COLEGIO ICED PANAMÁ (ICED)

MÓDULO DE APRENDIZAJE
INGLÉS II

11º GRADO
Teléfono: 774-6266 WhatsApp:6984-6225
Edificio Plaza San Francisco, Ave Central
TABLA DE CONTENIDO
David-Chiriquí
Diagnostic Test E-mail: iced660@cwpanama.net

Unit 1: Personal Growing and Success

Useful Phrases in English

www.icedpanama.com
1
 Accounting Concepts

Parts of a business letter

Learning Activities

Unit 2: Science and Technology

Getting to know e-mail

Writing an e-mail

E-mail History

Unit 3: Culture, Values, and Society

Holidays in Panama and USA

Tourism in India

Holidays around the world

Bibliography

DIAGNOSTIC TEST
50 questions to test your level.
Q1 - She did it ___ her own. do
by would
on Q5 - She did it ____ Tuesday.
Q2 - It is not ____ mine. last
same as on last
same like Q6 - If I ___ you, I'd tell her immediately.
the same as was
the same like were
Q3 - I didn't see ____ people there. Either could be used here.
many Q7 - The radio was ___ from my car last
many of week.
Q4 - What ___ you like for dinner tonight? robbed

2
stolen finishing
Q8 - The person ____ interviewed me was Q22 - She lives ____.
very friendly. alone
who own
which her own
Q9 - ____ not the way to do it. lonely
That's Q23 - What is the correct spelling?
There's necesary
Either could be used here. neccesary
Q10 - ____ no way to do it. necessary
That's neccessary
There's Q24 - Which is the American spelling?
Either could be used here. gray
Q11 - I was certain ___ she would be there. grey
of Q25 - It looks ____ good.
that pretty
whether prettily
Q12 - If I go, I ____ speak to her. Q26 - She's good ____ maths.
will in
would at
Q13 - If I went, I ____ speak to her. on
will Q27 - Vegetables are good ____ you.
would to
Q14 - I'll be ____. by
their at
there in
Q15 - I won't be ____. for
theirs Q28 - She spoke ____ him yesterday.
there to
Either could be used here. with
Q16 - Every ____ Either could be used here.
day Q29 - If I'd been there, I _____ that.
days wouldn't do
Q17 - She lives ___ Anne. wouldn't have done
at Either could be used here.
with Q30 - She kissed him ___ the lips.
Q18 - I haven't seen her ____ ages. in
for on
since at
Q19 - He's ____ friend of mine! to
no by
not Q31 - It was ___ hot that we couldn't
Q20 - That was rude- you ____ have done it. concentrate.
mustn't so
shouldn't such
Q21 - She found it easy ____ the test. Q32 - It was ____ hot to drink.
finish so
to finish such

3
too Q44 - If I move to the country, it will mean
very ____ a long way every day.
Q33 - ____ I saw her yesterday, she was on travel
her way home. travelling
When to travel
Whenever Q45 - Has she ____ to him about it?
Q34 - She dropped her kids ____ at school on said
her way to work. spoken
of told
off Q46 - She handed the application form ___
up at reception.
to in
Q35 - It ____ a nation of millions to hold us out
back. Q47 - They ____ up a while ago and got
makes divorced last month.
takes split
Q36 - There are only fifteen questions ____ quit
in this test. Q48 - I would be grateful if you ____ send
go me further information.
going could
to go would
Q37 - I'll look it ___ in the dictionary.
in
on
at
to
up
Q38 - I have ____ finished.
near
nearly
Q39 - It's ____ trouble.
too much
too many
Q40 - She climbed _____ Everest.
Mount
the Mount
The Mount
Q41 - The shop is in ____ Street.
Oxford
the Oxford
Q42 - She tried ____.
hard
hardly
Q43 - She ___ tried.
hard
hardly
Either could be used here.

4
 USEFUL PHRASES IN ENGLISH

Translate the following phrases.

Can you translate this for me? Please write it down.

Chicago is very different from Boston, Thanks for everything.
Everyone knows it. Thanks for your help.
Everything is ready. That looks great.
He likes it very much. That smells bad.
I don't want to bother you. That's alright.
I get off of work at 6. That's enough.
I have a headache. That's not fair.
I hope you and your wife have a nice trip That's not right.
That's right.
I need to change clothes. That's too bad.
I need to go home. That's too many.
I only want a snack. That's too much.
I think it tastes good. The book is under the table.
I think it's very good. They'll be right back.
I thought the clothes were cheaper. They're the same.
I was about to leave the restaurant when They're very busy.
my friends arrived. This doesn't work.
I'd like to go for a walk. This is very difficult.
If you need my help, please let me know This is very important.
Try it.
I'll call you when I leave. Very good, thanks.
I'll come back later. We like it very much.
I'll take you to the bus stop. Would you take a message please?
I'm an American. Yes, really.
I'm cleaning my room. Your things are all here.
I'm coming to pick you up. You're beautiful.
I'm going to leave. You're very nice.
I'm good, and you? You're very smart.
I'm sorry, we're sold out.
I'm very busy. I don't have time now.

