Exploring British holidays and traditions

Everyday English Conversations

A printable worksheet for conversation-based English lessons.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Exploring British holidays and traditions

Warm-up

Have you ever celebrated a British holiday? (Yes, I have. I celebrated...)

Vocabulary Match

celebrations •• wondering
parades •• large fires
curious •• plan
bonfires •• interesting
plot •• festivities
fascinating •• marches

Vocabulary Answers

celebrationsfestivities
paradesmarches
curiouswondering
bonfireslarge fires
plotplan
fascinatinginteresting

Conversation

Fill in the blanks with words from above.

Lina and Mike discuss British holidays, focusing on Bonfire Night and the Notting Hill Carnival, highlighting traditions, food, and cultural festivities.
Lina:I've always been ________ about British holidays. Can you tell me about Bonfire Night?
Mike:Sure! It's on the 5th of November, with fireworks and ________ to remember the Gunpowder ________ in 1605.
Lina:That's ________! Do people eat anything special?
Mike:Yes, things like jacket potatoes, toffee apples, and parkin, which is a ginger cake.
Lina:That sounds delicious! What about other big ________?
Mike:There's the Notting Hill Carnival in August. It's a huge festival celebrating Caribbean culture.
Lina:Oh, I've heard of that! What's it like?
Mike:It's amazing - ________, music, and incredible costumes everywhere!
Lina:I've always been curious about British holidays. Can you tell me about Bonfire Night?
Mike:Sure! It's on the 5th of November, with fireworks and bonfires to remember the Gunpowder plot in 1605.
Lina:That's fascinating! Do people eat anything special?
Mike:Yes, things like jacket potatoes, toffee apples, and parkin, which is a ginger cake.
Lina:That sounds delicious! What about other big celebrations?
Mike:There's the Notting Hill Carnival in August. It's a huge festival celebrating Caribbean culture.
Lina:Oh, I've heard of that! What's it like?
Mike:It's amazing - parades, music, and incredible costumes everywhere!

Quiz

  1. When is Bonfire Night celebrated?
  2. What foods are eaten on Bonfire Night?
  3. What does the Notting Hill Carnival celebrate?
  4. What can you see at the Notting Hill Carnival?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. On the 5th of November.
  2. Jacket potatoes, toffee apples, and parkin.
  3. Caribbean culture.
  4. Parades, music, and incredible costumes.

True or False

  1. Bonfire Night is an event to remember the Gunpowder Plot in 1506. T F
  2. Parkin is a type of ginger cake. T F
  3. The Notting Hill Carnival takes place in summer. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. True

Discussion

  1. What is your favorite type of cake?
  2. What is a holiday tradition in your country?
  3. Have you ever worn a costume for a celebration?
  4. What other holidays do you know of in the U.K?
  5. Have you ever seen the film, Notting Hill?

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