Why do we celebrate Halloween? Do you want to surprise your sweetheart with a special Valentine card from Loveland, USA? Who invented the Christmas card? This unique book explores the origins of our festivities, their historical significance, and how we celebrate them today.

«La pagina breve» is an anthology of contemporary short stories, chosen to bring together the pleasure of literature and language practice. Presented in full version, the texts retain the fascination of the authors’ words and the coherent development of the story. The genres represented in the anthology offer a rich and varied view of different examples of Italian literature from the twentieth century: from the peasant’s story (Alvaro, Malerba, Brancati) to the descriptions of urban life (Moravia, Pontiggia); from science-fiction (Maraini) to satire (Buzzati); from modern fairy tales (Arpino) to romantic stories (Parise), and lots more. The book is aimed at intermediate level students and is accompanied by: •information about the authors; •an introduction to the text; •linguistic and cultural notes; •comprehension, summary and language exercises.»

After Doña Inés is kidnapped for a bet, Don Juan Tenorio falls in love with her, inadvertently causing a series of events which lead to her death. Highly complex and extremely ‘modern’, Don Juan is at times romantic and passionate, a sinner and a positive figure in his ability to feel remorse.

In 17th-century Madrid, a beautiful gypsy called Preciosa has the admiration of all who see her dance and predict the future. A young gentleman abandons his place in society to go and live with they gypsies because he is in love with her. However, things become complicated when the gentleman is accused of a crime and is imprisoned. Preciosa asks for clemency from the Corregidor…

Cette comédie en vers est le portrait d’un faux dévot. En effet, Tartuffe est un imposteur qui, sous le masque de la religion, s’est introduit dans la maison du naïf et crédule Orgon pour épouser sa fille, séduire sa femme et s’approprier ses biens. Après de nombreux rebondissements, Orgon se rendra enfin à l’évidence et Tartuffe, l’hypocrite, sera démasqué.

What links the sudden death of a cat and that of a countess? Find out by taking part in the investigation, set in an elegant area of Paris and follow the footsteps of a killer. At the end of each chapter discover more about Paris’s museums, monuments, etc. in À la découverte de Paris.

«À l’heure actuelle» is a cultural studies book aimed at false beginner and intermediate-level students (A2-B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference). The volume is lively and flexible, and covers the society and the territory, and analysis of the culture and daily life, with particular attention to topics which are of interest to the needs and interests of students in the first years of secondary school. With this in mind, the dossiers provide numerous texts and young people’s points of view, through short interviews. À l’heure actuelle doesn’t only deal with topics aimed at the tastes and interests of teenagers but also provides a wide view of the geographical and historical background, without having to repeat the texts specific to the final three years of secondary school. The contents is organised in 7 topic-based dossiers, within which ‘planet France’ is introduced and considered from many different points of view. It starts with a wide approach to places, history and traditions and passes onto topics related to the current situation and daily life. The texts are followed by a wide-range of exercises to check comprehension and consolidate vocabulary. The exercises offer a stimulus for debate and freer practice of the language based on the suggested topic. The audio CD which accompanies the book offers a wealth of supplementary texts to use in class as oral comprehension exercises and for the introduction of short practice exercises in simultaneous or consecutive translation. They can also be used for individual practice of pronunciation.»

A phone number on a banknote, a bouquet of roses: two elements which raise the suspicions of a retired police commissioner.

Fabrizio is a successful man; he is a director in a big company, with a beautiful wife, adorable children and a very close friend, Bruno, who is equally lucky and has a good career, and with whom Fabrizio shares fun days and wonderful memories. But one day Bruno’s unexpected disappearance breaks the spell of Fabrizio’s happy existence. Did Bruno really commit suicide, as the police sustain? Some really surprising discoveries, mean that Fabrizio has to admit that he really doesn’t know his best friend at all.

Cornélius Van Baerle has just one passion, tulips, and just one wish, the invention of a black tulip. He is about to get his wish, when he is, unjustifiably, accused of a crime, and arrested and sentenced to death. Includes a playscript.

'The Young King' tells how a shepherd boy becomes a king and realises that money is not worth human suffering. In 'The Star Child' a baby is found in the forest and discovers his true identity after many adventures. 'The Nightingale and the Rose' is a tale of a nightingale who sacrifices her life to create the perfect red rose for a student in love.