Is Mr. Smith an American?

Is that enough?
It's longer than 2 miles.
I've been here for two days.
I've heard Texas is a beautiful place.
I've never seen that before.

Let's go have a look.

Let's practice English.
May I speak to Mrs. Smith please?
Please fill out this form.
Please take me to this address.

5
 Accounting Concepts

Accounting

Recording and reporting of financial transactions, including the origination of the transaction, its
recognition, processing, and summarization in the financial statements.

Account Receivable

Claim against a debtor for an uncollected amount, generally from a completed transaction of sales
or services rendered.

Affiliated Company

Company, or other organization related through common ownership, common control of

management or owners, or through some other control mechanism, such as a long-term lease.

Annual Report

Report to the stockholders of a company which includes the company's annual, audited balance
sheet and related statements of earnings, stockholders' or owners' equity and cash flows, as well
as other financial and business information.

Audit

The inspection of a business or other organization’s accounting records and procedures. Done by a
trained accountant from within the organization (internal audit) or by an outsider (independent
audit) for the purpose of verifying the accuracy and completeness of the records.

Balance

Sum of debit entries minus the sum of credit entries in an account. If positive, the difference is
called a debit balance; if negative, a credit balance.

Balance Sheet

Basic financial statement, usually accompanied by appropriate disclosures that describe the basis
of accounting used in its preparation and presentation of a specified date, the entity's assets,
liabilities and the equity of its owners.

Bankruptcy

6
Legal process, governed by federal statute, whereby the debts of an insolvent person are
liquidated after being satisfied to the greatest extent possible by the debtor's assets. During
bankruptcy, the debtor's assets are held and managed by a court-appointed trustee.

Capital

Assets intended to further production. The amount invested in a proprietorship, partnership, or

corporation by its owners.

Corporation

Form of doing business pursuant to a charter granted by a state or federal government.

Corporations typically are characterized by the issuance of freely transferable capital stock,
perpetual life, centralized management, and limitation of owners' liability to the amount they
invest in the business.

Credit Agreement

Arrangement in which one party borrows or takes possession in the present by promising to pay in
the future.

Debit

Entry on the left side of a double-entry bookkeeping system that represents the addition of an
asset or expense or the reduction to a liability or revenue.

Depreciation

Expense allowance made for wear and tear on an asset over its estimated useful life.

Financial Statements

Presentation of financial data including balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash
flow, or any supporting statement that is intended to communicate an entity's financial position at
a point in time and its results of operations for a period then ended.

Fiscal Year

Period of 12 consecutive months chosen by an entity as its accounting period which may or may
not be a calendar year.

Franchise

Legal arrangement whereby the owner of a trade name, the franchiser, contracts with a party that
wants to use the name on a non-exclusive basis to sell goods or services, the franchisee.

7
Fraud

The use of one's occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse or
misapplication of employing an organization's resources or assets. This can include the fraudulent
conversion and obtaining of money or property by false pretenses.

8
 WORKSHOP
Complete the following crossword

10

● Horizontal
● 3. Legal arrangement whereby the owner of a trade name
● 4. Form of doing business pursuant to a charter granted by a state
● 6. The use of one's occupation for personal enrichment
● 8. Recording and reporting of financial transactions
● 9. The inspection of a business accounting
● 10. addition of an asset or expense

9
 ● Vertical
● 1. Expense allowance made for wear and tear on an asset
● 2. Assets intended to further production
● 5. Sum of debit entries minus the sum of credit entries
● 7. the debts of an insolvent person are liquidated

Parts of a Business Letter

The Heading (The Return Address) or Letterhead - Companies usually use printed
paper where heading or letterhead is specially designed at the top of the sheet. It bears
all the necessary information about the organisation’s identity.

Date - Date of writing. The month should be fully spelled out and the year written
with all four digits October 12, 2005 (12 October 2005 - UK style). The date is aligned
with the return address. The number of the date is pronounced as an ordinal figure,
though the endings st, nd, rd, th, are often omitted in writing. The article before the
number of the day is pronounced but not written. In the body of the letter, however,
the article is written when the name of the month is not mentioned with the day.

