Reading - The "10-Month Year" Trap

Read the text and complete the activities below.

Many foreigners think Brazil is one big holiday. They think we only dance samba and play soccer. But the reality is different. However, there is one habit that many Brazilians have: we often "start" the year only after Carnival. We call this the "10-Month Year."

Imagine this: January is for the beach. February is for Carnival parties. Real work? Only in March. This is a problem because we lose 16% of our year doing nothing! Successful people don't wait. They use these hot months to plan, to learn new skills, or to organize their houses. If you start your diet, your English course, or your savings plan today (February 2nd), you are ahead of millions of people. Don't fall into the trap. Enjoy the carnival, but don't pause your life for it.

ACTIVITIES

1. Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences with one word from the text.

1. We call this habit the "10-Month ."

2. We lose 16% of our year doing !

3. Successful people use these hot months to , learn, or organize.

4. Enjoy the carnival, but don't fall into the .

2. Vocabulary in Context

Find words in the text that match these definitions.

A) A situation that is difficult to escape from:

B) A routine behavior or custom:

C) In front of others; making more progress: