Designed by Marcin Smolik for Pearson Longman PHOTOCOPIABLE

Guy Fawkes Night, 5th November Elementary

1. Read the words and their definitions, and label the numbered elements in the pictures.Compare with a partner.

(a) bonfire - a large outdoor fire, either for burning waste or for a party(b) effigy /ef/ - a model / doll of someone you don't like, usually quite ugly(c) barrel /brl/ - a large container with a flat top and bottom, made of wood or metal, and used for

storing beer, wine etc(d) firework /fawk/ - a small container filled with powder that burns or explodes to produce coloured

lights and noise in the sky

2. The first photograph above was taken on 5th November. Every year on this day, the British celebrateGuy Fawkes Night, in memory of a famous event in British history, the Gunpowder Plot. Read thedefinition of plot below and answer the question which follows.

plot - a secret plan by a group of people, to do something harmful or illegal

Imagine you are a king. You discover that a group of people are preparing a secret plan(= plot) to kill you because they think you shouldn't be the king. How would you punish themfor the treason /trizn/?

! I would let them free.! I would send them to prison.! I would send them away from the country.! I would have them put to death.

3. Compare your ideas with a partner or organise a class vote. Which option was the most popular?

4. In the Gunpowder Plot, some people really tried to kill the king. Read the text below and find out howthe king punished them. Was your / your group's punishment the same as the king's ?

The Gunpowder Plot is a very famous event in British history. On 5th November 1605 a groupof 12 men tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament while King James I and all of hisgovernment were inside. They wanted to do this because they didnt like the way the Kingtreated Roman Catholics. However, they weren't successful because one of the conspiratorssent a letter to a cousin of his who worked in the Houses of Parliament, warning him not togo to Parliament on 5th November. The cousin showed the letter to the King and his servantssearched the rooms below the Parliament. They found one of the conspirators, called GuidoFawkes, in a room together with 36 barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes was tortured and gave thenames of all the other conspirators. All of them were later put to death: they were hanged.

Designed by Marcin Smolik for Pearson Longman PHOTOCOPIABLE

5. Although the conspirators were like modern terrorists, no one would sentence them to death today. Theywould be given a fair trial and probably sent to prison as most countries have eliminated death penalty. Alot has changed since the 17th century!

6. British people have celebrated Guy Fawkes Night for almost 400 years now. Below, you will find threethings which they usually do on this day. Choose the correct answer for each question.

(a) Some children make an effigy of Guy Fawkes, called a 'guy'. How do you think, why?

! to drawn it ! to burn it ! to scare people(b) A few weeks before 5th November, children take their guy into the street and ask people for some money,

"a penny for the guy". What do you think they spend the money on?

! sweets ! gunpowder ! fireworks(c) Many people organise bonfire parties on Guy Fawkes Night, either in private gardens or on public squares.

What do they roast in the bonfires?

! chestnuts and potatoes ! lamb and beef ! marshmallows and Mars chocolate bars Compare your ideas with a partner.

7. Now read the texts 1 - 4 below and match them with the questions (a) (c) in exercise 6. One of thetexts gives you some extra information about Guy Fawkes' Night but does not answer any questions inexercise 6 so be careful!

1 ! They use the money to buy fireworks or sparklers. Sparklers are small metal sticks with somechemical substance on one end which burns brightly when it is lit. Children wave the sparklers tomake patterns in the air.

2 ! Preparations for Guy Fawkes Night include making a dummy of Guy Fawkes. On the night itself, 'theguy' is put on top of the bonfire, and burnt.3 ! On Guy Fawkes Night, people organise fireworks displays and sometimes organise small fun fairs. Acity which is very famous for 5th November festivities is called Lewes, in the south east of England.

Thousands of visitors come every year to take part in the celebrations.

4 ! Typical Guy Fawkes Night 'snacks' include chestnuts and potatoes which are cooked in the bonfiresas they burn.8. With a partner design your own 'guy'. Draw a sketch on a separate piece of paper. What materials would

you use to make the effigy? You may use some of the materials below but you are more than welcome tocome up with your own ideas. You may need to use a dictionary or ask your teacher for help. Show yoursketch to another pair.

a pair of oldtrousers

an old hat oldnewspapers

straw /grass

an oldjacket

old paperbags

branches sticks / abroom

some wastepaper

a mask

9. The events of 5th November are celebrated in a very famous nursery rhyme. First, match the words onthe left into rhyming pairs. Then, complete the poem on the right. One word is already done as anexample. Listen to the poem and check. Try to learn it by heart.

rememberplotreasonforgotNovembertreason

Remember, (1) The fifth of (2) Gunpowder, treason and (3) I see no (4) reason Why gunpowder (5) Should ever be (6)