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China welcomes the Year of the Snake

SHARED READING. China welcomes the Year of the Snake

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China welcomes the Year of the Snake

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  1. SHARED READING China welcomes the Year of the Snake On February 11 2013, over 1.3 billion people in China and millions of ethnic Chinese all over the world celebrated the first day of the Chinese or Lunar New Year - the longest and most significant of all Chinese Festivals. Also known as the Spring Festival, it is a four thousand year-old tradition that began as a way to mark the end of the dreary winter season and beginning of spring. While the dates of the 15-day festival that are determined by the lunisolar (a combination of lunar and solar) Chinese calendar differ each year, the traditions do not. This two week period that begins with a giant firework display, gives people the opportunity to make a fresh start in life - by forgetting old grudges, spring cleaning their homes and businesses and of course, buying new clothes. In the Chinese culture, red symbolisesfire and is believed to ward of bad luck and keep evil spirits at bay, therefore it is the colourof choice for clothing, as well as the lanterns and scrolls that adorn homes. Another great custom is hanging Chun liansor spring couplets that contain happy messages about the future. But best of all, is the tradition of the elders in the family gifting younger people with money tucked inside, red envelopes! Of course no festival is complete without delicious food. Chinese New Year meals are delectable feasts, with each item signifying something special. Long uncut noodlesrepresent a long life, while a chicken symbolisesfamily togetherness. Dumplings (resemble ingots, an ancient Chinese currency) and spring rolls (which look like gold bars), represent wealth and prosperity. The New Year celebrations end on the day of the full moon with a Lantern Festival. On this day, many people go the temple to hang lanterns and also walk with them in a festive parade. The highlight of the celebrations is the dragon dance.  Dragons made from silk, paper and bamboo are held up by men, who dance and guide the colourfulanimal through the streets. Definitions and Synonyms Write the dictionary definitions for the following words. ethnic lunar solar prosperity adorn couplets signify delectable Now write a synonym for each of the words. Comprehension: Answer the questions using full sentences. How is New Year celebrated in China? What is another name for the Chinese New Year? Describe how food is used to represent good fortune during the celebrations. What does the author mean by ‘making a fresh start in life’ Does the New Year start on the same day each year? How and when do the celebrations end? Questions: Write 5 of your own questions using Question Stems: what, why, when, how, where, who – could, should, would, will, may. can) e.g. What will be the animal representing the 2014 Chinese New Year?

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