Unit 4, grade 8: Our Customs And Traditions – Skills 1

1. Reading

1.1. Task 1 Unit 4 Grade 8

Look at the picture and answer the questions. (Look at the picture and answer the questions.)

first. What are the people doing in each picture? (What are people doing in each picture?)

2. Does your family ever do the same things? (Does your family do the same?)

Guide to answer

first.

Picture 1: A family is celebrating a birthday.

Picture 2: People are making general cakes.

Picture 3: A family is at an amusement park.

2. Yes, we do.

1.2. Task 2 Unit 4 Grade 8

Read Mi’s presentation on customs and traditions. Is she writing about her family or her society? (Read Mi’s presentation on customs and traditions. Does her article talk about her family and society?)

In my opinion, customs and traditions are very important. Like other families, we have our own customs and traditions.

A First, there’s a tradition in our family of having lunch together on the second day of Tet. Everyone has to be there before 11 am We have followed this tradition for three generations.

REMOVE Secondly, we have the custom of spending Sunday together. We usually go to the cinema or go for a picnic. We don’t have to do it, but it makes us closer as a family.

OLD Thirdly, we celebrate our customer’s wedding anniversary on the first Sunday of October because they don’t remember the exact date. The custom is that we have to cook a new dish each year. Last year, my mum cooked lasagne, an Italian dish. This year, we prepared five-colored sticky rice served with grilled chicken. We all enjoy these customs and traditions because they provide our family with a sense of belonging.

Guide to answer

She’s writing about her family.

Translated:

In my opinion, customs and traditions are very important. Like other families, we have our own customs and traditions.

A. First, there is a tradition in my family of having lunch together on the 2nd day of the New Year. Everyone has to be there by 11 o’clock. We have followed this tradition for 3 generations.

B. Second, we have the custom of spending Sunday together. We often go to the movies or have a picnic. We don’t have to do it, but it makes us closer as a family.

C. Third, we celebrate our grandparents’ wedding anniversary on the first Sunday of October because they don’t remember the exact date. The custom is that we have to cook a new dish every year. Last year, my mother cooked lasagne, an Italian dish. This year, we have prepared 5-color sticky rice with chicken.

We all like our customs and traditions because they give our family a sense of belonging.

1.3. Task 3 Unit 4 Grade 8

Now decide in which paragraph each detail below is mentioned. Write A, B, or C in the blank. (Now decide in each detail below which passage to refer to. Write A, B, C in the space.)

Guide to answer

1 C

2 A

3-C

4-BORSE

5-A

6-C

first. the name of an Italian dish Lasagna

(name of the Italian dish – Lasagne)

2. the time family members have to gather for lunch 11 am

(the time when family members have to gather for lunch -11 am)

3. the date of the wedding anniversary the first Sunday in October

(wedding anniversary – first Sunday in October)

4. an outdoor activity go to the cinema

(an outdoor activity – going to the movies)

5. the length of time a tradition has existed generations

(the length of time that a communication exists – 3 generations)

6. the reason for spending time together they provide our family with a sense of belonging

(reason to spend time together – because they give our family a sense of belonging.)

1.4. Task 4 Unit 4 Grade 8

Read the text again and answer the question. (Read the text again and answer the questions.)

Guide to answer

first. What are the three customs or traditions Mi mentions? (What are the three customs or traditions that Mi mentions?)

=> They are: having lunch together on the second day of Tet, spending Sunday together, and celebrating her birthday’ wedding anniversary on the first Sunday of October.

(They are: having lunch together on the 2nd of Tet, spending Sundays together, and celebrating grandparents’ wedding anniversary on the first Sunday of October.)

2. What does Mi’s family usually do on Sundays? (What does Mi’s family usually do on Sundays?)

=> They usually go to the cinema or go for a pinic together.

They often go to the movies or go on a picnic together.)

3. What is the date of her birthday’ wedding anniversary? (When is her grandparents’ wedding anniversary?)

=> They don’t remember.

(They don’t remember.)

4. What did they make for the customer’ wedding anniversary this year? (What did they do for their grandparents’ wedding anniversary this year?)

=> They made five-colored sticky rice served with grilled chicken.

(They made 5-color sticky rice served with grilled chicken.)

5. Why do they love family customs and traditions? (Why do they like family customs and traditions?)

=> They love family customs and traditions because they provide a sense of belonging.

(They like family customs and traditions.)

2. Speaking

2.1. Task 5 Unit 4 Grade 8

Work in pairs and discuss the questions.(Work in pairs and discuss the questions.)

Guide to answer

first. What are the three customs and traditions you like most in your family? Describe them in detail. (What are the three customs and traditions that you like best in your family? Describe them in detail.)

=> We have tradition of celebrating family member’s birthday. We also have custom of having dinner together. At Tet, we have tradition of making foods: sticky rice, spring roll, Chung cake…

(We have a tradition of celebrating birthdays for family members. We also have a custom of having dinner together. On New Year’s Day, we have a tradition of cooking food: sticky rice, spring rolls, banh chung. ..)

2. How do you feel when you take part in these customs and traditions? (How do you feel when you participate in these customs and traditions?)

=> They are so meaningful and I feel happy to be a part of our traditions and customs.

(They mean so much and I feel so happy to be part of our traditions and customs.)

3. Why is it important to continue family customs and traditions? (Why is it important to continue family customs and traditions?)

=> They make family member closer and love each other more.

(They make the members closer and love each other more.)

2.2. Task 6 Unit 4 Grade 8

Interview another pair to get their answers to the questions in 5. Note down their answers in the table below. Then present what you have found out to the class. (Interview another pair to get answers to questions for part 5. Make notes below their answers in the table below, then present what you find to the class.)

Guide to answer

Students answer

3. Practice

Read the passage below and decide whether the statements are TRUE or FALSE?

Bowing is nothing less than an art form in Japan, respect pounded into children’s heads from the moment they enter school. For tourists, a simple inclination of the head or an attempt at a bow at the waist will usually suffice. The duration and inclination of the bow is proportionate to the elevation of the person you’re addressing. For example, a friend might get a lightning-fast 30-degree bow; an office superior might get a slow, extended, 70-degree bow. It’s all about position and context.

There is no tipping in any situation in Japan — cabs, restaurants, personal care. To tip someone is actually a little insulting; the services you’ve asked for are covered by the price given, so why pay more? If you are in a large area like Tokyo and can’t speak any Japanese, a waiter or waitress might take the extra money you happen to leave rather than force themselves to deal with the situation of explaining the concept of no tipping in broken English .

Question 1: Japanese children are taught to bow from little age.

A. True B. False

Question 2: The duration and inclination of a bow doesn’t depend on who you greet

A. True B. False

Question 3: A lightning-fast 30-degree bow is used for friends.

A. True B. False

Question 4: You need to tip when using cabs, restaurants, healthcare in Japan.

A. True B. False

Question 5: Japanese find tipping a little insulting.

A. True B. False

4. Conclusion

Through this lesson, the children will strengthen their reading comprehension and speaking skills about national customs and traditions; Also memorize the following words:

• entertainment /əˈmjuːzmənt/ entertainment
• follow /ˈfɒləʊ/ follow, obey
• gather /ˈɡæðə(r)/ gather
• belong /bɪˈlɒŋ/ belong to
• serve /sɜːv/ serve