EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• prank: a trick that is meant to entertain or embarrass someone
• hoax: a false story that is reported as fact
• gullible: willing to believe many things, even if they are strange or obviously untrue
• fictitious: not real, nonexistent
• dispute: to disagree about something
• evolve: to grow and change
• target: someone who is the victim of a cruel or deceptive act

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:19 — 1.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

Many countries around the world a day of pranks and jokes on April 1st. Most April Fools’ pranks take place between friends, but the day is also an opportunity to trick the general . Media companies often hoaxes on April 1st to fool gullible audience members. This tradition dates back to 1698, when a London newspaper reported on a fictitious lion-washing ceremony. The origins of the holiday are disputed. One theory is that it evolved out of Hilaria, a Roman spring equinox . Another is that it began with the switch to the Gregorian in 16th-century France. People who continued to celebrate the new year in April became the targets of pranks. There have even been April Fools’ hoaxes about the history of April Fools’, one of which was accidentally reported by the Associated Press in 1983.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. In 1698, a London newspaper published a hoax about
   a. a disastrous festival
   b. a lion-washing ceremony
   c. England switching to a lunar calendar
   
2. The Roman festival Hilaria was a celebration of
   a. the stars
   b. the equinox
   c. the theatre
   
3. A hoax about the history of April Fools’ was accidentally reported by
   a. the BBC
   b. the Associated Press
   c. the Washington Post

Discussion/essay questions

1. Have you ever been pranked or pranked someone else? Why do you think pranks bring us joy?
2. Hoaxes have become more common in the age of the internet. Have you ever believed a hoax? What are some good practices for determining if information is true?

Transcript

Many countries around the world celebrate a day of pranks and jokes on April 1st. Most April Fools’ pranks take place between friends, but the day is also an opportunity to trick the general public. Media companies often report hoaxes on April 1st to fool gullible audience members. This tradition dates back to 1698, when a London newspaper reported on a fictitious lion-washing ceremony. The origins of the holiday are disputed. One theory is that it evolved out of Hilaria, a Roman spring equinox festival. Another is that it began with the switch to the Gregorian calendar in 16th-century France. People who continued to celebrate the new year in April became the targets of pranks. There have even been April Fools’ hoaxes about the history of April Fools’, one of which was accidentally reported by the Associated Press in 1983.

Answers to comprehension questions

1b 2b 3b

Pre-listening vocabulary

• deliver: to bring something to someone
• legend: a story that is passed down through generations
• bishop: a high-ranking member of the Christian clergy
• fortune: a large amount of money
• tradition: a practice observed by a certain culture or family
• symbol: an object or image that represents an idea

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11 — 1.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

Children all around the world today know about Santa Claus, the man who delivers to every house on Christmas Eve. The of Santa has been around for a long time. The legend was based on a bishop named St. Nicholas, who was born in Turkey almost 2,000 years ago. St. Nicholas was a wealthy man who wanted to share his fortune with people who were poor or . Celebrating St. Nicholas was originally a Dutch tradition. Dutch people living in New York City in the 18th century made the legend in American culture, and the image of Santa became an important symbol of Christmas. Although “Santa Claus” is his most name in the United States and Canada, Santa has many different names in different parts of the world, such as Father Christmas, Saint Nick, and Kris Kringle.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”19999″]

Discussion/essay questions

1. People all around the world have different ways of celebrating the holidays. What holidays do you celebrate in the winter? What are some traditions that you have?

Transcript

Children all around the world today know about Santa Claus, the man who delivers gifts to every house on Christmas Eve. The story of Santa has been around for a long time. The legend was based on a bishop named St. Nicholas, who was born in Turkey almost 2,000 years ago. St. Nicholas was a wealthy man who wanted to share his fortune with people who were poor or hungry. Celebrating St. Nicholas was originally a Dutch tradition. Dutch people living in New York City in the 18th century made the legend popular in American culture, and the image of Santa became an important symbol of Christmas. Although “Santa Claus” is his most common name in the United States and Canada, Santa has many different names in different parts of the world, such as Father Christmas, Saint Nick, and Kris Kringle.