Marriage is an ancient religious and legal practice celebrated around the world. However, wedding customs vary from country to country.
The Wedding Dress: In many countries, it is customary for the bride to wear a white dress as a symbol of purity. The tradition of wearing a special white dress only for the wedding ceremony started around 150 years ago. Before that, most women could not afford to buy a dress that they would only wear once. Now, bridal dresses can be bought in a variety of styles. In some Asian countries and in the Middle East, colors of joy and happiness like red or orange other than white are worn by the bride or used as part of the wedding ceremony,
The Wedding Rings: In many cultures, couples exchange rings, usually made of golf or silver and worn on the third finger of the left or right hand, during the marriage ceremony. The circular shape of the ring is symbolic of the couple's eternal union. In Brazil, it is traditional to have the rings engraved with the bride's name on the groom’s ring, an vice versa.
Flowers: Flowers play an important role in most weddings. Roses are said to be the flowers of love, and because they usually bloom in June, this has become the most popular month for weddings in many countries. After the wedding ceremony, in many countries the bride throws her bouquet into a crowd of well-wishers – usually her single female friends. The person who catches this bouquet will be the next one to marry.
Gifts: In Chinese cultures, w edding guests give gifts of money to the newly-weds in small red envelopes. Money is also an appropriate gift at Korean and Japanese wedding. In many Western countries, for example in the U.K, wedding guests give the bride and groom household items that they may need for their new home. In Russia, rather than receiving gifts, the bride and groom provide gifts to their guests instead.
With the continued internationalization of the modern world, wedding customs that originated in one part of the world are crossing national boundaries and have been incorporated into marriage ceremonies in other countries.
111. Which of the following is the best title of the passage?
A. Wedding ceremoniesB. Wedding customsC. Wedding dayD. Wedding history
112. The tradition of wearing a special dress only on one’s wedding day is ____.
A. about 150 years agoB. over a century ago
C. less than 100 years agoD. less than 200 years ago
113. In some cultures, the bride wears a white dress as a traditional symbol of ____.
A. modestyB. secrecyC. purityD. security
114. In some Asian and Middle Eastern.countries, which colour is NOT considered to be suitable for a wedding?
A. redB. orangeC. whiteD. blue
115. The phrase “eternal union" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to____.
A. never-ending relationshipB. lovely relationship
C. temporary relationshipD. healthy relationship
116. The word “this" in paragraph 4 refers to which of the following?
A. roleB. loveC. JuneD. rose
117. According to the passage, in which country would the wedding guests give the bride and groom money as a present?
A. BrazilB. the U.KC. ChinaD. Russia
118. Which of the following information is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Nowadays, every bride can afford to buy a wedding dress to wear only once.
B. It is believed that any person who catches the bride’s bouquet will be the next to marry.
C . It is customary to write the groom's name on the bride’s wedding ring.
D. Thanks to globalization, one country’s wedding customs may be added to other countries’.
I. Find the word which has a different sound in the part underlined.
1. A. pleasant B. health C. healthy D. breathe
2. A. come B. roll C. comb D. grow
3. A. fear B. realize C. pear D. near
4. A. inventor B. president C. adventure D. genetics
5. A. adopt B. front C. column D. borrow
II. Choose the correct words in brackets to complete the sentences.
1. In the past, the proposal and engagement ceremonies took place one or two years before / after the wedding.
2. There is a wedding proposal / reception for all guests after the wedding ceremony.
3. My cousin's marriage / wedding is next Sunday.
4. The groom / bride can have as many bridesmaids as she wants.
5. There will be about 100 grooms / guests at my cousin's wedding.
6. My brother got engaged / married to one of his friends from college and started saving for the big day.
7. On the wedding day, the best man is expected to help the groom / bride.
III Choose the best answer A, B, C, or D to complete the sentences.
1. In some Asian countries, the groom and bride-------------their wedding rings in front of the altar.
A. change B. exchange C. give D. take
2. In Scotland, the bride’s mother may invite the wedding guests to her house to-------------off all the wedding gifts.
A.Show B. turn C. put D. get
3. On the wedding day, the best man is expected to help the -------------
A. bride B. groom C. guest D. bridesmaid
4. In the past, the___________and engagement ceremoniest took place one or two years before the wedding.
A. propose B. proposing C. proposal D. proposed
5. Superstitions ------------- an important part in the lives of many people in Viet Nam.
A. take B. act C. occupy D. play
6. Viet Nam has kept a variety of superstitious ------------- about daily activities.
A. believe B. believing C. beliefs D. believable
7. Traditionally, most Vietnamese people never __-------------_the floor during the first three days of the new year.
A. sweep B. paint C. polish D. resurface
8. Viet Nam is a country situated in Asia, where many mysteries and legends-------------
A. origin B. originate C. original D. originally
9. The British usually pay a lot of _------------- to good table manners and expected to use knives, forks, and spoons properly
A. money B. care C. attention D. compliment.
10. In the U.S, children can choose their own partners even if their parents object ------------ their choice.
A. to B. for C. against D. with
11. People from ------------ cultures bring language skills, new ways of thinking, and creative solutions to difficult problems.
