Saint Patrick’s Day ESL Lesson
Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, commemorates Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century. Originally a religious feast day, it has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green. This holiday offers a unique opportunity to explore Irish traditions and their influence around the world.
Vocabulary
- emigrate– leave from a country to move to another
- century– 100 years
- religious– having to do with church or god
- pinch– to squeeze something, to hurt someone by squeezing their skin with your finger and thumb
- shamrock– a plant with 3 leaves like in the pictures
- pub– bar/ tavern, a place to drink beer or other alcohol
- marathon– a long running race (like a 10K run)
- pretend– play, act like someone else
Practice Quiz on Saint Patrick’s Day
Prepare to test your knowledge with these eight reading comprehension questions on Saint Patrick’s Day! From historical figures to current traditions, this quiz will challenge and educate you about this vibrant celebration. Ready to start? Please read the following passage and then answer the questions below (Answer Key is provided below the FAQs).
Reading Comprehension
Many Irish people have emigrated from Ireland to the United States over the last few centuries. They brought St. Patrick’s Day with them. St. Patrick’s Day is a serious religious holiday in Ireland, but it has been changed quite a bit in America.
Today in America people enjoy St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green. In fact, if you don’t wear at least one small green item, school children may pinch you. Probably the most common symbol for this holiday is the shamrock. Since the shamrock has three leaves, thousands of years ago St. Patrick (a religious leader) used it to teach the Irish people about the three parts of God. Today many people wear a shamrock design on St. Patrick’s Day because it is supposed to bring good luck.
On this day many people also enjoy going to a pub and drinking beer. They tell jokes and have a good time. People who don’t come from Ireland like to pretend they are Irish, too. Some cities hold parades or marathons. It’s not a very big holiday, but it can be a fun one for the people who want to enjoy it. It is very different kind of celebration from St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
Questions and Answers
Write the answers in the blanks. Check your answers by clicking the arrows.
1. What day is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on?
2. Do people go to work and school on St. Patrick’s Day?
3. What country did St. Patrick’s Day come from?
4. What color do people wear on St. Patrick’s Day?
5. If you don’t wear that color, what will school children do to you?
6. Wearing a shamrock will bring you good ____.
7. Where do people go to drink beer?
8. In some cities people run in a _____ on St. Patrick’s Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the “Apostle of Ireland,” he is credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish people and is one of the country’s patron saints.
The shamrock became associated with Saint Patrick’s Day because Saint Patrick is said to have used it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity. The three leaves of a shamrock represented the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Green is associated with Saint Patrick’s Day because it is the color most linked with Ireland, often referred to as the “Emerald Isle.” Additionally, green is the color of spring, the shamrock, and the Irish flag’s green stripe.
Traditional Irish foods enjoyed on Saint Patrick’s Day include corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, and shepherd’s pie. These dishes celebrate Irish heritage and are popular in celebrations worldwide.
Yes, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated globally with parades, especially in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Major cities like New York and Boston hold large parades that draw significant crowds. Additionally, landmarks around the world, including the Sydney Opera House and the Empire State Building, are illuminated in green lights.
Answer Key:
- March 17
- Yes
- Ireland
- Green
- Pinch you
- Luck
- A pub
- Marathon