The Inside Address - In a business or formal letter you should give the address of the
recipient after your own address. Include the recipient's name, company, address and
postal code. Add job title if appropriate. Separate the recipient's name and title with a
comma.

The Greeting - Also called the salutation. The type of salutation depends on your
relationship with the recipient. It normally begins with the word "Dear" and always
includes the person's last name. Use every resource possible to address your letter to
an actual person. If you do not know the name or the sex of of your reciever address it
to Dear Madam/Sir (or Dear Sales Manager or Dear Human Resources Director). As a
general rule the greeting in a business letter ends in a colon (US style).

The Subject Line (optional) - Its inclusion can help the recipient in dealing
successfully with the aims of your letter. Normally the subject sentence is preceded
with the word Subject: or Re: Subject line may be emphasized by underlining, using
bold font, or all captial letters. It is usually placed one line below the greeting but
alternatively can be located directly after the "inside address," before the "greeting."

The Body Paragraphs - The body is where you explain why you’re writing. It’s the
main part of the business letter. Make sure the receiver knows who you are and why
you are writing but try to avoid starting with "I". Use a new paragraph when you wish

10
to introduce a new idea or element into your letter. Depending on the letter style you
choose, paragraphs may be indented. Regardless of format, skip a line between
paragraphs.

The Complimentary Close - This short, polite closing ends always with a comma. It is
either at the left margin or its left edge is in the center, depending on the Business
Letter Style that you use. It begins at the same column the heading does. The
traditional rule of etiquette in Britain is that a formal letter starting "Dear Sir or
Madam" must end "Yours faithfully", while a letter starting "Dear " must end "Yours
sincerely".

Signature and Writer’s identification - The signature is the last part of the letter. You
should sign your first and last names. The signature line may include a second line for
a title, if appropriate. The signature should start directly above the first letter of the
signature line in the space between the close and the signature line. Use blue or black
ink.

A salutation is the way you greet, or say hello to, the person you are writing
to. A closing is the way you say goodbye to the person you are writing to.
There are some standard words and phrases used for salutations and closings
in formal letters.

Salutations (Greetings)

Dear Mr. Jones,  

Dear Mrs. Smith,  

Dear Sir or Madam, Use this when you do not know the name of the person to
whom you are writing. For example, you are writing to
the manager of a government department, but you do
not know who the manager is.

To Whom It May Use this when you do not know who will be reading the
Concern, letter. For example, if you are writing a letter to the
government and you do not know which department(s)
need to see the letter or how many people will be reading
your letter.

Closings

These words and phrases can be used for closings.

11
Best regards, Use this phrase when you know the receiver well.

Regards, This is more casual than the other closings.

This is the most common closing. Use this when you do not

Sincerely,
know the receiver.

Sincerely yours, This is very formal.

Thank you, Use this phrase only when you have made a request.

Yours truly, This is very formal.

Most formal letters are business letters. Here is an example of a standard formal/business letter structure.

12
 

13
 MIND MAP

Individual Work

Write an example of each part of the letter following the previous

example.

14
 Formal letters

Please rearrange the following sentences, so that they make sense!

15
Starting a letter:

1. about am college at courses enquire I writing to your

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. advertisement am connection I with writing your in

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

3. The advertisement Times in your reference to with

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

4. 16th letter April of reference to with your

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

5. 16th about enquiring for June letter of thank vacancies you your
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Main body letter:

1. am delighted examination have I inform passed that to you your you

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. a cannot I offer regret refund tell that to we you you
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. a addressed enclosed find envelope please stamped
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
4. allow apologize for had have me please problems the to you
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
5. as as could goods please possible replace soon the you
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
6. about be college could grateful I if information me send your would you

16
 ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Ending the letter:

1. forward I look receiving reply to your

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. forward from hearing I soon look to you

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. help hope I information that will this you
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
4. any contact do further hesitate if information need not please to us you
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
5. any contact feel further free have if me please questions to you
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
6. any caused has hope inconvenience not that this we you
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

GETTING TO KNOW E-MAIL

Introduction

17
 Do you ever feel like the only person who doesn't use email? You don't have
to feel left out. More than ever, email is easy to understand and use.

In this lesson, you will learn what email is, how it compares to traditional
mail, and how email addresses are written. We'll also discuss
various types of email providers and the features and tools they include
with an email account.

Getting to know email

You may know that email (electronic mail) is a way to send and

receive messages across the Internet, but do you know how
individual emails are sent, or what they cost, or how email compares to
traditional "snail" mail? To get a better idea of what email is all about,
review the infographic below and consider how you might benefit from
its use.

