2014年秋高中英语 Module 4 Carnival Behind the Turkey The Story of Thanksgivin A Christmas story素材 外研版必修5

A Christmas story Ricky:Staying in Beijing for Christmas James?ames:Hi Ricky, no I’m off to London to have Christmas with the family.Ricky:Oh that’s great -.Christmas with the folks will be terrific.James:Yeah. It’s the only time I get to see the whole family together at one time.Ricky:Ah, so you have a big feast ahead of you. Do you go to a restaurant?James:No way! Ours is a very traditional Christmas at home, complete with a tree and Christmas carols. Isn’t that the way you do it in Australia.Ricky:Oh sure. The traditions are much the same …surprisingly.James:Why do you say surprisingly? Christmas is the same all round the world isn’t it?Ricky:Well, up to a point. It is the festive season of course, but its really very commercial season now.James:Yes it’s funny that we’ve forgotten the religious aspect of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.Ricky:Well maybe that’s not such a bad thing – after all not everyone in the world is a Christi an. But there is one great aspect of Christmas that is universal - and that’s the giving of gifts to families and friends and even workmates. We might argue and become frustrated with one another throughout the year, but Christmas still remains the one time of the year when we show appreciation for each other.James:Yeah, you’re right. So what are you getting me for Christmas?Ricky:Oh I thought a bottle of your favourite might hit the spot.James:Ah you’re so thoughtful. Well I’m not telling you what I’m getting you ‘cause I haven’t decided yet.Ricky:When I was a kid we used to have proper Christmas tree, with all the lights and decorations on it.James:Well of course you do.Ricky:Not so simple. Pine trees, the traditional Christmas trees are not native to Australia, so they’re not found everywhere. And you are familiar with a “White” Christmas, but it’s the middle of summer in Australia – so there is no snow around at all. The Christmas tradition is really a Northern hemisphere thing.And all that roast meat – chicken and turkey and ham and the rich desserts. Christmas fruit cake and pudding and hot custard.James:Yes delicious isn’t it. I love all that stuff.Ricky:Me too. But at that time of the year we generally eat salads. Roast dinners are a bit tough in the blazing heat. We all generally eat too much rich food and drink too much wine and beer and then just spend the afternoon sleeping it off.James:How strange not to have snow. That must make the idea of Santa Claus, with his sleigh pulled by reindeer seem very odd.Ricky:Well I think anyone would find the idea of a fat man in a red suit who climbs down your chimney and leaves everyone gifts a bit odd, don’t you? Anyway I hope Santa brings you just what you want this year.