Black Day – February 10, 2008

Upper-Intermediate

the ARTICLE (for instructors)

Black Day
Whether you love it or despise it, almost everyone around the world knows Saint Valentine's Day. Then there's White
Day on March 14th, when men who received chocolate buy sweets for women. Fewer people have heard of Sweetest
Day, though, which is a holiday crafted by candy makers in the US for mid-October. Loved ones purchase candy and
small gifts for each other on this day. But have you ever heard of Black Day?

Black Day is a uniquely Korean holiday. It was created in response to the overly sweet Valentine's Day and White Day.
Like some other countries, Koreans have adopted the tradition of obligatory chocolate for both holidays. Women give
chocolate not only to husbands or boyfriends, but to male coworkers, friends, and love interests on Valentine's Day. Men
do the same for women on White Day. The amount of chocolate one receives gauges the popularity of the person.

Black Day, which falls on April 14th, lets the loveless sympathize with one another. People who didn't receive any
chocolate or gifts on either Valentine's Day or White Day wear black clothes. Black advertises their single status, and sort
of offers the opportunity to meet similarly single men and women. People who celebrate Black Day also eat a noodle
dish with black bean sauce, drink alcohol, and gripe about romance and love. There aren't any presents to buy. There
aren't any unfulfilled hopes. Few people know about the holiday outside of Korea, and perhaps this is the best part about
the day. It hasn't been marketed and sold to the consumer like its opposite counterparts in February and March.

Teacher's Notes:

* Underlined words in red typeface are the recommended vocabulary for this lesson.

Heads Up English - page 1

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

WARM-UPS
Select one or all of the following warm-up activities.

1. Define: What does "holiday" mean? Can you use it in a sentence? Can you give examples?

2. Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner(s) words and ideas associated with "Valentine's Day" for 1 minute, then
brainstorm words and ideas associated with "White Day" for 1 minute. Spend another 5 minutes or less discussing the
words and ideas together.

3. Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Black Day."

4. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

a. Saint Valentine's Day is the best holiday of the year!
b. If I'm single on Saint Valentine's Day, I feel lonely and depressed.
c. There's a lot of pressure to buy gifts and have romantic dinners on Valentine's Day.
d. I wish there were a holiday to celebrate being single.
e. All holidays are a complete waste of time!

5. Rank It!: Which holiday is the greatest? Rank the choices from best to worst. Remember to support your decisions!
a. New Year's Eve and/or New Year's Day
b. Easter
c. Christmas
d. Saint Valentine's Day
e. Halloween

Heads Up English - page 2

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

VOCABULARY
Select one of the following vocabulary acquisition activities.

1. Vocabulary match: Individually or in pairs/groups, match the words in column A (from the article) with the best
choice in column B.
a. despise q. required
b. craft r. original
c. unique s. match
d. adopt t. pity
e. obligatory u. accomplish
f. gauge v. create
g. sympathize w. determine
h. gripe x. take on
i. fulfill y. complain
j. counterpart z. hate

2. Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word.
adopted despise sympathize unfulfilled gauges
gripe counterparts crafted obligatory uniquely
a. Whether you love it or ( ) it, almost everyone around the world knows Saint Valentine's Day.
b. Fewer people have heard of Sweetest Day, which is a holiday ( ) by candy makers in the US.
c. Black Day is a ( ) Korean holiday.
d. Koreans have ( ) the tradition of other countries.
e. They give ( ) chocolate for Valentine's Day and White Day.
f. The amount of chocolate one receives ( ) the popularity of the person.
g. Black Day, which falls on April 14th, lets the loveless ( ) with one another.
h. People eat a noodle dish with black bean sauce, drink alcohol, and ( ) about romance and love.
i. There aren't any ( ) hopes.
j. It hasn't been marketed and sold to the consumer like its opposite ( ) in February and March.

3. Define: Define each word, correctly pronounce it, explain the meaning and/or usage, and offer an example sentence
to the class.
a. despise c. unique e. obligatory g. sympathize i. fulfill
b. craft d. adopt f. gauge h. gripe j. counterpart

Heads Up English - page 3

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

WORD RECOGNITION
1. Word Search: Find the target words (in bold). Time yourself, and see how many words you can find in three
minutes. In five minutes. In ten minutes.
adopted despise sympathize unfulfilled gauges
gripe counterparts crafted obligatory uniquely

C L E V D M N U I M U U U Y C
K O U Z A E N K U E N P N R R
S A U F I I S F W F J Y F O A
E E F N Q H O P U A L N U T F
P W G U T G T L I E X Y L A T
I M L A V E F A U S F J L G E
R Y N E U I R Q P D E A F I D
G U E D L G I P E M X F I L D
A A C L U N M V A G Y X L B R
Q S E G U A G Y Q R H S L O X
E D D K X J F N T O T T E U N
E Z I S H T A P M Y S S D V O
O R Y N E Z F T V D O K A G B
A D O P T E D H B F O E Q G L
V A C W W J C D K Z R I G J A

