131220-happy-holidays

www. Breaking News English .
com
Ready-to-Use English Lessons by Sean Banville
“1,000 IDEAS & ACTIVITIES Thousands more free lessons

FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS” from Sean's other websites
www.breakingnewsenglish.com/book.html www.freeeslmaterials.com/sean_banville_lessons.html
Level 3
Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.
20th December, 2013
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1312/131220-happy-holidays.html
Contents
The Article 2 Discussion (Student-Created Qs) 14
Warm-Ups 3 Language Work (Cloze) 15
Before Reading / Listening 4 Spelling 16
While Reading / Listening 5 Put The Text Back Together 17
Match The Sentences And Listen 6 Put The Words In The Right Order 18
Listening Gap Fill 7 Circle The Correct Word 19
Comprehension Questions 8 Insert The Vowels (a, e, i, o, u) 20
Multiple Choice - Quiz 9 Punctuate The Text And Add Capitals 21
Role Play 10 Put A Slash ( / ) Where The Spaces Are 22
After Reading / Listening 11 Free Writing 23
Student Survey 12 Academic Writing 24
Discussion (20 Questions) 13 Homework 25
Answers 26
Please try Levels 0, 1 and 2 (they are easier).
Twitter twitter.com/SeanBanville
Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/BreakingNewsEnglish/155625444452176
Google + plus.google.com/110990608764591804698/posts
THE ARTICLE
From http://www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com/1312/131220-happy-holidays.html
A new report says Christmas in the USA is becoming less religious. Nine
out of ten Americans celebrate Christmas, but only about half think it is a
religious holiday. The report is from the Pew Research Center. It asked
2,001 adults about their opinions on Christmas. Just over half of those
questioned thought Christmas was a religious celebration, while 32 per
cent said it was, "more of a cultural holiday". Greg Smith from Pew
Research said: "Younger adults are less likely than older adults to see
Christmas as a religious rather than cultural holiday. They're less likely to
say they will attend [church at] Christmas…and they are less likely to
believe in the virgin birth."
People are also changing what they say to each other at Christmas and
what they write in cards. More and more people are choosing to say
"Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". This is because there are
also non-Christian holidays happening around the same time as
Christmas. Many people want to include all holidays in their holiday
wishes. The research also found that 79 per cent of Americans will watch
a Christmas movie, but only 59 per cent will go to church. Just 36 per
cent will read the Christmas story in the Bible. The average amount of
money people spend on Christmas is $914. Ten per cent of Americans
spend over $2,000. People most look forward to spending time with their
family.
Sources: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/poll-christmas-is-a-commercial-holiday-not-a-
sacred-holy-day-for-many/2013/12/17/e07cd7fa-672e-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/18/christmas-non-religious_n_4453828.html
Level 3 Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.– 20th December, 2013

More free lessons at www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com - Copyright Sean Banville 2013 2
WARM-UPS
1. CHRISTMAS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about
Christmas. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are
most interesting and which are most boring.
report / religious / celebrate / holiday / opinions / questioned / adults / attend church /

changing / Merry Christmas / non-Christian holidays / wish / average / look forward to
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CELEBRATE: What's the best way to celebrate? Complete this table with your
partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.
What do you do now? What would you really like to do?
People
Presents
Food
Clothes
Parties
Words
4. MERRY CHRISTMAS: Students A strongly believe saying "Merry Christmas"

is better than saying "Happy Holidays"; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change
partners again and talk about your conversations.
5. PRESENTS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the (same-
price) presents you'd want most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
• iPad • expensive meal

• clothes • sports equipment
• books • a painting
• jewellery • chocolate
6. RELIGIOUS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you
associate with the word "religious". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about
them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
a. A new report say 80% per cent of Americans celebrate Christmas. T/F
b. A research company asked over 20,000 people about Christmas. T/F
c. Older people are more likely to see the religious side to Christmas. T/F
d. Older people are more likely to do to church than younger people. T/F
e. More people are saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". T/F
f. Over 80% of Americans will watch a Christmas movie. T/F
g. More than 40% of Americans will read the Bible's Christmas story. T/F
h. People look forward to spending time with family most. T/F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1. report a. rather than
2 half b. probable
3. opinions c. opting
4. likely d. study
5. attend e. discovered
6. choosing f. thoughts
7. instead of g. total
8. happening h. be present at
9. found i. taking place
10. amount j. fifty per cent
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1. Nine out of a. church

