April Fools' Day

Introduce yourself, please. Many people have a love-hate relationship with April Fools’ Day. What about you? Do you like or hate April Fools’ Day?

1. Some historians believe the April Fools' customs began in … , although no one knows for sure.

• Greece
• France
• Italy

2. In some countries, all April Fools’ Day pranks must be completed ... .

• on April Fool's Day
• before lunch time on April Fool's Day
• in the afternoon of April Fool's Day

3. Anyone playing a joke after that deadline is called a/an … .

• April Fool
• Comic
• King of jokes

4. The biggest April Fools’ Day Parade - Krewe Du Fool – takes place in … .

• London
• Rio de Janeiro
• New Orleans

Fill in the missing words. There are some extra ones which you might not need.practical jokesfamily members, colleaguespranks hoaxes tricks pen phone cushionharmless tricks harmless lies good laugh intentions jokesters

April Fools’ Day Pranks Around The World

Whatever the origin of April Fools’ Day, different traditions have been developed in different countries over the years.

• In Poland
• In Scotland
• In Belgium
• In Portugal
• In Italy, France, and French-speaking areas of Canada

• A popular tradition is to attempt to stick a paper fish on someone’s back without their noticing.
• Children often lock parents or teachers out of a room or building, only agreeing to let them in exchange for a treat.
• Large-scale hoaxes by the media, and even the government are so widespread that people often avoid engaging in serious activities for the day.
• In …, April Fools' lasts two days. Victims of pranks are called gowks (cuckoo birds). The second day is known as Taily Day, and pranks involving the backside are played. Supposedly, it is the origin of "kick me" signs.
• Throwing flour on someone is the pranking tradition in … .

True or False

Many media play April Fool's Day jokes by writing or telling stories that are false. It is sometimes difficult to tell what is true and false news because to make these stories sound true they provide "evidence". Decide if these stories are true or false and give your reasons.

1. A shopkeeper in Japan was so annoyed at shoppers who only looked at things and didn't buy them that he made a woman apologize to him because she didn't want to buy the coat she had just been looking at. And he also managed to pressure her into deciding to buy the coat and giving him $25 as a down payment. 2. Social workers rescued a monkey from a couple addicted to heroin but ignored a 5-year-old girl living with them who was very dirty and covered in sores. She also needed medical attention for an injured leg. The social workers visited the place 18 times but failed to do anything about the girl. 3. Tomato growers are using rock and roll music to make their plants produce more flowers. 4. A cat in Thailand fell in love with a mouse and the two creatures are now behaving like mother and son while a Polish dog summoned the fire and ambulance services by calling the emergency number and howling. 5. Ever wanted paint that could boost your Wi-Fi signal? Well, Crown Paints, decided to put their creativity to work and developed a paint that boosts your router’s Wi-Fi signals. The paint would have an “advanced electromagnetic Wi-Fi conductive technology”, thus boosting the router’s signal by up to 20 times.

April Fools' Day Debate

1. Everyone loves a good joke, even when it's played on him. Do you agree or disagree?
2. Is there a special day for jokes and tricks in your country?
3. Have you ever been pranked on April Fools’ Day? (If you have, explain what happened, please)
4. Have you ever sent funny April Fool messages to your family and friends?
5. Do you like surprises or pranks?
6. Do you like playing tricks on people?
7. What practical jokes have you played on April Fool's Day?
8. Do you agree that April Fool’s should be a day of fun for everyone, rather than simply a good opportunity to have fun at someone else's expense?
9. Pranks can be great fun, but it’s important not to take the joke too far. What makes a good prank and what makes a bad prank. What makes a practical joke appropriate or inappropriate? Where should they be played? What lines should never be crossed?

By the way, did you know that ...... April 1 is a national school holiday in Australia? Yeh, April 1 in Australia is a public holiday for schools. ... For Guiness Book of Records the American hamburger chain Burger King has created a left-handed hamburger. All the ingredients are rotated 180 degrees so that it is more comfortable for left-handed people to pick up and eat.

Wait …… did you believe that? Fooled you! Happy April Fools’ Day!!!