Did you know that Father's Day in the United States is not celebrated on the same date as here in Brazil?

Let's take a look at the celebration dates and different traditions throughout the world!

In Catholic Europe, this holiday has been celebrated on March 19th (St. Joseph's Day) since the Middle Ages. This celebration was brought by the Spanish and Portuguese to Latin America, where March 19th is often still used for it, though many countries in Europe and the Americas have adopted the U.S. date.

The Brazilian date was picked in honor of Saint Joachim São Joaquim (patron of fathers). While it is not an official holiday, it is widely observed and typically involves spending time with and giving gifts to one's father or father figure.

Among all of the different countries around the world, Germany has the most different traditions! In Germany, Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated differently from other parts of the world. It is always celebrated on Ascension Day (the Thursday forty days after Easter), which is a federal holiday that celebrates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Regionally, it is also called men's day, Männertag, or gentlemen's day, Herrentag.

It is tradition for groups of males (young and old but usually excluding pre-teenage boys) to do a hiking tour with one or more smaller wagons, pulled by manpower. In the wagons are wine or beer (according to region) and traditional regional food. Many men use this holiday as an opportunity to get drunk. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, alcohol-related traffic accidents multiply by three on this day. The tradition of getting drunk is especially prevalent in Eastern Germany.

These traditions are probably rooted in Christian Ascension Day's processions to the farmlands, which has been celebrated since the 18th century. Men would be seated in a wooden cart and carried to the village's plaza, and the mayor would award a prize to the father who had the most children, usually a big piece of ham. In the late 19th century the religious component was progressively lost, especially in urban areas such as Berlin, and groups of men organized walking excursions with beer and ham. By the 20th century, alcohol consumption had become a major part of the tradition. Many people will take the following Friday off at work, and some schools are closed on that Friday as well.



After reading the text, answer the following questions:

1."The Brazilian date was picked in honor of Saint Joachim (patron of fathers)."

2. Which of the following sentences are true?

3. Complete each sentence using the "positive" comparatives and superlatives of the words in parentheses. Follow the examples.
Short words:
Ex.: Fast
- This car is faster than mine. (comparative)
- This is the fastest car I know. (superlative)

Long words
Ex.: Interesting
- This movie is more interesting than the one I watched yesterday. (comparative)
- This is the most interesting movie I have ever watched! (superlative)


4. Complete each sentence using the "negative" comparatives and superlatives of the words in parentheses.
Short or long words:
Ex.: Expensive
- This book is less expensive than the one I bought yesterday. (comparative)
- This is the least expensive book in the bookstore. (superlative)