THE HISTORY OF SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

Many people know the traditional Irish event of St. Patrick’s Day characterized by folk music, ancient rites
and parades but other interesting aspects such as the life of the saint and the traditional celebrations relevant
to it deserve to be studied.

Choose the best answer: (00:00 to 1:50)

1. Ireland is also called:

a. the Diamond Isle b. the Emerald Isle c. The Ruby Isle

2. The story of Saint Patrick’s Day goes back

a. to the 3rd century b. to the 4th century c. to the 5th century

3. A 16-year-old boy was kidnapped in Britain by Irish marauders and was kept as a shepherd-slave in
Ireland for:
a. six years b. ten years c. seven years

4. What encouraged him to escape?

a. another slave b. a vision c. God

5. How many visions did he have? a. 2 b. 3 c.4

6. His mission was to help… a. British people b. French people c. Irish people

7. He became a... a druid b. a teacher c. a priest

8. St. Patrick is said to have eliminated what from Ireland:

a. snails b. flies c. snakes

9. These animals can be seen as a symbol of… a. Satan b. paganism

10. Another symbol associated to Ireland is…

a. the shamrock b. beer c. the tree

11. Saint Patrick’s Day is March 17th because:

a. it’s the day he was born b. the day he escaped c. the day he died

Answer the questions: (1:50 to end)

12. What do Catholics do during Lent?

13. Where in America was St Patrick’s Day first celebrated?

14. When did people start celebrating it in New York City?

15. Today, what parade is the most famous?

16. What countries did Irish immigrants flee to during the Potato Famine?

17. What clothes do people in America wear on St Patrick’s Day?

18. What politician of Irish origin appears in the video?

18. What politician of Irish origin appears in the video?

 http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/videos#history-of-st-patricks-day

ANSWER KEY

1. B
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. A
6. C
7. C
8. C
9. B
10. A
11. C
12. Catholics give up their vices as penance
13. In Boston
14. In 1762
15. The Fifth Avenue’s parade
16. Canada, Australia and America
17. Green clothes
18. John Fitzgerald Kennedy