The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada

MODULE 1: Check your knowledge

Pass the test and check your answers.

Canada

1. Canada is the ___ largest country in the world after Russia. Its territory is ___ million square kilometers and includes ____ time zones.

1) 2nd;20; 6

2) 3th; 10; 5

3) 2nd; 9.9; 6

2. About ____ people of Ukrainian origin (most of whom have Сanadian citizenship) live in Canada. Ukrainians are the ____ largest ethnic group in Canada. Canada, in turn, is the ____country in the world, after Ukraine and Russia, in terms of the number of Ukrainians living in it.

1) 1.3 mln; 9th; 3th

2) 1.2 mln; 9th; 5th

3) 1.9 mln; 7th; 3th

3. Despite its vast territory, Canada has fewer people (about 35 million) than the world's largest Metropolitan area of Tokyo (about 37.8 million).

1) 37.5

2) 35

3) 31

4. In the form of what or who are car license plates in the Canadian Northwest Territories?

1) salmon

2) polar bear

3) maple leaf

4) North-American beaver

5. Canada has one of the longest streets in the world. What is the name of this street and what is its length?

1) Yonge Street; 1896(86) km

2) Sukhumvit; 491 km

3) Avenida Rivadavia; 14.6 km

6. What can a police officer in Canada give to a person who is doing something good?

1) discount or coupon at Starbucks or Balzac's

2) diploma or special badge

3) reduction of time for a prisoner

4) positive ticket

7. What local weather event provokes a temperature increase of 20 degrees as soon as it occurs?

1) wind Chinook

2) hurricane Dorian

3) St. Elmo's lights

8. What did Sam Panopoulos, a Greek Сanadian, come up with in 1962?

1) musical instrument

2) аir conditioning system

3) Hawaiian pizza

9. What denomination did the Royal Сanadian Mint use to mint a gold coin in 2007?

1) 350 thousand C$

2) 0.58 C$

3) 1 mln C$

10. What according to Canadian legends lives in lake Okanagan in British Columbia?

1) three-headed mermaid

2) water monster Ogopogo

3) prehistoric species of man-eating fish

11. What special type of alcohol was invented in Canada?

ice wine

1) Abashiri blue beer

2) Bacon-flavored vodka

3) Pizza-flavored beer

12. What does the Netherlands send to Ottawa every year in gratitude for the shelter of the Dutch Royal family during the occupation in 1945? Since then, this tradition has grown into a Canadian festival.

1) cash gift of $ 2 million

2) red and blue diamonds

3) 10 thousand tulips

4) Dutch porcelain and flower beds

The UK

1. Great Britain is a part of the island country of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. What other territories are included in it?

1) Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland

2) Wales, Scotland

3) Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Orkney Islands

2. The population of the UK is more than ___ million people, of which ____million live in England

1) 125; 93

2) 58; 45

3) 66; 53

3. More than ____ people living in England are called John Smith

1) 15,000

2) 8,000

3) 30,000

4. The British city of _____ is considered the most haunted city in Europe and one of several in the world. There are about 500 reported cases of ghosts in the city

1) York

2) Liverpool

3) Bristol

4) Oxford

5. The Queen of England is the only British citizen who travels without a passport

1) true

2) false

3) it only refers to Wales

6._____________ are the most popular sports in England

1) swimming and golf

2) football (soccer), rugby and cricket

3) horse riding, football and tennis

7. In London, it was opened the first store in the world which ____________

1) sold Indian and New Zealand delicacies

2) sold rare books and snuff(tobacco)

3) sold hot chocolate and gramophone records

8. In London, subway passengers lose about _____ umbrellas every year

1) 30,000

2) 80,000

3) 10,000

9. In the XVII-XVIII centuries in Britain there was a special position of the Royal uncorker of bottles with letters caught in the ocean. People who opened such bottles without permission were facing the death penalty

1) true

2) false

10.A citizen of the UK who refused a woman's offer to marry her had to pay a fine in the past

1) true

2) false

3) it only refers to the Scottish

11. Which actors received the Order of the British Empire for special services? (several answers are possible)

1) Tom Hardy

2) Keira Knightley

3) James Hugh Laurie

4) Edward Redmayne

5) Benedict Cumberbatch

6) Jason Statham

7) Emma Watson

8) Kate Winslet

9) Angelina Jolie

10) Vasily Livanov

The USA

1. What is the population of the USA?

1) About 333,068,000

2) About 80,389,000

3) About 147,095,000

2. How many Presidents have lead the USA?

1) 35

2) 70

3) 45

3. Which place does the USA takes in the list of largest countries?

1) 2

2) 4

3) 10

4. How many citizens of the USA have higher education?

1) 43,1%

2) 28,2%

3) 69,4%

5. Which city is the capital of the United States?

1) New York

2) Los Angeles

3) Washington

6. What are the two oceans, surrounding the USA?

1) The Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean

2) The Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean

3) The Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean

7. How many states does the USA include?

1) 37

2) 25

3) 50

8. Which of the following cities have more than a million citizens?

1) Seattle

2) Washington

3) Phoenix

New Zealand

1. In which ocean is New Zealand located?

1) The Atlantic Ocean

2) The Pacific Ocean

3) The Indian Ocean

2. Which species of animals/birds are only found in New Zealand?

1) Kiwi

2) Duck-billed platypus

3) Kangaroo

3. Where does New Zealand lie?

1) To the East of Australia

2) To the North of Australia

3) To the West of Australia

4. How many cities with population of over 1 million people are there?

1) 7

2) 3

3) 1

5. Who is the head of the country?

1) Queen Elizabeth II

2) Elected Prime Minister of New Zealand

3) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

6. Does the population number of New Zealand change in some way?

1) It rises

2) It doesn’t

3) It falls

7. Which variation of English is spoken in New Zealand?

1) Australian English

2) British English

3) New Zealand English

Australia

1. Australia is the ___ largest country in the world, occupying an entire continent of some 7.6 million square kilometres (add the missing word).

1) 6th

2) 4th

3) 5th

2. More than ___ percent of Australians live within 100 kilometres of the coast making Australia one of the world's most urbanised coastal dwelling populations.

1) 70

2) 80

3) 85

3. There were over ___ koalas before British settlers arrived in Australia. Now, there are around 43,000 in the wild.

1) 90,000

2) 5 million

3) 10 million

4. In Australia, ___ of its population speaks a language which is other than English.

1) 10%

2) 16%

3) 21%

5. In Australia, they have a town named ‘1770’. Is it true?

1) True

2) False

3) It is not a town, it is a name of the biggest district in Sydney

6. A whopping ___ of Australia is covered under vegetation.

1) 74%

2) 80%

3) 91%

7. One of the Australian cities has been ranked the world’s most livable city for the past 5 years. What’s the name of it?

1) Melbourne

2) Adelaide

3) Sydney

8. Over ___ of Australians are migrants or the first-generation children of migrants.

1) 20%

2) 30%

3) 40%

ANSWERS

Canada

1) 3

2) 1

3) 2

4) 2

5) 1

6) 4

7) 1

8) 3

9) 3

10) 2

11) 1

12) 3

The UK

1) 1

2) 3

3) 3

4) 1

5) 1

6) 2

7) 3

8) 2

9) 1

10) 3

11) 1,2,4,5,8,9,10

The USA

1) 1

2) 3

3) 2

4) 1

5) 3

6) 2

7) 3

8) 3

New Zealand

1) 2

2) 1

3) 1

4) 3

5) 1

6) 1

7) 3

Australia

1) 1

2) 2

3) 3

4) 2

5) 1

6) 3

7) 1

8) 3

MODULE 2: Holidays

The origin of the word “ Holiday ” was found in the Old English. Many hundred years ago people use the verbal construction “ Halig daeg ” as the name of pagan festivals. Later we can find it in the form of open compound “ Holy day ” in Medieval English. It meant a day of religious celebrating when Christianity has come to the Western Europe. In the Modern English, the noun “ Holiday ” has finally replaced all earlier forms and we are happy to hear it because it means that we will have a long-awaited relax in our vacation or a red-letter day.