A.diverse B. diversity C. diversify D. diversification
12. No one knows the real origins of the Chinese representing the cycles of the lunar year.
A. stars B. space C. horoscope D. cycle
13. In every culture, there are basic standards for social ------------ such as personal space
distance, eye contact, amount of body language displayed in public.
A. relationship B. relation C. reaction D. interaction
14 .UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21st is a
chance to celebrate the cultural diversity of people around us, and find out more about what we have------------.
A. in common B. as usual C.as normal D. alike
15. Many people believe that the first person who visits their home on the first day of the New Year will......... their life.
A. effect B.affect C. change D. afford
IV. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line.
1. The parents of the groom go to the fortune teller to see what date and time is best for them to ____________________ the wedding ceremony. (celebration)
2. ____________________, the reception occurs at their houses, but now many families hold wedding parties at the restaurant. (tradition)
3. On that day, the groom's family and relatives visit the bride and her family with round lacquered boxes known as betrothal presents which are covered with red cloth and carried by ___________________ girls or boys. (marry)
4. Wedding ceremonies are less _______ now than they used to be in the past. (complicate)
5. To many ____ street vendors, the success of their day is determined by how it starts and by their first customer. (superstition)
III Choose the best answer A, B, C, or D to complete the sentences.
1. In some Asian countries, the groom and bride-------------their wedding rings in front of the altar.
A. change B. exchange C. give D. take
2. In Scotland, the bride’s mother may invite the wedding guests to her house to-------------off all the wedding gifts.
A.Show B. turn C. put D. get
3. On the wedding day, the best man is expected to help the -------------
A. bride B. groom C. guest D. bridesmaid
4. In the past, the___________and engagement ceremoniest took place one or two years before the wedding.
A. propose B. proposing C. proposal D. proposed
5. Superstitions ------------- an important part in the lives of many people in Viet Nam.
A. take B. act C. occupy D. play
6. Viet Nam has kept a variety of superstitious ------------- about daily activities.
A. believe B. believing C. beliefs D. believable
7. Traditionally, most Vietnamese people never __-------------_the floor during the first three days of the new year.
A. sweep B. paint C. polish D. resurface
8. Viet Nam is a country situated in Asia, where many mysteries and legends-------------
A. origin B. originate C. original D. originally
9. The British usually pay a lot of _------------- to good table manners and expected to use knives, forks, and spoons properly
A. money B. care C. attention D. compliment.
10. In the U.S, children can choose their own partners even if their parents object ------------ their choice.
A. to B. for C. against D. with
11. People from ------------ cultures bring language skills, new ways of thinking, and creative solutions to difficult problems.
A.diverse B. diversity C. diversify D. diversification
12. No one knows the real origins of the Chinese representing the cycles of the lunar year.
A. stars B. space C. horoscope D. cycle
13. In every culture, there are basic standards for social ------------ such as personal space
distance, eye contact, amount of body language displayed in public.
A. relationship B. relation C. reaction D. interaction
14 .UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21st is a
chance to celebrate the cultural diversity of people around us, and find out more about what we have------------.
A. in common B. as usual C.as normal D. alike
15. Many people believe that the first person who visits their home on the first day of the New Year will......... their life.
A. effect B.affect C. change D. afford
The Hindu culture celebrates marriage as a pure and pristine rite enabling two individuals start their journey of life together. It puts emphasis on the values of happiness, harmony and growth and could be traced back from the Vedic times.
Months before the wedding ceremony, an engagement is held which is called "mangni". The couple is blessed here with gifts, jewelry and clothes. Another important ritual is the "mehendi" which is a paste made from the leaves of henna plant. It is the traditional art of adorning the hands and the feet of the bride with mehendi and the name of the groom is also hidden in the design.
On the day of marriage, the couple exchanges garlands as a gesture of acceptance of one another and a pledge to respect one another as partners which is known as "jaimala". This is followed by "kanyadaan", where the father of the bride places her hand in the groom's hand requesting him to accept her as an equal partner.
Another ritual is the "havan" in which the couple invokes Agni, the god of Fire, to witness their
commitment to each other. Crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar rice and oil are offered to the ceremonial fire. The "gath bandhan" takes place where scarves of the bride and groom are tied together symbolizing their eternal bond. This signifies their pledge before God to love each other and remain loyal. The couple then takes four "mangal pheras" or walk around the ceremonial fire, representing four goals in life: "Dharma", religious and moral duties; "Artha", prosperity; "Kama" earthly pleasures; "Moksha", spiritual salvation.
The couple also takes seven steps together to begin their journey, called the "saptapardi". Then the ritual of "sindoor" takes place where the groom applies a small dot of vermilion, a red powder to the bride's forehead and welcomes her as his partner for life. This signifies the completion of the marriage. The parents of the bride and the groom then give their blessings, "ashirwad" to the newlywed couple as they touch the feet of their parents.
Câu 33: What might be the most suitable title for this reading passage?
A. The Hindu wedding B. The Hindu tradition C. The Hindu religion D. The Hindu culture
Câu 34: What does the word “magni” stand for?
A. the engagement B. the gesture of acceptance of one another
C. the paste made from the leave of one another D. the wedding
Câu 35: What do the Hindu people think about marriage?
A. It is a wish of happiness and harmony to come to two individuals.
B. It is entirely a spiritual traditional ritual allowing two individuals to live together.
C. It is a belief in the growth of a family newly formed by two individuals.
D. It is just a living-together announcement of two individuals.
Câu 36: What can the word “adorning” be best replaced by?
A. dying B. repairing C. painting D. decorating
Câu 37: What can the word “invokes” be best replaced by?
A. talks B. tells C. says D. prays
Câu 38: Why does the couple exchange garlands?
A. to express their acceptance of one another and a wish of happiness.
B. to express their vow to respect each other for the whole life.
C. to do a ritual. D. to show both their acceptance of and the swear to respect the partner.
Câu 39: When is the wedding ceremony completed?
A. When the groom applies a small dot of vermillion of the bride's forehead.
B. When the couple touches their parents' feet.
C. When the parents of the bride and the groom give their blessings to the couple.
D. When the couple makes seven steps together.
IV. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line.
1. The parents of the groom go to the fortune teller to see what date and time is best for them to ____________________ the wedding ceremony. (celebration)
2. ____________________, the reception occurs at their houses, but now many families hold wedding parties at the restaurant. (tradition)
3. On that day, the groom's family and relatives visit the bride and her family with round lacquered boxes known as betrothal presents which are covered with red cloth and carried by ___________________ girls or boys. (marry)
4. Wedding ceremonies are less _______ now than they used to be in the past. (complicate)
5. To many ____ street vendors, the success of their day is determined by how it starts and by their first customer. (superstition)
1. The parents of the groom go to the fortune teller to see what date and time is best for them to ___the wedding ceremony. (celebration)
2._____, the reception occurs at their houses, but now many families hold wedding parties at the restaurant. (tradition)
3. American teenagers send an average of 60 text messages per day, making this an ___way in communication. (effect)
4. Consider that there are a good number of book ___ now putting their content online. (publish)
5. In order to integrate technology into the classroom, teachers should implement the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy to make the ___process more relevant and effective. (learn)
6. Studies encourage mobile learning because students benefit greatly from more opportunities for ___development. (academy)
7. On that day, the groom's family and relatives visit the bride and her family with round lacquered boxes known as betrothal presents which are covered with red cloth and carried by___girls or boys. (marry)
8. The Intel programme tries to deliver the "four Cs" to grade-10 students: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and ___(create)
9. many digital textbooks are__updated and often more vivid, helpful, creative, and a lot of cheaper than those old heavy books. (constant)
10. then, the couple should pray in front of the altar to ask their ancestors for ___for their marriage, then express their gratitude to both groom's and bride's parents for raising and protecting them. (permit)
There are many customs and superstitions connected 15 weddings. In the past, a wedding was _16_ as a time when people were particularly susceptible to bad luck and evil spirits. Nowadays, weddings are times for elaborate and even wild celebrations. In many cases, _17_ a wedding ceremony in the church, an exquisite
_18_ is held in the garden for the newlyweds and their guests. Some customs, such as not being seen by the groom in her wedding dress before the ceremony, are known throughout the country and many other parts of the world. _19_ may be regional or even maintained within families from generation to generation.
15. (A) with (B) about (C) into (D) toward
16. (A) thought (B) looked (C) seen (D) regarding
17. (A) following (B) followed (C) to follow (D) being followed
18. (A) receiver (B) receipt (C) recipient (D) reception
19. (A) Another (B) The others (C) Others (D) The other
03.Christmas Eve is _____ best time for Japanese youngsters to go out for _____ special, romantic evening.
A.the-aB.a-aC.the-theD.a-the
04.This is _____ wedding party I've ever attended
.A.more memorableB.the more memorableC.most memorable D.the most memorable
05.At the church ceremony, the couple have to make their wedding _____.
A.invitationsB.flowersC.vowsD.cakes
06.On many days of the year, Vietnamese people not only _____ the table for meals, but they also put food on the altar for their ancestors
.A.layB.clearC.lieD.book
07.Whenever I set out for _____ examination, I always try to avoid crossing _____ path of _____ woman.
