Presidents Day (A2)

A Before you start

Answer the questions with a partner.
1. Why is George Washington one of the most famous presidents of the USA?
2. How many other US presidents can you name?
B Listen and answer
Read these statements. Then listen (without reading) and choose the correct answer.
1. Marilyn Monroe once sang at a birthday party for
a) Dwight D. Eisenhower. b) John Kennedy.
c) Barack Obama.
2. George Washington became president in
a) 1789
b) 1798
c) 1790
3. In 1971
a) Washingtons birthday became a public holiday.
b) his birthday celebrations were moved.
c) Neither of these.
4. There are special sporting events on Presidents Day.
a) True.
b) False.
c) The article doesnt say.
5. Shops are closed.
a) True.
b) False.
c) The article doesnt say.
6. The biggest Washington Birthday parade takes place in
a) Washington DC.
b) the State of Washington.
c) a city in Virginia.
C Read and answer
Read the article and answer the questions.
1. On what date did the Washington Birthday celebrations take place before 1971?
2. How did the holiday change after it was moved?
3. What kind of patriotic events do people take part in?
4. What do guests bring if theyre invited to a presidential potluck?
5. Why do many people choose to go shopping on Presidents Day?
6. What can you see at the Washington Birthday parade in Alexandria?
D Learn it! Use it!
Complete these sentences with words from the glossary. (You may have to adapt the expression in
some way; e.g.change the subject or change from singular to plural.)
1. The Italian ________ is a tricolour with vertical bands of green, white and red.
2. This jacket wasnt expensive; I got it in a ________.
3. James is nervous because he has to make a ________ at his sisters wedding on Saturday.
4. Remember to _______ _______ the TV before you go to bed!
5. When did the first Olympic Games _______ _______?
6. My favourite dessert is apple ________ and custard.
7. This car cant go very fast because it hasnt got a ________ engine.
8. Thats the most ridiculous story Ive ________ heard!

E Ready for KET? (Paper 1, Part 5)

Choose the best word for each space.
George Washington is one of the 1________ (most/more/much) important figures in American
history. He 2________ (leaded/led/leader) the American army during the War of Independence.
He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1732. His family were wealthy farmers who
had a tobacco plantation and 3________ (lots/many/very) slaves. When George was 11, he lost his
father and after that his half-brother Lawrence looked 4________ (after/for/at) him.
He became a surveyor and later he joined the colonial militia and 5________ (fight/fitted/fought)
in the French and Indian War. After the war, he returned to farming, but he and other land-owners
were 6________ (glad/hungry/annoyed) because of the unfair taxes they 7________
(had/should/must) to pay to Britain. When the American colonies decided to go to war against the
British, they chose Washington as their general.
After the war, he was twice president of the United States. He retired from public life in 1797
and 8________ (dead/died/dyed) at Mount Vernon on 14th December, 1799.
F Check your pronunciation
One of the four words in each group has a different vowel sound. Which one?
1. learn there birthday third
2. clothes floats move known
3. sang watch wagon band
4. since sign pie fly
5. wear where year their
G Write about it
Write about a Brazilian national hero or heroine of the past. Mention:
- where and when he/she was born;
- what his/her early life was like;
- how he/she became a national hero/heroine.

Answers
B Listen and answer
1. b 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. b 6. c
C Read and answer
1. They took place on 22nd February. 2. It became a celebration of all presidents and people began
to call it Presidents Day. 3. They read famous presidential speeches and reenact famous events.
4. They bring a presidents favourite dish. 5. Because there are special sales. 6. You can see
floats, horses, wagons, marching bands and singing and dancing performers.
D Learn it! Use it!
1. flag 2. sale 3. speech 4. turn off 5. take place 6. pie 7. powerful 8. ever
E Ready for KET?
1. most 2. led 3. many 4. after 5. fought 6. annoyed 7. had 8. died
F Check your pronunciation
1. there 2. move 3. watch 4. since 5. year