Before Reading_ MAIN

1
1. Jingle Bells
Directions Listen to the song and fill in the
blanks with what you hear.
English Songs
Video Clip
_________
Laughing Bells on bob-tail ring, Making
bright What fun it is to A sleighing song
tonight Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all
the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a one-horse
open sleigh
all the way
Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle Oh what fun it
is to ride In a open
sleigh Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all
the way Oh what fun it is to ride In a
one-horse open sleigh Dashing through the
snow On a one-horse open sleigh Over the fields
we go
_________
all the way
Background Information
_______
spirits
_________
____________
one-horse
ride and sing
Discussion
2
2. Christmas Songs

English Songs
Christmas celebrates the birth of the child
called Jesus. Christians believe Jesus was the
son of God sent to earth to save the world. Many
Americans go to church on Christmas. They pray
and sing songs in praise of Jesus Christ. One
religious Christmas song is O Holy Night.
Leontyne Price sings it here. Here is a rather
sad Christmas song about celebrating the holiday
during a troubled time. Judy Garland sings Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. We leave you
now with a song expressing the wish for a happy
holiday season.
Video Clip
Background Information
Discussion
3
Directions Listen to the passage and answer the
following questions.
English Songs
Video Clip
1. Why do people celebrate Christmas?
Because its the birth of Jesus, son of God sent
to earth to save the world.
Background Information
Discussion
2. What are the names of the songs mentioned?
O Holy Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas, Happy Holiday.
4






English Songs
Video Clip
Background Information
Discussion
5






Directions Watch the video clip from He-Man and
complete the following paragraph with
what you have heard.
English Songs
saving them
___________
The children thanked Skeletor for
, but Skeletor didnt feel well for doing
it and he wished . He-Man
thought that Skeletor was feeling the
which made him feel good.
However, Skeletor said that he didnt like to
feel good and he liked to feel . At
last, She-Ra comforted Skeletor by saying Dont
worry, Skeletor, .
Video Clip
___________
he knew why
Christmas spirit
______________
Background Information
____
evil
Discussion
Christmas only comes
once a year
6



How do Americans Celebrate Christmas? Millions
of Americans celebrate Christmas on December
twenty-fifth. It is the most widely celebrated
religious holiday in the United States. People
buy gifts to give to family members and friends.
They fill homes and stores with evergreen trees
and bright, colored lights. They go to parties
and prepare special Christmas foods. Many people
think Christmas is the most wonderful time of the
year. Many Christians go to church the night
before the holiday or on Christmas Day. They
celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus
Christ. Christian ministers will speak about the
need for peace and understanding in the world.
This is the spiritual message of Christmas.
Church services include traditional religious
songs for the holiday. One of the most popular is
Silent Night.
English Songs
Video Clip
Background Information
Discussion
7



Many Americans celebrate Christmas as an
important, but non-religious, holiday. To all,
however, it is a special day of family, food, and
exchanging gifts. For many people, Christmas
means traveling long distances to be with their
families. Christmas is probably the most special
day of the year for children. One thing that
makes it special is the popular tradition of
Santa Claus. Young children believe that Santa
Claus is a fat, kind, old man in a red suit with
white fur. They believe that on the night
before Christmas he travels through the air in
a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He enters each house
from the top by sliding down the hole in the
fireplace. He leaves gifts for the children under
the Christmas tree.
English Songs
Video Clip
Background Information
Discussion
Americans spend a lot of time and money buying
Christmas presents. The average American
family spends about eight hundred dollars.
Stores and shopping centers are crowded at
this time of year.
8



More than twenty percent of all goods sold during
the year are sold during the weeks before
Christmas. This is good for stores and for the
American economy. Some people object to all this
spending. They say it is not the real meaning of
Christmas. So, they celebrate in other ways. For
example, they make Christmas presents, instead of
buying them. Or they volunteer to help serve
meals to people who have no homes. Or they give
money to organizations that help poor people in
the United States and around the world.