Holiday is a thing we can’t live without. It’s our cultural background and there’s no doubt that nations around the world have different ways of celebrating a particular holiday, or have a set of their own traditions that were accepted thousands of years ago.

Let’s look at the differences in the way people spend the following holidays in English-speaking countries.

Holidays:

· New Year

· Christmas

· St. Valentine's day

· Halloween

· Easter

· Remembrance Day

I. New Year

New Year is the time or day at which a new calendar year begins and the calendar's year count increments by one. Many cultures celebrate the event in some manner and the 1st day of January is often marked as a national holiday.

But we also should remember that the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are two different days. So in the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve (also known as Old Year's Day or Saint Sylvester's Day in many countries), the last day of the year, is on 31 December. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening parties, where many people dance, eat, drink, and watch or light fireworks. Some Christians attend a watchnight service. The celebrations generally go on past midnight into New Year's Day, 1 January.

The USA

The New Year's Eve is not a federal holiday in the USA, it's a day to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. However, the New Year's Day is a federal holiday.

Some people celebrate New Year’s Eve by attending midnight church services. Many people hold parties to bid farewell to the finishing year and to celebrate the New Year. The size of festive events for New Year’s Eve can vary in size and theme.

Some people attend formal masquerade balls while others have costume parties. Some people have small parties or gatherings at their homes. Many New Year’s Eve celebrations are highlighted by firework displays.

Canada

New Year's Eve is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. New Year's Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

Many parties are at people's homes or in bars and clubs. However, in some rural areas, particularly in the province of Quebec, some people spend the night ice fishing with groups of friends.

There are few customs and traditions which are rigorously followed with a belief that they bring good luck, peace, and prosperity to everyone. One such belief calls for going for a polar bear swim on New Year.

There is also a tradition of clapping and roaring at the time of midnight when New Year arrives in Canada. It is done with a belief that it sways away all the past evils and negative energies.

In Canada, kissing is considered to be a traditional way of showing love and conferring wishes to someone, and also a way of strengthening pleasant ties with people.

The UK

New Year’s Eve is not a public day, so most people go to work as usual. New Year’s Day is a bank holiday, thus public holiday. Most shops and businesses close for the day. Most people stay at home and relax with their families.

In Scotland, New Year celebration is referred as ‘ Hogmanay’, which is also the name of an oatmeal cake given to small children on New Year’s Eve. On New Year's Day the tradition of first footing is observed. This is because the first person to set foot in a residence in a New Year is thought to profoundly affect the fortunes of everyone who lives there. Generally strangers are thought to bring good luck.

In Wales, New Year’s Eve is referred as ‘ Nos Galan ’, and New Year Day is referred as ‘ Dydd Calan ’. There is a tradition of clearing all past debts before the arrival of New Year. On New Year’s Day, small children wake up early, gather as one, and make a visit to all the houses in neighborhood while singing New Year special songs. In turn, people confer them with sweets, cookies, pies, apples, and coins.

In England there is a tradition according to which people keep the back door of their houses open to symbolize for their farewell to the old year. On the same lines, they expect a dark haired and young man to arrive at their threshold on New Year’s Day, as it is considered to symbolize for good luck in the coming year. They are made to carry salt, coal, and bread, which respectively symbolizes for abundance of money, warmth, and food in the coming year.

Australia

New Year’s Eve is not a public holiday in Australia. However, schools and educational institutions are closed on this day as it is in the school holiday period.

Traditionally, people prefer to make a visit to the Church to offer their prayers to the supreme Lord. People along with their families make an early morning visit to the local or main Church to pray Lord in order to get confer with His blessings for the New Year.

