Films tell stories, reveal characters, and, also, explore places. Film locations enhance the emotional resonance of a narrative and make heroes and villains more memorable. This is the podcast of a film expert who explores these extraordinary places that connect our everyday reality with the world of cinema and imagination.

In this episode: London.

Part one

COMPREHENSION

1. Choose the correct answer to each question.

1. What historical event contributed to London becoming the largest metropolis in the world?
a. The founding by the Romans.
b. The industrial revolution.
c. Jack the Ripper’s gruesome murders.

2. Where can you find the brick wall with the plaque reading ‘Platform 9 ¾’?
a. King’s Cross Station.
b. Hogwarts.
c. Lambeth North.

3. In which fictional world is Platform 9 ¾ a significant place?
a. The world of Peter Pan.
b. The world of Mary Poppins.
c. The world of Harry Potter.

4. What is the seat of the British Parliament called?
a. Big Ben.
b. Palace of Westminster.
c. Westminster bridge.

5. In what architectural style is the Palace of Westminster constructed?
a. Gothic Revival.
b. Modernist.
c. Art Deco.

6. What is Big Ben?
a. A palace.
b. A church.
c. A bell.

7. In which film does the protagonist glide past Big Ben while holding an umbrella?
a. Mary Poppins.
b. Peter Pan.
c. V for Vendetta.

8. Who is the mysterious masked vigilante in the film V for Vendetta?
a. Guy Fawkes.
b. V.
c. King James I.

9. Why did Guy Fawkes want to blow up Parliament?
a. To incite an uprising against a fascist regime.
b. To kill all members of parliament.
c. To avenge the Catholics.

10. What does V do at midnight in the climax of the film?
a. He marches towards the Palace of Westminster.
b. He blows up Parliament.
c. He takes off his mask.

2. Find the right name or term for each definition from the options provided.

King’s Cross * Mary Poppins * Big Ben * Gothic Revival * Peter Pan
Hogwarts Express * Harry Potter * Thames * Jack the Ripper * Guy Fawkes

1. It’s the river that runs through London. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
2. It takes wizards and witches to a school of magic. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
3. He’s a fictional character who refuses to grow up. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
4. He tried to kill King James I. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
5. It’s the nickname of the Palace of Westminster’s belltower. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
6. She’s a woman with magical powers. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
7. He’s the world’s most famous young wizard. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
8. He was an infamous murderer. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
9. It was one of the first stations of the Metropolitan Railway. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..
10. It’s a style that harkens back to an ancient, idealized vision of England. ….….….….….….….….….….….….…..

3. Determine whether the following statements are true or false.

1. London is one of the most visited cities in the world.
a. True b. False

2. Nobody lived in poverty in nineteenth-century London.
a. True b. False

3. The Platform 9 ¾ plaque is found between platforms 9 and 10 at King’s Cross Station.
a. True b. False

4. In the Harry Potter books, King’s Cross Station is called Hogwarts Express.
a. True b. False

5. The London Underground currently has more than 270 stations.
a. True b. False

6. The Palace of Westminster is located on the banks of the river Thames.
a. True b. False

7. Peter Pan flies past Big Ben holding an umbrella.
a. True b. False

8. Big Ben is often depicted as a symbol of traditional British values.
a. True b. False

9. The film V for Vendetta is set in the future.
a. True b. False

10. In the film V for Vendetta, V is the leader of a fascist regime.
a. True b. False

PRODUCTION

4. Write one of the following essays.

a. London is one of the most visited cities in the world. Do some research and identify some of its main attractions (you might consider its history, culture, entertainment…).

b. Big Ben is London’s – and probably Britain’s – most famous symbol. In your opinion, what makes it so iconic? What comes to your mind when you see it?

Part two

COMPREHENSION

1. Choose the correct answer to each question.

1. What iconic British vehicle does the narrator take after visiting Big Ben?
a. A double-decker bus.
b. The Tube.
c. A black cab.

2. Who is the famous fictional character associated with the MI6 building?
a. James Bond.
b. Paddington.
c. Sherlock Holmes.

3. What inspired the design of the MI6 building?
a. Gothic architecture.
b. Industrial architecture.
c. Victorian-era design.

4. How is James Bond described in the podcast?
a. As the greatest of all action heroes.
b. As a very modern character.
c. As a controversial character.

5. What was one of the major issues plaguing the Thames in the late 19^th century?
a. Too many boats.
b. Cholera outbreaks.
c. Crime and violence.

6. Why did Alfred Hitchcock have a dummy of himself float down the Thames?
a. To protest against river pollution.
b. To promote his film Psycho.
c. To promote his film Frenzy.

7. Which landmark is located on the north bank of the Thames, near Tower Bridge?
a. The Tower of London.
b. The Tate Modern Museum.
c. The London Eye.

8. According to the podcast, what is the most celebrated landmark in London after Big Ben?
a. The London Eye.
b. Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.
c. Tower Bridge.

9. What is Tower Bridge?
a. A medieval drawbridge.
b. A modern hydraulic bridge.
c. An art gallery.

10. In the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes, where does the climax take place?
a. On the suspended walkway between the towers of Tower Bridge.
b. On top of one of Tower Bridge’s towers.
c. On the Thames, under Tower Bridge.

2. Find the right name or term for each definition from the options provided.

Alfred Hitchcock * MI6 building * James Bond * Ian Fleming * Great Stink * London Eye
Globe * Tower of London * Sherlock Holmes * Tower Bridge

1. He’s a famous spy. ….….….….….….….….….….…....
2. It is an enormous observation wheel. ….….….….….….….….….….…....
3. He was known as the Master of Suspense. ….….….….….….….….….….…....
4. It was London’s ancient seat of power. ….….….….….….….….….….…....
5. It’s the name of Shakespeare’s theatre. ….….….….….….….….….….…....
6. It’s a modern hydraulic bridge ….….….….….….….….….….…....
7. He is the creator of the character 007. ….….….….….….….….….….…....
8. It was caused by the pollution in the Thames. ….….….….….….….….….….…....
9. It’s the headquarters of the British Secret Service. ….….….….….….….….….….…....
10. He’s the most portrayed literary human character in film and TV history. ….….….….….….….….….….…....

3. Determine whether the following statements are true or false.

1. The MI6 building resembles a pre-Colombian temple.
a. True b. False

2. James Bond is a fictional American spy.
a. True b. False

3. Arthur Conan Doyle invented the character James Bond.
a. True b. False

4. The Palace of Westminster was abandoned during the “Great Stink.”
a. True b. False

5. Alfred Hitchcock shot more than 20 films in London before moving to the US.
a. True b. False

6. Hitchcock filmed Frenzy before his move to Hollywood.
a. True b. False

7. Tower Bridge is also known as Big Ben.
a. True b. False

8. Tower Bridge was built in the 20^th century.
a. True b. False

9. Tower Bridge was built to look like a medieval drawbridge.
a. True b. False

10. The 2009 film Sherlock Holmes features Tower Bridge under construction.
a. True b. False

PRODUCTION

4. Write one of the following essays.

a. Do you consider James Bond an outmoded character? Or do you believe that he embodies some timeless positive values? Argue one way or the other.

b. Sherlock Holmes is the quintessential London character. How would he be different if he were, instead, a citizen of Rome (or of your city)? Imagine and describe.

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