Bonfire night

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

What do you think is going on here?

Match the definition

1........ a procession

2........ the Houses of Parliament

3........ a firework

4........ a bonfire

5........ a tradition

6........ to blow something up

7........ gunpowder

a. a large fire that people build outdoors

b. a small rocket that shoots into the sky and explodes with bright colours and loud bangs

c. a long line of people walking slowly as part of a special event 

d. to make something explode

e. the main government building in the UK

f. an explosive substance in fireworks and bullets

g. a cultural activity that people have done for many years

learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org

1. Every year, Bonfire Night takes
place ...

1. on December the 31st
2. on November the 5th
3. on the 15th of November

2. Steve Lewis ...

1. is the Mayor of Winchester.
2. organises the Bonfire in Winchester
3. is in charge of the fireworks on Bonfire Night.

3. Bonfire Night is a celebration of the
fact that ...

1. Guy Fawkes blew up the English Parliament.
2. Guy Fawkes killed King James.
3. Guy Fawkes' plan to kill King James failed.

4. Leon ...

1. is the Mayor of Winchester.
2. organises the Bonfire Night celebration in Winchester.
3. is in charge of the fireworks on Bonfire Night.

Activity 2

Watch the video again. Decide if the

sentences are true or false.

learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org

Watch the video again. Decide if the
sentences are true or false.
1. Bonfire Night is celebrated all over
the country, not just in Winchester.

1. True
2. False

2. About 2,000 people usually attend
the celebrations in Winchester

1. True
2. False

.
3. The celebrations start with a
procession from the city centre at
6pm.

1. True
2. False

4. They plan to light the bonfire at
7pm.

1. True
2. False

5. The firework display will start at
about 7.45pm

1. True
2. False

6. The Gunpowder Plot took place
about 400 years ago

1. True
2. False

7. Leon plans to set off about 5,000
fireworks

1. True
2. False

8. One of the girls says that last year's
fireworks were better.

1. True
2. False

wrap up

I’m wrapped up warm.

a. to wear thick clothing to keep you warm enough

b. to attend a special event

c. to feel excited

set off

Tonight’s the night for lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks.

a. to watch

b. to buy

c. to make something explode

kick off

The procession kicks off at 6pm in the city centre.

a. to end

b. to begin

c. to take a break

turn up

Bonfire Night is fun for everybody who turns up.

a. to organise an event

b. to watch an event on TV

c. to attend an event

blow up

Guy Fawkes planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

a. to break into a building

b. to make something explode

c. to build a building

Talking Time 

Discuss in small groups:

On New Year's Day it is the tradition in the Netherlands to let off fireworks, however, this causes many accidents. Do you think that the Netherlands will start to hold organised firework displays to celebrate New Year?

Would you like this?

Name 2 new things that you have learnt in today's lesson

adapted by Susan Corrigan