3a Work in pairs. Read and find the meaning of the new words in the Wordlist. 1980 1920 1870 Forum 1888 1885 Facts about bicycles 1817 Did you know that bicycles are 200 years old? But the first bicycles were different. 1 In ... Carl Drais from Germany made the first "Running Machine." It had two wheels. But people moved on foot. 2 In ... the bicycle had a very big front wheel. 3 in ... Starely from England made a better bicycle. He used a chain* for a bicycle. The front wheel was not bigger than the second wheel. 4 In Dunlop from Scotland made the wheels with air. 5 In people made first bicycles for children. 6 In people made the racing bicycles 7 In people started to use the mountain bicycles*. Today Every year people make about 100 million bikes in the world.
2.Thanksgiving Day is one of the most favourite holidays in the United States. Every fourth Thursday of October American people celebrate this holiday. They usually stay at home and have a big family dinner. This day has a very important meaning in the history America. The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by pilgrims in autumn of 1621. They were European travelers who sailed on “Mayflower” ship and tried to find the New World. Before their arrival to America the country was inhabited by Native American Indians. However, when they settled here, life was quite difficult. There was nothing to eat and nowhere to live. First winter was especially difficult and many people couldn’t survive without fresh food. In spring Native Indians taught pilgrims how to survive in America. They now could hunt, fish and grow plants. In the autumn of 1621 they had a wonderful harvest. To celebrate this occasion pilgrims decided to have a Thanksgiving feast. It meant that they were very thankful for their food. During this holiday the tables were full of fresh food: corn, beans, turkey, venison, pumpkin. Their Indian friends were also invited to share the feast. Nowadays Americans continue celebrating this holiday and the main dish is still turkey. The most popular dessert is a pumpkin pie. People in Canada also celebrate Thanksgiving but it falls on every second Thursday of October.
3.On July 4 the Americans celebrate their national holiday — Independence Day. The United States gained independence as a result of gradual and painful process.
By the mid 1700's, it became difficult for thirteen British colonies in the New World to be ruled by a king 3000 miles across the ocean. The British empire imposed high taxes upon the colonies.
In 1774, the First Continental Congress drew up a list of grievances against the British crown. This document was the first draft of the document that would formally separate colonies from England.
In 1775, the Revolutionary War began. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress presented a second draft of the list of grievances. On July 4, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of independence. But the War of independence lasted until 1783. After the war Independence Day became an official holiday.
On July 4, Americans have holiday from work. People have day-long picnics with favourite foods like hot dogs, ham-burgers, potato salad, baked beans. Lively music is heard everywhere. People play baseball or compete at three-legged races or pie-eating or water-melon-eating contests.
Some cities have parades with people dressed as the original founding fathers who march to the music of high school bands. In the evening people gather to watch firework displays.
Wherever Americans are around the globe they will get together to celebrate Independence Day.
4.Christmas is one of the most important holidays in Christianity. A lot of people consider that Jesus Christ was born on this day many years ago. It’s a sacred festival that’s why orthodox believers gather in the churches to attend the feast rite on Christmas. My whole family celebrates this feast: mother, father, my younger sister and I. My grandmother and grandfather very seldom visit us. We sit down to the festive table and light the candles at midnight. Everybody is always in a good mood. After the feast a week comes when we can tell fortunes. Every year my friends and I look in the mirror for our intended at night but we understand that it’s impossible to see our fate in a mirror. But anyway we believe that enchantment will happen.But in other countries Christmas is celebrated in a different way. For example in the USA Christmas day is celebrated on December 25. On this day they decorate a Christmas tree and give presents to each other. All children wait for Santa Claus who will come in sleigh and give presents.
I like this feast very much because it inspires people with belief in the reality of miracles. Birth of Jesus Christ is the most important miracle for believers. This feast goes back to the earliest of times and it will never be forgotten.