A: how do you celebrate national day in your country?
B: there are parades in many cities and people fly the national flags from almost every public building.
A: what kinds of parades are there?
B: the parades are usually military ones, but sometimes there are procession of people carrying flags and singing patriotic¹ songs. What do you do on national day in your country?
A: we don’t have a national day.
B: really? That’s unusual.
A: I guess it is. Most countries have on, but we don’t.
B: actually, even though we have parades, most people just use the national day holiday to visit family or go shopping. In the evening, many people watch special TV shows which celebrate national day.

Intermediate²
A: is everything ready for the Christmas party?
B: almost. I’ve put up the decorations , and we’ve decorated the Christmas tree with plenty of tinsel and baubles³.
A: I like the big star on the top of the tree. I’ll put the presents under the tree later, how’s the food.
B: I’ve prepared most of it already and we’ve got plenty of snack foods-you know, crisps, biscuits, and things. Are you going to make the punch?
A: yes. I’ve bought all the things to go in it. It won’t take long to make. How many people are coming to the party?
B: I think everyone will be coming. Dave don’t come because he has to go to his parent’s home and they live in Scotland.
A: do we have Christmas pudding?
B: yes, we do. I hope we have enough　for everyone. Did you send out all your Christmas cards in time?
A: yes, I did. I send most of them a week ago. I’ve brought some with me to the party to give to people in person.
B: I did the same. I spent hours yesterday evening wrapping presents. I hope I didn’t forget to buy anyone something!
A: I hope you didn’t forget mine!

Words
National day
Christmas(day/eve)
Halloween
Thanksgiving
May day
Spring festival
New year
Easter
Valentine’s day
Tomb sweeping day