Read the texts
below. Match choices (A–H) to (11–16). There are two choices you do not need to use. Write your answers
on the separate answer sheet. Which of the winter celebrations is
associated with __________?
A bonfires in the
backyard
B honoring
people’s main values
C an imaginary
figure appearing
in different ways
D a festive treat
containing a surprise
E colours to make
people fortunate
F sharing food
with neighbours
sweet
H greens as
symbols of riches
Winter
Celebrations
11 Chinese New
Year
Chinese New Year is the most
important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It falls on different dates each year,
between January 21 and February 20. Visits to friends and family take place during this
celebration. Everything golden is said to bring wealth, and everything red is considered especially
lucky.
12 Christmas
Christmas is the celebration of
the birth of Jesus Christ. Around the world, family members help to decorate trees and homes
with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments. On Christmas Eve, many
people go to church. Also on Christmas Eve, Santa comes from the North Pole in a
sleigh to deliver gifts. In Hawaii, it is said he arrives by boat, in Australia, the jolly man
arrives on water skis, and in Ghana, he comes out of the jungle.
13 Hanukkah
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah,
a holiday honoring the Maccabees victory over King Antiochus, who forbade Jews to
practice their religion. For eight nights, Hanukkah is celebrated with prayer, the
lighting of the menorah, and food. Children play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts. Potato
pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally served with apple sauce or jam.
14Kwanzaa
14Kwanzaa
On December 26,
Kwanzaa is celebrated. It is a holiday to commemorate African heritage. Kwanzaa lasts a week
during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a
series of black, red, and green candles. These candles symbolize the seven basic merits of
African American family life: unity, self-determination, collective work and
responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
15
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day, on
January 1, is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are often fireworks
at midnight to celebrate the New Year. Commonly served in the southern part of the United States, peas are
thought to bring luck for the New Year, and vegetables bring wealth.
16
Three Kings Day
At the end of the
Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This
holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him
gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents. In Puerto Rico,
before children go to sleep on January 5, they leave a box with hay under their beds so the
kings will leave good presents. In France, a delicious King cake is baked. Bakers will hide a
coin, jewel or little toy inside it.
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