CHAPTER 1 - How Do You Celebrate?

Vocabulary Skill - Prepositions of Time: in, on, at

A. Look at how different prepositions are used with different time expressions.

Use in with months, seasons, years, some parts of the day, and periods of time in the future

Use on with days of the week, specific dates, special days, and other time expressions

Use at with exact times of day

B. Complete the following sentences with in, on, and, at.

1. I have to take my cat to the vet Friday.
2. I have to take my medicine exactly 7:00. Don't let me forget!
3. We need to give him that report February 12.
4. My summer course begins two weeks.
5. I'll meet you at the cafe tonight 7:30.
6. I graduated from university October.
7. I paid a lot of taxes 2006.

C. Now complete these sentences about yourself. Use the correct time expressions.

1. My birthday is
   Answer

   My birthday is in December.

2. I usually go on vacation
   Answer

   I usually go on vacation in July.

3. I usually eat breakfast
   Answer

   I usually eat breakfast at 8 o’clock.

4. I typically go to bed
   Answer

   I typically go to bed at 11 o’clock.

5. ______ New Year's Day I always
   Answer

   On New Year’s Day, I always have lunch with my family.

How Do You Celebrate?

New Year's Day

For many Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, the New Year is based on a lunar calendar.1 The date changes from year to year, but usually falls between January 21 and February 21. It is traditionally seen as a time for family reunions, with people traveling across the country and from overseas. Many people wear red clothes, as it is thought to be a lucky color. They also give "lucky money" in red envelopes to friends and family, and set off firecrackers2 to scare away bad luck.

What's common among these celebrations is the meaning of the new year; it is a time to say goodbye to the past and to think about new beginnings. For example, in Japan, people organize bonenkai parties ("year forgetting parties"), which are dedicated to leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind. In many countries, people make New Year's resolutions-promises to themselves to make changes in their lives over the coming year, such as to lose weight, stop smoking, or learn a new skill.

Carnival

In late February or early March, some countries celebrate a special festival called carnival. Carnival is thought to have originated in Italy or Greece, and was held just before Lent, the 40-day period before Easter3. People dressed in costumes, wore colorful masks, ate, drank, and danced all night. This tradition spread to France, Spain, Portugal, and later to Brazil and the United States.

Now, two of the biggest Carnival celebrations take place in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and New Orleans 1n the United States. There are grand parades where people wear flashy costumes and dance and sing in the streets. In New Orleans, Carnival is known as Mardi Gras. Many roads and shops are shut down for the celebrations which can last for up to three weeks. Millions of visitors travel from around the world to join the party, and many more watch the event on television.