2 Just over half of b. to say "Happy Holidays"
3. see Christmas as a religious rather c. in the virgin birth
4. They're less likely to say they will attend d. they say to each other
5. they are less likely to believe e. money people spend
6. People are also changing what f. than cultural holiday
7. more people are choosing g. time with their family
8. happening around the same h. those questioned
9. The average amount of i. time as Christmas
10. look forward to spending j. ten Americans celebrate

GAP FILL
A new report says Christmas in the USA is becoming less religious. likely
Nine (1) ____________ of ten Americans celebrate Christmas, but half

only about half think it is a religious holiday. The report is from
birth
the Pew Research Center. It asked 2,001 (2) ____________ about
out
their opinions on Christmas. Just over (3) ____________ of those
questioned thought Christmas was a religious celebration, while 32 attend
per cent said it was, "more of a (4) ____________ holiday". Greg adults
Smith from Pew Research said: "Younger adults are less
rather
(5) ____________ than older adults to see Christmas as a
cultural
religious (6) ____________ than cultural holiday. They're less
likely to say they will (7) ____________ [church at]
Christmas…and they are less likely to believe in the virgin
(8) ____________."
People are also (9) ____________ what they say to each other at wishes
Christmas and what they write in cards. More and average

(10) ____________ people are choosing to say "Happy Holidays"
more
(11) ____________ of "Merry Christmas". This is because there
around
are also non-Christian holidays happening (12) ____________ the
same time as Christmas. Many people want to include all holidays forward
in their holiday (13) ____________. The research also found that changing
79 per cent of Americans will watch a Christmas movie, but only
church
59 per cent will go to (14) ____________. Just 36 per cent will
instead
read the Christmas story in the Bible. The (15) ____________
amount of money people spend on Christmas is $914. Ten per
cent of Americans spend over $2,000. People most look
(16) ____________ to spending time with their family.

LISTENING – Guess the answers. Listen to check.
1) Nine out of ten Americans celebrate

a. celebrates
b. celebrated
c. celebrate
d. celebrating
2) It asked 2,001 adults about their ______ Christmas
a. opinions on
b. opinion on
c. opinion son
d. opinions son
3) Just over half of ______
a. those questions
b. these questioned
c. them questioned
d. those questioned
4) They're less likely to say they will ______
a. attendant church
b. attends church
c. attending church
d. attend church
5) they are less likely to believe in ______
a. the virgin birthday
b. the virgin birth
c. the virgin birthed
d. the virgin birthing
6) changing what they say to each other at Christmas and what they ______
a. write in cards
b. writing cards
c. writing in cards
d. right in cards
7) This is because there are also non-______
a. Christianity holiday
b. Christians holidays
c. Christian holidays
d. Christian holiday
8) Many people want to include all holidays in their ______
a. holiday wish lists
b. holiday wish is
c. holiday wishes
d. holiday wishful
9) Ten per cent of Americans ______
a. spent over $2,000
b. spend over $2,000
c. spends over $2,000
d. spending over $2,000
10) People most look forward to spending time ______
a. with their family
b. with there family
c. with they're family
d. with that family