English Songs
Video Clip
Background Information
Discussion
Home and family are the center of the Christmas
holiday. For many people, the most enjoyable
tradition is buying a Christmas tree and
decorating it with lights and beautiful objects.
On Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, people
gather around the tree to open their presents.
Another important Christmas tradition involves
food. Families prepare many kinds of holiday
foods, especially sweets. They eat these foods on
the night before Christmas and on Christmas Day.
9
Directions After listening to the recording,
work in groups and discuss about what Christmas
spirit is.
English Songs
Christmas in America means different things to
different people. To some people, Christmas means
brightly wrapped packages under a decorated tree.
To others, it means family reunions and a
wonderful meal together. To Christians, it means
Jesuss birthday. Christmas also means lending a
helping hand to people in need. Along with all
the hubbub of shopping for presents and sending
Christmas cards, many people in America take time
to help others.
Video Clip
Background Information
Discussion
10
In America and around the world, Christmas offers
many opportunities to spread the message of
peace on earth, good will toward men. For
example, some people stand outside malls and
stores collecting money for the needy. Many
churches and other organizations collect toys and
clothes as Christmas gifts for poor families.
Going caroling is another traditional way to
bring cheer to neighbors especially the elderly
and people who cant get out much. The Christmas
spirit encourages people to help each other in
many large and small ways.
English Songs
Video Clip
Background Information
Discussion
11
Parts Paragraphs Main Ideas
1 1
2 216
3 1723
Part Division of the Text
Further Understanding
The writers family had a bad time in the days
leading up to Christmas last year.
In a boring looking restaurant, most of the
diners seemed to have no festive mood except for
the American sailor.
The Christmas gift from the American sailor
changed everything and led to a most wonderful
Christmas.
12
For Part I (Para.1) Monologue
Part Division of the Text
Directions Suppose you were the writer, try to
describe the bad experiences during the trip. The
beginning and the ending are given. You can use
the tips given and add your own imagination as
well.
Further Understanding
Beginning What a Christmas it was! Everything
had gone wrong on our way from Paris to Nice
1. tourist traps 2. a broken-down car 3. a
shabby hotel Ending There is no Christmas spirit
in our hearts.
13
For Part 2 (Para.2Para.16) Dialogue
Part Division of the Text
Directions Work in pairs. Make the second part
into a short dialogue and role-play it. It can
either be a dialogue between the husband and the
wife or between the American sailor and the
French flower woman.
Further Understanding
14
For Part 3 (Para.17Para.23) Rearrange the
Order of the Sentences
Part Division of the Text
Further Understanding
1. My wife waved her flower in time to the
music. 2. People crowded in from the street. 3.
My wife and our sons sang with uninhibited
enthusiasm. 4. The old flower woman jumped up and
waved the note. 5. The Germans ordered wine for
everyone. 6. The piano player began to sing Good
King Wenceslaus. 7. Everyone stopped eating.
7-4-6-1-3-5-2
15
Detailed Reading
Christmas time does not stop bad things from
coming our way and leaving us in a bad mood. A
flower from an American sailor in a far from
ideal restaurant, however, changed a gloomy
Christmas Eve for its unhappy diners into a
joyful celebration. Read the following text and
see how Christmas spirit touched the hearts of
those concerned.
16
A Sailors Christmas Gift William J. Lederer
Detailed Reading
Last year at Christmas time my wife, three boys,
and I were in France, on our way from Paris to
Nice. For five wretched days everything had gone
wrong. Our hotels were tourist traps our
rented car broke down we were all restless and
irritable in the crowded car.
On Christmas Eve, when we checked into a
shabby hotel in Nice, there was no Christmas
spirit in our hearts.
It was raining and cold when we went out to eat.
We found a boring looking little joint
carelessly decorated for the holiday. It smelled
greasy. Only five tables in the restaurant were
occupied. There were two German couples, two
French families, and an American sailor, by
himself. In the corner a piano player
monotonously played Christmas music.
