Christmas
Learn about the winter holiday celebrated on December 25.
Christmas is a special day that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated in
many countries around the world, even in places where most people are not Christian.
For example, in India, where only less than three percent is Christian, Christmas is a
national holiday. In Japan, many people celebrate Christmas by going to stores with
Santa decorations and music. Around the world, family members help to decorate the
tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments.
It’s Christmas Eve and there’s an unexpected knock at the door. Christmas traditions are
different in each country. If you’re in the United States, Sometimes, groups of singers,
called carolers, visit houses to sing Christmas songs. If you’re in Argentina, it might be
neighbors arriving to exchange gifts and light fireworks. If you’re in Newfoundland in
Canada, your friends can wear costumes and perform comedy until you can guess who
they are.
Food is also very important during Christmas. In Ukraine, ambitious visitors enjoy a 12-
course meal. In Japan, it’s common for families to visit the American fast-food chain KFC
for dinner. In Poland, A fish called carp is prepared for dinner. Some people keep the fish
in the bathtub before cooking it! After dinner, they keep the fish scales for good luck.
Christmas is a time to enjoy with family and friends. It is a holiday full of food,
decorations, and fun traditions.
Exercise 1: Draw a line to match each country with its Christmas tradition
1. United States a. Eating chicken from KFC
2. Argentina b. Friends in costumes acting funny
3. Japan c. Exchanging gifts and lighting fireworks
4. Poland d. Decorating homes with lights and trees
5. Canada (Newfoundland) e. Keeping carp in the bathtub
Exercise 2: Read the passage and answer the questions below
What do “carolers” mean?
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Which Christmas tradition do you like most?
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Which country do you think has the most interesting Christmas traditions?
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Listen to the talk and complete the notes.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
1. In Britain, people start to decorate their house a ____________ or two before
December 25th.
2. In Christmas time, the most important activity is _________________________.
3. The British people put their gifts at _______________________ of the Christmas tree.
4. The Christmas present will be found on _________________.
5. Children leave a ___________ or stocking at the end of their bed on Christmas Eve.
6. The British family have a ______________________ and Christmas pudding for the
dinner on Christmas Day.
7. The Queen delivers her traditional Christmas _________________ to the United
Kingdom and Commonwealth later in the afternoon.
8. On Boxing day, people usually visit friends and relatives or _______________________.