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
A new report says Christmas in the USA is becoming less religious.
(1) ___________________ Americans celebrate Christmas, but only about
half think it is a religious holiday. The (2) ___________________ Pew
Research Center. It asked 2,001 adults (3) ___________________ on
Christmas. Just over half of those questioned thought Christmas was a
religious celebration, while 32 per cent said it was, "(4)
___________________ holiday". Greg Smith from Pew Research said:
"Younger adults are less likely than older adults to see Christmas (5)
___________________ rather than cultural holiday. They're less likely to
say they will attend [church at] Christmas…and they are less (6)
___________________ in the virgin birth."
People are also changing what they (7) ___________________ at Christmas
and what they write in cards. More and more people are choosing to say
"Happy Holidays" (8) ___________________ Christmas". This is because
there are also non-Christian holidays (9) ___________________ same time
as Christmas. Many people want to include all holidays in their holiday
wishes. The research (10) ___________________ 79 per cent of Americans
will watch a Christmas movie, but only 59 per cent will go to church. Just 36
per cent will read the Christmas story in the Bible.
(11) ___________________ of money people spend on Christmas is $914.
Ten per cent of Americans spend over $2,000. People most look forward to
(12) ___________________ their family.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. How many Americans celebrate Christmas?
2. How many Americans believe Christmas is a religious holiday?
3. How many people answered questions about Christmas?
4. Who was more likely to think of Christmas as a religious holiday?
5. Who are less likely to go to church at Christmas time?
6. What are more and more people changing?
7. What else happens around the same time as Christmas?
8. What will 79% of Americans watch this Christmas?
9. Who spends more than $2,000 on Christmas?
10. What do Americans look forward to most about Christmas?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1. How many Americans celebrate 6. What are more and more people
Christmas? changing?
a) ten out of ten a) their Christmas greetings

b) nine out of ten b) the presents they buy
c) nine into ten c) when they celebrate Christmas
d) ten out of nine d) Christmas food
2. How many Americans believe 7. What else happens around the same
Christmas is a religious holiday? time as Christmas?
a) a third a) holiday wishes

b) 89% b) shopping
c) three-quarters c) non-Christian holidays
d) half d) skiing
3. How many people answered questions 8. What will 79% of Americans watch this
about Christmas? Christmas?
a) 2,001 a) a movie
b) 1,002 b) the sun rise
c) 21,000 c) their weight
d) 2,100 d) how much they spend
4. Who was more likely to think of 9. Who spends more than $2,000 on
Christmas as a religious holiday? Christmas?
a) younger adults a) 10% of Americans

b) non-Christians b) 20% of Americans
c) older adults c) the average American
d) children d) Most Americans
5. Who are less likely to go to church at 10. What do Americans look forward to
Christmas time? most about Christmas?
a) Americans a) not working

b) younger people b) eating
c) those questioned c) presents
d) Christians d) family time

ROLE PLAY
Role A – iPad
You think an iPad is the best present for your class to buy your
teacher. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things
that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which is
the worst of these (and why): a restaurant meal, chocolates or
an iTunes voucher.
Role B – Restaurant meal

You think a restaurant meal is the best present for your class
to buy your teacher. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell
them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the
others which is the worst of these (and why): iPad, chocolates
or an iTunes voucher.
Role C – Chocolates
You think chocolates are the best present for your class to buy
your teacher. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them
things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others
which is the worst of these (and why): a restaurant meal, iPad
or an iTunes voucher.
Role D – iTunes voucher

You think an iTunes voucher is the best present for your class
to buy your teacher. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell
them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the
others which is the worst of these (and why): a restaurant
meal, chocolates or iPad.

AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates,

other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'happy' and
'Christmas'.
happy Christmas
• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down

some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.
• Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.
3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise.

Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new,
interesting, worth learning…?
4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups,

pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.
5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try
to recall how they were used in the text:
• ten • say
• opinions • instead
• 32 • same
• younger • 79
• attend • 36
• believe • 914

CHRISTMAS SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about Christmas in the table. Do this in pairs. Each
student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.
STUDENT 1 STUDENT 2 STUDENT 3
_____________ _____________ _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.
• Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found
out. Change partners often.
• Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

CHRISTMAS DISCUSSION
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
a) What did you think when you read the headline?

b) What springs to mind when you hear the word 'Christmas'?
c) What do you do at Christmas?
d) Why is Christmas becoming less religious in America?
e) Do you like Christmas?
f) Why do many people get stressed at Christmas?
g) How should a very traditional Christmas be spent?
h) Have your feelings towards Xmas changed since you were a child?
i) Is Christmas too commercial nowadays?
j) Should people go to church at Christmas?
Christmas becoming less religious in U.S. – 20th December, 2013

