Module 2
Unit 2
Lessons 3 and 4
Student’s Book pages 22-23
Customs and traditions
Speaking
1 What do your relatives do when there is a new baby in the family? Is this typical for your country, or is it specific to your family? Discuss with a partner.
Answers
Students’ own answers
Reading
2 Read about some traditions surrounding the birth of a newborn baby. Which country from the box do you think each tradition is from?
Welcoming new babies around the world
The birth of a newborn baby is a special occasion all over the world, and of course there are many traditions that follow similar patterns worldwide. However, there are some that are peculiar to one country or a group of countries. Here is a guide to some of the more diverse ways to observe this universally important event.
1 Newborn baby girls are likely to be welcomed into the world with a tree planting party in ______. The baby’s relatives typically plant two trees, which are then chopped down and sold when she gets engaged. The proceeds from this tree-planting venture are then used to buy her wedding dress. Additionally, the German government has come up with a list of accepted names, which parents are expected to choose from when they name their child.
2 In ______, new mothers might well ask you not to give them gifts until the baby has been born. When a mother has given birth, she is supposed to stay inside with her baby for 28 to 40 days. This is to protect the baby’s immune system, and develop the bond between mother and baby. After this period, mother and baby will be capable of going out to visit neighbours and family. This is when you should give them gifts.
3 You won’t see a newborn baby lying on a blanket in any homes in ______. Tradition there means that relatives are willing to carry the baby around for about 100 days at the beginning of his or her life. This period of healing and holding might well last longer than this, as well!
4 In several Muslim countries, including ______, new parents are likely to shave the head of their week-old baby, and then weigh the hair. The parents are expected to give gold and silver to charity after the birth, to thank God for blessing them with a child. The weight of the hair should be equal to the amount of gold and silver that is given. This custom might well form a part of an aqiqah, or welcoming ceremony, where the baby is given his or her name.
Answers
1 Germany
2 Turkey
3 Bali
4 Saudi Arabia
Vocabulary: Words with modal meanings
3 Read the words in the box. Decide what each word means and match it with its synonym below.
Likely expected might well had better would rather supposed to willing to capable of |
1 can ______
2 probably ______
3 will possibly ______
4 would prefer to ______
5 it would be better ______
6 what is (socially) expected ______
7 wants to ______
8 should ______
Answers
1 capable of
2 likely
3 might well
4 would rather
5 had better
6 supposed to
7 willing to
8 expected
Speaking strategies
Interacting fluently
• Start a conversation by asking your partner his or her opinion.
• If you agree, tell your partner that you do. You can say, ‘Yes, you’re right,’ or ‘I agree with you on that.’
• To keep the conversation going, you can say ‘I wonder what you think about ...’ or ‘What’s your experience of ...’
Pronunciation
4 Cover the article on page 22 and add more information to these sentences.
1 You are not supposed to give gifts to the mother until the baby is born. You are expected to …
2 If you would rather choose an ‘interesting’ name for your baby, you had better not live here! German parents might well plant …
3 The newborn baby’s feet are not supposed to touch the floor in this country! Some mothers would rather carry them for longer than 100 days …
4 Families with newborn babies are very likely to shave the baby’s head and weigh the hair. They are expected to …
Suggested answers
1 You are expected to wait until mother and baby are capable of visiting you. This is when they would rather accept gifts from you.
2 German parents might well plant two trees when their daughter is born. When the daughter gets engaged, it’s likely they’ll sell the wood to buy her wedding dress.
3 Some mothers would rather carry them for longer than 100 days, but they needn’t keep doing it – it’s up to the mother to choose.
4 They are expected to match the weight of the hair with gold and silver, and give this gold and silver to charity.
5 Talk to your partner about some social traditions in Jordan, starting with those surrounding a newborn baby. Use the vocabulary and language introduced in this lesson.
Students’ own answers
Writing
6 Write down five sentences describing these traditions. Ensure that you use the language correctly. Vary the expressions that you use.
Students’ own answers
Listening
7 Think of three situations in which you should be very polite. Discuss these with a partner. In your opinion, how does being very polite change the way you speak? Think about what your voice sounds like and the words you use.
Students’ own answers
8 Now listen to three people speaking. The people are being very polite. What do you think is the context of each sentence?
Audioscript
1 Thanks, but I couldn’t possibly eat anything else!
2 Would you mind opening the window?
3 I understand that’s how you feel. Perhaps we can talk about it again tomorrow.
Answers
1 refusal of someone serving of food
2 requesting a favour
3 disagreeing politely
9 Listen again. Write down the words that you hear. Which words are emphasised? Underline them. Where does the speaker’s voice rise, in tone? Draw a line over the word, like this.
Pronunciation
10 Look at the stress patterns you have drawn. Listen once more to the recording and then read the sentences to your partner. Are you polite enough?
Unit 2
Lessons 3 and 4
Activity Book page 16
Customs and traditions
Vocabulary
Read Aisha’s email about her brother’s graduation party and put the words from the box in the correct places. One word is not needed.
invitation costume career unique luck successful sign traditions |
Hi Samira,
I'm sad to know that you won’t be able to come to my brother Amer’s graduation from university. The entire party will be very (1) unique because we are going to experience some special (2) _____________ which Amer brought with him from the country where he studied medicine. First, Amer has to wear his graduation (3) _____________ all the time. He shouldn’t take his hat off because it is supposed to bring him good (4) _____________ in his future (5) _____________. Speaking of the hat, we’re going to play a game called “That’s my hat”, in which Amer must keep the hat for himself. Whoever takes it should answer a question that Amer asks about the country he was in. If the answer is correct, the person can keep the hat. If not, Amer takes the hat back. He can also choose to leave it with this person; he doesn’t have to take it. This is a (6) _____________ that he wishes this person to become as (7) _____________ as he is.
I’ll write you back to tell you how the party went.
Best wishes,
Aisha
Answers
1 unique
2 traditions
3 costume
4 luck
5 career
6 sign
7 successful
Grammar
6 Write the questions about Aisha's email. Then answer them with complete sentences. Use modal verbs of obligation and prohibition.
1 Amer / wear / graduation costume all the time Does Amer have to wear his graduation costume all the time? Yes, he has to wear his graduation costume all the time.
2 Why / Amer / take his hat off
3 What / a person / do / if / take the hat from Amer
4 Amer / choose / leave the hat with this person
Answers
1 Does Amer have to wear his graduation costume all the time? Yes, he has to wear his graduation costume all the time.
2 Why shouldn’t Amer take his hat off? Amer shouldn’t take his hat off because it’s supposed to bring him good luck.
3 What should a person do if they take the hat from Amer? They should answer a question that Amer asks about the country he was in.
4 Can Amer choose to leave the hat with this person? Yes, Amer can choose to leave the hat with this person.
7 Write sentences about graduation celebrations in Jordan using modal verbs of obligation and prohibition.
1 wear special costumes and hats
2 have a graduation celebration at school
3 hold a party with friends and family
4 prepare special food for this occasion
Answers
Students’ own answers