In
this lesson you will learn about Groundhog Day. You will watch the
video or read the video script and take a test to check
your listening and reading comprehension.
Hi. In the classroom today you will learn about Groundhog Day.
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and
Canada on February 2nd.
A groundhog is a rodent and is also known as a woodchuck, marmot, or
ground squirrel.
In weather lore, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day
and does not see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter
will soon end.
If on the other hand, it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow,
the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter
will continue for 6 more weeks.
Famous groundhogs are found throughout the United States and Canada.
The most famous groundhog is
Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
As stated earlier, the groundhog's shadow means six more weeks of
winter, and no shadow means spring is around the corner.
Groundhog Day proponents state that the rodents' forecasts are
accurate 75 to 90 percent of the time.
A Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years puts the
overall predictions accuracy rate at 37 percent.
The National Climatic Data Center puts the overall predictions
accuracy rate at around 39 percent.
Whether accurate or not, Groundhog Day is still a fun holiday.
Until next time.
Watch the movie trailer
Groundhog Day - A 1993 comedy film starring Bill Murray and Andie
MacDowell. In the film, Murray plays Phil Connors, an egocentric
Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during a hated assignment covering the
annual Groundhog Day event (February 2) in Punxsutawney,
Pennsylvania finds himself repeating the same day over and over
again. The following video was a trailer (preview) for the movie.
Try to understand as much of the movie trailer as possible. Use a
dictionary
to look up words you do not understand.
1. Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in which countries?
2. A groundhog is which of the following?
3. Which of the following is not another name for a groundhog?
4. What is supposed to happen if a groundhog does not see its
shadow?
5. What is supposed to happen if a groundhog sees its shadow?
6. Which groundhog is considered to be the most famous?
7. Punxsutawney is located in which state?
8. A Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years puts
the overall predictions accuracy rate at which percentage?
9. The National Climatic Data Center puts the overall predictions
accuracy rate at around which percentage?
10. Which of the following is true about Groundhog Day?
In
this lesson you will learn about Groundhog Day. You will watch the
video or read the video script and take a test to check
your listening and reading comprehension.
Groundhog
Day is a fun United States holiday. Take the following test
to check your listening and reading comprehension skills.
