Unit7, Book 2

Optional Listening 1

Mark: I participated in the Nebuta Festival last August. It was a lot of fun! First, I went to a local shop to rent a haneto--- that’s the costume you wear. It’s easy …..anyone can do it and anyone can dance in the festival. The parade is loud and beautiful. People beat drums and dance around. The only bad part was when I injured my ankle from too much dancing! At night, After the parade, we watched some beautiful floats go down the river.

Marissa: I spent two months traveling through India with my best friend. One of my best memories is the Holi Festival. WE went to a local store and bought some colored powder. Then we mixed it with water. On the day of the festival, someone gave me a water pistol. I filled it with my colored water and started shooting everyone. I even sprayed a police officer! What a mess! It took a long time before the color came out of my skin.

Optional Listening 2 

Dan: Ok, Marcia, that’s it. I think we’re finished with the planting.

Marcia: Yeah, Dan, we should review the details one more time.

Dan: All right.

Marcia: So, Dan, let’s see … you’re going to meet Mom and Dad an 8:00 at the restaurant, right?

Dan: That’s right.

Marcia: Remember to keep them at the restaurant until 9:30. That’s really important. Don’t come home early!

Dan: I know, I know. You need time to prepare for the party.

Marcia: Exactly. They can’t come home early … or it will ruin the surprise.

Dan: After I go to the restaurant, what are you going to do?

Marcia: I’m going to put up the decorations for the party. And I’m going to call the guests and tell them to come over.

Dan: Also, don’t forget to pick up the cake.

Marcia: You’re right.

Dan: This is exciting. Boy, are Mom and Dad going to be surprised!.

Optional Listening 3

Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans!

Mardi Gras falls on a Tuesday about six weeks before Easter, a holiday in March or April. Before Mardi Gras even begins, there are over seventy parades of dazzling floats. Come join us for a festival you will never forget!

Tips for visitors:

Plan ahead. Many hotels start taking reservations for Mardi Gras in August. To get the room you want, call early, don’t wait until January.

Plan your transportation. Many Streets are closed to cars, and bus and streetcar schedules are often changed.

Get here early. Plan to arrive about four hours ahead of any big parade. For the popular Sunday night parade, find a space in the morning. You might need a jacket, sunglasses, an umbrella, or all three.

Catch Mardi Gras “throws”. People ride on floats in the parades and give “throws” to the crowd. Jump up to catch beads, plastic coins, cups, and toy animals. Bring a plastic bag to hold your treasures.

Optional 4

A groundhog is a small animal covered with brown fur. It lives in a hole in the ground. During the winter, it stays underground and sleeps and eats. When people see the groundhog in the winter, they think spring is coming soon.

Punxsutawney Pete is a groundhog. He lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On February 2, Pete’s hometown comes alive--- as many as 30,000 sightseer gather to celebrate Groundhog Day. Beginning in the morning, they watch for Pete to come out of his hole. Most years he comes out, sees his shadow, and runs back into the hole. That means there will be at least six more weeks of cold, wintery weather. Occasionally, Pete comes out of his hole and stays outside for a while. That’s a good sign. It means that spring weather will arrive soon.

After Pete appears, the people of Punxsutawney celebrate. There is a barbecue, a colorful festival in the park, a souvenir show and a sale, and even a storytelling festival. There is a lot to do in this little town on Groundhog Day!

Pete is a famous groundhog. In 1986, he met the president of the United States. There was a big Hollywood movie made about him in 1993. And in 1995, he was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show, a popular TV talk show.

Unfortunately, Pete has seen his shadow about 85 percent of the time since the tradition started in 1887. Let’s hope next year is different.

Keys:

OL 1:

A. Mark: Nebuta; Marisa: Holi.                B. Mark: 2,4,1,3; Marisa: 2, 4, 3, 1.

OL 2

A. 1. c; 2. a.  B. M; D; M; M; D.  s

C. gets very crowded; after you arrive; The most important event; just relax and have fun; before; finishes;

OL 3

A. FTFTFT  

B. 1. You might need a jacket, sunglasses, an umbrella, or all three.

2. Get there early, about 4 hours ahead of big parades. For the Sunday night parade, find a space in the morning.

3. Start making reservations in August. Don’t wait until January.

4. People ride on floats in the parade and give “throws” to the crowd.

5. Before Mardi Gras even begins, there are over 70 parades of dazzling floats.

6. Many streets are closed to cars, bus and streetcar schedules often changed.

OL 4

1. F; Not large black, but small brown; 2. T; 3. T; 4. F; Not 1995, but 1993; 5. F; Not doesn't usually see, but usually sees.

OL 5

1.bring; 2.would like to; 3. promised; 4. project; 5. invites; 6. agrees and calls; 7. is interested in; 8. go to the party;  9. funny part; 10. planning to go.