Calendar of festivals in the English-speaking world

1. January
On 31 December there are New Year
celebrations. Most people see in the New Year
with friends and relations. At midnight,
everybody joins hands and sings Auld Lang Syne,
a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. In
places such as Scotland and the North of
England, people go first footing. They call at
firends’s houses, trying to be the first person
through the door after midnight. To symbolise
good luck, the visitor carries a piece of coal and
a glass of water.
On New Year’s Day (1 January) people make
New Year’s resolutions. They decide to do
something to improve their lives. For
example, people decide to give up smoking or
go to the gym once a week.
Homework.
Describe how you
usually celebrate New
Year. Describe what
you wear, what you
eat, who you meet
and what you do.

2. February
Dog breeders from all over the
world bring their valuable dogs to
take part in Crufts Dog Show in
Birmingham. There are prizes for
most breeds and one for the best
dog, who is given the title Crufts
Supreme Champion.
Saint Valentine’s Day is 14
February. People send a
Valentine’s card to
someone they love, fancy,
admire or secretly like.
Usually you don’t sign your
name. The person who
receives the card has to
guess who sent it.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
And so are you
Homework.
Would you send a Valentine’
card?Who to?
When do you send cards?
Make an original one.

3. March
This rowing race between
the universities of Oxford
and Cambridge has been
held on the River Thames in
London almost every year
since 1836.
Pancake Day is the day before Lent
starts. Lent is a Christian fast which
lasts for 40 days before Easter.
Pancake Day is traditionally a day of
celebration, the last day that you can
eat what you want until Easter.
Pancakes are made of flour, eggs and
milk: all things which should not be
eaten during Lent.
Homework
In many countries
the equivalent of
Pancake Day is
Carnival o Mardi
Gras. Does your
country celebrate
Pancake Day, Mardi
Gras or Carnival?
What do you do?

4. April
April Fool’s Day is 1 April. You can play
jokes on people, even on teachers. When
they discover the joke, you say “April
Fool¡”. You have to play the joke before
12 o’ clock midday, otherwise the joke’s
on you.
Schools close for two weeks at
Easter. On Good Friday, people
eat hot cross buns. They eat
them toasted with butter.
People give each other chocolate
Easter eggs on Easter Sunday.
The eggs are usually hollow and
contain sweets.
This is one of the biggest
marathons in the world.
Each year about 30,000
people start the race and
about 25,000 finish.
Homework
How do you
celebrate
Easter? Describe
what you wear,
what you eat and
who you meet

5. May
In villages throughout Britain on 1 May you can
see children dancing round the maypole and
singing songs. It is a pagan festival to celebrate
the end of winter and welcome summer.
This is Britain’s most important
flower and garden show.
Thousands of people come to see
the prize flowers and specially
built gardens.
Homework. What do you do
to celebrate the end of winter
in your country?

6. June
This is one of the biggest
horse-race meetings in Britain.
It is held at Ascot, in the south
of England. The Queen drives
there from Windsor Castle.
This is the second Saturday in
June and celebrates the Queen’s
official birthday, she watches a
parade of hundred of soldiers.
There is lots of marching,
military music and the soldiers
are dressed in colourful
uniforms.
Homework.
Which event
would you
prefer to go
to: Trooping
the colours or
Royal Ascot?
Why?

7. July
This is one of the four great world tennis
championships and the only one which is played
on grass. It is held in the last week of June and
the first week of July at Wimbledon in south-
west London. Tickets for Wimbledon are sold
on the day. Lots of people queue overnight to
get tickets for the Centre Court, the best
tennis court. The queue often turns into a
party.
Homework
Is Wimbledon shown on
TV in your
country?
Describe how to get a
ticket for the
Centre Court at
Wimbledon.

8. August
The last weekend in August
there is a big carnival in
Notting Hill in west London.
People who take part dress
up in fabulous costumes.
Steel bands play African
and Caribbean dance music
and people dance and blow
whistles.
This is a popular series of classical
music concerts. The season lasts
seven weeks and there are
concerts every night. A lot of
people like to go to the Last Night
of the Proms. The orchestra plays
popular tunes. People sing along
and wave flags.
Have you
ever gone to a
Carnival?
Which was
your favourite
costume?

9. September
In the autumn, harvest festivals
are held. This is a Christian
festival and churches are
decorated with fruit, vegetables
and flowers that people bring.
Traditionally, the festival was
held to say thank you to God for
a good harvest.
Every year 16 million
visitors go to the
holiday resort of
Blackpool. When
summer ends there
are still things to
see. From 1
September to 1
November, the
promenade has a
special illuminated
display at night. The
theme of the display
changes every year.
Homework
What kind of fruit
and vegetables do
you associate with a
harvest festival?

