Читання 10 клас

READING        10 FORM

In America, we celebrate many holidays during the year.  I will tell you about three of my favorite holidays, when they occur, why they are important and how we celebrate them.  These three holidays are the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.

   On the Fourth of July, we celebrate the birthday of the United States.  This holiday is not only called the Fourth of July, but also Independence Day.  On July 4, 1776, the people of the American colonies declared their independence from England.  Many people, including George Washington, helped the early Americans gain their freedom and independence.  Today, Americans celebrate the Fourth of July in different ways.  Many families gather to enjoy a special meal outdoors in the warm weather.  Some families go to the beach to relax.  Some families watch sports such as baseball.  And all over America, people watch a beautiful show of fireworks. 

   Another one of my favourite holidays is Halloween.  We celebrate Halloween on the 31^st of October.  Children all over America love Halloween.  They dress up in costumes, looking like ghosts and witches.  They ask people for candy and other sweet things to eat.  They go to parties and try to scare one another.  Even adults love Halloween, because it is a time to dress in costume and pretend to be someone else.

   My third favourite holiday is Thanksgiving.  We celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday in November.  Children do not go to school and adults do not go to work on this special day.  Early Americans celebrated Thanksgiving to express their thanks for the fall harvest.  Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving to take time to be thankful for all the wonderful things we have, such as family, food, good health and freedom.  On Thanksgiving, families gather and enjoy a special meal of turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.  In New York City, there is a special parade with music and dancing.  Many Americans watch the Thanksgiving parade on television to make the day special.  I have been to the parade and have enjoyed seeing how happy everyone is to celebrate this special day.

TASK 1. TRUE OR FALSE

1	The Fourth of July is also called Independence Day.	+	-
2	The American colonies declared their freedom from Spain.	+	-
3	Many Americans watch sports such as basketball on July 4th.	+	-
4	The story also discussed Halloween, which falls on October 30th.	+	-
5	It is customary for children to ask people for flowers on Halloween.	+	-
6	Both children and adults like dressing up in costume on Halloween.	+	-
7	The third holiday mentioned, Thanksgiving, occurs in August.	+	-
8	One of the traditional foods of Thanksgiving is macaroni.	+	-
9	Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for good health and freedom.	+	-
10	In New York City, there is a big parade every Thanksgiving Day.	+	-

 

 

TASK 2. choose the cor­rect letter A, B, C, or D)

11)  All of the following holidays are mentioned in the passage except:

a)      the Fourth of July

b)      Christmas

c)      Thanksgiving

d)     Halloween

12)  The Fourth of July commemorates:

a)      U.S. independence from Spain

b)      U.S. independence from France

c)      U.S. independence from England

d)     U.S. independence from all foreign powers

13)  The weather on the Fourth of July is described as:

a)      cool

b)      hot

c)      warm

d)     moderate

14)  America declared its independence in the year:

a)      1876

b)      1772

c)      1676

d)     1776

15)  Halloween is celebrated on:

a)      October 31^st

b)      October 13^th

c)      October 30^th

d)     October 3^rd

16)  The speaker mentions that on Halloween children dress up as:

a)      movie stars

b)      baseball players

c)      ghosts and witches

d)     animals

17)  Thanksgiving is celebrated on:

a)      the first Friday in November

b)      the last Thursday in November

c)      the third Thursday in November

d)     the last Tuesday in November

18)  Early Americans celebrated Thanksgiving to express thanks for:

a)      the winter harvest

b)      the fall harvest

c)      rainfall

d)     peace with their neighbors

19)  The speaker mentions all of the following foods except:

a)      pumpkin pie

b)      corn

c)      sweet potatoes

d)     turkey

20)  In New York City on Thanksgiving there is a special:

a)      football game

b)      political demonstration

c)      parade

d)     fireworks show