INTERMEDIATE

Units 1112
Reading and Speaking Custom and practice

1 In your country, what are the main events in peoples lives? How are these occasions celebrated?
2 Read the letters page about manners and customs in Britain. The questions have been removed.
Where do they go? There is one extra question.
1 My son and his wife 3 My husband and I are going 5 Im going to a British
are having a naming to be godparents for our friends wedding. Can you
ceremony for their first neighbours baby. Can you tell me if I have to give money
child. Can you explain what suggest a suitable gift for the child? or a present?
a naming ceremony is?
4 My brother is getting 6 Im going to a funeral.
2 Ive been invited to a married soon. Could you tell Im not sure if I have to send
memorial service. Do I have me why we throw confetti at flowers. What do you think?
to wear mourning clothes? weddings?

3 Which answers are about

1 births?
2 deaths?
3 marriage?

4 Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)?

1 In Britain, you must buy the bride and groom something from their wedding list.
2 During the wedding reception, you shouldnt give money to the couple.
3 For a British funeral, people often send flowers or give money to charity.
4 People sometimes wear black clothes to memorial services.
5 Silver christening presents are a new custom.
6 Babies in Britain must be christened.

Vocabulary
5 Find words or phrases in the article which mean:
1 an idea or custom passed from parents to children (n)
2 a gift of money to a charity (n)
3 an occasion to remember someone who has died (n)
4 clothes worn to a funeral (n)
5 to cut words into metal (v)

What do you think?

6 Discuss these questions in groups.
What happens at traditional celebrations in your country?
What advice would you give to a British person attending a wedding
in your country?

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Reading and Speaking INTERMEDIATE Units 1112 Custom and practice
Custom
&practice
You ask, we answer youre not embarrassed!
Another full post bag this week with questions about the
right things to do for christenings, weddings and funerals.
funeral director who told me
that the familys wishes are
often announced in the
deaths column of the local
newspaper. The most
common options are flowers
a The tradition is to give a or a donation to charity.
present. Some couples have
a wedding list in a large
department store you just
get in touch with the shop
and say which gift you will
buy. Alternatively, you can
chose your own gift, send a
cheque (but dont give the c Most people want the
couple money at the memorial service to be a
wedding!) or give a gift happy and positive reminder
voucher. of the person so its unusual
to wear black. However, if the
family hasnt stated no
mourning, the safest
decision is to wear something
dark but with a bit of colour
for example, a tie for men or a
scarf for women. If the family
b The answer depends on what states no mourning, you can
the family wants. I phoned a wear what you like.
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d I telephoned another of my
contacts about this. She
advises that you buy a
traditional silver gift from a
jewellers. The most popular
presents are a christening
mug or cup, or a teething
ring. She also suggested that
you get the gift engraved with
the babys name and the date
so they will have a life-long
memento of the day.
e A naming ceremony is an
alternative to a christening for
people who arent church-
goers. Everyone welcomes
the baby to the family but
there isnt a religious service.
The parents, grandparents
and other guests at the
ceremony offer their support
in the childs future
development.
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