Question

“A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day/ The mourner’s heart is going to break on his way”, it is from a poem about Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as the Qingming Festival. It falls on April 5th this year. It's the traditional Chinese festival to remember the dead. Chinese people visit the tombs (墓) of their parents,

grandparents and ancestors (祖先). They will sweep the tombs and clean away the grass around them. Then they burn paper money and put flowers and fruit in front of the tombs. They hope the dead can enjoy them and bring the family good luck.

However, not only Chinese remember the dead. People in other countries also have festivals for the dead.

In Japan, O-Bon Festival (盂蘭盆節(jié)) is one of the most important festivals. It is held from August 13 to 16. It is also a holiday that serves as a family reunion. During O-Bon, Japanese people return to their hometown and visit their ancestors’ spirits return home to be reunited with their family. People perform a “bon odori” dance (盆舞) to welcome the spirits. On the last day of O-Bon, they put paper lanterns in a river to send off the spirits.

In Russia, people remember their ancestors on the Day of Rejoicing (欣喜). It's usually in late April or early

May. The name of this festival means birth and happiness. Russians believe that people shouldn’t feel sad for the dead because death means birth in another world. On the Day of Rejoicing, Russian people draw beautiful pictures on eggs and put them in front of tombs. After that they have a picnic together. They hope for a good life for both the living and the dead.

1.What do we know about Tomb Sweeping Day?

A. It's a day to remember the dead. B. People grow grass beside the tombs that day.

C. It falls on April 4 every year. D. It's said that people can see the dead that day.

2.We know the following about O-Bon Festival EXCEPT that ______________.

A. it is a Japanese festival B. it lasts four days in August

C. it's also a family reunion day D. people send off the spirits by dancing

3.What do Russian people think of death?

A. It's a sad thing B. It means birth in another world.

C. They feel happy about it. D. It means a good life for the dead.

4.What does the story mainly talk about?

A. How to remember the dead. B. History of Tomb Sweeping Day.

C. Festivals to remember the dead. D. Meanings of death in different countries.

Answer 1