Songkran in Thailand’s most famous festival. An important event on the Buddhist 
calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. Water is an 
important element of Songkran, especially in more recent times when the throwing of water has 
become a huge part of the annual celebrations. If you’re visiting Thailand during this period, don’t 
be surprised if you get splashed. Crowds of people roam around throwing buckets of water, using 
water pistols and just generally soaking anyone in the vicinity. Appreciation of family is another 
important aspect of the festival, with many Thai people making their way to their hometowns to 
spend time with older relatives. Buddhists also visit temples throughout Songkran where water is 
poured on Buddha images and on the hands of Buddhist monks as a mark of respect.
Without a doubt, Songkran is a hugely important festival to the Thai people but it’s also very 
popular with visitors and many tourists specifically arrange their holidays around this unique event. Anyone and 
everyone can and will get involved in the celebrations. If you’re out and about during Songkran, you’re almost 
guaranteed to end up soaked but you’ll have lots of fun in the process!
T F
61.Songkran is considered the festival of the traditional Thai New Year.  
62.Water has been used during the festival recently but not in the past.  
63.People have many ways to make each other wet with water.  
64.Songkran is also an occasion for people to go back to the hometown to spend  
time with their relatives.
65.It is certainly not a religious festival.  
66.Everyone visits temples to pour water on Buddha images to show their respect.  
67.The Thai do not let foreigners participate in the festival.  
68.Songkran is actually a very important festival in Thailand.  
69.Nearly everyone gets wet after taking part in the festival.  
70.The festival only has the religious meaning but it is not enjoyable.  

Read the following passage, and then tick the correct answers: true (T), or false (F).

Songkran is Thailand's most famous festival. An Important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. Water is an important element of Songkran, especially in more recent times when the throwing of water has become a huge part of the annual celebrations. If you're visiting Thailand during this period, don't be surprised if you get splashed. Crowds of people roam around throwing buckets of water, using water pistols and just generally soaking anyone in the vicinity. Appreciation of family is another important aspect of the festival, with many Thai people making their way to their hometowns to spend time with older relatives. Buddhists also visit temples throughout Songkran where water is poured on Buddha images and on the hands of Buddhist monks as a mark of respect. Without a doubt, Songkran is a hugely important festival to the Thai people but it's also very popular with visitors and many tourists specifically arrange their holidays around rhis unique event. Anyone and everyone can and will get involved in the celebrations. If you're out and about during Songkran, you're almost guaranteed to end up soaked but you'll have lost of fun in the process!

38. Songkran is considered the festival of the traditional Thai New Year.

39. Water has been used during the festival recently but not in the past.

40. People have many ways to makes each other wet with water.

41. Songkran is also an occasion for people to go to back to the hometown to spend time with their relatives.

42. It is certainly not a religious festival.

43. Everyone visits temples to pour water on Buddha images to show their respect.

44. The Thai do not let foreigners participate in the festival.

45. Songkran is actually a very important festival in Thailand.

46. Nearly everyone gets wet after talking part in the festival.

47. The festival only has the religious meaning but it is not enjoyable.

IX. Read then answer the questions.

Many countries all over the world celebrate the New Year holiday. In China, it is a very happy time. Chinese people think it is the most important time of the year. There are parades in the streets, and families gather for big dinners. At these dinners, children get lucky money in red envelopes as their good grade and achievements during the last year. Before the New Year, the Chinese people always clean their houses to clean out bad luck. Everything must be fresh and clean as they think that they will have a happy new year. People also make sure that they have paid all their bills. It is important to start a New Year without owning anyone’s money. Different from Chinese, in Thailand, people hold Water Festival. The festival takes place everywhere in the country but especially popular in the north. Water Festival takes place in the middle of April every year. It is a part of the Thai New Year. People throw buckets of water on each other. There are even parades where people throw water. It is especially important to throw water on older people. It shows respect to them.

56. What happen in the streets in China on New Year holiday?

57. Why do Chinese people clean their houses before the New Year?

58. What do they try to avoid when they start the New Year?

59. When is the Water Festival held in Thailand?

60. Why is it important to throw water on older people?

Read the following passage then do the tasks.

Tết, or Lunar New Year is the most important festival of Vietnamese people. It marks the beginning of the Lunar year, which is celebrated in China as well. Tet in Vietnam usually drops in the late of January or early February. At Tết, festivals are held throughout the country, and this is a family holiday, too. Before Tết, Vietnamese families usually make Chưng cake or Tét cake, the traditional cakes of Việtnam. They also buy lots of cakes and candies. Children often give best wishes to the old people or parents then get lucky money. The official holiday lasts three days, but celebrations continue for at least the first week of the new year.

* Answer the questions: 

1. What is the other name of Tết?

............................................................................................................................................

2. When does Tết drop?

............................................................................................................................................

3. Do the celebrations last three days?

............................................................................................................................................

4. What do the children often give to the old or their parents?

...........................................................................................................................................

