April Fool's Day

This is a list of vocabulary items related to April Fool's Day


April Fool
1. A trick played on someone on April Fools' Day, or the person who is tricked

2. Said on April Fools' Day when you have tricked someone

April Fool's Day
Also Called All Fool's Day. It is on the first of April every year. People can play tricks, practical jokes and hoaxes on each other on this day.

Fool
A person who behaves in a silly way without thinking or someone who doesn't understand what's happening around him/her

Hoax
A plan to deceive someone, such as telling the police there is a bomb somewhere when there is not one, or a trick:

The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax

Gullible
easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say:

There are any number of miracle cures on the market for people gullible enough to buy them

Play a joke (on someone)
(Also play a trick on someone.) Do something funny (an amusing trick) that is done in order to make people laugh and that another person doesn't suspect at first.

Practical joke
A playful trick that usually puts the receiver in an embarrassing position.

Prank
A trick that is intended to be amusing but not to cause harm or damage:

When I was at school we were always playing pranks on our teachers.
I've had enough of your childish pranks


Prankster
Someone who performs pranks on people

Spoof story
It is a story that's not true, presented as though it were real.



Do the exercise below on the vocabulary related to April Fool's Day and click on the button to check your answers.

Choose the right words:

fool / cracks / play / celebrated / practical / trick / gullible / hoax / prank / prankster

1.April Fools' Day is a day to…………………jokes on people.
2.This is the day when you try to make your friends believe something that isn't true and if they believe it you're supposed to say April…………………..
3.April Fools' Day is…………………..in many countries around the world. In Poland, for example, the tradition is to get people wet by pouring water on them.
4.A…………………..joke is a ……………………..that usually puts the receiver in an embarrassing position.
5.Another word for practical joke is……………………….
6.He is……………………………….enough to believe anything you tell him.
7.A…………………….is an attempt to trick a person into believing that something false is real.
8.A…………………………..is someone who performs pranks on people.
9.He is very funny. He always……………………………..jokes.


And now you can read more about April Fool’s Day and answer the questions below

April Fool's Day

April Fool’s Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is on the first of April every year. People can play practical jokes. That's why you shouldn't believe what is said to you and you should be doubtful of the people around you on this day. Someone might change the time on another person's alarm to make him wake up very early or very late. Or she / he may put a lot of pepper in another's food. Of course all this is done just for fun. when the trick is played people say "April Fool" to make the poor person realize that it was just a joke.

Some of the well known and most successful pranks or practical jokes were on the media - television, radio stations, newspapers... For instance, a BBC television program ran a famous hoax in 1957, showing Italians harvesting spaghetti from trees. A large number of people contacted the BBC wanting to know how to cultivate spaghetti trees. In 2008, the BBC again reported on a newly discovered colony of flying penguins showing people walking with the penguins in Antarctica, and following their flight to the Amazon rainforest.


Comprehension:

1.April Fool's Day is also called Fool's Day ?
a. True
b. False

2.On this day
a. you must be suspicious about what people around you say or do
b. You should wake up early in order not to be hoaxed

3.After you play a trick on someone
a. say April Fool
b. say April Fool's Day

4.After the announcement of the BBC "spaghetti documentary"
a. people believed the piece of news
b. people called the BBC to complain about being hoaxed




KEY

1.April Fools' Day is a day to playjokes on people. .
2.This is the day when you try to make your friends believe something that isn't true and if they believe it you're supposed to say April fool .
3.April Fools' Day is celebratedin many countries around the world. In Poland, for example, the tradition is to get people wet by pouring water on them.
4.A practical joke is a playful trick that usually puts the receiver in an embarassing position.
5.Another word for practical joke is prank .
6.He is gullibleenough to believe anything you tell him.
7.A hoax is an attempt to trick a person into believing that something false is real
8.A prankster is someone who performs pranks on people..
9.He is very funny. He always cracks jokes

KEY for the Reading

1. False (it is also called All Fool's Day) - b

2. you must be suspicious about what people around you say or do - a

3. say April Fool - a

4. people believed the piece of news - a

April Fool's Day

This is a list of vocabulary items related to April Fool's Day


April Fool
1. A trick played on someone on April Fools' Day, or the person who is tricked

2. Said on April Fools' Day when you have tricked someone

April Fool's Day
Also Called All Fool's Day. It is on the first of April every year. People can play tricks, practical jokes and hoaxes on each other on this day.