18
19
Understanding email addresses

To receive emails, you will need an email account and an email

address. Also, if you want to send emails to other people, you will
need to obtain their email addresses. It's important to learn how to
write email addresses correctly, because if you do not enter them
exactly right your emails will not be delivered or might be delivered to
the wrong person. 

Email addresses are always written in a standard format that includes

a username, the @ (at) symbol, and the email provider's domain.
The username is the name you choose to identify yourself, and
the email provider is the website that hosts your email account.

Review the graphic for examples of how email addresses are written. 

20
About email providers
In the past, people usually received an email account from the same companies that provided
their Internet access. For example, if AOL provided your Internet connection, you'd have an AOL
email address. While this is still true for some people, today it's increasingly common to use
a free web-based email service, also known as webmail. Anyone can use these
services, no matter who provides their Internet access.

Webmail providers

Today, the top three webmail providers

are Yahoo!,
Microsoft'sOutlook.com (previously
Hotmail), and Google's Gmail. These
providers are popular because they allow
you to access your email account from
anywhere with an Internet connection. You
can also access webmail on your mobile
device.

Other email providers

Many people also have an email address hosted by their company,

school, or organization. These email addresses are usually for
professional purposes. For example, the people who work for this
website have email addresses that end with @gcflearnfree.org. If you
are part of an organization that hosts your email, they'll show you how
to access it.

Many hosted web domains end with a suffix other than .com.

Depending on the organization, your provider's domain might end
with a suffix like .gov (for government websites), .edu (for
schools), .mil (for military branches), or .org (for nonprofit
organizations).

Learning Activities

21
True or False

1. An e-mail is a way to send and receive messages across the Internet. ______
2. You receive e-mails by a mail carrier. ______
3. E-mails are free with Internet connection. ______
4. You can receive e-mails without a mail provider. ______
5. An e-mail includes packages with documents. ______
6. E-mails have a few advantages. ______
7. You don’t need e-mail account to get e-mails. ______
8. E-mails include username. ______
9. The username is the website that hosts your e-mail account. ______
10. The top three webmail providers are yahoo, outlook, and gmail. ______

Answer the following questions.

1. What is an e-mail?

__________________________________________________

2. Mention three advantages of using e-mail?

_______________________________________________________________

3. What does an e-mail address include?

_______________________________________________________________

4. What are the most popular webmail providers?

_______________________________________________________________

5. How might your provider’s domain end?

22
 ________________________________________________________________

Activities about E-mail

1.- Match the informal expressions in the first column with the formal expressions in the second
column.
a) Let us know if you’re coming 1) Do not hesitate to…
b) Feel free to… 2) Regards
c) Can you please… 3) As requested
d) Best wishes 4) I look forward to seeing you
e) I won’t be able to attend 5) Could you please confirm your attendance
f) As asked… 6) I will be unable to attend
g) I’m looking forward to seeing you 7) We would be grateful if you could

2.- In the following formal and informal emails, there are some missing words. Try to
fill in the gaps with appropriates words. There are two extra words in each email.
Decide which of the emails is more formal.

1) appointment / could / unable / hesitate / faithfully / afraid / grateful / please /

sincerely / forward / due to
Dear Mr. Perkins,

I am writing in response to the email I received from you on the 21st July 2002. I am
………… I will be …………… to attend to our meeting ……………. a work meeting
arranged on the same day. The only solution to discuss our differences would be to meet
another day. ............... it be possible to arrange another ………………? Do not
……………….. to contact me whenever you find a free day for our meeting. I would be
…………… if you could inform me about the day as soon as possible.

I look ……………… to hearing from you,

Yours …………….,

Malcom Bross

2) feel free / regards / happy / can / sorry / hello / asap / won’t be able / looking / tell /
re / because
Dear Peter,

I write you because I have read your last email. ………….. but I ……………to go to our
meeting ……………. I have a work meeting on the same day. We can only talk about our
differences if we meet another day. …………. we see each other another day? ………….

