BRITISH CULTURE: MANCHESTER

INVESTIGATING

Facts about Britain:

- Nowhere is more than 74.5 miles from the sea.

- If you kill a deer whilst driving, you can’t eat it. Weirdly though, the next person to come along can.

- 25% of the people living in London were born in another country.

A. Look at this map of the United Kingdom. Work in pairs and decide where you think the following cities are. Then find a map and check before marking them on the map below.

Manchester, London, Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Oxford, Inverness, Dublin, Belfast.

B. Which city would you most like to visit and why?

C. What do you know about Manchester? Share with the class.

D. Find out five more facts about Manchester.

READING

A. Read a text about Manchester.

Manchester city is not only the home of two of the world’s most famous football clubs; it is also an exciting city with a rich history. Founded in Lancashire, in the north of England, it began to prosper at the beginning of the 18th Century due to the Industrial Revolution. Transport and manufacturing were vital ingredients of the revolution, and brought immense wealth to the area.

One of the secrets of Manchester’s success was the building of canals: the Bridgewater Canal in 1761, and the 36-mile long Manchester Ship Canal in 1894, which at the time was the longest river navigation canal in the world. The canals made it possible to bring in coal and export the manufactured goods and textiles produced in the mills (as the factories were called).

After WW2 and deindustrialization, People in Manchester became poor. However, new investments over the last twenty years have revitalized the city and it is now the second most visited city in England after London.

There are lots of interesting things to do when you visit Manchester:

- The People’s Museum explains 200 years of British democracy.

- Cloud 23 is a fancy bar on the 23rd floor of Beetham Tower. Through the massive floor and ceiling windows, you can see the whole city. It is best visited just as night falls and the lights come on.

- The city has an exciting music festival each year featuring electronic and experimental music from the UK’s hottest bands. There is also plenty see at the Cornerhouse, the city’s acclaimed contemporary art complex. The Lowry Arts Centre features works by the famous artist Lowry, who depicted everyday life during the cities industrial period in his unique style.

- Enjoy superb shopping at any of the many huge malls. If you prefer independent labels and vintage clothing, try Afflecks Palace.

- The varied ethnic mix of the city is reflected in an incredible selection of eating establishments. You can find everything from cheap cafés to posh restaurants with world famous chefs from all over the world. No need to stick with fish and chips.

A. Now write ten questions about the text.

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B. Choose a partner and ask each other your questions. Check the answers together.

SPEAKING

The famous Mancunian artist Lowry painted pictures of life around him, something no one else at the beginning of the 20th century thought important enough to paint. He depicted smoky factories, working people, common buildings and busy streets. His style is naïve with simple stick figures. To begin with people didn’t appreciate his art, but later in life he became famous.

A. Look at this picture by Lowry. Choose someone in the picture. Describe them and say where exactly they are. Your partner has to guess which one it is.

Example: This person is in the middle of the picture. He is looking at a building. He has got a black hat and a stick.

B. Student A: choose a person in the picture. Student B: ask yes/no questions to find out which one your partner has chosen.

Example: Student B: ‘Is the person wearing a hat?’ Student A: ‘Yes.’

Images

Map of the United Kingdom.Author: Blank_map_of_Europe.svg: maix ¿? Derivative work: Alphathon /'æɫfə.θɒn/ (talk)

Photograph of Huddersfield, 1965, Oil on canvas by L.S. Lowry public domain.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lowry,_Huddersfield.jpg