CINCO DE MAYO VOCABULARY EXERCISE (ESL)

1. Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "May 5th") is a holiday that celebrates Mexican (and Mexican-American) (heritage/heredity).✓

2. It is more (popular/populist) in the United States than in Mexico, where it is (greatly/largely) ignored.✓

3. A lot of people in the United States (mistakenly/mistake) think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day, which is on September 16th.✓

4. Cinco de Mayo commemorates an 1862 Mexican (victory/win) over the invading French army in the city of Puebla.✓

5. The holiday is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin. This is especially true of those who live in areas where there are a lot of people of Mexican (ancestry/ancestors) like California, Arizona, Texas, etc.✓

6. In cities like Los Angeles, San Antonio, etc., there are often special events (mostly music and folk dance), which (heighten/highlight) Mexican and Mexican-American culture.✓

7. There are also (seasoned/traditional) Mexican games like breaking the piñata (a brightly-colored paper container filled with candy and toys).✓

8. In practical terms, many people (and bars) use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to (launch/throw) a Mexican theme party.✓

9. Increasingly, celebrations are emphasizing Mexican-American pride, a celebration of a culture that (blends/bonds) Mexican and American traditions.✓