Celebrations and special occasions

In this first learning activity of English Dot Works 4, you will learn about describing
celebrations and special occasions around the world, how to make arrangements
and predictions and how to order food in a restaurant.

Fuente: Fotolia (s.f.)

Introductory material

Dear learner,

This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 1.

You will learn about:

1. Describing celebrations and special occasions around the world.

2. How to make arrangements and predictions.

3. How to order food in a restaurant.

Let’s begin!
 1. Describing celebrations and special occasions around the world

A. Richard wants to travel. He is reading a website about celebrations around the

world. Read the following article he is interested in. It will help you learn how to
describe celebrations.

Fuente: SENA
Considering all this diversity, Richard decided to make his own list of
celebrations around the world to select the next country he is going to visit.
These are the options he has.

Country Celebration Description

The biggest parade in the world.
Carnival in Rio
Brazil Samba schools prepare performances
de Janeiro.
and costumes.
Oktoberfest in
Germany The biggest beer celebration in the world.
Munich.
Chinese New People dance and celebrate, they wear
China
Year. costumes. It is full of fireworks.
This holiday commemorates the
Saint Patrick’s
USA arrival of Christianity to Ireland.
day.
Everything is green from clothes to food.
La tomatina in People throw tomatoes to each other
Spain
Buñol. just for fun.
People throw colorful powder to
India Holi. commemorate a new season. It is
celebrated in spring.
Black and White It is a cultural celebration which merges
Colombia
Carnival in Pasto. religion, history and art.

When you want to describe a celebration, it is important to keep in mind the

following aspects:

Aspects Vocabulary Examples

This holiday
What is Festival, carnival, parade, commemorates the
celebrated. mass, holiday. arrival of Christianity
to Ireland.
What people Costumes, hats, scarves, They wear costumes.
wear. gloves, boots, glasses.
People throw tomatoes
Sing, dance, swim, throw,
What people do. at each other just for
drink, eat, play.
fun.
Why it is a The most important, the The biggest parade in
special biggest, the most colorful,
the world.
celebration. the most famous.
The most common celebrations around the world are shown in the next calendar.

Calendar

January February March April

New Year Valentine’s St. Patrick’s Holy Week

Day Day

May June July August

Mother’s Day Father’s Festival of San La Tomatina

Day Fermin

September October November December

International Halloween Thanksgiving Christmas

Peace Day

Let’s practice how to talk about celebrations:

• When is Christmas celebrated? It is celebrated in December.

• What is celebrated in June? Father’s day is celebrated.

• When is Valentine’s Day celebrated? It is celebrated on February 14th.

When you talk about specific dates use the preposition on. When you talk about
dates using only the month, use the preposition in.

Examples:

• International Peace Day is celebrated on September 21st.

• Holly Week is celebrated in April.

B. Johana’s birthday was a family event. Her family decided to celebrate her
birthday with a surprise party. Richard took photos and uploaded them to his
social network. Read Richard’s status and his friends posts that will help you to
learn how to describe special occasions.
Fuente: SENA
There are some special occasions we celebrate around the world in a common
way such as birthdays, weddings and graduations. Here you can find how they are
celebrated and the common expressions we use.

Birthdays Common expressions

Sing Happy Birthday. Congratulations!

Blow out the candles on a cake. Make a wish!

Give presents/gifts. I picked this gift especially for you.

Weddings Common expressions

Get engaged to somebody. We’re gonna get hitched!

Have a bachelor party. This is your last night as a single man.

Make a guest list. Have you RSVPed to the wedding?

Wear a dress. You look so beautiful in that dress.

Until death do us part.
Speak now or forever hold your peace.
Exchange wedding rings / vows.
I now pronounce you, man and wife! You
may kiss the bride.
We tied the knot!
Have a wedding reception.
Now welcome, Mr. and Mrs…
I’d like to propose a toast to the bride
Make a toast.
and groom…

Graduation Common expressions

Pass final exams. I got my final grades…And I passed!