10. October
31 October is Hallowe’en. This pagan festival
celebrates the return of the souls of the
dead who come back to visit places where
they used to live. In the evening there are
lots of Hallowe’en parties, or fancy dress
parties. People dress up as witches, ghosts,
devils, cats, bats or anything scary. Houses
are decorated with pumpkins with candles
put inside. Some children follow the
American costume called Trick or Treat.
They knock at your house and ask “Trick or
treat?” If you give them some moeny or
some sweets (treat) they go away.
Otherwise, they play a trick on you, lik
squirting water in your face.

11. November
Guy Fawkes is Britain’s
most famous terrorist.
On 5 November 1605,
Guy Fawkes planned to
blow up the Houses of
Parliament and the King
of England James I. the
plot was discovered and
Guy Fawkes was hanged.
Every year on November
5th, people celebrate by
setting off fireworks.
They also make models
of Guy Fawkes and burn
them on big bonfires.

12. December
The most important day of the
holidays is 25 December, or
Christmas Day. Children wake up
easly to find a stocking full of
small presents on their bed.
Other presents, opened when
everyone is together, are
arranged around the Christmas
tree, which is usually decorated
with culticoloured lights. A
traditional Christmas dinner
includes roast turkey, roast
potatoes adn Brussels sprouts,
followed by Christmas pudding.
These are plays put on
before Christmas, usually
for children. They are
based on fairy tales, such
as Cinderella or Aladdin,
an mix comedy, song and
dance.
Most people send
Christmas cards
to their friends
and relations.
This is
the 26
December
Homework
Design and
make a
Christmas
card.

13. Halloween
Boxing Day
Guy Fawkes' Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Eve
Christmas' Eve
Saint Valentine's
Day
Fools' Day
Christmas' Eve
25th December
26th December
31st December
1st January
5th November
1st April
31st October
24th December
14th February
Matching exercise

14. Listening: British festivities
Pre-listening: work with a partner. Look at the pictures and match them with
the sentences about some British festivals.:
a. On New Years Eve, there are firework displays to welcome the New Year
b. On the fifth of November we remember Guy Fawkes with fireworks and
bonfires
c. At Halloween children dress in costumes as ghosts witches, or vampires,
and go trick or treat
d. One of the traditional Christmas desserts is Christmas pudding

15. While-listening: You will hear five short conversations. Complete the speech
bubbles below
Trick or______?
Here you are.
Happy______¡
Listen-it’s
nearly________
Happy_____
_____everyone¡
These____are
amazing¡
I love
Bonfire_______
Happy_____¡ I’ve eaten
six___eggs already¡
¡ Ha¡_____Fool¡ Oh no, it’s the____of
April today
Post-listening: Look at each list. Say which is the odd one out and why:
1. trick/egg/vampire/witch
2. Turkey/presents/decorations/fool
3. Fireworks/pantomime/bonfire/guy

16. Halloween
1. A woman that has malignant supernatural
powers and practices occult magic:
2. Small ugly fairy that plays tricks on people:
3. A large, roundish, orange fruit that has
thick flesh:
4. Inhabited or visited by ghosts:
5. Mysterious and frightening:
6. A spoken word or words that have magic
power to bewitch or enchant:
7. To cause fear and frighten:
8. The supernatural power that, according to
voodoo belief, may enter into a dead body
and reanimate it and control its actions:
9. The spirit of someone who has died and
lives in a haunted house:
10. A mischievous act:
Ghost Goblin Haunted Pumpkin
Scare Spell Spooky Trick Witch
Zombie
Choose the right word for each definition:
Brandon, Lauren, Kylie, Robert, and Ashley went trick or
treating together. They each wore a different costume (a
ghost, a pirate, Spiderman, a witch, and a ghost). At the end
of the day, each of them counted the number of pieces of
candy they collected. They each collected a different amount
of candy (63, 77, 83, 54, and 84).
Figure out the costume worn by each person and the amount
of candy each person collected.
1. Brandon was not a pirate.2. The boys (Robert and
Brandon) costumes included a pirate and Spiderman.3. Lauren
and Kylie collected a total of 161 pieces of candy.4. The
ghost collected 77 pieces of candy.5. The pirate collected 83
pieces of candy.6. Ashley and Lauren collected a total of 140
pieces of candy.7. The witch collected the most pieces of
candy.

17. Christmas
1. nechimy -
2. kingsstoc -
3. mtoistlee -
4. rdeeeinr -
5. olhly -
6. inelts -
7. coarl gsiners -
8. tmachriss
dpinudg -
9. tkeury -
10. eseprnts -
 Unjumble words. Find the correct word:
Dear Santa Claus,
Christmas is coming and I am looking
forward to your visit. This year , I
would like many things for [?]:
First of all, I [?] a computer.
As well, I'd like to have a good
calculator
Finally, I want a tape-recorder.
I have been a good [?] this year, so I
[?] I deserve these presents. Three
good things I have done are:
(1) I passed all my [?].
(2) I[?] my parents at home.
(3) I [?] a lot.
When you come down the chimney,
please look in the kitchen. I am going
to leave some [?] on the table for you
to have. Thank[?] Santa, I am very
[?].
Your friend
 Complete the following letter with
one word:

18.  Quiz: Carnival in Brazil
Carnival, the most popular celebration in Brazil,
represents the ___ soul.
a. country
b. countrys'
c. countrys's
d. country's
For four days, the joyful atmosphere ___ over the
country: from North to South, from East to West.
a. drizzles
b. spills
c. spreads
d. sprinkles
Carnival originated from the ceremonies in ___ of god
Osiris in the ancient Egypt.
a. concern
b. honor
c. treat
d. addition
Carnival follies usually happen just before ___ (the 40
days period that precedes Easter).
a. Lent
b. Thanksgiving
c. Nativity
d. Corpus Christi
The samba schools are the ___ attraction in Rio de
Janeiro.
a. main
b. mane
c. mayor
d. mean
Luxury and ___ are intrinsic components of all
parades and shows.
a. beautiful
b. beauty
c. wealthy
d. aesthetic
The ___ and the music captivate millions of people
around the world.
a. customs
b. customer
c. costumes
d. custodies
The samba originated from a ___ the African slaves
brought to Brazil.
a. stanza
b. rhythm
c. rhyme
d. rhythmic
Carnival, ___ in Brazil by the Portuguese, has
assimilated local elements, mainly from the black
culture from Rio and Bahia.
a. was introduced
b. has introduced
c. introduced
d. introducing

19. 1. I can be______ when I am with you.
2. Your idea of romance is_____ lights, soft music, and just
the two of us.
3. Because you make me______ like I have never felt before.
4. I can______ you anything, and you won't be shocked.
5.Your_______ faith is what keeps the flame out of love alive.
6. You and me together, we can make______ .
7. We're a perfect ______.
8. ______of you, fills me with a wonderful feeling.
9. Your love gives me the______ , that the best is still ahead.
10. You never give up on me, and that's what____ me going.
11. You are simply________ .
12. I______ you because you bring the best out of me.
13. Your terrific sense of_______ .
14. Everytime I look at you, my heart misses a ______.
15. You're the one who holds the______ to my heart.
16. You always_____ what I need to hear (You are perfect).
17. You have taught me the meaning of love.
18. Love is, what you mean to me - and you mean everything.
19. You are my theme for a_____ .
20. I have had the time of my life and I ______it all to you.
21. And, of course, your intelligence, 'cause you were
______enough to fall in love with me ;-)
Thinking beat dim dream feel feeling
humor irresistible keeps key love magi
c match myself owe say smart tell t
rue undying
XVUEKNIPTY
SRQCPSEVOD
OTRAEHNMLN
EVOLSWORRA
KJIHGDIPUC
ENITNELAVF
ESESORDCBA
 Fill in the gaps
arrows, candy, cupid, doves,
heart, lace, love, pink, red,
roses, valentine
 Find and circle the following words:

20. Mouth/hands/heart/hair/flowers/candies/
Love/passion/boy/moon/sun/song/eyes/
Smile/lips/star/dream/night/kiss/love/life/
Fantasy/time/kisses/am/are/is/am/are/is/
Are/is/come/go/are/is/say/like/best/have/
Has/have/has/love/want/need/enjoy/will/
Give/are/is/promise/like/sweet/beautiful/
Blue/romantic/delicious/true/soft/big/nice/
Long/red/crazy/very/forever/III/you/she/heyo
u/your/the/a/and/but/this/for/in/my/yourher/h
is/our/us/you/your/they/my/the/at/andthat/wi
thout/in/more/than/with/like
 Using the following words, write your own love poem

21. Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.
Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
Keep fireworks in a closed box.
Follow the instructions on each firework.
Light them at arm's length, using a taper.
Stand well back.
Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it
hasn't gone off, it could still explode.
Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
Always supervise children around fireworks.
Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
Never give sparklers to children under five.
Keep pets indoors.
Don't set off noisy fireworks late at night and never
after 11pm.
Look at the
Fireworks
Safety Code.
Now do not
look at it. Your
partner wants
to give a
firework party.
Give him/her
some advice
on handling
fireworks.

22. 1. Easter is a Christian feast that ___ the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
a. commemorate
b. commemorates
c. will commemorate
d. has to commemorate
2. It is one of ___ holy days in the calendar of Christian
churches.
a. most
b. the more
c. more
d. the most
3. Easter symbolizes God's promise that ___ soul is immortal.
a. man
b. men
c. man's
d. mans'
4. Easter was ___ a pagan festival.
a. original
b. originally
c. origin
d. originated
5. The symbol of the Easter rabbit ___ by the Germans to
America.
a. was brought
b. had brought
c. was bought
d. brought
6. At Easter, it's a custom for children to hunt colored eggs
and place ___ in an Easter basket.
a. their
b. it
c. them
d. its
7. Rabbits are also associated ___ Easter.
a. to
b. upon
c. within
d. with
8. The Easter Bunny is a symbol of ___ and new life.
a. fertilization
b. fertility
c. fertile
d. fertilized
9. The egg is a symbol of ___ in many cultures, thus it's
associated with Easter.
a. rebirth
b. birthday
c. birthing
d. born