Fool
A person who behaves in a silly way without thinking or someone who doesn't understand what's happening around him/her

Hoax
A plan to deceive someone, such as telling the police there is a bomb somewhere when there is not one, or a trick:

The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax

Gullible
easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say:

There are any number of miracle cures on the market for people gullible enough to buy them

Play a joke (on someone)
(Also play a trick on someone.) Do something funny (an amusing trick) that is done in order to make people laugh and that another person doesn't suspect at first.

Practical joke
A playful trick that usually puts the receiver in an embarrassing position.

Prank
A trick that is intended to be amusing but not to cause harm or damage:

When I was at school we were always playing pranks on our teachers.
I've had enough of your childish pranks


Prankster
Someone who performs pranks on people

Spoof story
It is a story that's not true, presented as though it were real.



Do the exercise below on the vocabulary related to April Fool's Day and click on the button to check your answers.

Choose the right words:

fool / cracks / play / celebrated / practical / trick / gullible / hoax / prank / prankster

1.April Fools' Day is a day to…………………jokes on people.
2.This is the day when you try to make your friends believe something that isn't true and if they believe it you're supposed to say April…………………..
3.April Fools' Day is…………………..in many countries around the world. In Poland, for example, the tradition is to get people wet by pouring water on them.
4.A…………………..joke is a ……………………..that usually puts the receiver in an embarrassing position.
5.Another word for practical joke is……………………….
6.He is……………………………….enough to believe anything you tell him.
7.A…………………….is an attempt to trick a person into believing that something false is real.
8.A…………………………..is someone who performs pranks on people.
9.He is very funny. He always……………………………..jokes.


And now you can read more about April Fool’s Day and answer the questions below

April Fool's Day

April Fool’s Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is on the first of April every year. People can play practical jokes. That's why you shouldn't believe what is said to you and you should be doubtful of the people around you on this day. Someone might change the time on another person's alarm to make him wake up very early or very late. Or she / he may put a lot of pepper in another's food. Of course all this is done just for fun. when the trick is played people say "April Fool" to make the poor person realize that it was just a joke.

Some of the well known and most successful pranks or practical jokes were on the media - television, radio stations, newspapers... For instance, a BBC television program ran a famous hoax in 1957, showing Italians harvesting spaghetti from trees. A large number of people contacted the BBC wanting to know how to cultivate spaghetti trees. In 2008, the BBC again reported on a newly discovered colony of flying penguins showing people walking with the penguins in Antarctica, and following their flight to the Amazon rainforest.


Comprehension:

1.April Fool's Day is also called Fool's Day ?
a. True
b. False

2.On this day
a. you must be suspicious about what people around you say or do
b. You should wake up early in order not to be hoaxed

3.After you play a trick on someone
a. say April Fool
b. say April Fool's Day

4.After the announcement of the BBC "spaghetti documentary"
a. people believed the piece of news
b. people called the BBC to complain about being hoaxed




KEY

1.April Fools' Day is a day to playjokes on people. .
2.This is the day when you try to make your friends believe something that isn't true and if they believe it you're supposed to say April fool .
3.April Fools' Day is celebratedin many countries around the world. In Poland, for example, the tradition is to get people wet by pouring water on them.
4.A practical joke is a playful trick that usually puts the receiver in an embarassing position.
5.Another word for practical joke is prank .
6.He is gullibleenough to believe anything you tell him.
7.A hoax is an attempt to trick a person into believing that something false is real
8.A prankster is someone who performs pranks on people..
9.He is very funny. He always cracks jokes

KEY for the Reading

1. False (it is also called All Fool's Day) - b

2. you must be suspicious about what people around you say or do - a

3. say April Fool - a

4. people believed the piece of news - a

2011 to Be Best Year Ever

Futurologists and experts who study New Year’s resolutions predict 2011 will be the best year ever for many people. This is welcome news for the billions around the world who hope this year will be better than last year. 2011 will see more people lifted out of poverty and there will be a greater number of people with access to computers. One expert looked forward to new developments that will help the environment. California will open the world's largest solar power plant and several electric cars will go on sale, including the much-awaited Tesla. It’s going to be a great year if you study English. There will be more cool websites and applications for students to brush up on spelling, vocabulary and grammar.

It seems more of us will keep our New Year’s resolutions this year. According to a New Year’s Day poll, the top resolution is to spend more quality time with family and friends. This means talking to them rather than being on the phone or texting messages in front of them. The second most popular thing we will resolve to do is get fitter. Experts say many of us could keep this promise well into February before giving up. We usually forget about this resolution in mid-January. Other top plans include quitting smoking, getting out of debt and helping others. Of course, studying English more featured high on many people’s lists. Make 2011 your best ever year and stick to your resolutions.

