1. Scan the text and find out about what park is the following information:

1. Has Zoological Gardens, Queen Mary’s Garden etc. □

2. Has a view of Westminster from the bridge □

3. Has Kensington Palace □

4. The largest of all 5 parks (670 acres) □

5. Used to be a deer-hunting park □

6. Has 40-acre serpentine boating Lake □

7. Has Speaker’s Corner □

8. Share boating lake with other parks □

9. Has thick, rich grass and trees □

10. A lot of expensive boats sail there □

11. Was made for George IV □

12. There you can see joggers and riders □

13. Is situated in the midst of government buildings and palaces □

The special feature that distinguishes London from other capital cities is its many green parks, which have been enjoyed by its citizens since Hyde Park became the first public garden (1637). Five of London's nine royal parks are in the very heart of the capital. Among the most important parks that bring fresh life and colour to London are St. James's Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens that stretch across the West End. Each has its own character. Laid out in the midst of government buildings and palaces, ST. James’s Park is one of the smallest, but with its charming lake enlivened by water birds, well-maintained flower beds and view of Westminster from the bridge, is easily the most attractive. To the west, divided by The Mall, is Green Park, an unpretentious stretch of especially thick, rich grass and luxuriant stands of trees, the plainest of the Royal Parks. Hyde Park has an area of 361 acres and its outstanding feature is the 40-acre Serpentine boating lake. One of the great urban parks of the world was once a deer-hunting park for Henry VIII and in 1851 it was the site for London’s Great Exhibition. Londoners love to use this park and you'll find joggers – not to mention riding enthusiasts cantering around the horse track – taking advantage of its spaciousness. Another attraction of the park is Speaker’s Corner, near the Marble Arch, where anyone can get up on a makeshift rostrum – often a cardboard box – and spout their opinions. It’s hard to believe that the roads were once infested by villains and popular with duelists.

Kensington Gardens are separated from Hyde Park by a road, but the difference in character is at once apparent – it is more formal, more enclosed. The Gardens share the boating lake with the neighboring park, but at this section it is called the Long Water, where depending on the weather there is boating and ice-skating, or swimming. William III nipped 26 acres off the western end of Hyde Park in 1689 to make a garden for Kensington Palace. Kensington Gardens were not opened to the general public until the mid-19th century and, until recently, still retain some feeling of elevated separateness. Expensive boats are still sailed in the Round Pond and magnificent kites are flown. Another park set apart from the others (northwest of the City) is Regent’s Park. It was once a royal hunting area. The park was laid out for George IV when he was Prince Regent and was given its present name about 1814. If Primrose Hill is included in its area, it is the largest of all parks, at 670 acres. Given its look by John Nash, this ‘aristocratic garden suburb’ is roughly circular in shape and encircled by a carriage road. Within the park are the 34-acre (14-hectare) Zoological Gardens, Queen Mary’s Garden and the Open Air Theatre.