By the end of this exercise, you can read a Thanksgiving story and use the right words to talk about American festivals and food.
Free Year 8 English reading practice: a German exchange student's first Thanksgiving in the USA, plus festival and food vocabulary, B1 level.
Read the text carefully, then answer the questions below.
Ben, a 15-year-old student from Hamburg, is spending a school year with a host family in Ohio. In November, the family invited him to celebrate Thanksgiving with them.
"Thanksgiving is one of the biggest American holidays," Ben explains. "My host family told me that people have celebrated it since the 17th century. On Thanksgiving morning, there is always a big parade on TV. Later, the whole family comes together for a huge dinner."
The traditional meal is called a feast: roast turkey with stuffing and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. "I was surprised that the family said what they were grateful for before dinner. Everyone at the table took a turn, and I said I was grateful for my host family and their warm welcome."
Ben's favourite part of the day came after the meal. "The food was delicious, but my favourite moment was playing American football in the garden with my host cousins. I think every country should have a holiday like this!"
1 Where does Ben's host family live?
2 Since when have people celebrated Thanksgiving, according to the text?
3 What is always on TV on Thanksgiving morning?
4 What is the traditional Thanksgiving meal called?
5 What did the family do before dinner?
6 What was Ben's favourite moment?
Choose the correct word for each gap. All the sentences are about festivals, food and traditions.
1 On Thanksgiving morning, many families watch a big through the streets of New York.
2 The traditional Thanksgiving dinner is a real — there is delicious food everywhere!
3 Roast is the most typical dish at Thanksgiving.
4 is a mixture of bread, onions and herbs that goes inside the turkey.
5 You pour hot over the turkey and the potatoes.
6 At Thanksgiving, everyone says what they are for.
7 Thanksgiving started as a celebration of the autumn in the 17th century.
8 The holiday is a big family — relatives often travel long distances to be together.
Choose the adjective that fits best. These common adjective + noun combinations are recycled from earlier in the year.
1 The USA is a country — it has 50 states and takes days to cross.
2 New York is famous for its skyscrapers.
3 We waited for hours, so the wait felt .
4 Our school trip to London was a experience — I'll never forget it.
5 When I arrived, my host mother gave me a welcome.
6 The school play was a success — almost the whole school came to watch.
7 You can always ask Tom for help — he is a friend.
8 Forgetting my homework on the first day was a mistake.
Your American exchange partner is coming to Germany in December. Write an email (60–100 words) about one German festival or celebration you have with your family. Explain what you eat and what you do, and invite your partner to join you.
Think about a celebration you know well — for example Christmas, Easter, a birthday or a local festival. Describe the food (is there a special meal or traditional dishes?) and the activities (what does your family do?). Try to use some festival vocabulary from Exercise B, for example:
"We have a big feast with the whole family." / "I am grateful that you can visit us." / "Would you like to join our family reunion?"
Review your answers below, then send them to your teacher.
Click the button below to send your answers directly to your teacher.