New Practical English 1 Passage I Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Unit Two

New Practical English 1

Passage I

Thanksgiving Day and

Christmas

Unit Two


Passage I

Related Information

Intensive Study

Practice


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Public Holidays in the West

early in the new year. The main content is to hold a parade, a party, and other joyful activities.

Carnival


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Valentine’s Day

February 14, for lovers to express their love to each other.



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April Fool’s Day

the first day of April. People can make and tell white jokes to one another.



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usually in early April. This is a religious festival. On the very Sunday morning, children are busy looking for the color eggs assumed to be given by the Easter rabbit.



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Independence Day

July 4. It began from 1776. The celebration activities are mainly made up of a parade and making patriotic speeches.



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Halloween

the evening of October 31. Dancing parties are held with people wearing fancy masks.



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The title of the song may be translated as “ 圣诞夜 ” or “ 平安夜 ” . It is a very sweet Christmas carol.

Silent Night, Holy Night


Santa Claus

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Patron saint of children. The legend first came from Holland and was brought to the US by Dutch immigrants. In America, Santa Claus is fat and jolly, with white hair and beard, and rides in the sky in a reindeer-drawn sleigh, delivering gifts to children at Christmas Eve.


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the first weekday after Christmas. Presents are given to those who deliver newspaper, milk or do other kinds of service to the family to express the thanks for their good service and help.



A day full of thanks

Observed by

Canada Liberia Norfolk Island United States Puerto Rico

Countries observing Thanksgiving Day


When is Thanksgiving When is Thanksgiving Celebrated?Celebrated?

Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

This year, it falls on November 28th.

It’s a national holiday in the United States now.


2. How do American people celebrate Thanksgiving?

New Practical English 1Family Dinner

New Practical English 1 Expressing your thanks and appreciation


For the help;

For the hospitality;

For the small favor;

For the most memorable days;

For everyone and everything that

deserves our sincere thanks.

Who and what do they thank for ?


Text

Intensive Study

Difficult Sentences

Important Words


Thanksgiving Day and ChristmasThanksgiving Day and Christmas

(Para. 1a) Thanksgiving Day on the fourth

Thursday of November is uniquely an American

holiday which dates back to the arrival of some of the

first European settlers in the New World. America has

been blessed with rich land and rich natural resources.

However, those early settlers would not have survived

their first cold winter without the help of their native

Indian neighbors, who taught them how to plant corns,

and how to hunt wild deer. The first Thanksgiving Day

was observed after the fall harvest, and people gave

thanks to God and to their friends.

Passage I

1

3

2


(Para. 1b) A traditional Thanksgiving dinner usually

includes turkey, corn, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie

--- all foods that early settlers and the Indians ate on

the first Thanksgiving Day in 1621.

(Para. 2) Thanksgiving Day also marks the

beginning of the Christmas shopping season in stores

and shops of every kind. The day after Thanksgiving is

the busiest shopping day of the year. Some American

households will even put up a Christmas tree this

early, although most will wait until a couple of weeks

before Christmas Eve.

Passage I

4


(Para. 3a) Christmas is a family holiday. This

feeling is expressed in the song “I’ll be home for

Christmas.” The sweet melody of “Silent Night, Holy

Night” often makes people far away from their family

feel nostalgic. Those who cannot join the family will

send a Christmas card home to express greetings of

the season. At home family and friends gather to sing

Christmas songs and play games.

Passage I


(Para. 3b) Children are kept busy with gifts they believe

to be brought to them by Santa Claus. Adults often

talk over a cup of tea or coffee. Christmas dinner may

be similar to Thanksgiving dinner; candy and fruitcake

are especially associated with this holiday. Though

Christmas is now celebrated widely the world over, it

still maintains its “home, sweet home” flavor.

Passage I

5


引导定语从句means “specifically,solely

”

1. (Para. 1) Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November is uniquely an American holiday which dates back to the arrival of some of the first European settlers in the New World.

每年 11 月的第四个星期四的感恩节是唯有美国才有的节日。它可以追溯到第一批欧洲人移居到新大陆的时期。

Translation

English is one of the most important courses for the Chinese students which is compulsory in almost all the colleges and universities.