23
 to call me when you find a free day to meet. I would be ……………. if you could
……………me about the day ………….
………………… forward to hearing from you,
…………………..,

Malcom

My latest news
READ THE EMAIL BELOW AND UNDERLINE THE PRESENT PERFECT
VERBS
Hello there
I hope things are good for you these days. I’ve got a lot of news for you! I’ve just started my
new school and my uniform is cool. It’s black and white. Guess what? I’ve changed my
hairstyle now it’s really short. But my best news is that our cat Lucky has just had three
kittens. They’re really gorgeous and so cute!
Ryan is fine, he’s really happy at the moment because he’s just bought an MP3 player with
his birthday money. He listens to it all the time and he can’t hear anything I say. It’s so
annoying!
Mum and Dad are fine too. They’ve been really busy with DIY. They’ve just painted the
kitchen. Dad isn’t very happy because he’s hurt his back. Mum has found a new job at a
Vet’s. She’s very happy because she really loves animals.
I have to go now as my best friend, has just invited me to a sleepover and I have to get
ready and pack my bag.
Please write with all your news!
Answer the email telling all your news, you can use the ideas below or write your own

Play football, go to dentist, pass maths test, make cookies, start guitar lessons,

Go to a restaurant, watch a film, go to a mall, buy something

Dear ___________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________
24
____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________
 Match the words in A with the words in B to make sentences using the Present Perfect

A B

A. I JUST (START ) 1. AN MP3 PLAYER ______________________________

B. I (CHANGE) 2. HIS BACK ______________________________

C. BONNY JUST (HAVE) 3. REALLY BUSY ______________________________

D. OSCAR JUST (BUY) 4. MY HAIRSTYLE _____________________________

E. MUM AND DAD (BE) 5. KITTENS _____________________________

F. THEY JUST (PAINTED) 6. A NEW JOB AT A VET’S

_____________________________

G. MY DAD (HURT) 7. ME TO A SLEEPOVER

______________________________

H. MUM (FIND) 8. THE KITCHEN ______________________________

I. JULIE JUST (INVITE) 9. MY NEW SCHOOL

______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

CHARLOTTE WANTS TO DO A LOT OF THINGS READ

THE LIST:
WRITE THE ANSWERS
THINGS I WANT TO DO IN MY
LIFE ! 1.SHE HAS NOT GONE ON
HOLIDAY TO THE MOON
GO ON HOLIDAY TO THE
MOON 2.___________________________

LIVE IN AN IGLOO x 1998 ____________________________

MEET THE QUEEN OF 3.__________________________

ENGLAND ____________________________
MAKE A FILM x 1999 4.__________________________ 25
SWIM IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN ____________________________
FLY IN A HELICOPTER 5.___________________________
 Who
yourput @ in
email?
In English it is called simply “at”, but other languages have more interesting names. In South Africa it is
“monkey’s tail”; in Denmark it is often “pig’s tail”; in France it is sometimes “little snail”; in Greece it is “little duck”;
in Hungary it is “worm”; in Poland it is sometimes “little cat”; in Russia it is usually “little dog”, in Sweden it is
“elephant’s trunk” and Turkish emailers call it simply “ear”.

Today we talk to Ray Tomlinson, the man who invented @ and email.

Q: When and why did you invent email?

It was in 1971 and I’m not sure there was a real reason for inventing it. It was a
fun thing to try out and probably took four to six hours to do. I can’t remember
exactly how long it took. Less than a day, spread over a week or two.

Q: How do you feel about spam and viruses?

I get annoyed when I get spam. It’s a tough problem but we’re going to solve it. So far the solutions aren’t
working – they either filter too much or not enough. We must find a better way to stop spam. Viruses are
another problem and you usually get them from an email attachment or a downloaded app or file. For
26 example,
an ISP could throw away all emails with attachments, but then email wouldn’t be any use. We’ll have to find a
solution.
 Q: Does it bother you that you’re not a household name – that most people don’t
know what
you’ve done?

No, it doesn’t bother me. Computer nerds know that I’ve done it. I get emails from people who say “What you
did is great. Why don’t you do something about spam? It’s a kind of nice that some people are interested in
what I did – but it’s not the centre of my life.

Reading Exercises

Comprehension
Are these sentences below true (T), false (F), or no information T F NI
(NI)? Correct the false sentences.

Ray Tomlinson said he had invented the computer in 1971.

He said it was easy to invent email.
He told the interviewer that email was a tough problem.
He said that they were going to solve the problem of spam.
He said that solutions to spam were working.
He told the interviewer that he got lots of emails.
He said computer nerds didn’t know that he had invented email.
Emails to Ray said what he had done was great.

27
Now tell us according to your opinion, if you consider e-mails are useful or not and your
reasons.

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Holidays in Panama

Holidays in Panama. Official, semi official and unofficial, there are a definitely a lot of holidays during
the year. So many in fact, that the number often a surprises foreigners who transplant themselves to
Panama.

