Unit 7: Around the World

Summary: Customs and Habits

Key points

  • Every country has its own customs and habits.
  • Spain: paella, flamenco, La Tomatina (tomato festival in August), a red and yellow flag, late dinners.
  • Tunisia: couscous, the Sahara Festival in Douz, a red and white flag.
  • We learn about other customs with respect.
  • a / an = first time; the = second time, known thing, seas, superlatives, instruments.

Rules to remember

a / an
First time, one thing: There is a festival in August. I have an orange.
the
Second time or known thing: The festival is funny. Also: the sea, the best, play the guitar.

How to do it

  1. Is it the first time we talk about it? ➡️ a / an.
  2. Do we know which one? ➡️ the.
  3. Is it a sea, a superlative or an instrument? ➡️ the.

Example

There is a festival in Douz. The festival is in winter, in the south of Tunisia.

Common mistakes

  • *plays guitar* ➡️ plays the guitar
  • *a orange* ➡️ an orange
  • *near Mediterranean Sea* ➡️ near the Mediterranean Sea

Key words

Summary written by سكولار for quick revision: it does not replace the lesson and its exercises.