Celebrations and changing words

Name one celebration you enjoy. What happens at midnight, during a parade, or at a family ceremony?

Complete the arrows. Say each new form aloud.

• “I feel excited.” → ?
• “They are dancing.” → ?
• “We have decorated the hall.” → ?
• “She visited the parade.” → ?
• “They were waiting outside.” → ?
• “I will wear traditional clothes.” → ?
• “We can watch the fireworks.” → ?
• “We must arrive early.” → ?

What did someone say about a recent holiday or celebration?

Reporting what people said

Say does not take a listener directly: She said that...

Tell usually needs a person: She told me that...

Put the celebration report in order

Arrange the word cards to make a correct reported sentence.

Report the street decorations

Arrange the word cards to make a correct reported sentence.

Keep the present meaning

Arrange the word cards to make a correct reported sentence.

Choose the accurate report

Marta said, “I visited the lantern festival last year.”

Marta [___] .

My uncle said to me, “I can cook a traditional meal.”

My uncle [___] .

Transform the celebration statements

Say the complete reported sentence before you complete it.

My aunt said, “My family will light candles tonight.”

My aunt said that her family [___] candles that night.

Leo told me, “I am making lunch now.”

Leo told me that he [___] lunch then.

Maria, a tourist, said, “I can see the fireworks here today.”

Maria said that she [___] the fireworks there that day.

The guide said, “We have prepared a special display.”

The guide said that they [___] a special display.

How different countries celebrate New Year

How Different Countries Celebrate New Year

New Year brings communities together in many ways. In Spain, families eat twelve grapes at midnight. One Madrid resident says that each grape brings good luck for a month ahead. In Japan, many people visit a shrine during the first days of January. A local guide explains that the bells ring 108 times to welcome a fresh start. In Brazil, crowds often wear white clothes and meet on beaches. A visitor reported that her friends were watching fireworks there at midnight. In Scotland, Hogmanay celebrations include music, street parties, and visits to neighbours. An organiser says that people carry a small gift when they enter a home first. These customs show how celebrations connect hopes, friendship, and new beginnings. Today, visitors can join organised events, but residents remind them to respect local rules and leave public places clean.

Report the information

1. What did the article say about the grapes in Spain?
2. What did it explain about the shrine tradition in Japan?
3. What did it report about the visitors in Brazil?
4. What does it say about the first visitor to a home in Scotland?

Difficult words

• communities — groups of people who live or share life together
• shrine — a special religious place
• fresh start — a new beginning
• crowds — large groups of people
• Hogmanay — the Scottish celebration of New Year
• neighbours — people who live near you
• residents — people who live in a particular place
• respect — treat rules, people, or places carefully

What might people have said?

Describe what you can see. What might the bride, groom, or grandmother have said?

Report it: She/He said that...

Describe what you can see. What might a child, musician, or visitor have said?

Report it: She/He told me that...

Include one reference change: now → then, here → there, or today → that day.

Tell your partner, then report it

Your scenario

Tell the teacher about a recent conversation with a relative or friend. Choose a holiday, family custom, lantern festival, national holiday, parade, or other celebration.

Plan your story

• Who did you speak to?
• Where and when did you speak?
• What did the person say?
• What will you report to the class?

Useful language

• She said that...
• He told me that...
• She told me that she had...
• He said that they would...
• She said that they were celebrating there that day.
• He says that the tradition is still important.

Speaking sequence

1. Tell your partner about the conversation.
2. Imagine the teacher is the class.
3. Report the conversation in complete sentences.
4. Include one changed time or place word if possible.

Write about a holiday conversation

Write one paragraph about a holiday or cultural-event conversation with a friend or relative.

Include

• 60–120 words
• a holiday, custom, tradition, ceremony, or celebration
• at least three reported statements
• both said and told
• one tense backshift, such as had been, were, would, or could
• one changed reference word: then, there, or that day

Sentence starters

• My grandmother told me that she had always loved...
• She said that when she was young, they would...
• My friend told me that the parade was...
• He said that they were waiting there...
• She says that the tradition is still important today.

Key ideas and next steps

Check your understanding

For next time

Interview a family member about a tradition, or imagine the conversation.

1. Write six direct statements about the tradition.
2. Turn them into an 80–100 word paragraph.
3. Use said and told accurately.
4. Include at least two time or place reference changes.