1.

Match the words on the left side with the words with the same
meaning on the right.

1. despise 5 required

2. craft 3 original

3. unique 10 match, copy

4. adopt 7 pity

5. obligatory 9 satisfy

6. gauge 2 create

7. sympathize 6 determine estimate

8. gripe 4 take on

9. fulfill 8 complain

10. counterpart 1 hate

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct word. You may have to change the
form or tense of the word.

despise obligatory craft gauge unique

adopt sympathize gripe fulfill counterpart

a. Whether you love it or ​despise​ it, almost everyone around the world knows
Saint Valentine's Day.

b. Fewer people have heard of Sweetest Day, which is a holiday ​crafted​ by

candy makers in the US.

c. Black Day is a ​uniquely​ Korean holiday.

= uniquely (adv) + Korean (adj)

d. Koreans have ​adopted​ the tradition of other countries.

e. They give ​obligatory (adj)​ chocolate for Valentine's Day and White Day.

f. The amount of chocolate one receives ​gauges​ the popularity of the person.

g. Black Day, which falls on April 14th, lets the loveless ​sympathize​ with one
another.

h. People eat a noodle dish with black bean sauce, drink alcohol, and ​gripe
about romance and love.

i. There aren't any ​unfulfilled​ hopes.

j. It hasn't been marketed and sold to the consumer like its opposite
counterparts​ in February and March.
= because there are two dates and so two things.
3. Read the following article:

Whether you love it or ​despise​ it, almost everyone around the world knows Saint
Valentine's Day. Then there's White Day on March 14th, when men who received
chocolate buy sweets for women. Fewer people have heard of Sweetest Day,
though, which is a holiday ​crafted​ by candy makers in the US for mid-October.
Loved ones ​purchase​ candy and small gifts for each other on this day. But have
you ever heard of Black Day?

Black Day is a uniquely Korean holiday. It was created in response to the ​overly
sweet Valentine's Day and White Day. Like some other countries, Koreans have
adopted​ the tradition of ​obligatory​ chocolate for both holidays. Women give
chocolate not only to husbands or boyfriends, but to male coworkers, friends, and
love interests on Valentine's Day. Men do the same for women on White Day.
The amount of chocolate one receives ​gauges​ the popularity of the person.

Black Day, which falls on April 14th, lets the loveless ​sympathize​ with one
another. People who didn't receive any chocolate or gifts on either Valentine's
Day or White Day wear black clothes. Black Day advertises their single status,
and sort of offers the opportunity to meet similarly single men and women.
People who celebrate Black Day also eat a noodle dish with black bean sauce,
drink alcohol, and ​gripe​ about romance and love. There aren't any presents to
buy. There aren't any ​unfulfilled​ hopes. Few people know about the holiday
outside of Korea, and perhaps this is the best part about the day. It hasn't been
marketed and sold to the consumer like its opposite ​counterparts​ in February
and March.
4. Answer the questions to check comprehension:

a. What information does the article give about Sweetest Day?

Another love holiday. People should buy small candies and gifts. The
holiday was created by candy companies.

b. In Korea, what happens on Valentine's Day? How about White Day?

On Valentine’s Day, women give chocolate to men, and on White Day,
men do the opposite.

c. Who celebrates Black Day?

People who are single and did not receive any chocolates.

d. What happens on Black Day?

People wear black, eat black-bean noodles and drink alcohol. They
complain about love and meet other single people.

e. According to the article, what is the best feature of Black Day?

It isn’t a commercial holiday.
5. In a group of 3-4, try to remember how the words were used in
today's article:

despise obligatory craft gauge unique

adopt sympathize gripe fulfill counterpart

6. Discuss in a group of 3-4:

You have the chance to create a new holiday! Work with a partner/group to
brainstorm possible answers to the questions below. But don't let the questions
limit your imagination! Share your new holiday with the class.

● What will it celebrate?

● When will people celebrate the new holiday?

● How will people celebrate it?

● Will people go anywhere special? How about buy / eat / do anything

special?