LEITURA: WINTER CELEBRATIONS

Learn about unique traditions, celebrations, and holidays that occur around the world during December and January.

Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It falls on different dates each year, between January 21 and February 20. Visits to friends and family take place during this celebration. The color gold is said to bring wealth, and the color red is considered especially lucky. The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and includes fish, noodles, and dumplings.
Eid Al Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice
Eid Al Adha is celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of the month of the lunar calendar (In 2008, it fell on December 8) to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham) to sacrifice his son for God. Today, Muslims sacrifice an animal—usually a goat or a sheep—as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God. The meat is shared with family, friends Muslims or non-Muslims, as well as the poor members of the community.
Christmas
Christmas is celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in the United States brings together many customs from other countries and cultures. Around the world, family members help to decorate the tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments. On Christmas Eve, many people go to church. Also on Christmas Eve, Santa comes from the North Pole in a sleigh to deliver gifts; in Hawaii, it is said he arrives by boat; in Australia, the jolly man arrives on water skis; and In Ghana, he comes out of the jungle.
Hanukkah
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday honoring the Maccabees victory over King Antiochus, who forbid Jews to practice their religion. For eight nights, Hanukkah is celebrated with prayer, the lighting of the menorah, and food. A menorah has nine candles, a candle for every night, plus a helper candle. Children play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts. Potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally associated with Hanukkah and are served with applesauce and sour cream.
Kwanzaa
On December 26, Kwanzaa is celebrated. It is a holiday to commemorate African heritage. Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red, and green candles, which symbolize the seven basic values of African American family life that are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar on January 1. There are often fireworks at midnight to celebrate the new year. Commonly served in the southern part of the United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring luck and prosperity for the new year, greens (usually collards) bring wealth, and pork because pigs root forward.
Three Kings Day
At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents. In Puerto Rico, before children go to sleep on January 5, they leave a box with hay under their beds so the kings will leave good presents. In France, a delicious King cake is baked. Bakers will hide a coin, jewel or little toy inside it.
Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice occurs around December 21^st. It is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations. Long ago, people celebrated by lighting bonfires and candles to coax back the sun.

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/peopleplaces/winter-celebrations/

READING COMPREHENSION:

Which celebration…?

1.    is celebrated by Muslims?  _____________

2.    occurs around the shortest day of the year? _____________

3.    lasts a week? _____________

4.    falls between January 21 and February 20? _____________

5.    is connected with the birth of Jesus Christ? _____________

6.    is connected with the lighting of the menorah? _____________

7.    is important for Africans? _____________

8.    has also the other name - the Epiphany? _____________

9.    is celebrated on January 1? _____________

10. brings together many customs from different countries and cultures? _____________

SOURCE: WWW.ESLPRINTABLES.COM

AUTHOR: ANIA Z

LEITURA: English Around the World

Vocabulary
travel bug (idiom)- strong desire to travel
to be bitten by the travel bug (idiom)- kind of a cute way to say when someone begins to want to travel. After the "bug" bites you, you will really want to travel.
to wander- to go from one place to another without any definite plans
to be in the comfort of (one's) own home- to be at home, in a familiar or comfortable place
to explore- to look around and find out new things
exotic (adjective)- strange, mysterious, exciting, unknown
mystery- something unknown, something that needs to be found out
to flock- large amounts of people go to the same place at the same time
vast (adjective)- very large
perspective- view, way of seeing things
accomplishment- feeling like you have done something important and good 

Reading
Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there? While some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have been bitten by the travel bug and can't wait to explore the world. Exotic places call to them. "Come visit me and I will show you my mysteries," they say.
Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock to visit the seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and museums of Europe, and the cities and natural wonders of North and South America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And a few lucky people even make to the most mysterious continent on the earth- Antarctica.
Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective about the earth and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive. So save some money, get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.

Choose True or False. Check your answers at the bottom of the page by clicking on the arrow.

1. To be bitten by the travel bug means you like to stay home.
True
False
2. People bitten by the travel bug like to visit new places.
True
False
3. The great outback is in Europe.
True
False
4. Antarctica is in Africa.
True
False
5. Asia is vast.
True
False
6. Traveling opens your mind.
True
False
7. Traveling makes you feel alive.
True
False
8. Traveling helps you see things in a new way.
True
False


key

source: http://www.5minuteenglish.com/mar24.htm


 

GRAMMAR CHECK - EXERCISES

CHOOSE THE CORRECT OPTION

1.- Fiona always ..... fish for dinner                                            

 a) eat             b)eates         c) eats

2.- There is …… rubbish in the bin.                                              

a) a lot of       b)any             c)many

3.- …… you …… vegetables?                                                       

  a) Do …like      b)Does…like      c) Do….likes

4.- My aunt ……. afraid of snakes.                                            

  a) are                b)do                  c) is

5.- She’s a vegetarian. She never eats ….                              