A.an-the-aB.the-the-aC.an-the-theD.an-a-the
08.On the wedding day, the best man is expected to help the _____.
A.brideB.groomC.bridesmaidD.guest
09.Viet Nam is a country situated in Asia, where many mysteries and legends _____.
A.originallyB.originC.originalD.originate
10.Wedding ceremonies are _____ now than they used to be in the past.
A.as complicatedB.the most complicatedC.the least complicatedD.less complicated
11.In Viet Nam, you shouldn't _____ at somebody's house on the 1st day of the New Year unless you have been invited by the house owner.
A.get upB.put upC.go upD.show up
12.People in _____ Western countries are often surprised to learn that _____ Japanese celebrate Christmas.
A.-theB.the-theC.the-D.-the
13.After the wedding ceremony at the church, they go to the hotel for the wedding _____.
A.cakeB.ringC.receptionD.day
14.People in Mexico _____ Mother's Day on May 10 by giving their mothers handmade gifts, flowers, lothing and household appliances.
A.memorizeB.openC.performD.celebrate
15.In Japan, _____ most important holiday of _____ seasonis New Year's Day, which comes one week after Christmas.
A.the-B.the-aC.-theD.the-the
16.The newly-weds will fly to Venice to spend their _____ tomorrow.
A.marrigeB.vacationC.honey moonD.holiday
17.In the past, the _____ and engagement ceremonies took place one or two years before the wedding.
A.proposingB.proposalC.proposeD.proposed
18.The Korean are _____ than the American in addressing their bosses.
A.much formalB.most formalC.the most formalD.more formal
19.In a wedding ceremony, _____ best man helps ____groom ready for every preparation.
A.a-theB.the-theC.a-aD.the-a
20.English people believe that it is unlucky to open an umbrella in the house, which will bring _____ to the person who has opened it.
A.lossB.truthC.misfortuneD.success
IV. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line.
1. The parents of the groom go to the fortune teller to see what date and time is best for them to ____________________ the wedding ceremony. 2. ______, the reception occurs at their houses, but now many families hold wedding parties at the restaurant. 3. American teenagers send an average of 60 text messages per day, making this an __________________________ way in communication. 4. Consider that there are a good number of book _____________________ now putting their content online. 5. In order to integrate technology into the classroom, teachers should implement the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy to make the __________________ process more relevant and effective. 6. Studies encourage mobile learning because students benefit greatly from more opportunities for _______________________ development. 7. On that day, the groom's family and relatives visit the bride and her family with round lacquered boxes known as betrothal presents which are covered with red cloth and carried by ______________ girls or boys. 8. The Intel programme tries to deliver the “four Cs” to grade-10 students: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and __________________. 9. Many digital textbooks are _______________________ updated and often more vivid, helpful, creative, and a lot of cheaper than those old heavy books. 10. Then, the couple should pray in front of the altar to ask their ancestors for _______________ for their marriage, then express their gratitude to both groom's and bride's parents for raising and protecting them. | CELEBRATION
TRADITION
EFFECT
PUBLISH
LEARN
ACADEMY
MARRY
CREATE
CONSTANT PERMIT |
V. Choose the best answer A, B, C or D to complete the sentences.
1. To the Chinese, 8 is a lucky number, ____ the Vietnamese believe 9 brings luck, and the 1 and 8 of 18, adding up to 9, are considered success.
A. despite B. but C. while D. and
2. Many people believe that the first person who visits their home on the first day of the New Year will ____ their life.
A. change B. afford C. effect D. affect
3. That year, things were going a lot better for the Pilgrims, thanks to ____ help of Squanto and Samoset.
A. an B. the C. a D. x
4. In ____ Netherlands, singing at ____ dinner table means you are singing to ____ devil for your dinner – which means bad luck.
A. x - the - the B. the - the - a C. x - a - the D. the - the - the
5. In Spain, it is believes to be bad luck to enter ____ room with your left foot.
A. a B. an C. the D. x
6. Cultural diversity makes the United States a ____ interesting place in which to live for all of its inhabitants.
A. much better B. more C. many more D. much more
7. In every culture, there are basic standards for social ____ such as personal space distance, eye contact, amount of body language displayed in public.
A. reaction B. interaction C. relationship D. relation
8. They invited these friends and their families to ____ special meal. It was ____ first Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, fish, green beans, and soup.
A. a - a B. a - the C. a - x D. the - a
9. Today, Australia is one of ____ diverse countries in the world.
A. the more culturally B. the most culturally C. most cultural D. the most cultural
10. UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on May 21st is a chance to celebrate the cultural diversity of people around us, and find out more about what we have ____.
A. as usual B. as normal C. in common D. alike