martes, 11 de diciembre de 2012

Abstract Christmas tree sparks protests in Brussels


Abstract Christmas tree sparks protests in Brussels



Thousands of people have signed a petition against an abstract light installation replacing the traditional Christmas tree in Brussels city centre.  More than 11,000 signatures have been gathered in the online petition and a Facebook page attacking the new feature has been launched. Critics accuse officials of opting for the installation for fear of offending non-Christians, especially Muslims.

Traditionally, a 20m (65ft) pine tree taken from the forests of the Ardennes has adorned the city's central square, the Grand Place.  This year, it has been replaced with a 25m (82ft) construction, though smaller real Christmas trees still decorate the square, a spokesman at the mayor's office said.

The city's website said the new "tree" was one of five "light" installations around the Grand Place this year, offering visitors the chance to climb to the top and enjoy "beautiful views" of the city.
Tourism councillor Philippe Close at the mayor's office said the aim was to show off the "avant-garde character" of Brussels by blending the modern and the traditional, to produce something new and different.
'Offensive'

Brussels hosts one of the most popular winter markets in Europe and many are worried that the contemporary construction is incongruous with the 17th-Century buildings that surround it.    The light installation has even been nicknamed The Pharmacy by some who say the glowing cubes resemble the green cross symbol you find outside many chemists around the world.

"What we want is just to modernise the pleasure of winter, of this Christmas market and all the image of Brussels," said Councillor Philippe Close. "For people who want a traditional religious symbol, we have the nativity scene here in the square. For people who want modernity, we have this new tree."
Miryam Oostling, a visitor from Leeuwarden in the Netherlands, said: "I quite like the tree. It's a piece of modern art. It's cosy!"

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a)            There is only one Christmas tree in the Grand Place this year.
b)            Many people visit Brussels at this time of the year.
c)             There are four more exhibits like this nearby.
d)            Some Christmas traditions are still preserved in the Grand Place.

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a)  What different ways have people found to protest about the new tree?
b)  What criticisms have been made of the tree?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a)            collect    par. 1
b)            mix, combine   par. 4
c)             organise   par. 5
           
Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a)    Thousands of people have signed a petition against an abstract light installation in Brussels city centre. 
The petition …..
b) The glowing cubes resemble the green cross symbol you find outside many     
     chemists around the world.
     The glowing cubes resemble the green cross symbol which can …………

c)  Councillor Philippe Close said: "For people who want a traditional religious
     symbol, we have the nativity scene here in the square. For people who want    
     modernity, we have this new tree."
     Councillor Philippe Close said that for people who …. , ……………..   and   
     that for people who ………………. , ……………………

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:
Traditions are important and should be preserved?  Do you agree?  

Christmas lights - Coldplay

Listen to this beautiful song.



Want to practise  and test your listening comprehension?  Click on this link:

http://www.lyricstraining.com/play/10506/coldplay/christmas_lights

Select your level:  Beginner, Intermediate or Expert.  Then, write the word to fill each gap.

Good luck!

Marks and Spencer to open at midnight on Christmas Eve for first time


Marks & Spencer will open more than 100 of its stores at midnight on Christmas Eve to allow customers more time than ever to pick up their turkey and trimmings on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

The telegraph 06 Dec 2012

It is the first time that the department store has opened its branches so early the day before Christmas and follows the failure of retailers to persuade the Government to relax Sunday trading laws and let large shops extend their opening hours on December 23.
The retailer said it expected Christmas shopping to spread over both days "as a result of fewer trading hours available on Sunday the 23rd".
Large stores can only open for six hours on December 23, even though hundreds of thousands of families usually choose the day to stock up on groceries.
Some 103 stores, including 54 of its smaller "Simply Food" shops, will open from midnight. Customers will be able to order food to collect from the store in the early hours as well as dropping in to browse.
Sacha Berendji, its director of retail, said: "We know that the days leading up to Christmas are some of the most hectic for our customers.” Due to Sunday trading rules, we can only open for six hours on one of the busiest days of the year.
"We hope that these early bird hours on Monday will ease the pressure and give busy shoppers a bit more time to pick up Christmas food orders or last minute presents."
Waitrose stores will also open earlier. More than two-thirds of its branches will open at 7am on Christmas Eve, an hour earlier than usual, and will remain open until 6pm.
Most of its supermarkets will stay open until 10pm the previous week, with some not closing until 11pm. The company said it would open its branches for 4,700 more hours than usual in total.

