Read the text and answer the following questions by choosing the best option A, B, C, or D.
How Do You Celebrate?
New Year’s Day
New Year is one of the most popular festivals in the world, even though it is celebrated at different times and in different ways. In many western countries, people get together with family and friends on December 31st to eat, drink, and dance as they wait for January 1st. Some of the biggest parties are held on New Year’s Eve. In many countries, crowds gather in the centre of town to welcome the new year at midnight with fireworks.
For many Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, the New Year is based on lunar calendar. The date changes year to year, but usually falls between January 21st to February 21st. It is traditionally seen as a time for family reunions, with people travelling across the country and from overseas. Many people wear red clothes, as it is thought to be a lucky colour. They also give “lucky money” in red envelopes to friends and family, and set off firecrackers to scare away bad luck.
What's common among these celebrations is the meaning of the new year; it is a time to say goodbye to the past and to think about new beginnings. For example, in Japan, people organize bonenkai parties ("year forgetting parties"), which are dedicated to leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind. In many countries, people make New Year's resolutions - promises to themselves to make changes in their lives over the coming year, such as to lose weight, stop smoking, or learn a new skill.
Carnival
In late February or early March, some countries celebrate a special festival called Carnival. Carnival is thought to have originated in Italy or Greece, and was held just before Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. People dressed in costumes, wore colourful masks, ate, drank, and danced all night. This tradition spread to France, Spain, Portugal, and later to Brazil and the United States.
Now, two of the biggest Carnival celebrations take place in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and New Orleans in the United States. There are grand parades where people wear flashy costumes and dance and sing in the streets. In New Orleans, Carnival is known as Mardi Gras. Many roads and shops are shut down for the celebrations which can last for up to three weeks. Millions of visitors travel from around the world to join the party, and many more watch the event on television.
1. Which is NOT true about New Year’s Day all over the world?
A. It is celebrated in the same ways at the same time country to country
B. It is one of the most popular festivals worldwide
C. New Year’s Day celebration is based on both lunar and solar calendar
D. It’s an occasion for people to gather with their beloved ones
2. Where do Western people gather to welcome the new year with fireworks?
A. In the city centre B. At the church
C. At home D. Along the river banks
3. The phrase "bad luck" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _____.
A. big hit B. misfortune C. godsend D. triumph
4. Why do a majority of Asian people wear red in the New Year’s day?
A. Because it is matched with other decorations like firecrackers
B. Because it is thought to scare away bad luck
C. Because it is believed to be a lucky colour
D. Because it makes people look more cheerful in the new year
5. What is the common meaning of the new year celebrations?
A. The New Year’s celebration is the time to say goodbye to friends and family
B. The New Year’s celebration is the time for people all over the world have bonenkai parties
C. The New Year’s celebration is the time to welcome new beginnings and let the past behind
D. The New Year’s celebration is the chance for people to lose weight, stop smoking and learn a new skill
6. What is 'Lent'?
A. a period of 40 days before Christmas
B. a period of 20 days after Christmas
C. a period of 40 days before Easter
D. a period of 20 days after Easter
7. What did people NOT do in Carnival?
A. danced all night B. wore colourful masks
C. dressed in frightening costumes D. ate and drank
8. Where are the biggest Carnivals held nowadays?
A. Spain and the US B. Brazil and the US
C. France and Brazil D. Portugal and Spain
