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UNIT 08 - SPEAKING PART 3

The document outlines tasks for discussing and comparing past and present celebrations, including their significance and commercialization. It encourages students to reflect on changes in celebration practices and the importance of cultural understanding. Additionally, it includes prompts for balanced arguments and questions for further discussion about celebrations and their evolution over time.

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Huỳnh Văn Nguyễn
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77 views

UNIT 08 - SPEAKING PART 3

The document outlines tasks for discussing and comparing past and present celebrations, including their significance and commercialization. It encourages students to reflect on changes in celebration practices and the importance of cultural understanding. Additionally, it includes prompts for balanced arguments and questions for further discussion about celebrations and their evolution over time.

Uploaded by

Huỳnh Văn Nguyễn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TASK 1 With a partner, complete the table with your own ideas.

Past Present
The number of
celebrations

The purpose of
holding a
celebration

Some main
activities during
a celebration
TASK 2 Answer the questions using your ideas in TASK 1
1. Do people in your country celebrate more holidays than in the past?
2. How has the purpose of holding a celebration or festival changed?
3. Do you think celebrations and festivals have become more commercialized than in the
past?
TASK 2 With a partner, decide whether celebrations are more important now than in
the past.
Well, on the one hand, we still spend a lot of money every year on celebrations – and it
seems we spend more every year. On the other hand, it could be that some of the smaller
public holidays and events are becoming less important as everyone is too focused on
bigger ones. I also think that celebrations were more important because they were less about
money but more about the meaning behind the event.

I think celebrations are more important now than they were in the past. Because people work
longer hours and sometimes live far from where they grew up, it is hard for families to get
together all the time. While celebrations were also important in the past because we were all
together as a family, I think that they are even more meaningful now as we cannot take
meeting our loved ones for granted.
TASK 3 Listen to a student answering these questions. Take notes of any concession
you can hear.
1. What is the difference between how people celebrate special events today compared with
the past?
2. Should we learn about the special events of other countries in school?
3. What will special events be like in the future?
4. Do we spend too money on special events like Valentine's Day or birthdays?
Examiner: What is the difference between how people celebrate special events today
compared with the past?
Student: Well, I think that in the past people would spend a long time preparing food or going
shopping for presents, but now people tend to eat out and order their presents online. While
this might seem more convenient, perhaps making an effort is part of what makes the
festivals so important. I think we're losing that now.

Examiner: Should we learn about the special events of other countries in school?
Student: I certainly think we should find out as much as possible about how people in other
countries live. However, I’m not sure we need to introduce all international festivals into our
calendar, as people might think less of our own important festivals and culture.
Examiner: What will special events be like in the future?
Student: I think as people are getting busier, fewer events will continue to be celebrated, as
people just don't have the time to celebrate all of them. On the other hand, we might also see
an increase in online-only events, where family members don’t travel to their parents' house
but instead wish them Happy New Year or something over webchat software. That way,
although people might live far away from each other, they can still celebrate over video chat.

Examiner: Do we spend too much money on special events like Valentine's Day or
birthdays?
Student: I'm not so sure about that. I think we've always spent lots of money on those
things, although obviously some people do like to spend more than others. Anyway, I don't
think it's the money, but the thought that counts.
TASK 3 With a partner, make a balanced argument using concession.
a. Although weddings now have become less complicated with fewer customs, …
b. Even though a large wedding seems brings a lot of fun, …
c. More public holidays seem a positive thing, but …
d. Many people prefer several short holidays because …, but …
e. Some people prefer a few long holidays because … but
f. Watching live performances seems enjoyable, yet/ but …
g. Watching performances on TV seems appealing, yet …
h. Despite the fact that more and more celebrations around the world have been introduced
to our country, …
TASK 4 Listen to a student answering these questions. Then practise asking and
answering them with a partner.
1. What is the difference between how people celebrate special events today compared with
the past?
2. Should we learn about the special events of other countries in school?
3. What will special events be like in the future?
4. Do we spend too money on special events like Valentine's Day or birthdays?
5. Which option do you think is better, a few long holidays or several short holidays?
6. Which option do you think is better, watching a live performance or watch it on TV?
7. Is there any difference between how old people and young people hold celebrations?
8. Do you think celebrations now have become more commercialized?

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