Thai New Year (Songkran Festival)

            The traditional Thai New Year is celebrated in April each year. Thailand adopted this (11)____________ with the belief that the sun re-entered Aries and finished its orbit round the earth on April 13. In Thailand, this (12)_________ is celebrated for three days from April 13 to April 15. Before the (13)___________, people will clean their houses in the hope of casting away of any bad luck of the old year, so that good (14)____________ will enter their new lives instead. Food and sweets will be prepared in advance for merit making and for treating guests.

            The Songkran celebrations will begin with food (15)_____________ to the monks who will walk along the street in the early morning to receive food and other offerings. One of the most popular (16)___________ for young people is to convey their best (17)_______ to their elders by pouring water onto them or their palms. After this, it is time for children and young people to have full (18)___________ with water-throwing, dancing and folk games.

            Do not expect to escape the (19)____________ activities, these take place on every street in Thailand.  They can be a welcome break to the (20)____________ of the dry season, but if you wish to stay dry it is best to stay indoors

Underline the most suitable coniunction in each sentence. l. Even though/ When/ Becouse the New Year's Eve is a very important moment of the year, the whole family stays awake to experience it 2. We have finished the preparations on time for the party while/ even though/ however we had a lot of things to do.

3. While/ When/ Since you come to the Lantern Festival in Hoi An, you may be surprised about the beauty of the floating lanterns.

4. You can get there by airplane, but/ and/ so it is a bit costly

5. Chung coke is very tasly, but/ however/ additionally, it is a type of coke for festivals more than for a daily life.

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the given word.

1. Participating in the Lim Festival is one the most ......events in (memory)

2. This is a.... festival in vietnam( year) 3. When do the...... for the festival begin( prepare) 4. Among many traditional activities at the Hung King Temple Festival, I was ....festival in Vietnam year .for the festival begin? prepare perform the most interested in the Xoan singing......(perform )

5 At the beginning of the festival, people have to do a welcome.......(rite)

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

Situated in Huong Son Site, Hanoi, Huong Pagoda complex is considered _________ (6) one among centers of Buddhism in Vietnam. Huong Pagoda Festival is a Buddhist festival held annually and lasts three months, _________ (7) the 6th day of Lunar New Year to the 6th day of the third lunar month in the year.

Huong Pagoda Festival is very different from other traditional festivals in Vietnam that recreational activities aren’t central part of the festival. Each year, thousands visitors from all regions in the country and foreign tourists as well _________ (8) to Huong Pagoda at the time of festival. However, their aim is to visit scenic setting of Huong Pagoda (so-called Huong Son Pagoda) and pray for themselves and their family

When _________ (9) Huong Pagoda, everyone brings a lavish tray of sacrifice to offer Buddha, who is worshipped at Huong Tich Pagoda. After an incense-offering liturgy, each will eat a piece of their sacrifice in order _________ (10) luck from Buddha. Visiting Huong Pagoda Festival and visiting pagodas in general have become a beautiful custom of Vietnamese people in the beginning of Lunar New Year.

Question 9: 

A. visit

B. visits

C. visiting

D. to visit

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

Situated in Huong Son Site, Hanoi, Huong Pagoda complex is considered _________ (6) one among centers of Buddhism in Vietnam. Huong Pagoda Festival is a Buddhist festival held annually and lasts three months, _________ (7) the 6th day of Lunar New Year to the 6th day of the third lunar month in the year.

Huong Pagoda Festival is very different from other traditional festivals in Vietnam that recreational activities aren’t central part of the festival. Each year, thousands visitors from all regions in the country and foreign tourists as well _________ (8) to Huong Pagoda at the time of festival. However, their aim is to visit scenic setting of Huong Pagoda (so-called Huong Son Pagoda) and pray for themselves and their family

When _________ (9) Huong Pagoda, everyone brings a lavish tray of sacrifice to offer Buddha, who is worshipped at Huong Tich Pagoda. After an incense-offering liturgy, each will eat a piece of their sacrifice in order _________ (10) luck from Buddha. Visiting Huong Pagoda Festival and visiting pagodas in general have become a beautiful custom of Vietnamese people in the beginning of Lunar New Year.

Question 7: 

A. from

B. to

C. of

D. on

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below

Situated in Huong Son Site, Hanoi, Huong Pagoda complex is considered _________ (6) one among centers of Buddhism in Vietnam. Huong Pagoda Festival is a Buddhist festival held annually and lasts three months, _________ (7) the 6th day of Lunar New Year to the 6th day of the third lunar month in the year.

Huong Pagoda Festival is very different from other traditional festivals in Vietnam that recreational activities aren’t central part of the festival. Each year, thousands visitors from all regions in the country and foreign tourists as well _________ (8) to Huong Pagoda at the time of festival. However, their aim is to visit scenic setting of Huong Pagoda (so-called Huong Son Pagoda) and pray for themselves and their family.

When _________ (9) Huong Pagoda, everyone brings a lavish tray of sacrifice to offer Buddha, who is worshipped at Huong Tich Pagoda. After an incense-offering liturgy, each will eat a piece of their sacrifice in order _________ (10) luck from Buddha. Visiting Huong Pagoda Festival and visiting pagodas in general have become a beautiful custom of Vietnamese people in the beginning of Lunar New Year.

Question 9:

A. visit

B. visits

C. visiting

D. to visit