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CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY EXERCISE (ESL/ESOL) 1

Choose the best response to complete each sentence.

1. Christmas is one of the most important holidays in the (Christian) English-speaking world. It (feasts/celebrates) the birth of Jesus Christ.

2. Giving presents is a very important Christmas (landmark/tradition). Gifts are traditionally exchanged on Christmas Day (December 25th).

3. The day before Christmas (December 24th) is called "Christmas " (Eve/Evening).

4. The man who brings children (and adults) presents at Christmas is called Santa (Claus/Clause).

5. You can also say "Santa" for short, or refer to him as " (jolly/content) old St. Nick."

6. Children are taught that Santa lives in the North Pole, and has little helpers called (elves/gnomes).

7. Songs that are sung during the Christmas season are called Christmas (melodies/carols).

8. The people who sing these songs are called (carolers/songbirds). Traditionally, these people went from house to house singing songs about the birth of Jesus, etc.

9. Many people feel that Christmas has become too (commercial/profitable). They feel that too much (emphasis/promise) is put on buying gifts, causing people to forget what Christmas is all about.

10. A traditional Christmas drink called "eggnog" is a sweet beverage made (with/by) eggs.

11. Santa Claus delivers presents on his (cart/sleigh), which is pulled through the air by his (reindeers/reindeer).

12. Parents often say that nice children will receive presents, while bad, or (naughty/devious) children will not.

13. During the Christmas holidays, many churches build and display (nativity/native) scenes - visual portrayals of the birth of Jesus Christ.

14. We had a real Christmas tree last year, but this year we bought an (abnormal/artificial) one.

15. That is the most beautifully (decked/decorated) Christmas tree I've ever seen! Look at all the pretty (ornaments/widgets).

16. A common belief is that if your stand under the (mistletoe/missile) (plant), you will be kissed by someone.

17. In the United States, Christmas is celebrated by 95% of the (population/populace).

18. In the USA, Canada, and Australia, there is a strong tradition of decorating the outside of one's house with Christmas (lights/lamps).

19. Presents that are given on Christmas Day are often wrapped up in brightly-colored wrapping (tissue/paper).

20. In some places, Christmas Eve supper is held in candle light, in the evening after the first star (appears/comes) in the sky.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sometimes Christmas is celebrated in unexpected and offbeat ways. Here are five unusual traditions from around the world:

1. Iceland: The Yule Lads
Iceland has 13 mischievous "Yule Lads" who visit children on the 13 nights before Christmas. Each Lad has a unique prank, from stealing food to slamming doors. Children leave shoes in windows to receive gifts (or rotten potatoes if they've been naughty).

2. Japan: KFC Christmas dinner
Christmas is not a traditional holiday in Japan, but eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on December 25th has become a widespread custom. People often preorder months in advance!

3. Catalonia, Spain: Caga Tió ("Pooping Log")
Children hit a log with sticks while singing a song, and the log "poops" out small gifts and candies. The log is decorated with a face and blanket, making it a mix of hilarious and festive.

4. Venezuela: Roller skating to church
In Caracas, it's customary for people to roller skate to early morning Christmas Mass. Streets are even closed to cars to make it safe.

5. Norway: Hiding the Brooms
Norwegians hide all brooms in the house on Christmas Eve to prevent witches and evil spirits from stealing them.

TRY OUR OTHER HOLIDAY VOCABULARY EXERCISES:

Australia Day (Australia)
Hanukkah
St. Nicholas Day
Christmas 1
Christmas (Visual matching) 1
Christmas (Visual matching) 2
St. Stephen's Day
New Year's Eve/New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Valentine's Day
Presidents Day
St. Patrick's Day
April Fools' Day
Anzac Day (Australia/NZ)
Easter
Cinco De Mayo
Victoria Day (Canada)
Mother's Day/ Father's Day
Memorial Day
Canada Day
Independence Day (USA)
Ramadan
Labor Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving 1
Thanksgiving 2

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