Wear a cap and gown. The big day is finally here…

Get a diploma. You did it! Now, it is time to celebrate.

Hug your relatives and friends. I would like to thank my family for all their
support.
 2. How to make arrangements and predictions

A. Richard continues planning his trip. He is still looking for more information about
places to visit. He has made a holiday itinerary based on Black and White
Carnival in Pasto. He is going there soon.

Richard’s itinerary

January 2nd Arrive to Pasto.

January 3rd Meet Johana.

Go to Castañeda Family
January 4th Parade.
Put on makeup for the
January 5th Day of the Blacks.
Take photos on the Day
January 6th of the Whites.
Fuente: Fotolia (s.f.)

Based on his agenda, his week of vacations is busy because:

He is arriving to Pasto on January 2nd.

He is meeting Johana on January 3rd.

He is going to the Castañeda Family Parade on January 4th.

He is putting on makeup for Day of the Blacks on January 5th.

He is taking photos for Day of the Whites on January 6th.

We use present continuous to talk about things that we have already arranged
to do at a specific time or place. It is a way to express future actions in specific
time and place, keeping in mind your agenda or itinerary.

Look at John’s agenda.

 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Meeting
Dentist Presentation with Joe at
appointment at IBM 7:00 the coffee
6:30 a.m. a.m. shop at
10:00 a.m.
Lunch
with Lucy
at Luigi’s
at 2 p.m.

Movie at Shakespe
Dinner at Columbia are theater
Jenny’s cinema Romeo
Pizza 8:00 with and Juliet
p.m. Johana at 7:00
9:00 p.m. p.m.

• What is John doing on Monday? He is going to a dentist appointment.

• What is John doing on Wednesday? He is doing a presentation for IBM at

7:00 a.m. and he is having a family dinner at Jenny’s pizza in the evening.

• What is John doing on Thursday? He is watching a movie with Johana.

• What is John doing on Saturday? He is meeting Joe at the coffee shop at

10:00 a.m.

We can see how John expresses his arrangements for the week using present
continuous.

The following chart gives more examples on how to use the present continuous.

Affirmative Negative Question

I am having a party on I am not having a party What are you doing on
Friday at Richard’s. on Friday at Richard’s. Friday?
Where are you
You are traveling to You are not traveling to
traveling next
Melgar next Saturday. Melgar next Saturday.
Saturday?
 She is watching a play She is not watching a
What is she doing on
at Shakespeare play at Shakespeare
Thursday?
Theater on Thursday. Theater on Thursday.
He is taking photos on He is not taking photos
What is he doing on
Sunday at the on Sunday at the
Sunday?
Botanical Garden. Botanical Garden.
It is flying to London It is not flying to London
Where is it flying?
on Monday. on Monday.
They are buying new
They are not buying new What are they doing on
curtains on
curtains on Wednesday. Wednesday?
Wednesday.
We are sunbathing We are not sunbathing What are you doing
next Friday. next Friday. next Friday?

We also use going to in order to talk about things that we have planned for the
future.

The next chart explains this use of going to.

Affirmative Negative Question

I am going to study next I am not going to study What are you going to
August. next August. do next August?
You are going to take You are not going to Are you going to take
the test tomorrow. take the test tomorrow. the test tomorrow?
She is going to travel She is not going to travel What is she going to do
next year. next year. next year?
He is going to have He is not going to have Is he going to have
great memories of this great memories of this great memories of this
trip. trip. trip?
It is going to be a great It is not going to be a Is it going to be a great
wedding. great wedding. wedding?
They are going to come They are not going to Are they going to come
to your birthday. come to your birthday. for your birthday?
We are going to study We are not going to What are you going to
hard this summer. study hard this summer. do this summer?

