I. Warming up

(1) What is the article mainly about?

It’s a narrative passage about the International Women’s Day in Russia.

(2) When is International Women’s Day? Is it only celebrated in China?

March 8. No, it’s celebrated in a number of countries including Russia, Mongolia, Vietnam.

(3) How do people celebrate it today?

People give women gifts.

II. Text analysis

1. Theme

What the main features of International Women’s Day in Russia? What kind of daily life do Russian women usually have?

2. Style

a) Genre:

narrative essay

b) Techniques:

colloquial,

flippant,

ironic.

3. Structure

4. Detailed Analysis

(1) How well does the writer know the Soviet Union?

Not very well. The others have to explain the tradition of International Women’s Day to the writer.

(2) What was Yakov doing when the writer met him?

He was buying roses.

(3) Where does the writer live?

Room 99 of a hostel.

(4) What do the Russian men do on International Women’ s Day?

They buy flowers for the women in their life and do some house chores for them.

(5) What kind of daily life do Russian women usually have?

They have a very busy life with lots of chores to do.

(6) What do the Russian men do after they’ ve prepared breakfast for their wives?

They meet up with friends and drink themselves into a stupor.

(7) What is the usual number of flowers to buy in Russia?

An odd number.

(8) Why did Yakov buy 14 flowers?

He planned to give Katya five flowers and the girls in Room 99 three for each.

III. Reinforcement:

Discussion

(1) What’ s the writer’ s real opinion about International Women’ s Day? Do you agree with it?

(2) Do you think Chinese men and women have similar roles to those of Russian men and women in everyday life?

(3) Who or what else would you like to celebrate with a festival?