Содержание занятия:
Задание 1.Прочитайте текст English customs and traditions. Ответьте на вопросы.
Vocabulary:
haughty – высокомерный
customs – обычаи
stay-at-homes– домосед
substantial –значительный, важный
The English are reputed to be cold, reserved, rather haughty people. They are steady, easy-going
and fond of sports. There are certain kinds of behavior, manners and customs which are peculiar to
England.
The English are naturally polite and are never tired of saying "Thank you" and "I am sorry". They are
generally disciplined; you never hear loud talk in the street. They don't rush for seats in buses and
trains, but they take their seats in queues at bus stops. English people do not shake hands when
meeting one another; they do not show their emotions even in tragic situations. They seem to remain
good-tempered and cheerful under difficulties.
The English are a nation of stay-at-homes. There is no place like home. The Englishman says "My
house is my castle" because he doesn't wish his doings to be overlooked by his neighbours. It is true
that English people prefer small houses, built for one family. The fire is the focus of the English
Home. The fireplace is the natural centre of interest in the room. They like to sit round the fire and
watch the dancing flames, exchanging the day's experience.
Britain is a nation of animal lovers. They have about five million dogs, almost as many cats, 3 million
parrots and other cage birds, aquarium fish - and 1 million exotic pets such as reptiles. In Britain they
have special dog shops selling food, clothes and other things for dogs. There are dog hair-dressing
saloons and dog cemeteries. In Britain pets can send Christmas cards to their friends, birthday cards.
There are some traditions concerning food. English cooking is heavy, substantial and plain. The
Englishman likes a good breakfast. To him a good breakfast means porridge with, fish, bacon and
ggs, toast and marmalade, tea or coffee.
Tea is part of the prose of British life, as necessary as potatoes and bread. Seven cups of it wake you
up in the morning, 9 cups will put you to sleep at night.
From 4 to 6 there is a very light meal called 5 o'clock tea. It is a snack of thin bread and butter and cup
of tea with small cakes. This became a kind ritual. At this time everything stops for tea.
English are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up.
Задание 2.Ответьте на вопросы. Questions:
1. What are peculiar features of the English?
2. Why are the English a nation of stay-at-homes?
3. Where does the English family prefer to live?
4. Why do the English like to sit round the fire?
5. Do the English show great love for animals?
6. What is an Englishman’s idea of a good breakfast?
7. When do the English have the third meal of the day?
8. Why are the Englishmen proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up?
Задание 3. Прочтите текст Holidays and tradition in Russia and English-speaking countries
Vocabulary list:
to attend a church service – посещать церковную службу
a gift = a present
huge = big
to crowd = to be full of people
to hold (held, held) - проводить
aneighbour - сосед
a doggerel - плохие стихи
Pancake day - Вторник на масленой неделе - Последний день Масленицы, когда по традиции пекут блинчики
Pilgrim Fathers – Отцы основатели
harvest - урожай
Every nation and every country has its own customs and traditions. But there are also international holidays which are celebrated in all countries. They are: Christmas, New Year, Easter and St. Valentine's Day.
Christmas comes but once a year. Christmas is a traditional family day. On this day, many people attend a church service, open their presents and eat a Christmas dinner.
In Britain, Christmas is the most important public holiday of the year. It combines the custom of giving gifts with the tradition of spending this day with the family. Every year a huge Christmas tree, the gift of the Norwegian people, graces Trafalgar square.
In Russia Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January. On this day people celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ.
New Year is a public holiday but it is not marked with any particular custom in Britain and America, yet it has a joyful celebration in Russia. 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 and streets are crowded.
Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays. It is traditionally associated with Easter eggs and with the coming of spring, and most churches are specially decorated with flowers for the service held on Easter Day. There is a popular belief that wearing three new things on Easter will bring good luck.
St. Valentine's Day is not the official holiday in most countries. February 14 is the day of lovers. Boys and girls, sweethearts and lovers, husbands and wives, friends and neighbours, and even the office staff exchange greetings of affection. Valentine's Day is a whirl of hearts, candy and good wishes in the form of bright, lacy, colorful cards, with loving emblems and amorous doggerel, saying: "Be my Valentine".
There are also some special holidays which are usually celebrated in a particular country.
The traditional British holiday is Pancake Day. But people don't only eat pancakes on this day, they run with them. In many towns in England pancake races are held every year.
The most American holiday is Thanksgiving day. It was first celebrated in early colonial times by Pilgrim Fathers after their first good harvest. Thanksgiving is a day when the family eats a large traditional dinner, usually with turkey and pumpkin pie.
In Russia we celebrate Women's day on the 8th of March. On this day men are supposed to do everything about the house and cook all the meals.
Задание 4. Ответьте на вопросы. Questions:
1. What holidays are celebrated in all countries?
2. Why is Christmas the most important public holiday in Britain?
3. Is New Year marked with any particular custom in Britain and America?
4. What does Easter mean?
5. What holiday is considered to be the day of lovers?
6. What is the traditional British holiday?
7. What is the traditional American holiday?
8. What holiday is celebrated on the 8th of March & where?
Самостоятельная работа, задание: подготовьте презентацию на тему «Английские традиции»
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