Valentine’s Day in different places comparing practice

Valentine’s Day in different places comparing practice

Try to put the two subjects given after the statements below in the right gaps.

In the USA, much more chocolate is eaten around ______________________________ than is eaten around _________________________. – Halloween/ Valentine’s Day

____________ have just one romantic day in February, whereas in _______________ they have a whole Week of Sweetness in July. – Argentina/ most countries

_____________ spend far more on Valentine’s Day than _____________ do. In complete contrast, ______________ spend considerably more than _______________ do. – American men/ American women/ Indian men/ Indian women

While ______________ celebrate Valentine’s Day, ___________________ eat black noodles to mark Black Day on April fourteenth. – Korean couples/ Korean single people

A slight difference between two countries is that Valentine’s Day is the most popular day to propose and get engaged in the _______________________, but it’s the most common day to get married in the _______________________. – Philippines/ USA

Most of ____________ celebrate Valentine’s Day in the same way as in Hollywood movies, but ____________ has two major differences: the Day of San Dwynwen is on 25 January, and couples exchange handcrafted wooden spoons. – the UK/ Wales

Although red roses are the most popular Valentine’s Day flowers in ___________, in _____________ they usually exchange white snowdrops. – Denmark/ many countries

______________________ have much less fun on Valentine’s Day than in most other countries, because they usually buy chocolates instead of getting them. On the other hand, they usually get more expensive chocolates from ___________________ on White Day on the fourteenth of March. – Japanese men/ Japanese women 

South Korean ___________________ do not usually get chocolate on Valentine’s Day. On the contrary, they usually give it to _______________________. – men/ women

Even though most chocolate is given to ________________________________ on Japanese Valentine’s Day, the best chocolates are saved for __________________. – coworkers, classmates and friends/ romantic partners

The government in Belgorod, ________________ tried to ban Valentine’s Day and Hindu nationalists in ___________________ often protest this day. Nevertheless, it is still popular in both countries. – India/ Russia

Despite pigs not seeming romantic in _____________, gifts connected to that animal are common on Valentine’s Day in _______________. – Germany/ most countries

Check as a class or with the suggested answers, then ask about any which you don’t understand, think can’t be true, etc.

 

Suggested answers

In the USA, much more chocolate is eaten around Halloween than is eaten around Valentine’s Day.

Most countries have just one romantic day in February, whereas in Argentina they have a whole Week of Sweetness in July.

American men spend far more on Valentine’s Day than American women do. In complete contrast, Indian women spend considerably more than Indian men do.

While Korean couples celebrate Valentine’s Day, Korean single people eat black noodles to mark Black Day on April fourteenth.

A slight difference between two countries is that Valentine’s Day is the most popular day to propose and get engaged in the USA, but it’s the most common day to get married in the Philippines.

Most of the UK celebrate Valentine’s Day in the same way as in Hollywood movies, but Wales has two major differences: the Day of San Dwynwen is on the twenty fifth of January, and couples exchange handcrafted wooden spoons.

Although red roses are the most popular Valentine’s Day flowers in many countries, in Denmark they usually exchange white snowdrops.

Japanese women have much less fun on Valentine’s Day than in most other countries, because they usually buy chocolates instead of getting them. On the other hand, they usually get more expensive chocolates from Japanese men on White Day on the fourteenth of March.

South Korean women do not usually get chocolate on Valentine’s Day. On the contrary, they usually give it to men.

Even though most chocolate is given to coworkers, classmates and friends on Japanese Valentine’s Day, the best chocolates are saved for romantic partners.

The government in Belgorod, Russia tried to ban Valentine’s Day and Hindu nationalists in India often protest this day. Nevertheless, it is still popular in both countries.  

Despite pigs not seeming romantic in most countries, gifts connected to that animal are common on Valentine’s Day in Germany.

 

Suggested answers with comparing language underlined

In the USA, much more chocolate is eaten around Halloween than is eaten around Valentine’s Day.

Most countries have just one romantic day in February, whereas in Argentina they have a whole Week of Sweetness in July.

American men spend far more on Valentine’s Day than American women do. In complete contrast, Indian women spend considerably more than Indian men do.

While Korean couples celebrate Valentine’s Day, Korean single people eat black noodles to mark Black Day on April fourteenth.

A slight difference between two countries is that Valentine’s Day is the most popular day to propose and get engaged in the USA, but it’s the most common day to get married in the Philippines.

Most of the UK celebrate Valentine’s Day in the same way as in Hollywood movies, but Wales has two major differences: the Day of San Dwynwen is on the twenty fifth of January, and couples exchange handcrafted wooden spoons.

Although red roses are the most popular Valentine’s Day flowers in many countries, in Denmark they usually exchange white snowdrops.

Japanese women have much less fun on Valentine’s Day than in most other countries, because they usually buy chocolates instead of getting them. On the other hand, they usually get more expensive chocolates from Japanese men on White Day on the fourteenth of March.

South Korean women do not usually get chocolate on Valentine’s Day. On the contrary, they usually give it to men.

Even though most chocolate is given to coworkers, classmates and friends on Japanese Valentine’s Day, the best chocolates are saved for romantic partners.

The government in Belgorod, Russia tried to ban Valentine’s Day and Hindu nationalists in India often protest this day. Nevertheless, it is still popular in both countries.  

Despite pigs not seeming romantic in most countries, gifts connected to that animal are common on Valentine’s Day in Germany.

Find pairs of underlined expressions above that are similar to each other.

Find language above that is similar to “nonetheless”, “whilst”, “though”, “in spite of”, “turning to the advantages”, “big differences”, “by contrast”, “the reality is very different”, “a lot more…”, “not as…as” and “substantially more…”

 

Comparing language practice

Without looking above, put one word into each gap. Words not above are also possible.

In the USA, ___________________________ more chocolate is eaten around Halloween _____________________________ is eaten around Valentine’s Day.

Most countries have just one romantic day in February, ________________________ in Argentina they have a whole Week of Sweetness in July.

American men spend far more on Valentine’s Day than American women do. In complete_____________, Indian women spend considerably more than Indian men do.

___________________ Korean couples celebrate Valentine’s Day, Korean single people eat black noodles to mark Black Day on April fourteenth.

A slight difference __________________ two countries is that Valentine’s Day is the most popular day to propose and get engaged in the USA, but it’s the most common day to get married in the Philippines.

Most of the UK celebrate Valentine’s Day in the same way as in Hollywood movies, but Wales has two _________________ differences: the Day of San Dwynwen is on the twenty fifth of January, and couples exchange handcrafted wooden spoons.

___________________ red roses are the most popular Valentine’s Day flowers in many countries, in Denmark they usually exchange white snowdrops.

Japanese women have ___________________ less fun on Valentine’s Day than in most other countries, because they usually buy chocolates instead of getting them. On ______________________ other hand, they usually get more expensive chocolates from Japanese men on White Day on the fourteenth of March.

South Korean women do not usually get chocolate on Valentine’s Day. On the ______________________, they usually give it to men.

______________ though most chocolate is given to coworkers, classmates and friends on Japanese Valentine’s Day, the best chocolates are saved for romantic partners.

The government in Belgorod, Russia tried to ban Valentine’s Day and Hindu nationalists in India often protest this day. ______________, it is still popular in both countries.  

___________________________ pigs not seeming romantic in most countries, gifts connected to that animal are common on Valentine’s Day in Germany.

Check above. Other words may be possible, so please check if you wrote something different.

Use similar language to compare other festivals and compare festivals in different places.