Ready for C1 p 23. Christmas. Interaction Sample

 

Holiday Traditions & Family Dynamics

1. Many people feel obligated to conceal their disappointment about receiving unwanted gifts. Should we prioritize honesty or politeness in these situations? What are the consequences of each approach for family relationships?
2. Is there a notable discrepancy between the idealized family gatherings shown in media and the reality most people experience? How can we maintain awareness of this gap without becoming cynical about the holidays?
3. When family members have a lack of compatibility in their political or religious views, what's your suggestion for navigating holiday dinners? Should hosts take responsibility for establishing ground rules?

Commercialization & Consumer Culture

4. Do you express your strong disapproval of the commercialization of Christmas, or do you believe the economic aspect serves an important purpose? Discuss the ramifications of the proliferation of Black Friday sales extending into November.
5. Has there been a downturn in the meaningful aspects of holiday celebrations due to excessive consumerism? What represents the biggest impediment to returning to more authentic traditions?
6. Some argue that the simplicity of gift-giving has been lost to competitive spending. What's your proposal for addressing this without causing embarrassment to those who enjoy elaborate celebrations?

Workplace & Professional Obligations

7. Is the prevalence of mandatory office holiday parties a positive tradition or an outdated practice? Should employees feel comfortable expressing their dissatisfaction with being pressured to attend?
8. How can managers balance the importance of year-end performance reviews with the holiday spirit? Is there the viability of delaying difficult conversations until January?
9. What's the consequence of companies' failure to provide adequate time off during the holidays? Should there be greater adherence to work-life balance principles at this time of year?

Social Expectations & Mental Health

10. There's ongoing contention about whether the pressure to be joyful during the holidays is harmful to those struggling with grief or depression. How can we show greater awareness of mental health challenges during this season?
11. Do social media posts create a notable discrepancy between perceived and actual holiday experiences? What are the ramifications of constantly comparing our celebrations to others'?
12. Should people feel free to express their dissatisfaction with holiday obligations, or does this represent negligence toward family traditions? Where's the balance between self-care and social responsibility?

New Year's Resolutions & Personal Goals

13. Given the prevalence of failed New Year's resolutions by February, is there the viability of this tradition at all? What would be your suggestion for making commitments more sustainable?
14. Is our collective inability to maintain resolutions a result of unrealistic goal-setting or the inadequacy of our support systems? What represents a considerable improvement in how we approach personal change?
15. Should we reach a consensus on abandoning the "New Year, New You" mentality? Discuss the consequence of the pressure to completely reinvent yourself each January.

Cultural & Religious Perspectives

16. How can multicultural societies better handle the fluctuation in religious and secular celebrations during this season? Is there a lack of compatibility between respecting diverse traditions and maintaining shared cultural moments?
17. Do you think there's been a reduction in genuine religious observance during Christmas, even among believers? What's the importance of distinguishing between cultural and religious celebrations?
18. What assurances can be provided to minority communities that their winter celebrations receive equal recognition? Is the assertion that Christmas dominates public space justified?

Environmental & Ethical Considerations

19. Should we express our strong disapproval of excessive holiday consumption from an environmental perspective? What's a realistic proposal for more sustainable celebrations without diminishing joy?
20. Is there a notable discrepancy between people's stated commitment to environmental values and their actual holiday behavior? Who should take responsibility for addressing the waste generated during this season?
21. Discuss the prospect of future holidays being significantly altered by climate change or resource scarcity. What changes would require the most difficult adjustments?

Reflection & Closure

22. What's your contention regarding the arbitrary nature of treating January 1st as a fresh start? Does the simplicity of this date-based thinking have value despite lacking originality?
23. Many people make a request for forgiveness or seek reconciliation at year's end. Is this genuine reflection or mere adherence to tradition? What's the importance of authentic closure versus ritual?
24. Looking at the past year, would you conceal your disappointment about certain outcomes to maintain optimism, or is honest evaluation more valuable? What are the consequences of each approach for personal growth?

 

Sample C1 Dialogue: Christmas & New Year Discussion

Participants: Maria and James

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Maria: So, James, what's your take on New Year's resolutions? I have to say, I'm rather skeptical about the (1)_____________ (VIABLE) of the whole tradition, given that most people abandon them within weeks.

James: That's an interesting point, actually. I can see where you're coming from, but I'd argue it's not so much the (2)________________ (ADEQUATE) of the concept itself as our (3)_____________ (FAIL) to set realistic goals. What makes you so doubtful about them?

Maria: Well, I suppose my main (4)_____________ (CONTENTIOUS) is that there's a notable discrepancy between the ambitious changes people promise themselves and their actual (5)_____________ (COMMITED) to following through. It feels somewhat artificial, doesn't it? This idea that January 1st magically transforms us.

James: I'm inclined to agree with you there, to some extent. Though I must say, I find it fascinating how the (6)____________ (PREVALENT) of social media has amplified this phenomenon. Everyone's posting their resolution lists, which arguably creates even more pressure.

