Speed Reading — Level 2 — 200 wpm 

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A report from the Pew Research Center says Christmas in the USA is getting less religious. Nine out of ten Americans celebrate Christmas, but only about half think it is a religious holiday. Over two thousand people took a survey about Christmas. Just over 30 per cent said it was "more of a cultural holiday" than a religious one. Greg Smith from Pew Research said: "Younger adults are less likely than older adults to see Christmas as a religious…holiday. They're less likely to...attend [church at] Christmas…and they are less likely to believe in the virgin birth."

People are also changing what they say to each other and what they write in cards. More people are choosing to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". This is because there are also non-Christian holidays at the same time as Christmas. Many people want to include all holidays in their holiday wishes. Almost 80 per cent of Americans will watch a Christmas movie, but only 59 per cent will go to church. The average amount of money people spend on Christmas is $914. People most look forward to spending time with their family.

Back to the Happy Holidays lesson.

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