"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." This popular song's title and lyrics reflect the happiness many people feel during the holiday season, which lasts the whole month of December. Stores are filled with lights, decorations - and sales signs. Businesses and families hold parties. The smell of baking cookies and other holiday treats fills homes.
Geneva, Switzerland, holds a chocolate festival called I'Escalade on December 11 to commemorate the defeat of an attacking army. According to one story, a woman poured soup on a soldier's head, hit him with her cauldron and then ran to warn her neighbors. This stopped the attack, so now people smash and eat chocolate cauldrons in her honor.
From December 6 to 14 this year, the Dubai International Film Festival will show fabulous films from around the world. Some important medical issues are remembered this month. December 1 is World AIDS Day, and December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This month is Oslo, Norway, Nobel Prizes will be awarded to people who have made outstanding contributions to the world. The awards recognize scientific discoveries, profound literature and peace efforts.
The flower associated with December is the narcissus. December's gemstone, the turquoise, symbolizes happiness, success and prosperity. Those are things everyone hopes for during this wonderful time of year.
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Teaching Topic: Acronym vs. Initialism
An abbreviation is any shortened form of a word or phrase.
However, we need to be aware that there're two different types of abbreviations: acronyms and initialisms.
An initialism, as the name suggests, is a group of initial letters used as an abbreviation for a name or expression.
For example, USA is an initialism for the United States of America.
BBC is an initialism for the British Broadcasting Corporation.
An acronym is also made from the first letter or letters of a string of words.
But the difference is that an acronym is pronounced like a word.
For example, the abbreviation for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, N-A-S-A, should be pronounced "NASA," not N-A-S-A.
So, it has to be one or the other.
Nobody pronounces U-S-A, "USA", because it's an initialism.
And we should not pronounce the acronym "AIDS," A-I-D-S.
It should be AIDS.
That's right.
It should be pronounced like a word, AIDS, not spelled out because it's an acronym which, by the way, stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Now, another mistake I often hear is "app," which is not even an abbreviation.
No, it's a clipped word that comes from the word "application" as we mentioned last month.
Therefore, a-p-p should always be pronounced "app."
I just downloaded a new app on my cell phone.
Grammar Gym
recognize
to see something and remembering that you do know what it is.
- I recognize the man's face but I can't remember his name.
to recognize
to officially say or show that somebody did a good job
- The awards recognize scientific discoveries, profound literature and peace efforts.
- Ladies and gentlemen, we want to thank and recognize all of you who put in so much energy and time to help us with this project.
- This certificate recognizes the outstanding achievements of Peter Sanders.Language Lab
lyric n. — usually plural
[count] the words of a song
- The lyrics of the song were written by the singer herself.
- I love Paul Simon's lyrics.
- Both the music and the lyrics to the song were written by Mariah Carey.
commemorate v. [memor 字根-記憶]
/kəˈmɛməˌreɪt/
to exist or be done in order to remind people of (an important event or person from the past)
to do something special in order to remember and honor (an important event or person from the past)
- The exhibition was held to commemorate the birth of this great artist.
commemoration n.
something (such as a special ceremony) that is intended to honor an important event or person from the past [count]
- The statue was built in commemoration of a grate general.
fabulous adj.
very good
- The boy's fabulous singing talent amazed his teacher.
- We had a fabulous time on our trip.
- Janet is a fabulous actress.
symbolize v.
to be a symbol of (something)
- The color red symbolizes passion and determination.
- Heart-shaped chocolates symbolize adoration.
symbol n.
picture or shape that has a particular meaning or represents a particular organization or idea
- The ring is a symbol of commitment.
mms://webvod.goodtv.tv/SC/20131202_f9556.wmv
http://203.69.69.81/studio/20131202baa068be45e6ee173fcad277eed958ba2d31061e313f7fa5188eab42eb044aff38b.wma
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