Question 1 (2 Points) Indicate whether the following questions are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a)       Marks and Spencer has never opened its stores so early on December 24th.
b)       Most people do last minute shopping for Christmas food.
c)       Retailers tried to convince the Government to let them open longer hours on the day before Christmas Eve.
d)       Waitrose stores usually open at 6am.

Question 2 (2 Points) Answer the following questions in your own words.
a)       Why will Marks and Spencer change its timetable on Christmas Eve?
b)       What will Waitrose do?

Question 3 (1.5 points)Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions below.
a)       Seller par 1
b)       Foodstuff par 3
c)       Simplify par 5

Question 4 (1.5 points)Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a)       Sacha Berendji, its director of retail, said: "We know that the days leading up to Christmas are some of the most hectic for our customers.
Sacha Berendji said that ………………………………………………………………..
b)       The company said it would open its branches for 4,700 more hours than usual in total.
The company said “Our branches ……………………………………………………
c)       Large stores can only open for six hours on December 23, even though hundreds of thousands of families usually choose the day to stock up on groceries.
Large stores can only open for six hours on December 23, despite …………………

Question 5 (3 points)
Write a short essay (120 – 150 words) about the following topic.
Christmas incite people to buy items they do not really need. 

Christmas activities


Read the following sentences and say if they are True or False.

  1. The day before Christmas is called Christmas Eve.
  2. The day after Christmas is called Saint Stephen’s Day.
  3. The word ‘Xmas’ is an abbreviation for Christmas.
  4. Santa Claus is an abbreviation for Saint Nicholas.
  5. The King of Spain makes a speech on Christmas Day.
  6. People eat twenty grapes on New Years Eve.
  7. The Queen of England gives a speech on Christmas Day.
  8. Santa Claus real dress was green.
  
Jumbled letters

Write the letters in the following words in the correct in order to write a word associated with Christmas.


  1. leang
  2. errideen
  3. womanns
  4. acdrs
  5. eetrnpss
  6. ebeecrmd
  7. icynehm
  8. exammrysr
KEY 
  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE It is called Boxing Day
  3. TRUE
  4. TRUE
  5. FALSE. on Christmas Eve
  6. FALSE, only 12
  7. TRUE
  8. TRUE
Jumbled letters
  1. angel
  2. reindeer
  3. snowman
  4. cards
  5. presents
  6. december
  7. chimney
  8. 'merry xmas'

My Favourite Day ‘Christmas’



 Fill the gaps with the following words 

cards / carols / crackers / December / dinner / presents / Santa Claus / star /  tinsel / tree / turkey
  
        Christmas is on ____________ 25th. It’s my favourite time of year. We decorate our Christmas____________ with baubles,____________ and lights. Then we put a____________or fairy on top. We put our____________ under the tree. We send Christmas____________ and sing Christmas____________ at school or church. Some people go carol singing and get some money. Children wait for____________ to bring them presents. Many leave food for him to eat when he visits. For Christmas____________ we eat____________ and then Christmas cake. My favourite part is pulling the____________!


Write the missing words in the sentences.

a. Christmas is on ______________ 25th.
b. We decorate our Christmas _______________ with baubles, tinsel and lights.
c. We put our _______________ under the tree.
d. We send Christmas _______________ and sing Christmas carols at school or church.
e. Children wait for _______________ to bring them presents.
f. For Christmas dinner we eat _______________ and then Christmas cake.
g. My favourite part is pulling the _______________!

KEY

a. December
b. trees, tinsels 
c. star
d. cards, carols
e. Santa Claus
f. dinner, turkey
g. crackers


Christmas Rhymes



Write the names of the Chirstmas words which rhyme with:

  1. Something you give that rhymes with lift.
  1. Something you send that rhymes with hard.
  1. A little helper that rhymes with shelf.
  1. Something striped that rhymes with rain.
  1. A famous reindeer that rhymes with golf.
  1. Something you sing that rhymes with barrel.
  1. What Santa drives that rhymes with hay.
  1. Something you ring that rhymes with well.
  1. Green leaves that rhyme with golly.
  1. Where Santa lives that rhymes with hole.
KEY
  1. gift
  2. card
  3. elf
  4. chain
  5. rudolf
  6. carol
  7. sleigh
  8. bell
  9. holly
  10. pole

Amazing Christmas lights

Amazing Perth Christmas Lights 2012 "Gangnam Style"



Click on the video to watch the lights perform to the 2012 hit.

