-Do you know recognize these terms? Can you explain their meaning?

the Union = the Yankees the Confederacy = Dixie

-Read this text to check your ideas.

The American Civil War was fought in the US from 1861 until 1865 between the northern states, popularly referred to as the US, the Union, the North or the Yankees, and the southern states, known as the Confederate States of America, the Confederacy, the South, or Dixie.

-Look at the words below. You are going to read a text about an American festival. Can you predict any facts about it?

military conflict - commemorate - memorials - die - FLAG

-Now, read the text to check your predictions. Then, find the phrases which mean:

Memorial Day is an American public holiday which takes place on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates American service men and women who died in military service to their country. It began first to honour Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Another tradition is to fly the US Flag at half-staff from dawn until noon.

• used to be called - to be __________ _______ _____

• halfway up the flagpole - ___ __________

• in the morning - _____ _____ _____ _____

-Do you remember anything about Veterans Day? How are the two festivals different?

Memorial Day is not a holiday outside the US. In some countries similar observances are held on or around Remembrance Day, in November. In the US, this date is marked as Veterans Day. The distinction is that Memorial Day honours the US soldiers who died in the wars, while Veterans Day honours those who survived.

-Can you recreate the text without looking at the original?

Memorial Day is [American public holiday — TAKE — last Monday — May]. It [formerly — KNOW] Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates American service men and women [DIE — military service — country]. It [BEGIN — first — HONOUR — Union soldiers — DIE — American Civil War]. After World War I, it [EXPAND — INCLUDE — those — DIE — war or military action]. Many people observe this holiday [VISIT — cemeteries and memorials]. Another tradition [BE — FLY — US Flag — half-staff — dawn — noon].

Designed by Bartosz Michałowski for Pearson Longman PHOTOCOPIABLE 2

Definitions from Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

FESTIVAL WORKSHEETS

Memorial Day Intermediate

Designed by Bartosz Michałowski for Pearson Longman PHOTOCOPIABLE

Adapted from WIKIPEDIA (en.wikipedia.org) — the FREE encyclopaedia

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