Module 2
Unit 2
Lesson 1
Student’s Book pages 20-21
Customs and traditions
Before you begin
1 What is the polite way to greet people in your country? Do you think this is the same or different from other countries?
Answers
Shaking hands with a smile. Sure it is different from other countries.
The key words
|
The word |
The meaning |
The part of speech |
|
chopsticks |
the two thin sticks you use to eat food in many Asian countries |
Noun |
|
doorbell |
a button outside a house that makes a sound when you push it so that people inside know you are there |
Noun |
|
hostess |
a female person who has invited guests and who provides the food, drinks, etc |
Noun |
|
impolite |
rude, not polite |
Adjective |
|
invitation |
a written or spoken request to someone, inviting them to go somewhere or to do something |
Noun |
|
noodles |
long, thin pieces of food, made from a mixture of four, water and eggs, usually cooked in soup or boiling water |
Noun |
|
offend |
to upset someone by doing or saying something they think is rude |
Verb |
|
shake |
to move suddenly from side to side or up and down |
Verb |
|
tap |
to hit your fingers or an object lightly on something |
Verb |
While reading
Customs and traditions across the world
Every society and culture has its own customs and traditions. When you travel to another country, you should make sure that you know these unwritten ‘rules’ so that you don’t offend anyone.
If someone gives you a present in India, you mustn’t open it in front of the person who has given it to you. You must open it in private.
In many countries around the world, you have to take off your shoes before entering someone’s home.
In Jordan, if you are drinking black coffee with your host, you should show that you have had enough coffee by shaking your cup from side to side. If you would like more coffee, you simply hold out your cup.
In the countryside in Brazil, many homes haven’t got doorbells. So when you visit someone, you must stand outside and clap Customs and traditions across the world your hands. If nobody comes to open the door, you can knock, but you can’t go inside until it is opened. If you are waiting to shake the hand of the Queen of England, you have to wait until she puts out her hand first.
Accepting invitations can be very confusing. If you are invited to a dinner party which starts at seven o’clock, what time should you arrive? In Turkey, you should arrive exactly on time. In Argentina, you should arrive up to an hour late as arriving on time is considered impolite!
In Asia, it’s considered rude to tap your chopsticks against your bowl. You shouldn’t point to someone while holding chopsticks, either.
Even if you’re very hungry and you’re eating a meal in China, you mustn’t finish your food. It’s considered rude because it suggests that you are very hungry and that you haven’t had enough to eat.
You are allowed to eat noodles noisily in Japan – it shows your host or hostess that you are enjoying your meal!
The text talks about:
- Customs and traditions in different countries.
After reading
Mention the countries that are mentioned in the text.
India, Jordan, Brazil, England, Turkey, Argentina, China and Japan.
Why should you make sure that you know these unwritten ‘rules’ when you travel to another country?
When you travel to another country, you should make sure that you know these unwritten ‘rules’ so that you don’t offend anyone.
What does the writer mean by the word unwritten ‘rules’?
He means traditions and customs.
Write the correct word under its picture from the above table.
tap bowl noodles offend doorbell
impolite
Match:
|
Country |
The customs and traditions |
|
1 India
2 Many countries in the world
3 Jordan
4 Brazil
5 England
6 Turkey
7 Argentina
8 Asia
9 China
10 Japan |
a You are allowed to eat noodles noisily
b it’s considered rude to tap your chopsticks against your bowl
c you mustn’t finish your food
d you have to wait until she puts out her hand first
e you have had enough coffee by shaking your cup from side to side
f you must stand outside and clap Customs and traditions across the world your hands
g you should arrive exactly on time
h you should arrive up to an hour late
i If someone gives you a present, you mustn’t open it in front of the person who has given it to you. You must open it in private
j you have to take off your shoes before entering someone’s home |
Answers
1-i
2-j
3-e
4-f
5-d
6-g
7-h
8-b
9-c
10-a
Even if you’re very hungry and you’re eating a meal in China, you mustn’t finish your food. Why?
Because it’s considered rude because it suggests that you are very hungry and that you haven’t had enough to eat.
You are allowed to eat noodles noisily in Japan. Why?
You are allowed to eat noodles noisily in Japan – it shows your host or hostess that you are enjoying your meal!
In Argentina, you should arrive up to an hour late. Why?
As arriving on time is considered impolite!
Write the references of:
So when you visit someone, you must stand outside and clap Customs and traditions across the world your hands. If nobody comes to open the door, you can knock, but you can’t go inside until it is opened.
IT refers to the door.
If someone gives you a present in India, you mustn’t open it in front of the person who has given it to you. You must open it in private.
IT refers to a present.
You are allowed to eat noodles noisily in Japan – it shows your host or hostess that you are enjoying your meal!
IT refers to eating noodles noisily.
Every society and culture has its own customs and traditions. When you travel to another country, you should make sure that you know these unwritten ‘rules’ so that you don’t offend anyone.
ITS refers to every culture/every society.