 Santa Claus (Wave Break Media from Getty Images) Discover the fascinating transformation from Father Christmas to the jolly Santa Claus we know today. Where does Santa Claus truly call home? Journey with us to uncover the legends surrounding his magical residence.
When was the first commercial Christmas card designed? Can you guess who is regarded as 'the father of the American Christmas card'? Share your newfound knowledge and spread the holiday spirit! QUIZ TIME! Multiple-choice test 1. What was the first name used for Father Christmas in a carol from the early 15th century? A. Sir Christmas B. Old Christmas C. Mr Christmas D. Captain Christmas 2. What did the Dutch settlers celebrate that contributed to the American Santa Claus tradition? A. Christmas B. Sinterklaas C. New Year D. Epiphany 3. What was the name of the magazine that featured the first picture of Santa Claus driving a reindeer-pulled sleigh? A. Harper's Magazine B. The Children's Friend C. New Amsterdam D. A Christmas Carol 4. Who is primarily credited with shaping the modern image of Santa Claus? A. American writers and artists B. European folklore C. Traditional Christmas stories D. Children's books 5. Who was responsible for fixing the modern idea of what Santa Claus looks like? A. Clement Clarke Moore B. Thomas Nast C. Charles Dickens D. Mark Twain 6. What was the significant change in the way Father Christmas was depicted after 1850? A. He was depicted with a goat B. He started wearing red robes C. He became associated with reindeer D. He was no longer associated with children 7. What was the real home of Santa Claus claimed by the Finns in 1927? A. New York B. The North Pole C. Lapland D. Myra 8. Who designed the first Christmas card commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in 1843? A. Tom Smith B. Linnie Watts C. Henry Payne John D. John Callcott Horsley 9. What was the price of the Christmas cards that Sir Henry Cole decided to sell? A. One shilling B. Two shillings C. Five pence D. Ten pence 10. Who is regarded as 'the father of the American Christmas card'? A. Clement Clarke Moore B. Louis Prang C. Charles Wesley D. Thomas Nast True-or-false test 1. Santa Claus is originally based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop. True False 2. Clement Clarke Moore's poem, The Night Before Christmas, was the first to mention Santa Claus's reindeer. True False 3. Clement Clarke Moore's poem included the idea of Santa Claus being small enough to fit down a chimney. True False 4. The modern image of Santa Claus is primarily influenced by European writers and artists. True False 5. Thomas Nast was an American cartoonist who influenced the modern image of Santa Claus. True False 6. The transformation of Father Christmas into Santa Claus was complete by the early years of the 20th century. True False 7. The Finns claimed that Santa's real home was in the North Pole. True False 8. The first Christmas card was designed by John Callcott Horsley. True False 9. The first commercial Christmas card was commissioned in London in 1843. True False 10. Louis Prang was responsible for making Christmas cards more affordable in the United States. True False Answers Multiple-choice test 1. A. Sir Christmas 2. B. Sinterklaas 3. B. The Children's Friend 4. A. American writers and artists 5. B. Thomas Nast 6. B. He started wearing red robes 7. C. Lapland 8. D. John Callcott Horsley 9. A. One shilling 10. B. Louis Prang True-or-false test 1. True 2. False 3. True 4. False 5. True 6. True 7. False 8. True 9. True 10. True
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 Christmas tree and decorations (dszc from Getty Images Signature) Learn how the Christmas tree became a symbol of joy and togetherness in the English-speaking world. Explore the tradition of decorating Christmas trees. From candles to dazzling lights, Christmas tree decorations have come a long way. Do you know who introduced the first Christmas tree to the United Kingdom? Have you ever wondered how the Christmas tree became an American holiday staple? Dive into the history of this evergreen tradition — download our PDFs for the full story! QUIZ TIME! Multiple-choice quiz 1. Where did the tradition of decorating Christmas trees first begin? A. Germany B. France C. Italy D. the United States 2. What was the first Christmas tree decoration recorded in Freiburg in 1419? A. Gingerbread B. Tinsel C. Paper ornaments D. Lights 3. Who is typically credited with starting the tradition of decorating Christmas trees? A. Queen Victoria B. Martin Luther C. Prince Albert D. Queen Charlotte 4. In which century did the tradition of the Christmas tree, as we know it today, start? A. 15th century B. 16th century C. 17th century D. 18th century 5. What did Martin Luther decorate the tree with to recreate the beauty he saw? A. Tinsel and ornaments B. Ribbon garlands C. Lit candles D. Fruits and nuts 6. Which royal figure is claimed to have introduced the first Christmas tree to Britain? A. Queen Victoria B. Prince Albert C. Queen Charlotte D. King George III 7. What did the first Christmas tree in Britain spark among the nobility? A. A new holiday B. A new tradition C. A new decorating idea D. A new royal decree 8. Who popularized the Christmas tree tradition in the English-speaking world? A. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert B. King George III and Queen Charlotte C. FW Woolworth D. Martin Luther 9. What helped Christmas trees become more popular in the United States? A. Royal family gatherings B. Pagan rituals C. Illustrated London News images D. Christmas carols 10. What is the name of the famous Christmas tree in New York City? A. Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree B. London Christmas Tree C. Times Square Christmas Tree D. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Get the answers here. True-or-false test 1. The tradition of bringing evergreens into the home during the winter solstice dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome. True False 2. Martin Luther is credited with starting the tradition of decorating Christmas trees. True False 3. Queen Victoria was the first to introduce Christmas trees to Britain. True False 4. Queen Charlotte introduced the first Christmas tree to Britain after marrying King George III. True False 5. The first Christmas trees were decorated in France. True False 6. The first Christmas trees were decorated in Germany in the 19th century. True False 7. The first Christmas trees were decorated with glass baubles in the 16th century. True False 8. The use of glass baubles for Christmas tree decorations dates back to the mid-19th century. True False 9. Christmas trees were widely accepted in the United States from the beginning due to their popularity. True False 10. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is located in New York City. True False The answers can be accessed via Google Drive. Click to download immediately.
