Lesson plan: The Wonder of Global Christmas Festivities
II. While Reading Tasks
Vocabulary
- picturesque |ˌpikCHəˈresk|-adjective-visually attractive, esp. in a quaint or pretty style: the picturesque covered bridges of New England.
- acoustic |əˈko͞ostik|-noun-(usu. acoustics) the properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it: Symphony Hall has perfect acoustics.
- pilgrimage |ˈpilgrəmij|-noun-a pilgrim’s journey. • a journey to a place associated with someone or something well known or respected: making a pilgrimage to the famous racing circuit.
- grotto |ˈgrätō|-noun ( pl. grottoes or grottos )-a small picturesque cave, esp. an artificial one in a park or garden.
- procession |prəˈseSHən|-noun-a number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, esp. as part of a ceremony or festival: a funeral procession.
- awe-inspiring |ˈɔ ənˌspaɪ(ə)rɪŋ|-adjective-arousing awe through being impressive, formidable, or magnificent: Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring masterpiece.
- revel |ˈrevəl|-verb ( revels, reveling , reveled; -enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, esp. with drinking and dancing: (as noun reveling) : a night of drunken reveling.
- cathedral |kəˈTHēdrəl|-noun-the principal church of a diocese, with which the bishop is officially associated: [ in names ] : St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- depiction |diˈpikSHən|-noun-the action or result of depicting something, esp. in art: the painting’s horrific depiction of war | Michelangelo’s depictions of the male nude.
- vibe |vīb|-noun informal-(usu. vibes) a person’s emotional state or the atmosphere of a place as communicated to and felt by others: a lot of moody people giving off bad vibes
Source: New Oxford American Dictionary
Reading Comprehension
True / False
- F- Each country mentioned in the article has its own way of celebrating Christmas.
- T-The pretty English village in Derbyshire’s Peak District is known for its walking paths.
- T- On weekends leading up to Christmas in Derbyshire’s Peak people can sing in the caves.
- F-From Jerusalem, many people make the pilgrimage six miles south to Bethlehem to celebrate.
- F- In Oaxaca, Mexico, the most awe-inspiring custom is the century-old competition known as the Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) on the evening of Dec. 23.
- T- Creations such as Nativity scenes, robed kings, musicians, are all carved out of the giant radishes grown locally.
- T- In Quebec City the 403-year-old capital of Quebec province revels in the outdoors at Christmastime.
- T-In Rome the larger-than-life nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square is under wraps until Dec. 24 .
- F- La Befana, is an Italian witch said to fly around on a broomstick at Epiphany, dropping down chimneys to leave candy or lumps of coal.
- T- In Taos, N.M. celebrations blend Catholic and Native American traditions.
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