Often buying alcoholic beverages is forbidden from noon on the day before the holiday until noon the
next day. If you want to drink, buy what you want ahead of time. Another consideration regarding
partying in public is that it is illegal. Though enforcement of the law may be lax, technically public
intoxication can lead to a fine and sometimes jail time. Same goes for driving under the influence. Same
goes for smoking too.Very little will happen the day after a holiday.

If you are an employer, holidays are normally of the paid variety. If there is a “work day”, or two,
between official holidays, don’t be surprised if some employees don’t show up or some appointments

28
 don’t happen. Also in terms of doing business, businesspeople in Panama know that November is a
‘dead’ month. There are many holidays and hangovers so it is best to wrap up business dealings by the
end of October.

Traffic can be intense leaving Panama City since

most residents want to see extended family in the interior provinces. The flip side of this is that traffic
is very light in the city as a result of the migration.

Carnival in Panama (Panama’s version of Mardi Gras) in February is especially popular. Use some
caution while getting doused with water. Street crime, as would be expected, is worse than at any
other time of the year.

If a Panamanian national holiday falls on a Sunday, the day off is automatically moved to the following
Monday to create a long weekend.

Due to Panama’s cultural diversity and history, there is an interesting mix of official holidays. Every
province has its own calendar as well, but in this post we list the  Panamanian Holidays:
● January 1, New Year’s Day.
● January 9, Martyrs’ Day (Panama).
● February 18-21, Carnival.
● April 1-8, Easter.
● May 1, Labor Day.
● November 3, Independence Day (from
Colombia).
● November 4, Flag Day.
● November 5, Colon Day.
● November 10, “Primer Grito de
Independencia de la Villa de los
Santos”. (This commemorates the
uprising in the Villa de los Santos
against Spain that led to independence.
● November 26 & 28, Independence Day
(from Spain).
● December 8, Mothers’ Day.
● December 25, Christmas.

Some hints regarding unofficial holidays.

There are some other holidays that are

observed that affect day-to-day planning.

29
November 2 is Panama’s “Day of the Dead” and is when locals visit those loved ones passed away in
cemeteries across the country. Most, but not all, people celebrate America’s Thanksgiving. Halloween
is unofficial but very popular.

The Jewish and Chinese communities constitute a large part of life in Panama and both observe their
annual holidays. Though these are not considered official in Panama, expect retail businesses and the
local ‘Chinito’ store where you buy your day-to-day supplies to quietly shut down without previous
public notice.

American Holidays

Each of the fifty states in the USA establishes their own legal holidays. The federal government,
through the President and Congress, can legally set holidays only for federal employees and for
the District of Columbia. Most states however accept the federal legal holidays which are: New
Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Day, Washington’s Birthday, now called ‘President’s Day’ (the 3 rd
Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day, Labour Day (1 st
Monday in September), Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day (November, 11 th), Thanksgiving Day and
Christmas.

Most states have holidays which are ‘observed’ but not necessarily legal. The name of the holiday
goes on the calendar for a state, yet it does not mean that business is always closed or children let
out of school. For example, Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in April
only in Alabama and Mississippi.

Many religious holidays such as Good Friday, Hanukkah or Ramadan are observed by the religious,
but have no national or officially legal status. Rather each state sets its own laws, and whether or
not an employee is given time off also depends on individual company decisions.

There are many other traditional holidays, observed by a large number of Americans, which are
neither legal nor official. Among these are Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day (not just people with
Irish ancestry will ‘wear the green’ on March 17th), Mother’s Day and Halloween.

Perhaps the two ‘most American’ of the holidays are the 4 th of July – Independence Day, and
Thanksgiving. The first one is like a big nationwide birthday party. Some towns and cities have
parades with bands and flags, and most politicians will try to give a patriotic speech, should
anyone be willing to listen. But what makes this holiday special is the atmosphere and enjoyment

30
of, for instance, the family picnic with hot dogs, hamburgers and volleyball, fireworks and rockets
at night.

Like Christmas, Thanksgiving is a day for families to come together.

Traditional foods are prepared for the feast – turkey or ham, cranberry
sauce, bread rolls and pumpkin pie. At the same time Thanksgiving is a
solemn occasion, a day to remember the many who are less well off, in
America and throughout the world.

Memorial Day honours the dead and it is celebrated on the 4 th Monday of May.
Although it originated in the aftermath of the Civil War, it has become a day on
which the dead of all wars and the dead generally, are remembered in special
programs held in cemeteries, churches and other public meeting places.

Labour Day is celebrated on the 1 st Monday of September is the national holiday

that honours national working people, typically with parades. For most Americans it means the
end of the summer vacation season, and for many students it is the beginning of academic year.

