How to carve a Halloween pumpkin

 1. Order the paragraphs to describe the process of carving a pumpkin.

A.

Work slowly to avoid cutting yourself and keep drying the knife so it’s less slippery. If you cut an opening in the top, try to angle the blade towards the centre of the pumpkin so you create a little ledge to support the lid. Scoop out the seeds, then cut into the flesh until it’s about 2.5mm thick in the area you wish to carve.

B.

You can keep the seeds for toasting. Sketch out your design then draw on the pumpkin with the pen or use your sketch as a stencil, lightly piercing the outline with an awl.

C.

Choose a suitably shaped carving pumpkin with a flat bottom. Protect your work surface then, using a marker pen, draw a circle around the stalk, for a lid.

D.

To extend the life of your pumpkin, soak it for 15 minutes in a bucket of diluted bleach (approx one tablespoon of bleach to a litre of water), drain then dry thoroughly inside and out. Use tea lights or battery-operated fairy lights inside a glass jar to light up your design.

E.

Then, cut a hole either in the base or at the back. Make sure the hole is big enough to get your hand inside to scoop everything out. A short, sharp, serrated knife with a point is best for sawing through the flesh.

2. Find synonyms for the following words in the paragraphs

a. Remove, take out (paragraph A)
b. Gently, a little (paragraph B)
c. Appropriately (paragraph C)
d. Immerse in liquid (paragraph D)

e. In one end and out another (paragraph E)

KEY

1.  C, E, A, B, D

a. scoop out
b. lightly
c. suitably
d. soak
e. through

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Watch the video of this Xmas ad and answer the questions below

1. What does paddington dream of as a present from Santa?
2. Who is one of the presents on the roof for?
3. What do they use to deliver the presents?
4. What does Paddington give “Mr.Claus” from his hat?
5. Where was Santa caught on video last night?
6. What is Santa supposed to be with when delivering presents?

KEY

1. a jar of marmalade
2. Alice
3. a sleigh
4. a sandwich
5. London
6. an elf

Thanksgiving

Watch the video and answer the questions below:

1) When did the pilgrims arrive in America?
2) What was the name of the ship they sailed?
3) What did they build in the new continent?
4) What was their first winter like? 
5) What was the name of the Indian who help the pilgrims?
6) What did they have at the end of the season?
7) How did they first celebrate this special day?




KEY

1) 1620
2) Mayflower
3) a settlement
4) long and hard
5) Squanto
6) an abundant harvest
7) get together / thank God

International Women's Day

MULTIPLE CHOICE

     International Women's Day (IWD) is(1) ____ around the world on March 8 every year. It began as a campaign for better working conditions by women in New York at the (2) ____ of the 20th century. The first official IWD was on February 28, 1909. No one knows for (3) ____ why the date changedto arch 8, but this is the date when thousands of women started annual (4) ____ in New York’s streets. The first international women’s conference took place in 1910, in Denmark. Since then, IWD has spread around the world. Today it is an important day to (5) ____ the economic, political and social contributions women have made to our world. Women can now be happier that things are (6) ____ in the right direction.

     IWD is an (7) ____ holiday in many countries, including Algeria, China, Cuba, Italy, Poland, Vietnam, and Zambia. All across the world, men give flowers and other gifts to the women in their (8) ____ -mothers, wives, girlfriends, sisters, teachers, etc. In Portugal and Romania, women celebrate by having "women-(9) ____ " dinners. IWD is a bigevent in India, where people hold celebrations throughout the day. Indian men want to show how important women are to their (10) ____. All around the world women are becoming more powerful in business, entertainment, politics and other areas. There are over a dozen (11) ____ today with women leaders. However, IWD is still necessary to highlight the inequality millions of women still (12) ____.

Put the correct words from this table into the article.

1. (a)celebrate (b)celebrated (c)celebration (d)celebrates

2.(a) turn (b) turns (c) turned (d)t urn off

3.(a) surely (b) surer (c) surest (d) sure

4.(a) marched (b) marchers (c) marches (d) marching

5.(a) highlights (b) highlight (c) highlighter (d) highlighting

6.(a) movement (b) moved (c) moving (d) mover

7.(a) officially (b) officialdom (c) officials (d) official

8.(a) living (b) livelihood (c) lives (d) lifestyle

9.(a) just (b) lonely (c) alone (d) only

10.(a) social (b) sociology (c) socially (d) society

11.(a) nation (b) nations (c) nationality (d) nationhood

12.(a) face (b) head (c) nose (d) cheek

KEY

1. b
2. a
3. d
4. c
5. b
6. c
7. d
8. c
9. d
10. d
11. b
12. a

International Women's Day

...or you can try the same exercise this way:

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

highlight / turn / sure / social / celebrated / direction / annual / campaign

International Women's Day (IWD) is __________around the world on March 8 every year. It began as a

for better working conditions by women in New York at the __________of the 20th century. The first official IWD was on February 28,1909.