17
I was too stubborn and too tired and miserable to
leave. I looked around and noticed that the other
customers were eating in stony silence. The only
person who seemed happy was the American sailor.
While eating, he was writing a letter, and a
half-smile lighted his face. My wife ordered our
meal in French. The waiter brought us the wrong
thing. I scolded my wife for being stupid. She
began to cry. The boys defended her, and I felt
even worse. Then, at the table with the French
family on our left, the father slapped one of his
children for some minor fault, and the boy began
to cry. On our right, the German wife began
scolding her husband. All of us were interrupted
by an unpleasant blast of cold air. Through the
front door came an old French flower woman. She
wore a dripping, ragged overcoat, and dragged
herself in on wet, rundown shoes. Carrying her
basket of flowers, she went from one table to
another.
Detailed Reading
18
Flowers, monsieur? Only one franc. No one
bought any. Wearily she sat down at a table
between the sailor and us. To the waiter she
said, A bowl of soup. I havent sold a flower
all afternoon. To the piano player she said
hoarsely, Can you imagine, Joseph, soup on
Christmas Eve?
Detailed Reading
He pointed to his empty tipping plate. The
young sailor finished his meal and got up to
leave. Putting on his coat, he walked over to the
flower womans table.
Happy Christmas, he said, smiling and picking
out two flowers. How much are they?
Two francs, monsieur. Pressing one of the small
flowers flat, he put it into the letter he had
written, then handed the woman a twenty-franc
note.
19
I dont have change, monsieur, she said. Ill
get some from the waiter. No, maam, said the
sailor, leaning over and kissing the ancient
cheek. This is my Christmas present to
you. Straightening up, he came to our table,
holding the other flower in front of him. Sir,
he said to me, may I have permission to
present this flower to your beautiful daughter?
In one quick motion he gave my wife the flower,
wished us a Merry Christmas, and
departed. Everyone had stopped eating. Everyone
had been watching the sailor. Everyone was
silent. A few seconds later, Christmas exploded
throughout the restaurant like a bomb. The old
flower woman jumped up, waving the twenty-franc
note. Hobbling to the middle of the floor she did
a lively folk dance and shouted to the piano
player, Joseph, my Christmas present! And you
shall have half, so you can have a feast, too.
Detailed Reading
20
The piano player began to sing loudly Good King
Wenceslaus, beating the keys with magic hands,
nodding his head in rhythm. My wife waved her
flower in time to the music. She was radiant and
appeared twenty years younger. The tears had left
her eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up
in laughter. She began to sing, and our three
sons joined her, bellowing the song with
uninhibited enthusiasm. Gut! Gut! shouted the
Germans. They jumped on their chairs and began
singing the words in German. The waiter embraced
the flower woman. Waving their arms, they sang in
French. The Frenchman who had slapped the boy
beat rhythm with his fork against a bottle. The
lad climbed on his lap, singing merrily too. The
Germans ordered wine for everyone. They delivered
it themselves, hugging the other customers.
Detailed Reading
21
One of the French families called for champagne
made the rounds, kissing each of us on both
cheeks. The owner of the restaurant started
The First Noel, and we all joined in, half of
us crying.
Detailed Reading
People crowded in from the street until many
customers were standing. The walls shook as hands
and feet kept time to the Christmas carols.
The miserable evening in a dull restaurant ended
up being the very best Christmas Eve we had ever
experienced just because of a young sailor who
had Christmas spirit in his soul. He released the
love and joy that had been smothered within us by
anger and disappointment. He gave us Christmas.
22
Our hotels were tourist traps
Detailed Reading
What does tourist trap mean?
It refers to a place, such as a shop or resort
area, that offers overpriced goods and services
to tourists.
23
We found a boring looking little joint carelessly
decorated for the holiday.
Detailed Reading
Translate the sentence into Chinese.
??????????,????????,?????????????
