Culture: British habits and conventions

HINT: Triple-click in the spaces to see the answers

In Britain...

1. What might you say when someone sneezes?
Bless you
2. What could you take to someone's house when you are invited for dinner?
Usually a bottle of wine. Flowers or chocolates are also acceptable.
3. What do you say before a meal?
British people don't usually say anything.
4. What might you say when you are introduced to someone?
Hello / Pleased to meet you / Lovely to meet you.
5. What could you say when someone tells you they have failed their driving test?
What a pity/Better luck next time/Never mind, I'm sure you'll pass next time.
6. How might you refuse an invitation politely (e.g. 'Would you like to go to the cinema tonight?')
I'd love to, but I'm afraid I'm... / Sorry, but I'm...
7. You have cigarettes but no matches. What might you say to a stranger?
Excuse me, have you got a light?
8. You need a seat in a café. There is a table with three seats but only two people sitting there. What could you say to them?
Excuse me, is this seat free? / Is anyone sitting here?
9. Who would you give a tip to?
Waiter, taxi driver, hairdresser
10. Name three situations where British people would queue.
Bus stop, shop, cinema, public toilets, buying tickets
11. Name three festivals celebrated in Britain.
Christmas, New Year, Easter, Hallowe'en, Bonfire Night, Valentine's Day
12. Give two alternative ways of saying 'goodbye'.

13. What do you say if you stand on someone's foot?
Sorry
14. What could you say if someone tells you they are going to get married?
Congratulations!
15. What might you say before you have a drink (e.g. in a pub)?
Cheers!
16. What do you say to your colleagues on Friday as you leave work?
Have a nice weekend! / Enjoy your weekend! / See you on Monday!
17. What do you say to someone who is going to do an exam?
Good luck!
18. What do you take to a party?
Something to drink, normally alcoholic.
19. What should you say if you want to get past someone's who's in your way?
Excuse me / Could I just get past?
20. What do you say to a friend if you want to borrow their car?
I was wondering if it would be possible to borrow your car.
21. When you visit someone in their house, is it good manners to take your shoes off?
Only if they are dirty.
22. 'It's your round.' What does it mean?
It's your turn to buy the drinks (in the pub)
23. What is the most popular sport in Britain?
Football
24. Describe a typical British meal.
Meat, potatoes and vegetables / Fish & chips / Shepherd's pie / Steak and kidney pie / Roast beef
See you (later), Cheerio!

Culture: Guy Fawkes' Day

'Remember, remember, the fifth of November'

Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Bonfire Night, Cracker Night, Fireworks Night, Bonny Night) is an annual celebration on the evening of the 5th of November. It celebrates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot of the 5 November, 1605 in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, were alleged to be attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England.

The story is remembered each 5th November when 'Guys' are burned in a celebration known as 'Bonfire Night'.

It is primarily marked in the United Kingdom where it was compulsory, by fiat, to celebrate the deliverance of the King until 1859, but also in former British colonies including New Zealand, Newfoundland, and parts of the British Caribbean. Bonfire Night was celebrated in Australia until the mid to late 1970s, when sale and public use of fireworks was made illegal and the celebration was effectively abolished. It is also celebrated in the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. Festivities are centred on the use of fireworks and the lighting of bonfires.

Watch the following video to learn more about the Gunpowder Conspiracy of 1605.

Culture: The History of Halloween

Module 01. Extra. An International Conference

Hi all,

In case you are interested, here is the document concerning the activity 'An International Conference', which we dealt with in the class on Monday.

You can print out the whole document, read the information for each of the seven countries, and do Exercise 2) on your own. I've posted the key to the exercise in the Comments section for your convenience.

See you!