No one knows for __________why the date changed to March 8, but this is the date when thousands of women started __________marches in New York’s streets. The first international women’s conference took place in 1910, in Denmark. Since then, IWD has spread around the world. Today it is an important day to __________the economic, political and __________contributions women have made to our world. Women can now be happier that things are moving in the right __________.

Society / celebrate / highlight / event / official / powerful / dozen / across

IWD is an __________holiday in many countries, including Algeria, China, Cuba, Italy, Poland, Vietnam, and Zambia. All __________the world, men give flowers and other gifts to the women in their lives -mothers, wives, girlfriends, sisters, teachers, etc. In Portugal and Romania, women __________by having "women-only" dinners. IWD is a big __________in India, where people hold celebrations throughout the day. Indian men want to show how important women are to their __________. All around the world women are becoming more __________in business, entertainment, politics and other areas. There are over a __________ nations today with women leaders. However, IWD is still necessary to __________the inequality millions of women still face.

Weaving the Bridge at Q’eswachaka

Watch the video and answer the questions.

1. How often is the bridge rebuilt?
2. How long does it take to rebuild it?
3. What are the cables made of?
4. How are the small cords transformed into ropes and the ropes into cables?
5. Where are the ropes pulled to stretch them out?
6. How many cords are needed to form a rope?
7. How many ropes are needed to form a cable?
8. How is the old bridge used?
9. What do they do with the old bridge?
10. Who is Victoriano Arizapara?
11. How many cables are used for the structure of the bridge?
12. What happens when the bridge is finished?

KEY

1. Every year.
2. 3 days.
3. Grass
4. By twisting.
5. Upon the highway.
6. 30 cords.
7. 3 ropes.
8. To pass the first cable.
9. They cut it and it falls into the water.
10. The architect of the bridge.
11. 6. 4 for the floor and 2 for the handrails.
12. The communities come together to celebrate. 

Do they know it's Christmas?

Stars of 2014 recreate Band Aid spirit as musicians unite to help Ebola victims

     Same studio, same month, but several new faces, most of whom were not born when the first Band Aid single was recorded three decades ago.

       Saturday saw the remaking of Do They Know It’s Christmas?, the single that raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia in 1984. Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the same pair who organised the supergroup of British and Irish pop stars then, hope this weekend’s Band Aid incarnation will bring in similar amounts of money to help combat Ebola in west Africa.

     It was an early start on Saturday for pop stars old and young who began arriving in an assortment of gleaming, tinted-window vehicles at the Notting Hill recording studios in west London just after 9am, some more bleary-eyed than others. Liam Payne, of One Direction, told fans he’d slept in. By the time U2’s Bono turned up at midday, fresh young thing Rita Ora had already recorded her segment and left.

      “I just wish we didn’t have to do this,” said Bono as he arrived. “There will come a time when we won’t.”

Now do this QUIZ   "Do you know who sings what?" Do not forget to submit your answers!!!!!

There has been a lot of controversy about the lyrics of this song and some musicians have refused to support it, because of the negative  image it gives of Africa. 

Listen to the song and give your opinion on this topic. 

Give reasons for your answers.

It's Christmas time, and there's no need to be afraid

At Christmas time, we let in light and banish shade

And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world

At Christmas time

But say a prayer, pray for the other ones

At Christmas time, it's hard but while you're having fun

There's a world outside your window, and it's a world of dread and fear

Where a kiss of love can kill you, and there's death in every tear

And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom

Well tonight we're reaching out and touching you

No peace and joy this Christmas in West Africa

The only hope they'll have is being alive

Where to comfort is to fear

Where to touch is to be scared

How can they know it's Christmas time at all

Here's to you

Raise a glass to everyone

And here's to them

And all their years to come

Let them know it's Christmas time after all

Feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time again

Feel the world, let them know it's Christmas time again

Heal the world, let them know it's Christmas time again

Christmas

Christmas activities

Exeter postie Rachel to appear in Royal Mail’s ‘We love parcels’ Christmas TV advert

A postwoman from Shillingford St George, near Exeter, will make her screen debut in front of millions of viewers as she features in the special 'Christmas Royal Mail’s TV advertising campaign.

Rachel Boyce, 46, who is based at Exeter’s Royal Mail delivery office, is starring in the advert called ‘We Love Parcels’ which celebrates the 1 billion parcels its postal workers deliver a year.

The advert will be screened at prime time on a Saturday during ITV’s the X Factor. The advertising campaign has been launched at the start of Royal Mail’s build up to Christmas; the company opened 10 temporary parcel sort centres across the UK on Monday, November 4, as part of its planning for the festive season deliveries.