 a) fruit               b)eggs           c) meat

6.- Where …….. my breakfast?                                                  

  a)are                  b)has              c) is

7.- What time …… the train leave?                                            

a) do                  b)does             c)doing

8.- Her husband never …… her birthday.                      

 a) remember          b) remembers     c)to remember

9.- The girl is playing the violin ……                                         

 a)now              b) yesterday         c) tomorrow

10.- Diana  doesn’t …… in the afternoon.                              

 a)works               b) work                  c) working

11.- Lisa is listening ….. music.                                                    

 a) in                      b) to                       c)at

12.- Danny ……… a photograph now.                                      

 a) taking              b) is taking           c)take

13.- Our teacher always ….. us a lot of homework.             

 a) give                  b)giving               c)gives

14.- …….. John prefer  Japanese or Italian food?                  

 a)Do                    b)Does           c) Is

15.- I enjoy scary rides so I….go on the roller coaster.        

 a)never               b)often          c) seldom

16.- At this moment my mother …… abroad.                      

a)flying                b)are flying     c)is flying

17.- Barbara …..the tickets at the moment.                           

a)are buying       b)is buying     c) buying

18.- My dad ……. in the garden twice a week.                     

 a) working          b)work           c)works

19.- Martha …..fizzy drinks at all.                                      

 a)don’t drink      b) isn’t drinking     c) doesn’t drink

20.-Two boys were planting trees while other ……rubbish.    

 a) collected     b)were collecting     c)collect

21.- When did you start ……. tales?                                                 

 a)write              b)writing          c)writes

22.-The singer …….. to USA last week.                                          

 a)travel               b)travelled      c)travels

23.-My friends ………. enjoy the film yesterday.                          

 a)did                   b) didn’t            c)were

24.- John ……. a lovely ring for his girlfriend two days ago.           

a)bought           b)buying           c) buy

25.- She was born ….. 15^th October.                                                  

a)in                      b) on                c) at

26.- Caroline ……. her watch at home.                                              

a)forget           b) forgotten      c)forgot

27.- You …… be quiet at the cinema                                               

a)mustn’t         b) must              c)has to

28.-We weren’t watching …….. yesterday at 7,30                        

 a) something       b)anything      c)someone

29.- While I was having dinner, the phone ……                           

a)was ringing         b)rang               c)were ringing

30.- His cousins ….abroad last year.                                            

 a)didn’t go             b)don’t go       c)haven’t gone

31.- Mr Bean …….very busy for two days.                                  

a)has been             b)have been       c)having been

32.-Sean hates travelling. He …….abroad since 1999.            

a) has been      b)hasn’t been         c)have been

33.- Adriana ……. in Africa since she was born.                       

 a)have lived      b) has living            c)has lived

34.- The pink dress is …… than the blue one.                         

 a) smaller          b)more small           c)the smallest

35.- That is the ……… handbag in the shop.                              

 a)cheapest         b)cheaper              c)more cheap

36.- She invited me to ……. restaurant in town.                       

a) better             b) the best             c)gooder

37.- These shoes aren’t …..for a walking trip.         

a)too practical    b)practical enough      c) the least practical

38.-  You ….be here at 9.00. Please don’t be late!                         

 a)can               b)has to              c) have to

39.-  Do you want to take pictures? You ….. use my digital camera.      

 a)can       c)could            c)must

40.- Are you busy now? ….. call you later?                             

 a)Do I have to       b)Should  I          c) Could I

41.- She will get the job, is she …… English.                            

a) speaks               b)speak                c) spoken

42.-If I were taller, I ……..be a model.                                      

 a) would                b)can                   c)apply

43.- If you make so much noise, I …..be able to sleep.          

a)will                     b)won’t                c)can’t

44.- You won’t understand ……you listen carefully.               

a) unless              b)if                         c)or

45.- If he ……. the doors, the burglars wouldn’t have got in.   

a)have locked       b)locked      c)had locked

46.- Those plants …… if you don’t water them.                          

 a)will grow      b)grows     c)won’t grow

47.- ………….hat is this?    It’s my father’s                                      

 a)who              b)whose     c)what

48.- My friend suggested ……. for a walk in the park.                  

a)to go            b)going       c)go

49.- Their garden  is ……….. than ours.                                          

 a)worse          b)the worst     c)badder

50.- Shall we go ……. tomorrow?                                                   

 a)skiing           b)ski            c)skying              

51.- ……..build  hotels on the moon in the future?           

