London Eye

The London Eye is the massive Ferris wheel that

was built on the banks of the River Thames in
1999.

It took 7 years to construct the London Eye and it

was designed by a number of architects.

The London Eye was often called the Millennium

Wheel when it was first opened. It has already become an iconic London building. It
provides a focal point for London’s New Year’s firework display and was lit up in the
colours of the Union Jack to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton
on the 29th of April 2011.

From the top of the London Eye you can see things about 25 miles away. On a clear day,
you can make out Winsor Castle. At 135m high, the London eye is one of the highest
viewing platforms in London. Only the viewing platform of the Shard is higher.

It can carry 800 people and it takes 30 minutes to complete one revolution. It doesn’t stop
for passengers to step on and off.

More than three and a half million people every year go on the London Eye. There are 32
capsules, each representing one London borough. Each capsule weights 10 tones and
carries 25 passengers. The capsules are air-conditioned and provide seats, although the
passengers are able to walk around. The spindle which holds the wheel weights over 300
tones and is 23 meters high.

The London Eye is not the first big wheel to be located in London. There was the Great
Wheel that was constructed in 1895 for the Empire of India Exhibition. It was demolished
in 1907 having being used by over 2 million people.
 LONDON EYE

1. Translate the following words into your language.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION ENGLISH TRANSLATION

a) Ferris wheel i) spindle

b) banks of the river j) wheel
c) River Thames k) demolish
d) a focal point l) a view
e) a viewing platform m) to view
f) a capsule n) air-conditioned
g) a revolution o) a passenger
h) a borough p) a platform

2. Answer the questions.

a) What is another name for the London Eye?

b) When was it built?
c) How many years did architects work its construction?
d) How many capsules are there on the London Eye and why?
e) How long does one revolution last?
f) What kind of platform is London Eye considered to be and why?
g) How many people can it carry?
h) What happened on the 29th of April 2011?
i) How many people do annually take a ride on the London Eye?
j) What was the name of the first Ferris wheel in London and in what year
was it built?