Read the text, putting the verbs in the proper tense form.

The Pilgrims (to be) a group of English settlers who (to come) to Massachusetts in 1620. They (to come) to America because they (to want) religious freedom. They (to arrive) at Plymouth, Massachusetts, on a ship called the Mayflower. Their first winter (to be) difficult, and many of the Pilgrims (to die). But the following year, the corn harvest (to be) good, and there (to be) a celebration for three days. That (to be) the first Thanksgiving.

It (to fall) on the fourth of November. This (to be) a day which (to honour) the memory of the first settlers who (to come) to America. It (to be) also associated with the end of the harvest season.

Each Thanksgiving, Macy’s department store (to organize) a parade in New York City. In the parade there (to be) large floats, balloons of popular cartoon characters, famous television stars, and bands from all over the United States. The Thanksgiving Day Parade (to begin) on Central Park West, a street on the west side of Manhattan. Each year, more than 55 million people (to watch) this parade on television. Many other large American cities also (to have) Thanksgiving Day parades. Macy’s (to start) this tradition in 1924.

3. Work in pairs. Make up the dialogues on the following situations:

a) you were lucky to see Thanksgiving Day parade during your stay in the USA. Your friend is interested in the details and asks you questions. Use the materials of the previous exercises.

b) you are an American student on your visit to some Ukrainian university. Your Ukrainian friends ask questions about the celebrations in the USA.

Guess what holidays (American, Ukrainian and British) are described in the following sentences. The answers are given below.

1. It is celebrated in the USA on the first on the first Monday in September. On this day workers make a public show with marches, meetings. It also marks the beginning of the school year.

2. This ceremony is held on the Sovereign’s official birthday in June. This is the most colourful of all London’s annual events with the Queen riding side-saddled on a highly trained horse. Specially noted should be the precision drill of the participating regiments.

3. This is a religious holiday on January 19, which completes the winter festivities cycle. The Eve of this holiday is called “Hungry Kutya”. The principal ceremony consists of solemn outdoor blessing of water.

4. The first (week)day after Christmas observed as a holiday in Britain. It comes from the tradition to give Christmas boxes to tradesmen and stuff on this day.

5. On this day, willow branches are blessed in church. People tap each other with the branches, repeating a wish: “Be as tall as the willow, as healthy as the water, as rich as the earth”.

6. The day (in 1776) when 13 colonies became the first 13 states of the country which has the flag with stripes of red and white.

7. The holiday has grown increasingly popular through the centuries. Although this day has become quite commercial, it still contains its important aspect: time spent thinking of and being with the one you love.

(Epiphany, Trooping the Colour, Labour Day, Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Willow Sunday, Boxing Day)

BLOCK III

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 1216