24
I was too stubborn and too tired and miserable to
leave.
Detailed Reading
Paraphrase the sentence.
I was so tired and unhappy that I insisted on
staying here instead of looking for a better
restaurant.
25
She wore a dripping, ragged overcoat, and dragged
herself in on wet, rundown shoes.
Detailed Reading
What can you infer from the sentence?
She was so poor that she had to sell flowers even
on a rainy Christmas Eve. It seemed that she
hadnt sold any flower, so she had to go on
selling until she was completely wet and it was
time to have Christmas dinner.
26
may I have permission to present this flower
to your beautiful daughter?
Detailed Reading
Why did the sailor use daughter?
It was probably a compliment, meaning that the
wife looked young, or he might intentionally said
so just to cheer them up.
27
The piano player began to sing loudly Good King
Wenceslaus.
Detailed Reading
1. What is Good King Wenceslaus?
One of the best loved Christmas carols is the
129-year-old carol Good King Wenceslaus. In
1853, John Mason Neale chose Wenceslaus as the
subject for a childrens song to exemplify
generosity. It quickly became a Christmas
favorite.
28
2. Who is King Wenceslaus?
Detailed Reading
Wenceslaus was the Duke of Bohemia (????) who was
murdered in 929 AD. As the song indicates, he
was a good, honest, and strongly principled man.
The song praises his high moral character by
describing King Wenceslaus braving a fierce storm
in order to help feed a poor neighbour.
Wenceslaus believed that his Christian faith
needed to be put into action in practical ways.
He was Bohemias most famous martyr and patron
saint. His picture appeared on Bohemian coins,
and the Crown of Wenceslaus became the symbol of
Czech (??) independence.
29
One of the French families called for champagne
made the rounds, kissing each of us on both
cheeks.
Detailed Reading
Translate the sentence.
??????????????????????,?????????
30
The owner of the restaurant started The First
Noel, and we all joined in, half of us crying.
Detailed Reading
What is The First Noel?
The First Noel is a traditional English
Christmas carol, most likely from the 16th or
17th century, but possibly dating from as early
as the 13th century. The word Noel comes from the
French word Noël meaning Christmas.
31
The walls shook as hands and feet kept time to
the Christmas carols.
Detailed Reading
Translate the sentence.
??????????????,???????????
32
wretched adj. extremely bad or unpleasant
Detailed Reading
The house was in a wretched state.
I was shocked to see their wretched living
conditions.
?????????!
What wretched weather!
33
rent vt.
pay money for the use of something for a short
period of time
Detailed Reading
Will you rent a car while youre in Spain?
???????,?????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
????
We rented an apartment together.
????????????????????????
You can hire a car at the airport.
????????????????????????
Im interested in leasing your cottage.
34
break down
Detailed Reading
1. stop working
2. (of friendship, agreement, or process) cease
to continue collapse
3. change or remove something that prevents
people from working together and having a
successful relationship with each other
4. be unable to stop ones emotions when in a
state of distress, especially in public
5. separate something into smaller parts so that
it is easier to be dealt with or understood
35
Directions Match the above definitions with the
sentences below.
Detailed Reading
a) He showed us the whole dance, then broke it
down so that we could learn it more easily.
b) The car broke down just north of Paris.
c) It takes a long time to break down prejudices.
d) Negotiations broke down after only two days.
e) He broke down and cried.
1-b 2-d 3-c 4-e 5-a
Collocation
break away (from) ??,?? break in
?? break off
????,?? break out
????,?? break through ??,????? break
up ??,????
36
Directions Fill in the blanks with the above
phrases. Change the form where necessary.
Detailed Reading
_______
1. Thieves and stole ?10, 000
worth of computer equipment. 2. The prisoner
the two policemen
who were holding him. 3. What will happen to the
children if Jim and Mary ? 4.