Rachel was chosen to appear in the ad after Royal Mail issued a call to 132,000 of its front line staff to invite them to audition for a part. A total of 2,500 employees applied and Rachel was one of 25 who were selected to star in the commercial after auditioning in front of film producers and directors.

Rachel has worked for the Royal Mail for close to 20 years, said: “I love my job, especially the customer-facing part and seeing peoples’ faces when I deliver a parcel from their loved ones. Being part of the ad has been a great experience, and my husband and I can’t wait to see it aired on TV!”

Postal workers from Bath also appear in the Royal Mail advertising campaign.  The firm is featuring its Royal Mail Choir in its TV campaign. The choir – made up of workers from Bath and Bristol, and set up last year for the BBC2 series Sing While You Work with Gareth Malone, sing a version of‘ The Beatles’ classic All You Need Is Love.

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. This is not the first time that Rachel has appeared on television.

b. It is likely that a large number of people will see the advertisement  when it is shown for the first time.

c. Royal Mail need to make special arrangements because of all the post they have to deliver at Christmas time.

d. The people who sing the song in the advert had never met before.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. How did Royal Mail choose the people who appear in the ad?

b. What things does Rachael like about her job?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. preparations (par. 3)                          b. period (par. 3)                                   c. role (par. 4)

d. almost (par. 5)                                  e. to create (par. 6)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. Royal Mail issued a call to 132,000 of its staff to invite them to audition.

    A call to 132,000 staff …

b. Rachel said “I love my job. Being part of the ad has been a great experience, and my husband can’t wait to see it on TV!”

Rachel said that ……..

c. Rachel was selected to star in the commercial after auditioning in front of film producers and directors.

    If Rachel ….

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

“Music plays an important part in TV advertising”.  Do you agree?

Can you order this Halloween vocabulary as it appears in the video?

All Hallows’ Eve

All Saints Day

Bobbing for apples

Food and wine

Halloween

Mistaken for ghosts

Parades

Poetry

Samhain

Singing

Soul cakes

Souling and guising

Telling jokes

Trick-or-Treating

Match the dates to the historical events

2000 years ago                                                 All Souls Day. The origin of souling and guising

8^th century                                                         Christians turned Samhain into All Saints Day

Medieval Britain                                             Family-friendly and kid-centered activities

19^th century America                                     Irish and Scottish immigrants revived the traditions

1950’s America                                                6 billion dollars spent on costumes and candies

Today                                                                  Celtic festival Samhain

Can you answer these questions about the video?

What is the origin of Halloween?

What did people believe happened on October 31^st?

Why did people wear masks?

Where does the word Halloween come from?

What did people get in return for soul cakes?

What did young people get in return for singing, poetry and telling jokes?

KEY

Can you order this Halloween vocabulary as it appears in the video?

Halloween / Trick-or-Treating /Parades / Bobbing for apples / Samhain / Food and wine / Mistaken for ghosts / All Saints Day / All Hallows’ Eve / Souling and guising / Soul cakes / Singing / Poetry / Telling jokes

Match the dates to the historical events

2000 years ago                                                 Celtic festival Samhain

8^th century                                                         Christians turned Samhain into All Saints Day

Medieval Britain                                             All Souls Day. The origin of souling and guising

19^th century America                                     Irish and Scottish immigrants revived the traditions

1950’s America                                                Family-friendly and kid-centered activities

Today                                                                  6 billion dollars spent on costumes and candies

Can you answer these questions about the video?

It was the Celtic festival called Samhain.

People believed the dead returned as ghosts.

They wore masks to be mistaken for ghosts.

It was shortened from All Hallows’ Eve to Halloween.

They prayed for their dead relatives.

They got food, wine, money and other offerings.

What do you know about Halloween?

Read the text and complete the gaps

Where does Halloween come from?

We celebrate Halloween every year on ______________ 31st. But where does this holiday come from?

The holiday originally comes from a people called the Celts. The Celts lived in Europe more than 2000 _______ ago. On November 1st they celebrated the end of summer. They thought ghosts visited the living on October 31st. They dressed up like ghosts so the spirits would not harm them.

Today, many ______________ still remember the dead on November 1st. It is called All Saints day. Another name for it is All Hallow’s Day. The day before, October 31st, is called All Hallow’s Eve, or _________________ for short.

Halloween is an old tradition in Ireland and Scotland. In those countries, _____________ dressed up and carried lanterns made of turnips. When people moved from Ireland and Scotland to the United States, they started using ________________. This is where the jack-o’-lantern comes from.

They also had a tradition of giving __________ to the spirits. Later, they gave the food to poor people. This is where trick-or-treating comes from.

Halloween has changed a lot since its origins. New people have brought new _________________, and changed the old ones. What do you think Halloween would be like in another two thousand years?

