Reading Comprehension – The History of St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Enhance your reading skills and delve into the history of Saint Patrick’s Day with the following comprehension activity. Discover the origins of this celebration and the various traditions associated with it.
NOTE:
This reading comprehension activity “The History of St. Patrick’s Day” is divided into three sections:
- Pre-reading activities.
- While-reading activities.
- Post-reading activities.
Pre-Reading Task
Before you read the text, do the following task:
Match the following words with their definitions:
| Words | Definitions |
|---|---|
| 1. Patron saint 2. Secular 3. Nationalism 4. Festivity 5. Cultural events 6. Globe | a. Not religious or spiritual b. A strong feeling of pride and loyalty to one’s country c. A celebration or party, especially a public one d. Activities or events that promote or celebrate the customs, traditions, and achievements of a particular group of people e. The world or the earth as a whole f. A saint who is considered a special guardian or protector of a particular place or group of people |
While-reading tasks
Now, develop your reading comprehension skills. Please, read the following text about Saint Patrick’s Day History and do the comprehension questions.
The History of St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday celebrated every year on March 17th. It honors the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has become associated with parades, shamrocks, and the green color: the color of the Irish flag. The origins of the celebration date back centuries and are rooted in Ireland’s rich cultural history.
Who was St. Patrick?
St. Patrick’s birthname was Maewyn Succat. He was born in Britain in the 4th century to rich parents and was kidnapped at the age of 16. He was brought to Ireland as a slave. After six long years of slavery, he eventually escaped and went back to Britain. But later, after St Patrick traveled to Gaul, France, where he learned about Christianity, he returned to Ireland as a missionary in 432. He is credited with converting many Irish people to Christianity. After his death on March 17th, 461 AD, St. Patrick became the patron saint of Ireland.
When was St. Patrick’s Day first celebrated?
St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated by Irish people in the 10th century, but it wasn’t until 1631 that it became an official feast day. It was initially a religious holiday. The celebration was observed on March 17, which is thought to commemorate St. Patrick’s death.
In the 17th century, the holiday began to take on more secular aspects, with parades and other festivities becoming common. It was also during this time that the color green became associated with the holiday, as it was the color of Ireland’s flag and symbolized Irish nationalism.
Where is St.Patrick’s Day celebrated?
Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated not only in Ireland but also in many other parts of the world, particularly in countries with large Irish populations such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Parades, concerts, and other cultural events are held in cities and towns around the globe, often featuring traditional Irish music, dance, and food.
How is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated nowadays?
On the day of the celebration, many Irish Americans throughout the country eat corned beef and cabbage. People get together to watch parades of musicians and dancers performing traditional Irish dances as they pass through urban areas. The color green prevails: everything is decorated with that color including rivers!
Post-reading Task
Use the information about Saint Patrick’s Day you learned from the text above to do the following task.
Complete this chart with information from the text above:
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| St. Patrick’s birth name | … |
| Place of birth | … |
| Years of slavery | … |
| Where did he learn about Christianity? | … |
| Date of his return to Ireland | |
| When was St. Patrick’s Day first celebration? | … |
| In which century did the celebration take some secular aspects? | … |
| Where is it celebrated? | … |
| How is it celebrated? | … |
Now, using your own words, write a paragraph to talk about The History of St. Patrick’s Day.
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