EFLMaterials.

com
Lesson plans and teaching materials for the Trinity College London
GESE and ISE exams

Carnival Lesson B1-B2

Discuss the following questions with your partner:

 Where do people usually celebrate Carnival?

 Do you celebrate Carnival?
 How do people celebrate Carnival in your country?
 Do you know any traditions for Carnival from
other countries?

Read the following text about Carnival and answer the 15 questions on the next page.

Paragraph 1

Carnival is a festival that takes place in many Roman Catholic countries in the last few days and hours before
the season of Lent. Once Lent begins, many Catholics abstain from eating meat and also may give up other
food and activities in order to replicate Jesus’s sacrifice and 40 days in the desert. Although it is not certain
where the name ‘Carnival’ comes from, some people believe it can be traced to the Medieval Latin phrase
carnem levare, which means to take away or remove meat.

Paragraph 2

The first day of Carnival varies each year, depending on when Easter is celebrated. The time Carnival is
celebrated is also different in different places. In France, the celebration is for one day only, on Shrove Tuesday,
the day before Ash Wednesday when Lent begins. In Bavaria, Germany, the period of Carnival starts on 6th
January and continues until Ash Wednesday. In some parts of Spain, Ash Wednesday is also included in
Carnival celebrations as this day has not always been included in Lent.

Paragraph 3

In the past, the most important Carnival celebration was in Rome, Italy. The celebration lasted eight days and
ended on Shrove Tuesday. People came from all over Italy to take part in the celebrations and games. People
wore masks of characters from folk tales and there were shows, music, and people selling food and drink from
stalls. In addition, people took part in competitions such as throwing spears at targets and horse races.

Paragraph 4

Perhaps the most famous Carnival celebration today takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Over two million
people per day go out onto the streets to watch and participate in the processions. The groups performing in
the processions are known as Samba Schools, usually made up of groups of friends or neighbours with a
common background who want to attend Carnival together. Each Samba School makes floats and decorative
costumes, and members perform choreographed dances which usually tell a short story.

Paragraph 5

Another famous Carnival celebration takes place in New Orleans, USA. This is often known as Mardi Gras,
which is a French word meaning Fat Tuesday. This name comes from the custom of using up all the fat
in the house such as butter and oil before the abstinence of Lent begins. In Venice, Italy, people celebrate
Carnival by going to masked balls, where people hide their identity using the world famous Venetian
masks. There are competitions to see who has the best costumes and masks, often judged by international
fashion designers.

© Copyright EFLMaterials.com
 EFLMaterials.com
Lesson plans and teaching materials for the Trinity College London
GESE and ISE exams

Questions 1–5

The text has five paragraphs (1–5). Choose the best title for each paragraph from A–F below and
write the letter (A–F) on the lines below. There is one title you don’t need.

1. Paragraph 1 __________ A Carnival around the world

2. Paragraph 2 __________ B An important historic Carnival celebration

C Carnival dates around the world

3. Paragraph 3 __________
D The origins of the festival
4. Paragraph 4 __________
E Food and drink at Carnival
5. Paragraph 5 __________
F A well-known procession

Questions 6–10

Choose the five statements from A–H below that are TRUE according to the information given in the
text. Write the letters of the TRUE statements on the lines below (in any order).

A Carnival takes place on the same date every year.

6. __________
B After Carnival is celebrated, many people give up something.
7. __________
C In the past, an important Carnival celebration was held in Rome.

8. __________ D The people in the processions in Rio are learning how to dance Samba.

9. __________ E It is customary in Venice to cover your face during Carnival parties.

F The word Mardi Gras means to prepare food with fats.

10. __________
G Lent does not always begin on Ash Wednesday.

H In the past, the Carnival in Rome was attended by people from other
towns and cities.

Questions 11–15

Complete sentences 11–15 with an exact word, phrase or number from the text (maximum three
words). Write the exact word, phrase or number on the lines below.

11. Once Lent begins, many people give up meat or another food or activity in order to make a
____________________.
12. The exact date of Carnival relates to the date of ____________________.
13. The old festival of Carnival in Rome was celebrated for ____________________.
14. In Rio, Samba Schools work together to make floats and costumes and they prepare
____________________.
15. In Venice, there are competitions for the best masks and the winners are chosen by
____________________.

© Copyright EFLMaterials.com
 EFLMaterials.com
Lesson plans and teaching materials for the Trinity College London
GESE and ISE exams

Speaking

Discuss the following questions with your partner/group:

 Which Carnival celebration mentioned in the text would you like to attend? Why?
 Have you ever taken part in a Carnival celebration?
 Do you ever dress up for a festival in your country?
 Do you like dressing up?
 When was the last time you wore a costume?
 Have you ever tried to give something up, for example meat or chocolate?
 If you had to give something up for Lent, what would be the most difficult thing for you?

© Copyright EFLMaterials.com
 EFLMaterials.com
Lesson plans and teaching materials for the Trinity College London
GESE and ISE exams

Answer Key

1. D
2. C
3. B
4. F
5. A

(6-10 in any order)

6. B
7. C
8. E
9. G
10. H

11. sacrifice
12. Easter
13. eight days
14. choreographed dances
15. fashion designers

© Copyright EFLMaterials.com