Remember the sentence structure:

 Main verb
Affirmative Subject To be Situation, time, place
-ing
a party on Friday at Richard’s
Example I am having
house.
To be Main verb
Negative Subject Situation, time, place
negative –ing
a party on Friday at Richard’s
Example I am not having
house.
Wh - Main verb –
Question To be Subject Time, place
question ing
Example What are you doing on Friday?

B. We know some information about Richard’s plan for his trip to Pasto. So, we can
make some predictions about it. Predictions are what we expect or imagine will
happen. They are not certainties. We use the present continuous to express
predictions, too.

He is arriving to Pasto on He is going to feel excited with his first

January 2nd.
He is meeting Johana on January
3rd.
He is going to the Castañeda
family parade on January 4th.
He is putting on makeup for Day
of the blacks on January 5th.
He is taking photos of the Day of
the whites on January 6th.
arrive.
He is going to talk for a long time with
his friend.
He is going to dance at the parade.
He is going to enjoy the Day of the
blacks.
He is going to have great memories of
his trip.

We also use going to to talk about predictions. Remember the sentence structure:

Affirmative Subject To be Going to Main verb Situation, time, place

Example I am going to travel next year.
To be
Negative Subject Going to Main verb Situation, time, place
negative
Example I am not going to travel next year.
Wh – Time,
Question To be Subject Going to Main verb
question place
 next
Example What are you going to do
year?

3. How to order food in a restaurant

Richard booked a table at Luigi’s restaurant. Read the menu.

Fuente: SENA

This restaurant offers several dinner possibilities. Richard is hungry, so he is going

to ask for a full meal which is composed of three courses: an appetizer, a main
course and a dessert. In Richard’s case he is going to eat Cesar salad, lasagna
and chocolate cake.

Here you can learn more vocabulary about menus.

 Appetizers Main courses
Salmon cakes Stuffed pork chops
Warm squid salad Baked fish
Pork pot stickers Deep fried clams
Spring rolls Ravioli
Fresh oysters Grilled lamb
Pancakes with smoked salmon Grilled salmon
Lentil soup Barbecue ribs
Parmesan bruschetta Lasagna
Blue cheese focaccia Spicy grilled rib eye
Chicken soup Barbecued lamb
Desserts Beverages
Ice cream Apple juice
Chocolate ice cream Grape frappe
Creme brulee Lemonade
Cheesecake Soda
Chocolate mousse Cappuccino

There are some common expressions we can use in a restaurant.

I'd like to book a table for two at 8, please.

I'd like to see the menu please.
What is the house special today?
Could I have mayonnaise instead of mustard, please?
Which wine would you recommend?
Could we have some more bread, please?
Could I have the check, please?
 Contextualization

Read to the conversation between Richard and John.

Richard, do Yes, please.

we order I’m hungry. Waiter! Good afternoon.
now? We would like What would you
to order. like?

I am going to I am going to
have a hamburger Ok. Sir, what
What would have a green salad and would you like to
you like to a steak. and a chocolate ice
cream. order?
drink?

Lemonade
is fine.

I will be
Ok. Thanks. back shortly
Yes, I’ll try this Anything with your
else? So, what’s
local beer. new? food.
 I have some
Yes, I heard. good news. I am
The girls told me travelling to Pasto
yesterday. next month.

Of course,
Johana and Nicole
helped me with my
itinerary.

How long are you Almost a week,

going to stay there? I want to relax.

What are you

doing in Pasto?
 That is a big I am attending
celebration. I heard Black and White
there is a wonderful Carnival.
parade.

Yeah.
That’s why I
decided to visit
Pasto. I want to
see it.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Comprehension

A. Read the conversation again. Select true or false about the statements based on
the conversation.
True False
1. John is traveling to Pasto.

