Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. It is a time for people to gather with family and friends, express gratitude for their blessings, and enjoy a large meal, traditionally featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. The origins of Thanksgiving date back to 1621, when the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a feast to celebrate the harvest. Today, it’s a holiday centered around giving thanks, sharing food, and spending time with loved ones.
Grammar:
Focus: Past Simple and Present Perfect
Past Simple is used to talk about completed actions in the past.
- Example: "The Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621."
Present Perfect is used to talk about experiences or actions that have an impact on the present.
- Example: "I have always celebrated Thanksgiving with my family."
Time expressions: on Thanksgiving, every year, last year, since 1621, in November, for generations, over the years.
Vocabulary:
- Thanksgiving: A national holiday in the U.S., celebrated with a large meal and gratitude.
- Pilgrims: The group of English settlers who celebrated the first Thanksgiving with Native Americans.
- Harvest: The process of gathering ripe crops from the fields, often a theme of Thanksgiving.
- Feast: A large, special meal shared by many people.
- Turkey: The traditional main dish served during Thanksgiving dinner.
- Stuffing: A mixture of seasoned bread and vegetables, often cooked inside a turkey.
- Pumpkin pie: A sweet dessert made from pumpkin, commonly served at Thanksgiving.
- Gratitude: The feeling of being thankful or appreciative.
- Cornucopia: A symbol of abundance, often displayed at Thanksgiving.
- Native Americans: Indigenous people of North America who shared the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims.
Useful Expressions:
- "Happy Thanksgiving!" – A common greeting used during the holiday.
- "What are you thankful for this year?" – A question asking someone to express gratitude.
- "Let’s gather around the table and give thanks." – An invitation to begin the Thanksgiving meal.
- "We’re having turkey and pumpkin pie for dinner." – Describing the traditional Thanksgiving meal.
- "It’s a time to reflect on all our blessings." – Expressing the meaning of the holiday.
Sentences:
- "Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year."
- "Many families travel long distances to be together for Thanksgiving."
- "We spent all day cooking the Thanksgiving feast."
- "I am thankful for my family, my health, and the food we share."
- "The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 between the Pilgrims and Native Americans."
Questions and Answers:
Q1: When is Thanksgiving celebrated in the United States?
- A: Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
Q2: What is the traditional main dish at a Thanksgiving dinner?
- A: The traditional main dish is turkey.
Q3: Who were the Pilgrims, and what did they do on the first Thanksgiving?
- A: The Pilgrims were English settlers who celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621 with Native Americans to give thanks for the harvest.
Q4: What dessert is commonly eaten on Thanksgiving?
- A: Pumpkin pie is a popular dessert eaten on Thanksgiving.
Q5: What do people often do before eating their Thanksgiving meal?
- A: People often express what they are thankful for before eating their Thanksgiving meal.
Conversation:
Sarah: Hi Mark, what are your plans for Thanksgiving this year?
Mark: I’m spending it with my family. We’re having a big dinner. How about you?
Sarah: Same here! My parents are hosting the dinner, and my grandparents are coming too. Are you making any special dishes?
Mark: Yes, I’m in charge of the stuffing and the cranberry sauce. I’m also bringing a pumpkin pie for dessert.
Sarah: That sounds delicious! What do you usually do after dinner?
Mark: We usually watch a football game and then go for a walk. What about you?
Sarah: We play board games and just enjoy the time together. It’s my favorite holiday!
Mark: Mine too! I love how it’s all about being thankful and spending time with family.
Reading:
The History and Traditions of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved holidays in the United States, celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November. The origins of the holiday date back to 1621, when the Pilgrims, early European settlers in North America, held a feast with the Wampanoag Native Americans to celebrate a successful harvest. This gathering is often considered the first Thanksgiving. The meal was a time to give thanks for the food they had and to build a sense of community between the settlers and the Native Americans.
Today, Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to come together, share a large meal, and express gratitude for the blessings in their lives. The Thanksgiving feast typically includes roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Many families also participate in charitable activities, such as volunteering at soup kitchens or donating food to those in need.
In addition to the meal, other popular Thanksgiving traditions include watching football games, participating in Thanksgiving parades, and reflecting on the things for which we are grateful. One famous event is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which features giant balloons, marching bands, and floats. At the heart of Thanksgiving is the spirit of gratitude, reminding everyone to appreciate the good things in their lives.
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