English Exercises: Holidays Around the World

. Watch the video about some American holidays and complete the gaps with the correct holiday.

On we celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one.

commemorates the miracle of Jesus coming back to life, after being crucified. Bunnies and eggs are the symbols of this holiday.

On Americans remember the soldiers who have died in wars or in the service of their country.

The is celebrated on July 4th with fireworks, picnics, barbecues and family gatherings.

October 31 is a special night for kids as they celebrate . They wear costumes and go trick-or-treating.

On , people from the US give thanks to God for all the blessings they received during the year.

celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Houses are decorated with holly, bows and candles. Christmas trees bear shiny ornaments and stockings are filled with gifts.

HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD

. Read the definitions and fill the gaps with the holiday. Then, check the correct letter under each picture:

A. , celebrated on January 26, commemorates the arrival of the First fleet, which established the first European colony in Australia.

B. February 14 is a day to tell people you love them and exchange cards. Girls often receive flowers or chocolates on

C. , the day the Irish celebrate their nationality, is celebrated on March 17, the anniversary of the death of Saint Patrick. Shamrocks are associated with because they represent the Christian idea of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

D. The is celebrated between January 21 and February 20 because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar (based on the cycles of both the sun and the moon). It is actually two celebrations. New Years' and a birthday. According to Chinese tradition, everyone's birthday is celebrated on New Year's Day.

E. It is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent (usually during February). It involves public celebrations or parades. People wear masks and costumes. Some countries call it and others call it .

WORD BANK

Carnival - Canada Day - Chinese New Year - Mardi Gras - Saint Patrick's Day - Valentine's Day

. Read the definitions and fill the gaps with the holiday. Then, write the name of the holiday under each picture:

A. , on May 1, is the day to welcome summer in the Northern hemisphere. It is also an international labor holiday in many countries. May Poles symbolize a tree during this holiday. They are decorated with ribbons and people circle it dancing and singing.

B. Mexican people celebrate in a big way. They have festivals, dance special dances and eat special foods. The holiday celebrates a victory by the Mexican Army over the French Army on May 5, 1862.

C. , also known as Passover, is the Jewish festival of freedom. It is held every spring to celebrate the exodus of the Jews from Egypt,

D.celebrates the miracle of Jesus rising from his grave. Easter eggs are the symbol of the start of new life. It is celebrated between March 22 and April 20.

E. Playing tricks on April 1 dates back a long way. Today, is celebrated with harmless pranks and jokes.

F. , celebrated on April 22 , is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for our planet's natural resources.

G. - the night before Midsummer's Day is a time for fairies and magic according to old European traditions. It is also a time for telling the future and for discovering your true love. It is celebrated in Scandinavian countries on June 23

H. is a celebration related to European Midsummer. These festivities are celebrated in Portugal, Brazil and other former Portuguese colonies on June 24.

I. is the Hindu chariot festival that represents the travels of Lord Krishna. In India, a decorated chariot or huge cart is taken on a symbolic journey.

J. is a celebration honoring mothers. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May.

Word Bank

April Fools Day - Cinco de Mayo - Easter - Earth Day - May Day

Midsummer's Eve - Mother's Day - Pessach - Ratha Yatra - St. John's Day

A. Canada Day, observed on July 1, celebrates the creation of the Canadian federal government.

B. On July 4, 1776, the United States proclaimed its independence from England. Each year on 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate their independence with picnics, barbecues and fireworks.

C. July 7th is called Tanabata in Japan. People write their wishes on tanzaku paper (colorful, small strips of paper) and hang them on bamboo branches outside their houses.

D. O-bon is a Buddhist event celebrated in August. It is one of the most important traditions for Japanese people. It is the period of praying for the repose of the souls of one's ancestors. The festival ends with the floating of lanterns. Paper lanterns are illuminated and then floated down rivers.

E. In August, many Hindu families have a summer festival called Raksha Bandhan to celebrate ancient legends of brotherly love.

F. Janmashtami is a religious event celebrating the life of Lord Krishna.

G. In the US and Canada, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September.

H. The International Day of Peace is celebrated worldwide on September 16, the opening day of the United Nations General Assembly.

I. Onan in Kerala is a rice festival celebrated in September, in southern India. It is not a religious holiday so Muslims, Hindus and Christians celebrate it together.

J. Eid-al-fitr is a three-day muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It's date is set according to the Islamic calendar which is based on the phases of the moon.

. Read the definitions and write the name of the holiday under each picture:

A. On Rosh Hashanah, Jews all over the world celebrate the New Year with sweet foods like apple dipped in honey and honey cakes. The holiday takes place late September or early October.

B. Yom Kippur is celebrated ten days after Rosh Hashanah. Also called the Day of Atonement, it is the most important of all the holy days on the Jewish calendar.

C.Octoberfest, a German tradition, is a time of music and laughter. Beer, sausage and sauerkraut are the main ingredients of this joyful holiday.

D. Dia de la Raza (Day of the Race) is celebrated by Latin Americans and Hispanics on October 12, the anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World.

E. Halloween traditions go back to the time of the Celtic people. On October 31, children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. They carve Jack-O-Lanterns and play games.

F. Diwali is a Hindu celebration known as the Festival of Lights. It commemorates the return of Lord Rama from his long exile.

G. In the US, the custom of celebrating Thanksgiving began with the first European settlers after their successful harvest in the new world. French settlers also brought this tradition to Canada, where Thanksgiving is celebatrated on Columbus Day.

H. Christmas is the most important Christian holiday. It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

I. Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration held in the United States honoring African-American heritage and culture. Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat on which other symbols such a candle holder with seven candles, corn and other crops are placed.

J. Hannukah also known as the Festival of Lights is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt.