Task 1. A. Answer the questions to the text.

1. When was Robert Burns born?

a) on April 23, 1564;

b) on January, 25 1802;

c) on January, 25 1564.

2. What traditional Scottish dishes are tasted on Robert Burns’ birthday?

a) chicken broth, boiled herring and haggiswith boiled turnip and potatoes;

b) chicken broth, boiled herring and fried meat with wine;

c) haggis, boiled herring and potatoes.

3. What is the celebration of R. Burns’ birthday followed by?

a) it is followed by dancing, pipe music and reciting Burns’ poems;

b) it is followed by singing the poet’s famous “Auld Lang Syne”;

c) it is followed by dancing, pipe music, reciting Burns’ poems and singing the “Auld Lang Syne”.

4. How is the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth celebrated?

a) flags are hung in the main street, people buy springs of rosemary;

b) a long procession goes along the streets to the church where everyone puts flowers at the poet’s grave;

c) Flags are hung in the main street, people buy rosemary, and people go to the church and to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

5. Why is the Edinburgh International Festival one of the important events in the world?

a) because the Edinburgh International Festival is held annually;

b) because the Festival is international, it gives a representation of the best artistic production from many countries;

c) because the Edinburgh International Festival is one of the greatest festivals in the world.

B. Compare the celebrations of R. Burns’ and W. Shakespeare’s birthdays.