and recite the answer. Students also did a lot of memorising. They were often asked to memorise poems. They had to memorise famous (5) __________ and important facts, too.

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Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. It has enormous historical significance. Located on the east coast of Scotland, Edinburgh proudly offers a window to the past. For many people, this city is an exciting mix of something traditional and something modern.

Edinburgh has been Scotland’s royal city since 1437. Most of Edinburgh’s sights are within two districts: the old town and the new town. The medieval Royal Mile stretching for over a mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse dominates the city’s central area. The Royal Mile is one of the largest, longest and most splendid streets for buildings in Britain.

To millions of visitors, Edinburgh Castle is a must-see because there are many treasures. Princess street is in Edinburgh’s new town, directly below the castle. Next to Princess Street, in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, lies the green Princess Street Gardens. This is one of the most delightful gardens in Britain.

Edinburgh is also a cultural centre. The worldwide famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival (a series of arts festivals held in August) draws thousands and thousands of visitors to the city annually. So Edinburgh is really a place no traveler should ignore.