UNIBERTSTATERA SARTZEKO HAUTAPROBAK. 2001/2002 UZTAILA.
PRUEBAS DE ACCESO A LA UNIVERSIDAD
JULIO. 2001/2002.

LONDON

London was not builtas a city in the same way as Paris or New York. It began life as a Roman fortification at a place where it was possible to cross the River Thames. A wall was built around the town for defence, but during the long period of peace which followed the Norman Conquest, people built outside the walls. This building continued over the years, especially to the west of the city. In 1665 there was a terrible plague in London, so many people left the city and escaped to the villages in the surrounding countryside. In 1666 the Great Fire of London ended the plague, but it also destroyed much of the city. Although people returned to live in the rebuilt city after the plague and the Great Fire, there were never again so many Londoners living in the city centre.

These days not many people live in the city centre, but London has spread further outwards into the country, including surrounding villages. Today the metropolis of Greater London covers some 610 square miles (1580 sq. km.) and the suburbs of London continue even beyond this area. Some people even commute over 100 miles (over 150 km.) every day to work in London, while living far away from the city in the country or in other towns. The gradual growth of the city helps to explain the fact that London does not have just one centre; it has a number of centres, each with a distinct character: the financial and business centre called the City (spelt with a capital 'C'), the shopping and entertainment centre in the West End, the government centre in Westminster. Places like Highgate and Hampstead have kept their village-like character -- they have their own newspapers and the famous Hampstead Heath is a reminder of country origins.

The City does not refer to the whole of central London but rather to a small area east of the centre, which includes the site of the original Roman town. It is an area with a long and exciting history, and it is proud of its independence and traditional role as a centre of trade and commerce. This tradition is focussed on the City's Lord Mayor, whose official residence is the Mansion House. Once a year, in November, the Lord Mayor's Show takes place. This is a colourful street parade in which the newly elected Lord Mayor travels in a golden coach, which is over 200 years old. In the evening a splendid meal is served in the Guildhall, to which the Prime Minister and members of the Government are invited.

To commute: to travel regularly back and forth to work by train, bus, car, etc .
Pinstriped suits: suits with many very narrow stripes.

1.- IN YOUR OWN WORDS AND BASED ON THE IDEAS FROM THE TEXT, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS (4 marks)

1.- How do people working in banking and business in the City dress normally?
2.- Why is the year 1666 so well remembered by Londoners?
3.- What is the main reason for finding so many different areas in London?
4.- Why does a street parade take place in the City every year?

2.- ARE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? SAY WHY.TAKE EVIDENCE, EVEN QUOTING, FROM THE TEXT TO SUPPORT YOUR ANSWER. NO MARKS ARE GIVEN IF YOU WRITE ONLY TRUE OR FALSE. (2 marks)

1.- The Mansion House is a very modern building where the Prime Minister lives.

2.- Everybody working in London lives there normally because it is a big city.

3.- VOCABULARY. FIND FOUR SYNONYMS IN THE TEXT THAT HAVE A SIMILAR MEANING (1 mark) (0,25 each).

1.- Extended.
2.- A very dangerous disease that often caused death.
3.- Development.
4.- They got out and away.

4.- WRITE A COMPOSITION IN ENGLISH OF ABOUT 130 WORDS. CHOOSE ONE OF THE TOPICS. (3 marks)

1.- Do you like to live and study in a big or small town? Explain reasons, advantages, disadvantages, opportunities, etc.
2.- Write about a town or village you know very well, or about the town you would like best to visit, etc.