Example

Difficult Sentences


Subjunctive Mood

2. (Para. 1) However, those early settlers would not have survived their first cold winter without the help of their native Indian neighbors, who taught them how to plant corns, and how to hunt wild deer.

然而，如果没有当地印第安人的帮助，那些早期的移民是无法度过他们在那里的第一个凛冽寒冬的。这些土著印第安邻居教他们如何种植玉米及如何狩猎野鹿。

I would like to say that without your help, I could not have completed the project on time.

Translation

Example

引导非限制性定语从句

Difficult Sentences


3. (Para. 1) The first Thanksgiving Day was observed after the fall harvest, and people gave thanks to God and to their friends.

第一个感恩节是在秋收后庆祝的，人们借此对上帝和朋友们表示感谢。

The most important part of the Spring Festival is a big family reunion, and many people will also be busy with preparing all kinds of delicious traditional food.

Translation

Example

means “ spend and celebrate”

引导并列句

Difficult Sentences


means “so early”

4. (Para. 2) Some American households will even put up a Christmas tree this early, although most will wait until a couple of weeks before Christmas Eve.

一些美国家庭甚至会在那时就早早地竖起了圣诞树 , 虽然大部分人将会把这件事留到圣诞夜之前的几个星期才去做。

Some students have begun to prepare for the final examination, although most will wait until a few weeks before the tests.

Translation

Example

引导让步性状语从句

Difficult Sentences


5. (Para. 3) Children are kept busy with gifts they believe to be brought to them by Santa Claus.

孩子们则忙于玩着那些他们认为是圣诞老人送给他们的礼物。

I’ve received several Christmas cards I believed to be given to me by my students.

Translation

Example

means “be occupied with, be busy doing sth.”

定语从句（省略which ）修饰“ gift”

Difficult Sentences


May God bless you.

This country is blessed with mild climate and rich land.

Bless me! ( 啊呀，我的天哪。 )

I’m blessed if I know. ( 反语，咒语：我一点也不知道呀！ )

祈福 , 有福气 , 保佑

blessbless v.

FOR EXAMPLEFOR EXAMPLE

Important Words


Very few people in this area survived the earthquake.

The old lady was so lucky that she survived the accident.

It’s difficult for these plants to survive the cold climate in the north.

continue to live or exist, remain alive after, live or exist longer than 幸免于；比…长命

survivesurvive v.

Important Words



Nobody is allowed to hunt here.

All the people are helping hunt for a missing child.

These students are hunting for a part-time job at the market.

go after wild animals; look for, try to find

打猎；寻觅，设法找到

hunthunt v.

Important Words



Do they observe Thanksgiving Day in that country?

We always observe birthdays at home.

All drivers should observe traffic laws strictly.

celebrate; obey 庆祝；遵守

observeobserve v.

Important Words



Don’t you think we should include some examples in this paragraph?

This book includes 20 chapters.

Her duties include putting the children to bed.

bring in, reckon, as part of the whole

包括，包括在内

includeinclude v.v.

Important Words



I find it very difficult for me to express how grateful I am

for your kindness.

The heartfelt smile expresses her joy at the good news.

You should learn to express yourself in good English.

She expressed her determination in this letter.

show or make known by words, looks, action; clearly and definitely state 表述，表达；说明

expressexpress v.

Important Words



Where does the river join the sea?

Will you join us in the walk?

Why don’t you join in our conversation?

put together, unite; come into the company

联接；参加，加入

joinjoin v.

Important Words



I don’t want to associate myself with that matter.

Don’t associate with these dishonest persons.

We always associate the Great Wall with China.

join or connect, be often in the company of ...

联系，联络，有关系

associateassociate v.

# associate … with … 把……和……联系起来

Important Words



Teachers should maintain close ties with the students.

You’d better maintain 30 miles an hour in this area.

The workers are busy maintaining the roads before winter comes.

How could the students maintain themselves only by doing part time jobs?

You should learn to maintain your rights as a citizen.

continue to keep up, retain 保持，维护；保养，供养maintainmaintain v.

