Great Britain: a Country of Traditions

I. English Proverbs:

With the Foxes we Must Play Fox.

When in Rome Do as the Romans Do

With the Foxes we Must Play Fox.

So Many Countries, so Many Customs.

Guy Fawkes DayGuy Fawkes Day ChristmasChristmas St.Valentine’s DaySt.Valentine’s Day EasterEaster HalloweenHalloween Country Defendant Country Defendant

DayDay The 8The 8thth of March of March Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving Day

New Year’s DayNew Year’s Day Father’s DayFather’s Day Victory DayVictory Day MaslenitsaMaslenitsa May DayMay Day Independence DayIndependence Day Pancake DayPancake Day Remembrance DayRemembrance Day

II.II.

IIII

Guy Fawkes DayGuy Fawkes DayChristmasChristmasSt.Valentine’s St.Valentine’s

DayDayEasterEasterHalloweenHalloween

New Year’s DayNew Year’s DayFather’s DayFather’s DayMay DayMay DayPancake DayPancake DayRemembrance Remembrance

DayDay

III.The Holidays and Their DatesIII.The Holidays and Their Dates

Guy Fawkes DayGuy Fawkes Day ChristmasChristmas New Yer’s DayNew Yer’s Day EasterEaster HalloweenHalloween St.David’s DaySt.David’s Day May DayMay Day St. Valentine’s DaySt. Valentine’s Day

1 March1 March 1 May1 May 14 February14 February April/ MayApril/ May 1 January1 January 5 November5 November 25 December25 December 31 31 OctoberOctober

IV. What do You Know…

1. English families prefer to live… a). In flats b). In own houses2. On Sundays theatres and shops are… a). Closed b). opened3. British buses are… a). Single-decked b). Double-decked and yellow and red4.The cars keep to the … a) left of road b). Right of road5. The most popular English game is… a). Cricket b). Football6. English people have tea … a). For breakfast b). The whole day and supper7. The Englishmen have sentimental love for… a). New things b). Old things8. The traditional English house has… a). Three floors b). Two floors9. They have … in their houses. a). A fireplace b). Central heating10. In Great Britain the favourite topic to discuss

is … . a) hobby b). weather

V. Is It True or False:

1.The New Year’s tree is a present from people of America to people of Great Britain.

2.The day after Christmas is New Year. 3. For Christmas Dinner the English eat hamburgers. 4.The Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place 5 or 6

nights a week in August and September. 5. The name of the British national flag is “The Stars

and Stripes” 6. The Eisteddfod is a Welsh festival, devoted to

music and poetry.

1.1.

State Opening the Parliament

1. Before every State Opening of Parliament, the men of the guard in their scarlet and gold uniforms, gather in the Prince’s Chamber of the house of Lords. Ignoring the a) Pancake Racing existence of electric light, they search every corner of the cellars beneath the Palace of Westminster by the light of old candle-lanterns. When they are satisfied that all is well a message is sent to the Queen and Parliament is free to assemble.

4. In Scotland, some wells are decorated by passers-by with strips of cloth, representing problems, prayers or wishes. It is traditional to visit the wells before or on the fist Sunday in May.

• 2. The original Easter eggs were hard-boiled eggs, often beautifully 2. The original Easter eggs were hard-boiled eggs, often beautifully decorated. The custom of rolling Easter eggs downhill is observed decorated. The custom of rolling Easter eggs downhill is observed every Easter Monday at Avenham park, in Lancashire, although every Easter Monday at Avenham park, in Lancashire, although chocolate eggs, or even oranges, can be used nowadays. chocolate eggs, or even oranges, can be used nowadays.

• 3. Tossing pancakes, especially while running is nationally famous. The women of Olney and nearby Warmington wear aprons and headscarves for the occasion and, armed with pancakes and frying pans, gather in the village square. From here they race for some 400 metres to the church, tossing their pancakes three times on the way. The winner receives a prayerbook, after which all the frying pans are laid around the church and a service of blessing is help.

• 5. The Tower of London, started in 1708 by William the Conqueror, is one of the city’s oldest buildings, guarded still be soldiers and Yeoman Warders of the Tower of “Befeaters” in bright Tutor-style costume. One of the Tower’s many traditions is the ancient Ceremony of the Keys, when each night at 9:53 p.m., the chief Warder locks the Tower Gates and carries the Keys ceremonially to the Resident Governor.

• b) Clootie Wellsb) Clootie Wells

• c) Egg Rollingc) Egg Rolling

d) Searching d) Searching

the Houses ofthe Houses of

ParliamentParliament

• e) Ceremony of the e) Ceremony of the KeysKeys

Intellectual GameIntellectual Game 1. They show visitors the main places of interest in the Tower 1. They show visitors the main places of interest in the Tower

of London.of London. 2. She ruled the country for the longest period of time in the 2. She ruled the country for the longest period of time in the

British history.British history. 3. The official residence of the Queen in London and in 3. The official residence of the Queen in London and in

Scotland.Scotland. 4. This ceremony is held in front of Buckingham Palace every 4. This ceremony is held in front of Buckingham Palace every

day.day. 5.The second name of New Year Eve in Scotland.5.The second name of New Year Eve in Scotland. 6. How do they call the first person to enter a house on New 6. How do they call the first person to enter a house on New

Year’s Day.Year’s Day. 7.This holiday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in March. In 7.This holiday is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in March. In

the past the girls who worked in rich houses could go home to the past the girls who worked in rich houses could go home to see their parents.see their parents.

8. Little chicks, baby rabbits and spring-time flowers are the 8. Little chicks, baby rabbits and spring-time flowers are the emblems of this holiday.emblems of this holiday.

9.The tradition of marking the royal swans on the river Thames 9.The tradition of marking the royal swans on the river Thames