2. Target Word Pool: Find the target words (in bold) with their exact match. Time yourself, and see how many words
you can find in three minutes. In five minutes. In ten minutes.
adopted despise sympathize unfulfilled gauges
gripe counterparts crafted obligatory uniquely
fulfilled counter
countenance crafting
crafted gauged indisposed adoption
grape
uniquely obligatorily gripe
obliging unsympathetic
adopting doped unfulfilling
inequality
crafts dispose sympathize gauge despised
engaged
counterpart
sympathizer fulfilling
unique crafty sympathy
counterparts
crofter adopted obligatory
uniqueness
unfulfilled grippe obliged grape
gauging
griped despise gauges
sympathetic
adopt despising fulfillment unequal
obligated counterculture

Heads Up English - page 4

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

pre- or post-COMPREHENSION
1. Word Association: Brainstorm words associated with today's topic for two minutes. Present to the class.

2. Brainstorm Questions: Brainstorm questions that you would like to ask about today's topic. Answer the questions
without looking at the article.

3. True or False?: Guess (before the article) or answer (after the article) whether the sentence is true or false. If false,
correct the sentence.
a. Most everyone around the world knows Valentine's Day, White Day, and Sweetest Day. T/F
b. Black Day was created in response to Saint Valentine's Day and White Day. T/F
c. The amount of chocolate received measures a person's popularity. T/F
d. Anyone can celebrate Black Day. T/F
e. Black Day will be marketed around the world like its counterparts, Valentine's Day and White Day. T/F

4. Questions: Answer the questions to check comprehension.

a. What information does the article give about Sweetest Day?
b. In Korea, what happens on Valentine's Day? How about White Day?
c. Who celebrates Black Day?
d. What happens on Black Day?
e. According to the article, what is the best feature of Black Day?

5. Vocabulary: In pairs/groups, remember how the words were used in today's article.
a. despise c. uniquely e. obligatory g. sympathize i. unfulfilled
b. crafted d. adopted f. gauges h. gripe j. counterparts

6. Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article.
a. Then there's White Day on March 14th, when...
b. Fewer people have heard of Sweetest Day, though, which is...
c. Like some other countries, Koreans have adopted...
d. Women give chocolate not only to husbands or boyfriends, but to...
e. Black advertises their single status, and...

Heads Up English - page 5

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

post-COMPREHENSION
1. Vocabulary: Circle any additional unknown words/phrases in the article. In pairs/groups, use your dictionaries to
understand the meanings. Present to the class.

2. Class Questions: Read through the article once more, and write down any questions that you would like to discuss in
pairs/groups or as a class. Discuss.

3. Summarize: Work with a partner to summarize the article in your own words.

4. Discuss: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
a. Did you like this article?
b. What was your general impression after reading this article?
c. How do you feel about Valentine's Day? How about White Day? Please explain.
d. How do you feel about Black Day? Please explain.
e. Would you celebrate Black Day? Why/not?
f. Will Black Day spread around the world and become a commercial holiday? Why/not?
g. Have you ever celebrated a holiday, but didn't see much point in doing so? Why/not?
h. Does your country have any unique holidays? Please explain.
i. What is a holiday, apart from possibly a day off from school or work?
j. If you could create a new holiday, what would it celebrate? Please explain.

5. Discuss: You have the chance to create a new holiday! Work with a partner/group to brainstorm possible answers to
the questions below. But don't let the questions limit your imagination! Share your new holiday with the class.
What will it celebrate?

When will people celebrate the new holiday?

How will people celebrate it?

Will people go anywhere special? How about buy / eat / do anything special?

???

6. Google Search: Type "Black Day" into Google news and read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an
essay about your findings.

Heads Up English - page 6

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

STUDENT HANDOUT (the article)

Black Day
Whether you love it or despise it, almost everyone around the world knows Saint Valentine's Day. Then there's White
Day on March 14th, when men who received chocolate buy sweets for women. Fewer people have heard of Sweetest
Day, though, which is a holiday crafted by candy makers in the US for mid-October. Loved ones purchase candy and
small gifts for each other on this day. But have you ever heard of Black Day?

Black Day is a uniquely Korean holiday. It was created in response to the overly sweet Valentine's Day and White Day.
Like some other countries, Koreans have adopted the tradition of obligatory chocolate for both holidays. Women give
chocolate not only to husbands or boyfriends, but to male coworkers, friends, and love interests on Valentine's Day. Men
do the same for women on White Day. The amount of chocolate one receives gauges the popularity of the person.

Black Day, which falls on April 14th, lets the loveless sympathize with one another. People who didn't receive any
chocolate or gifts on either Valentine's Day or White Day wear black clothes. Black advertises their single status, and sort
of offers the opportunity to meet similarly single men and women. People who celebrate Black Day also eat a noodle
dish with black bean sauce, drink alcohol, and gripe about romance and love. There aren't any presents to buy. There
aren't any unfulfilled hopes. Few people know about the holiday outside of Korea, and perhaps this is the best part about
the day. It hasn't been marketed and sold to the consumer like its opposite counterparts in February and March.

