初二年级英语课文 Module 8 Public holidays
Unit 1
Tony: Do you have any plans for the May holiday, Betty?
Betty: My parents and I are going to visit some friends in Shandong Province. And while were staying with them, were going to spend a few days in Qingdao. Well stay there until 5th May.
Daming: Do you celebrate 1st May in the UK, Tony?
Tony: Well, we celebrate May Day, but the holiday is not always on 1st May. Its the closest Monday to 1st May, and we only have one day off.
Betty: In the USA, Labour Day is a national holiday, but on a different date, too. Its on the first Monday in September. And its the last day before the new school year begins.
Lingling: Do you do anything special?
Betty: We go camping or we have a picnic somewhere nice, or go to the beach. But its also the end of the vacation season. When September comes, it starts to get cooler, so after Labour Day we start classes.
Daming: We also go back to school as soon as the May Day holiday is over.
Lingling: True, but our weather gets better, and then we only have a few before the start of the summer holidays.
Betty: Right! So lets enjoy ourselves until we go back to school.
Unit 2
People all over the world celebrate the new year. However, not all countries celebrate in the same way, and in some countries, the new year doesnt begin on the same date every year. It can depend on the moon or the sun.
In many countries, the new year begins on 1st January, but people star celebrating on 31st December , New Years Eve. In New York many people go to celebrate in Times Square. While theyre waiting for the New Year, they listen to music, sing traditional songs and have fun. Just before 12 oclock, everyone counts down from 10:10, 9, 8 As soon as its 12 oclock, everyone shouts very loudly, Happy New Year! and they say, Out with the old year and with the new! suddenly there are fireworks and special drinks. Sometimes people sing an old song called Auld Lang Syne.
New Years Day is often a family day. Some people relax at home. Some families get together for a special meal with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. When the weather is fine, many families go out for a walk.
On New Years Day, many people make resolutions for the new year. They write down a list of things, such as I will help out more at home. I will work harder at school. Or I wont spend so much time playing video games. When they have made their list, they read it to their family or friends and promise to follow their resolutions.
So it doesnt matter how they celebrate, for people in countries all over the world, its a time to say goodbye to the old year, and to welcome the new.