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BBC World Service | Learning English | Beyond the Postcard - Shrewsbury

 
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Learning English - Beyond the Postcard
  Shrewsbury video

Ironbridge
Ironbridge Gorge is a picturesque area near Shrewsbury. It is dominated by a historical bridge. Watch the video clips to find out more about the bridge, then try the questions to check you understand.

You can see the text and vocabulary of the video clips by clicking the link below.

  Shrewsbury Ironbridge
Answer the questions     Watch the video
           
1:  Why was the bridge needed?     Video for Question 1play video
to transport coal across the river     River Severn
so barges could reach the sea  
as there was a growth in industry either side of the river  
because the river was too busy  
       
2:  Why is it a single span?     Video for Question 2play video
because the river was too wide     Ironbridge
so boats could pass freely underneath  
because the river banks were too steep  
as it was easy for the engineers to design and build  
       
3:  Which one of these statements is true?     Video for Question 3play video
The bridge had to be rebuilt in 1795     Ironbridge
It is the only iron bridge still surviving in Britain    
All the other bridges on the river were damaged by floods    
The design of the bridge made it unsafe    
         
4:  Which one of these statements is NOT true?     Video for Question 4play video
The bridge didn't take road traffic after 1931     World Heritage site plaque
It was used by stagecoaches from 1781    
The town of Iron Bridge developed fast    
Very few of the original buildings of the town now remain    
         
  Check your answers Check your answers      
  Read text Read the text and see vocabulary
 
     
 

Links for more information
BBC History - The construction of the Ironbridge
Ironbridge Gorge museums
UNESCO - World Heritage Sites
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