Words, words, words…

Choose the right word.

1. Public holidays in Britain were introduced in _______________ times.

a) ancient b) Victorian c) recent

2. If the bank holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, the following _____________ is decreed as the holiday.

a) Tuesday b) Friday c) Monday

3. On public holidays people need not to go to _____________.

a) work b) church c) library

4. British call their public holidays ‘bank holidays’ because on these days banks are _______________.

a) open b) closed c) welcome

5. On bank holidays it’s not easy to find a ______________ room at hotels in resort area.

a) spare b) expensive c) tidy

6. Public holidays which don’t fall on the same day each year are called ________________ holidays.

a) uncertain b) bank c) movable

Text 2

CHRISTMAS

QUESTION TIME

Do you know any traditions of celebrating Christmas in other countries? In Britain? In Russia?

Think of

• traditional dishes

• songs

• special ceremonies

• usual presents

• decorations

• special preparations

• superstitions

• etc.

TIME FOR READING

Read the text and check your answers to the pre-reading questions:

Christmas in Great Britain

In Great Britain the hustle and bustle of the season begins well before Christmas and there is barely anytime for a break until the Twelfth night. The preparation going on of foods, the sending of Christmas cards, the decorating of houses and churches, and the readying of gifts keep everyone busy even the youngest family members.

On Christmas Eve children hang up their stockings on the ends of the beds or by the chimney so that when Father Christmas comes he can leave them presents.

O n Christmas morning the family traditionally opens their presents and prepares for a big feast which typically is served just after midday. The table gleams with the best china and glassware, and at every place on the table there is a cracker. The meal begins with a toast, followed by the popping of the crackers. After the meal they sit down in front of the television for the traditional Christmas speech of the British Monarch.

In the afternoon they exchange visits with neighbors and other family members.

Some churches in Great Britain have a Christingle service on the fourth Sunday of Advent. This is a carol service of Scandinavian origin at which every child received an orange and candle wrapped in a red ribbon. The candle represents Jesus and the ribbon stands for the blood of Christ and the love of God embracing the world.

In Britain, children write their letters to Father Christmas and then throw them into the fireplace so they will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole. If the lists catch fire first, they have to rewrite them.

At Christmas dinner, a plum pudding is served with little treasures hidden inside that bring their finders good luck. Britain was the first country to hang up mistletoe.

*You can find the lyrics of a traditional British Christmas song “The 12 Days of Christmas” in Unit 14. Supplements.