British Studies

Дополнительные задания к книге “Britain in Brief” В.В. Ощепковой и И.И. Шустиловой

continued from No. 20

HABITS AND WAYS

Text 3. Guy Fawkes’ Night
In 1605 King James I was on the throne. As a Protestant, he was very unpopular with Roman Catholics. Some of them planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament on 5th November of that year, when the King was going to open Parliament. Under the House of Lords they stored thirty-six barrels of gunpowder, which were to be exploded by a man called Guy Fawkes. However, one of the plotters spoke about these plans and Fawkes was discovered, arrested and later hanged. Since that day, the English traditionally celebrate 5th November by burning a dummy, made of straw and old clothes, on a bonfire, at the same time letting off fireworks.
This dummy is called a guy (like Guy Fawkes) and children can often be seen on the pavements before 5th November saying, “Penny for the guy”. If they collect enough money they can buy some fireworks.

REFERENCE
Guy Fawkes’ Night ночь Гая Фокса (вечер 5 ноября, когда по традиции отмечают раскрытие “порохового заговора” сожжением пугала и фейерверком)

I. COMPREHENSION
Are the following statements true or false? If the statement is false, say why it is and correct it.
1. On 5th November 1605 a group of Roman Catholics planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
2. The plan was a success.
3. Guy Fawkes and other conspirators were never caught.
4. Now, on this day children make a figure of man made of old clothes or sraw and burn it on top of a bonfire.
5. Children collect money to buy candy.

II. VOCABULARY
Match the words opposite in meaning.

Key: II. 1. c; 2. a; 3. d; 4. e; 5. b

By Viktoria Oschepkova, Irina Shustilova

to be continued