TEST PAPER
1. Read the text on the left and answer the questions.
A Special Christmas Present
David wants to buy a Christmas present for a very special person, his mother. David's father gives him $5.00
a week pocket money and David puts $2.00 a week into his bank account. After three months David takes
$20.00 out of his bank account and goes to the shopping mall. He looks and looks for a perfect gift.
Suddenly he sees a beautiful brooch in the shape of his favourite pet. He says to himself, "My mother loves
jewelry, and the brooch costs only $17.00." He buys the brooch and takes it home. He wraps the present in
Christmas paper and places it under the tree. He is very excited and he is looking forward to Christmas
morning to see the joy on his mother's face.
But when his mother opens the present she screams with fright because she sees a spider.
1. What does David want to buy his Mother?
A. ? a special birthday present
B. ? a Christmas present
C. ? a spider ring
2. Who does David get his money from?
A. ? his pet
B. ? his mother
C. ? his father
3. How much money does David take to the mall?
A. ? $20.00
B. ? $5.00
C. ? $17.00
4. What does David buy his mother?
A. ? a ring
B. ? a brooch
C. ? a spider
5. What does David do with the present when he takes it home?
A. ? he gives it to his mother
B. ? he wraps it in Christmas paper
C. ? he is very excited
6. Why does David's mother scream?
A. ? because the present is beautiful
B. ? because she doesn't like Christmas presents
C. ? because she thinks she sees a real spider
7. Why does David buy a spider brooch?
A. ? spiders are his favourite pet
B. ? he loves Christmas
C. ? to scare his mother
8. Where does David put the present on Christmas Eve?
A. ? under his pillow
B. ? under a spider
C. ? under the Christmas tree
2.This is a summary of the story. Complete the text by typing the correct word into each space.
bank brooch mall money opens paper present spider tree
David saves up his pocket to buy a Christmas for his mother. After three months, he takes
$20.00 out of his account and goes to the . He buys a beautiful for his mother. He
1
wraps it in Christmas and places it under the Christmas . But when his mother the
gift, she screams, because she sees a .
2. Read and answer the questions:
Christmas Traditions
Christmas is probably the most festive time of the year, a season of gift-giving and celebration. We all know
that Christmas is a religious holiday which marks the birth of Jesus Christ. But did you also know that some
of the traditions are adapted from rituals dating back to a time before Christianity?
Many pagan peoples regarded the winter solstice as a time of celebration. Anticipating the return of spring,
people decorated their homes with evergreen plants, a symbol of eternal life. Mistletoe was especially
popular, as it was believed to have magic powers. People hung sprigs of mistletoe in their homes and kissed
beneath them as a gesture of friendship. At pagan festivals there was also a lot of singing and dancing going
on – “dancing in a circle” is the original meaning of the word “carol”.
Still now we keep these traditions up: we sing Christmas carols and dance around in circles, we kiss beneath
the mistletoe and we decorate our homes with Christmas trees. By the way, did you know that it was a
German who set the trend of decorating Christmas trees in England? It was Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s
husband. When he moved to England, Christmas trees had already been popular in continental Europe, but
not in England. In 1841, Prince Albert put up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle. The event was reported in
the press; and as the whole country was very keen on the royal family, people enthusiastically took up the
custom of decorating a tree at Christmas.
Questions on the text
1. What did pagan peoples celebrate at this time of the year?
-the birth of Jesus Christ
-the winter solstice
-the magic powers of mistletoe
2. What does the word »carol« originally mean?
-to dance in a circle
-to sing Christmas songs
-to sing and dance around the Christmas tree
3. According to the text, which statement is correct?
-The royal family were the first Europeans who had a Christmas tree.
-Many people went to Windsor Castle to see the Christmas tree.
-Queen Victoia had a German husband.
3. Christmas activity. For each blank space, choose the correct reponse. If both responses are
acceptable, choose the one that sounds more natural. Good luck!
