UNIT 9: FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

A/ READING TEXT

Festivals in Southeast Asia are lively and colorful celebrations that bring people together. In Vietnam, Tet Nguyen Dan, or Lunar New Year, is the most important festival, celebrated at the start of the lunar calendar year. People honor their ancestors, enjoy special foods, and watch fireworks. Another important festival in Vietnam is the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Tet Trung Thu, which is loved by families and children. This festival features lantern parades, mooncakes, and dragon dances.

In Thailand, the Songkran Festival, also called the Water Festival, celebrates the Thai New Year in April. People splash water on each other to wash away the past year's bad luck and welcome the new year with happiness.

In Indonesia, the island of Bali observes Nyepi, or the Day of Silence. On this day, the whole island is quiet, and people reflect on their lives. Only religious activities are allowed, creating a peaceful and thoughtful atmosphere.

These festivals not only keep cultural traditions alive but also strengthen community bonds and promote important cultural values in Southeast Asia.

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the most important festival in Vietnam?

   a) Mid-Autumn Festival

   b) Songkran Festival

   c) Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year)

   d) Nyepi (Day of Silence)

2. What do people do during the Songkran Festival in Thailand?

   a) Watch fireworks

   b) Have lantern parades

   c) Splash water on each other

   d) Eat mooncakes

3. Which festival in Vietnam is known for its lantern parades and dragon dances?

   a) Tet Nguyen Dan

   b) Songkran Festival

   c) Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu)

   d) Nyepi

4. What happens on Nyepi in Bali, Indonesia?

   a) People celebrate with fireworks

   b) The whole island is quiet and only religious activities are allowed

   c) People splash water on each other

   d) Families enjoy mooncakes and parades

5. What is a common feature of festivals in Southeast Asia?

   a) They all involve fireworks

   b) They bring people together and strengthen community bonds

   c) They are only celebrated in Thailand

   d) They do not involve any cultural traditions

TRUE/FALSE Questions:

1. Tet Nguyen Dan, or Lunar New Year, is celebrated at the start of the lunar calendar year in Vietnam. (TRUE/ FALSE)

2. The Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam features water splashing and fireworks.

(TRUE/ FALSE)

3. The Songkran Festival in Thailand is also known as the Water Festival.

(TRUE/ FALSE)

4. On Nyepi, or the Day of Silence, Bali is very active with many public events.

(TRUE/ FALSE)

5. Festivals in Southeast Asia help keep cultural traditions alive and strengthen community bonds. (TRUE/ FALSE)