Lesson 8

PART B Macro-Listening
Passage I
Boxing Day
Tapescript
In the English-speaking world, the day after Christmas Day has a special name. We call it Boxing Day.
This makes it sound like a day on which everyone has a fight, but the name has nothing to do with the sport of boxing. It derives from the custom in former times of presenting servants and tradesmen with a Christmas box or gift. Here in Britain we still talk about giving the milkman or newspaper-delivery boy a Christmas box, when we mean a sum of money or present. The expression dates from the time when the money would have been put into an actual box.
Boxing Day in modern times is a quiet day. Most people are recovering from the large meals they ate the day before. The children have new toys to keep them happy, and the adults are content to watch them play.
Perhaps it would be a good idea if Boxing Day actually was made to honor that sport. Then, on other days, we could celebrate Football Day, Cricket Day, Hockey Day, and so on. There are probably enough different sports to allow each day of the year to have one to itself.

Passage 2

United Nations Day

Tapescript
October 24 — the UN birthday — is celebrated as United Nations Day. It is a day that belongs to everyone, and it is celebrated in most countries of the world. Some countries celebrate it for a week instead of a day.
Every year the President of the United States, in a special announcement, asks Americans to remember United Nations Day.
In many parts of the world, schools plan programs for this day. Boys and girls in some communities decorate a United Nations tree, or plant a garden, or conduct a model session of the General Assembly or Security Council. In other communities, young people put on plays about the United Nations. Some libraries exhibit children's art from around the world. Schools celebrate with the songs and dances of other countries,, or give parties where foods of other countries are served.
Always the purpose of these celebrations is to help everyone understand the United Nations and why it is important.
The United Nations encourages people to learn about other lands and their customs. In this way people can gain a better understanding and appreciation of peoples all over the world.