Halloween

Another popular British tradition is Halloween, celebrated on October, 31, the eve of All Saints’ Day. Halloween customs date back to the time when people believed in devils, witches and ghosts. They thought that they could do all kinds of damage to property. Some people tried to ward off witches by painting magic signs or nailing a horseshoe. Now most people do not believe in evil spirits. Today the day is usually marked by costume balls or fancy-dress parties and is a popular tradition with young people and children. On the night of Halloween children or grown-ups visit houses and ask the residents if they want “trick” or “treat”. If the people in the house give the children a “treat” (usually money or sweets), then the children will not play a trick on them. Another Halloween custom is to scrape out a pumpkin, cutting eyes, nose and mouth and lighting a candle inside, this is made to scare their friends.

Exercise 2. What is this? (Find the definitions in the key).

1. Rest from work

2. The day before Easter Sunday

3. Anniversary of the Resurrection of Christ

4. First weekday after Christmas Day

5. People living in towns and cities

6. With a purpose of doing smth

7. Day before the beginning of Lent

8. Mixture of flour, eggs, milk, etc., fried on both sides until brown

9. To keep away, to avoid

10. To frighten

Key: with an eye to, Easter, Shrove Tuesday, townsfolk, pancake, Good Friday, to ward off, to scare, Boxing Day, bank holiday

Exercise 3. Complete the following sentences according to the text:

1. The bank holidays in the United Kingdom are…..
2. At Easter the British have the traditions of ….
3. Christmas is …
4. At Christmas the British families decorate their houses with …
5. The first person who enters a house on New Year’s Day must bring …
6. To show their love and affection people ….
7. Halloween is celebrated on …

Exercise 4. Contradict to the following, using the phrases: That’s wrong, I can’t agree with you, According to the text, As far as I know.

1. British people do not observe any traditions.
2. The Scots celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day instead of Hogmanay.
3. Northern Ireland has no several own specific festivals.
4. On August Bank Holiday the town folk usually stay in town.
5. The traditional Christmas dishes are pizza and Christmas cake.
6. The 14^th of February is a simple ordinary day.
7. The competitors in the pancake race on Shrove Tuesday are gentlemen.
8. The eve of All Saints’ Day is usually marked by meetings and demonstrations.

Exercise 5. Answer the questions:

1. Are the bank holidays and traditions different or the same in different parts of the United Kingdom?
2. What do people usually do on Good Friday and Easter Monday?
3. How do the British spend August Bank Holiday?
4. What do you know about the old custom of first-footing?
5. The holiday of St. Valentine is popular now all over the world, isn’t it?
6. What is the origin of Halloween Day and how do people celebrate it nowadays?

Text 3

Exercise 1. Read the text and get ready to do the exercise given after the text.