CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
In which country did the tradition of decorating Christmas trees originate?
Germany
In Russia, what do people traditionally write on a piece of paper, burn it, put the ashes in champagne, and drink at midnight on New Year's Eve?
A wish or resolution for the new year
Transform this sentence using a reporting verb: "I'm sorry I forgot your birthday," Tom said to Anna. Tom _______ for forgetting Anna's birthday.
apologised
Complete this proverb: "The early bird _______."
catches the worm (meaning: those who act quickly or arrive early have an advantage)
What do we call a group of senior government ministers who meet regularly to make important decisions?
A cabinet
In Japan, which American fast-food chain has become a popular Christmas dinner tradition since the 1970s?
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
In Scotland, what is the name of the New Year's Eve celebration that involves "first-footing" (being the first person to enter a home after midnight)?
Hogmanay
Complete with the correct conditional form: "If I _______ (know) about the party earlier, I _______ (buy) a present."
had known, would have bought (third conditional)
What does this proverb mean? "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."
Don't make plans based on something that hasn't happened yet / Don't assume something will happen before it actually does
What verb means to walk slowly and casually, especially for pleasure?
Stroll or saunter
In Ukraine, what decorative item is traditionally hung on Christmas trees for good luck, inspired by a folk tale about a poor widow?
Spider webs or spiders (artificial ones made of silver or gold)
In Denmark, what do people traditionally break against their friends' and neighbours' doors for good luck on New Year's Eve?
Plates or unused dishes
Rewrite this sentence as a cleft sentence to emphasise "the decorations": "I love the decorations most about Christmas." What I _______ most about Christmas _______ the decorations.
What I love most about Christmas is/are the decorations
Complete this proverb: "When in Rome, _______."
do as the Romans do (meaning: adapt to the customs of the place you're visiting)
What term describes news headlines designed to attract clicks online, often using sensational or misleading wording?
Clickbait
In Catalonia, Spain, what is the name of the traditional Christmas log that children "feed" and then beat with sticks on Christmas Day to make it "defecate" presents?
Tió de Nadal or Caga Tió
In which Asian country is it traditional to throw water, talcum powder, or paint on people during their New Year celebration as a symbol of cleansing and renewal?
Thailand (during Songkran) or Myanmar (also accepted)
Rewrite using inversion (remove "if"): "If I had seen the email earlier, I would have responded immediately."
Had I seen the email earlier, I would have responded immediately
Explain the following binomials: “pins and needles” and “spick and span”
the pain and numbness you feel on one of your limbs after a not moving them for a while; very clean, spotless
What term describes deliberately misleading or biased information presented as news, designed to damage a person's or organisation's reputation?
Disinformation or propaganda (also accept: fake news, smear campaign)
In which Asian country is it traditional to attend a "Misa de Gallo" (Rooster's Mass) at dawn on Christmas Day, preceded by nine days of pre-dawn masses called "Simbang Gabi"?
The Philippines
n Ecuador and some other Latin American countries, what effigies are burned at midnight on New Year's Eve to symbolise getting rid of the old year's bad luck, often depicting politicians or pop culture figures?
Año Viejo (Old Year) dolls or effigies
Combine these sentences using first a cleft sentence AND then an inversion in a conditional: "She won the competition. She would have been disappointed if she hadn't practiced daily." Start with: "It was..." for the first sentence and with “Had…” for the second
It was because she had practiced daily that she won the competition, or It was only by practicing daily that she won / Had she not practiced daily, it would have been disappointing not to win (various correct answers possible)
Explain the meaning of this proverb: "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones," and give a binomial expression that describes the type of books or TV series whose main topic is solving a mystery or a murder.
Don't criticize others for faults you have yourself; binomial: “clock and dagger”
What word describes someone who is overly confident in their own abilities or attractiveness, … and what political term describes the single area where British people elect one MP?
Narcissistic / arrogant / vain / conceited; political term: constituency