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GENERAL ENGLISH · GENERAL ISSUES · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

PUMPKINS

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1 Warm up

In pairs, discuss the following questions.

1. Have you ever tried any dish with pumpkin? What was it?
2. Have you ever tried making Jack O’Lanterns?
3. Do you know any interesting facts about pumpkins?

2 Key vocabulary

Match the words on the left with the definitions on the right.

1. harvest (n) a. an area of land where fruit trees grow

2. crops (n) b. the activity or time of gathering crops

3. an orchard (n) c. a tall plant with yellow parts which are edible

4. corn (n) d. known and accepted

5. a settler (n) e. make (something) by cutting pieces out of an object

6. starving (adj.) f. a person who goes to live in a new place where there are
few people to start a community
7. recognized (adj.) g. fruits, vegetables or grains grown in large amounts on farms

8. carve (v) h. suffering or dying from hunger

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3 Before you read

You’re going to read an article about pumpkins. Before you read, put T (true) or F (False) next to each
statement below. Then read the text on the next page to confirm or correct your answers.

1. Pumpkins originated from Asia.

2. 90% of all pumpkin production takes place in one state in the US.
3. Pumpkin seeds can be used to treat medical problems.
4. Pumpkin fibres were used to make mats and blankets.
5. There are only two types of pumpkins.
6. 1 million pounds of pumpkins are produced yearly in the United States.

4 Checking understanding
What do you remember? In pairs, answer the questions according to the article.

1. What are some farmers doing to earn more money?

2. How are the most popular types of pumpkins used differently?

3. What nutritional value do pumpkins have?

4. Why is Illinois a good place to grow pumpkins?

5. What do Americans do as a modern fall tradition?

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UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)
PUMPKINS
Pumpkins
An American tradition
1. As summer ends and
approaches, the colours around
us change to shades of orange,
yellow and red. In many areas
this is the time to harvest crops
and collect fruit and vegetables.
2. About 400 years ago when the
first settlers arrived in America,
it’s possible that when their
crops failed, the local pumpkins
saved them from starving.
It’s not clear where pumpkins
originally come from, but they
have been part of both the
North and South American diet
for centuries. They were also
an essential part of the Native
American diet.
3. The Native Americans baked,
roasted, dried and boiled
pumpkins, which helped them
survive through the long cold
winters. Just like nuts, pumpkin
seeds can be eaten but Native
Americans dried them and used
their oil as medicine to cure
stomach problems.
4. Dried pumpkin pulp was stored
and turned into flour and later
used for baking. They dried
the shells and used them as
containers. They weaved mats
and blankets out of of their
fibres, and even used them to
build houses.
5. The pumpkin has long been
America’s most beloved
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fall vegetable. The United States
produces more pumpkins than
any other popular vegetable like
cucumbers, spinach and garlic.
They’re especially high in fibre
and vitamin E, and help keep the
heart healthy.
6. Pumpkins are used
decoration but are also a staple
ingredient in autumn cooking.
Even drinks, such as pumpkin
beer and pumpkin spice lattes
are available but mainly in the
months following summer.
7. Over 300 million pounds of
pumpkins are annually produced
in Illinois in the US alone,
making the state the heart of
the pumpkin industry. As much
as 90% of America’s pumpkins
come from Illinois. The soil and
climate are ideal for growing
pumpkins and they have been
grown there since the early
1900s.
8. Although there are over 40
recognized kinds of pumpkins,
two kinds are the most popular.
The ornamental pumpkins,
commonly known as Halloween
pumpkins, are round, a bright
orange colour and have
smooth surface. They are
typically carved and used as
decorations such as Jack-O’-
Lanterns.
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9. The second type is a pumpkin
that is processed, which is
beige coloured, long rather
than round and flavorful. These
are processed, canned, sold
and then used for making pies,
soups, pastas and drinks.
for 10. An old American tradition
is to bake a pumpkin pie in
the autumn. Now, as a modern
tradition, people go to a pumpkin
patch and pick out the perfect
pumpkin to take home. The
popularity of these patches
and farms is growing. Farming
is expensive, so farmers are
opening their farms to the public
to give visitors the chance to
choose their own produce. Some
farms even allow apple picking
in orchards and organize tours.
11. The autumn harvest festival can
begin or end with a corn maze
competition. The mazes are cut
out of corn fields in different
shapes and designs, creating a
series of paths and passages
leading to a finish line.
12. When the festival decorations
are taken down, some people
smash their pumpkins to make it
a easier for them to decompose.
13. Sources: info-america-usa.com,
travelfranceonline.com,
almanac.com
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PUMPKINS

5 Find the words

Find a word or phrase in the article which means...

1. darker or lighter versions (n, para. 1)

2. small parts of a plant from which other plants can grow (n, para. 3)

3. thin parts that form a plant, similar to threads (n, para. 4)

4. the soft, wet substance under the skin of a fruit or vegetable (n, para. 4)

5. a main or important piece (phrase, para. 6)

6. the most important part or centre (phrase, para. 7)

7. used or grown for decoration (adj., para. 8)

6 Verbs

Match the verbs to their definitions.

1. harvest a. make cloth by crossing threads or fibres

2. process b. treat and pack food by a special method

3. weave c. get nearer

4. decompose d. break up into small parts or decay

5. approach e. collect crops in fields in the autumn

6. smash f. break into pieces by throwing or hitting

Now, complete the sentences with the verbs in the correct form.

1. The crops in the fields have already been .

2. When food is , it sometimes loses its nutritional value.

3. You can buy mats that were by Native Americans.

4. The leaves before the first snow fell.

5. As day of the exam , I grew more nervous.

6. Tamara dropped the egg and it on the floor.

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7 Talking point

Discuss any of the questions below in pairs or small groups.

1. Did any of the facts in the article surprise you? Which ones?
2. Do you think it is a good idea for farmers to allow visitors onto their land? Why/why not?
3. Would you consider using pumpkin in your cooking? Why/why not?

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TEACHER MATERIALS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

PUMPKINS

Key

1. Warm up

5mins
This gives an introduction to the topic of pumpkins. Monitor and provide on the spot feedback when appropriate.

2. Key vocabulary

5 mins
This stage provides support for some key vocabulary from the article. Students work individually and then compare
their answers with a partner.

1. → b. 2. → g. 3. → a. 4. → c. 5. → f. 6. → h. 7. → d. 8. → e.

3. Before you read

10 mins
This gives students an introduction to the article and gives them an opportunity to discuss what they already know
about pumpkins. Students work individually and then compare and discuss their answers with a partner.

1. False - They come from the Americas.

2. True - The state of Illinois produces most of America’s pumpkins.
3. True - Pumpkin seed oil was used by Native Americans as a medicine for stomach problems.
4. True - Native Americans weaved mats and blankets out of pumpkins’ fibres, and even used them to build houses.
5. False - There are over 40 types of pumpkin.
6. False - Over 300 million pounds are produced in Illinois alone.

4. Checking understanding

7 mins
Ask students to answer the following questions. If they are not sure about the answers ask the to read the article
again. They complete the task by themselves first and then compare answers with a partner.

1. Opening their farms to the public so they can pick their own produce.
2. The ornamental is for decoration, the processed is used for food.
3. They’re high in fiber and Vitamin E and keep the heart healthy.
4. It has the ideal soil and climate for growing them.
5. They go to farms and pick pumpkins.
https://www.info-america-usa.com/halloween-in-the-usa/
https://www.travelfranceonline.com/halloween-pumpkin-origin-and-tradition/
https://www.almanac.com/origins-halloween-traditions

5. Find the words

5 mins
This stage allows students to identify and practise phrases in the text. They complete the task by themselves first
and then compare answers with a partner.

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TEACHER MATERIALS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

PUMPKINS

1. shades 2. seeds 3. fibres

4. pulp 5. a staple ingredient 6. the heart of (something)
7. ornamental

6. Verbs

8 mins
Ensure students can correctly pronounce the verbs. Ask them to complete the task by themselves firstly and then
compare answers with a partner.

1. → e. 2. → b. 3. → a. 4. → d. 5. → c. 6. → f.

1. harvested 2. processed 3. woven

4. decomposed 5. approached 6. smashed

7. Talking point

5 mins
Ask students to discuss the questions in pairs or small groups. Monitor and provide feedback where needed.

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