Chapter 7 – Routines and Traditions

Reading 7-1: Mohammed’s Morning Routine
Listen:

My name is Mohammed, and I am a teacher. I always follow a similar routine every day. First, I wake up at 7 o’clock every morning. After that, I take a shower and put on my clothes. Next, I brush my teeth and shave my face. After that, I make myself breakfast. I like to make eggs, toast, and coffee. I usually finish eating my breakfast at 7:45 am. After that, I clean my kitchen and feed my dog. Next, I walk to work. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to my workplace. I always start work at 8:30, but I like to arrive early.

Reading 7-2: Rana’s Morning Routine
Listen:

My name is Rana, and I am an engineer. My job is very busy, so I need to be very organized. Every morning, I wake up at 6:15 am. I get dressed in my active clothes, and I run for 30 minutes. I always run around my neighbourhood. After that, I go home and take a shower. I wash my face, brush my teeth, and dry my hair. Also, I put on my make-up. Next, I get dressed in my professional clothes. After I look nice, I make coffee and eat an apple. Finally, I drive to work. I start work at 8 am every morning.

Reading 7-3: We Hike in the Morning
Listen:

Every morning, I wake up early and have a drink. I like to drink apple juice in the morning. After that, I send some emails. Next, I call my mother. After that, I usually brush my teeth. Also, I use dental floss to clean my teeth. My husband is a good cook, so he makes me breakfast. After that, we sometimes take a hike around a lake that is close to our house. We love to walk in nature. However, we hate the flies! We usually like to hike around the lake, but sometimes, there are too many flies.

Reading 7-4: Fall Photos
Listen:

I am a new Canadian. Right now, it is fall. I love this season because the trees are very beautiful. The colours are bright. Red, yellow, and orange leaves fall on the ground before the winter season. Every morning, I call my friend, and we take a hike in the forest. We hike near many trees, and we take pictures of the beautiful colours. After that, I send an email to my friends in Syria to show them the beautiful nature in Canada. I love the fall.

Reading 7-5: Special Traditions in Canada
Listen:

Canada is a multicultural country. People from many different countries live in Canada. For example, in Toronto, there are more than 140 languages spoken. Also, almost 50% of the people who live in Canada were born in a different country. In Canada, there are many special traditions. For example, many people camp in the summer. They go to a lake with their family and relax in nature. At camp, they can swim, boat, build a fire, and cook marshmallows over a bonfire outside. Another Canadian tradition is to celebrate Halloween. This holiday is on October 31st, and children love it. On this day, children wear costumes and walk around their neighbourhood after dinner. They knock on their neighbour’s doors and say: “Trick or Treat.” Children carry a pillowcase or small basket to collect the candy. It is a very fun day.

Reading 7-6: A Small Shop
Listen:

I am a business owner, and I have a small shop. I sell many things in my shop. For example, I have books for children to colour and read. Children smile when they colour pictures in these books. I also sell tools for a garden. For example, I have tools to cut grass and trees. Cooks like my shop because I have many tools for the kitchen. For example, I sell special knives to cut fruit, vegetables, and fish. Finally, I sell DVDs in my shop. TV shows and movies are cheap to buy. I show my customers new items in my shop every day.

Vocabulary
Bonfire
Brush
Call
Colour
Cooks
Costume
Cut
Drink
Drive
Dry
Fall
Fish
Floss
Garden
Hike
Knock
Love
Marshmallow
Multicultural
Neighbourhood
Pillowcase
Routine
Shave
Shop
Show
Shows
Smile
Tradition
Wake up
Workplace
Media Attributions
- “A male teacher wearing a dress shirt and trousers walking to an elementary school entrance with a briefcase in hand, side view” prompt, by Adobe Firefly, 3 July 2025, was artificially generated using Adobe Firefly and is, therefore, shared under CC0 1.0.
- “A young woman in professional clothes and a hijab, drinking coffee in her kitchen with an apple on the plate in front of her” prompt, by Adobe Firefly, 3 July 2025, was artificially generated using Adobe Firefly and is, therefore, shared under CC0 1.0.
- a couple of people walking up a hill by Mario Amé is licensed under the Unsplash License. / Adaptations: image cropped.
- fallen leaves on footpath by Jean-Karim Dangou is licensed under the Unsplash License. / Adaptations: image cropped.
- selective focus photography of marshmallows on fire pit by Leon Contreras is licensed under the Unsplash License.
- A store with a sign that says general store by Alex Rouse is licensed under the Unsplash License. / Adaptations: some text removed.
References
Adobe. (2024). Adobe Firefly [Image generator].
Arizona State University. (2024). EdPlus Voiceover Generator [Voiceover audio generator].
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
- Adobe Firefly was used to generate images, where indicated.
- The Arizona State University EdPlus Voiceover Generator was used to create the audio recording of Reading 7-1. Adaptations include modification of speed and/or timing, and comping of output takes.





























