“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 (盂兰盆节) 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.

Welcome to Chinatown

What is a Chinatown? Is it a town in China? Of course not! It is in a foreign country. Many overseas (海外的) Chinese live together in Chinatown.

There are lots of Chinatowns in America. The biggest one is in New York. There are about 150,000 people in it. It is the home of Chinese New Yorkers.

Shopping in Chinatown

Shopping in Chinatown is fun. You can find lots of things here. Most of them are made in China. Mott Street is the best place to shop because the things there are very cheap.

Eating in Chinatown

Chinatown has more than 200 restaurants. You can enjoy traditional(传统的) Chinese food here. New Silver Palace Restaurant is one of the best restaurants.You can eat some Shanghai food in Evergreen Restaurant.

Living in Chinatown:Living in Chinatown is comfortable. You can find hospitals, schools, banks, libraries and supermarkets in it. In some schools, students must study Chinese. Many overseas Chinese send their children to these schools. They want their children to learn more about China and its culture(文化).

1.The Chinatown in New York has __________.

A. more than 150,000 people B. no hospital or schools

C. schools but no hospitals D. some shops, restaurants and schools

2.Which sentence is Right?

A. Mott Street is really a good place to enjoy food.

B. Most things in Chinatown shops are made in China.

C. The food in the restaurants is usually more expensive.

D. Many American children learn Chinese culture in Chinatown.

3.If you want to eat Shanghai food in Chinatown, you may go to __________.

A. Evergreen Restaurant. B. Shanghai Restaurant.

C. Beijing Restaurant. D. New Sliver Palace Restaurant.

4.Why do overseas Chinese send their children to the schools where they must study Chinese?

A. Because their children don’t like English.

B. Because it is cheap to study in these schools.

C. Because there is no English schools for Chinese students there.

D. Because they want their children to learn about China and its culture.

5.You can put “And it is also a good place to go.” in __________.

A. ① B. ② C. ③ D. ④

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