The two countries diplomatic
relations with each other. 5. Scientists hope
to soon for a cure
for this kind of cancer. 6. I was still living
in London when the war .
broke in
______________
broke away from
________
break up
________
broke off
_____________
break through
________
broke out
37
shabby adj. untidy and in bad condition
Detailed Reading
Hughs jacket was old and shabby.
Fortunately, she met Jim, who offered her a job
in his rather shabby restaurant.
38
greasy adj.
covered in grease or oil
Detailed Reading
The shampoo is for greasy hair.
The food was heavy and greasy.
????????????
Too much greasy food isnt good for you.
39
defend vt.
use arguments to protect something or someone
from criticism, or to prove that something is
right
Detailed Reading
She was always defending her husband in front of
their daughter.
Students should be ready to explain and defend
their views.
?????????????????????
How can you defend the killing of animals for
scientific study?
Pattern
defend sb. against/from sb./sth.
40
slap
Detailed Reading
1. vt. hit someone with the flat part of the hand
He slapped her across the face.
If you touch me again Ill slap you.
2. n. a quick hit with the flat part of the hand
Julia gave Roy a slap on the cheek.
Collocation
a slap in the face ??,?? a slap on the wrist
?????,????? a slap on the back ??,??
41
minor adj. small and not very important or
serious, especially when compared with other
things
Detailed Reading
We have made some minor changes to the program.
They played only a minor role in the local
government.
I made minor alterations to the article.
???????????,??????
?????????????,??????????
The young actress was given a minor part in the
new play.
??????????????????????
In buying a suit, a difference of ten cents in
prices is negligible.
????????????
The cost to taxpayers would be minimal.
42
interrupt v.
Detailed Reading
stop someone from continuing what they are saying
or doing by suddenly speaking to them, making a
noise, etc.
Will you stop interrupting me!
Sorry to interrupt, but I need to ask you to come
downstairs.
??????????????
It is not polite to interrupt when someone is
talking.
43
dripping adj.
Detailed Reading
extremely wet
Im absolutely dripping.
Take off that jacket youre dripping wet.
44
ragged adj. (of cloth or clothes) old and torn
(of a person) wearing such clothes
Detailed Reading
Although he wore ragged clothes, he was not
particularly dirty.
It tells the story of an old man who has an old,
ragged hat with holes in it.
The brim of his ragged hat hung down and nearly
blocked his entire face.
45
franc n. the standard unit of money in various
countries, and used in France and Belgium before
the euro
Detailed Reading
NB Currencies of the World
PRC Renminbi Yuan CNY 1CNY10 jiao(?)1 jiao10 fen(?)
United Kingdom Pound, Sterling GBP 1GBP100 new pence(???)
United States of America U.S.Dollar USD 1USD100 cents(?)
Canada Canadian Dollar CAD 1CAD100 cents(?)
Japan Japanese Yen JPY 1JPY100 sen(?)
46
point v.
Detailed Reading
show sb. or sth. to someone by holding up one
finger or a thin object towards sb. or sth.
I could see him pointing at me and telling the
other guests what I had said.
She was pointing to a small boat that was
approaching the shore.
Collocation
point the/a finger at somebody ??
I knew that they would point the finger at me.
???????????
point the way forward ????
This new discovery points the way forward in the
search for a cure.
??????????????????
47
point out ??,??
Detailed Reading
I pointed out to him where I used to live.
??????????????
point to ????
All the evidence points to Randall as the
murderer.
?????????????????
48
tip
Detailed Reading
1. v. give an additional amount of money to
someone for performing a service
Did you tip the waiter?
I tipped him 5.
2. n. a small amount of additional money given to
someone for performing a service
Did you leave a tip?
I gave the guy a big tip.
49
press vt. put pressure or a weight on something
to make it flat, crush it, etc.
Detailed Reading
At this stage the grapes have to be pressed.
You can create amazing pieces of art and home
decor items with pressed flowers.
50
lean vi.
slope or bend from an upright position
Detailed Reading
She leant towards him and listened.
