London Bridge moves to America

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: London Bridge moves to America

Warm-up

Have you ever been to London? (Yes, I went there... years ago.)

Vocabulary Match

councilor •• falling
suggested •• leader
landmark •• said
sinking •• marked
shipped •• sent
labeled •• famous place

Vocabulary Answers

councilorleader
suggestedsaid
landmarkfamous place
sinkingfalling
shippedsent
labeledmarked

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

In the 1960s, London Bridge was ________ and needed to be replaced. Instead of throwing it away, a ________ named Ivan Luckin ________ selling it to the United States. In 1968, businessman Robert McCulloch bought the bridge for $2.46 million and moved it to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

McCulloch and his team ________ each stone, took the bridge apart, and ________ it to the U.S. They rebuilt it with modern materials and finished in 1971. The bridge became a tourist attraction, helping the small town grow to over 10,000 people by 1974.

McCulloch's idea seemed crazy, but it worked. Today, Lake Havasu City has over 50,000 residents, and London Bridge is still a famous ________. "It's all quite mad—it could only happen in America," said a British reporter.

In the 1960s, London Bridge was sinking and needed to be replaced. Instead of throwing it away, a councilor named Ivan Luckin suggested selling it to the United States. In 1968, businessman Robert McCulloch bought the bridge for $2.46 million and moved it to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

McCulloch and his team labeled each stone, took the bridge apart, and shipped it to the U.S. They rebuilt it with modern materials and finished in 1971. The bridge became a tourist attraction, helping the small town grow to over 10,000 people by 1974.

McCulloch's idea seemed crazy, but it worked. Today, Lake Havasu City has over 50,000 residents, and London Bridge is still a famous landmark. "It's all quite mad—it could only happen in America," said a British reporter.

Quiz

  1. Who suggested selling London Bridge to the United States?
  2. How much did Robert McCulloch pay for London Bridge?
  3. When was the bridge finished in Lake Havasu City?
  4. How many people lived in Lake Havasu City by 1974?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Ivan Luckin
  2. $2.46 million
  3. 1971
  4. Over 10,000 people

True or False

  1. London Bridge needed to be replaced so Ivan Luckin suggested throwing it away. T F
  2. The bridge was rebuilt with modern materials. T F
  3. A British reporter said McCulloch's idea could only happen in Armenia. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. False

Conversation

A:Do you really think someone will buy our old bridge, Ivan?
B:Absolutely! Americans love unique things!
A:Hmm, I suppose it can't hurt to try.
B:Exactly! We've got nothing to lose.
A:Wow, Robert actually bought it!
B:See? I told you it would work!

Discussion

  1. Have you ever visited a famous bridge?
  2. Why do you think Robert McCulloch bought London Bridge?
  3. If you were rich, what famous landmark would you buy and bring to your hometown?

Further Reading

https://www.history.com/news/how-london-bridge-ended-up-in-arizona

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