Important Words



Practice

Read and Think

Read and Complete

Read and Translate

Read and Simulate


1. What is the origin of Thanksgiving Day?

Its origin dates back to the arrival of some of the first European

settlers in the New World.

Read and Think

Answer the following questions according to the text.


2. How did the early settlers survive their first winter in the New World?

3. What does a traditional Thanksgiving dinner usually include?

With the help of their native Indian neighbors.

It usually includes turkey, corn, sweet potatoes and

pumpkin pie.

Read and Think


5. Why is Christmas said to be a family holiday?

4. What do people do if they can’t join the family for Christmas?

Because it always has its “home, sweet

home” flavor.

They will send a Christmas card home to express

greetings of the season.

Read and Think


Read and Complete

Fill in the blanks without referring to the passage.

The origin of Thanksgiving Day 1 _________ to the

arrival of the first European settlers in America, which

has been 2 ___________ favorable natural conditions.

However, those early settlers would not have survived

their first winter without the help of their Indian friends.

blessed with

dates back


Read and Complete

The first Thanksgiving Day 3 ____________ after the first

harvest when people showed their gratitude to God and

their friends. A Thanksgiving dinner usually 4 _______

traditional food such as turkey, corn, sweet potatoes and

pumpkin pie that early settlers and the Indians 5 ___ on

the first Thanksgiving Day in 1621.

was observed

ate

includes


Read and Complete

Now Thanksgiving Day is officially set on the

fourth Thursday of November. The celebration also

6 ______ the beginning of the busiest Christmas

shopping season in most stores and shops. Although

most American households won’t 7 _______ a

Christmas tree until a couple of weeks before

Christmas Eve, there are impatient shops and families

that 8 ___________ that long.

put up

will not wait

marks


Read and Complete

Christmas is a holiday for family reunions.

Nostalgia for home 9 ____________ in quite a number

of Christmas songs such as “I’ll be home for

Christmas.”and “Silent Night, 10 __________”. People

who 11 ___________ their family for Christmas

12 _________ a Christmas card home to express their

love and best wishes.

Holy Night

cannot join

is expressed

will send


Read and Complete

Parents will prepare gifts for their children, which are

often 13 ________ to be brought to them by Santa

Claus. Adults enjoy their leisure by 14___________ a

cup of tea or coffee. Though Christmas is now

becoming a popular international holiday it 15

____________ its “home, sweet home” flavor.

still maintains

believed

talking over


Fill in the blanks with the proper words and expressions given below, changing the form if necessary.

believe bless with talk responsible date back

express fail to maintain mark

observe put up similar to survive

1. This china vase __________ to the early Song dynasty.

2. The company has tried to ________ the high quality of their products.

3. The baby is the only person that ____________ the air crash.

dates back

maintain

has survived

Read and Complete


4. People have different ideas as to who should be

____________ for the accident .

5. Gold is __________ copper in color.

6. Shall we _______ the tent near the river?

7. The couple often ______ understand each other.

8. It can __________ that there is no life on Mars.

responsible

similar to

put up

fail to

be believed

Read and Complete


9. China’s accession to WTO _______ a new era in her

development.

10. Dragon Boat Festival ___________ on the 5th of May.

11. China ______________ a long history of civilization.

12. I still find it difficult to ________ myself in English.

13. I regard it a great enjoyment to _____ over a cup of

tea with friends.

marks

is observed

is blessed with

express

talk

Read and Complete


Read and Translate Translate the following sentences into English.

1. 这座城市有着天赐美景和丰富的自然资源。

be blessed with

natural resources

This city is / has been blessed with beautiful scenery

and rich natural resources.


2. 第一个端午节出现在屈原离世之后，人民用一种独特的方式向这位伟人表达敬意。

Read and Translate

in a unique way

Dragon-boat Festival

The first Dragon-boat Festival was observed after the

death of Qu Yuan, and people showed their respect to

this great man in a unique way.

be observed


Read and Translate

3. 传统的中国生日宴常有鸡汤面。

traditionalinclude

A traditional Chinese birthday dinner usually includes

chicken soup noodle.


Read and Translate

4. 尽管大部分人家要等到春节前几个星期才动手准备，可有些中国家庭却这么早就开始筹备了。

wait until

prepare for …

Some Chinese families will even start to prepare for the

new year this early, although most will wait until a couple

of weeks before Spring Festival.

