01. TheAmerican Character

A Land of Diversity:

Mortimer B. Zuckerman sees his country as " a unique culture of self-reliable, independence, resourcefulness, pragmatism, and novelty".

• Geography:covering 3,700,000 square miles (9,590,000 square kilometers), the U.S. is the fourth-largest nation in the world (after Russia, China, and Canada). Tall mountains and flat cornfields, deserts and tropical region, prairies and forests, rugged coastlines and gentle, rolling hills.

• Population:with roughly 275 million people, the U.S. is the third-largest nation in population after China and India. Hispanics are roughly 12% of the entire American population, making Spanish-speaking people the nation's second largest ethnic minority.

ü What three population trends are predicted?

Three significant population trends:

1. By the year 2050, the country's population will be 394 million. Will more crowded conditions lead to closer friendships or more disputes between neighbors?

2. In recent years, the average age of Americans has been increasing (from 28 in 1970 to about 35 today). This trend, often referred to as the "graying" of America, is expected to continue. Americans have often been accused of worshipping youth and undervaluing their elders. By 2050, there may be 800,000 centenarians. What will happen to the youth culture then?

3. The nation's ethnic and racial minority groups are growing much faster than the general population. This change will affect attitudes: values, and customs.

ü Why is the U.S called "a land of diversity"?

• Regional variations:language accents.

• Diet: Cooking styles influence by the different immigrant groups and by the edible plants, fish, seafood. Recreation influenced by climate, geography, and ethnic traditions.

• Personality:

-New Englanders: serious and self-reliant.

-Southerners: gracious and leisurely.

-Westerners: casual and friendly

-Californians: eager to try new lads.

-Midwesterners: considered, more conservative than Californians and less sophisticated than New Yorkers.

Democracy in Action:

ü What does majority rule mean?

Majority rule: in a democratic legislative body, decisions are made by voting.

ü What American attitudes are related to democratic ideals?

• Government: American democracy is based on the principle of majority rule, voting is not just a tool for selecting political leaders and passing laws.

• Society: government gives citizens an opportunity ( and responsibility) to encourage positive social change.

• Families: hold weekly meetings to determine household rules and activities.

• School: students can voice their opinions about school regulations and activities.

• Business world: publicly owned companies, stockholders elect the directors.

"Try It-You'll Like It":

ü What are some examples of the American pioneering spirit?

1. Long, difficult, and dangerous journey westward in search of gold or free land.

2. Change residences due to changing jobs or going off to college, find adventure or a more pleasant climate.

3. Change jobs and even careers as opportunities change.

4. Love science and technology.

Typical American Behavior and Values:

i. Hurry, Hurry, Hurry:Almost every American wears a watch, and, in nearly every room in an American home, there's a clock. "Be on time". "Don't waste time". "Time is money". "Time waits for no one." The pressure to make every moment count sometimes makes it difficult for American to relax. The desire to save time and do work more quickly and easily leads Americans to buy many kinds of machines.

ii. The important of money:"Americans are often accused of being materilisic, of valuing weath and possessions above all else.Purchase are made in order to "keep up with the Joneses". In the mid 19thcentury, the American author Henry David Thoreau advised his countrymen, "Simplify your needs!"

iii. Say What You Mean, and Mean What You Say:Americans believe that "honestly is the best policy".

iv. The Need to Win.

v. The Practical Outlook:Americans admire what is practical, fast, efficient and new.

AFTER YOU READ:

I. Building Your Vocabulary:

1. Would a materialistic person have many possessions or few? Many possessions.

2. Do elections usually involve competition? Yes they do.

3. Does a conservative person like or dislike a lot of change? Dislike.

4. If people work quickly but do poor work, are they efficient? No.

5. What does a demographer study?The grants and density of population vital statistics.

6. What is the main characteristic of a democracy? Majority rule.

7. What are two expensive possessions that most Americans want to own? Houses and car.

8. Do Americans think that it's is goof to be assertive? What do you think? Yes. (their typical values)

II. Understanding Idioms and Expressions:

1. My friend Joe rides his motorcycle 90 miles an hour.

He doesn't believe in playing it safe.(=to be careful, not taking risks.)