PERTH'S Gangnam Style Christmas lights are over as quickly as the fad that inspired them.
After just three nights, the plug has been pulled on the spectacular light show in Churchlands which is set to a soundtrack of K-Pop sensation Psy’s hit.  Crowd numbers at the Bishop Riley Way home were up nearly ten times on what organisers were expecting, creating safety issues and irritating some of the local residents.
Organiser Kym Illman explained:
“The prospect of such large numbers in a very small street over a number of weeks is simply unmanageable. There is also a very real safety risk, in particular to young children.”
The lights took 200 hours to set up. Work has begun to pull down the 41,000 light bulbs and two kilometres of cable that was used.
Next year Mr Illman plans to light up commercial premises that has plenty of parking and room for spectators to view the show safely.

Key: Abstract Christmas tree sparks protests in Brussels


Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.
a)            False.  .. though smaller real Christmas trees still decorate the square, a spokesman at the mayor's office said.
b)            True.  Brussels hosts one of the most popular winter markets in Europe
c)             True. The city's website said the new "tree" was one of five "light" installations around the Grand Place this year,
d)         True. "For people who want a traditional religious symbol, we have the nativity scene here in the square
Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.
a)  What different ways have people found to protest about the new tree?
b)  What criticisms have been made of the tree?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as
a)            gather/gathered  par. 1
b)            blend/blending   par. 4
c)             host/hosts   par. 5
            
Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a)    The petition against an abstract light installation in Brussels city centre has been signed by thousands of people.
b)  The glowing cubes resemble the green cross symbol which can be found     
     outside many chemists around the world.
c)  Councillor Philippe Close said that for people who wanted a traditional    
     religious symbol, they had the nativity scene there in the square and    
     that for people who wanted modernity, they had the new tree.


Marks and Spencer to open at midnight on Christmas Eve for first time


KEY
Question 1
a)       TRUE. It is the first time that the department store has opened its branches so early the day before Christmas
b)       TRUE hundreds of thousands of families usually choose the day to stock up on groceries.
c)       TRUE. … retailers to persuade the Government to relax Sunday trading laws and let large shops extend their opening hours on December 23.
d)       FALSE. Waitrose stores will also open earlier. More than two-thirds of its branches will open at 7am on Christmas Eve.

Question 2

a) Marks and Spencer will change its timetable on Christmas Eve so that  their customers can have enough time to buy all they need to prepare their dinners.
b) Waitrose is going to open many of its supermarkets earlier in the morning on Christmas Eve and they will also have their doors open later at night, with shops closing at 10 pm or even at 11 pm.

Question 3
a) Retailer
b) Groceries
c) Ease

Question 4
a.       Sacha Berendji said that they knew that the days leading up to Christmas were some of the most hectic for their customers.
b.       The company said “Our branches will be opened for 4,700 more hours than usual in total”.
c.       Large stores can only open for six hours on December 23, despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of families usually choose the day to stock up on groceries. / despite hundreds of thousands of families usually choosing the day to stock up on groceries.

Christmas vocabulary


Match the words to the pictures

reindeer     sleigh     wreath    stocking    Santa Claus        carol      Santa’s home 











 Speaking

Work in pairs and discuss the following questions, then write the answers and report them to your teacher.

  1. Do you know any Christmas carols?
  2. Where would you put a Christmas wreath?
  3. What is special about Santa’s sleigh?
  4. Where is Santa’s home? Who lives there?
  5. What would you like to get in a Christmas stocking?
  6. What would you say to Santa?
  7. What would Santa say to you?

Christmas pictures and words


Look at the pictures of Christmas food and decorations on pinterest.  Read the definitions below and write what is being described.

