Christmas · Worksheet C1
Read the passage and answer the questions. (CEFR B1–B2)
1It may be hard to believe, but Christmas was once illegal in parts of the English-speaking world. In the 1640s, Puritan leaders in Scotland and England banned it. They argued that the Bible never mentions the date and that the festival had become an excuse for heavy drinking and disorder. In Boston, from 1659 to 1681, anyone caught celebrating could be fined five shillings.
2The quiet, family-centered Christmas many people imagine today was largely shaped in the nineteenth century. Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, linked the season with generosity. Printed cards, decorated trees, and a cheerful Santa Claus spread through newspapers and magazines. By 1870, the holiday that Boston had once punished was a federal holiday across the United States.
3Since then, the holiday has kept changing as it travels to new places, from Manila to Tokyo. Advertisers have helped define what Santa looks like, and in many countries the weeks before Christmas are the busiest shopping season of the year. Some people complain that the religious meaning has been lost, while others see the mix of faith, family, and business as part of what keeps Christmas alive.
What is the main idea of the passage?
Why did Puritan leaders ban Christmas in the 1640s?
According to the passage, what was true by 1870?
What can we infer from the phrase "the holiday that Boston had once punished"?
In paragraph 2, the word "generosity" is closest in meaning to
Why does the writer mention places such as Manila and Tokyo in the last paragraph?
Christmas · Worksheet C2
Match the words with the definitions. Then rewrite and summarize.
1. “It may be hard to believe, but Christmas was once illegal in parts of the English-speaking world.”
Hint: Start with "You may not believe it, but" and change "illegal" to "against the law". Use "some English-speaking places".2. “The quiet, family-centered Christmas many people imagine today was largely shaped in the nineteenth century.”
Hint: Start with "Most of the ideas" and use "come from the 1800s".3. “Some people complain that the religious meaning has been lost, while others see the mix of faith, family, and business as part of what keeps Christmas alive.”
Hint: Split it into two sentences. Use "Some people are unhappy because" and "But other people think".Summarize the passage in about 50 words.
Christmas · Worksheet C3
Prepare for a debate. Then write your opinion (100–150 words).
Add your own reason:
Add your own reason:
| Opinion | I believe / I think that … |
|---|---|
| Reason 1 | First, … For example, … |
| Reason 2 | Second, … In fact, … |
| Counter | Some people say … However, … |
| Conclusion | In conclusion, … |