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.

a) More poor people will no longer be poor.
b) A new solar-powered car called Tesla will go on sale.
c) The most common New Year’s resolution is to save money.
d) Experts believe many people will keep resolutions about getting fit until May.

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a) What are the predictions for the environment?
b) What do experts predict for people´s health?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a) improve (par.1) b) survey(par. 2) c) keep (par. 2)

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) “Billions of people hope this year will be better than last year. “
They said that …………………………………………….
b) They will open a new solar power plant and launch good English learning websites.
A new solar ……………………………………………….
c) People will find it easier to study English since there will be good websites.
If there were ………………………………………………

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
What will you do to make 2011 the best year ever?


Some useful vocabulary for your New Years’ Resolutions

Verbs and expressions
make a resolution/ to resolve to do something
make a decision/to decide to do something
to make a promise/to promise to do something
to look forward to doing something
give up/stop
keep up/stick to a resolution
to keep your promise

Adjectives
realistic unrealistic
ambitious not ambitious enough
achievable unachievable

Nouns
goal, ambition, intention


Blog with a video on how to make and keep resolutions
http://esolcourses.blogspot.com/2011/01/english-vocabulary-new-years.html

2011 to Be Best Year Ever

Futurologists and experts who study New Year’s resolutions predict 2011 will be the best year ever for many people. This is welcome news for the billions around the world who hope this year will be better than last year. 2011 will see more people lifted out of poverty and there will be a greater number of people with access to computers. One expert looked forward to new developments that will help the environment. California will open the world's largest solar power plant and several electric cars will go on sale, including the much-awaited Tesla. It’s going to be a great year if you study English. There will be more cool websites and applications for students to brush up on spelling, vocabulary and grammar.

It seems more of us will keep our New Year’s resolutions this year. According to a New Year’s Day poll, the top resolution is to spend more quality time with family and friends. This means talking to them rather than being on the phone or texting messages in front of them. The second most popular thing we will resolve to do is get fitter. Experts say many of us could keep this promise well into February before giving up. We usually forget about this resolution in mid-January. Other top plans include quitting smoking, getting out of debt and helping others. Of course, studying English more featured high on many people’s lists. Make 2011 your best ever year and stick to your resolutions.

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.

a) More poor people will no longer be poor.
b) A new solar-powered car called Tesla will go on sale.
c) The most common New Year’s resolution is to save money.
d) Experts believe many people will keep resolutions about getting fit until May.

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a) What are the predictions for the environment?
b) What do experts predict for people´s health?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a) improve (par.1) b) survey(par. 2) c) keep (par. 2)

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning
a) “Billions of people hope this year will be better than last year. “
They said that …………………………………………….
b) They will open a new solar power plant and launch good English learning websites.
A new solar ……………………………………………….
c) People will find it easier to study English since there will be good websites.
If there were ………………………………………………

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
What will you do to make 2011 the best year ever?


Some useful vocabulary for your New Years’ Resolutions

Verbs and expressions
make a resolution/ to resolve to do something
make a decision/to decide to do something
to make a promise/to promise to do something
to look forward to doing something
give up/stop
keep up/stick to a resolution
to keep your promise

Adjectives
realistic unrealistic
ambitious not ambitious enough
achievable unachievable

Nouns
goal, ambition, intention


Blog with a video on how to make and keep resolutions
http://esolcourses.blogspot.com/2011/01/english-vocabulary-new-years.html

Christmas Traditions

Questionnaire

1. What bird is cooked for Christmas dinner?

2. Where are the presents kept before opening them?

3. What is hung outside on the door?

4. What kind of songs are sung?

5. Before electricity, these were put on the trees?

6. What is a common four letter abbreviation of Christmas?

7. What plant with red berries is used for decorations?

8. What do you kiss under?

9. What kind of calendar is opened by children leading up to Christmas?

10. What are pulled at the table?




KEY


1. a turkey
2. under the tree
3. a wreath
4. carols
5. candles
6. X’mas
7. Holly
8. mistletoe
9. an Advent calendar
10. crackers

Christmas Traditions

Questionnaire

1. What bird is cooked for Christmas dinner?

2. Where are the presents kept before opening them?

3. What is hung outside on the door?

4. What kind of songs are sung?

5. Before electricity, these were put on the trees?

6. What is a common four letter abbreviation of Christmas?

7. What plant with red berries is used for decorations?

8. What do you kiss under?

9. What kind of calendar is opened by children leading up to Christmas?

10. What are pulled at the table?




KEY


1. a turkey
2. under the tree
3. a wreath
4. carols
5. candles
6. X’mas
7. Holly
8. mistletoe
9. an Advent calendar
10. crackers

Thanksgiving Day

DON'T FORGET EVERY FOURTH THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER IS "MY DAY".