He was leaning on the bridge, watching the boats
go by.
Collocation
lean on somebody ??,??
The couple lean on each other for support.
?????????
lean towards something ???
51
straighten up make ones back straight, or to
stand up straight after bending down
Detailed Reading
He remained bent over for several seconds before
slowly straightening up.
??????,??????????
As she straightened up, the ache in her back grew
worse.
52
permission n.
the act of allowing consent authorization
Detailed Reading
Did he give you permission to take that?
The company has applied to court for permission
to renegotiate the contract.
We have obtained permission from the directors to
use some of our funds.
Collocation
ask/request/apply for permission
???? give/grant permission
?? get/obtain/receive permission
???? have permission (to do something)
?? refuse/deny (somebody) permission
?? with/without (somebodys) permission ????/????
53
Directions Fill in the blanks with the above
phrases. Change the form where necessary.
Detailed Reading
_____________

• 1. You must before
  taking any photographs
• inside the church.
• 2. They didnt
  cross the frontier.
• 3. Who to
  leave class early?
• 4. He from his
  boss before talking to the
• press.
• 5. We heard of the Councils decision to
  for
• the development.
• 6. Pages should not be copied
  the
• publisher.
• , I should
  like to visit Mrs. Thorne myself.

ask permission
________________
have permission to
_________________
gave him permission
________________
obtained permission
_______________
refuse permission
_____________________
without the permission of
_________________
With your permission
54
motion n.
a single movement of your hand or head,
especially one made in order to communicate
something
Detailed Reading
He summoned the waiter with a motion of his hand.
???????????
All her motions were graceful.
55
depart v. leave, especially when starting a
journey
Detailed Reading
Flights by Air Europe depart Gatwick on Tuesdays.
Dorothy departed for Germany last week.
?????????????
???,?????????????,??????????
The train to Edinburgh will depart from platform
6 in five minutes.
??????????????
Were leaving from the main station at six
oclock.
?????,???????????,?????????????
We are going to my parents from Christmas.
??????????,??????????????
Id had enough, so I quit my job.
56
explode v.
burst, or to make something burst, into small
pieces, usually with a loud noise and in a way
that causes damage
Detailed Reading
The device was thrown at an army patrol but
failed to explode.
Far sooner than anyone thought possible, the
Russians exploded an atomic bomb.
?????????????????
The terrorists exploded a bomb in a store.
57
enthusiasm n. a strong feeling of interest and
enjoyment about something and an eagerness to be
involved in it
Detailed Reading
Gillian and Darren greeted the speakers with
great enthusiasm.
We went along to the local diving club, full of
enthusiasm.
Employers showed little enthusiasm for the new
regulations.
Collocation
with enthusiasm ??(?)? great/much/conside
rable/enormous enthusiasm ????? little
enthusiasm ????? lack of enthusiasm
???? full of enthusiasm ???? show
(great/considerable) enthusiasm
???????? lose enthusiasm ???? fire
somebody with enthusiasm
????? generate enthusiasm ?????
58
embrace v. put ones arms around someone and
hold them in a friendly or loving way
Detailed Reading
Jack warmly embraced his son.
Maggie and Laura embraced.
?????????
They embraced each other warmly.
59
dull adj. not interesting or exciting
Detailed Reading
Life is never dull when Elizabeth is here.
It sounded pretty dull to me.
Theres never a dull moment when John comes to
stay.
???????????,???,??????
???????????????????????
The weekly meeting tends to be deadly dull.
???????????????????????,????,??????????
Most of the students in the hall were put to
sleep by the tedious lecture.
60
Detailed Reading
monotonous
??????????????
He spoilt the poem by reading it in a monotonous
voice.
????????????????????
dreary
Addressing envelopes is dreary work.
61
release vt. let someone go free, after having
kept them somewhere
Detailed Reading
Police arrested several men, who were later
released.
The bears are eventually released into the wild.
Pattern
release somebody from something
He was released from the hospital yesterday.