For the fact, the traditional customs of formally announcing the arrival of New Year is officially considered to take place with the twelve rings of the bell in the Church on the midnight of the New Year.

Sydney hosts one of the most enthralling of New Year celebrations of the whole world. With the arrival of New Year, the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge is lit up with more than 80000 fireworks, creating an extraordinary and unforgettable experience for the spectators.

Another major attraction is the Sydney New Year beach party, along with other New Year parties thrown on the eve of New Year, in which people pleasantly engage in with activities such as bonfires and camping. A ride through a cruise is necessary to complete the New Year celebration experience in Sydney.

New Zealand

New Year’s Day is a statutory public holiday in New Zealand, so schools, government offices, and many private businesses are closed.

New Year’s Day is also in the middle of the school summer holidays in New Zealand. New Zealand is one of the first countries in the world to welcome the New Year.

Many people use New Year’s Day to relax after celebrating New Year’s Eve and the countdown to the New Year. Some people visit family and friends, while others attend events such as New Year’s Day horse racing carnivals and summer day fairs.

Cricket is a sporting event that many New Zealanders watch during the New Year’s Day holiday. The people of New Zealand very much believe in the essence and significance of New Year, and consider it as amongst the most ancient festivities to be celebrated all across the world.

As an impact of the same, one can clearly sense the intensive degree of dynamism and enthusiasm involved in New Year celebrations in New Zealand. The celebrations are so grand and unique, that people from all across the world come all the way to New Zealand to witness it live.

II. Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25–Christmas Day–has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

The USA

It is common to organize a special meal, often consisting of turkey and a lot of other festive foods, for family or friends and exchange gifts with them. Children, in particular, often receive a lot of gifts from their parents and other relatives and the mythical figure Santa Claus. This has led to Christmas Day becoming an increasingly commercialized holiday, with a lot of families spending a large part of their income on gifts and food.

Many Sunday schools, churches and communities organize special events. These can include decorating the neighborhood or a shopping mall, putting up a Christmas tree and planning a Nativity display, concert or performance. A lot of plays and songs have a aspect of Christmas as a theme. Some groups arrange meals, shelter or charitable projects for people without a home or with very little money.

Some Americans use pop-corn threaded on string to help decorate their Christmas Tree. Making gingerbread houses is also popular to make and eat at Christmas! Eggnog is a 'traditional' Christmas drink in the USA.

Many Americans, especially Christians will go to Church to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Many churches have special Christmas Carol services and events where the story of Christmas is told.

Some cookies and glass of milk are often left out as a snack for Santa on Christmas Eve!

In the Southwest USA, there are some special customs which have some similarities to those in parts of Mexico. These include 'luminarias' or 'farolitos' which are paper sacks partly filled with sand and then have a candle put in them. They are lit on Christmas Eve and are put the edges of paths. They represent 'lighting the way' for somewhere for Mary and Joseph to stay.

In the south of Louisiana, on Christmas Eve, families in small communities along the Mississippi River light bonfires along the levees (the high river banks) to help ' Papa Noel ' (the name for Santa in French as Louisiana has a strong historical connection with France) find his way to the children's homes!

In Hawaii, Santa is called Kanakaloka!

Canada

Canada is a multicultural country, so many other holiday traditions aside from Christian ones are observed in December and throughout the year. Hanukkah celebrations are widespread, especially in Toronto and Montreal where there are large Jewish populations. On Christmas Day, pretty much everything in the way of retail and services is closed, except for the occasional convenience store.

On December 24, Christmas Eve, extended family members get together for a fun-filled celebration. A mass service is held at midnight and attended by many. In Canada, tourtiere or pork pie is served to everybody who attends the Midnight Mass. After participating in the Christmas Eve Mass, many Canadian families (especially those of French descent) have a grand dinner that lasts well into the early hours of Christmas morning. The traditional Canadian Christmas dinner is known as 'Reveillon' and includes a delicious dish of roasted turkey with vegetables and sauces. A popular Christmas dish is "Boulettes" (small meatballs). The dessert is often a rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Local candy companies also make special sweets for Christmas, known as Barley Candy and Chicken Bones! These are a great hit and eaten during Christmas, not only by kids but adults too.

Canadian children also believe in Santa Claus. Canadians are especially proud to say that their country is the home of Santa Claus.

Pantomiming wearing masks is a popular tradition in Canada and comes from Newfoundland. In places like Labrador and Nova Scotia, local people wear masks and visit houses during the twelve days of Christmas, miming and making rude noises and actions, ringing bells and asking for candy or other treats.

The Santa Claus Parade in Toronto is one of the oldest and largest Santa parades in the world! It started in 1913 when Santa was pulled through the streets of Toronto. Children along the route followed Santa and marched along with him. It's been taking place for over 100 years and now is a huge event with over 25 animated floats and 2000 people taking part! It's broadcast on TV around the world.

"Sinck Tuck" is a festival started by the Inuit that is celebrated in some provinces of Canada. This celebration consists of dancing and gift exchanging.

The UK

The origins of the now traditional Christmas Celebration, distinct from earlier pagan winter holidays, date to sixth century England. Most families have a Christmas Tree (or maybe even two!) in their house for Christmas. Christmas Trees were first popularised the UK by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe are also sometimes used to decorate homes or other buildings.

There is another name for Santa Claus in the UK - Father Christmas. The place where he lives is called Lapland. Christmas in the UK very often gets shortened to “Chrimbo”. Meanwhile, the phrase “Happy Christmas” is just as socially acceptable as “Merry Christmas.”

Throughout the holidays, carolers go from house to house at twilight ringing handbells and singing Christmas songs. "The Holly and the Ivy" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" are English favorites. People give the carolers treats, such as little pies filled with nuts and dried fruits.

The day before Christmas is very busy for families in England. They wrap presents, bake cookies, and hang stockings over the fireplace. Then everyone gathers around the tree as someone tells the favorite story, "A Christmas Carol." After hearing their favorite Christmas story, children write a letter to Father Christmas with their wishes. They toss their letter into the fire so their wishes can go up the chimney. On Christmas Day, everyone sits down to the midday feast and finds a colorful Christmas cracker beside their dinner plate. A Christmas cracker is a paper-covered tube. When the end tabs are pulled, there is a loud crack. Out spills a paper hat to wear at dinner, small trinkets, and a riddle to read aloud to everyone at the table. Dessert is often Christmas Pudding. Mince pies and lots of chocolates are often eaten as well! Wassail literally means “good health” or to “be healthy” and in this case is a hot, mulled drink. There are different ways to serve it like a hot cider but it may also be made with a base of wine. It was originally topped with slices of toast as sops (piece of bread to soak up the liquid.)

The day after Christmas is called Boxing Day. This day has nothing to do with fighting. Long ago, people filled church alms boxes with donations for the poor. Then on December 26, the boxes were distributed. Now people often use this day to give small gifts of money to the mail carrier, news vendor, and others who have helped them during the year.

Australia

Christmas Eve is generally not a public holiday but some workers may be given a half-day holiday. Schools and other educational institutions are closed on this day as Christmas falls within the school holiday period in Australia. Although it is a working day for many businesses, some offices may shut early on Christmas Eve.

Two major sporting events traditionally commence on the day after Christmas Day in Australia: the Boxing Day Test cricket test match, and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. South Australia does not have a Boxing Day holiday. Rather, the weekday following Christmas Day being the Proclamation Day holiday. Christmas Eve, from 7:00 pm to midnight is now a Public Holiday.

Carols by Candlelight is a tradition that started in Melbourne in 1938 and has since spread around Australia and the world. At the event people gather on Christmas Eve, usually outdoors, to sing carols by candlelight in a large-scale concert style event. The Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight which takes place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne on Christmas Eve, is televised nationwide and it has become a tradition for many Australians to watch the performance.

In the weeks before Christmas Day, many people decorate their homes with Christmas decorations. Typically Australian decorations are also used. These are glass baubles or wooden ornaments decorated with images of Australian wildlife, such as bilbies, koalas, king parrots, Waratah flowers, or Australian landmarks. Small statues of native animals dressed in 'Santa' hats and sleighs pulled by groups of six white kangaroos are also popular, as are figures of Santa Claus in beach clothing.

Many people eat a special meal on Christmas Day. Traditionally, the main meal was similar to the Christmas meals served in Europe. They consisted on roast meats and vegetables and heavy fruit cakes and steamed puddings. A small coin was often baked inside a steamed pudding, which was doused with burning alcohol before being served. Whoever found the coin in his or her portion, would have a lucky year.

However, now many people choose to hold a barbecue at the beach or a picnic in a park or prepare a meal of cold meat and seafood followed by Pavlova, a soft meringue cake topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

New Zealand

New Zealand celebrates Christmas with mainly traditional northern hemisphere winter imagery, mixed with local imagery. The pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), which produces large crimson flowers in December, is an often used symbol for Christmas in New Zealand, and subsequently the pohutukawa has become known as the New Zealand Christmas tree.

The typical colours of Christmas have a different meaning in New Zealand - red, green and white have nothing to do with snow, robins and holly bushes.

In the Kiwi Christmas version, red is for pohutukawa (New Zealand's Christmas tree) in bloom, green stands for lush tropical vegetation offering shade from hot summer sun, and white represents vast, pale sandy beaches.

Several Christmas themed parades are held in New Zealand. The most popular is Auckland's Santa Parade down Queen Street. This features numerous floats and marching bands and attracts large crowds every year. It is held late November to accommodate holidaymakers and is seen as the preamble to the later festivities.

The Australian tradition of Carols by Candlelight is popular in New Zealand, especially in Auckland and Christchurch, where there is usually a large outdoor carol-singing gathering known as Christmas in the Park.

III. St. Valentine's day

Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

There are a number of martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14, including an account of the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century. According to an early tradition, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his jailer. Numerous later additions to the legend have better related it to the theme of love: an 18th-century embellishment to the legend claims he wrote the jailer's daughter a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell before his execution; another addition posits that Saint Valentine performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry.

Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. In Italy, Saint Valentine's Keys are given to lovers "as a romantic symbol and an invitation to unlock the giver's heart", as well as to children to ward off epilepsy (called Saint Valentine's Malady).

The USA

Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. Valentine’s Day is a time when people show feelings of love, affection and friendship. It is celebrated in many ways worldwide and falls on February 14 each year.

It’s a very special and traditional holiday in USA. There it is celebrated everywhere, even at schools. At this period you can find special class sets of Valentine’s cards just for the occasion

The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada

IV. Halloween

Halloween or Hallowe'en (a contraction of Hallows' Even or Hallows' Evening), also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in several countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain; that such festivals may have had pagan roots; and that Samhain itself was Christianized as Halloween by the early Church. Some believe, however, that Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, separate from ancient festivals like Samhain.

Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, attending Halloween costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories, as well as watching horror films. In many parts of the world, the Christian religious observances of All Hallows' Eve, including attending church services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead, remain popular, although elsewhere it is a more commercial and secular celebration. Some Christians historically abstained from meat on All Hallows' Eve, a tradition reflected in the eating of certain vegetarian foods on this vigil day, including apples, potato pancakes, and soul cakes.

The USA

Halloween is celebrated in the United States on October 31. The name “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows Eve,” or the day before All Saints Day, a traditional holy day for Christians.

Halloween originated in Europe but during the 19th century immigrants brought it to North America, where it spread in popularity and evolved in many ways. According to tradition, the spirits of the dead were able to come back to life to harm people and crops in the physical world.