This is a progressive grammar book aimed at students who already have a basic knowledge of the Italian language and who want to deepen and consolidate the basic skills already acquired. It can be used either for self-study or to accompany a language course. Despite dealing with complex structures, the book maintains the same clarity and simple layout as the first volume, whilst avoiding the use of difficult terminology. The book is divided into 24 units, and each one deals with a specific grammar point, placing particular attention on the aspects which create the most difficulty for those learning the Italian language (the difference between passato prossimo and imperfetto, i modi indefinite, the passive etc.) The use of explanations and numerous examples automatically allow enjoyment of the text and simplify the comprehension of the topics dealt with, establishing the fundamental concepts of the language. The numerous, varied and motivating exercises favour learning and memorisation of the grammar rules through the use of current expressions of the Italian language in authentic contexts. The lexis and the syntax of the exercises develop progressively, increasing in difficulty. The 8 appendices offer: • summary verb pages (auxiliaries, regular and irregular verbs conjugated in the three different forms); • summary page on the passive form; • notes on changing direct speech into indirect speech. A series of summary exercises allow for checking and consolidation of the knowledge acquired, and the index means the book can also be used for quick reference.

«Pass KET» can be used as a short intensive course or alongside students' regular course at the A2 Waystage of the CEFR. Teacher's Book with lesson plans, answer keys, recording scripts, exam information and additional activities.»

The Durbeyfield family are poor and simple people, but their ancestors were the mighty d’Urbervilles, an ancient and noble family. When the Durbeyfields meet with misfortune, they send their eldest daughter Tess to visit her wealthy cousin and ask for help, but the wealthy cousin has a young son, Alec Stoke-d’Urberville, who finds Tess very attractive…

Amelia Sedley and Becky Sharp are two friends. Amelia comes from a wealthy family but her father is made bankrupt. She marries George Osborne, a vain and shallow young man who does not really love her. Becky Sharp, on the other hand, comes from a penniless family, and is determined to use her beauty and charm to find a good position in life.

Pass PET is the comprehensive course for the Cambridge ESOL Preliminary English Test, B1 Threshold of the Common European Framework. It combines English teaching with exam preparation. Pass PET teaches, not just revises, the English required to pass the PET exam. It is suitable for young teenagers and above. The Teacher's Book includes answer keys, recording scripts, lesson plans, exam information, advice, and additional activities. An Answer Key is also available separately for self-study. Features: • 12 short easy-to-use units • the topic of each unit provides extensive coverage of the themes, structures and vocabulary required by the PET exam • each unit is divided into reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation sections • each section is explained thoroughly using PET-type exercises and examples from everyday life • the follow-up activities are in the form of PET exam questions so that the students become more familiar with the exam as they move through the course • the two audio CDs provide a complete range of authentic PET-type listening exercises and pronunciation activities • the Workbook section of this edition focuses on the main grammar and vocabulary of each unit, consolidating and improving the student's knowledge • the Exam Practice sections, which are an integral part of each unit of the Workbook, consist of practice test questions, detailed descriptions of each part of the exam and exam strategies

Pass PET is the comprehensive course for the Cambridge ESOL Preliminary English Test, B1 Threshold of the Common European Framework. It combines English teaching with exam preparation. Pass PET teaches, not just revises, the English required to pass the PET exam. It is suitable for young teenagers and above. The Teacher's Book includes answer keys, recording scripts, lesson plans, exam information, advice, and additional activities. An Answer Key is also available separately for self-study. Features: • 12 short easy-to-use units • the topic of each unit provides extensive coverage of the themes, structures and vocabulary required by the PET exam • each unit is divided into reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation sections • each section is explained thoroughly using PET-type exercises and examples from everyday life • the follow-up activities are in the form of PET exam questions so that the students become more familiar with the exam as they move through the course • the two audio CDs provide a complete range of authentic PET-type listening exercises and pronunciation activities • the Workbook section of this edition focuses on the main grammar and vocabulary of each unit, consolidating and improving the student's knowledge • the Exam Practice sections, which are an integral part of each unit of the Workbook, consist of practice test questions, detailed descriptions of each part of the exam and exam strategies