Columbus Day on October 12, 1492, Italian navigator Christopher Columbus landed in the New
World. Although most other nations of the Americans observe this holiday on October 12, in the
USA it takes place on the 2nd Monday of October.

Veterans Day is originally called Armistice Day. This holiday was established to honour Americans
who had died in World War I. It falls on November 11, the day when that war ended in 1918, but it
now honours veterans of all wars in which the USA has fought. Veterans’ organizations hold
parades, and the president customarily places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington
National Cemetery, across the Potomac River in Washington D.C.

The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., an African-American clergyman, is considered a great
American because of his tireless efforts to win civil rights for all people through nonviolent means.
Since his assassination in 1968, memorial services have marked his birthday on the 15 th of January.
In 1986, that day was replaced by the 3 rd Monday of January, which was declared a national
holiday.

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There are more than 500 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India providing you the thrilling experience of wildlife safaris by
jeep, elephant ride or boat offering chances to visit many rare and endangered species, including the tiger.
To put it simply, adventure tourism is the apotheosis of the beach holiday – it is getting out there and doing something that you
enjoy, something that can be as challenging as you want but that gives you a sense of achievement and not just a sun tan.
India has an amazingly diverse climate and topography - there are mountains, fast flowing rivers, all types of forest (alpine, tropical
and mangrove), alluvial plains, grasslands, deserts, oceans and beaches. This gives endless opportunities for adventure tourism
amongst the beauty, colour and uniqueness that is India. India is a famous tourist destination, but there is so much more there
than the Taj Mahal and the Golden Triangle.
The awe-inspiring Himalayas and the surrounding foothills provide a fantastic environment for trekking, skiing and rock climbing
while the fast flowing rivers cascading through them are perfect for white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing or even fishing.
There are also opportunities for paragliding and hot air ballooning and other sky borne adventures. As well as being famous for vistas
of white sandy beaches, the coastal areas also offer a huge range of water sports including diving and snorkeling.
The forests, grasslands and desert areas support a fantastic array of wildlife providing a different arena for adventure holidays.
There are more than 500 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India providing the excitement of wildlife safaris by jeep,
elephant back or boat when there is the chance of seeing many rare and endangered species, including the tiger. The whole country
is also a paradise for birdwatchers with many famous bird reserves, namely Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur which is a
fantastic wetland sanctuary. Visiting these Reserves actively helps with the conservation of India’s endangered wildlife.
Part of the adventure is in how you travel – bikers, just imagine touring the high altitude snow deserts of Ladakh on the enigmatic
Enfield Bullet! Alternatively, take a jeep safari across the Himalayas or, if you prefer to be on foot, there are an incredible variety of
hiking opportunities from short walks in low altitude alpine meadows to mighty treks over some of the highest passes in the world. If
cycling is your thing, push yourself to the limit and tour Rajasthan by bike. Or why not see India from horseback or perhaps from
the back of a camel on a romantic safari through the desert.
Specialist tour operators offering adventure holidays to India are well aware of the needs of responsible tourism and eco-travel so in
this progressively environment conscious world a trip to India can provide the adventurous traveller with a huge range of activities
whilst promoting the conservation of this amazing country.
Today the logistics of arranging an eco-friendly adventure holiday to India are easy – look on the internet and you will find
professional tour operators who can help you choose the right trip for you and make all the necessary travel arrangements –
wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do and whatever type of transport and accommodation you need for your trip, you
can be confident that they will organize everything efficiently and smoothly.
32you will find
Today the logistics of arranging an eco-friendly adventure holiday to India are easy – look on the internet and
professional tour operators who can help you choose the right trip for you and make all the necessary travel arrangements –
wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do and whatever type of transport and accommodation you need for your trip, you
 Read the text and identify 4 different places that offer 5- Rewrite the following sentences starting by the
opportunities for adventure tourism in India. words given.
What do the underlined words refer to in the text? John wanted to have some adventure holidays, so he
a) it b) this c) there d) them e) which booked a trip to India.
3- Find evidence in the text. If John …
Spending holidays in India goes beyond relaxing on the beach. b) A lot of travelers visit India every year.
The Indian rivers provide the right places to experience a variety India …
of extreme sports. There are more than 500 National parks in India. They
Protected areas in this country can be visited using different means provide the visitors with thrilling experiences.
of transport. In India there are more than 500 National parks …
Visitors can help to preserve species in danger of extinction every Tour operators can make all the necessary travel
time they go a National Park. arrangements.
Adventure holidays in India means having the chance to travel All the necessary …
around the country in many different ways. “Which places did you visit in India?” asked he.
Travel agents know that nowadays tourism and environmental The reporter asked …
protection need to be side by side.
4- Find the synonyms of the following words in the text.
offering b) exciting c) daring d) variety e) entire

The first Thanksgiving was in 1621.

