Life in the UK Test

Chapter 3:UK TODAY:A PROFILE

Customs and Traditions of the UK

Patron saints

England,Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each has a national saint called a patron saint. Each saint has a feast day. In the past these were celebrated as holy days when many people had a day off work. Today these are not public holidays except for 17 March in Northern Ireland.

 

Nation
Patron saint
National day
National flag
Wales
St.David
1 March

Northern Ireland

St.Patrick
17 March
England
St.Georges
23 April
Scotland
St.Andrews
30 November

 

Throughout the year there are festivals of art, music and culture, such the Notting Hill Carnival in west London and the Edinburgh Festival.

The main Christian festivals

  • Christmas- December 25th-celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
  • Christmas eve- December 24 th :- People attend prayers
  • Boxing day - December 26th:- Unpacking Christmas presents( Boxes)
  • Easter Sunday - Between March 22th and April 25 th:- Celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.Two days prior to this is Good Friday,the day Jesus Christ was crucified.

Other Religious festivals


  • Eid ul-Fitr-Muslim
  • Dewali-Hindu
  • Hanukkah-Jewish

Other non religous festivals


  • New Year (January 1st):- Bank Holiday ; celebration of the New Year
  • Valentine’s Day (February 14th):- Lovers exchange gifts and cards to each other. Secret admirers send cards to their admirers anonymously.
  • Mothers day (Mother's Sunday-3 weeks prior to the Easter Sunday):- Children send cards and gifts to their mothers
  • April fools day (April 1st):-People play practical jokes until mid day
  • Hallowe’en (October 31st):- Young people will often dress up in frightening costumes to play’ trick or treat.
  • Guy Fawkes Night (November 5th):-This is an occasion when people in Great Britain set off fireworks at home or in special displays. The origin of this celebration was an event in 1605, when a group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes failed in their plan to kill the Protestant King with a bomb in the Houses of Parliament.

  • Remembrance Day (November 11th):- Commemoration of those who died fighting in World War 1, World War 2 and other wars. Many people wear poppies (a red flower) in memory of those who died. At 11 a.m. there is a two-minute silence.

     

    Sports and Music events

    Football, tennis, rugby and cricket are very popular sports in the UK.
    There are no United Kingdom teams for football , rugby or cricket. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own teams.
    Important sporting events include, the Grand National horse race, the Football Association FA cup final ,Open golf championship and the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

    Glastonbury Festival, and Proms are some of the popular music festivals held in Britain each year.

    Good!.You have now revised all essential areas on chapter 3. Try a practice test on Chapter 3:UK TODAY: A Profile

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