Reading Comprehension: Black Friday
The following reading comprehension activity about Black Friday is designed to help you improve your reading skills while learning about the history of the day and the activities people do on that day.
NOTE:
This Black Friday reading comprehension activity is divided into three sections:
- Pre-reading activities.
- While-reading activities.
- Post-reading activities.
Pre-Reading Task
Before you read the text, do the following task:
Match the following words with their definitions:
| Words | Definitions |
|---|---|
| 1. Retailer 2. Havoc 3. Discounts 4. Speculation 5. Appellation 6. Market crash | a. Disorder and confusion b. A reduction in the usual price of something. c. A person or business that sells goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale; vendor. d. An abrupt drop in stock prices. e. An identifying name or title f. A supposition, theory, or opinion. |
While-reading tasks
Now develop your reading skills. Read the following text about Black Friday and do the comprehension task.
Black Friday: From Crowded Stores to Online Deals
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday refers to the Friday following Thanksgiving, taking place on the fourth Friday in November. Traditionally, it marks the start of the holiday shopping season in the United States. Many retailers open early and offer promotions with significant discounts, often extending their deals through Cyber Monday or Cyber Week.
Since 2005, Black Friday has consistently been the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States.
Why is it called Black Friday?
The origin of the term “Black Friday” is subject to various speculations. However, it has been associated with a history of crowded streets and traffic congestion, particularly in cities like Philadelphia and Rochester since the 1960s. The police referred to the chaos accompanying the start of the holiday shopping season as “Black Friday,” enduring long shifts and traffic difficulties.
Local businesses sought to attract customers on this day, despite the challenges faced by law enforcement. The term “black” historically denotes negative events tied to days of the week, such as “Black Tuesday” and “Black Monday,” referencing significant financial downturns. Retailers attempted to rebrand the holiday, but “Black Friday” persisted, later adopted by businesses claiming it signified when their accounts shifted from red to black.
Online shopping on Black Friday
While Black Friday shopping attracts enthusiastic crowds, it also leads to instances of aggressive behavior and altercations among shoppers. As a result, many opt for online shopping to avoid crowds and traffic. In 2021, online sales totaled $8.9 billion, reflecting the growing preference for digital shopping experiences amidst the hustle and bustle of traditional Black Friday events.
Source: Wikipedia
Post-reading Task
Use the information about Thanksgiving you learned from the text above to do the following task.
Complete this chart with information from the text above:
| Name of the day | Date | Origin | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
Now, write a paragraph about Black Friday using the information above.
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