Stonehenge is a medieval term meaning “hanging stones”. Multi-ton stones were brought to Salisbury Plain from great distances. Experts speculate that stone could have been put on rafts, transported by water and dragged on rollers. Maybe 500 men, aided by ropes pulled one of these stones. Researchers suggested that Stonehenge was used as a place of worship, even as a location for human sacrifice, other consider that the stone formations were used as an observatory to predict the sun and moon’s position to the earth and determinate the seasons.
Today only half of the original monument survives, because over the centuries, people have taken pieces of the stone for building materials and souvenirs, however Stonehenge is a popular tourist destination. Although new research suggests that Stonehenge was originally used as a cemetery, Mike Parker Pearson of the University of Sheffield, UK argues that Stonehenge was primarily a place for the dead, and must be treated as part of a greater complex of monuments in the surrounding area.
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Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1,5 minutes to read this text silently; then be ready to read it out aloud. You will have no more than 1,5 minutes to read it.
2. London Eye, the giant observation wheel has become a London icon since it was opened on the South Bank in 2000. It is located next to Jubilee Gardens and County Hall. With unparalleled views of London, the Millennium Wheel has proved a major tourist attraction, but it was a controversial addition to the city’s skyline.
More than 15 million people have travelled in the giant wheel. With its 135m high, it has 32 glass capsules attached to its external circumference which holds 25 people each of one. In addition it provides 30 minute of slow-moving “flight” over London. This attraction built by the British Airways began like part of city celebrations for the arrival of the New Millennium. For its construction, a floating crane was installed in eight platforms to raise the gigantic hoop of the wheel.
The most of their occupants are tourists, but there are pairs whom rent for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, when also chocolates and champagne are offered. In spite of the initial critics of those who considered that the wheel goes off key with its classic environs, the initial license by five years already was extended by two decades more. London Eye heads the list of ten more popular private monuments in the city.