2014

RISE OR RAISE
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/cw-raise-rise-quiz.htm

CHRISTMAS

You will listen to an article about Christmas.
http://www.headsupenglish.com/upper-intermediate/listening/christmas.mp3

1: What does Christmas traditionally celebrate?
2: According to the article, what holidays did Christmas evolve from?
3: What modern-day Christmas traditions come from these holidays?
4: When did Christmas first become popular?
5: Back then, who usually exchanged gifts?
6: Why did Christmas almost die out in America?
7: The article mentions Boston. What happened there?
8: What does the article say about Christmas in England in the 17th and 18th centuries?
9: Which writers revived and reinvented the holiday in the 19th century?
10: What does the article conclude about Christmas and people's preferences?

Source: http://www.headsupenglish.com/index.php/upper-intermediate-students/upper-intermediate-skill-builders/upper-intermediate-listening/418-history-of-christmas

The History of the Christmas Tree

Although it is generally agreed that the Christmas tree in its current form came from Germany in the early 19th century, the tradition of decorating a tree to mark winter celebrations dates back hundreds of years to Roman times, when they used to decorate evergreen trees with small pieces of metal to celebrate Saturnalia.

In medieval times the 'Paradise Play' was performed every year on 24 December. This depicted the creation of Man and the fall of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and always included an evergreen hung with apples which represented the apple tree of temptation.

The first mention of decorated trees being taken indoors came in 1605 in Germany - a country with a long Christmas tree history! The trees were initially decorated with fruit and sweets together with hand made objects such as quilled snowflakes and stars. German Christmas Markets began to sell shaped gingerbreads and wax ornaments which people bought as souvenirs of the fair and took home to hang on their tree.

Artificial trees were invented in the 1880's in a bid to try and stop some of the damage being caused to real trees due to people lopping the tip off large trees, thus preventing the trees from growing any further. It got so bad in Germany that laws had to be brought in to prevent people having more than one tree.

 

Write 4 questions about your text to check your partner has understood the text.

Match the two line jokes
1. How long should a reindeer's legs be? 2. What do reindeer have that no other animals have? 3. Why did the reindeer wear sunglasses at the beach? 4. Where do you find reindeer? 5. Why do reindeer wear fur coats? 6. What did the dog say to the reindeer?	a. It depends on where you leave them b. Just long enough to reach the ground c. Because they would look silly in plastic macs d. Because he didn't want to be recognised e. Woof, woof f. Baby reindeer

What's an ig?
An eskimo's home without a loo

What do you call a penguin in the Sahara desert?
Lost

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa?
Claus-trophobic.

Santa's Favorite Christmas Superstitions

Can you match the two halves of these Christmas superstitions?

1. To have good health in the following year .	a) . as the number of houses where you eat mince pies during Christmastime.
2. A child born on Christmas day .	b) . means that Easter will be green.
3. Snow on Christmas day .	c) . eat an apple on Christmas Eve.
4. If you eat a raw egg before eating anything else on Christmas morning .	d) . where a fire is kept burning throughout the Christmas season.
5. Good luck will come to the home .	e) . will have a special future.
6. You will have as many happy months in the coming year .	f) . you will be able to carry heavy things.

Do you believe in this type of superstition?
Are there any similar Christmas or holiday superstitions in your country?

http://efllecturer.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/why-are-jeans-so-popular.html