1. Christmas is one of the most important holidays in the (Christian) English-speaking world. It
(feasts/celebrates) the birth of Jesus Christ.
2. Giving presents is a very important Christmas (landmark/tradition). Gifts are traditionally
exchanged on Christmas Day (December 25th).
3. The day before Christmas is called "Christmas " (Eve/Evening).
4. The man who brings children (and adults) presents at Christmas is called Santa
(Claus/Clause).
5. You can also say "Santa" for short, or refer to him as " (jolly/jelly) old St. Nick."
6. Songs that are sung during the Christmas season are called Christmas (cares/carols).
7. The people who sing these songs are called (carolers/care-givers). Traditionally, these people
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went from house to house singing songs about the birth of Jesus, etc.
8. Many people feel that Christmas has become too (commercial/comparative). They feel that
too much (emphasis/empathy) is put on buying gifts, causing people to forget what Christmas is
all about.
9. A traditional Christmas drink called "eggnog" is a sweet beverage made (with/by) eggs.
10. Children are taught that Santa (Claus/Clause) lives in the North Pole, and has little helpers
called (elves/gnomes).
4. Enjoy these Christmas related jokes. Match each joke with its answer.
1. What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?
2. How do sheep say Merry Christmas in Mexico?
3. What did the Gingerbread Man put on his bed?
4. Why are Christmas trees such bad knitters?
5. What do you when if you cross an apple with a Christmas tree?
6. What kind of ball doesn’t bounce?
7. What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?
8. How does Santa take pictures?
9. Who says “Oh! Oh! Oh!”?
10. What do Santa’s elves learn when they go to school??
a. Claustrophobic.
b. It’s Christmas, Eve.
c. With his North Pole-aroid.
d. A pineapple.
e.They are always dropping their needles.
f. The elf-abet.
g. Fleece Navidad
h. Santa Claus walking backwards.
i. A cookie sheet!
j. A snowball!
5. Answer the following questions:
1 Do you celebrate Christmas? How?
_______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2 What three words would you use to describe Christmas?
_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
3 What do you think is the true meaning of Christmas?
_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
4 What would you like to get for Christmas?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
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TEST PAPER
1. Read the text on the left and answer the questions.
A Special Christmas Present
David wants to buy a Christmas present for a very special person, his mother. David's father gives him $5.00
a week pocket money and David puts $2.00 a week into his bank account. After three months David takes
$20.00 out of his bank account and goes to the shopping mall. He looks and looks for a perfect gift.
Suddenly he sees a beautiful brooch in the shape of his favourite pet. He says to himself, "My mother loves
jewelry, and the brooch costs only $17.00." He buys the brooch and takes it home. He wraps the present in
Christmas paper and places it under the tree. He is very excited and he is looking forward to Christmas
morning to see the joy on his mother's face.
But when his mother opens the present she screams with fright because she sees a spider.
9. What does David want to buy his Mother?
A. ? a special birthday present
B. ? a Christmas present
C. ? a spider ring
10. Who does David get his money from?
A. ? his pet
B. ? his mother
C. ? his father
11. How much money does David take to the mall?
A. ? $20.00
B. ? $5.00
C. ? $17.00
12. What does David buy his mother?
A. ? a ring
B. ? a brooch
C. ? a spider
13. What does David do with the present when he takes it home?
A. ? he gives it to his mother
B. ? he wraps it in Christmas paper
C. ? he is very excited
14. Why does David's mother scream?
A. ? because the present is beautiful
B. ? because she doesn't like Christmas presents
C. ? because she thinks she sees a real spider
15. Why does David buy a spider brooch?
A. ? spiders are his favourite pet
B. ? he loves Christmas
C. ? to scare his mother
16. Where does David put the present on Christmas Eve?
A. ? under his pillow
B. ? under a spider
C. ? under the Christmas tree
2.This is a summary of the story. Complete the text by typing the correct word into each space.
bank brooch mall money opens paper present spider tree
David saves up his pocket to buy a Christmas for his mother. After three months, he takes
$20.00 out of his account and goes to the . He buys a beautiful for his mother. He
4
wraps it in Christmas and places it under the Christmas . But when his mother the
gift, she screams, because she sees a .
