Зимние праздники:Новый год/ Рождество
учебно-методическое пособие по английскому языку (6, 7 класс)

My Favourite Holiday (1)

1. Learn the words.

to appear - appearance

to be fond of

to believe

child – childhood

a goal

to lack time

to learn – learnt – learnt

to promise

to recite a poem

a resolution

to wait for

warm – warmth

wealth - wealthy

wonder – wonderful

2. Read, translate.

1. Her appearance is strange.
2. His childhood was happy.
3. I promise to help you with the project.
4. The child recited the poem near the New Year tree.
5. Her uncle is very wealthy.
6. Who are you waiting for?
7. I lack time for all the things I enjoy doing.
8. Do you keep your New Year resolutions?
9. We lack the sun in winter.
10. His appearance was unexpected.

3. Read, translate the text.

I am going to speak of the holiday which I am fond of and always look forward to. It is New Year’s Day. I remember my early childhood when I woke up in the morning and ran into the sitting room to see the New Year tree. Its appearance in the house was the beginning of magic. I was waiting for Father Frost. I believed I would get a present from the wonderful old man. I was getting ready for the meeting with him. I learnt a poem to recite near the New Year tree, I thought of the good things I had done to tell Father Frost about.

 Every New Year brings new plans, goals and hopes. At the end of the old year I make New Year resolutions. I try to keep them. For example, when I was 8, I promised to do morning exercises every day. I have been doing them since then. Last year I promised to spend less time at the computer as I felt I lacked time for more important things. This year I promise to read a couple of pages in English every day.

 I’m greatly interested in the New Year customs around the world. For example, in Scotland the holiday is called “Hogmanay”. The Scots believe that the first person or “the first footer” to visit one’s house on New Year’s Day could bring good or bad luck. That is why they ask a man with dark hair to enter their house at midnight. The first footer should bring three items: a piece of coal to wish warmth, a piece of bread to wish food, and a silver coin to wish wealth.

New Year celebration is a marvelous time when everybody is happy and hopes for the best. That is why I love it.

4. Answer the questions.

1. What is your favourite holiday?
2. How do you prepare for the holiday?
3. Who do you prepare presents for?
4. Do you believe in Father Frost?
5. How did you prepare for the meeting with Father Frost when you were young?
6. Have you ever made New Year resolutions?
7. How do you celebrate New Year’s Day?
8. What kind of food do you have for New Year’s meal?
9. What do you say to your relatives and friends at midnight?
10. At what time do you usually go to bed in the morning on the 1st of January?