Listening Script: 
Thanksgiving:
It is a holiday celebrated in much of North America, generally observed as an expression of gratitude usually to God. The most common view of its origin is that it was to give thanks to God for the bounty of the autumn harvest. In the United States, the holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. On this day people give thanks and prayers. Usually it is a family day celebrated with a big dinner and joyous reunions.
Ramadan:
Valentine:
Ramadan:
It is an Islamic holy month when Muslims may not eat or drink from morning until night. It is the ninth month of the Islamic year. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, it falls at different times of the year. Muslims celebrate it as the month during which the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) received the first revelations that make up the Koran, the holy book of Islam. It is also a time for other religious activities. The nights are often devoted to special prayers and to recitations from the Koran. During the last 10 days, some Muslims seclude themselves in a mosque to give full time to religious contemplation. The end of it is celebrated by another great religious festival.
Valentine:
It’s a holiday honouring love and lovers. It is celebrated on February 14th. In the spirit of the holiday, you are invited to a little celebration for the holiday of songs, poems and love greetings. These verses and greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, when lovers said or sang their beloved. Written postcards began to appear after 1400. The oldest one in existence was made in the 1400s and is in the British Museum. Papers and postcards are exchanged during this feast as gifts.
Guadalupe:On December 12 each year, thousands of people gather at a hill in Mexico City. They come from all over Mexico. Many have walked long distances to reach the Shrine of Our Lady. The shrine is built on the spot where a poor Indian said he had seen a vision. About 450 years ago, Juan Diego, was walking by the hill. Suddenly, he saw the figure of a young Indian woman, surrounded by bright light. She had black hair, dark eyes, and dark skin. She told him she was the mother of all Indians. She told him she wanted a shrine built there. And the shrine was built. It has been celebrated since then.
Vocabulary:
observed : /əbˈzɜːvd/ celebrated. Examples:
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States, observed on the fourth Thursday of November. Eid al-Adha also called the "Festival of the Sacrifice", is the second of two Islamic holidays observed worldwide each year. gratitude: /ˈɡræt.ɪ.tʃuːd/ the feeling or quality of being grateful. (also gratefulness /ɡreɪt.fəl.nəs/. (synonym: thankfulness. Examples: She sent them a present to show/express her gratitude.
Take this as a token (=symbol) of my gratitude for all your help. bounty: /ˈbaʊn.tɪ/ great kindness or willingness to give/ something provided in large quantity. Examples: We should always thank Allah for His bounty. The bounty of the ocean is not limitless. harvest: /ˈhɑrvɪst/ the activity of collecting a crop, or the time when this happens. Examples: We had a good harvest this year.Farmers are reporting a bumper (= very big) harvest this year. joyous: /ˈdʒɔɪ.əs/ full of joy; very happy. (synonym: joyful) Examples: She gave a joyous laugh. It was a joyous reunion of all the family. holy: /ˈhəʊ.lɪ/ related to a religion or a god. Examples: The area is a holy site for many Muslims. Jerusalem is a holy city to Muslims, Christians, and Jews. revelation: /ˌrev.əˈleɪ.ʃən/ something that is considered to be a sign or message from God. (وَحي, إلهام…) Examples: Our Prophet received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira. Muhammad received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel. devote: /dɪˈvəʊ.t/ to give your time or effort completely to something you believe in or to a person, or to use a particular amount of time or energy doing something. Examples: He devoted his life to serving his family, friends, and neighbours. Over half his speech was devoted to the issue of saving Social Security. recitation: /ˌres.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ saying a piece of writing aloud from memory. Examples: He gave a beautiful recitation of some poems by Blake. The nights are often devoted to special prayers and to recitations from the Koran. seclude: /sɪˈkluːd/ to keep someone or something away from other people or things. Examples: Typically, the bride would seclude herself in another room. During the last 10 days, some Muslims seclude themselves in a mosque to give full time to religious contemplation. contemplation: /ˌkɒn.təmˈpleɪ.ʃən/ serious and quiet thought for a period of time. Examples: She was staring out over the lake, lost in contemplation. They have an hour for silent contemplation every morning. gather: /ˈɡæð.ə/ come together in a group. Examples: Gather round, children, and I'll tell you a story. A crowd had gathered to hear her speak.
shrine: /ʃraɪn/ a place for worship that is holy because of a connection with a holy person or object. Examples: Islam's most sacred shrine is at Mecca in Saudi Arabia. During Haj, a lot of people visit the shrine of Mecca. spot: /spɒt/ a particular place. Examples: This looks like a nice spot for a picnic. This is a particular spot for walkers and climbers. vision: /ˈvɪʒ.ən/ an experience in which you see things that do not exist physically, when your mind is affected powerfully by something such as deep religious thought. Examples: She had a vision of a garden full of trees. She had visions in which the angel Gabriel appeared to her. surround: /səˈraʊnd/ to be everywhere around something.
Examples: Snow-capped mountains surround the city. The house is surrounded by trees, so it's not overlooked at all.