HOW MUCH "POCKET MONEY" ARE YOUR CHILDREN GETTING FOR BLACK FRIDAY?

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, when Christmas shopping starts.

Go to the PAU texts section and read the "Pocket money" text.

Thanksgiving Day

DON'T FORGET EVERY FOURTH THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER IS "MY DAY".


HOW MUCH "POCKET MONEY" ARE YOUR CHILDREN GETTING FOR BLACK FRIDAY?

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, when Christmas shopping starts.

Go to the PAU texts section and read the "Pocket money" text.

Christmas Facts

White Christmas
England has only known seven white Christmases in the entire twentieth century. According to the records of the Meteorological Office in London, snow fell on Christmas Day only in 1938 and 1976. (The definition of a white Christmas in England is when one snowflake falls on the roof of the London Weather Centre.)
Christmas Food
An old wives' tale says that bread baked on Christmas Eve will never go mouldy.
The Christmas turkey was imported to France by the Jesuits and it is still known in some French dialects as a 'Jesuite'.
Christmas pudding was first made as a kind of soup with raisins and wine in it. Christmas Pudding originates from an old, Celtic dish known as 'frumenty'.
Christmas Day
December 25th was not celebrated as the birthday of Christ until the year AD 440.
The Queen's Christmas speech was televised for the first time in 1957.
Christmas crackers were invented by Thomas Smith. He had imported some French novelties to sell as Christmas gifts, but these were not popular until he wrapped them up and added a snapper.
Decorations
Each year between 34-36 million Christmas trees are produced to cope with the holiday demand.
Electric tree lights were first used just 3 years after Thomas Edison has his first mass public demonstration of electric lights back in 1879. Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. His lights were a huge hit. It took quite a few years, however, before they would be made available to the general public.
In 1895 Ralph Morris, an American telephonist, invented the string of electric Christmas lights similar to the ones we use today. The actual strings of lights had already been manufactured for use in telephone switchboards. Morris looked at the tiny bulbs and had the idea of using them on his tree.
Christmas Banned
In 1647, the English parliament passed a law that made Christmas illegal. Christmas festivities were banned by Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell, who considered feasting and revelry on what was supposed to be a holy day to be immoral. Anybody caught celebrating Christmas was arrested. The ban was lifted only when the Puritans lost power in 1660.
Christmas Cards and Christmas Post
In 1843, the first Christmas card was created on the instructions of an Englishman, Sir Henry Cole. J.C. Horsley designed the card and sold 1000 copies in London.
Postmen in Victorian England were popularly called "robins". This was because their uniforms were red. Victorian Xmas cards often showed a robin delivering Xmas mail.
In the nineteenth century, the British Post Office used to deliver cards on Christmas morning.
The first Christmas stamp was released in Canada in 1898.
Father Christmas
Father Christmas has two addresses, Edinburgh and the North Pole. Letters addressed to 'TOYLAND' or 'SNOWLAND' go to Edinburgh, but letters addressed to 'THE NORTH POLE' have to be sent there because there really is such a place!
Father Christmas' reindeers are called Rudolph - the leader who lights the way with his bright red nose - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder, Blitzen, Cupid and Comet. (Donder is also known as Donner.)
Christmas Carols
St Francis of Assisi introduced Christmas Carols to formal church services.
The word comes from the ancient Greek choros, which means "dancing in a circle," and from the Old French word carole, meaning "a song to accompany dancing."
The first instrument on which the carol "Silent Night" was played was a guitar.
The popular Christmas song "Jingle Bells" was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called "One-Horse Open Sleigh." It was actually written for Thanksgiving, not Xmas.
Twelfth Night

It is not until Twelfth Night that the figures of the Three Kings are supposed to be added to the Christmas crib.
In Germany, Twelfth Night is known as 'Three Kings Day'.
The "Twelve Days of Christmas " gifts: A partridge in a pear tree, two turtledoves, three French hens, four calling birds, five gold rings, six geese laying, seven swans swimming, eight maids milking, nine ladies dancing, ten lords leaping, eleven pipers piping, and twelve drummers drumming. There are 364 gifts altogether, one for everyday of the year.
The poem commonly referred to as "The Night Before Christmas" was originally titled "A Visit From Saint Nicholas." This poem was written by Clement Moore for his children and some guests, one of whom anonymously sent the poem to a New York newspaper for publication.

Christmas Facts

White Christmas
England has only known seven white Christmases in the entire twentieth century. According to the records of the Meteorological Office in London, snow fell on Christmas Day only in 1938 and 1976. (The definition of a white Christmas in England is when one snowflake falls on the roof of the London Weather Centre.)
Christmas Food
An old wives' tale says that bread baked on Christmas Eve will never go mouldy.
The Christmas turkey was imported to France by the Jesuits and it is still known in some French dialects as a 'Jesuite'.
Christmas pudding was first made as a kind of soup with raisins and wine in it. Christmas Pudding originates from an old, Celtic dish known as 'frumenty'.
Christmas Day
December 25th was not celebrated as the birthday of Christ until the year AD 440.
The Queen's Christmas speech was televised for the first time in 1957.
Christmas crackers were invented by Thomas Smith. He had imported some French novelties to sell as Christmas gifts, but these were not popular until he wrapped them up and added a snapper.
Decorations
Each year between 34-36 million Christmas trees are produced to cope with the holiday demand.
Electric tree lights were first used just 3 years after Thomas Edison has his first mass public demonstration of electric lights back in 1879. Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. His lights were a huge hit. It took quite a few years, however, before they would be made available to the general public.
In 1895 Ralph Morris, an American telephonist, invented the string of electric Christmas lights similar to the ones we use today. The actual strings of lights had already been manufactured for use in telephone switchboards. Morris looked at the tiny bulbs and had the idea of using them on his tree.
Christmas Banned
In 1647, the English parliament passed a law that made Christmas illegal. Christmas festivities were banned by Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell, who considered feasting and revelry on what was supposed to be a holy day to be immoral. Anybody caught celebrating Christmas was arrested. The ban was lifted only when the Puritans lost power in 1660.
Christmas Cards and Christmas Post
In 1843, the first Christmas card was created on the instructions of an Englishman, Sir Henry Cole. J.C. Horsley designed the card and sold 1000 copies in London.
Postmen in Victorian England were popularly called "robins". This was because their uniforms were red. Victorian Xmas cards often showed a robin delivering Xmas mail.
In the nineteenth century, the British Post Office used to deliver cards on Christmas morning.
The first Christmas stamp was released in Canada in 1898.
Father Christmas
Father Christmas has two addresses, Edinburgh and the North Pole. Letters addressed to 'TOYLAND' or 'SNOWLAND' go to Edinburgh, but letters addressed to 'THE NORTH POLE' have to be sent there because there really is such a place!
Father Christmas' reindeers are called Rudolph - the leader who lights the way with his bright red nose - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder, Blitzen, Cupid and Comet. (Donder is also known as Donner.)
Christmas Carols
St Francis of Assisi introduced Christmas Carols to formal church services.
The word comes from the ancient Greek choros, which means "dancing in a circle," and from the Old French word carole, meaning "a song to accompany dancing."
The first instrument on which the carol "Silent Night" was played was a guitar.
The popular Christmas song "Jingle Bells" was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called "One-Horse Open Sleigh." It was actually written for Thanksgiving, not Xmas.
Twelfth Night

It is not until Twelfth Night that the figures of the Three Kings are supposed to be added to the Christmas crib.
In Germany, Twelfth Night is known as 'Three Kings Day'.
The "Twelve Days of Christmas " gifts: A partridge in a pear tree, two turtledoves, three French hens, four calling birds, five gold rings, six geese laying, seven swans swimming, eight maids milking, nine ladies dancing, ten lords leaping, eleven pipers piping, and twelve drummers drumming. There are 364 gifts altogether, one for everyday of the year.
The poem commonly referred to as "The Night Before Christmas" was originally titled "A Visit From Saint Nicholas." This poem was written by Clement Moore for his children and some guests, one of whom anonymously sent the poem to a New York newspaper for publication.