People tried to appease the restless spirits on Halloween, and these practices led to many of today's Halloween traditions. For example, people used to wear costumes of monsters, ghosts, and devils to scare away the harmful spirits.

Canada

Halloween is celebrated in Canada on or around October 31. It is a day to mark the single night in the year when, according to old Celtic beliefs, spirits and the dead can cross over into the world of the living. Some people hold parties and children may trick-or-treat in their neighborhood.

There are special types of food associated with Halloween. These include candies in packets decorated with symbols of Halloween, toffee apples made by coating real apples with a boiled sugar solution, roasted corn, popcorn and pumpkin pie or bread. Halloween beer, which is made by adding pumpkin and spices to the mash before fermenting it, is also available in specialist stores.

Children also take part in a long-standing Canadian tradition of "Trick-or-Treat for Unicef". Pumpkin-carving contests, pumpkin art tours, a reading marathon, and symbolic Walks for Water are just a few examples of the educational and fundraising activities schools and children develop to help provide thousands of children developing countries with basic quality education.

The UK

Halloween is celebrated on 31 October. This isn’t a public holiday in Britain.

Halloween is the night before the Catholic festival of All Saints and the pagan Celtic festival of Samhain (1 November).

Halloween is also sometimes called All Hallows’ Eve or All Hallowtide and can also be written Hallowe’en.

Halloween colours are orange and black. Orange is related to harvests because the end of October is the end of the harvest. Black is related to death.

In the UK Halloween traditions are very much alive and popular, especially amongst kids and teenagers.

Traditional Halloween related things:

1. Pumpkin lanterns

2. Apple bobbing

3. Dressing up

4. Trick or treating

5. Halloween parties

6. Watching horror films

Australia

Many Australians celebrate Halloween, which occurs annually on October 31. It is also known as All Hallows’ Eve and is the day before All Saints’ Day. Costume parties are held and many children go trick-or-treating around this time of the year.

It is usually a working day and most businesses follow regular opening hours in Australia. Halloween is an observance that is becoming a growing trend in Australia. Some businesses and organizations coordinate Halloween-themed gatherings for staff and clients to interact with each other. Charity organizations may have fundraising activities that center on the Halloween theme.

Halloween parties involve people dressed in costume to reflect the Halloween theme. Some parties are held at venues that are supposedly haunted. Ghost tours, hunts and walks are popular during this time of the year. More Australians are also taking part in trick-or-treat adventures that involve organized groups of parents and children visiting neighbors. These children either receive a treat or present a trick to their neighbors.

New Zealand

Halloween is celebrated on October 31. It’s a great time for children to dress up in costumes and go door-to-door collecting sweets or money.

Halloween celebrations have changed to become more ritualised – more about having fun rather than reliving an age-old superstition. As belief in spirit possession waned, the practice of dressing up like hobgoblins, ghosts, and witches became more ceremonial.

The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840s by Irish immigrants fleeing their country’s potato famine.

V. Easter

Easter is the holiest day of the year for Christians. It celebrates their belief in the resurrection, or the rising from the dead, of Jesus Christ. Easter is always observed on a Sunday in the spring, but its date varies.

The week before Easter Sunday is known as Holy Week. Palm Sunday recalls the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem shortly before his death. Holy Thursday marks the Last Supper of Jesus with his followers. Good Friday remembers the crucifixion, when Jesus was killed by being nailed to a cross. The Monday after Easter Sunday is called Easter Monday.

Easter is a very old festival. In pre-Christian times people used to celebrate the start of spring and ‘new life’. The word ‘Easter’ comes from the name of a pre-Christian goddess called Eostre.

According to legend, Eostre was a playful goddess whose reign began in the spring when the Sun King travelled across the sky in his chariot, bringing the end of winter. Eostre came down to earth then, appearing as a beautiful girl with a basket of bright colorful eggs.

