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Section 1 / 4
Warm-up
Speaking Boost A2 · Unit 34
Festivals and Traditions
Holidays, celebrations, food and music around the year
A2 · Unit 34GrammarWords to learn💬 Speaking-heavy
1.1
Today’s grammar
Focus: present simple passive (is / are + past participle) · talking about customs.
1.2
Talk first
- What is your favourite holiday?
- How do you celebrate it?
- What special food do you eat on holidays?
1.3
After this lesson you will be able to...
- Describe a festival: sounds, smells, food and people.
- Use the present simple passive for customs.
- Ask about traditions in other countries.
- Share your own traditions with enthusiasm.
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Section 2 / 4
Vocabulary
2.1
Words to learn
| a festival | фестиваль, свято The festival is in July. |
| a celebration | святкування The celebration is very loud. |
| a tradition | традиція It is an old tradition. |
| a custom | звичай It is a local custom. |
| a gift | подарунок Gifts are given at the party. |
| fireworks | феєрверк The fireworks sound very loud. |
| a feast | бенкет We have a big feast. |
| a costume | костюм Children wear costumes. |
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Section 3 / 4
Grammar
3.1
The passive voice (present)
We use the passive when the action is more important than who does it. Form: is / are + past participle. A cake is made for every birthday. Gifts are given on New Year’s Day. Candles are lit in the evening.
Negative: Fireworks aren’t allowed in the park. Question: Is this festival celebrated in your country? How is it celebrated?
| A big dinner is prepared on Christmas Eve. |
| Presents are given to children. |
| Songs are sung in the street. |
| Is this festival celebrated in your country? |
🇺🇦 Коротко українською: пасив: is / are + 3-тя форма. A cake is made. — Пирі́г готують. Питання: Is this festival celebrated…?
3.2
Active or passive?
Active: People eat a big meal at Christmas. Passive: A big meal is eaten at Christmas. In the passive, the subject receives the action. Use “by” only when we want to say who: The music is played by a famous band.
Use the passive in descriptions of customs, rules and processes: Bread is baked early in the morning. Houses are decorated with lights.
| People eat a big meal at Christmas. → A big meal is eaten at Christmas. |
| Houses are decorated with lights. |
| The music is played by a famous band. |
| Bread is baked early in the morning. |
🇺🇦 Коротко українською: Active: People eat… Passive: …is eaten. by + хто робить — тільки коли це важливо.
3.3
Talking about customs
Useful phrases: In my country… we usually… It’s a tradition to… People often… It’s common to… Many families… On this day…
Questions: What do people do on this day? What is eaten? What music is played? How long does the celebration last?
| In my country, it’s a tradition to meet the family. |
| People often sing together on this day. |
| It’s common to give small gifts. |
| What do people eat on that day? |
🇺🇦 Коротко українською: In my country… — У моїй країні… It’s a tradition to… — Це традиція… It’s common to… — Прийнято…
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Section 4 / 4
Speaking
4.1
Easy — warm up your speaking
- What is your favourite holiday?
- Do you celebrate your birthday?
- Do you like fireworks?
- Do you give gifts?
- Do you have a big dinner on holidays?
- Who do you spend holidays with?
- Do you like loud parties?
- What do you eat on your birthday?
- Do you go to festivals?
- Do you sing on holidays?
- Do you like surprises?
- Do you wear special clothes on holidays?
4.2
Medium — say more
- How is your favourite holiday celebrated?
- What special food is cooked for it?
- What music is played?
- Tell me about a family tradition.
- Describe the sounds of a big celebration.
- Which smells remind you of a holiday?
- What festival would you like to go to?
- How do you prepare for a holiday?
- What gifts are given in your family?
- Tell me about the best celebration you remember.
- How is New Year celebrated in your country?
- What is your favourite memory from a festival?
4.3
Deeper — explain and give reasons
- Why do people have traditions?
- Are traditions changing in modern life? How?
- Which traditions are the most important to you?
- Do you think festivals bring people together? Why?
- Should we keep old traditions or create new ones?
- How are holidays different in other countries?
- Is it good to celebrate with the whole city?
- If you could create a new holiday, what would it be?
4.4
More questions
- What is eaten at your holidays?
- Is your birthday celebrated every year?
- Are gifts given on your birthday?
- Where are fireworks usually seen?
- How long does the celebration last?
- What are houses decorated with?
- Who is invited to your party?
- What songs are sung at the party?
- What do you do on New Year’s Eve?
- What gifts have you received?
- Who prepares the food in your family?
- Is there a traditional dance in your country?
4.5
Opinions and what-ifs
- Do you think holidays are too commercial?
- Would you rather celebrate at home or in a big place?
- What if there were no holidays?
- Is it better to give or to get gifts?
- Which is best: a quiet holiday or a loud party?
- Do you think everyone should celebrate?
- Would you like to try a festival from another country?
- What advice would you give to someone who is going to their first festival?
4.6