????????,?????
??????????????????
The hijackers released three of the hostages.
?????????????????,??????????????
She freed the bird from its cage.
62
Detailed Reading
?????????????,?????????,????free?????
liberate
The new government has liberated all political
prisoners.
discharge
??????????????????????
The judge discharged the prisoner.
63
smother vt.
Detailed Reading
stop oneself from showing ones feelings or from
doing an action
The girls tried to smother their giggles.
She tried to smother her sobs.
I just managed to smother a yawn.
64
a tourist trap
1. ??
Useful Expressions
Christmas spirit
2. ????
Blank Filling
in stony silence
3. ???
Spot Dictation
order the meal
4. ??
Discussions
slap a child for some minor fault
5. ????????
Optional Classroom Activities
an unpleasant blast of cold air
6. ?????????
a dripping, ragged overcoat
7. ????????
Picture Talking
an empty tipping plate
8. ????????
Writing Practice
collect information
9. ????
Proverbs and Quotations
press the flower flat
10. ????
a twenty-franc note
11. ???????????
12. ????
do not have the change
65
straighten up
13. ???
Useful Expressions
hold the flower in front of sb.
14. ??????
Blank Filling
in one quick motion
15. ???
explode like a bomb
16. ?????????
Spot Dictation
beat the keys with magic hands
17. ???????????
Discussions
nod ones head in rhythm
18. ?????????
Optional Classroom Activities
wave the flower in time to the music
19. ????????
bellow the song with uninhibited
enthusiasm
20. ????
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
beat rhythm with a fork against a
bottle
21. ????????????
Proverbs and Quotations
make the rounds
22. ?????????
crowd in from the street
23. ??????????
release love and joy
24. ???????
66
Directions Fill in the blanks in the following
paragraph with appropriate words and phrases from
the text.
Useful Expressions
Last year at Christmas time we were on our way
from Paris to Nice. After a bad trip, we finally
a shabby hotel in Nice,
but there was no in
our hearts. We went out to eat in
. All the customers
were eating except
an American sailor. Later an old French flower
woman came in, but no one bought any
flowers. To everyones surprise, the sailor
bought two and gave her
instead of two francs asked by the
woman. The sailor gave one of the flowers to the
woman and the other to my wife, and then left.
After a few seconds of silence, Christmas
throughout the restaurant like a
bomb. The lost Christmas spirit came back for
the sailor the love and joy
within us by anger and
disappointment. The evening in
a dull restaurant being
the very best Christmas Eve we had ever
experienced.
Blank Filling
___________
checked into
_____________
Christmas spirit
Spot Dictation
_____________________
a boring looking little joint
Discussions
_____________
in stony silence
Optional Classroom Activities
________________
a twenty-franc note
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
________
exploded
________
released
Proverbs and Quotations
_________
smothered
_________
________
ended up
miserable
67
Directions Listen to a passage and fill in the
blanks.
Useful Expressions
With the downtown area of Chinas capital city
decorated with smiling Santa Clauses and
resounding in many of the
metropoliss shopping malls, the imprint of
Christmas, traditionally a Western holiday, could
be seen in this centuries-old city as well as
other parts of the country. The Chinese website
Elong.com recently
seeking 100 reasons why some Chinese people are
now celebrating Christmas. Hundreds of Chinese
net-surfers posted their
online. While the holiday still retains a
largely in
the West, Chinese merrymakers favor Christmas
because it provides a reason for them to
celebrate and make merry, according to the
Elong survey.
Blank Filling
__________
Jingle Bells
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
launched an online
survey
Picture Talking
___________
explanations
Writing Practice
__________________
religious significance
Proverbs and Quotations
68
In fact, most of the Chinese who are zealous
about Christmas are young people who love the
to binge more than the holiday
itself. Colorful ,
Christmas trees and Chinese traditional red
lanterns are put together to mark the
and shrewd businessmen are taking the
opportunity to .
