Getting Ready
Match the special days on the left with the descriptions on the right.
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1) Valentine’s Day |
a People like to play tricks on their friends on this day. |
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2) April Fool’s Day |
b Adults honor kids on this day and do special things with them. |
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3) Thanksgiving |
c Families spend time together and cook a big meal on this day. |
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4) Children’s Day |
d People give cards, candy or flowers to their friends and loved ones on this day. |
Show answers
1) d 2) a 3) c 4) b
Listening 1
People are describing holidays and special events. Listen and number the pictures.
Show answers & Transcript
a 6 b 3 c 4 d 1 e 5 f 2
Transcript
1)
This special day is always on the third Sunday in June. Families celebrate their dads with gifts like neckties, cologne, or a nice homemade meal.
2)
This special day is usually celebrated on October 5 worldwide. It’s to honor and thank teachers for all their hard work, dedication, and contributions to their students and schools.
3)
It’s on the second Sunday in May. Most children give their mom flowers or a gift to thank her for all she’s done for them. In some families, children bring their mothers breakfast in bed or take her out to dinner.
4)
It’s on the evening of December 31st. Lots of people have parties that start late and go on until long after midnight.
5)
This is a day in the spring when adults celebrate kids and spend the day with them. Sometimes the children get special gifts. In some countries kids are given free admission to museums and amusement parks.
6)
This special day is on April 22nd. It celebrates the Earth’s natural environment. People get together to plant trees, clean up parks, or create community gardens.
Listening 2
Task 1
People are talking about how they celebrate their birthdays. Do they stay home or go out? Check (✓) the correct answer.
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Stays home |
Goes out |
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1) |
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2) |
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3) |
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4) |
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5) |
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6) |
Show answers
1) Goes out 2 Goes out
3) Goes out 4 Stays home
5) Stays home 6 Stays home
Task 2
Listen again. What do the people do on their birthdays now? Circle the correct answer.
1) a go to a restaurant
b eat cake
c have a party
2) a go to school
b go to clubs
c come home early
3) a go to a restaurant
b open presents
c eat cake
4) a have a party
b go to clubs
c have dinner with family
5) a go to a friend’s house
b have a party
c spend time with parents
6) a go to a movie
b go out to a restaurant
c eat cake at home
Show answers & Transcript
1) a 2) b 3) a 4) c 5) b 6) c
Transcript
1)
best friend usually takes me out to dinner. We’ve been doing this since we were in high school, and it’s lots of fun. She pays for the meal, but I don’t let her buy me a present. Instead, I buy self a present! That way I always get something I really want.
2)
I usually invite classmates to go out and party with me. About 10 of us get together. We start out at a restaurant, and then we go downtown. Last year we went to six different clubs in one night. It was wild! It’s the one time a year when parents don’t care if I stay out late.
3)
two children always take me out to a restaurant for dinner. I’m glad they do that instead of spending a lot of money on presents. They’re still in school, so they can’t afford to buy expensive gifts.
4)
I always celebrated birthday when I was younger. I’d have a big party and invite everyone I knew. Sometimes I’d have more than 50 people at place. Those were the days! I don’t do anything like that anymore. Since I turned 35. I’d rather not remind self that I’m a year older. Now I just have a nice dinner at home with family.
5)
parents let me invite all friends over to house for a party. Usually I have about 25 people over. We always have a lot of fun opening presents, watching videos, and singing along to the radio – stuff like that. parents are great. They stay upstairs, and they don’t bother us.
6)
Well, I always have a quiet birthday at home with husband, George. He takes over the kitchen for the day and bakes a nice cake for me. I prefer that to going out to a restaurant.
Listening 3
Task 1
People are talking about special days. Do they like or dislike each day? Check (✓) the correct answer.
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Likes |
Doesn’t like |
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1) Valentine’s Day |
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2) April Fool’s Day |
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3) Earth Day |
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4) Mother’s Day |
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5) Father’s Day |
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6) New Year’s Eve |
Show answers
1) Likes 2) Doesn’t like 3) Likes
4) Likes 5) Likes 6) Doesn’t like
Task 2
Listen again. Circle the correct answer.
1) a She didn’t get any valentines.
b She got a real valentine.
c She broke up with her boyfriend.
2) a His co-worker played tricks on everyone.
b He had a wonderful time.
c He played tricks on all his friends.
3) a He didn’t go anywhere on Earth Day.
b He helped plant flowers.
c He gave money to a kid’s playground.
4) a Her kids had a party for her.
b Her kids cleaned the kitchen.
c Her kids made her breakfast in bed.
5) a He spent Father’s Day alone.
b He had a party with his friends.
c He went to a big family dinner.
6) a She went to a great party.
b She went to a club.
c The neighbors had a noisy party.
Show answers & Transcript
1) b 2) a 3) b 4) c 5) c 6) c
Transcript
1)
I’m a big fan of Valentine’s Day. It’s one of favorite days of the year. I love opening and reading those cards and trying to guess who they’re from. And last year I got a real valentine, too – you know, from someone who really liked me. That was so romantic.
2)
I don’t know why people still play tricks on April Fool’s Day. Last year on April first, one of co-workers played a really horrible trick on our office. He moved all the stuff on everyone’s desks around, so no one could find what they were looking for. It was a total waste of time.
3)
Earth Day is really amazing. People spend their time helping each other and nature. Last year, book club planted flowers around the kids’ playground in the park. Then we had a picnic with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I hope we do something just as special this year!
4)
When I was a kid, we used to surprise mom every Mother’s Day with breakfast in bed. We got up early and made a mess in the kitchen, but she always enjoyed it. At least I think she did! It was a great tradition and we had fun cleaning up the kitchen together.
5)
Father’s Day is a special time for me. It’s great because I get to spend the whole day with family. Last year, our whole family got together for a big dinner. They made favorite meal, spaghetti and meatballs, and we had ice cream for dessert. We’re all big talkers, so everyone had funny stories to tell.
6)
I don’t look forward to New Year’s Eve. Those parties are the worst. There’s way too much food, and you end up eating too much and staying up too late, and you feel terrible the next day. And the noise! Last year, the people next door had a huge, noisy party that went on till five in the morning!
Conversation Corner: Talking about birthdays.
Task 1
Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.
A: Hey, Alex. What’s up?
B: Oh, nothing. I’m just planning for dad’s ______. ___________
A: Wow. Your dad’s sixty already? He looks so young. I would have thought he was ______. ______. ___________
B: Ha! He’d love to hear that. Anyway, it’s a special occasion, so I want to plan a ______. ______. for him.
A: That’s nice. I’m sure he’ll appreciate that. So when’s the big day?
B: On the ___________
A: That’s only ______. ______. ______.! You’d better start planning.
Task 2
Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to reduce the t sounds in the numbers.
Show answers & Transcript
A: Hey, Alex. What’s up?
B: Oh, nothing. I’m just planning for dad’s sixtiethbirthday .
A: Wow. Your dad’s sixty already? He looks so young. I would have thought he was fiftyyearsold .
B: Ha! He’d love to hear that. Anyway, it’s a special occasion, so I want to plan a surpriseparty for him.
A: That’s nice. I’m sure he’ll appreciate that. So when’s the big day?
B: On the thirtieth .
A: That’s only twoweeksaway ! You’d better start planning.