Unit 5

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The Edinburgh Fringe

It’s August and our special columnist, Anthony Murphy, travelled to Scotland for the amazing
Edinburgh Fringe, the most exciting festival in the world!

This is Anthony Murphy reporting • Watch the fireworks from Princess Street
from Edinburgh. The best festival Gardens. They’re amazing and you don’t
in the UK is starting in a few days need to buy tickets.
and it’s going to be great!
Why is the Edinburgh Fringe special?
Last week, I bought tickets for the big acts and
this is my plan. On Saturday, I’m going to walk • It’s the biggest festival of theatre,
around the city. I’m going to see a lot of street comedy, music and dance in the
performers, circus acts, dancers and singers. world.
On Saturday night, I’m going to see a famous • Performers from all over
comedian at the Pleasance Theatre. I’m very the world take part in it.
excited and it’s an event you can’t miss! You There aren’t any rules to
can see comedy, art, dance, theatre and music participate in the festival.
for free. Anyone can put on a show.
• It takes place all over the city
Are you planning to come? Here are my tips:
of Edinburgh –
• You’re going to do a lot of walking, so wear at theatres, in the
trainers. The weather can be windy, rainy, streets, in cafés and in
cold, cloudy, warm and sunny, all in one day! people’s homes! A lot of
So bring an umbrella, a bottle of water and performances are free.
wear sunglasses. • It’s on for three weeks
• Go to the small cafés and restaurants in every August.
the city. Some of the best comedy is there
and it’s free!

1 Before you read > Look at the photos and read the title. Predict: What is the Edinburgh Fringe?

2 39   Listen and read about the Edinburgh Fringe. Check if your answer in Exercise 1 is correct
and mention three characteristics of this event.

3 Read again and write T (True) or F (False). Correct the false sentences.
1 Anthony Murphy travelled to England.

2 The festival is already on.

3 He has plans for the whole weekend.

4 He’s going to see artists performing in the streets.


On the Pulse 2nd Edition Level 2 © Macmillan Publishers S.A. 2021 P H OTO C O P I A B L E
Photo credits: iStockphoto
 Unit 5

MAGAZINE WORKSHEET

5 He’s going to see a comedy show in a restaurant.


6 The weather in Edinburgh is usually warm and sunny in August.

7 All the performances are free.


4 Answer.
1 Who can perform in the Edinburgh Fringe? 
2 Where can you watch the shows? 
3 When does the festival take place and how long does it last? 


5 After you read > Choose one of these activities.

1 Draw a poster to promote the Edinburgh Fringe. Include images and key phrases. Share your
work with the class.
2 Draw a mind map about the Edinburgh Fringe. Compare mind maps with a classmate.

Video-search activity

Festivals
a) Find videos about a festival from your
country or around the world that
include this information:
• where the festival is;
• why people organize it;
• what happens at the festival and who
goes there (children, young / older
people, etc.)
Try to cover at least one of the points
per video.
b) Explain to your teacher and classmates:
• what you learnt about the festival from
the videos;
• whether you would like to go to the
festival (say why / why not);
• your reasons for choosing the videos.
c) In pairs, role play a news report and
make a video. Imagine one of you
is taking part in a festival and the
other is the news reporter. Rehearse
the interview and then record a
video. Remember to use going to
(affirmative, negative and questions)
and the present continuous for future
arrangements. Include questions in
relation to the following items and your
own ideas:
• where the festival is;
• why it is special;
• what happens at it;
• how other people can get there;
• what advice you can give people if they
want to go to the festival.

Compare different videos and sources to check

the information they give is true.

On the Pulse 2nd Edition Level 2 © Macmillan Publishers S.A. 2021 P H OTO C O P I A B L E