Read the text again and answer:

1. What is this story about?

a. Trick-or –treating

b. Ghosts

c. The origins of Halloween

2. When did the Celts live in Europe?

a. More than two hundred years ago

b. More than two thousand years ago

c. Less than two thousand years ago

3. What did they celebrate on November 1st?

a. Halloween

b. All Hallow’s Day

c. The end of summer

4. What did ghosts do on October 31st?

a. They visited the living

b. They dressed up

c. They celebrated All Hallow’s day

5. The word Halloween comes from …

a. All Hallow’s Day

b. All Saints Day

c. All Hallow’s Eve

6. Nowadays, jack-o’-lanterns are made of…

a. Turnips

b. Pumpkins

c. Carrots

7. Trick-or-treating comes from…

a. Giving money to the poor

b. Giving food to the spirits

c. Giving candies to children

Key

October, years, people, Halloween, children, pumpkins, food, traditions,

1. c
2. b
3. c
4. a
5. c
6. b
7. a

Easter Rhymes

Find rhyming words that match the clues:

1. A season that rhymes with bring.

2. A flower that rhymes with silly.

3. What birds lay that rhymes with legs.

4. A holiday that rhymes with fur.

5. A meal that rhymes with winner. 

6. Something you send that rhymes with hard.

7. Another word for rabbit that rhymes with honey.

8. Something to hold things and rhymes with gasket.

9. The opposite of find that rhymes with side.

10. What you do to eggs that rhymes with late.

11. A kind of design that rhymes with burn. Hint: It begins with P.

12. A place to pray that rhymes with lurch.

13. A search that rhymes with bunt.

14. A jelly candy that rhymes with seen.

15. Coloured water that rhymes with by.

KEY

1. Spring
2. Lilly
3. Eggs
4. Yom Kippur
5. Dinner
6. Card
7. Bunny
8. Basket
9. Hide
10. Decorate
11. Pattern
12. Church
13. Hunt
14. Jelly Bean
15. Dye

Easter Trivia Quiz:Easter and Easter Traditions.

1.Easter is a celebration of...

a) The Resurrection of Christ

b) The crucifixion of Christ

c) The Last Supper

2.The word "Easter" comes from...

a) The white Esturian Flower that blooms this time of year  

b) "Ostara" the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility

c) The word "East," referring to the rising sun and to spring

3.Lent, the period that comes before  Easter, begins on what day?

a)   Shrove Tuesday

b)   Palm Sunday       

c)   Ash Wednesday

4.The egg is a symbol of...

a)  Rebirth 

b)  Mourning

c)  Fertility

5.When did the rabbit first appear as an Easter symbol? 

a)  In 16th century Germany

b)  When St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland

c)  When the 18th century rabbit population in England reached dangerous proportions

6.Where does the custom of Easter baskets originate?

a)  From the baskets farmers would use to collect their crops           

b)  From the custom of people bringing baskets of eggs to the temple of Ishtar/Estra /Oestra 

c)  From the Catholic custom of bringing Easter food to mass to be blessed

7.Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, celebrates...

a)   The edict in 325 AD by the council of Nice that Easter fall on a Sunday

b)   The commemoration of the Last Supper

c)   The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

8.Where can you find the world’s largest decorated Easter egg?

a)   Romania 

b)   Ukraine

c)   Canada

9. What is supposed to bring people luck at Easter?  

a)  finding a red boiled egg. 

b) wearing new clothes

c) eating hot cross buns

10.In Cyprus they light bonfires at Easter and burn a small figure.Who does this represent ? 

a)  Jesus

b)  the devil 

c)  Judas

11.In Finnland,Sweden and Denmark  children…….

a) dress up as witches and go from door to door asking for sweets. 

b) dress up as rabbits and go from door to door  giving  people boiled eggs.

c) dress up as rabbits and go from door to door and ask people for boiled eggs.

12.In the Netherlands, Belgium and France  bells do not ring for a few days before  Easter and it is said they have gone to ……

a) Heaven 

b) Rome

c) Jerusalem

13.In the Czech Republic, on Easter Monday, in an old tradition men……. 

a) give women a chocolate egg

b) kiss women and dance with them

c) spank women with a special whip

14. On Maunday Thursday,the Thursday before Easter , traditionally the day before Jesus celebrated Passover, the reigning English Monarch i.e Queen Elizabeth gives people ……

a) money

b) boiled eggs

c) Bibles

KEY

Easter Trivia Quiz:Easter and Easter Traditions.

1.a)   The Resurrection of Christ

2.b)  "Ostara," the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility

3.c)Ash Wednesday

4.a)  Rebirth

5.a)In 16th century Germany

6. b) From the custom of people bringing baskets of eggs to the temple of ishtar/Estra

7.c) The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

8.c) Canada

9. b) wearing new clothes 

10.c)  Judas

11.a) dress up as witches and go from door to door asking for sweets. 

12.b) Rome

13. c) spank women with a special whip

14. a) money