38 English Discoveries Scope and Sequence

Unit 3: Celebrations
Call-In

Host: Welcome, listeners, to today's “Call-in Line.” I'm your host, Doug, and on today's
show I'd like to hear about your favorite celebration. Good morning, Caller Number
One. You're on the air.
Stella: Hi, Doug! This is Stella. My favorite celebration has always been Independence Day.
Last year we had a fireworks display and our annual bake sale. I baked old-fashioned
apple pie.
Host: I can almost taste that apple pie. Thank you, Stella. Now we go to Gertrude, who's
been waiting on the line.
Gertrude: Hello. This might sound unusual, but in England, where I was born, there is a Spring
Bank Holiday festival. It has always been a tradition to celebrate it with a fair in a
park. There is usually a parade as well.
Host: That sounds very English, Gertrude. Now, are there any men out there celebrating
anything?
Mike: Hi, Doug. My name is Mike, and my favorite celebration is Thanksgiving. I am a
descendant of one of the first Englishmen who came to America. I was born here,
and I consider it an honor to be an American.
Host: Well, it's been an honor for us to have you on our program, Mike! And now, our last
caller is...
Penelope: Penelope. My favorite celebration was my 97th birthday. My whole family gathered
for the event.
Host: Penelope, your favorite celebration really is unique. Well, that's all we have time for
today. Have a spectacular day, listeners, and let's keep talking to each other.

The First Thanksgiving

Andrew and Kenji were sitting outside Kenji's house with nothing to do. Suddenly Andrew stood
up. “Let's go inside and watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV,” he said.

“What's Thanksgiving Day?” asked Kenji.

“You don't know what Thanksgiving Day is?” Andrew asked, surprised. “It's a holiday that
Americans celebrate in honor of everything that this country offered to our ancestors. When the
Pilgrims first came to America 400 years ago, they worked hard building houses, planting, and
fishing. They were helped by the American Indians, who taught them how to grow all kinds of
new vegetables, such as corn and yams, or sweet potatoes. By harvest time, there was lots of
food to eat and the future looked full of opportunity. Our ancestors made a feast to show their
appreciation. So now, every year we celebrate Thanksgiving Day.”

“What do you do on Thanksgiving?” asked Kenji.

“Well, it's traditional to eat a big meal together. We eat food that symbolizes the new food our
ancestors ate. At our house we usually eat turkey with sweet potatoes and corn bread. And we
have pumpkin pie for dessert.” said Andrew.

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 Scope and Sequence: Intermediate 1 39

“I've never had sweet potatoes or pumpkin pie. They sound interesting,” Kenji said. “But what’s
the parade that you want to see?”

“Oh, it's an annual event. Every Thanksgiving a giant parade is held by one of the most famous
department stores in New York,” Andrew explained. “There are big balloons, called ‘floats,’ in the
shape of famous cartoon characters. And at the end of the parade, children can even see Santa
Claus, who’s visiting from the North Pole. Santa Claus is invited to remind children and parents
that Christmas is not far away. Well, now that I've told you all about Thanksgiving, do you want to
come to my house for dinner and watch the parade?” asked Andrew.

“Sure,” said Kenji. “I'd love to.”

Sorry I’m Late

- Oh, I'm sorry I'm late.

- Oh, that's all right.
- But I promised to be on time today.
- Really. It doesn't matter. I've been having a good time.
- Oh? What have you been doing?
- Just talking with Mark.

Celebrations

Word Definition Example Sentence

annual, adj. happening once every year We have an annual
celebration every January.
celebrate, v. to do special things for an event or a Do you celebrate this holiday
holiday in Canada?
Christmas, n. a Christian holiday that celebrates Will it snow this Christmas?
the birth of Jesus Christ

event, n. something important that happens I'm planning an event at our

for a period of time, a sports school.
competition
fair, n. an outdoor event where many I'm taking the children to the
people gather to play games, fair.
compete, and go on rides

fireworks display, n. colorful explosions in the sky used for
entertainment at special events
gather, v. to come together, to meet
in honor of, exp. showing respect for someone or
something
Look at the fireworks display
up in the sky!
My friends gathered together
to celebrate my birthday.
This prize is given in honor of
Matthew Phillips.

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40 English Discoveries Scope and Sequence

parade, n. an event where many people walk or Let's go to State Street to

ride down a street to celebrate watch the parade.
symbolize, v. to be a symbol - something that The Statue of Liberty, in New
reminds us of something else York City, symbolizes
freedom.

Thanksgiving, n. a holiday celebrated in the United Thanksgiving is a North

States and Canada American holiday.
tradition, n. activity that is done the same way for It is a tradition in our family
many years to serve duck for Christmas.

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