2. Richard ordered a steak.

3. John likes vegetables.

4. John does not know about Richard’s trip.

5. Richard is excited about the carnival.

6. Richard is traveling next week.

7. John did not have any help for his trip.

8. Nicole is traveling with John.

9. Richard is traveling to Cartagena.

10. John likes meat.

B. Complete the sentences with the words from the box.

parade - going to - staying - would you like - traveling - hungry - have - enjoying

1. Yes, please. I am ___________.

2. What ____________ to order?

3. I am going to ________ a hamburger.

4. I am _________ try the local beer.

5. I am ___________ to Pasto.

6. How long are you __________?

7. I am _________ the parade.

8. There is a big __________.

Practice 1

A. Match Colombian celebrations in the box with the calendar according the month
they take place.

- National beauty pageant - Bambuco folk festival - Black and White Carnival

- Villavicencio world coleo encounter - Bogota international book fair - Cali fair

- Barranquilla carnival - Bogota Jazz in the park festival - Colombiamoda

- Barranquilla International film festival - Iberoamerican theater festival

- Medellin flower fair

 Calendar

January February March April

May June July August

September October November December

B. Match the dates in the box with the celebrations.

October 31st - December 25th - January 1st - February 14th - May 1st

1. Valentine’s day is celebrated on ______________.

2. Halloween is celebrated on ________________.

3. Christmas is celebrated on ________________.

4. New year is celebrated on ______________.

5. Labor day is celebrated on ______________.

C. Match the months in the box with the celebrations.

November - January - August - May - October - April - June - December

- March - September - February - July

 1. La Tomatina is celebrated in ____________.

2. Christmas is celebrated in ___________.

3. Holy Week is celebrated in __________.

4. Thanksgiving is celebrated in ___________.

5. Festival de San Fermin is celebrated in ________.

6. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in __________.

7. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in _________.

8. Father’s Day is celebrated in __________.

9. Halloween is celebrated in ____________.

10. International Peace Day is celebrated in ___________.

11. New Year is celebrated in ___________.

12. Mother’s day is celebrated in __________.

D. Classify the actions in the box according to the traditions they belong to.

Get engaged to somebody - Sing Happy Birthday - Approve final exams

- Have a bachelor party - Blow out the candles on a cake

4
- Wear a gown and a cap - Exchange rings - Ask for a wish - Get a diploma

Wedding Birthday Graduation

E. Look at the map and match the sentences to the places.

1. John is having a meal tonight. 2. Johana is doing some exercise

this afternoon.

3. Richard is meeting some 4. Nicole is playing with her team.

friends for a cup of coffee.

5. Tim is seeing a play this evening. 6. Lucy is watching a movie tonight.

Fuente: SENA
F. Classify the sentences in the box with their intentions.

1. I love Italy. I’m going to spend my holidays in Rome next year.

2. Nicole is having a dinner party with John next Friday.

3. My parents are going to buy a new house this year.

4. Richard can’t meet us tomorrow.

5. He is seeing his doctor.

6. She has more free time in December. She is going to clean the kitchen
then.

7. She is taking her dog to the vet this afternoon.

8. She is going to study engineering at the university next year.

9. She is flying to London next Friday for a meeting with the real estate agent.

You decided before now You made an arrangement with

 Practice 2

A. Select the answer according to the question.

1. What are you doing for your next holiday?

2. Are you going out tonight?

3. What are you going to study?

4. When is she going to move to her new apartment?

5. Is he going to live alone next year?

___ He is going to move out by himself.

___I’m visiting some relatives in Villavicencio.

___She is going to move to her new apartment next year.

___I’m staying home. I feel sick.

___I’m going to be a vet.

B. Organize the words to make sentences.

1. morning - I - Richard - am - meeting - tomorrow

_________________________________________.

2. When - going - visit - is - she - to - you - ?

____________________________________________.

3. England - Are - going - Madona’s - concert - for - Nicole - be - and - in -

Johana - to - ?
______________________________________________________________.

4. up - he - driver - be - bus - going - When - is - he - to - grows - a

___________________________________________________.

5. 2:00 - p.m. - Monday - What - at - doing - are - on - you - ?

_______________________________________________.
C. Organize the conversation.

- Where are they going to live? Their apartment is too small.