a)People will           b)Will people    c) is people going  

52.-  When I arrived at the party, everyone ……                    

 a)danced                b)was dancing     c)is dancing

53.- I think Germany ……win the football match .                   

a)shall                       b) is going           c) will

54.- Kieran ………all the sweets by the time the other children arrived.            

a)have eaten      b)had eaten 

55.- She had studied hard so she …….answer all the questions.        

a)is able to    b)was able to      c)can

56.- Julio and Roberto are my brothers, ……them can swim.             

 a)neither      b)all of          c)both of

57.- I don’t want to go …..tonight. Let’s stay at home.                     

 a)somewhere   b)anywhere    c)nowhere

58.- Is you father in? I want to ask him ……                                       

a) anything      b)nothing      c)something

59.- Linda …….TV when the lights went out.                  

 a)was watching          b)were watching    c)is watching

60.- My uncle ……. in Greece since April.                          

a)have been               b) had               c)has been   

61.- The writer …….work on Sundays, but he doesn’t any more.      

 a) used to      b)didn’t use to       c)used

62.- My mother ………..me to go out and play                         

a) tell          c) told             c) said

63.- He ……… that he was going to be late.                            

 a)say          b)said              c)told

64.-It’s very cold today. …….?                                                       

 a) it is         b) isn’t it          c) it isn’t

65.- They didn’t buy the bicycle, ……?                                     

 a) did they    b) did he       c) do they

66.-  She asked if she… … borrow my dictionary.                  

 a) will             b) could        c) could

67.- He’s the journalist ……… daughter is a singer.               

 a) who          b)whose        c) which

68.-That’s the apartment …... I grew up.                                

 a) which        b)where        c) that

59.-This suitcase is ….. heavy for her to carry.                       

a) to               b)enough      c) too

60.- Today it’s not warm ….. to go to the beach                      

a)enough       b)very           c)too

61.- A butcher is someone …. sells meat.                                 

a)whose       b)who             c) which

62.- The furniture …….. by three men.                                     

a)were delivered               b) was delivered

63.- The footballer ……. offered a million € for the transfer.             

a)has offered          b) has been

64.- A song contest ……… by a French  magazine.                             

a)being organizing     b)being organized

65.-The exhibition ……..opened by the Queen.                                 

 a)will  be                    b)were

66.-The forest ……… by the fire two years ago.                                 

 a)were destroyed     b)was destroyed

67.- The girls drew all these pictures  by …………                        

 a) ourselves       b)herselves   c)themselves

68.-While she was chopping carrots she accidentally cut….         

a)himself     b)herself       c) itself

69.-Anne ……. German before she became a teacher.            

a)has studied    b)has been studying  c)had studied

70.-Elizabeth! ……… wants you on the phone.                         

 a)some            b)something        c)someone

71.- He speaks so …… that I can’t understand him                  

a)quick             b) more quick      c)quickly

72.- You ……. buy any apples, there are enough.                      

a) can              b)needn’t             c)must

73.- If she doesn’t tell me the truth, I ……. punish her.           

 a)won’t           b)will                    c) could

74.- The children were doing homework and I …... dinner.       

a)cooked    b)was cooking    c)were cooked

75.-I told the police that the thief ……. my bag.                          

a) had taken     b)has taken    c) had took

76.-The man was crossing the street when the accident ………     

 a) happens    b)happened    c)happening

77.-These are the tickets ………. Brian won at the quiz show.        

 a)who            b)which            c) when  

78.-Hector …….  the party when his friend arrived.                   

a)have left           b)had left        c)is left

79.-The police officer laughed ……..                                               

a)slow                  b)loudly           c)loud

80.- John speaks English very well because he …… in New York for ten years.  

 a)have lived     b)has lived

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

http://www.wizardofdraws.com

KEY

1-c                              41-a

2-a                             42-a

3-a                             43-b

4-c                             44-a

5-c                             45-c

6-c                             46-c

7-b                             47-b

8-b                             48-b

9-a                             49-a

10-b                           50-a

11-b                            51-b

12-b                           52-b

13-c                            53-c

14-b                           54-b

15-b                            55-b

16-c                            56-c

17-b                           57-b

18-c                            58-c

19-c                            59-a

20-b                          60-c

21-b                           61-a

22-b                          62-b

23-b                           63-b

24-a                          64-b

25-b                           65-a

26-c                           66-b

27-b                          67-c

28-b                           68-b

29-b                          69-c

30.-a                         70-c

31-a                            71-c

32-b                           72-b

33-c                           73-b

34-a                           74-b

35-a                           75-a

36-b                           76-b

37-b                           77-b

38-c                           78-b

39-a                           79-b

40-b                          80-b

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