Exercises

Party time

Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post

Just when you were finally getting used to one New Year, it�s time for another � Chinese New Year. This year, Chinese people around the world will be celebrating the Year of the Rat. Read the story to learn more about the celebrations.

The preparations for Chinese New Year begin days in advance, when families clean their homes in an effort to sweep away all of the bad luck from the past year and get ready for a fresh start.

On New Year�s Eve, February 6, the festival really gets going. Amid the sea of red and gold decorations, firecrackers are set off to ward off the demon Nian, who, according to tradition, will eat the unprepared.

PASSING OUT THE ENVELOPES

Families gather to eat large meals together, and red ang-pao envelopes containing money are passed out, traditionally to children and the unmarried. As the sun begins to shine on New Year�s Day, people go from house to house, wishing their neighbours good luck in the new year and putting past disputes behind them.

PAYING RESPECTS

The second day of the new year is when people pay respect to their elders and ancestors, as well as the gods. On this day, as throughout most the new year period, families and friends gather for small parties and meals, making a special effort to visit relatives and friends.

While in some places Chinese New Year lasts for nearly three weeks, the actual festivities take place over a three-day period here in Thailand. The traditions and ceremonies vary from country to country, but one thing that doesn�t change is the fact that Chinese New Year is a lively, modern-day celebration of a centuries-old culture.

Exercises

Read the story. Then, answer the following exercise questions.

1. Why do families clean their homes in the days leading up to Chinese New Year?
2. Who traditionally receives ang-pao?
3. On what day do people wish their neighbours good luck?

	sweep away (phrasal v): to get rid of something completely ward off (phrasal v): to protect or defend yourself against danger, illness, attack, etc. dispute (n): an argument or a disagreement between two people, groups or countries ancestor (n): a person in your family who lived a long time ago