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The origins and meaning of Thanksgiving
*Reading articles in English will help you improve your English reading and writing skills. These articles by Absolute English will also help you learn English vocabulary and phrases to help you improve your fluency. *After reading this article, see the reading comprehension exercises with answers. English Vocabulary:13 words English Level: Intermediate - AdvancedDownload Article and Exercises Sheets - HERE
Article
Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays in the United States and Canada. Unlike many other American holidays, Thanksgiving isn't about gifts, fireworks shows, or games, it’s about being with family, and giving thanks and celebrating your blessings. Christians pray and give thanks to God but many non-Christian Americans celebrate Thanksgiving too. The modern Thanksgiving holiday is based on the Thanksgiving harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims, who were early English settlers. The Pilgrims landed in Plymouth Bay in modern-day Massachusetts in 1620. They celebrated Thanksgiving after their first successful harvest in 1621. That first holiday lasted for three days, and was attended by both Pilgrim settlers and Native Americans and celebrated the friendship between them. During the previous winter, the Pilgrims had struggled to survive. Their crops had died in the sandy soil and they had trouble finding food. The winter in Massachusetts was much harsher than the winters back in England. Half the Pilgrims died and many more were at risk of dying. The local Native Americans provided the Pilgrims with food and supplies during the winter. The next summer, they also taught the Pilgrims several important survival skills, such as how to grow corn and catch eel. This festival marked one of the first friendly exchanges between European settlers and Native Americans. Historically, Thanksgiving was celebrated at a time when most farmers were finished harvesting their crops. They would have a big dinner with their family and closest friends to celebrate their blessings and harvests. President Abraham Lincoln later established the tradition of a national and annual Thanksgiving holiday. While most Americans are no longer farmers, the tradition of celebrating blessings and food remains and the holiday is still held at harvest time, on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.Language Focus
English Vocabulary and Expressions
1. fireworks shows - (noun) a show where fireworks are used - also known as firework displays. Fireworks - explosive rockets that shoot up into the air and explode with loud noises, bright colours and different shapes. They are used at various celebrations and festivals.- We went to see a fireworks display at Halloween.
- To be healthy is a blessing. Good health is something to be thankful for.
- There is always a lot of work to be done during the harvest.
- The settlers treated the natives very badly.
- The strike lasted 5 days.
- The football match lasted 90 minutes.
- The passenger struggled to carry his heavy bags.
- Harvest is the time when the crops are gathered.
- The higher the wind speed, the harsher the sea is during a storm.
- In the army, soldiers must use survival skills they have learned to stay alive in the wild.
- My birthday is an annual event.
- John no longer lives in London, he moved to New York in 2014.
- The concert was held in the stadium.
Practice Exercises in English
Comprehension Questions
Find the answers to these questions in the article.- What is the origin of the modern Thanksgiving holiday?
- What was celebrated at the first Thanksgiving?
- Why did many Pilgrims die in 1620-1621?
- How did the Native Americans help the Pilgrims in Massachusetts?
- Why is Thanksgiving still celebrated every year nationwide in the United States?
Comprehension Questions: True or False?
Say whether the following statements are true or false. If they are false, say why.- Thanksgiving is celebrated all over the world.
- Thanksgiving is a Christian holiday.
- Popular traditions on Thanksgiving include gift giving, firework shows and games.
- The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by English settlers in 1621 because they had a successful harvest that year.
- Because most Americans are no longer farmers, Thanksgiving is no longer celebrated during harvest time.
- Thanksgiving is not celebrated at the same time in Canada and the United States.
