1 Reading

Name: …………………………………… Date: ……………………….
READING
COMPREHENSION MARK:
Read the texts and choose the correct answer.
The West End of London and Famous West End Theatres
Passage A Passage B
The West End of London Famous West End Theatres
The West End, in the heart of London, may span only a few London’s West End is the largest theatre district in the world.
square miles, but it is one of the most vibrant and twenty-one years after a ban on theatres had been lifted, th
expensive districts of London. It contains many well-known built in the West End was the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, com
attractions, iconic landmarks, shopping centres, luxurious as Drury Lane; having suffered three fires, the cu
homes, businesses, government buildings, as well as reconstructed on the same site in 1812, is renowned for s
entertainment and dining venues. trends and hosting some of the world’s most captivating show
by some of the most popular attractions in the area, Drury
When the development of the West End began in the 17th tourist destination.
century, it attracted the wealthy elite as it was close to the
Palace of Westminster and far from polluted and Drury Lane might be the oldest theatre in the West End, b
overcrowded Central London. In the 18th century, this Palladium is the largest, with a capacity of 2286 seats. Since
aristocratic residential area started to become an 1910, the London Palladium has been one of London’s le
entertainment district as well; theatre, which was banned comedy and drama venues, providing entertainment for bo
for a time in the 17th century, flourished there. It was the local residents, especially as it offers discounts for families.
19th century, however, that saw the West End become began in the late 1930s when it started booking famous Am
established as a place of mass entertainment. acts and began fostering British comedy. One of the t
memorable shows was the Beatles’ televised performanc
Before the 19th century, travellers to the West End usually appearance that set the English rock group on their way t
took a room in a small guest house or coaching inn. As the fame.
railway grew, however, the West End attracted more
tourists, causing a rise in hotels of high standards, offering The Cambridge Theatre, one of the newest theatres in t
comfort and luxury. Inspired by the grand hotels in America, opened in 1930. It is located close to Covent Garden, the We
D’Oyly Carte, a theatrical producer, built The Savoy in 1889 famous shopping and dining destination. Although the theatr
and caused a sensation; it was the first hotel to be lit by variety of successful theatrical and musical performances
electricity, the first to use lifts and the first to provide known for the long-running children’s show, Matilda the Music
private baths en suite.
5.What is TRUE about Drury Lane according to the 1st paragra

1.What is TRUE about the West End according to the 1st
paragraph? A. There have been no changes to it since 1663.
A. It includes numerous recognisable locations. B. It is known for following trends established by other theatre
B. It covers a large area of London. C. It is still operating on its original site.
C. It seems to be chiefly a financial district.
6.What is FALSE about the London Palladium accordin

paragraph?
2.Well-off people moved to the West End in the 17th
century because it A. Children are not admitted there.
A. had low-budget housing. B. No other West End theatre can match its seating capacity.
B. was considered a healthy place to live in. C. It features a variety of performances.
C. offered a lot of entertainment.
7.What does the word ‘fostering’ in the 2nd paragraph mean?
3.What does the word ‘flourished’ in the 2nd paragraph A. promoting

mean?
A. prospered B. realising
B. functioned C. rising
C. originated
8.It seems that the Cambridge Theatre
4.What is FALSE about the West End according to the last A. is inside a popular department store.
paragraph?
B. is one of the West End’s most recent theatres.
A. The development of the railway had an impact on
tourism there. C. hosts only children’s theatre productions.
B. The first luxurious hotel was built there in the 19th

century.
Questions 9-11 refer to BOTH Passages A and B
C. It lacked any kind of tourist accommodation before the
19th century. 9.What can visitors to the West End do according to both pass
A. go sightseeing
B. participate in a TV show
C. stay at cheap hotels
10.A ban on theatres is mentioned in
A. Passage A only.
B. Passage B only.
C. both Passages A and B.
11.What is FALSE about the West End according to both passa
A. All its most famous theatres were built in the 1930s.
B. It is a residential area.
C. It can offer diverse entertainment.

1 Reading

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1 Reading

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

1 Reading

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Name: …………………………………… Date: ……………………….

Read the texts and choose the correct answer.

The West End of London and Famous West End Theatres

The West End of London Famous West End Theatres

5.What is TRUE about Drury Lane according to the 1st paragra

B. It covers a large area of London. C. It is still operating on its original site.

C. It seems to be chiefly a financial district.

6.What is FALSE about the London Palladium accordin

B. was considered a healthy place to live in. C. It features a variety of performances.

C. offered a lot of entertainment.

7.What does the word ‘fostering’ in the 2nd paragraph mean?

3.What does the word ‘flourished’ in the 2nd paragraph A. promoting

8.It seems that the Cambridge Theatre

B. The first luxurious hotel was built there in the 19th

C. stay at cheap hotels

10.A ban on theatres is mentioned in

C. both Passages A and B.

11.What is FALSE about the West End according to both passa

A. All its most famous theatres were built in the 1930s.

C. It can offer diverse entertainment.

You might also like