2. The twins expect their parents to give them a gift on their birthday.

They take it for granted. (= chuyệnđương nhiên)

3.Maria Johnson is very popular among the people in the state. In fact, there is a(n) "grassroots" movementto elect her as the next governor.

4. They are very happy couple. She loves him and vice versa.

5. Don't waste time. Make every movement count.

6. Teachers point outmistakes so that students will learnt the correct way to speak and write English.

7. An expensive car is a(n) status symbol.It makes the owner seem important.

8. My grandfather is 68 years old. Because he's a(n) senior citizen, he gets a discount at many movie theaters.

9. Majority rulemeans that decisions are made by voting.

10. You don't have to buy a new car just because your friends did.

You don't have to keep up with the Joneses.

11. Mass productionhelps to keep prices down.

12. John left the company, so Helen is taking charge of the office now.

02. Marriage: American Style

Before the Wedding:

1. The American view point:

Marriage base on the feeling of love rather on practical considerations.

2. The current situation:

Americans are marrying at an older age. Many young adults want to get their careers well established before marriage. Also, many couples live together without (or before) marrying.

3. The engagement:

ü What are three American engagement customs?

1) It is traditional for the man to give his fiancée a gift – a diamond engagement ring.

2) It is common for engaged couples to go to a department store bridal registry and fill out a list of the items they would like to receive, such as particular patterns of dishes, silverware and glassware, plus cooking utensils, appliances, and lines. Wedding guests can choose gifts from this list before the wedding and have them mailed to the bridge-to-be's home.

3) A showeris a party just for women at which each guest gives the bridge-to-be something useful for her new home. Shortlybefore the wedding, the groom and his close friends and relatives celebrate at an all-male party called a bacheloror slagparty. On this occasion, the groom often receives gifts, too.

The Big Day:

ü List five American wedding customs:

1) The bridge wears a long white gown and a veil and the groom usually wears a tuxedo.

2) Bridge and groom exchange identical wedding rings.

3) The couple's car is decorated, which tin cans, paper streamers or old shoes, along with "just married" sign.

4) The bridge throws a bouquet of flowers backward over her head to a group of single women, the groom throws his bridge's garter to the single man.

5) The newlyweds usually take a vacation called a honeymoon.

The Contemporary American Marriage:

ü How has women's liberation affected the American marriage?

Change the women's thinking, equality between men and women, women can go to work.

Advantages:

Problem:

-two-income family makes a better life .

-enjoy being out in the working world.

-the husband expects his working wife to be the perfect homemaker that his stay-at-home mother was.

-there may be arguments if the wife expects her husband to help with the household chores but he is unwilling to do so

The characteristics:

-Sharing money-making and house - keeping responsibilities provides a better life for both parents.

-Arelationship of equality and shared decision making.

Divorce and Alternative Lifestyles:

1. The percentage: In 1970, the figure was 53%. For every 100 marriages that take place today, there are about 50 divorces. The U.S. divorce rate is twice that of Europe and three times higher than Japan's.

2. The reasons:

ü Why do so many Americans get divorces?

-They seek physical , emotional, and intellectual compatibility. It is because Americans expect so much from marriage that so many get divorces.

-They end one marriage hoping that the next will be happier. No-fault divorce laws in many states make it easier than ever to get a divorce.

-The count may require the man to pay his former wife a- monthly sum of money called alimony.

3. Term related to "divorce":

-alimony: tiềntrợ cấp

-child custody: quyềnnuôi con

-child support: tiềntrợ cấp nuôi con

-visitation right: quyềnthăm con

HappyAnniversary!:

-Going out for a romantic dinner for two or by sharing the occasion with family members or close friends.