1      You wrap these with paper and give them to your friends and family.
2      You make this with fruit, flour, eggs, etc.  You add marzipan and icing to the outside.  It’s delicious!
3      Two people open this by pulling on each end.  Inside, you will find a paper hat, a joke and a gift.
4      Some people buy a natural one, and others have an artificial one.  They are tall and you put them in a room and then you decorate them.
5      In some homes, people hang this from the ceiling.  When two people ‘meet’ under it, they have to kiss!
6      People put these on Christmas trees.  They are shiny and metallic and in bright colours usually.
7      People put these on Christmas trees.  Then they plug them in and turn them on.
8      This is metallic and shiny and bright.  It is very light and people put it round the branches of Christmas trees or hang it from the ceiling.
9      In some homes, people cook this bird in the oven for Christmas lunch.
10  People put these on tables, then they light them.
11  Some people hang this on their front door at Christmas time.


Key

1. presents
2. Christmas cake
3. crackers
4. trees
5. mistletoe
6. baubles
7. lights
8. tinsel
9. turkey
10. candles
11. a wreath

A Letter to Santa


                                                                            
CHOOSE THE CORRECT OPTION TO FILL IN THE GAPS
                                                            
I hope you are well and that your preparations for Christmas this year are coming along nicely.
I'm writing to you because I'm really looking a) __________ to Christmas and I want to tell you about the presents we’d all like b) _____ this year.
I’d really love to get two new cars. I c) _________ my toy Ferrari and the Jaguar d) _________ the table and now it's only got one wheel.
I’d also like a lot of sweets and a big box of chocolates e) ___________ with my friends at school. Please don't put the chocolates in my Christmas f) ___________ because the dog will probably eat them like she did last year.
My sister and I would love to have two horses. Dad thinks this is silly because we live in a city and he says there's g) _____________ to put them and we won't h) ___________   look after them. That's silly because we could easily keep them in the park around the corner and my brother John can feed them. i) ________________.
j) _________________, John wants a new bike this year and my sister Sally would like an iPad. Please don't get her the old iPad because she says the camera is rubbish and the new model has a much better screen.
Dad wants some new k) __________ and a big flat-screen TV to watch the football on. I know that Mum thinks a new TV is a big l) ___________ of money and that's why I'm asking you.
Mum wants a new dress and m) ________ perfume. She needs a new pair of slippers too, but don't worry n) _______ those because I think Dad's getting them.
Granny says she wants new legs for Christmas so that she can get up and down the o) _________ easier, so I'll leave that with you. Oh, and my Granddad wants his luck to change so that he can   p)  ___________ money betting on the horses. Can you do that for him? I think he would also like a bottle of brandy, because Dad always q) ____________ at him when he drinks the brandy from the cupboard.
I think that's all for this Christmas. Be careful when you come down the chimney, because we had it r) ______________ last month and there's a gas fire there now. It might be better if you came through the window. s) _________________ one open for you.
Best wishes and a very Merry Christmas to you, your reindeer and all your little helpers in Lapland.
Ted. X


a)  for                                       through                         forward
b) to have                                  having                           have
c) break                                    broke                            have broke
d) fell                                        fell down                       fell off
e) to deal                                  to compart                    to share
f) stocking                                 boot                             pants
g) anywhere                              somewhere                   nowhere
h) can                                       be able                         be able to
i) He’s nearly 13 years               He has 13                     He’s nearly 13
j) In the other hand                    by the way                    In any case
k) tools                                     pools                            dools
l) bad spend                              waste                           lose
m) the                                      some                            a
n) for                                        about                            on
o) ladder                                   escalators                     stairs
p) win                                       earn                             do
q) talks                                     shouts                          shoots
r) blocked up                             bricked for                     broken down
s) I leave                                   I’ll live                           I’ll leave





KEY
a)  for               through             forward
b) to have          having               have
c) break            broke                have broke
d) fell                fell down           fell off
e) to deal          to compart        to share
f) stocking         boot                 pants
g) anywhere      somewhere       nowhere
h) can               be able             be able to
i) He’s nearly 13 years               He has 13         He’s nearly 13
j) In the other hand        by the way                    In any case
k) tools             pools                dools
l) bad spend      waste               lose
m) the              some                a
n) for                about                on
o) ladder           escalators         stairs
p) win               earn                 do
q) talks             shouts              shoots
r) blocked up     bricked for         broken down
s) I leave           I’ll live               I’ll leave