Listening 8 – Big Ben
Instructions:
- Read all questions first.
- Listen to the audio and take notes if necessary.
- Answer as many questions as you can, and check your answers in real-time.
- Listen to the audio again and complete the remaining questions.
- Check your final score.
- Read the audio transcript by clicking the + (plus) button.
- Read the transcript again while listening to the audio to practice and learn unfamiliar words.
- Check your mistakes and study the necessary topics.
Good luck and enjoy!
Audio and Transcript
Big Ben
Audio Transcript: Big Ben
The Big Ben clock is a famous symbol of London, located at the northern end of the Palace of Westminster. Contrary to common belief, “Big Ben” refers to the 13.5-ton bell housed within the clock tower, not the clock tower itself.
The clock tower’s official name is the Elizabeth Tower, after Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. It is 96 meters tall and was finished in 1859. It was the world’s largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock. There is a spiral staircase with 290 stone steps up to the clock room, followed by 44 to reach the belfry, the structure enclosing the bells, and an additional 59 to the top of the spire.
The tower was built in a neo-Gothic style and was made of brick and limestone. It was designed by architects Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin, who also designed much of the Palace of Westminster.
The clock faces are 7 meters in diameter and made of 312 pieces of opal glass that are illuminated at night. The hour hand is 2.7 meters long, while the minute hand is 4.3 meters long.
Big Ben, the bell, was cast in 1858. The name “Big Ben” is said to have come from Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation, or heavyweight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt. Every hour, the bell chimes and can be heard for many kilometers around.
In recent years, the tower has undergone extensive restorations to ensure its continuous operation and safety. The clock remained silent for several months during the restoration in 2017 and 2018 but has since resumed its regular chime.
The Big Ben clock tower is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions, with thousands of tourists each year.
Questions
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