-25thand 50th– are considered more important. A particular type of gift is traditional for each anniversary (clocks for 1st, crystal or glass for the 3rd, silverware for the 5th, and so on.)

-A couple celebrates a golden wedding anniversary with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren around them).

AFTER YOU READ:

I. Getting the Message:

a. Answer these question, write full answer.

1. What are three good things that paragraph 1 says about marriage?

Marriage halves our griefs, doubles our joys, and quadruples our expenses.

2. What are two bad things that paragraph 1 says about marriage?

Decreases both freedom and loneliness.

3. What are two alternative styles are discusses in this chapter?

-Unnamed couples (living together).

-Gay/les couple.

b. Chronological order.

4 wedding day

6 silver anniversary

3shower for the bridge – to – be

5honeymoon

2 engagement

1marriage proposal

II. Building You Vocabulary :

1. In order to get married, the engaged couple must get a marriage license.

2. The traditional bridgewalks down the aisle wearing a long white gown and a(n) veilover her face.

3. During the ceremony, the bridge and groomexchange identicalwedding rings.

4. This exchange of rings symbolizedendless love.

5. Many contemporary wedding customs come from old superstitionsabout protecting the bridal couple from bad luck.

6. Some couples elope. They get married secretly, with no family or friends at the ceremony.

7. Newlyweds usually take a vacation called a(n) honey moon.

8. The typical married American woman wears two rings: a(n) engagementring and a(n) weddingring.

9. When a married couple gets divorced, the man usually pays alimonyto help support his ex-wife.

10. A wedding ceremonymarks the beginning of a marriage.

11. With typical American optimism, divorced people usually remarry.

12. A golden wedding anniversarycelebrates 50 years of marriage.

03. American Family Life

Who's at home:

*Mothers:Mothers go to work. Why?

-They need money. They want to have more income for family or they likes and enjoy working.

-They have hectic and stressful life.

ü How has American family life changed as a result of American mothers working outside the home?

• Mothers:has less time for child care and housekeeping, her husband and older children usually become more involved in these tasks. Older children must be more self-sufficient. Mother spend only a few hours a day with her children. Created another great social need- affordable, high-quality day-care facilities for preschool children.

• Fathers:declining role of father. The high divorce rate and the large number of children born to unmarried mothers.

Who IsHome?

ü Howdoes the mobility of Americans affect families?

-The mobility deprives the nuclear family of having money relatives and long time friends living nearby.

-The nuclear family must now supply the companionship and help once provided in part by aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends living in the neighborhood.

Who Pays the Bills?:

ü Who pays for all the possessions of the American family?

-Mom's salary helps to buy the things the family wants.

-If the family wants to buy nice and useful possessions: dad's salary is needed, the two-income family is a necessity.

Who's in Charge?:

ü What are some examples of battles for control within an American family?

-The battle of the sexes – husband and wife fight for control of the family.

-Sibling rivalry – competition and jealousy between brothers and sisters.

-Generation gap – the difficulty parents have understanding the attitudes and behavior of their children and vice – versa.

04. American Etiquette (the way we behave in a particular society)

American Attitudes and Good Manners:

Help you make friends, not enemies, in the U.S:

• Don't be "nosy".

• Don't smoke without permission: must have a cigarette should excuse themselves and go outside to smoke.

• Don't get to close.

• Don't touch.

• Don't make ethnic slurs: The U.S is a multi-ethnic, multi – racial culture, and there is considerable social interaction among different groups. Don't say anything negative about any ethnic group.

Introductions and Titles:

ü When you introduce two people, what are some rules about whose name goes first?

Making introductions (presenting two strangers to each other) is one of the most common social duties.

• Different sexes: woman's name first.

• Appropriate responses to an introduction: "How do you do?", "It is nice to meet you.", "Hello".

• Shake hands (each using the right hand). To tradition, the woman, the older person, or the more important person is expected to extend a hand first. Today is not always followed, handshaking is not limited to introductions, in business or social situations, acquaintances and friends when they meet and when they conclude a conversation.

