Exercise2.
Are the following statements true or false? Find some mistakes. Check yourself.
You play the bagpipes by blowing air through a pipe into a bag, and then tossing up the bag to force the air out through other pipes.
Although proposals of marriage were the responsibility of the men, women were traditionally allowed to propose to men once every 4 years on leap year, February, 29th.
«An Englishman's home is his castle» means that an English person's home is a place where they may do as they please and from which they may exclude anyone they choose.
In Wales the back door is opened to release the Old Year at the first stroke of midnight. It is then locked up to ‘keep the luck in’ and at the last stroke the New Year is let in at the front door.
Halloween lanterns are pumpkins hollowed out with a ghostly face cut into one side, which glows when a candle is placed inside.
There are many superstitions in Britain, but one of the most widely-held is that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder - even if it means stepping off the pavement into a busy street! If you must pass under a ladder you can avoid bad luck by crossing your fingers and keeping them crossed until you’ve seen a dog.
Black and white cats are generally considered lucky in Britain, even though they are associated with witchcraft - a witch’s animal-familiar is usually a black cat. It is especially lucky if a black cat crosses your path.
Exercise3.
Do the words and word combinations from the diagram have associations for you? Work in pairs and speak about different types of British holidays.
Life Guards
May Day
Queen Elizabeth Hall hohho
B
April Fool’s Day
Cricket
ritish customs
Hogmanay
Gunpowder Plot
He is risen indeed!
Exercise4.
Comment on the following statement:
Traditional British cuisine (the style of cooking that is characteristic of Great Britain) is honored as one of the best in the world;
As a rule, many customs and traditions are connected with nothing.
Answer the following questions
1. What is a tradition?
2. What and when are ‘bank’ holidays?
3. What is Pancake Day?
4. What is Guy Fawkes Night?
5. What is the significance of the poppy and when is it worn?
6. What are Britain’s national flowers?
7. Where can we find out about British folk songs and folk tales?
8. What are Britain’s national costumes?
9. Who was Guy Fawkes?
10. Why does the Queen have two birthdays?
11. What is the significance of the poppy and when is it worn?
12. What are Britain’s national flowers?
13. What specific British holidays and traditions do you know?
14. Why do British people present gifts to each other? How do they choose them?
15. How do you think: do the holidays celebrated in Great Britain reveal the national character of British people?
Unit 8
You will read & translate a topic about travelling. Before you read, discuss in pairs the following. Do not worry if you can’t reach an agreement with your partner, but make sure that you demonstrate your ability to explain and discuss your opinions.
1. Do you like to travel? 2. Do you travel much? Can you imagine your life without travelling? 3. Was travelling a specific driving force of human development in the past? Was it extremely dangerous? 4. What do you know about the Age of Discovery? 5. What places (cities, towns, countries etc.) have you visited? What do you know about them? 6. What kind of travelling do your parents prefer?