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Carnival Reading Comprehension

Carnival Reading Comprehension

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Elza Shanidze
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150 views8 pages

Carnival Reading Comprehension

Carnival Reading Comprehension

Uploaded by

Elza Shanidze
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Carniva

l
There are many festivals and celebrations around the world
throughout the year. However, carnival is one of the most
famous and flamboyant festivities. Many carnivals take place in
the build-up to the religious season of Lent. Lent happens
during the six weeks before Easter Sunday, when people
prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, the
majority of carnivals take place during February. Lent is a time
when, traditionally, people give up something that they will
find difficult. This could be a type of food or a bad habit that
they want to try to stop.

Carnivals differ from place to place as many areas focus on their


own traditions and pastimes and are often heavily influenced by
the culture of their country. In most countries, carnival is
often characterized by masks, flamboyant costumes, music
and colourful floats and parades. Some carnivals have special
trinkets or symbols. In New Orleans, they have sweet and very
colourful cakes called King Cakes as a symbol of their carnival
(Mardi Gras).
Carnival

The most famous and largest carnival in the world takes


place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carnival in Brazil is not just a
fun celebration, but a chance to experience the diverse culture
of the country. Brazil is often referred to as a ‘melting-pot’ of
culture. There are many European, African and American
influences in Brazilian society. Carnival epitomises the
Brazilian way of life and their way of thinking. There are many
parties, which take place throughout the day and during the
night, celebrating the songs,
music and dances, typical of Brazilian
culture. The most popular form of music
and dancing at the Rio carnival is samba,
a style unique to Brazil, which is often
played on drums with traditional dancing.
The ‘Sambódromo’ is an avenue, specially
made to host carnival in Rio. Every year,
thousands of people go to this area to
celebrate carnival, including over 500,000
foreign visitors!

Although carnival is linked to religious


faith and traditions, it is a time of fun,
excess and flamboyance, enjoyed by
millions across the world.

Carnivals in Europe

There are several carnivals in Europe, for example:

Cadiz is where the largest Spanish carnival takes place. It


is heavily influenced by local traditions along with current
and political events. Like Rio, there are parades and floats
with lots of music.

Nice, in France, is a carnival that is heavily influenced by


Catholic traditions. People indulge in lots of rich food in the
build up to Lent. One of the most popular street
celebrations is the Battle of the Flowers, where there are lots
of floats and costumes, brimming with plants and flowers.

Cologne is the principal carnival city in Germany. The


carnival season actually begins in November here and
culminates the week before (and including) Shrove Tuesday.
There are lots of parades and people dress up
- even at work and school. It is one of Germany’s most
important cultural events.
Carniv
al
Questio
ns
1. a) When do most carnivals take place?

b) Why do you think this time of year is chosen?

2. What does the word flamboyant mean?

3. Where do they celebrate Mardi Gras and what is an important symbol of


this carnival?

4. Why do you think Brazil is sometimes referred to as a ‘melting-pot’ of


culture?

5. Why is carnival so important to Brazil?

6. What is different about carnival season in Germany and most other


countries?

7. Why do you think carnivals are so popular across the world and attract so
many visitors?

8. Why do you think people give something up for Lent?

9. The text says that carnivals are often characterised by masks,


flamboyant costumes, music and colourful floats and parades. What
does this mean?

10. Imagine you have attended a carnival. Describe in three paragraphs,


what you have
seen, heard and experienced. Use as much detail as possible.
Carni
Carni

Answe
1. a) When do most carnivals take place?
Most carnivals take place in February, in the build up to Lent

b) Why do you think this time of year is chosen?


Most carnivals take place in February, in the build up to Lent. There can
be various answers to the second part of the question, however, look
for answers alluding to the fact that Lent is a time of fasting and
going without, so there are flamboyant and
loud celebrations before this time.

2. What does the word flamboyant mean?


Flamboyant means extremely colourful and over-the-top.

3. Where do they celebrate Mardi Gras and what is an important symbol


of this carnival? Mardi Gras is celebrated in New Orleans, and an
important symbol is the King Cakes, which are sweet colourful cakes.

4. Why do you think Brazil is sometimes referred to as a ‘melting-pot’ of


culture?
Brazil is often referred to as a ‘melting-pot’ of culture due to the diverse
population and cultural influences on society. There are many different
cultures and ethnicities living there which influences their varied culture
and traditions.

5. Why is carnival so important to Brazil?


Carnival is so important in Brazil because it is a reflection of their way of
life and gives
people the opportunity to experience Brazilian culture.

6. What is different about carnival season in Germany and most


other countries? Carnival season in Germany begins in November
whereas most other countries have carnival in February as that is
just before Lent.

7. Why do you think carnivals are so popular across the world and attract
so many
Carni

visitors?
Answe
Various answers, such as the fact they are a spectacle, are lots of fun,
they happen once a year. Also answers discussing the fact that people
can celebrate the traditions of their country and enjoy singing, dancing
and a sense of freedom.
Carni

Answe
1 Why do you think people give something up for Lent?
8.
. Often people give up something for Lent as it is a religious tradition, to

prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

9. The text says that carnivals are often characterised by masks,


2 flamboyant costumes, music and colourful floats and parades. What
.
does this mean?
This means that these are the different things that make up a carnival
and that you will
see if you are at a carnival.

10. Imagine you have attended a carnival. Describe in three paragraphs,


what you have
seen, heard and experienced. Use as much detail as possible.?
Various answers

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