- Oh look! Steve and his wife are going to have a baby next month.

- Ummm, that’s something you should ask them.

- They are going to ask Steve’s mother for some help.

- For sure. I am going to do it next time I see them.

- Who is going to look after the baby?

1. _________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________

5. _________________________________________________

6. _________________________________________________

D. Match each course with the category.

- Spring rolls. - Chocolate ice cream. - Deep fried clams. - Grape frappe.

- Fresh oysters. - Creme brulee. - Ravioli. - Banana berry smoothie.

- Pancakes with smoked salmon. - Cheesecake. - Grilled lamb.

- Chocolate milkshake. - Lentils soup. - Chocolate mousse.

- Barbecue ribs. - Cappuccino.

 Main courses Appetizers

Deserts Beverages

E. Complete the dialogue with words from the box.

going to - one - appetizer - house special - way - glass - menu

- else - main - wine

Waiter: Good evening. Can I help you?

Johana: Yes please. Table for _____.

Waiter: This ____ please.

Johana: I’d like to see the _____.

Waiter: Here you have.

Johana: What is the ____________ today?

Waiter: Steak and mushrooms sauce.

Johana: I’m ________ order it.

Waiter: Anything _____?

Johana: Which _______ do you recommend?

Waiter: With your ___________ a Bordeaux wine.

 Johana: Ok, please a _______ of wine.

Waiter: Would you like any ________ ?

Johana: Just, some bread. Thanks.

Pronunciation practice

Note: This practice must be completed using the multimedia version of the
study material. There you will find the corresponding sound files.

A. Look at the transcription of the following words. Write the words.

Note: The symbol ˈ represents the stressed syllable. If the word

has three or more syllables, a secondary stress ˌ can also appear.

For example:

morning mathematician
ˈmɔr·nɪŋ ˌmæθ·ə·məˈtɪʃ·ən

Transcription Word Transcription Word

ˈæp·ɪˌtɑɪ·zər ˈbev·rɪdʒ
kəˈmem·əˌreɪt ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ
ɡrum hɑʊˈev·ər
ɑɪˈtɪn·əˌrer·i ˈmʌʃ·rum
ˈɔɪ·stə ˈreɪnˌdir

B. Go to the multimedia and listen to the following words. Notice the stress patterns
in the following nouns which are composed by noun + noun or by an adjective +
noun.
 Noun + Noun Adjective + Noun

Bachelor party Holy week

Now, classify the words on the following list according to their stress pattern.

Greek dressing Special occasion

Wedding dress Nativity scene

Main course Labor day

Rib eye Blackboard

Touristic guide Guest list

Pot stickers Colorful lanterns

Noun + Noun Adjective + Noun

C. Go to the multimedia and listen to the pronunciation of the following sentences.
Then, say them aloud. Try to imitate the intonation pattern used.

Congratulations!
I brought you a present.
My brother sent me a birthday card.
Make a wish, it’s your birthday!
I brought you a present.
Are you coming to my weeding?
The groom and the bride are happy.
I would like to thank my family.
You made me feel so proud.
What are you doing for your next holiday?
When are you going to buy a new house?
I’m going to spend my holidays in Rome next year.
She is taking her dog to the vet this afternoon.
I'd like to book a table for two at 8, please.
I'd like to see the menu please.
What is the house special today?
Could I have mayonnaise instead of mustard, please?
Which wine would you recommend?
Could we have some more bread, please?
Could I have the check, please?
 References

• Fotolia. (s.f.). Carnaval de Nice.

• Fotolia. (s.f.). Carnaval.

Document control

Name Position Dependence Date

Theme expert
Asesor English Dirección de
Author Johana
Dot Works - formación October
Méndez
Programa de profesional. 2014
Sarmiento
bilingüismo Dirección General

Copy editor – Centro

Luz Clarena October
Línea de Agroindustrial.
Adaptation Arias 2014
González producción Regional Quindío