Learn English with the News: “Orange Fight!”

Hello!

Today’s news is from Ivrea, a town in the province of Turin, Northern Italy.

It is famous because of their strange way of celebrating Carnival: thousands of people are divided into nine teams. Once in teams, they fight by throwing oranges at each other.

The oranges are the left-over fruit not sold in Europe.

1. Read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the video 

 

Text

“Drumbeats call the warriors to arms in the northern Italian town of Ivrea. Oranges are the weapons of the day. And once carnival queen Violetta has made her way safely through the crowds … the Battle of the Oranges commences.

Legend has it that in the 12th century the daughter of a miller rejected the advances of a ruthless count, who made it his mission to deflower all the town’s young women before they were married. She decapitated him and set Ivrea free from his tyranny. And following World War II, the reenactment has been governed by strict rules. Plus 500 tons of Sicilian citrus.

– Our carnival is a family tradition, it’s the tradition of our parents, it’s something that is close to our hearts. We need to confront this challenge. It’s a historic moment. For Ivrea it’s a historic moment.

The oranges represent the head of the slain 12th century oppressor. And with all that fruit-flinging, it’s probably the sweetest smelling battle around.”

Vocabulary

Drumbeats – the sound made by beating a drum.

Warriors – a person who fights in battles and is known for having courage and skill.

Weapons – something (such as a gun, knife, club, or bomb) that is used for fighting or attacking someone or for defending yourself when someone is attacking you.

Crowds – a large group of people who are together in one placea large group of people who are together in one place.

Commences – to begin.

Miller – a person who works in or is in charge of a flour mill.

Rejected – to refuse to believe, accept, or consider (something).

Advances – to move forward.

Ruthless – having no pity : cruel or merciless.

Count – a nobleman in some European counties who has a high rank similar to a British earl.

Tyranny – cruel and unfair treatment by people with power over others.

Deflower – to have sex with (someone who has not had sex before).

Decapitate – to cut off the head of (a person or animal).

Reenactment – to repeat the actions of (an event).

Strict – demanding that people obey rules or behave in a certain way.

Citrus – a juicy fruit (such as an orange, grapefruit, or lemon) that has a thick skin and that comes from a tree or shrub that grows in warm areas.

Slain – to kill (someone or something) especially in a battle or war.

Oppressor – to treat (a person or group of people) in a cruel or unfair way.

Flinging – to throw or push (something) in a sudden and forceful way.

Battle – a military fight between groups of soldiers, ships, airplanes, etc.

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