• At the end of a conversation with a new acquaintance, it's polite to say, "Good-bye. It was nice meeting you." Add some appropriate remark that wishes the person a good time or good luck, "Enjoy your visit to our city" , "Good luck with your new job".

• People in the same general age group tend to get on a first – name. Coworker, classmates, neighbors, often call each other by first names.

• In addressing a stranger, it's is customary to use sirfor a man and missorma'amfor a woman. It's rude to call a man misterwithout the last name or a woman lady.

• Dr: medical doctors, dentists, people with academic doctoral degrees ( a Ph.D.).

• Doctor, Professor, Officer, Captain, religious leader (Fatheror Rabbi,..): can be used alone.

• Not correct to call teacher Teacherin elementary and high schools. Mr., Ms., Miss., or Mrs., plus the last name. In American colleges and universities, some instructors and professors are quite informal, encourage students to call them by their first names.

Congratulations, Condolences, and Apologies:

ü Name some several occasions when it's appropriate to say "Congratulations".

It's polite to say "Congratulations!" (with a lot of enthusiasm): graduation, job promotion, the birth of a child, the purchase of a home. Sometimes, appropriate to give a gift.

Sad occasions:

-A coworker, classmate, or neighbor experiences a death in the family, die or death should be avoided. It best to say "I was so sorry to hear about you loss" (or "... about your father"). It's also customary to send a sympathy card, if you don't know the mourner's religion, select a card without religious symbols.

-"I'm sorry" display good manners in a great many difficult social situation.

• To express sympathy to someone who has had a bad experience

• To express regret for bothering someone or causing a problem

-"Excuses me", "Pardon me": toget out of the crowded elevator or stopping stranger to ask directions.

DiningEtiquette:

ü What information should you give when you make a reservation at a restaurant?

-Phone the restaurant and make a reservation to avoid waiting for a table.

-Prepare to pay the bill and reach for it when it arrives. If your companion insists on sharing the bill, don't get into an argument about it.

-Tip for the server (waiter or waitress) is not added to bill. Leave a tip equal to about 15% of the bill. In expensive restaurants, leave a little more.

Manner between Men and Women:

ü How has women's liberation affected manners between the sexes?

-Formerly, men – the stronger and dominant sex, etiquette required them to adopt a protective attitude toward the so-called weaker sex.

-Women's Liberation Movement Þa great confusion regarding manner between men and women.

-At work, people are asked to treat other as coworkers not as prospective romantic partners.

ÞResults:change both sex's attitudes. Both sexes are more casual about traditional etiquette.

ClassroomEtiquette:

ü Name some things students can do and shouldn't do in an American classroom.

Can do:

Shouldn't do:

-do not stand up when their teacher enters the room.

-encourage to ask questions during class.

-let students enter class late or leave early when necessary.

-expected to be polite and considerate of their teacher and classmates.

-raise and land wait to be called on.

-If a professor is giving a lecture, it's rude to begin whispering to another classmate.

-When a test is being given, talking to a classmate is not only rude but risky.

-Students who are talking to each other during a test are cheating, result may be a test grade of zero.

06. ANation of Immigrants

Immigrationbefore Independence:

ü Why is English, rather than French or Spanish, the major language of the U.S.?

-During the 1500s, French and Spanish explorers visited the New World. But the first Europeans who came and stayed were English.

-In 1790, about 75% of these first Americans were of British ancestry.

-The British gave the new it's language laws, philosophy of government.

Immigration from 1790 to 1920:

ü What historical development in the U.S. stimulated immigration?

Potato crop failures in Ireland stimulated Irish Immigration. Germans came to escape economic and political difficulties.

ü Whatproblems in Europe stimulated emigration?

The Industrial Revolution and the westward movement gave new immigrants an important role in the nation's economic development.

Immigration since 1920:

-During WorldWar I, immigration declined due to traveling difficulties. The need for immigrants.