More free lessons at www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISTMAS DISCUSSION
STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
a) Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b) Is Christmas the same today as it was 100 years ago?
c) Do you think Christmas is the best holiday of the year?
d) What do you want for Christmas?
e) What is your favourite Christmas song?
f) Is Christmas better in the cold Northern Hemisphere or on a beach in
the Southern Hemisphere?
g) How important is it to celebrate occasions from other religions?
h) Would you like to spend Christmas in another country?
i) Is it OK to spend a lot of money on Christmas?
j) What questions would you like to ask the head of Pew Research?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
Copyright © www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com 2013
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE
A new report says Christmas in the USA is becoming less religious. Nine (1) ____ of
ten Americans celebrate Christmas, but only about (2) ____ think it is a religious
holiday. The report is from the Pew Research Center. It asked 2,001 adults about
their opinions on Christmas. Just (3) ____ half of those questioned thought
Christmas was a religious celebration, while 32 per cent said it was, "more (4) ____
a cultural holiday". Greg Smith from Pew Research said: "Younger adults are less
likely than older adults to (5) ____ Christmas as a religious rather than cultural
holiday. They're less likely to say they will attend [church at] Christmas…and they
are less likely to believe (6) ____ the virgin birth."
People are also changing what they say to each (7) ____ at Christmas and what
they write in cards. More and more people are (8) ____ to say "Happy Holidays"
instead of "Merry Christmas". This is because there are also non-Christian holidays
happening around the same time as Christmas. Many people want to (9) ____ all
holidays in their holiday (10) ____. The research also found that 79 per cent of
Americans will watch a Christmas movie, but only 59 per cent will go to church.
Just 36 per cent will read the Christmas story in the Bible. The average (11) ____
of money people spend on Christmas is $914. Ten per cent of Americans spend
over $2,000. People most look forward to (12) ____ time with their family.
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1. (a) for (b) as (c) from (d) out
2. (a) halve (b) halves (c) halved (d) half
3. (a) more (b) over (c) than (d) exactly
4. (a) to (b) by (c) of (d) from
5. (a) speak (b) happen (c) see (d) do
6. (a) in (b) at (c) on (d) of
7. (a) another (b) other (c) others (d) the others
8. (a) choosing (b) choice (c) chosen (d) chose
9. (a) put in (b) include (c) insert (d) invite
10. (a) wish list (b) wishful (c) wishes (d) wished
11. (a) volume (b) stack (c) amount (d) pile
12. (a) spender (b) spends (c) spent (d) spending

SPELLING
Paragraph 1
1. eaeebtrlc Christmas
2. about their nopisoni on Christmas
3. Just over half of those unoteidesq
4. more of a latulucr holiday
5. less eyklil
6. older atdsul
Paragraph 2
7. hgancnig what they say to each other
8. holidays gpnaihpne around the same time
9. dlcienu all holidays
10. holiday ehwsis
11. The aagvree amount of money
12. look wdfaror to

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( ) Christmas, but only about half think it is a religious holiday. The

report is from the Pew Research Center. It asked
( ) People are also changing what they say to each other at Christmas
and what they write in
( ) $914. Ten per cent of Americans spend over $2,000. People most
look forward to spending time with their family.
( ) read the Christmas story in the Bible. The average amount of

money people spend on Christmas is
( ) are also non-Christian holidays happening around the same time as

Christmas. Many people want to
( 1 ) A new report says Christmas in the USA is becoming less religious.

Nine out of ten Americans celebrate
( ) questioned thought Christmas was a religious celebration, while 32

per cent said it was, "more
( ) cards. More and more people are choosing to say "Happy Holidays"
instead of "Merry Christmas". This is because there
( ) attend [church at] Christmas…and they are less likely to believe in

the virgin birth."
( ) of Americans will watch a Christmas movie, but only 59 per cent

will go to church. Just 36 per cent will
( ) of a cultural holiday". Greg Smith from Pew Research said:

"Younger adults are less
( ) likely than older adults to see Christmas as a religious rather than

cultural holiday. They're less likely to say they will
( ) 2,001 adults about their opinions on Christmas. Just over half of

those
( ) include all holidays in their holiday wishes. The research also found
that 79 per cent

