Test 2

B. Answer these questions about the letter.

1. Why was New Year better for Kirsty and her family this year?

Because they had a lot of relations visiting from Australia.

2. What date is New Year's Day in Britain?

January 1st.

3. What did they have for dinner on New Year's Eve?

They had roast lamb, roast potatoes, carrots and other vegetables.

They had chocolate cake, ice-cream and apple pie for dessert.

4. Why did they move the furniture to the side of the room?

They moved the furniture to do Scottish dancing.

5. What are bagpipes?

Bagpipes are Scottish musical instrument.

6. What did the family do at midnight?

They stood in a circle, held hands and sang "Auld Lang Syne"

7. What is a New Year's resolution? Explain in your own words?

Accept any reasonable explanation od of a New Year's resolution, e.g., it is a decision to do something better in the new year.

C. Write a letter to a friend in Britain describing a traditional celebration in Iraq. Write about 150 words. Start like this.

Dear John,

You asked me to tell you about a traditional celebration in my country.

I am going to tell you about Eid-al-Fitr.

Eid-al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar.

It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.

Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor.

This donation is of actual food-rice, barley dates, etc... to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration.

This donation is known as sadagah al-Fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the eid prayer.

This consists of sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.

After the eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday.