1. Before listening answer the questions.
What is the 1st day of the year? - 1 January is the first day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. / Що таке 1-й день року? - 1 січня – перший день року за григоріанським календарем.
Do all of the countries start the year on that date? - No, not every country celebrates the start of the new year on 1 January. / Чи всі країни починають рік у цей день? – Ні, не кожна країна святкує початок нового року 1 січня.
Have you heard about the Chinese calendar? - Yes, I hear about the Chinese calendar. / Ви чули про китайський календар? — Так, я чую про китайський календар.
2. Listen and check your answers in task 1.
The 1st day of winter for ancient Greeks was 21 or 22 December.
The Romans began their year first on 1 March, then changed the calendar to 1 January.
In France in ancient times a king made Easter the fi rst day of a year.
Even today, many people celebrate the 1st day of the year on different dates.
The Jewish New Year is between 5 September and 5 October. In Iran, the New Year begins on 21 March.
The Chinese living outside China celebrate the old Chinese New Year between 21 January and 19 February.
Long ago the only “calendar” people had was the moon, the sun, the stars and the seasons.
The calendar we use today isn't the only kind of calendar.
Do you know about the Chinese calendar, for example? It divides the years into groups of 12.
Each year has got a name of an animal.
3. Listen again and match.
- ancient Greeks → c) 21 or 22 December; / давні греки → в) 21 або 22 грудня;
- ancient Romans → d) 1 March; / давні римляни → г) 1 березня;
- a French king → a) Easter; / французький король → а) Великдень;
- Jewish New Year → e) between 5 September and 5 October; / Єврейський Новий рік → e) між 5 вересня та 5 жовтня;
- Iranian New Year → f) 21 March; / Іранський Новий рік → f) 21 березня;
- Chinese New Year → b) between 21 January and 19 February. / Китайський Новий рік → b) між 21 січня та 19 лютого.
4. Tell the history of the 1st day of the year to your partner.
The 1st day of winter for ancient Greeks was 21 or 22 December.
The Romans began their year first on 1 March, then changed the calendar to 1 January.
In France in ancient times, a king made Easter the first day of a year.
Even today, many people celebrate the 1st day of the year on different dates.
The Jewish New Year is between 5 September and 5 October. In Iran, the New Year begins on 21 March.
The Chinese living outside China celebrate the old Chinese New Year between 21 January and 19 February.
The calendar we use today isn't the only kind of calendar.
Do you know about the Chinese calendar, for example? It divides the years into groups of 12.
Each year has got a name of an animal.
5. Listen to the popular song and put the lines in the right order. Then sing along
- → Bells are ringing, / Дзвони дзвонять,
- → Children are singing, / Діти співають,
- → All is merry and bright. / Все весело і яскраво.
- → Hang your stockings / Повісьте панчохи
- → And say your prayers / І скажіть свої молитви
- → ‘Cause Santa Claus is coming tonight. / Тому що Санта Клаус прийде сьогодні ввечері.
- → And he is making a list, / І він складає список,
- → Checking it twice. / Перевіряю двічі.
- → Gonna find out / Знайду
- → Who is naughty and nice. / Хто пустотливий і милий.
- → Santa Claus is coming to town. / До міста приїжджає Дід Мороз.