Christmas is coming

Christmas is coming

Buy Nothing Day

Buy Nothing Day

Once a year, in countries around the world, people demonstrate their discontent with consumer culture by holding a Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day began in 1990 in ten countries and has been celebrated every year since then. Each year, more and more people and countries join in the celebration. The intention is to encourage people to say no to consumerism and to remind them that they shouldn’t be slaves to material possessions.
On Buy Nothing Day, activists organise various free and creative forms of entertainment to prove to people that it is possible to have fun without spending money. Activists also pass out colourful booklets and stick up posters to encourage people to think twice about the dangers of consumerism. Some activists publicly cut up their credit cards at mass demonstrations, as a protest against the pressure on people to spend more than they can afford.
Buy Nothing Day campaigners in the United States have also produced a special TV commercial called an “uncommercial”, which asks people not to buy anything! However, the most imaginative suggestion of the Buy Nothing Day activists is their “Christmas Gift Exemption Vouchers”. The idea is to give people you love a voucher which states that they are exempt from buying Christmas presents, on condition that they spend quality time with you instead.
The message of Buy Nothing Day is not supposed to be heard only once a year. Its supporters insist that the spirit of simplicity is timeless, and they want people to fight materialism with imagination and creativity all year round.


Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text
a) The aim of the Buy Nothing Day activists is to show people how consumerism is enslaving them.
b) The more money you spend, the more fun you have.
c) Buy Nothing Day activists try to make people aware of the dangers of consumerism.
d) The idea behind Buy Nothing Day is to criticise materialism once a year.
Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) Why was Buy Nothing Day created?
b) What things do activists do on Buy Nothing Day?
Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) deny (par.1)
b) distribute (par. 2)
c) excused, without obligation (par. 3)
Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning:
a) They advertised our products on TV.
We had...
b) Buy Nothing Day campaigners in the United States have also produced a special TV commercial.
A special...
c) They said to people, “Don’t buy anything unless you really need it.”
They told...
Question 5 Write a short essay (120 to 150 words) on the following topic:

Are we easily influenced by advertising?

SELF-ACCESS GROUP. CEP SANTANDER

Buy Nothing Day

Buy Nothing Day

Once a year, in countries around the world, people demonstrate their discontent with consumer culture by holding a Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day began in 1990 in ten countries and has been celebrated every year since then. Each year, more and more people and countries join in the celebration. The intention is to encourage people to say no to consumerism and to remind them that they shouldn’t be slaves to material possessions.
On Buy Nothing Day, activists organise various free and creative forms of entertainment to prove to people that it is possible to have fun without spending money. Activists also pass out colourful booklets and stick up posters to encourage people to think twice about the dangers of consumerism. Some activists publicly cut up their credit cards at mass demonstrations, as a protest against the pressure on people to spend more than they can afford.
Buy Nothing Day campaigners in the United States have also produced a special TV commercial called an “uncommercial”, which asks people not to buy anything! However, the most imaginative suggestion of the Buy Nothing Day activists is their “Christmas Gift Exemption Vouchers”. The idea is to give people you love a voucher which states that they are exempt from buying Christmas presents, on condition that they spend quality time with you instead.
The message of Buy Nothing Day is not supposed to be heard only once a year. Its supporters insist that the spirit of simplicity is timeless, and they want people to fight materialism with imagination and creativity all year round.


Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text
a) The aim of the Buy Nothing Day activists is to show people how consumerism is enslaving them.
b) The more money you spend, the more fun you have.
c) Buy Nothing Day activists try to make people aware of the dangers of consumerism.
d) The idea behind Buy Nothing Day is to criticise materialism once a year.
Question 2 Answer these questions in your own words:
a) Why was Buy Nothing Day created?
b) What things do activists do on Buy Nothing Day?
Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text that means the same as:
a) deny (par.1)
b) distribute (par. 2)
c) excused, without obligation (par. 3)
Question 4 Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning:
a) They advertised our products on TV.
We had...
b) Buy Nothing Day campaigners in the United States have also produced a special TV commercial.
A special...
c) They said to people, “Don’t buy anything unless you really need it.”
They told...
Question 5 Write a short essay (120 to 150 words) on the following topic:

Are we easily influenced by advertising?

SELF-ACCESS GROUP. CEP SANTANDER

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of each November all over America.

If you want to know more about it, click here

Don't forget to do the quiz after reading.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of each November all over America.

If you want to know more about it, click here

Don't forget to do the quiz after reading.

Book Day 23rd April

On April 23rd we celebrate Book Day, if you want to know why this date was chosen click here

Book Day 23rd April

On April 23rd we celebrate Book Day, if you want to know why this date was chosen click here

Red Nose Day

Do something funny for money

red nose day

Red Nose Day

Do something funny for money

red nose day