Составить план, перечислить сходства и различия праздника в Британии и США.
Christmas season is the most festive time of the year in the United States. Students at schools and colleges usually have two weeks vacation, beginning before Christmas and ending soon after New Year
Although no one knows exactly when Jesus was born, Christians everywhere in the world celebrate his birthday on December 25.
This day was a festival long before Christianity because ancient people believed this was the time when the sun god started his journey back to earth and it was a custom to give presents to each other.
Now children are told that Santa Claus or Father Christmas in a read suit, red hat and with long white beard puts presents for them into their stocking by the fireplace or at the foot of the beds. The children believe that Santa Claus comes down the chimney and fill stocking with presents. The winter traditions of decorating homes with evergreens began in ancient times too. The Americans decorate their home with fir-tree and mistletoe. Mistletoe is a symbol of love and reconciliation. The origin of this custom may come from the myth of Balder . Balder, the sun god was killed by an arrow of mistletoe made by god of evil. Balder, however was brought back to life and mistletoe was told never to harm Balder again.
Many people send Christmas cards to each other
1. My father was watching an interesting programme on TV, while I was reading for the examination.
2. We were playing the chess when the telephone rang.
3. My parents were having an unpleasant conversation when I came into their room.
4. Yesterday I was trying to beat the computer at chess all evening.
5. In the zoo the lions were being fed from 8.00 till 8.30 in the morning.
6. While we were having a swim in the lake, Mary was preparing a pleasant surprise for us.
7. When we were playing football, I suddenly broke my leg.
8. My mother was sewing a dress when our plumber knocked at the door.
9. When we were hopelessly losing the match, she gave me a smile.
10. I was writing a newspaper article while my wife was having a rest in the garden.
PAST SIMPLE.
1. We graduated from the Institute in 1987.
2. My friend went to England to work for a probationary period three months ago.
3. I was on holiday in Bulgaria two weeks ago.
4. A friend of mine wrote a new operating system two months ago.
5. I was fond of swimming two years ago.
6. Tom forgot to remind me of the forthcoming lecture at Moscow State University yesterday.
7. I ate an apple, drank a glass of lemonade and went to school.
8. I wrote three novels last year.
9. I saw a lion in the zoo yesterday.
10. She was my bride in 1999.
2. My friend has won the race many times.
3. My friend always shows us her special talent just to make us happy.She has just shown her special talent.
4. This instrument has produced the music many times this week.
5. We met a famous musician in Moscow a month ago.
6. I have been living in Italy for 3 years.
7 My relatives have already moved to a new house.
8. The secretary has already sent an e-mail.
9. We've gone to the Museum of Science several times.
10. I have been dreaming of organizing a concert since November.
11. This artist drew some amazing pictures 3 months ago.
12. These girls took part in public performance in 1987.