Unit 4. Why Not Take a Closer Look? » Стр.110 (9)

Complete the text. BIRMINGHAM Birmingham is situated in the centre of the upland area in the valleys of three small rivers. These rivers flow into the Trent, a big navigable river. Birmingham is considered a country borough of Warwickshire and a market centre of the Black Country. Birmingham is younger than the major part of British cities. People do not know the exact date of birth of their town but it is known for sure that it did not exist before Anglo-Saxon times. In the 13th century the Midland coal fields influenced its development and grawth. In the 19th century the Black County was called Birmingham, it was all due to the intensive activity of the heavy industry. Birmingham is an industrial city. The cultural life is centred there. There are departments of science, arts, medicine, commerce and law at the University of Birmingham. And of course it is an important research centre. There are many modern factories, but its industrial pattern is mostly based on small firms. Birmingham produces brassware, silverware tools, metal goods, jewellery, small arms and plastics. Guests of Birmingham should visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which are very famous in the city. They include a good collection of work by the Pre- Raphaelite Brotherhood. Among popular places of interest in Birmingham are the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, St. Martin Cathedral, the concert hall, Victoria Square and others.