Canada | Country Profile

Country Profile

Profile on Canada Art and Architecture A2

Warm up

1 Guess the missing information to complete the fact file.

Official languages: English and F_ _ _ _ h

Population: 33 m_ _ _ _ _ _

Currency: Canadian d_ _ _ _rs and c_ _ts Motto: From sea to s_ _ National sport: Ice-hoc_ _ _

Totem poles

Totem poles are beautiful sculptures carved from very big trees. They are a traditional native art form of the West Coast of Canada and the USA. They describe legends, family histories and important events. The tallest totem pole is over 55 metres tall and is found in British Columbia, Canada.

Words to remember

collected: raccolta drowning: annegamento featuring: dove compare heated: riscaldata is set: è girato, registrato sap: linfa tasty: gustosa

Key Language

I would like to try it because ...........................................

I wouldn’t like to try it because

My country’s national food is

Maple syrup

In the centre of the Canadian flag there is a maple leaf - a national symbol and a national food. Every spring the sap* in maple trees is collected*. The sap is then heated* and most of the water evaporates. The syrup that remains is super tasty* on waffles, pancakes, French toast and baked beans. There are even festivals where you can go and celebrate the collection of maple syrup.

Over to you

2 Would you like to try maple syrup? Why / Why not? Does your country have a national food?

Tom Thomson

Tom Thomson is one of the most important Canadian painters of the 20th century. His landscapes show the drama and beauty of Canadian nature. He disappeared on a canoeing trip in 1917 and his body was found 8 days later. The reason for his death was recorded as accidental drowning*. Some people do not believe this is the whole truth.

Matching

3 Match the title of the works by Tom Thomson to the correct painting.

Summer Day Autumn Foliage Northern River

Drake

Drake was born in Toronto. He started acting when he was 15, on the Canadian TV programme Degrassi: The Next Generation, which is set* in a Canadian High School. Now he is a very successful rapper. He has recorded songs with Eminem, Timbaland, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Rihanna. Mario Balotelli, the Manchester City and Italian football player, is a big fan of Drake’s music and even gets a name check in one of his songs, Enough Said. Guess who!

4 Below are some of the lyrics from Take Care featuring* Rihanna. Can you guess who sings the words? Put D for Drake or R for Rihanna. e.g. I’ll take care of you = R

1 I’ve loved and I’ve lost.

2 What’s a life with no fun?

3 I’ll be there for you, I will care for you.

Fill the gaps

4 You won’t ever have to worry.

5 It’s my birthday.

6 If you let me, here’s what I’ll do, I’ll take care of you.

7 I know you’ve been hurt.

5 Julia is on holiday in Canada. She has sent a postcard to her friend. Choose the correct alternative A, B or C for each space.

Dear Julia, I’m (1) ............... a fantastic time in Canada. I (2) visited so many places. We arrived in Toronto on Monday. I’m sure I saw Drake at the airport! My first stop was Niagara Falls, they (3) beautiful. Then I spent a week hiking in the Rockies, where I (4) ............... a brown bear! I’ve now flown out west (5) Vancouver. Yesterday I (6) ............... the city centre. There is a crazy building that looks (7) a modern day Coliseum. And there are the most amazing totem poles in Stanley Park. Now, I (8) ............... relaxing by the beach and (9) waffles with maple syrup. Yummy! Wish you were (10) ............... .

Love, Ellie

1 A have B having C

2 A did B have C

4 A

5

3 A so B is C are

Drake and Rihanna