LISTENING

A. Listen to three people talk about a holiday in their country. Number the countries in the order that you hear about them.

(Nghe ba người nói về một kỳ nghỉ ở đất nước của họ. Đánh số các quốc gia theo thứ tự mà bạn nghe về chúng)

a. Japan _____ b. Mexico _____ c. United States _____

Answer:

HS tự thực hiện

B. Listen again and fill in the charts.

(Nghe lại và điền vào bảng)

Answer:

HS tự thực hiện

C. MY WORLD. Is there a special holiday in your country to remember people who have died? Discuss in pairs.

(Có một ngày lễ đặc biệt ở đất nước của bạn để tưởng nhớ những người đã chết? Thảo luận theo cặp)

Answer:

Vietnam observes its Day for Martyrs and Wounded Soldiers on July 27 each year. This July 27 holiday is one of the most important in the country, commemorating some of its most noble citizens.

During the wars, many Vietnamese soldiers sacrificed parts of their bodies and even their lives for the protection of their country. In 1946 especially, the number of casualties who were Vietnamese soldiers was higher than when the war against French colonialists took place. At that time, President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree on policies for invalids and martyrs.

Vietnamese history has recorded many cases in wars where mothers lost all their children. In particular, there was a mother who lost all nine of her children because they all sacrificed themselves for their country. Those women had the title of “Vietnamese heroic mothers” conferred on them.

This is a day for the lost to be remembered, those who sacrificed to be honored and shown respect, and the mothers of the victims comforted. Of all July 27 holidays observances around the world, this one is perhaps the most important.

D. Discuss these questions in pairs.

(Thảo luận những câu hỏi này theo cặp)

1. Do you know about any other holidays like these in other countries?

2. Why do you think different countries have similar holidays?

Answer:

1. Do you know about any other holidays like these in other countries?

• Yes, there are many other holidays in other countries that are similar to those celebrated in Vietnam. For example, Mexico has the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), a holiday where families and friends gather to remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away. Japan has the Obon Festival, a Buddhist holiday during which families pay respects to their ancestors and deceased loved ones. Similarly, many other cultures have holidays or traditions that honor the dead or ancestors, such as All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day in many Christian cultures, and Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Day) in China and other East Asian countries.

2. Why do you think different countries have similar holidays?

• Different countries may have similar holidays because they share common values or beliefs, or because they have experienced similar historical events. For example, many cultures believe in honoring and respecting their ancestors, which is why we see many holidays and traditions that involve paying respects to the dead. Similarly, many countries have experienced war or conflict and have developed holidays to honor those who sacrificed their lives for their country. Additionally, with globalization and the sharing of ideas and cultural practices, holidays and traditions can spread across different countries and cultures.

Pronunciation: Intonation; Alternative questions, Tag questions, Invitations, and Suggestions

E. Listen to the questions. Notice how the intonation rises and falls.

(Lắng nghe các câu hỏi. Chú ý cách ngữ điệu lên xuống)

1. Is O-Bon in July or August?

2. We went there on vacation, didn’t we? (The speaker is sure that the statement is correct).

3. We went there on vacation, didn’t we? (The speaker is not sure that the statement is correct).

4. Would you like another drink?

5. I can take you to the airport.

Answer:

HS tự thực hiện

F. Work with a partner. Take turns reading the sentences in E.

(Làm việc cùng đối tác. Thay phiên nhau đọc các câu trong bài tập E)

Answer:

HS tự thực hiện

Communication

G. In groups, imagine that you can take a trip to participate in one of the holidays in A. Discuss these questions.

(Theo nhóm, hãy tưởng tượng rằng bạn có thể thực hiện một chuyến đi để tham gia vào một trong những ngày lễ ở A. Thảo luận những câu hỏi này)

1. How are these holidays similar? Think of as many answers as you can.

2. How are they different?

3. What could visitors do at each holiday?

4. Which holiday would you like to participate in? Why?

Answer:

1. How are these holidays similar?

• All three holidays involve the remembrance of ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.

• They are all celebrated in the late fall, usually in October or November.

• They often involve the use of costumes or masks to symbolize the spirits of the dead.

• Food and offerings are commonly used in each of these holidays to honor and remember the deceased.

2. How are they different?

• The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away and to honor their memory by creating altars with their favorite food, drinks, and other offerings. It is a very colorful and festive holiday, with many parades, parties, and other events taking place throughout Mexico.

• Halloween is a holiday celebrated on October 31st in many countries around the world, particularly in the United States. It is a time for people to dress up in costumes, often depicting scary or supernatural beings, and to go trick-or-treating. Halloween also involves the use of pumpkins, which are carved into jack-o'-lanterns, and other spooky decorations.

• O-Bon is a Buddhist holiday that is celebrated in Japan in August. It is a time to remember and honor ancestors by visiting their graves and holding family reunions. O-Bon involves traditional dances and music, known as Bon Odori, and the lighting of lanterns to guide the spirits of the dead back to the afterlife.

3. What could visitors do at each holiday?

• Visitors to the Day of the Dead in Mexico could participate in parades, visit local cemeteries to see the altars, and enjoy traditional food and drinks.

• Visitors to Halloween in the United States could participate in costume parties, go trick-or-treating, and visit haunted houses.

• Visitors to O-Bon in Japan could participate in Bon Odori dances, visit local temples, and enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine.

4. Which holiday would you like to participate in? Why?

• I am interested in spooky or supernatural themes, so I would like to participate in Halloween.

Goal check

1. Which holiday did you choose in G? With your group, make a list of reasons why you chose that holiday.

(Bạn chọn ngày lễ nào trong G? Cùng với nhóm của bạn, lập danh sách các lý do tại sao bạn chọn kỳ nghỉ đó)

2. Now make a list of reasons why you didn't choose the other two holidays.

(Bây giờ hãy liệt kê những lý do khiến bạn không chọn hai ngày lễ còn lại)

3. Explain your decision to the class. Say why you chose the holiday, and why you didn’t choose the others.

(Giải thích quyết định của bạn cho cả lớp. Nói lý do tại sao bạn chọn kỳ nghỉ và tại sao bạn không chọn những kỳ nghỉ khác)

Answer:

1. Reasons for choosing Halloween:

• Halloween is a very popular holiday in many parts of the world, especially in the United States.

• It's a fun and festive holiday that allows people to dress up in costumes and express their creativity.

• There are many Halloween-themed events and activities, such as haunted houses and pumpkin patches, that people can participate in.

• Trick-or-treating is a popular activity for children, and it's a great way for families and communities to come together and celebrate.

2. Reasons for not choosing The Day of Dead:

• The Day of the Dead is primarily celebrated in Mexico, so it may not be as accessible for people who do not live in Mexico or are not familiar with Mexican culture.

• Some people may feel uncomfortable with the idea of celebrating death and the afterlife in this way.

• The holiday has a strong religious and cultural significance that may be difficult for outsiders to fully understand and appreciate.

• Reasons for not choosing O-Bon:

• O-Bon is primarily celebrated in Japan, so it may not be as accessible for people who do not live in Japan or are not familiar with Japanese culture.

• The holiday has a strong religious and cultural significance that may be difficult for outsiders to fully understand and appreciate.

• The timing of the holiday may not be convenient for everyone, as it typically takes place in August.

3. If I were to choose Halloween, I would explain that I chose it because it is a fun and festive holiday that allows people to express their creativity through costumes and decorations. It's also a great opportunity for families and communities to come together and participate in activities like trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving. While The Day of the Dead and O-Bon are also interesting holidays, they may not be as accessible for people who are not familiar with Mexican or Japanese culture, and they have a strong religious and cultural significance that may be difficult for outsiders to fully understand and appreciate.