The Pilgrims were new to America and did not know how to
grow food or hunt animals. Many of them died. The Native
Americans helped the Pilgrims. The Native Americans
taught them how to grow corn and pumpkins and beans.
They also taught the Pilgrims how to fish and hunt. The next
year, the Pilgrims had a big harvest. The Pilgrims were very
thankful and grateful. The Pilgrims had a huge feast to
celebrate the new harvest and to give thanks to the Indians.
The feast lasted for three days. This is how Thanksgiving
33
 Thanksgiving Day is a harvest celebration.
Traditionally, it was a time to give thanks for a big harvest.
It is also a holiday to express appreciation to family and
friends. This is why it is celebrated with a big family feast.
Now, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth
Thursday of November. Thanksgiving is a time when
families come together and eat a lot of food. They eat big
turkeys and cranberries and pumpkin pie. It is a day of
gratitude and appreciation. Everybody talks about what
they are thankful for. Many are thankful for family, friends
and good food and the good things in their lives. What are
you thankful for?

THANSKGIVING QUIZ

1. When was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?

2. How did the Native Americans help the Pilgrims?

3. The Pilgrims were grateful for a big __________.

4. How many days was the first Thanksgiving?

34
 5. How do people celebrate Thanksgiving now?

6. When is Thanksgiving celebrated?

7. What is a “feast?”

8. What is common Thanksgiving food?

9. What are you thankful for?

If - My
Dream
Which of the countries in the world would you visit if you could afford it?

What would you do there?

Write a few sentences about the countries you would like to visit e.g.:

If I had enough/a lot of money, I’d travel to Paris and go up the Eiffel Tower.

If I could afford it, I’d go to …….. . I’d visit …….. .

35
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Compare your sentences with a partner then explain why you would like to go each place.

PRESENT PERFECT

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We use this tense for unfinished and finished actions:

Unfinished Actions

We use this tense when we want to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past
and continue to the present. Usually we use it to say 'how long' an action or state has
continued with 'since' and 'for'. Often, we use stative verbs in this situation:

● I've known Karen since 1994.

● She's lived in London for three years.

'Since' and 'For'

We use 'since' with a fixed time in the past (2004, April 23rd, last year, two hours
ago). The fixed time can be another action, indicated with the past simple (since I was
at school, since I arrived):

● I've known Sam since 1992.

● I've liked chocolate since I was a child.
● She's been here since 2pm.

We use 'for' with a period of time (2 hours, three years, six months):

● I've known Julie for ten years.

● I've been hungry for hours.
● She's had a cold for a week.

Finished Actions

1: Life experience 
(we don't say when the experience happened, just sometime in the past)

● I have been to Tokyo.

● She has lived in Germany.
● They have visited Paris three times.

37
 ● We have never seen that film.
● Have you ever read 'War and Peace'?

2: A finished action with a result in the present (focus on result)

● I've lost my keys (so I can't get into my house).

● She's hurt her leg (so she can't play tennis today).
● They've missed the bus (so they will be late).
● I've cooked dinner (so you should come and eat).

3: With an unfinished time word (this month, this week, today, in the last year)

● I haven't seen her this month.

● She's drunk three cups of coffee today.
● This week they've been shopping four times.

FUENTES BIBLIOGRÁFICAS

Cusack, Barry & Sam McCarter. Listening and Speaking Skills. McMillan Education.

Haugnes, Natasha and Beth Maher. Reading and Writing, Basic/ Low Intermediate, Second edition.
Pearson Education, Inc., 2004.

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McCarthy, Michael, McCarten, Jeanne, Sandiford, Helen. Touchstone NY: Cambridge University
Press, 2005.

Nature and Environment 1. Tools series. Richmond publishing editorial staff. 2000.

Parrot, Martin. Grammar for English Language Teachers. Cambridge University Press.

Richards, Jack C. Interchange I. Third edition, Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Saslow, Joan, Ascher, Allen. Summit. NY: Pearson Education Inc. 2006.

Schampfer, Azar, Betty. Understanding and Using English Grammar. Third edition

Smalzer, William and Raymond Murphy. Grammar in Use Intermediate. Third edition. Cambridge
University Press.

Tanka, Judith and Lida R. Baker. Interaction 1, Listening /speaking. 4th edition. McGraw-Hill, 2002.

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