 Charles Dickens' Scrooge Man (Ysbrand Cosijn Images) Craving some Christmas cheer? Charles Dickens’ stories brought joy, laughter, and a little ghostly mischief to the holiday season. Dickens turned Christmas into an occasion for family, feast, and festivity. Want to know how he did it? Let’s explore the Christmas traditions inspired by his work. Join us on a Victorian adventure and learn how Christmas as we know it came to be. Check out our quizzes! Click on the button at the end to download the PDFs, with and without key. QUIZ TIME! Multiple-choice test 1. What is the title of Dickens' most popular work related to Christmas? A. David Copperfield B. Oliver Twist C. Great Expectations D. A Christmas Carol 2. What was the condition of Christmas celebrations in Britain at the start of the 19th century? A. Widely celebrated B. Rarely celebrated C. A public holiday D. A time for family gatherings 3. What was Christmas treated like for most people in Britain at the start of the 19th century? A. A festive holiday B. Another average working day C. A time for family gatherings D. A day for charity 4. What inspired Dickens to write A Christmas Carol? A. His childhood memories B. His love for Christmas C. An 1843 parliamentary report on child labor D. A dream he had 5. What did Dickens aim to highlight through A Christmas Carol? A. The joy of wealth B. The conditions of the poor C. The importance of consumerism D. The celebration of Christmas traditions 6. What did Dickens' novella help to boost during the Victorian era? A. Interest in Christmas B. Interest in wealth C. Interest in factories D. Interest in urbanization 7. What is one of the Christmas traditions mentioned in A Christmas Carol? A. Lighting fireworks B. Hanging stockings C. Building snowmen D. Singing Christmas carols 8. Who visited Scrooge on Christmas Eve? A. The Ghost of Christmas Past B. The Ghost of Christmas Present C. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come D. All of the above 9. What did Scrooge do after his transformation on Christmas Day? A. He continued to be greedy B. He moved to a different city C. He donated to charity D. He ignored his family 10. What is the main message of A Christmas Carol? A. The joy of wealth B. The importance of family and goodwill C. The significance of consumerism D. The celebration of Christmas traditions Get the answers here. True-or-false test 1. Charles Dickens invented Christmas as we know it today. True False 2. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol to promote materialism during the festive season. True False 3. Christmas was rarely celebrated in Britain at the start of the 19th century. True False 4. A Christmas Carol was published in 1843. True False 5. Throughout the novella, Ebenezer Scrooge is portrayed as a generous and kind man. True False 6. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol to draw attention to the conditions suffered by the wealthy in society. True False 7. Dickens' writings helped to boost interest in Christmas during the Victorian era. True False 8. A Christmas Carol focuses on the importance of wealth and materialism during Christmas. True False 9. Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol after reading a report about child labor and the poor working conditions in factories in the United Kingdom. True False 10. The introduction of paid leave for Christmas was influenced by A Christmas Carol. True False The answers can be accessed via Google Drive. Click to download immediately.