2. Read and answer the questions:
Christmas in England
In English speaking countries, children don’t get their presents on Christmas Eve (24 December). Santa
comes at night when everyone is asleep. Santa’s reindeer can fly and take him from house to house. They land
on the roofs of the houses and then Santa climbs down the chimney to leave the presents under the Christmas
tree.
In the morning of Christmas Day (25 December), children usually get up very early to unwrap their presents.
Then they have plenty of time to play with their new toys.
Christmas dinner is served in the early afternoon. Most people eat turkey and sprouts and a Christmas
pudding.
26 December is called Boxing Day. It hasn’t always been a holiday. People used to go back to work on that
day where their bosses gave them little Christmas presents in small boxes. That’s why the day is called
Boxing Day.
Answer the questions according to the text.
1. Santa’s sleigh lands …
- in front of the house
- in the sitting room
- on top of the house
2. Santa puts the presents …
-under the tree
- in the chimney
- in his bag
3. Why is 26 December called Boxing Day?
-People used to fight for their presents on that day.
-People hang around all day watching TV.
-People received little gift boxes on that day.
3. Christmas activity. For each blank space, choose the correct reponse. If both responses are
acceptable, choose the one that sounds more natural. Good luck!
1. Santa Claus delivers presents on his (cart/sleigh), which is pulled through the air by his
(reindeers/reindeer).
2. Parents often say that nice children will receive presents, while bad, or (naughty/nutty)
children will not.
3. During the Christmas holidays, many churches build and display (nativity/native) scenes -
visual portrayals of the birth of Jesus Christ.
4. We had a real Christmas tree last year, but this year we bought an (abnormal/artificial) one.
5. That is the most beautifully (decked/decorated) Christmas tree I've ever seen! Look at all the
pretty (ornaments/widgets).
6. A common belief is that if your stand under the (mistletoe/missile) (plant), you will be kissed
by someone.
7. In the United States, Christmas is celebrated by 95% of the (population/populace).
8. In the USA, Canada, and Australia, there is a strong tradition of decorating the outside of one's house with
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Christmas (lights/lightning).
9. Presents that are given on Christmas Day are often wrapped up in brightly-colored wrapping
(tissue/paper).
10. In some places, Christmas Eve supper is held in candle light, in the evening after the first star
(appears/comes) in the sky.
4. Enjoy these Christmas related jokes. Match each joke with its answer.
1. What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?
2. How do sheep say Merry Christmas in Mexico?
3. What did the Gingerbread Man put on his bed?
4. Why are Christmas trees such bad knitters?
5. What do you when if you cross an apple with a Christmas tree?
6. What kind of ball doesn’t bounce?
7. What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?
8. How does Santa take pictures?
9. Who says “Oh! Oh! Oh!”?
10. What do Santa’s elves learn when they go to school??
a. Claustrophobic.
b. It’s Christmas, Eve.
c. With his North Pole-aroid.
d. A pineapple.
e.They are always dropping their needles.
f. The elf-abet.
g. Fleece Navidad
h. Santa Claus walking backwards.
i. A cookie sheet!
j. A snowball!
5. Answer the following questions:
1 Do you celebrate Christmas? How?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2 What three words would you use to describe Christmas?
_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3 What do you think is the true meaning of Christmas?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4 What would you like to get for Christmas?
_______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
6
New Year's Eve/ New Year's Day
For each blank space, choose the correct reponse. If both responses are acceptable, choose the one that
sounds more natural. Good luck!
1. New Year's Day (January 1st) is the first day of the year in the Gregorian
(schedule/calendar).
2. New Year's Eve (December 31) is a time for (party/parties) and celebrations. These
celebrations culminate with the (ringing/calling) in of the new year at midnight.