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
1. celebrate ten out Christmas Americans of Nine.
2. adults opinions asked 001 their It , about 2.
3. per 32 holiday cultural a of more was it said cent.
4. than adults older are adults less likely Younger.
5. birth They are less likely to believe in the virgin.
6. to each other People are also changing what they say.
7. the Christian around time - happening same Non holidays.
8. the per read story 36 will Christmas Just cent.
9. spend people money of amount average The.
10. with forward their to family spending time Look.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
A new report says Christmas in the USA is become / becoming less religious.
Nine out of ten Americans celebrations / celebrate Christmas, but only about
half / halve think it is a religious holiday. The report is from the Pew
Research Center. It asked 2,001 adults about their / they're opinions on
Christmas. Just over half of them / those questioned thought Christmas was
a religiously / religious celebration, while 32 per cent said it was, "most /
more of a cultural holiday". Greg Smith from Pew Research said: "Younger
adults are less liken / likely than older adults to see Christmas as a religious
rather than cultural holiday. They're less likely to say they will attendance /
attend [church at] Christmas…and they are less likely to believe in / on the
virgin birth."
People are also changing what they / these say to each other at / by
Christmas and what they write in card / cards. More and more people are
choosing to say "Happy Holidays" instead / rather of "Merry Christmas". This
is because there are also non-Christian holidays happening / happened
around the same time as Christmas. Many people want to inclusive / include
all holidays in their holiday wishful / wishes. The research also found that 79
per cent of Americans will watch a Christmas movie, but only 59 per cent
will go to / for church. Just 36 per cent will read the Christmas story in the
Bible. The average volume / amount of money people spend on Christmas is
$914. Ten per cent of Americans spend over $2,000. People most look
forward to spending / spent time with their family.
Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and
why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)
_ n_ w r_ p_ rt s_ ys Chr_ stm_ s _ n th_ _ S_ _ s b_ c_ m_ ng

l_ ss r_ l_ g_ _ _ s. N_ n_ _ _ t _ f t_ n _ m_ r_ c_ ns c_ l_ br_ t_
Chr_ stm_ s, b_ t _ nly _ b_ _ t h_ lf th_ nk _ t _ s _ r_ l_ g_ _ _ s
h_ l_ d_ y. Th_ r_ p_ rt _ s fr_ m th_ P_ w R_ s_ _ rch C_ nt_ r.
_t _ sk_ d 2,001 _ d_ lts _ b_ _ t th_ _ r _ p_ n_ _ ns _n
Chr_ stm_ s. J_ st _ v_ r h_ lf _ f th_ s_ q_ _ st_ _ n_ d th_ _ ght
Chr_ stm_ s w_ s _ r_ l_ g_ _ _ s c_ l_ br_ t_ _ n, wh_ l_ 32 p_ r
c_ nt s_ _ d _ t w_ s, "m_ r_ _ f _ c_ lt_ r_ l h_ l_ d_ y". Gr_ g
Sm_ th fr_ m P_ w R_ s_ _ rch s_ _ d: "Y_ _ ng_ r _ d_ lts _ r_
l_ ss l_ k_ ly th_ n _ ld_ r _ d_ lts t_ s_ _ Chr_ stm_ s _s _
r_ l_ g_ _ _ s r_ th_ r th_ n c_ lt_ r_ l h_ l_ d_ y. Th_ y'r_ l_ ss
l_ k_ ly t_ s_ y th_ y w_ ll _ tt_ nd [ch_ rch _ t]
Chr_ stm_ s…_ nd th_ y _ r_ l_ ss l_ k_ ly t_ b_ l_ _ v_ _ n th_
v_ rg_ n b_ rth."
P_ _ pl_ _ r_ _ ls_ ch_ ng_ ng wh_ t th_ y s_ y t_ _ _ ch _ th_ r

