Mid-Autumn Festival

            Mid-Autumn Festival is held on 15^th day of the eight lunar month to celebrate biggest full moon in the year. In Viet Nam, this festival is for children (56)___________ children are center of all activities on that day. (57)_____________ the festival is coming, the adults and the parents prepare many different foods -  moon cakes, candies, biscuits, jellies, and fruit. (58)_____________, the children are given many nice lanterns – star lanterns, flower lanterns and diverse funny masks, (59)__________ they can light the lantern during the Mid-Autumn night.

            (60)______________ the autumn is the time of the beginning of the new school year, the adults and parents give gifts to the children. The festival takes place (61)_______________ people have had good crops. (62)____________, it is also the congratulation for the full harvest.

            Nowadays, (63)__________ some of the traditional toys have been replaced by modern toys, the meaning of the festival has been kept and developed. It is certain that Mid-Autumn Festival is a good example of the traditional culture of the Vietnamese.

Task 1: Complete each blank in the passage with the correct linking word. (There may be more than one possibility)

Task 2: Read the passage again, and then answer the following questions.

64.                        When is Mid-Autumn Festival held? What is it for?

________________________________________________________________________________

65.                        What do the adults and the parents do to prepare for the festival?

________________________________________________________________________________

66.                        What are children given besides moon cakes?

________________________________________________________________________________

67.                        What can children do with their lanterns?

________________________________________________________________________________

68.                        Why is Mid-Autumn Festival also considered the congratulation for the full harvest?

________________________________________________________________________________

69.                        What is the importance of this festival?

________________________________________________________________________________ 

II. Read the passage and answer the questions.

Together with Bai Dinh and Yen Tu Pagoda Festival, Huong Pagoda Festival is among the greatest Buddhist festival in northern part of Vietnam. Huong Pagoda is located in My Duc District, 70 kilometers away from Hanoi to the south. This festival lasts for three months from the first to the third month in Lunar Calendar. In fact, the official opening day for the festival is on the 6th day of the first Lunar month. As other festivals in Vietnam, Huong Pagoda Festival is also divided into two parts: The ceremonies and the entertaining activities. Ceremonial rituals consist of incense offering procession and Zen ceremony in which Monks and Buddhists offer incense, flowers, candles and fruits. During the ceremony, there are two monks performing beautiful and flexible dances. On the other hand, entertaining activities include enjoying boat cruise along Yen Stream for watching picturesque scenery, climbing mountain and exploring holy caves. It is believed that climbing up the top of Huong Tich Mountain will bring you fulfillment and great success in life.

1. Where do people celebrate Huong Pagoda Festival?

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2. How long does the festival last?

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3. Which part of the festival do people climb the mountain?

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4. Tell some example of entertaining activities during the festival

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5. Why do people climb up the top of Huong Tich Mountain?

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VI. Read the passage carefully then do the tasks that follow. (1 pt)

Elephant Racing Festival, one of the biggest festivals in Tay Nguyen, is held annually in the third lunar month. As preparation for the festival, villagers feed their elephants with a wide range of food:  grass, corns, sugar canes, sweet potatoes, papayas, and bananas. Also, in order to preserve their strength, the elephants take a rest without hard work.

On the day of the event, elephants from several villages gather at Don Village. Each time, ten elephants will run at the same time for about one or two kilometers. The competition is guided by the sound of tu va, a kind of horn. The winning elephant will receive a laurel wreath as a sign of victory, and it will enjoy sugar canes and bananas from surrounding people. After finishing the race at Don Village, the elephants move to Serepok River for swimming competition.

Part 1. Decide whether the statements are True (T) or False (F). 

1. _____ The elephants only take part in running competition in the festival.

2. _____ Surrounding people give the winning elephant sugar canes and bananas.

Part 2. Answer the following questions. 

1. When do they hold Elephant Racing Festival?

……………………………………………………….

2. How far do the elephants will run?

……………………………………………….

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

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 8: 

A. going

B. goes

C. went

D. go

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 10:

A. to receive

B. receive

C. receiving

D. received