Arakin 4 kurs new 001 176. indd

opinions, interrupting, etc.
Chairperson
: OK, students. Your attention, please! Sorry to inter-
rupt your private conversations but our speaker is ready to begin. 
May I introduce Mr Brown who’s going to tell us a little about 
American education system if I am correct?
Mr Brown
: Good morning, students! Now please 
let’s get this 
straight from the start,
I was invited here to speak about American 
holidays.
Chairperson
: I am sorry, 
there appears to have been a slight mis-
understanding here.
Am I mistaken in thinking you have been a head 
teacher for some 25 years in a deprived inner city area?
Mr Brown
: 
I am afraid you’ve got it all wrong
, I’m not a teacher. 
Actually
, I’ve not even been in a school since I was 16.
Chairperson
: Oh, dear, this is most embarrassing.
Mr Brown
: Forgive me for mentioning it, but these talks have been 
very badly organised, I was even given the wrong room number.
Chairperson
: Sorry about that, I really can’t understand what’s been 
happening. Anyway, would you like to tell us about American holidays 
as you are here, may be starting with Halloween as it’s October already. 
OK, students, please excuse the delay and listen carefully now.
Mr Brown
: Originally, Halloween was a religious holiday. Today it 
is a day of fun and excitement. Children make faces in pumpkins 
(turnips are used in Britain) by removing the pulp and seeds and 

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cutting holes in the shell for the eyes, nose and mouth. These pump-
kins are called jack-o’-lanterns. A lighted candle is put inside to shine 
through the holes. Children dress up in costumes; sometimes, accord-
ing to tradition, as ghosts, goblins, witches, vampires and werewolves; 
sometimes as pirates, sailors, ballerinas, folk heroes, etc. After dark, 
children walk around their neighbourhood, knocking on their neigh-
bours’ doors. They say “trick or treat”, and their neighbours give them 
fruit or candy. Do you have any questions?
Question
: Why do they say “trick or treat”?
Mr Brown
: As far as I know, in the old days “trick or treat” had to 
perform songs and shifts for their neighbours. If the neighbours liked 
the performance, the children received a “treat” — again, fruit or 
candy. If not, the neighbours played a trick on the children — like 
throwing water on them.
Question
: That doesn’t sound like very much fun.
Mr Brown
: Well,