-During 1920s: the first quota law.

-From 1930 to 1945, the legal limits and World War II kept immigration to a minimum.

-When the war ended, immigration rose sharply.

ü Why does the U.S. need immigration restrictions?

In the twentieth century, the U.S population grew at a very rapid rate. By 1920, the population had reached 100 million cause population explosion.

The Hispanic Population:(Native speakers of Spanish)

-The 2ndlargest cultural minority (32 million people)

-The most rapidly growing minority group – the U.S. largest ethnic minority group – the U.S. largest ethnic group by 2020 – Spanish being used in the media in the U.S.

-3 largest Hispanic groups: Mexicans, Puerto, Ricans, and Cubans.

ü What historical events caused the U.S. to acquire a large Spanish-speaking population? Name at least three.

Mexican:

§ Mexicans helped establish Los Angeles and many other settlements in the Southwest (that later became major American cities.)

§ When the Mexican-American war ended in 1848 the peace treaty gave the U.S. more than 525,000 square miles of territory in the Southwest. Mexican living in this area were granted U.S. citizenship.

Puerto Rican:

§ In 1878 during the brief Spanish-American war, the U.S. won Puerto Rico from Spain.

§ Puerto Rico has what is called a commonwealth status with the U.S, government.

§ Disagreement about political goals for the island exists.

Cuban:

§ Most Cubans came as exiles during or after 1959 when Fidel Castro took over and the country became communist.

Illegal Aliens:(people living in the U.S without proper authorization)

Who?

§ Sneak across the border.

§ Come on temporary student or visitor visa and do not leave when their visas expire.

Why?

§ Employment opportunities.

Restriction? A new law

§ (1) illegal aliens = U.S. citizens

§ (2) discourage illegal immigrants: difficult to find employment.

ü Why has it become more difficult for an illegal alien to get a job?

In 1986, the U.S government adopted a new law affecting illegal aliens. The law prohibits American employers from hiring illegals and provides for severe penalties – fines and even imprisonment – if they do so.

The Many Contributions of Immigrants:

1. The English language and the British legal system.

2. Religious persecution, political oppressions, economic hardship.

3. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants, immigrants have many important contributions to American life.

AFTER YOU READ:

I. Getting the Message:

a) Write the letter of the phrase that correctly completes each sentences:

1. John F. Kennedy wrote A Nation of Immigrants before he became president.

2. Americans speak English because the majority of the American colonists were English.

3. The U.S. today has more African – Americans than Hispanics.

4. Puerto Rico is a U.S. commonwealth.

5. Compares the U.S. to a salad bowl because immigrants tend to keep many traditions from their native country.

b) Answer questions:

1. What did British immigrants give to the U.S.?

English language and British legal system.

2. What three main situations have brought immigrants to the U.S.?

Religious persecution, political oppression, economic hard ship.

II. Bulding Your Vocabulary:

1. Refugees come to the U.S. after they fleefrom their native country because of religious or political persecution.

2. People who leave their native land and come to live in the U.S. are called immigrantsor resident aliens.

3. A passport is issued by a traveler's native country. A(n) visa is issued by the country the traveler wishes to enter.

4. Travelers should leave the country before their visa expires.

5. Refugeesare people who come to the U.S. for protection and safety. If they returned to their native country, their lives might be in danger.

6. Two words that refer to cruel treatment of a group of people are persecutionand oppressions.

7. From 1920 to 1970, the population of the U.S. increased from 100 million to 200 million. In other words, the population doubled.

8. One common reason or nativefor coming to the U.S. is to earn more money.

9. At some ethnic festivals, food and handmade items representing many foreigncountries are sold.

10. A person who can speak two languages is bilingual.

IV. Understanding Idioms and Expressions:

1. An immigrant's homeland is sometimes referred to as the old country.

2. Because the U.S. is a nation made up of people from many different countries, it has been called a(n) melting potor a(n) salad bowl.

