Past Simple Passive: Reading and Speaking

Victorian Christmas

Level: B1

Pre-reading questions:

1. What is a tart? Pie? Cake? Explain the difference.
2. What is Victorian era? What century was it? What do you know about Victorian times?

Based Victorian Farm Christmas produced by BBC.

In Victorian times Christmas dinners were held by the landlords of the estates. However, all the preparations for the feast were done by farmers.

Some food preparations were done in advance. Lemons, apples, raisins, currants and candied peel were stored in jars for Christmas puddings. In common households Christmas puddings were baked in a cloth. In more well-off houses special molds were used. Puddings were boiled in a copper for 6 hours. Christmas pies were also served. They were stuffed with meat of 4 birds. Duck, chicken, partridge, pigeon or sometimes goose were put in the pie. It was then decorated with decorative leaves that were made of leftover dough.However, pies were intended only for the privileged few. In 1857 for example, Christmas pie for the queen was carried to her dining room by four footmen on a stretcher. Christmas pies were eaten cold.

Christmas cards were also introduced to Britain by the Victorians. Historians say it happened because railway was discovered and post service became quicker. Shopping also changed. It started to be a leisure activity. Shops like Marks & Spencer were founded during that time. Yet, most gifts were still made by hand.For the first time Christmas gifts were given not just to children but to adults as well.

Homes were decorated with holy and ivy. Brightly colored decorations were added to greenery at the Victorian age. Colours were made out of natural materials such as plants and beetles.For red colour beetles were grinded. Glue for the decorations was made with flour and water. Crashed glass was used to make glitter. Christmas trees were introduced to public by Prince Albert. First Christmas trees were imported to Britain from Cobourg, part of Germany where he was from.

Charity events were organized by Victorians as a sign of seasonal generosity for the poor. Parties for servants were thrown by the estate owners. Carol services were also attended.

Tasks:

1.Read the text as many times as needed. Ask the students what they remember about the text. Encourage to answer in Past Passive.

2.Play a game. Divide students into 2 groups. Ask each team Comprehension questions in turns. Students need to make up answers in Passive. A team gets a point for each correct sentence. Team with more points wins.

Comprehension Questions:

Students need to answer in a passive voice.

1. Who organized Christmas dinners? Christmas dinners were organized by…

2. Who did all the preparations? Preparations were done by…

3. What did people store in advance? Lemons… were stored in advance.

4. How did Victorians bake Christmas puddings? Christmas puddings were baked in a…

5. Meat of what birds did they put in Christmas pies? Duck…was put in a pie

6. How did people decorate their pies? Pies were decorated with…

7. Who ate Christmas pies in Victorian times? Pies were eaten only by the rich...

8. Why did Christmas cards become popular? Railway was discovered...

9. How did most people make their gifts? Gifts were mostly made by hand...

10. How did Victorians decorate their home? Homes were decorated by…

11. How did people make glue? Glue was made with…

12. How did they make glitter? Glitter was made with…

13. Who introduced Christmas trees to Britain? Christmas trees were introduced by…

14. Where did the first Christmas trees come from? First Christmas trees were imported from…

Critical thinking:

1. Use Internet to find information about British Christmas foods such as: Christmas pudding, Christmas pie, mince pies, etc. Prepare a small report for your group mates.

2. What can you tell about Christmas traditions in your country?