_ t Chr_ stm_ s _ nd wh_ t th_ y wr_ t_ _ n c_ rds. M_ r_ _ nd
m_ r_ p_ _ pl_ _ r_ ch_ _ s_ ng t_ s_ y "H_ ppy H_ l_ d_ ys"
_ nst_ _ d _ f "M_ rry Chr_ stm_ s". Th_ s _ s b_ c_ _ s_ th_ r_
_ r_ _ ls_ n_ n-Chr_ st_ _ n h_ l_ d_ ys h_ pp_ n_ ng _ r_ _ nd
th_ s_ m_ t_ m_ _s Chr_ stm_ s. M_ ny p_ _ pl_ w_ nt t_
_ ncl_ d_ _ ll h_ l_ d_ ys _n th_ _ r h_ l_ d_ y w_ sh_ s. Th_
r_ s_ _ rch _ ls_ f_ _ nd th_ t 79 p_ r c_ nt _ f _ m_ r_ c_ ns w_ ll
w_ tch _ Chr_ stm_ s m_ v_ _ , b_ t _ nly 59 p_ r c_ nt w_ ll g_
t_ ch_ rch. J_ st 36 p_ r c_ nt w_ ll r_ _ d th_ Chr_ stm_ s
st_ ry _n th_ B_ bl_ . Th_ _ v_ r_ g_ _ m_ _ nt _f m_ n_ y
p_ _ pl_ sp_ nd _ n Chr_ stm_ s _ s $914. T_ n p_ r c_ nt _ f
_ m_ r_ c_ ns sp_ nd _ v_ r $2,000. P_ _ pl_ m_ st l_ _ k
f_ rw_ rd t_ sp_ nd_ ng t_ m_ w_ th th_ _ r f_ m_ ly.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS
a new report says christmas in the usa is becoming less religious nine out of
ten americans celebrate christmas but only about half think it is a religious
holiday the report is from the pew research center it asked 2001 adults
about their opinions on christmas just over half of those questioned thought
christmas was a religious celebration while 32 per cent said it was "more of
a cultural holiday" greg smith from pew research said "younger adults are
less likely than older adults to see christmas as a religious rather than
cultural holiday they're less likely to say they will attend [church at]
christmas…and they are less likely to believe in the virgin birth"
people are also changing what they say to each other at christmas and what
they write in cards more and more people are choosing to say "happy
holidays" instead of "merry christmas" this is because there are also non-
christian holidays happening around the same time as christmas many
people want to include all holidays in their holiday wishes the research also
found that 79 per cent of americans will watch a christmas movie but only
59 per cent will go to church just 36 per cent will read the christmas story in
the bible the average amount of money people spend on christmas is $914
ten per cent of americans spend over $2000 people most look forward to
spending time with their family

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE
AnewreportsaysChristmasintheUSAisbecominglessreligious.Nin
eoutoftenAmericanscelebrateChristmas,butonlyabouthalfthinkit
isareligiousholiday.ThereportisfromthePewResearchCenter.Itas
ked2,001adultsabouttheiropinionsonChristmas.Justoverhalfofth
osequestionedthoughtChristmaswasareligiouscelebration,while
32percentsaiditwas,"moreofaculturalholiday".GregSmithfromPe
wResearchsaid:"Youngeradultsarelesslikelythanolderadultstose
eChristmasasareligiousratherthanculturalholiday.They'relesslik
elytosaytheywillattend[churchat]Christmas…andtheyarelesslike
lytobelieveinthevirginbirth."Peoplearealsochangingwhattheysay
toeachotheratChristmasandwhattheywriteincards.Moreandmor
epeoplearechoosingtosay"HappyHolidays"insteadof"MerryChris
tmas".Thisisbecausetherearealsonon-Christianholidayshappen
ingaroundthesametimeasChristmas.Manypeoplewanttoincludea
llholidaysintheirholidaywishes.Theresearchalsofoundthat79perc
entofAmericanswillwatchaChristmasmovie,butonly59percentwil
lgotochurch.Just36percentwillreadtheChristmasstoryintheBible.
TheaverageamountofmoneypeoplespendonChristmasis$914.Te
npercentofAmericansspendover$2,000.Peoplemostlookforwardt
ospendingtimewiththeirfamily.

