Guy Fawkes Day
1. You are going to read the text about Guy Fawkes Day. It mentions some of the words below. Work in pairs and match them with their definitions
1.Fireworks 2.Plot 3.Treason 4.Gunpowder 5.Barrel 6.Effigy
a) a secret plan to do something bad
b) a model which represents someone, especially one made to represent a disliked
person which is hung or burnt
c) a large container made of wood, metal or plastic
d) explosive pyrotechnic devices used for entertainment
e) a crime of helping your country’s enemies at trying to destroy the government
f) a substance for explosions
2. Read the text. Match the headings (a–e) with the paragraphs (1-4). There is one extra heading which you do not need to use.

a) End of conspiracy
b) How to celebrate
c) Guy Fawkes’ life
d) Facts from history
e) Gunpowder Plot

1. ______
Guy Fawkes Day is a festival which takes place on 5th November. People light bonfires, burn
effigies and watch fireworks shows on that night. Sometimes children ask people in the street for money, crying, ‘a penny for the guy’. This tradition is over 400 years old and began with a conspiracy in British history.
2. _______
Queen Elizabeth I made life difficult for Catholics. Their land was taken away and they were put in prison. After Elizabeth died and James I became king, the Catholics hoped that their situation would get better (James’ mother was a Catholic). Unfortunately, they had nothing to celebrate as James wasn’t more tolerant than Elizabeth.
3. _______
That was why a few men started working on a plot to get rid of James I. They wanted to blow up Parliament with the King inside. They found a room under the Houses of Parliament, put 36 barrels of gunpowder in it, and waited for the opening of Parliament on November 5th.
4. _______
But their secret plan didn’t work out. One of the men sent a letter to his cousin who worked in Parliament to warn him not to come to work. The King saw the letter and ordered his soldiers to search Parliament. In the cellar, the soldiers found Guy Fawkes, who was arrested and executed. And so Guy Fawkes’ name went down in history.
And ever since then, English people have celebrated the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot by building bonfires and letting off fireworks on 5th November. Often they place an effigy of Guy Fawkes on the fire. They have an old rhyme which goes:
Remember, remember the 5th of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
3. Why was the plot discovered? Watch the film and answer the questions:
1) How many conspirators were there?
2) Who was the explosives expert?
3)What did Francis Tresham do?
4. Work in groups. Put the events in the correct order:
1. The other members of the plot are discovered and finally executed.
2. 13 men work out a plot to blow up Parliament and get rid of the king.
3. English people make bonfires, let off fireworks and burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes on 5th November.
4. Catholics hope for their situation to improve but it doesn’t.
5. James I finds out about the terrorists’ plan.
6. The death of Queen Elizabeth I, James I becomes the king of England.
7. The soldiers find Guy Fawkes in the cellar with 36 barrels of gunpowder.
8. Francis Tresham sends a letter to his brother-in-law warning him not to come to Parliament.
5. Homework:
Two weeks ago you took part in Guy Fawkes Day celebrations in London. Write an e-mail to your friend and describe what you did. Write 50-100 words.

www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/games/gunpowder/index_embed.shtml

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