Maria: Absolutely! And that raises another issue—people often conceal their (7)_______________ (DISAPPOINTED) about not achieving these goals, which I think has serious (8)_______________ (RAMIFY) for mental health. They end up feeling like failures privately while maintaining a successful facade online.

James: That's a really valid point. I hadn't quite thought of it that way. So what would be your suggestion for a better approach? Surely you're not advocating for abandoning goal-setting altogether?

Maria: Not entirely, no. I'd say my proposal would be to shift away from this annual pressure and toward ongoing reflection throughout the year. The arbitrary timing strikes me as problematic. What's your view on that?

James: I see what you mean, though I'm not entirely convinced. There's something to be said for the importance of having a designated moment for reflection, wouldn't you say? A sort of collective reset, even if it's somewhat symbolic.

Maria: Fair enough. I suppose I can appreciate that perspective. Moving on to a related topic—how do you feel about the commercialization of Christmas? Do you express your strong (9)______________ (APPROVE) of how consumerist it's become?

James: To be honest, I have rather mixed feelings about that. On one hand, yes, I do find the (10)____________ (PROLIFERATE) of Black Friday sales and the relentless advertising quite off-putting. But on the other hand, I'm conscious that many people's livelihoods depend on holiday spending.

Maria: That's a nuanced take. I appreciate that you're considering the economic dimension. But don't you think there's a lack of (11)_______________ (COMPATIBLE) between the supposed spiritual meaning of Christmas and the frenzied shopping culture?

James: You've hit upon something there, I think. Though I'd push back slightly and say perhaps we're being a bit idealistic about what Christmas "should" be. The reality is that gift-giving has always been part of the tradition, hasn't it?

Maria: I take your point, though I'd argue there's been a considerable improvement in awareness about sustainable gifting in recent years. More people seem interested in experiences over material goods, which strikes me as positive.

James: That's an encouraging observation. I'm curious, though—how do you personally navigate the gift-giving expectations? Do you ever feel pressure to spend beyond your means?

Maria: Occasionally, yes. And I must admit, I sometimes struggle with my inability to say no to certain obligations. There's this expectation that you'll attend every party, buy gifts for everyone, maintain elaborate traditions... It can be utterly exhausting.

James: I completely empathize with that. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the consequence of these overwhelming expectations is that many people end up dreading the holidays rather than enjoying them. My partner and I have started expressing our (12)_______________ (SATISFY) with certain family obligations more openly.

Maria: Really? That's quite bold. How has that been received?

James: Better than expected, actually. Initially, there was some resistance—my mother seemed to think our failure to attend every single gathering showed (13)______________ (NEGLIGENT) toward family values. But we provided assurances that we still value family time, just in more manageable doses.

Maria: Good for you! I think that takes considerable courage. There's definitely the prospect of causing embarrassment or offense when you break with tradition, isn't there?

James: Precisely. Though I'd argue someone needs to take responsibility for establishing healthier boundaries. We can't keep perpetuating patterns that make everyone miserable simply to avoid awkwardness.

Maria: I couldn't agree more. You know, this conversation has got me thinking about the (14)________________ (FLUCTUATE) in how we perceive holidays at different life stages. When you're a child, it's magical, but as an adult, the obligations seem to multiply.

James: That's spot on. I wonder if there's a way to recapture the (15)______________ (SIMPLE) of childhood celebrations without regressing entirely. Perhaps focusing on fewer, more meaningful activities rather than trying to do everything?

Maria: Now that's a suggestion I can definitely get behind. Though I suspect many people would resist the idea of scaling back. There's this (16)______________ (ASSERT) that "more is more" when it comes to holidays—more decorations, more parties, more gifts.

James: True enough. And attempting to reach a (17)___________ (CONSENSUAL) on what constitutes "enough" would be virtually impossible, given how personal these preferences are. I suppose the key is allowing people to celebrate in ways that feel authentic to them without judgment.

Maria: Well said. You know, I've genuinely enjoyed this discussion. It's given me food for thought about my own approach to the holidays. Perhaps I'll try to be more intentional this year rather than just going through the motions.

James: Likewise! It's been really thought-provoking. And who knows? Maybe having this kind of open conversation is itself a step toward addressing the (18)____________ (ADEQUATE) of how we typically discuss holiday stress—which is to say, we usually don't discuss it at all.

Maria: Exactly! We should normalize these conversations. There's too much pressure to maintain the perfect holiday facade when, in reality, most people are struggling with similar issues.

James: Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

 

 

KEY

 

 

 

 

1. viability 

 

 

 

 

2. inadequacy 

 

 

 

 

3. failure 

 

 

 

 

 

4. contention 

 

 

 

 

5. commitment 

 

 

 

 

 

6. prevalence 

 

 

 

 

 

7. disappointment 

 

 

 

 

8. ramifications 

 

 

 

 

9. disapproval 

 

 

 

 

10. proliferation 

 

 

 

 

11. compatibility 

 

 

 

 

12. dissatisfaction 

 

 

 

 

13. negligence 

 

 

 

 

14. fluctuation 

 

 

 

 

15. simplicity 

 

 

 

 

16. assertion

 

 

 

 

17. consensus  

 

 

 

 

18. inadequacy