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(discovered, Bonfire, a plot, executed, the dummy, the plotters, priests, Guy Fawkes, gunpowder, tortured )
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(discovered, Bonfire, a plot, executed, the dummy, the plotters, priests, Guy Fawkes, gunpowder, tortured )
Текст 4
HOLIDAYS IN THE USA
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American holidays are strikingly different in origin and show surprising similarities in the manner of their celebration. No matter what the holiday’s origin is, they all seem to be the same thing. A holiday has simply become, for most Americans, a day off from work, though some (for example, Thanksgiving and Christmas) retain some individuality.
The major holidays in the USA are:
New Year’s Day, January, 1st:
People stay awake until after midnight on December 31st to “watch the Old Year out and the New Year in. ” Many parties are given on this night. Theatres, night clubs, restaurants are crowded.
When midnight comes, they greet the New Year: people gather in the streets of big cities, they ring bells, blow whistles and automobile horns, some shoot off guns and firecrackers.
Valentine’s Day, February, 14:
It is not a national holiday. Banks and offices do not close, but it is a happy little festival in honour of St Valentine, patron of sweethearts and lovers. It is widely celebrated among people of all ages by the exchange of “valentines. ” A “valentine” may mean a special greeting card or a little present. The greeting cards are often coloured red, have red trimmings and pictures of hearts.
Washington’s Birthday, February, 22:
In addition to commemorating the birth of the United states’ first President, it’s a great day for shoppers. The department stores of Washington, D. C., stated a national tradition of sales marked by unusual bargains.
It is not a national holiday. Many schools, offices and banks close for this day, some stay open. The US Congress observes the birthday of George Washington with speeches and readings from his works.
Easter:
Easter is in memory of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon between March, 22, and April, 25. The 40 days before Easter are called Lent. Just before Easter, schools and colleges usually close. The students have a week or ten days of spring vacation.
Easter is a church holiday, and many churches have an outdoor sunrise service.
People give each other presents of coloured or even decorated eggs which are the symbol of new life. There is a popular belief that wearing three new things on Easter will bring good luck throughout the year.
Memorial Day, May, 30:
It is a national holiday. Schools, banks and offices close for the day. On that day, Americans honour the servicemen who gave their lives in past wars. Schools, clubs and churches decorate the cemeteries. They put up the flags on the graves of the army, navy and airmen. They hold memorial services in churches, halls, parks and cemeteries.
In addition to solemn services Memorial Day is often marked by other, more joyful ceremonies: colourful parades, sports competitions.
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Independence Day, July, 4:
On this day, in 1776, America signed the Declaration of Independence. It is a national public holiday celebrated with fireworks and speeches praising “Americanism, democracy, free enterprise”.
Labor Day, the first Monday in September:
It is a holiday of recreation. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Vacation time is over. Resorts, camps and beaches close…Parents go to summer camps and take their children back home.
Текст 5
Halloween
Halloween (also spelled Hallowe'en ) is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints.
Halloween has origins in the ancient festival known as Samhain, which is derived from Old Irish and means roughly " summer's end". This was a Gaelic festival celebrated mainly in Ireland and Scotland. This festival celebrates the end of the " lighter half" of the year and beginning of the " darker half", and is sometimes regarded as the " Celtic New Year". The celebration has some elements of a festival of the dead. The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the Other world became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honoured and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm.
But where does the origin of the name " halloween" come from? Well The term Halloween , originally spelled Hallowe’en, is shortened from All Hallows' Even – e'en is a shortening of evening. It is now known as " Eve of" All Saints' Day, which is November 1st. As Chritianity started to spread, the church tried to supplant these pagan festivities with the Christian holiday (All Saints' Day) by moving it from May 13 to November 1. Although All Saints' Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were once celebrated on the same day.
Halloween is also related to jack-o'-lantern (sometimes also spelled Jack O'Lantern ) which is typically a carved pumpkin. In a jack-o'-lantern, typically the top is cut off, and the inside flesh then scooped out; an image, usually a monstrous face, is carved onto the outside surface, and the lid replaced. At night, a light is placed inside to illuminate the effect.
Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, " Trick or treat? " The word " trick" refers to a (mostly idle) threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In some parts of Ireland and Scotland children still go guising. In this custom the child performs some sort of show, i. e. sings a song or tells a ghost story, in order to earn their treats.
Тест:
The word Halloween means:
a. hallows' day
b. hallows' evening
Why did people wear masks on Halloween?
a. They wanted to be unrecognizable.
b. They wanted to frighten away evil spirits.
c. They wanted to frighten their friends.
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When children ask " trick or treat? ":
a. They want you to give them candy
b. They give you a treat in return of candy or money
c. They let you in peace in return of candy or money
During Samhain festivitiesy:
a. only evil spirits are present
b. only good spirits are present
c. both evil and good spirits are present
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