Notes:

Heads Up English - page 7

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

STUDENT HANDOUT (fill in the blank)

Fill in the blank with the correct word.
marketed despise celebrate gripe crafted
sympathize counterparts adopted single gauges
uniquely obligatory unfulfilled ones opportunity
Black Day
Whether you love it or (a. _______________) it, almost everyone around the world knows Saint Valentine's Day.
Then there's White Day on March 14th, when men who received chocolate buy sweets for women. Fewer people
have heard of Sweetest Day, though, which is a holiday (b. _______________) by candy makers in the US for mid-
October. Loved (c. _______________) purchase candy and small gifts for each other on this day. But have you
ever heard of Black Day?

Black Day is a (d. _______________) Korean holiday. It was created in response to the overly sweet Valentine's
Day and White Day. Like some other countries, Koreans have (e. _______________) the tradition of
(f. _______________) chocolate for both holidays. Women give chocolate not only to husbands or boyfriends, but
to male coworkers, friends, and love interests on Valentine's Day. Men do the same for women on White Day. The
amount of chocolate one receives (g. _______________) the popularity of the person.

Black Day, which falls on April 14th, lets the loveless (h. _______________) with one another. People who didn't
receive any chocolate or gifts on either Valentine's Day or White Day wear black clothes. Black advertises their
(i. _______________) status, and sort of offers the (j. _______________) to meet similarly single men and women.
People who (k. _______________) Black Day also eat a noodle dish with black bean sauce, drink alcohol, and
(l. _______________) about romance and love. There aren't any presents to buy. There aren't any
(m. _______________) hopes. Few people know about the holiday outside of Korea, and perhaps this is the best
part about the day. It hasn't been (n. _______________) and sold to the consumer like its opposite
(o. _______________) in February and March.

Heads Up English - page 8

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

STUDENT HANDOUT (extended listening)

Listen and fill in the missing sentences. Compare answers with a partner, and then listen once more.

Black Day
Whether you love it or despise it, almost everyone around the world knows Saint Valentine's Day. Then there's White
Day on March 14th, when men who received chocolate buy sweets for women. Fewer people have heard of Sweetest
Day, though, which is a holiday crafted by candy makers in the US for mid-October. a) _________________________
___________________________________. But have you ever heard of Black Day?

Black Day is a uniquely Korean holiday. b) ___________________________________________________________.

Like some other countries, Koreans have adopted the tradition of obligatory chocolate for both holidays. Women give
chocolate not only to husbands or boyfriends, but to male coworkers, friends, and love interests on Valentine's Day. Men
do the same for women on White Day. c) ____________________________________________________________.

Black Day, which falls on April 14th, lets the loveless sympathize with one another. d) __________________________
___________________________________. Black advertises their single status, and sort of offers the opportunity to
meet similarly single men and women. People who celebrate Black Day also eat a noodle dish with black bean sauce,
drink alcohol, and gripe about romance and love. There aren't any presents to buy. There aren't any unfulfilled hopes.
Few people know about the holiday outside of Korea, and perhaps this is the best part about the day.
e) ____________________________________________________________.

Heads Up English - page 9

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

STUDENT HANDOUT (activities)

Heads Up English - page 10

www.headsupenglish.com
 Black Day – February 10, 2008
Upper-Intermediate

ANSWER KEY

Vocabulary
1. Vocabulary Match: 2. Fill in the Blanks:
a. z f. w a. despise f. gauges
b. v g. t b. crafted g. sympathize
c. r h. y c. uniquely h. gripe
d. x i. u d. adopted i. unfulfilled
e. q j. s e. obligatory j. counterparts

pre- or post-Comprehension
1. True or False: 2. Fragments:
a. F a. men who received chocolate buy sweets for women.
b. T b. a holiday crafted by candy makers in the US for mid-October.
c. T c. the tradition of obligatory chocolate for both holidays.
d. F d. male coworkers, friends, and love interests on Valentine's Day.
e. F e. sort of offers the opportunity to meet similarly single men and women.

Student Handout
1. Fill in the Blanks
a. despise i. single
b. crafted j. opportunity
c. ones k. celebrate
d. uniquely l. gripe
e. adopted m. unfulfilled
f. obligatory n. marketed
g. gauges o. counterparts
h. sympathize

2. Extended Listening
a. Loved ones purchase candy and small gifts for each other on this day
b. It was created in response to the overly sweet Valentine's Day and White Day
c. The amount of chocolate one receives gauges the popularity of the person
d. People who didn't receive any chocolate or gifts on either Valentine's Day or White Day wear black clothes
e. It hasn't been marketed and sold to the consumer like its opposite counterparts in February and March

Heads Up English - page 11

www.headsupenglish.com