IV. Read the following passage and decide if the statements are true (T), false (F), or not given(NG).
Many travellers to Viet Nam wonder: ‘Why do Vietnamese people burn colored papers?’ These papers are known as ‘votive paper’. They can be houses, clothes, fake money, cars, motorbikes,...made of paper. They represent gifts for the ancestors. This practice originates from the belief that death is not the end of someone's life. People burn
votive as offerings for the dead to use in the afterlife. Therefore, votive items are often valuable
objects meaning that the dead could still enjoy material life in their ‘new life’. Votive papers
actually symbolize the link between life and death. The burning ritual takes place regularly on
particular days such as festivals, new and full moon days, yearly ancestors’ death anniversaries or
the Lunar New Year. After people burn the papers, they sprinkle a little wine upon the ashes so that
the spirits can get to heaven and bring gifts for their ancestors.
People also burn votive paper because they wish to have better results in exams, better revenues for
business, to get rid of some disease, or to bring safety, happiness and good luck to their loved ones.
Statements
1. Votive paper often represents valuable things.
2. Vietnamese people believe that there is an afterlife.
3. Votive paper shows that there is a link between life and death.
4. People burn votive papers at any time they like.
5. Some people burn votive paper to wish for good health and wealth.