Spring Festival


Read and Translate

5. 他们对祖国的热爱之情表达在“我的祖国”的甜美歌声中。

express

sweet melody

Their love for the country is expressed in the sweet

melody “My Homeland”.


Read and Translate

6. 那些不能跟随俱乐部观看主队比赛的足球迷绝对会在电视上观看每一场比赛。

join the host matches

The football fans who could not join the club in the host

matches will never fail to watch each game on TV.

will never fail to


Read and Translate

7. 尽管粤菜闻名全世界，许多广东菜肴已不再保留它们的特有风味了。

Guangdong dishes maintain

Though Guangdong dishes are popular the world over,

many of them no longer maintain their special flavor.

flavor


Read and

SimulatePay attention to the italicized parts in the English sentences and translate the Chinese sentences by simulating the structure of the English sentences.

1. America has been blessed with fertile land and rich natural resources.

China has been blessed with a long history and rich cultural heritage.

滨海市享有天然的旅游资源和宜人的气候。

希腊盛富美丽的神话与童话故事。Greece has been blessed with beautiful myths and fairy stories.

Binhai has been blessed with tourist resources and pleasant weather.


Read and

Simulate2. However, those early settlers would not have survived their first cold winter without the help of their native Indian neighbors.

However, we would not have succeeded in the campaign without the support from all the volunteers.

然而，如果没有队友们的合作，这个球员是不可能攻入这个球的。

然而，如果没有解放军战士的帮助，许多人是不可能躲过这场洪水的。

However, the player would not have made the goal without the cooperation of his teammates.

However, many people would not have survived the flood without the help given by the PLA men.


Read and

Simulate3. The first Thanksgiving Day was observed after the fall harvest.

The first modern Olympics were observed in 1792.

中国第一个教师节出现在八十年代早期。

第一个联合国日出现在二战之后。

The first Teacher’s Day was observed in the early 1980s in China.

The first United Nations Day was observed after World War II.


Read and

Simulate4. The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year.

The period after Christmas is the most relaxing of the year for many people.

期末考试后是繁忙学期中最轻松的一段时光。

午夜后的时辰是一天中最黑暗的。 The hour after midnight is the darkest time of the day.

The time after the final examinations is the most relaxing of the busy term.


5. This feeling is expressed in the song “I’ll be home for Christmas”.

This idea is expressed in the speech “I have a dream”.

这一愿望被表达在《给我三天光明》这一文章中。

这种情绪被表达在《月光》这首诗中。

This desire is expressed in the article/essay “Three

days to see”.

This mood is expressed in the poem “Moonlight”.

Read and

Simulate


Read and

Simulate 6. Children are kept busy with gifts they believe to be brought to them by Santa Claus.

Teachers are kept busy with papers they believe to be valued by students.

父母们忙于他们认定是天予的职责。

主妇们忙于她们认定是社会强加在她们身上的家务琐事。

Parents are kept busy with duties they believe to be

offered by nature.

Housewives are kept busy with chores they believe

to be imposed upon them by society.


7. The usual Christmas dinner is similar to Thanksgiving dinner.

The fashionable birthday party today in China is similar to those in the West.

练瑜珈功的基本方法大体与练太极拳相同。

传统的径赛项目大体与现代径赛项目相同。

The general way of practicing yoga is similar to that for practicing tai-ji.

The traditional track races are similar to the modern ones.

Read and

Simulate


8. Though Christmas is now celebrated widely the world over, it still maintains its “home, sweet home” flavor.

Though yoga is now a popular practice almost the world over, it still maintains its strong mysterious flavor.

尽管剪纸现在已成为享誉世界的艺术形式，它依然保留着东方韵味。

尽管这位总裁 (CEO) 现在已成为世界知名人物，他依然保持着简朴的生活风格。

Read and

Simulate

Though paper cutting is now a popular art form almost the world over, it still maintains its oriental flavor.

Though the CEO is now a well-known figure almost the world over, he still maintains his simple life style.

Documents

New Practical English 1 Passage I Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Unit Two