Экзаменационный (типовой) материал ЕГЭ / Английский / 10 задание (24) / 51

A. Bridges serve the function of connecting two points separated by a body of water, valley, or any obstacle. Bridges can also be architectural marvels. Throughout history, bridges have been symbolic of human achievement. Ancient civilizations, such as the Romans, Greeks, and Chinese, built impressive bridges that stand as a testament to their engineering capabilities. These historic structures not only connected regions but also reflected the technological advancements of their times.

B. Some of the most iconic and recognizable bridges in the world are located in London: Tower Bridge and London Bridge. Tower Bridge with its unmistakable neo-Gothic towers, was opened in 1894 and immediately became the symbol of London. London Bridge has a rich history dating back to Roman times. In the Middle Ages, many shops and houses stood on London Bridge, making it too narrow for the traffic. It has been rebuilt numerous times and has inspired songs and stories.

C. Moscow, like any other city that developed along the banks of a river, boasts a diverse array of bridges that contribute to the city's architectural landscape. From the elegant Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge to the modern Zhivopisny Bridge, each structure tells a story of Moscow's evolution over the centuries. It isn’t easy to count all the bridges of Moscow. If you count all the automobile, metro and pedestrian bridges over the major rivers – the Moskva, the Yauza and the Setun’ – you will end up with a list of well over a hundred bridges!

D. Several bridges in Moscow symbolize the connection between the past and the future. One of them is the Rostokinsky Aqueduct, which is the oldest bridge in Moscow. The bridge is 356 meters long and 15 meters high, made of limestone, and was built in 1783-1784 in the current VDNKh area. The bridge represented the government's attention to the needs and aspirations of the people, as it was constructed as part of the first Moscow water pipeline, which was a vital construction during the Black Death epidemic in Moscow.

E. The Luzhnetsky Metro Bridge spans over 2 km across the Moskva River. This bridge was the first in Moscow to have two levels - the upper level is for cars, while the lower level is for the metro trains and pedestrians. The Leninskie Gory station, later renamed Vorobyovy Gory, was the first and longest station in the history of the Moscow Metro to be located on a bridge. However, due to construction errors, the station was closed for almost two decades from 1983. Eventually, it was reopened in 2002 after the bridge itself was practically rebuilt.

F. The Zhivopisny Bridge is situated near Serebryany Bor and links it with Krylatskoe. The bridge was built in 2007, and its architect, Nikolai Shumakov, received the prestigious Auguste Perret Prize for it. The structure features a striking design: a red arch with steel cables extending from it to support the bridge. At the highest point of the bridge, there is a small glass observation capsule. Although there was a plan to conduct wedding ceremonies within it, this idea has not yet come to fruition due to technical challenges.

G. There is an unusual pedestrian bridge called Soaring, situated in Zaryadye Park. The bridge has a boomerang shape and does not connect two banks but hangs over the water. The bridge is elevated 15 metres above the Moskva River and can accommodate up to 4,000 visitors at a time. It was opened together with the park in 2017 and immediately became popular. Even on weekdays and in overcast weather, it can be quite challenging to find a free spot on the observation deck of this Moscow bridge.