 A living room decorated for Christmas (Yuganov Konstantin from Shutterstock) Christmas traditions often vary from culture to culture, but they commonly include festive activities such as decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and attending religious services. Some families have unique traditions that have been passed down through generations, like baking special holiday cookies, singing carols, or participating in charitable activities to help those in need. The atmosphere created by these traditions and decorations contributes to the joy and warmth of the Christmas season. How much do you know about Christmas? Let's find out. It is time to put your Christmas knowledge to the test. Click on the button at the end to download the PDFs, with and without key. QUIZ TIME! Multiple-choice test 1. What was the primary association of Christmas for most of its history? A. Giving gifts B. Celebrating with family C. Feasting D. Religious observance 2. What ancient civilizations had the tradition of bringing evergreens into the home during the winter solstice? A. Ancient Egypt and Greece B. Ancient Egypt and Rome C. Ancient Rome and Persia D. Ancient Greece and Persia 3. What do holly and ivy symbolize in relation to winter and spring? A. Fertility and love B. Death and destruction C. Wealth and prosperity D. Luck and renewal 4. What was the purpose of bringing holly into the home during the winter months? A. To attract fairies B. To ward off evil spirits C. To celebrate Christmas D. To decorate for spring 5. What symbolized new life at the darkest part of the year in Christmas decorations? A. Holly and ivy B. Christmas trees C. Glass baubles D. Tinsel 6. What type of ornaments were originally used to decorate Christmas trees? A. Edible items B. Tinsel C. Glass baubles D. Plastic ornaments 7. What type of lights were first attached to Christmas trees? A. Fairy lights B. Electric lights C. Candles D. LED lights 8. What was the first type of tinsel made from? A. Plastic B. Tin foil C. Leftover metal shavings D. Glass 9. What type of Christmas tree decorations became popular in the 19th century? A. Plastic ornaments B. Glass baubles C. Tinsel D. Candles 10. What did the decorations on Christmas trees evolve to include in the 19th century? A. Only edible items B. Angels and the star C. Only lights D. Only tinsel Get the answers here. True-or-false test 1. The custom of giving presents at Christmas was established in the 4th century. True False 2. Evergreen plants like holly and ivy were brought indoors during the winter because they were believed to bring luck and assure the return of spring. True False 3. The custom of leaving gifts for children in hung-up stockings is linked to the feast of St. Nicholas. True False 4. The custom of hanging stockings for gifts became popular in the mid-19th century. True False 5. The first decorations on Christmas trees were primarily made of non-edible items. True False 6. Tinsel was originally made from leftover metal shavings. True False 7. The first lights attached to Christmas trees were electric lights. True False 8. The Christmas tree tradition originated in America. True False 9. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees became popular in Britain and America in the mid-19th century. True False 10. The German Christmas tree tradition was popularized in the English-speaking world by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. True False The answers can be accessed via Google Drive. Click to download immediately.
 In this lesson, we will focus on English for describing festivals, more specifically, New Year.
Let's look at how people in Sydney, London and New York City celebrate the New Year. There is a list of useful vocabulary below each text and example sentences to help you remember the words. New Year in Sydney People in Sydney welcome the new year with spectacular fireworks at Sydney Harbour. They can watch the fireworks from various public viewing areas. Some of the vantage points are free of charge while others require you to get a ticket. In Sydney, they have a special event programme which starts with a pre-show entertainment at 6 p.m. This includes aerial and water displays. At 9 p.m. there is 'Family fireworks' for families with younger children. After that, it's the Harbour of Light Parade with illuminated vessels gliding across the water. Finally, at midnight, there's a fireworks display which lasts for about 15 minutes. New Year's Eve in Sydney is considered to be one of the best celebrations in the world and that's a special event for many tourists who have it on their bucket list and travel long distances to be there. VOCABULARY
Examples:
New Year in London Before 2014 people could attend London New Year's Eve fireworks display for free, but it has been ticketed ever since. If you miss the chance to buy a ticket, you can watch the event live on television. Even if you can't get a ticket for New Year's Eve fireworks, don't get your plans fizzle out. There are still loads of other ways to celebrate the beginning of the new year. For example, you can see London light up at midnight from the river on a New Year's Eve fireworks cruise or you can watch the fireworks at a restaurant with an amazing view. You can welcome the new year at a party or in a club. There are various New Year's Eve parties in London and lots of things to do on New Year's Day. Central London is typically busy at this time of year, so people need to plan ahead how they are going to get around and what kind of public transport they are going to use. People can start off the new year with a New Year's Day Parade which takes place in central London. You can go shopping to pick up some bargains in the January sales or tick off some of London top attractions. VOCABULARY
Examples:
New Year in New York City As you may probably know, NYC's biggest celebration takes place in Times Square. Interestingly, this special event first began in 1904 with a fireworks display set off from the roof of the New York Times Building at midnight. Nowadays, revellers start arriving in Times Square late in the afternoon at about 3 p.m. They gather in separate viewing sections. When one section fills up, people are directed by police to the next one. The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with the lighting and raising of the New Year's Eve Ball. It is located on the roof of One Times Square and is referred as the ball drop. There are hours of live entertainment, including performances by famous singers, confetti release and colourful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. The Ball leads the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year. At the stroke of midnight, the lights on the New Year's Eve Ball are turned off and a sign shows up greeting people for the New Year. There is confetti release throughout Times Square accompanied by colourful fireworks which last for about 15 minutes. VOCABULARY
Examples:
English Collocations with YEAR last | past Examples:
coming | future Examples:
all year long | all year round | early/late in the year | a time of year Examples:
Answer the following questions in the comment section below! TASK:
Other lessons: English Conversation: Travel opinions English Conversation: Travel experience English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English Some of our IELTS lessons: Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English IELTS Speaking Test: Places That Tourists Visit and Being a Tourist (We give answers to six questions from Part 3 of the speaking test.) Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! |
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