Complete the sentences: EXERCISES
Complete these sentences with a highlighted word or phrase from the article.- Our vacation ………... 2 weeks. (had a duration of)
- Frank and Mary are …………….. married. They got divorced last year. (not anymore)
- Many European …………. arrived in America in the 15th century. (people who decide to live in a place)
- Frank the farmer grows ……... such as corn and carrots. (plants grown on a farm)
- Cockroaches can live in ……... environments than humans. (more difficult)
- Children who join the scouts learn a lot of new ……… …….... (things you learn which will help you survive)
- Your children are a ………….. .They bring you a lot of joy. (sth that you are grateful for)
- When John graduated from college during the financial crisis, he …………. to find a job. (found it difficult)
- Our city has a ……….. ………... every New Year’s Eve. (event to celebrate sth with small rockets)
- An example of an …………... holiday is Saint Patrick’s Day. (happens every year)
Download Article and Exercises Sheets - HERE
A Brief History of the Olympics
*Reading articles in English will help you improve your English reading and writing skills. These articles by Absolute English will also help you learn English vocabulary and phrases to help you improve your fluency. *After reading this article, see the reading comprehension exercises with answers.English Vocabulary:24 words English Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Download Reading Exercises Sheets - HERE
Article
There is no such thing as a “brief” history of the Olympics. That's because the Olympics started thousands of years ago in Ancient Greece. Greek city-states used to send athletes to compete against each other with the reputation of the city and its people on the line. These ancient games helped create peace among the cities by bringing people together for friendly competitions. The modern Olympics began in 1896, but the first one was very different to the Olympics we know today. Only 14 countries and 176 athletes, all of them men, competed in the games, which were hosted in Athens. Still, the Olympics were successful and helped to improve cooperation between nations. Just four years later women competed in the 1900 Olympics in Paris. Over time the Olympics grew more popular and more nations started sending competitors. In 1924, the winter Olympics was started. The first winter Olympics was hosted in Chamonix, France. Only 16 nations and 258 athletes participated, competing in just 16 different events. Like the summer Olympics, however, the winter games gradually became more popular. Following World War II, the Olympics became an important part of the Cold War and were vital in maintaining world peace. During the Cold War, the world was divided between communism and capitalism, with the Soviet Union and United States competing intensely with each other. The Olympics were one of the main ways in which these two nations competed. At the same time, many new nations were coming into existence. With the colonial empires of France, the United Kingdom, and others crumbling, new countries were founded. Many of these countries wanted to prove themselves to the world, and the Olympics was one way to do so. From humble beginnings, the Olympic games have evolved into the grandest games on earth. In fact, the Rio Olympics saw 205 countries and over 10,000 athletes competing in 302 separate events. Furthermore, while the Olympics was predominantly hosted by developed countries through much of their modern history, the recent games have been hosted in developing nations, such as Brazil and China. Many up-and-coming nations now view the Olympics as a way to announce their prosperity to the world. Currently, the United States dominates the world stage, and has taken home the most medals in nearly every summer Olympics over the past few decades. During the Beijing Olympics in 2008, China came close to taking home the most medals but couldn't quite beat the United States. Recently, criticism over the costs and burden of the games has increased. Norway pulled out of a winter Olympics bid just a few years ago because its citizens didn't want to deal with the hassle. Meanwhile, the summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro faced many setbacks and challenges. So, what does the future hold for the Olympics? They'll almost certainly continue to be hosted, but given these issues, reform may be inevitable for the games.Language Focus
English Vocabulary and Expressions
- brief - (adj) short, not lasting a long time
- to compete against sb - (verb) to try to be better than someone in sth
- on the line - if sth is “on the line” it means it at risk or in danger of sth bad happening to it
- gradually - (adverb) - slowly, sth happens over time
- the Cold War - war between 1947 and 1991 between US and Soviet Union
- vital - (adj) - essential, absolutely necessary or extremely important
- crumbling - to crumble - (verb) to fall apart or break down - the empires were slowly falling apart or breaking down
- founded - created or established - to found - to create or establish (verb)
- prove themselves to the world - to prove oneself - (reflexive verb) to show your ability in sth to others
- humble beginnings - starting off small or with little money
- grandest - (superlative adj) most magnificent
- furthermore - (adverb) in addition, besides
- predominantly - (adverb) mainly
- Up-and-coming - new and starting to become successful in sth
- prosperity - (noun) state of being successful
- dominates - (verb) has power and influence over
- burden - (noun) responsibility causing worry or distress
- pulled out - (phrasal verb) to withdraw participation in something - decide not to take part in something
- bid - (noun) effort made to try to win (contract) or buy something
- to deal with - (phrasal verb) to handle or cope with something
- hassle - (noun) problem, inconvenience
- meanwhile - (adverb) in the intervening time
- setbacks - (noun) something that reverses progress - a difficulty or problem.
- inevitable - (adj) certain to happen, unavoidable.
Exercises in English
Comprehension Questions Find the answers to these questions in the article.
- Why were the Olympic games invented?
- Why do developing nations like to host the olympics?
- Were the winter olympics an instant success?
- What role did the olympics play in the Cold War?
- What country has had the most success at the olympics?
Comprehension Questions: True or False ? Say whether the following statements are true or false. If they are false, say why.
- Women only recently were allowed to compete in the olympics
- The summer and winter olympics became more popular over time.
- China always win the most medals at the olympic games.
- Norway didn’t host the Olympics because of financial problems
- Developing countries don’t want to host the Olympic Games.
- There were many problems in Rio de Janeiro for the Olympics.
- The Olympic Games are unlikely to change in the future.
Complete the sentences: EXERCISES Complete these sentences with a highlighted word or phrase from the article.
- When I was starting my business I had many …………………(difficulties, problems)
- In the early 1970’s Steven Spielberg was just an …………………. Filmmaker. (new and starting to become successful in sth)
- Ireland is a ………………. Catholic country. (mainly, for the most part)
- Young men often feel they have to ………… ……………. to their friends. (show their ability in sth)
- The 2008 economic crisis in the USA and Europe was ……………. (certain to happen, unavoidable)
- The president’s speech was very ………….(short)
- Mary didn’t change Bank because it was a ……………. (problem, inconvenience)
- Having a mortgage for a house is a big financial ………….. for families. (responsibility causing worry or distress)
- The singer ………… ……… of the music tour due to personal problems. (decide not to take part in something)
- Although he is a billionaire today he came from…………. ………… (a family with little money)