December

The last month of the year is filled with joy and celebration
12=30+1天的幸福 - 一年的最後一個月充滿了喜悅和歡慶.

"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.

Grammar Gym:
"The awards recognize scientific discoveries, profound literature and peace efforts."
'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.
*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.


Vocabulary Tips:
lyric / lyrics -歌词，多用复数。
*The lyrics of the song were written by the singer herself.
*Both the music and the lyrics to the song were written by Mariah Carey.
*I love Paul Simon's lyrics.
commemorate - remember something by celebrating.纪念，或庆祝。 'memor" - remember.记忆。
*The exhibition was held to commemorate the birth of this great artist.
commemoration (n) -纪念。
*The statue was built in commemoration of a great general.
fabulous - great, wonderful, amazing. extremely good. 极好的，极棒的，令人难以置信的，极美好又难忘的。
* We had a fabulous time on our trip.
* The boy's fabulous singing talent amazed his teacher.
* Janet is a fabulous actress.
symbolize -represent. 象征，或用图案表示。
*The color red symbolizes passion and determination.热情与决心。
*Heart-shaped chocolates symbolize adoration.爱慕之情
symbol (n)- 象征，标帜，符号。
*The ring is a symbol of commitment.
reflect - indicate. 反射。表达。显示。
cauldron - a big heavy pot.
Narcissus - 水仙花。

Language Tips:
abbreviation -缩写。省略的写法。
initialism / acronym -
initialism首字母缩写，由每个字的第一个字母组成/头字语。
acronym -当作一个英文单字读出来。
United States of America - U.S.A.-initialism，读“U.S.A.”
NASA - (acronym) - sound of 'nasa' one word.
AIDS - (acronym) - sound of one word 'aids'.
app -from application, (clipped word) - sound it out as a word 'app'.
application- 应用程式。




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