My Favourite Holiday / Мой любимый праздник

Hi, my name is Alexander. I really like holidays because they make life brighter and help me relax. My favourite holiday is New Year. In Russia, people celebrate New Year on the night of December 31 to January 1. Before New Year, I help my family decorate the flat. We put up a big green tree in the living room and hang colourful lights and shiny balls. My mother and I cook special food: salads, roasted chicken, and, of course, a sweet cake. In the evening, my friends often visit. We talk, play games, and listen to music. I always watch the President's speech on TV. At midnight, we drink sparkling juice and wish each other happiness. After that, we go outside and watch fireworks. Sometimes we walk around the city to look at the lights. I like New Year because it is a time when everyone is happy, and people exchange gifts. I think it is nice to start the year with new hopes and dreams. On the first day of January, I often feel relaxed and try to make good plans for the next year.

Vocabulary

• holiday – праздник
• celebrate – отмечать
• decorate – украшать
• fireworks – фейерверки
• exchange – обмениваться
• gift – подарок
• shiny – блестящий
• sparkling juice – газированный сок
• plan – планировать
• hope – надежда
• roasted – жареный, запечённый
• speech – речь

Questions about the text

1. What is Alexander’s favourite holiday?
2. When do people celebrate New Year in Russia?
3. What does Alexander decorate for the holiday?
4. What special food does he cook with his mother?
5. Who visits Alexander on New Year’s Eve?
6. What do they do in the evening?
7. What does Alexander watch on TV?
8. What do they drink at midnight?
9. What happens after midnight?
10. Why does Alexander like New Year?
11. Does he exchange gifts with people?
12. What does Alexander do on the first day of January?
13. How does he feel after the holiday?
14. Does he like to plan for the year?
15. What new hopes does he have?

Personal questions

1. What is your favourite holiday?
2. How do you usually celebrate holidays?
3. Do you like to decorate your home?
4. What special food do you cook for holidays?
5. Who do you celebrate holidays with?
6. Do you give presents to your friends or family?
7. Do you watch fireworks on New Year’s Eve?
8. What do you usually do at midnight on New Year?
9. Who do you wish happiness or health to?
10. Do you have any holiday traditions?
11. Do you like winter or summer holidays more?
12. What was your best holiday experience?
13. What holiday do you want to try in another country?
14. How do you feel after the holidays?
15. Do you make plans for the new year?