3. The number of people living in the U.S. increased a great deal in a short time. This was called a(n) population explosion.

4. To attract Europeans to the U.S. , the country was advertised as a(n) land of opportunity, where workers could find good jobs.

5. Many immigrants come to the U.S. to get higher – paying jobs so that they and their family can have a higher standard of living.

6. From time to timemeans something happens occasionally and repeatedly.

7. When conditions were bad in some European countries, many people moved to the U.S. American immigration took a(n) great leap.

20. Halloween: A Time for Scary Fun

A typical Halloween Scene:

Typical Halloween pranks: soaping windows, writing on doors with crayons, over-turning, garbage cans, sticking pins into doorbells to keep them ringing, throwing raw eggs, and spraving cream on cars and friends.

The Origins of Halloween Customs:

ü Today's Halloween customs come from what two ancient holidays?

They come from two different sources: an ancient Celtic festival in honor of Samhain, lord of death, and a Roman festival in honor of Pomona, goddess of gardens and orchards.

ü What are two main themes and colors of Halloween?

The Halloween colors, black and orange, suggest both ideas: death and harvest.

AFTER YOU READ:

I. Getting the Message:

a) Mark each statement true (T) or false (F):

1. In the U.S. today Halloween is an important religious holiday. ÞF

2. Pagan religious (=chủ nghĩa vô thần) had many gods. ÞT

3. Halloween is celebrated by nearly all American children, no matter what their religion. ÞT

4. Some costumes are disguises, but others are not. ÞT

5. A scarecrow is put in a field to scare away people. ÞF

6. Skeletons and ghosts are symbols of a good harvest. ÞF

7. The American mad jack-o'-lanterns from pumpkins. ÞF

8. When children go trick – or – treating, they usually collect a lot of candies. ÞF

b) Name four things American children usually do to celebrate Halloween:

1. wear costumes.

2. carve pumpkins.

3. go trick or treating.

4. bob for apples.

II. Building Your Vocabulary:

a) Complete these sentences:

1. If you give a trick- or- treater a penny, you are stingy. If you give the child 50 cents, you are generous.

2. At Halloween parties or masquerades( = lễhội hoá trang), some people don't recognize their friends when they are wearing masks over their face.

3. On Halloween, it is an American custom for children to dress up in costumes.

4. The Halloween colors, orange and black, relate to the holiday's two major themes, which are harvestand death.

5. A(n) scarecrowprotects a farmer's harvest because it stands in the fields and scares away birds and animals that might otherwise eat seeds or crops.

6. To make a jack – o' – lantern, take the insides ( the pulp and seeds) out of a pumpkinsand then cut a face into the orange shell.

7. A ghost is the invisible spiritof a dead person.

b) Underline the correct word:

1. (Which/Witch) on of you wants to wear this scary costume?

2. I don't like that bright- red – devil (costume/custom) .

3. On Halloween, I wear makeup or a ( mask/ masquerade) to disguise myself.

4. After I take the insides out of this pumpkin, it will be (hallow/hollow).

5. People say a ghost lives in that houses. They say it's (haunted/hunted).

c) Write D for darkness and death and H for harvest.

1. Apple H

2. Ghost D

3. Haunted houseD

4. Jack – o' – lanternDand H

5. OwlD

6. Pumpkin H

7. Scarecrow H

8. Skeleton D

IV. Understanding Idioms and Expressions:

1. "Trick or treat; money or cats!" means "give me a treat, or I'll play a trick on you".

2. To play a prank means to trick someone.

3. A jack- o'- lantern has a light in it.

4. When you are bobbing for apples, you can get wet.

5. Scared out of your wits means too scared to think clearly.

6. Scared to death means that someone was very frightened.

7. Telling fortunes means predicting what will happen in the future.

8. Gain access to means get into.

21. Thanksgiving: Origin and Custom

Thanksgiving Day is on the fourth Thursday in November.

ü Compare the Plymouth Thanksgiving of 1621 with today's typical American Thanksgiving.

