General English
Build up vocabulary for daily use (Topic 3): Christmas and New Year
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Celebration - a special event that people organize in order to celebrate sth |
Advent - the arrival of someone or something important |
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Invitation - a spoken or written request to sb to do sth or to go somewhere |
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Trimming the tree – decorating the tree |
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Candle |
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Christianity - the religion that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the belief that he was the son of God |
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Reindeer |
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The Nativity - the birth of Jesus Christ |
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Countdown - the period of time just before sth important happens / the action of counting seconds backwards to zero |
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Xmas
This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect.
What do people often to on Christmas?
- Triming the tree
- family gatherings
- going to church
- thank Jesus
- getting dinner
- giving gifts
- singing Christmas carols
- playing in the snow
- building a snowman
- waiting for Santa
Christmas expression
Merry Christmas!
Happy Christmas
Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Wishing you a prosperous New Year
All the best for the coming year
Seasons Greetings!
New Year around the world
Australia
As soon as the bells ring at midnight the Australians make noises with trumpets, orns, and drums. Sydney is one of the first important cities to anter the New Year (due to time zones). More than 80,000 fireworks are set off from Harbour Bridge. Sydney has been said to have one of the most spectacular in the world.
USA
On New Year's Eve people gather in Times Square. At 11.59 pm a cystal ball begins its descent from the top of a pole. Millions of voices count down the last seconds of the year in a tradition that goes back to 102 years. On New Year's day, in Pasadena (California), flower-covered carriages travel down Colorado Avenue along with bands and equestrian groups. It's called the 'Rose Parade'
China
The Chinese calendar has been used for centuries, long before the International Calendar (base on the Gregorian calendar). The Chinese calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. The Chinese year is the 2nd new moon after the beginning of winter. It is tradition that each family cleans its house to sweep away ill fortune. On the eve of Chinese New Year people have a great supper and they end the night with firecrackers to frighten evil spirits.
Related topic: Independence Day (topic 2)
Build up vocabulary for daily use (Topic 2): Independence Day
Nhân Quốc Khánh 2-9, hãy tranh thủ tăng thêm vốn từ vựng nào
Things associate with Independence Day
Things to do:
1. Hang flag from your house roof, car, or your work building. Look for other places to display the flag, such as on your bike or scooter, a string of flags for a party in your yard or local park, or a large flag hanging from a window.
2. Get a copy of the Declaration of Independence and read it. Read it to your kids. It's only about a page or two. It's one of the all time greatest documents and that makes great reading. Remember what we fought for and why it's still worth fighting for
3. Dress up patriotically. Some citizens choose to wear clothes that have the national flag design on them, or choose to wear the same color with their national flag
4. Show your support by watching a local parade in your community or city.
5. Enjoy a dinner or picnic with family or friends. Get together early to spend more time for each other.
6. Get active by getting involve in activities. Both on the Independence Day and the days around it, there will be a number of festivities, fireworks displays, and other fun you can join in depending on where you live.
(source: wikihow)
An outline for describe a celebration
Time of the celebration:
It is celebrated on …/ It is held on …/ It falls on …/ it takes place on …/ It happens on …
Purpose of celebration:
It celebrates … / It is the time when …
Main activities of the day:
On this day, people often do/ go/ visit …
Common questions:
- What are some things you do to celebrate holidays? / How do you celebrate your Independence Day? / How is Independence Day celebrated in your country?
- What is the title of the National Anthem? What story does the song tell?
- Who is the current President of your country?
- Was your country ever a colony? If so, when did your country gain independence? If not, did your country have colonies?
- Who did they name this monument after? (Tượng đài được đặt theo tên của ai?)
- Who is the person in this statue? (Bức tượng này là hình tượng của ai?)
- Would you call your self a patriotic?
- Are you a history buff? (Buff = a person who knows a lot about something because he/ she is interested in that subject, eg: car buff, sport buff)
Some common responses:
It’s Independence Day and I feel really nationalistic.
Independence Day has become just a Feel Good Day
It is a good day to remember our past, our history, and our roots.
Today is the day of celebration.
Notice: Make sure you capitalize each word of Independence Day.
Related topic: Build up vocabulary for daily use (p1): How to talk about weather
Build up Vocabulary for daily use: Topic1 – How to talk about weather?
Nhằm giúp các bạn có thêm được vốn từ vựng dùng trong giao tiếp hằng ngày, SET sẽ giới thiệu đến các bạn trong thời gian tới loạt bài Từ vựng tiếng Anh thông dụng – Build up your Vocabulary for daily use. Mỗi bài viết sẽ là những chủ đề thông dụng và gần gũi với các bạn trong sinh hoạt hằng ngày.
Thời tiết đang chuyển mùa rồi, sao không bắt đầu học từ vựng về thời tiết nhỉ.
English speakers love to talk about the weather. It is a way of breaking the ice (starting a conversation). People talk about the weather on the phone and in person; at the bus stop, in a shop, or with a neighbour over the garden fence. Learn the proper vocabulary and expressions, and you will find it easy to start a conversation anytime and anywhere with anyone you meet!
Some examples of conversation starters:
“Lovely day, isn’t it!”
“What strange weather we’re having!”
“It’s doesn’t look like it’s going to stop raining today”
Using verbs to describe the weather
Using adjectives to describe the weather
Other things associated with the weather
Weather in seasons:
Common questions and responses about Weather
What's it like out? Bên ngoài trời thế nào? |
It's miserable out. Trông thật là buồn thảm. |
How's the weather? Thời tiết thế nào? |
It's ten below. (-10 degrees) Âm 10 độ |
Do you have rain? Chỗ bạn ở có bị mưa không? |
We haven't had a drop of rain for weeks. Không có lấy một hạt mưa suốt mấy tuần qua. |
What's the temperature there? Nhiệt độ ở đó bao nhiêu rồi? |
It's 22 degrees Celsius. 22 độ C. |
It's snowing here, what's it doing there? Ở đây đang có tuyết. Ở đó thì sao? |
It's pouring outside. (raining heavily) Bên ngoài trời đang mưa lớn. |
Beautiful day, huh? Hôm nay trời đẹp ha |
We couldn't ask for a better day than this. Uhm, không thể đẹp hơn được nữa. |
What's the weather forecast? Dự báo thời tiết hôm nay thế nào? |
They're calling for blue skies all week. Họ báo là trời sẽ ảm đạm từ nay đến hết tuần. |
Predicting the weather:
- “I think it’ll clear up later.”
Tôi nghĩ là lát nữa trời sẽ quang đãng.
- “It’s going to rain by the looks of it.”
Nhìn trời tôi đoán là sắp sửa mưa đó.
- “They’re expecting snow in the North.”
Họ dự báo là sẽ có tuyết ở phía Bắc.
- “I hear that showers are coming our way.”
Tôi nhận được tin là mưa đang đến gần rồi đấy.
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