Skyscraper Shard opens to public for the first time

The newest skyscraper in London, the Shard, is open to the public for the first time. The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, officially opened the building for visitors. The Shard, which stands next to London Bridge station, is 310m (1,016ft) - 87 storeys - tall.

            On a clear day, visitors are promised a spectacular 40-mile panoramic view of the capital. Visitors can go to a viewing platform on the 72nd floor to see right across London, it is the highest vantage point in western Europe.

            Renzo Piano is the architect who designed the building he said: "This building is magic for a number of reasons. "First, because it's in London, second, because it's so tall, and third, because this building is a part of London. It's a sense of London.”

            "It's sad when London is sad, it's joyful when London is brilliant and joyful."

           

Match the words below to their definitions

architect / panoramic / shard / skyscraper / storey / vantage       

very tall modern building, usually in a city

piece of broken glass with sharp edges

level or floor within a building

describes a view that is very wide

place from which you can see something very well

someone who designs buildings

True or false?

1.  The view from the Shard is the highest in Europe.

2.  The Shard in located on London Bridge.

3.  The building was closed to visitors previously.

4.  The viewing platform is on the top floor.

5.  Renzo Piano says the Shard reflects London’s moods.

6.  You can see right across Western Europe from the Shard.

7.  Boris Johnson prevented visitors from entering the Shard.

8.  The building is over 80 storeys tall.

What's the missing word?

1.  Visitors are promised a _________________ 40-mile panoramic view.

2.  Visitors can go to a viewing _________________on the 72nd floor.

3.  This building is magic for a number of _________________.

4.  It's joyful when London is _________________ and joyful.

KEY

skyscraper            very tall modern building, usually in a city

shard                     piece of broken glass with sharp edges

storey                     level or floor within a building

panoramic           describes a view that is very wide

vantage                                 place from which you can see something very well

architect               someone who designs buildings

True or false?

1. True

2. False

3. True

4. False

5. True

6. False

7. False

8. True

What's the missing word?

1. spectacular

2. reasons

3. platform

4. brilliant