Festivals to Honour People Dragon Boat festival

Columbus Day

Festival to honor Gandhi China

USA

India Harvest Festivals Harvest / Thanksgiving festivals

Mid-autumn festivals European and other countries

China and Japan Spring Festivals Spring festival

Easter and related holidays

Cherry Blossom Festival China

Some western countries

Japan 　　2. Intensive reading: Ask them to read the text carefully to get the main idea and understand the important details.

　　(Paragraph 1: Ancient festivals were associated with seasons of the year, fertility, survival and fear of the unknown.

　　 Festivals of the dead: Many societies believe that the dead can influence their lives for good or evil. To honor one`s ancestors also brings respect to their memory and to the family. All societies have ways of recognizing the memories of their dead.

　　 Festivals to Honor People: These festivals are used to develop or strengthen national pride, to recognize war heroes, national leaders, famous historical figures and events and loved and admired people in the country`s history.

　　 Harvest Festivals: these are continuations of the ancient festivals that were intended to ensure enough food and to celebrate survival for another year. Many things associated with them are symbolic of new life and new growth. )

　　3. Choose the best answers

1). Why do Japanese people light lamps during the festival of the Dead?

A. Because they want to make the festival colorful

B. Because they want to light their rooms

C. Because they want to light up their way

D. Because they want to lead their ancestors to return to earth.

2). Which of the following is not mentioned as a famous person in the text?

A. Mohandas Gandi B. Christopher Columbus

C. Abraham Lincoln D. Qu Yuan

3). The place where people will usually decorate churches and town halls with flowers and fruits is ------?

A. India B. American C. Europe D. China

4). Easter is held in memory of the return of Jesus for Christians and also celebrates -------.

A. the coming of spring B. the autumn harvest

C. the lunar New Year D. the end of a year