B2/C1 – Cultural differences while traveling

Hello, my lovely people!

This week we are combining travel, Christmas traditions and advanced English. Through three short texts, you will explore cultural differences between Spain and places such as Gibraltar, Malta, Ireland, Scotland and the UK.

🌍 A quick insight:

Christmas traditions can vary considerably even between nearby countries. In Gibraltar, British customs coexist with a Mediterranean setting, while Malta combines festive celebrations with a strong religious tradition. Travelling can therefore be a great opportunity to observe how culture shapes familiar celebrations.

What will you develop?

• Reading comprehension in culturally meaningful contexts.
• A wider range of linkers and discourse markers for contrast, concession, exemplification, addition and conclusion.
• Awareness of how linkers create cohesion and logical relationships between ideas.
• Cultural awareness through the comparison of different Christmas traditions.

How does the activity work?

You will find three short texts. Read each one carefully and drag the most suitable linker into every gap.

💡 Remember: each section contains two distractors, so not every option will be used. Pay attention to the relationship between ideas and to the overall cohesion of the text.

You will need to distinguish between linkers such as by contrast, whereas, nevertheless, conversely, meanwhile, admittedly, furthermore and ultimately. Think about the function of each one before making your choice.

📥 Prefer working offline? You can download the printable version here and complete the three texts on paper.

Final challenge

💬 Write a short paragraph comparing Christmas traditions in Spain with those of an English-speaking country or territory. Use at least three different linkers from the activity.

Example: “Christmas Eve is particularly important in many Spanish families. By contrast, Christmas Day tends to be more central in the UK. Furthermore, gift-giving traditions are not exactly the same. Ultimately, both celebrations share a strong emphasis on family and togetherness.”

Keep practising!
Yoci Teacher

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