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

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Learning English - Beyond the Postcard

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.

Answer the questions		Watch the video

1: Why was the bridge needed?		Video for Question 1
	to transport coal across the river
	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 2
	because the river was too wide
	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 3
	The bridge had to be rebuilt in 1795
	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 4
	The bridge didn't take road traffic after 1931
	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
Read the text and see vocabulary
Links for more information BBC History - The construction of the Ironbridge Ironbridge Gorge museums UNESCO - World Heritage Sites The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

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