3. Many cities around the world have (spectacular/spectacled) fireworks displays at midnight
on New Year's Eve. Some of the best known are in Sydney, New York, and London.
4. In New York City, a lot of people (gather/collect) on Times Square to watch the traditional
"ball-dropping" ceremony (right/correct) before midnight.
5. A new year's (resolution/resolve) is a decision one makes to change something in the new
year, for example - quitting smoking, losing weight, etc.
6. Many people don't follow (through/around) on these (resolutions/resolves).
7. It is quite common to (test/toast) the new year with champagne.
8. New Year's Day is an official holiday in many countries. People are most likely given the day off work to
(recover/review) from the previous night's parties.
9. In the time before (and after) New Year's Day, many radio and tv stations (broadcast/publish)
various "best of the year" lists. Numerous magazines and newspapers (broadcast/publish) the
same types of lists.
Christmas Jokes and Riddles
Enjoy these Christmas related jokes. Funny, clean Xmas Jokes for kids and adults.
Q. What kind of bird can write? A. A pen-guin
Q.What do you get if you cross Santa with a detective ? A. Santa Clues!
Q. What did Adam say on the day before Christmas? A. It’s Christmas, Eve.
Q. Why does Santa Claus like to work in the garden? A. Because he like to hoe, hoe, hoe!
Q. What happened when the snowwoman got angry at the snowman? A.She gave him the cold shoulder.
Q. What do snowmen wear on their heads? A. Ice caps.
Q. How do sheep say Merry Christmas in Mexico? A. Fleece Navidad!
Q. What is a snowman’s favorite lunch? A. An Iceberger!
Q. What do vampires put on their Christmas turkey? A. Grave-y.
Q. What did the ghost say to Santa Claus? A. I’ll have a boo Christmas without you.
Q. What do you call a snowman party? A. A Snowball!
Q. What did the Gingerbread Man put on his bed? A. A cookie sheet!
Q. What do you get when you cross a snowman with a shark? A. Frost bite!
Q. What do you call an Eskimo cow? A. An Eskimoo.
Q. How is the Christmas alphabet different from the ordinary alphabet?
A. The Christmas alphabet has NO EL.
Q. What do the elves sing to Santa Claus on his birthday? A. Freeze a jolly good fellow . . .
Q. What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmastime? A. Sandy Claws!
Q. Why are Christmas trees such bad knitters? A.They are always dropping their needles.
Q. What did the bald man say when he got a comb for Christmas? A.Thanks, I’ll never part with it!
Q. Why did they let the turkey join the band? A. Because he had the drum sticks.
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Q. What do you when if you cross an apple with a Christmas tree? A. A pineapple.
Q. What did the big candle say to the little candle? A. I’m going out tonight.
Q. Why wasn’t the turkey hungry at Christmas time? A. He was stuffed!
Q. Why does Santa Claus go down the chimney on Christmas Eve? A. Because it soots him.
Q. What kind of ball doesn’t bounce? A. A snowball!
Q. What’s the best thing to put into Christmas pie? A. Your teeth!
Q. What do you get when you eat the Christmas decorations? A. Tinsel-itus.
Q. Why does Scrooge love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? A. Because every buck is dear to him.
Q. If athletes get athletes foot, what do astronauts get? A. Missletoe!
Q. What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? A. Claustrophobic.
Q. What does Santa like to eat? A. A jolly roll.
Q. How does Santa take pictures? A. With his North Pole-aroid.
Why do mummies like Christmas so much?
Answer: Because of all the wrapping!
In what year did Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall in the same year?
Answer: Every year.
What do call Santa when he stops moving?
Answer: Santa Pause!
What Christmas carol is a favourite of parents?
Answer: Silent Night.
How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?
Answer: Nothing, it was on the house!
Where does Thanksgiving come after Christmas?
Answer: In the dictionary.
Who is never hungry at Christmas?
Answer: The turkey, he is always stuffed!