FREE WRITING
Write about Christmas for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING
It is sad that fewer people are celebrating religious holidays. Discuss.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the

text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to
build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about Christmas.
Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. CHRISTMAS: Make a poster about Christmas celebrations. Show your

work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. RELIGIOUS: Write a magazine article about religious holidays around

the world.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any
new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next

stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the
next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on Christmas. Ask him/her three

questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your
letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer
your questions.

ANSWERS
TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a F b F c T d T e T f F g F h T
SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1. report a. study
2 half b. fifty per cent
3. opinions c. thoughts
4. likely d. probable
5. attend e. be present at
6. choosing f. opting
7. instead of g. rather than
8. happening h. taking place
9. found i. discovered
10. amount j. total
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1. Nine out of ten
2. Half
3. 2,001
4. Older adults
5. Younger adults
6. What they say to each other at Christmas
7. Non-Christian holidays
8. A movie
9. (the richest) Ten per cent of Americans
10. Spending time with their family
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1. b 2. d 3. a 4. c 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. d
ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)


131220-happy-holidays

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

131220-happy-holidays

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

131220-happy-holidays

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

www. Breaking News English .

“1,000 IDEAS & ACTIVITIES Thousands more free lessons

Please try Levels 0, 1 and 2 (they are easier).

questioned thought Christmas was a religious celebration, while 32 per

Christmas as a religious rather than cultural holiday. They're less likely to

believe in the virgin birth."

"Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". This is because there are

also non-Christian holidays happening around the same time as

Christmas. Many people want to include all holidays in their holiday

money people spend on Christmas is $914. Ten per cent of Americans

Level 3 Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.– 20th December, 2013

report / religious / celebrate / holiday / opinions / questioned / adults / attend church /

What do you do now? What would you really like to do?

4. MERRY CHRISTMAS: Students A strongly believe saying "Merry Christmas"

• iPad • expensive meal

Level 3 Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.– 20th December, 2013

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1. Nine out of a. church

Level 3 Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.– 20th December, 2013

Nine (1) ____________ of ten Americans celebrate Christmas, but half

questioned thought Christmas was a religious celebration, while 32 attend

likely to say they will (7) ____________ [church at]

Christmas…and they are less likely to believe in the virgin

Christmas and what they write in cards. More and average

amount of money people spend on Christmas is $914. Ten per

cent of Americans spend over $2,000. People most look

(16) ____________ to spending time with their family.

Level 3 Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.– 20th December, 2013

1) Nine out of ten Americans celebrate

Level 3 Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.– 20th December, 2013

A new report says Christmas in the USA is becoming less religious.

(1) ___________________ Americans celebrate Christmas, but only about

half think it is a religious holiday. The (2) ___________________ Pew

Research Center. It asked 2,001 adults (3) ___________________ on

Christmas. Just over half of those questioned thought Christmas was a

religious celebration, while 32 per cent said it was, "(4)

___________________ holiday". Greg Smith from Pew Research said:

___________________ rather than cultural holiday. They're less likely to

___________________ in the virgin birth."

People are also changing what they (7) ___________________ at Christmas

"Happy Holidays" (8) ___________________ Christmas". This is because

there are also non-Christian holidays (9) ___________________ same time

as Christmas. Many people want to include all holidays in their holiday

wishes. The research (10) ___________________ 79 per cent of Americans

per cent will read the Christmas story in the Bible.

(11) ___________________ of money people spend on Christmas is $914.

(12) ___________________ their family.

Level 3 Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.– 20th December, 2013

1. How many Americans celebrate Christmas?

2. How many Americans believe Christmas is a religious holiday?

3. How many people answered questions about Christmas?

4. Who was more likely to think of Christmas as a religious holiday?

5. Who are less likely to go to church at Christmas time?

6. What are more and more people changing?

7. What else happens around the same time as Christmas?

8. What will 79% of Americans watch this Christmas?

9. Who spends more than $2,000 on Christmas?

10. What do Americans look forward to most about Christmas?

Level 3 Christmas becoming less religious in U.S.– 20th December, 2013

_______ _ _______