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Read the text and questions below. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.
Unlike the western calendar, which is based on the sun’s cycle, the Chinese calendar is based on the cycle of the moon, so the days are counted differently. Chinese years are grouped in sets of 12 and each year honours a different animal. It is said that if you’re born under the animal that’s being honoured, you’re sure to have an eventful and lucky year! Chinese people call the New Year’s celebration the “Spring Festival”. It’s a time to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. The Chinese believe that as they enter a new year, they should put behind them the things of the past. They clean their houses, pay off debts, buy new clothes, paint their doors and window frames, and even get new haircuts. The exact origin of this holiday is too old to be traced, but there are many ideas about how this celebration began. So most people just celebrate the holiday without really knowing why. The New Year festivities are held at the end of January or beginning of February for a period of one month. Preparations begin in December when shops are filled with people buying gifts. Buying new shoes is extremely important because it’s believed that if one walks in old shoes on New Year’s Day, they’ll have bad luck. On New Year’s Eve, families gather together for a meal, but they never eat meat, it’s traditional! Red is the traditional colour of the New Year so many Chinese people wear red clothes. They also decorate their houses with strips of red paper as this colour is believed to frighten away evil spirits. Litting fireworks and firecrackers at midnight is for the same purpose. New Year’s Day begins with the custom of Hong Bao. Children wake up early to find small red envelopes with sweets or money under their pillows. No work at all should be done on the first day of the New Year, particularly housework. Floors mustn’t be swept, as any good fortune might be accidentally swept away. Into the bargain, one has to be happy, jolly and polite for 15 days after New Year’s Day! For the next two weeks, all shops are closed as people enjoy visiting friends and relatives. The atmosphere is friendly as children sing songs for sweet rice cakes and musicians play in the streets. The final and most impressive event is the Lantern Festival. Colourful lanterns are hung outside homes and a dragon parade takes place. The dragon is very long, made of paper and painted in light colours. Men stand under the dragon’s head and body. The parade winds through the streets as crowds cheer and set off the firecrackers. The Chinese New Year is an exciting holiday which everyone looks forward to. It is a celebration rich in tradition and full of happiness. 1Another name for the Chinese New Year’s celebration is: A Winter Festival B Spring Festival C Summer Festival D Autumn Festival 2On this day, Chinese people usually wear: A golden clothes B yellow clothes C orange clothes D red clothes
3On the first day of the New Year people shouldn’t: A wash themselves B watch TV C work D sing 4The streamers of red paper are believed: A to attract guests B to attract money C to keep out nosy neighbours D to keep out evil spirits
5The most spectacular event is: A the Lantern Festival B the Fireworks Festival C the Balloon Festival D the Dragon Festival 7 In small groups, discuss the following questions: · What are the traditions of celebrating New Year in your country? · Are there any traditions of celebrating New Year in China which are the same as in your country? · Do you celebrate the Chinese New Year? In what way? · Do you believe in superstitions connected with the celebration of New Year? LISTENING
8 Look at the questions. You’re going to hear Barry, who is Australian, talking about an important event in Australia. For each question, choose the correct answer – A, B, C or D.
1What does Australia Day celebrate? A the arrival of first people to Australia B the arrival of first Europeans to Australia C the birthday of Captain Cook D the independence of Australia
2On what day of the week is the Melbourne Cup?
3When did the race start?
4How long does the race last?
5Who takes the day off work? A everyone in Australia B everyone in Melbourne and in the State of Victoria C everyone in Melbourne D no one
6Who is interested in the race? |
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