Reading Comprehension London Tower

The Tower of London is an internationally famous monument and one of England’s most iconic structures. William the Conqueror built the White Tower in 1066 as a demonstration of Norman power, siting it strategically on the River Thames to act as both fortress and gateway to the capital. It is the most complete example of an 11th century fortress palace remaining in Europe. A rare survival of a continuously developing ensemble of royal buildings, from the 11th to 16th centuries, the Tower of London has become one of the symbols of royalty. It also fostered the development of several of England’s major State institutions, incorporating such fundamental roles as the nation’s defence, its record-keeping and its coinage. It has been the setting for key historical events in European history, including the execution of three English queens.

The Tower of London has Outstanding Universal Value for the following cultural qualities:

For both protection and control of the City of London, it has a landmark siting. As the gateway to the capital, the Tower was in effect the gateway to the new Norman kingdom. Sited strategically at a bend in the River Thames, it has been a crucial demarcation point between the power of the developing City of London, and the power of the monarchy. It had the dual role of providing protection for the City through its defensive structure and the provision of a garrison, and of also controlling the citizens by the same means. The Tower literally ‘towered’ over its surroundings until the 19th century.

The Tower of London was built as a demonstration and symbol of Norman power. The Tower represents more than any other structure the far-reaching significance of the mid-11th century Norman Conquest of England, for the impact it had on fostering closer ties with Europe, on English language and culture, and in creating one of the most powerful monarchies in Europe. The Tower has an iconic role as reflecting the last military conquest of England.

The Tower of London is an 1. _______________ famous monument and one of                          2. _______________  most iconic structures. William the Conqueror built the White Tower in 1066 as a demonstration of Norman power, sitting it strategically on the River Thames to act as both fortress and gateway to the capital. It is 3. _______________  example of an 11th century fortress palace                    4. _______________  in Europe. A rare survival of a continuously developing ensemble of royal buildings, from the 11th to 16th centuries, the Tower of London 5. _______________  one of the symbols of royalty. It also fostered the development of several of England’s major State institutions,                      6. _______________ such fundamental roles 7. _______________  the nation’s defence, 8. __________ record-keeping and its coinage. It has been the setting for key historical events in European history, including the execution of three English queens.

1.  a) iternational           b) internationally          c) nation                 d) nationally

2. a) England                 b) English                     c) England’s           d) Englands’

3. a) most complete        b) more complete         c) the more complete     d) the most complete

4. a) remains                   b) remaining                 c) to remain            d) remained 

5. a) has become             b) have become             c) became               d) is becoming

6. a) incorporate              b) incorporating            c) to incorporate      d) incorporated

7. a) as                             b) like                            c) for                      d) in

8. a) their                         b) it                                c) it’s                     d) its

The Tower of London has outstanding universal value 1. __________:

For both protection and control of the City of London, it has a landmark siting.2. __________, the Tower was in effect the gateway to the new Norman kingdom. Sited strategically at a bend in the River Thames, it has been a crucial demarcation point between the power of the developing City of London, and the power of the monarchy. It had the dual role of 3. __________ and the provision of a garrison, and of also controlling the citizens by the same means. The Tower literally ‘towered’ over its surroundings until the 19th century.

The Tower of London was built as a demonstration and symbol of Norman power. The Tower represents more than any other structure 4. __________, for the impact it had on fostering closer ties with Europe, on English language and culture, and in creating one of the most powerful monarchies in Europe. The Tower has an iconic role 5. __________.

- as the gateway to the capital

- the far-reaching significance of the mid-11th century Norman conquest of England

- for the following cultural qualities

- as reflecting the last military conquest of England

- providing protection for the City through its defensive structure