Unit 7 ( NC )

rush (v) /rʌ∫/ to move or to do sth with great speed, often too fast
cylindrical (a) /si`lindrikəl/  cylinder(n) a solid or hollow figure with round ends and long straight sides (hình trụ)
colleague (n) /kɔ`li:g/ = associate (n) /ə`sou∫iit/: a partner, the one who works with you in business or in an enterprise
stew (n) /stju:/ a dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid in a container that has a lid.
Christmas is coming round the corner. Any plan for the occasion?
We’re flying home after this camp.
Most Americans always come home for a Christmas family union
a) Tom and Tam are talking about celebrations in each other’s country at a student exchange camp. Listen to the first part of the conversation in which Tom’s telling Tam about preparations for Christmas in the States.
Can you tell me more about the preparations for the celebration?
Certainly. As soon as December begins, we spend weeks decorating the home,planning parties, and shopping for gifts, to avoid the Christmas rush, you know. Aso, it is interesting to stay up late to write letters and cards.
I see. And when the day is coming near…?
Everybody will be busy choosing Christmas trees, decorating Christmas creches, wrapping presents, and, of course, preparing foods.
Wow, there must be a lot of fun, huh!
b) Work in pairs. Play the roles of Tam and Tom. One tells the other about Tet - the Vietnamese New Year. The following hints will help you.
Before Tet
Almost all people goping home for a union
Buying foods anddrinks, preparing traditional foods- banh chung( square glutinous rice cakes) or banh tet(cylindrical ones), decorating the house
Tat Nien parties( end-of-year parties)
New Year’s Eve
Making offerings to ancestors
Going to church or pagoda or out on the street
Counting down to New Year, watching firework displays
During Tet
Visiting parents and grandparents, and relatives(1st day); neighbors and close friends (2nd day); teachers, colleagues, and bussiness associates (3rd day).
Greetings and wishes( meeting in person or by calling, chatting, texting messages)
Eating special dishes( banh chung, banh tet, pork stew in fish sauce, and coconut juice, etc.)
Children getting lucky money
Going to festivals or traveling


Useful Expressions

-…is coming round the corner/coming (very) near/ approaching
-Could you tell me/us more about…?
-We always /usually/ normally/ often + verb (present simple).
-We spend time / are busy + -ing form of verb…