The Plymouth Thanksgiving of 1621

Today's Typical Thanksgiving

-Wild turkey that Plymouth hunted can fly.

-Didn't have enough sugar to make cranberry sauce (just in the stuffing).

-Pumpkin cut into pieces.

-Didn't have forks, picked food by hand and wiped their hands on very large napkins.

-Eat outside.

-Domesticated turkey.

-Cranberry sauce is an essential part.

-Mashed pumpkin and served in a pie.

-Set a beautiful fancy table.

-Eat inside.

AFTER YOU READ:

I. Getting the Message:

1. The Separatists came to America because they wanted religious freedom.

2. It isn't historically correct to refer to all Plymouth colonists as Pilgrims because some of them came for adventure or economics gains.

3. The colonists were grateful to Massasoit and his tribe because they taught them better farming techniques resulted in a good harvest.

4. Priscilla Mullens didn't want to marry Miles Standish because she loved John.

5. The settlers and the Native Americans became enemies because both of them want the same land.

6. Pocahontas was kidnapped by the Jamestown colonists because they warned her father tribe to be peaceful toward them.

II. Sharpening Reading Skills:

1. inspire: cause someone to want to do something.

2. voyage: a long trip, usually on water.

3. courtship: seeking romance and/or marriage.

4. timid: shy and frightened.

5. alike: similar.

6. hostile: showing the desire to hurt someone.

7. apologize: say you're sorry for doing something wrong.

8. bloodshed: injury and/ or death.

III. Understanding Idioms and Expression:

1. On display means put out for people to see.

2. If you have your Thanksgiving dinner out – of – doors, you eat it outside.

3. Role – playing means pretending to be someone else.

4. If you take advice from a friend, youdo what your friend suggests.

5. After all means what happened was a surprise.

6. John Smith owned his life to Pocahontas because she protected him from death.

22. The Winter Holiday Season

Merry Christmas!:

ü What event does Christmas celebrate?

It celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

-24thof December – Christmas Eve.

-25thof December – Christmas Day.

-26thof December – Boxing Day.

ü How does gift – giving relate to the birth of Christ and the spirit of the holiday?

-The first Christmas gift were birthday gifts that the three Wise Men brought to the infant Jesus. It is customary to exchange gifts with family members and close friend. Both children and adults get Christmas presents, although children usually get many more.

-Where did this legend come from? Santa Claus is the American name for St. Nicholas, a generous fourth – century bishop who lived in what is now Turkey. It was custom to go out at night and bring gifts to the poor.

ü Name five other American Christmas customs.

-Hanging Stockings.

-Decorating the Home with Holiday Plants.

-Going Caroling.

-Spending Christmas Cards.

-Attending Traditional Christmas Theatrical Productions.

AFTER YOU READ:

I. Getting the Message:

Customs

Christmas

New Year's

1.exchanging gifts around a tree.

X

2. kissing under the mistletoe.

X

3. promising to improve oneself.

X

4. helping the poor.

X

5. going caroling.

X

6. attending church services.

X

7. watching the ball drop on TV.

X

8. drinking champagne at midnight.

X

9. blowing horns.

X

10. talking or writing to Santa Claus.

X

11. sending season's greeting cards.

X

X

12. watching the Bowl games on TV.

X

II. Sharpening Reading Skills:

1. Most American Christmas customs originated in other countries.

2. Christ was actually born several years before A.D 1.

3. Christmas is celebrated by Christians everywhere.

4. Which would not be a good New Year's resolution? I'll buy some groceries.

5. The year A.D. 500 was about 1500 years ago.

III. Understanding Idioms and Expressions:

1. The Christmas rush refers to shoppers.

2. Roly – poly means fat.

3. Greeting cards containing "season's greetings" are usually sent to relatives, friends, and business associates.

4. Turning over a new leaf means making a fresh and improving one's behavior.

5. When you look forward to an event, you expect and want it to happen.