The USA

In the U.S.A. many homes organise Easter egg hunt. Children look for dyed hard-boiled eggs hidden around the house. The President himself has an annual Easter egg hunt on the lawn around the White House.

Canada

In Canada, Good Friday and/or Easter Monday are statutory holidays. The same tradition like USA, UK. The same date. Many businesses, government offices, banks and liquor stores are closed on Easter Sunday.

The UK

On Easter Sunday people give coloured and chocolate eggs to each other and send cards. Some cities have Easter parades with games and sports.

Australia

Easter Sunday is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday April 12, 2020 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in Australia. In Australia Easter eggs are hidden by the Easter bilby not rabbit. The bilby is a small, shy mammal with big ears, which is native to Australia and an endangered species. On Easter Sunday, nearly all organizations, businesses and many stores are closed, even if they are normally open on Sunday. There is a considerable amount of variation between trading regulations in the different states and territories of Australia.

New Zealand

Easter Sunday is not a public holiday. The same data like UK, Canada, Australia and USA. Easter Sunday itself is usually spent with friends and family, but some may attempt to tackle those DIY or gardening jobs that they’ve been putting off. Most businesses will shut down completely on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, as it is illegal to be open on these days.

VI. Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of the remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Following a tradition inaugurated by King George V in 1919, the day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of First World War on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month", in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 am.) The First World War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919.

The tradition of Remembrance Day evolved out of Armistice Day. The initial Armistice Day was observed at Buckingham Palace, commencing with King George V hosting a "Banquet in Honour of the President of the French Republic" during the evening hours of 10 November 1919. The first official Armistice Day was subsequently held on the grounds of Buckingham Palace the following morning. During the Second World War, many countries changed the name of the holiday. Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations adopted Remembrance Day, while the US chose Veterans Day.

The USA

November 11th – Veterans’ Day. This special day is for people to remember those who died in wars. Many people remember their dead friends and relatives on this day, too. Veterans Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

Canada

Remembrance Day/Armistice Day/Poppy Day. November 11. Remembrance Day is a public holiday in some areas, where it is a day off and schools and most businesses are closed. In other areas, Remembrance Day is a normal working day.

The UK

November 11th – Remembrance Day/Sunday/ Veteran Car Rally. This is a special day to remember all the people who fought in the wars - the living as well as the dead. There are memorial services, special dinners and speeches.

In London, in the middle of Whitehall, there is Sir Edwin Lutyens' Cenotaph, which commemorates the dead of the two world wars. In a ceremony held here every November in the presence of the Queen, wreaths of poppies are laid at the foot of the Cenotaph. People stop work to observe a moment of silence at 11am on November 11, which is the time and date when hostilities formally ended after more than four years of battle during World War I. Poppies are worn as a symbol of respect.

Australia

Remembrance Day in Australia is dedicated to Australians who died as a result of war, particularly from World War I onwards. Remembrance Day is annually observed on November 11 although it is not a public holiday. Many Australians stop what they are doing at exactly 11am in their local times on November 11 each year to dedicate a minute of silence for those who died in war. Many people wear artificial poppies on the day and key political figures make speeches in remembrance of the nation’s fallen heroes.

New Zealand

Remembrance Day/Armistice Day. Armistice Day marks the anniversary of the agreement that ended the First World War (1914 – 1918) and commemorates the sacrifice of those who died serving New Zealand in this and all wars and armed conflicts.

Tasks.

I. True or False?

1. New Year’s Eve is a public holiday in all countries.

a) True b) False

2. Some Canadians spend the night ice fishing with groups of friends.

a) True b) False

3. On New Year’s Day in Wales, small children wake up early and make a visit to all the houses in neighborhood while singing New Year special songs.

a) True b) False

4. With the arrival of New Year, the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge is lit up with less than 80000 fireworks.

a) True b) False

5. In Hawaii, Santa is called Kanakaloka.

a) True b) False