CEREBRATIONS

I N T E R M E D I AT E 1 , U N I T 3
 HANDOUT 15
Opinion
1 - Yes, absolutely.
Celebrations 2 - Yes, generally speaking.
3 - It depends.
handout 15 4 - No, not really.
5 - No, not at all.

VOCABULARY LIST
festivals commercial
materialistic celebrations
holidays stressful
lonely a waste of time
escape national holidays
go abroad religious element
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 _________ ________ and our ________ 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 ________, but in England, where I was born, there is a
Spring Bank Holiday festival. It has always been a ___________ to celebrate it
with a ________ in a park. There is usually a _______ 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

Call in Host:
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.
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 ____________ day, listeners, and let's keep talking to each other.
 My favorite celebration has always been Independence Day. Last year
we had a fireworks
_______ display
______and our _______
annual bake sale.

This might sound ________,

unusual but in England, where I was born, there
tradition to
is a Spring Bank Holiday festival. It has always been a ________

Call in – fill in fair

celebrate it with a ________ in a park. There is usually a _______
parade as
well.
the blanks
spectacular day,
Well, that's all we have time for today. Have a ____________
listeners, and let's keep talking to each other.
Call in
 CELEBRATIONS!

INDEPENDENCE DAY : THANKSGIVING :

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY FEAST

SPRING BANK HOLIDAY :

BIRTHDAY :
ENGLAND
PRIVATE SPECIAL OCCASION
The First Thanksgiving
“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.
“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.”