Exercises. 1.Answer the questions

1. Answer the questions

1. What are the main holidays observed in the United States of America?

2. What does Independence Day commemorate?

3. What Christmas traditions do you know?

4. How popular is New Year´s Day in the USA?

5. How is Veteran´s Day celebrated?

6. What can you say about Thanksgiving Day?

7. What does Columbus Day commemorate?

8. Do Americans like to make presents on Valentine´s Day?

9. Halloween is widely celebrated in the USA, isn´t it?

10. Are different celebrations important for nation? Why?

2. Make up a short story for the following situations.

1. New Year Day is my favorite holiday.

2. My friend visited American Halloween. Speak about his impressions.

3. I like to receive guests on holidays.

4. My friends prefer festive parties more than official ceremonies.

5. We don´t really celebrate Christmas in my family that much, perhaps, not as much as other people.

6. Student life is quite modern but there are some student holidays and traditions.

3. Read the following dialogue. Make up your own dialogue on American, Britain or Russian holidays.

A. I think that the most American holiday is Thanksgiving and that that´s the favorite one.

B. Yes, it´s a time for the family to get together. Relatives from other cities come to spend a holiday at home.

A. What´s the meaning of this day?

B. The Pilgrims thanked God for a good harvest. Now Americans thank the Pilgrims for having helped make our country what it is today.

A. Family reunion… Sometimes, it seems to me that holidays unite not only the family but the whole nation. And what´s more, Christmas to me means uniting all nations into one family, spiritually at least.

A. It´s not a bad idea. People have many similar traditions. Take Christmas, the way you put up the Christmas tree.

B. Yes, we put up the Christmas tree and decorations twelve days before Christmas and take them down twelve days later.

A. I love decorating the house with flashing lights and glass balls, I like putting silver tinsel on the tree.

B. We usually put up a midget- sized one at home. As for illuminations, I like to admire them above the streets in the town centre.

A. I wish we could see the Christmas festivities in New York City.

B. But the most exciting moment comes when we open presents on Christmas morning doesn´t it? Joyful cries, laughter and kisses. I do love that time!

A. Who doesn't? We are all alike.