CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

LISTENING
While watching
Task 1. Watch the video and number the ideas (A - H) in the order that you hear them. Not all the ideas are
mentioned. 

A. Holidays _______ D. Family networks _______ G. Migration _______
B. Languages _______ E. Traditional industry _______ H. Law _______

C. History _______ F. Marriage _______

Task 2. Watch the video and choose the best description of the topic of the video. 

A. Industry B. Weddings C. Culture D. Family life


Task 3. Watch the video again and correct the factual mistakes in the sentences below.
1. Dagestan is smaller than Scotland.
2. Dagestan is in Russia.
3. Thirty-five languages are spoken in the region.
4. Carper-making is done by machine.
5. Younger people are local leaders.
6. The population of Dagestan is declining.
7. Dagestanis want to be buried in the capital city.

Task 4. Which words and phrase (A - I) are mentioned in relation to carpet-making in Dagestan? 

A. Traditional D. Cotton G. Vegetables
B. Modern designs E. Wool H. Galleries
C. Local F. Thread I. Museums


Task 5. Answer the questions below.

1. Why are Dagesani carpets so popular?
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2. Why do many Dagestanis live outside the country?
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Task 6. Based on your own knowledge and what you have learned from the video, answer the questions
below. Write at least 30 words for each answer.
1. What are some traditional industries?
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2. Do young people stay in the country or do they move away? Why do they make this choice?
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3. Discuss family life.

A. What is family life there?
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B. Are extended families or nuclear families more popular?

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C. What do young people like to do?

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Extension
Task 7. Watch the video again and fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

CUSTOMS
Dagestan is a land of towering mountains, rushing rivers and 1._________________________ stone
villages. Dagestan is an amazing mix of ethnic and cultural 2._________________________. About thirty-five
separate groups live side by side in this republic, which is the size of Scotland or the UAE.
Dagestan is the 3._________________________ region of the Russian Federation, where the people speak
an amazing 12 languages. Traditions are respected all over Dagestan and particularly in the rural areas, where
little has changed for generations.
These women are making traditional Dagestani carpets. Everything is done by hand, with designs that
are hundreds of years old. All the materials are 4._________________________, from the wool used to make
thread, to the dyes made from local roots and vegetables. The carpets are sold around the world and can be
seen in many major 5._________________________.
Respecting the elderly members of the community is very important in Dagestani culture. Older
people are local leaders in the special system of family networks in Dagestan.
The 6._________________________ is growing fast in Dagestan. People have large families. Even though
many Dagestanis now live outside the country, it is common for people to return to their family home when
they get older. Most Dagestanis say they would like to be buried in their home village in the mountains, as
their families have done for hundreds of years.
SPEAKING
You are going to prepare a two-minute talk about the following question.
How has modern technology changed the way we interact with each other?
Discuss the positive and negative aspects of this influence
When you speak, you must use adverbs for emphasis.
• You can use adverbs to make a point stronger: I strongly believe that…
• You can use adverbs when you are sure that you agree or disagree: I totally agree, I’m really not convinced,
etc.

• Signposting an opinion: I strongly believe, I’m absolutely convinced that…, I really think that…
• Agreeing: I totally agree, That’s completely true, That’s definitely right, It’s absolutely true
• Disagreeing: I’m really not convinced, I completely disagree, It’s absolutely not true, I’m totally against…

Your script
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