Useful Expressions
_________
opportunity
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
__________
decorations
________
occasion
Discussions
_____
profit
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
69
Directions Read the passage Christmas in China
and discuss how we Chinese people celebrate
Christmas.
Useful Expressions
China is starting to adopt Christmas celebrations
especially in major cities where Christmas
festivities are becoming more popular year by
year. We love to have a good time to celebrate
with presents, good food and entertainment.
Christians in China celebrate by lighting their
houses with beautiful paper lanterns and
decorating their Christmas trees, which they call
Trees of Light. They decorate the trees with
paper chains, paper flowers, and paper lanterns.
Many large department stores decorate their shops
and Christmas carols can be heard over the noise
of the crowds. Chinese Father Christmas helps
to make the scene complete.
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
70
Beijing Christmas in the nations capital is
always accompanied by snow. Snowmen are dressed
as Santa Claus in preparation for the big day.
Useful Expressions
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Shanghai Shanghai is a center for world trade and
a place where East meets West. In a highly
developed modern city smart shopkeepers wont
lose any opportunity to sell their products.
Almost 90 percent of the shops in the downtown
area decorate their shops to attract visitors in
the holiday week.
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
71
Useful Expressions
Guangzhou It seems that Christmas is even more
popular than Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
in Guangzhou, especially to the young people.
There are three things they love to do have
Christmas parties, go shopping and enjoy the
Christmas dinner. All are specially catered in
Guangzhou. Why not do your Christmas shopping in
Guangzhou? You will get a discount in every shop.
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
72
Useful Expressions
Hong Kong Christmas has been celebrated in Hong
Kong for many years. The annual Hong Kong
Jiandong Christmas Light Festival on the 19th
December marks the beginning of the Christmas
celebrations in Hong Kong. Many pop stars will
appear at the shows and celebrations, which makes
them very popular with the local people.
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
73
Directions Christmas is a Christian festival
celebrated in different ways by different
countries. Try to find out how these celebrations
differ. Investigate some of these celebrations,
and then imagine how your family would celebrate
Christmas if you lived in another country. You
may refer to this website http//www.teachers.ash.
org.au/denise/HowChristmasIsCelebrated.htm or
search for some other related information on the
Internet.
Useful Expressions
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Country
Traditions
Decorations
Food
Date of Christmas
Type of Weather
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
74
Directions You have found out how some other
countries celebrate Christmas, so now, plan your
familys Christmas Day celebrations.
Useful Expressions
Blank Filling
My Familys ___________________________ Christmas.
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Guest List
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Gift List
Proverbs and Quotations
75
Useful Expressions
Decorations
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Menu
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
76
Directions Pictures in this section are based on
the text you have learned. You are required to
talk about them first in small groups and then in
class.
Useful Expressions
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
77
Useful Expressions
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
78
Useful Expressions
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
79
Useful Expressions
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
80
Useful Expressions
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
81
An Unforgettable Spring Festival
Useful Expressions
Directions Write at least 120 words following
the outline given below.
Blank Filling
Spot Dictation
Why is it an unforgettable Spring Festival?
Discussions
What happened during that Spring Festival?
Optional Classroom Activities
How do you feel whenever you recall that Spring
Festival?
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations
82
1. Christmas comes but once a year.
Useful Expressions
????,?????
Blank Filling
2. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Spot Dictation
?????????
Discussions
3. Kindness is the sunshine of social life.
Optional Classroom Activities
????????????
4. On earth there is nothing great but man, in
man there is nothing great but mind.
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
?????????????????,???????????????????
Proverbs and Quotations
83
5. Peace on earth and good will towards men.
Useful Expressions
??????,??????
Blank Filling
6. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a
state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to
be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit
of Christmas.
Calvin Coolidge, American president
Spot Dictation
Discussions
Optional Classroom Activities
?????????,???????,????????????????,?????,?????????
?? ???? C. ???
Picture Talking
Writing Practice
Proverbs and Quotations