January issue

www.newsbrowsing. blogspot.hu                             January issue

Queen Elizabeth II Christmas Message

Name some of the memorable events of 2012 mentioned by Queen Elizabeth II in Her Christmas message.

     1.      ……………………………………………………………………………………….

     2.      ……………………………………………………………………………………….

     3.      ……………………………………………………………………………………….

     4.      ……………………………………………………………………………………….

     5.      ……………………………………………………………………………………….

Country in the City: Horse Riding

Explain the following terms and phrases taken from the text.

   1.      urban-sprawl:…………………………………………………………………………

   2.      to take up the reins:……………………………………………………………………

   3.      an equestrian centre:…………………………………………………………………

   4.      city high- fliers:…………………………………………………………………………

   5.      snorting:………………………………………………………………………………

   6.      trepidation:……………………………………………………………………………

   7.      connecting with the green landscape:…………………………………………………

   8.      toning up:……………………………………………………………………………….

   9.      saddle-sore:……………………………………………………………………………..

   10.  passing new-year fad:…………………………………………………………………

Reclaim the Weekend

Decide if the following statements are true or false based on the article.

   1.      Lots of parents take extra efforts to drive their children to and fro different activities.

   2.      Just a minority of population spent their Sunday mornings at church in the old days.

   3.      The British were pioneers with the idea of ’weekend’.

   4.      The British just take their time after having a family lunch on Sundays.

   5.      According to Dr Albert Schweitzer it is a good idea to spend some time reconnecting with friends, family and nature at weekends.

   6.      The credit crunch just helps us to get back to simpler, home-based pleasures.

   7.      Based on the article consuming less is equivalent with a drop in our living standard.

   8.      The writer of the article strongly believes that we should go back to the traditions of Medieval Times.

   9.      Among many suggestions it is great to try at least one thing which is beyond your ’comfort zone’.

   10.  The best thing you can do is to indulge yourself in a weekend shopping to reclaim the weekend.

Afternoon Delight: Apple, Walnut and Cranberry Slice/ Chocolate Cake

Give the Hungarian equivalents for the following action verbs taken from the recipes.

heat the oven
whizz sg in the food processor
add sg to the dough
bake until golden
stir frequently
smooth the puré over the base
blend the ingredients
leave to set
gently melt
split the cake with a bread knife

Queen Elizabeth II Christmas Message 2012

Country in the City: Horse Ridimg

Reclaim the Weekend

Afternoon delight

Exercises for the December issue

www.newsbrowsing.blogspot.hu                          December issue              deadline: 7 th January

Seasonal notes and queries

Answer the questions using up the notes:

1.       Who first decorated a tree with baubles?

2.       Who first hid sixpence in the pudding?

3.       Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?

4.       Why do we hang stockings?

5.       Why is it called Boxing Day?

6.       Why do we celebrate on 25 December?

7.       Why does Santa Claus wear red?

8.       What is the true meaning of Christmas?

9.       What does the Yule Log represent?

10.   Who was Wenceslas?

11.   Why do we pull crackers?

12.   Can reindeer have red noses?

Jamie on Christmas Tips, Jools and Elvis

Replace the questions of the interview removed.

a./          Do you always have turkey for Christmas?

b./          So what’s the secret to cooking a good turkey dinner?

c./          What’s your favourite Christmas memory?

d./          And your worst?

e./          What about roast potatoes? Any tips?

f./           What Christmas traditions do you follow?

g./          What’s on your Christmas list?

h./          And the veg?

i./           What was your best ever Christmas?

j./           Why do you think some people panic when it comes to cooking the traditional Christmas dinner?

k./          Will it be a busy Christmas for you this year?

l./           What’s your favourite party nibble?

m./        Who would be your ultimate guest for Christmas dinner?

n./          What was the nicest present Jools ever got you?

O./         How hard would you say it is to cook a turkey well?

p./          Is there any Christmas food you don’t like?

Tales from a Stone Cottage by Aly Wilks – Season’s Meeting

Complete the glossary - find the words/phrases in the text.

…………………………………………          a place where a surface has been pushed or knocked inwards (paragraph 1)

…………………………………………          long thin pieces of shiny paper used as a Christmas decoration (paragraph 2)

………………………………………..          certain to be successful (paragraph 2)

………………………………………..          a good quality or habit that a person has, especially a moral one such as honesty or loyalty (paragraph 2)

………………………………………..          impossible to imagine (paragraph 2)

………………………………………..          let out a deep breath (paragraph 2)

………………………………………..          farm animals are allowed to move around and feed naturally – adjective (paragraph 3)

……………………………………….            walking slowly and with difficulty because your feet are sore or injured (paragraph 3)

……………………………………….           spread over a large area (paragraph 4)

……………………………………….           being in a particular state after doing something                 (paragraph 4)

……………………………………….           the area  near a particular place (paragraph 4)

……………………………………….           breathing very loudly with your mouth open (paragraph 4)

……………………………………….            a short skirt made of stiff cloth that a ballet dancer wears (paragraph 4)

……………………………………….            something done in a very special way spent a lot of money on (paragraph 5)

………………………………………             lasting or going on for a long time (paragraph 5)

Tales from a Stone Cottage