Unique Birthday Traditions
The editors of our international editions share traditions reserved for counting yourself one year older.
Lithuania
“In my native country, it is customary for the birthday person to sit in a decorated chair and to be lifted up by the party guests,” says editor Eva Mackevic. “How many times the chair is raised will correspond with his or her age.”
Japan
In Japan, when a child turns one, a ceremony called erabitori is held, where the birthday child chooses from a selection of items spread out around that represent the potential future. When a person turns 20, a coming-of-age celebration will be held on the second Monday January.
The Netherlands
When someone turns 50, a large doll will be placed in the birthday person’s garden or by heir front door; men have an “Abraham” doll, women a “Sarah”, based on a Bible passage.
Australia
A child’s first birthday is often celebrated with balloons and specially made “fairy bread”. Some families in Australia also mark the age of 21 with a souvenir “key to the door”, representing the young adult’s privilege to come and go from the family home as they please.
Germany
“In Germany, when unmarried men turn thirty, they are supposed to sweep the stairs of the local church or town hall,” editor Michael Kallinger says, “while women have to deal with the door handle.” This public act is meant to embarrass the person and motivate them to marry.
1. Which is part of a one-year-old boy’s birthday celebration in Japan?| A．Predicting the boy’s future. | B．Deciding the boy’s career. |
| C．Seeking items at the birthday party. | D．Holding a coming-of-age ceremony. |
| A．Love from parents. | B．Time to move out. |
| C．End of the 21st birthday. | D．Recognition of independence. |
| A．Germany. | B．Australia. |
| C．Lithuania. | D．The Netherlands. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】MORE THAN JUST A NICE WARM DRINK
There’s more to teatime than just a nice warm drink. Different cultures combine tea with different foods or snacks, turning teatime into a social occasion.
Afternoon Tea
People believe that an English Duchess1 first introduced the idea of afternoon tea. Her name was Anna Russell (1783-1857), and she was the 7th Duchess of Bedford.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, most English people ate only two main meals each day—breakfast in the morning and a large supper which wasn’t usually served until seven o’clock in the evening. As a result, people often got very hungry during the long break between these two meals.
The Duchess came up with2 a clever idea to solve this problem. She invited some of her friends to join her for an afternoon meal. The meal was held between four and five o’clock. It included cakes and sandwiches, and tea was served to wash down the food. To make the afternoon meal more important, she used cups and plates made from fine china, and teapots, knives, forks and spoons made from silver.
Afternoon tea parties soon became popular social occasions, which is a trend that continues today. They still play an important part in the social life in modern Britain.
Yum Cha
Going for yum cha or dim sum is a practice that has become increasingly popular in the western world—but what does it mean? Yum cha literally translates to “drink tea”, and it is the practice of going to a restaurant to eat dim sum—bite-sized portions of food, usually steamed or fried. People in southern China go to yum cha with family and friends—it is a time to relax and catch up in a laid-back3 environment.
The most popular time to go for yum cha is late morning—or what is known in the West as brunch4. In fact, some say that brunch was inspired by yum cha.
It is believed that the custom began thousands of years ago when teahouses started cropping up along the Silk Road to provide rest for weary5 travellers. Later, it was discovered that tea aids digestion, so teahouse owners started offering snacks with their tea and yum cha was born.
NOTES
1. duchess n. 公爵夫人 2. come up with想出(计划、回答) 3. laid-back adj. 悠闲的
4. brunch n. 早午餐 5. weary adj. 疲倦的
GENERAL UNDERSTANDING
Read the text. Answer the questions.
1. Why did the Duchess of Bedford invite friends to come for tea in the afternoon?
2. What does yum cha mean?
Vietnamese families plan their activities around their children on this special day. In a Vietnamese folk story, parents were working so hard to prepare for the harvest that they left the children playing by themselves. To make up for that time, the parents would use the Mid-Autumn Festival as a chance to show their love and thanks for their children.
As a result, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Children’s Festival. In the United States, this tradition continues in many Vietnamese-American families. Activities are often centered on children and education. Parents buy lanterns for their children so that they can take part in a candle and lantern parade at dawn. Lanterns mean brightness, while the parade means success in school. Vietnamese markets sell a variety of lanterns, but the most popular children’s lantern is the star lantern. Other children’s activities include arts and crafts in which children make face masks and lanterns. Children also perform traditional Vietnamese dances for adults and take part in contests for prizes. Unicorn (麒麟) dancers are also very popular.
Like Chinese people, Vietnamese parents tell their children folk stories and serve moon cakes and other special treats under the bright moon. A favorite folk story is about a carp (鲤鱼) that wanted to become a dragon. The carp worked and worked and finally changed itself into a dragon. Parents use this story to encourage their children to work hard so that they can become whatever they want to be.
1. We can learn from the passage that Tet-Trung-Thu is celebrated ________.
| A．in China and other Asian countries |
| B．by Vietnamese-American families |
| C．all over the world except Vietnam |
| D．across the United States |
| A．eat moon cakes | B．buy lanterns for children |
| C．take part in contests | D．buy a carp |
| A．Family get-togethers. |
| B．Children and education. |
| C．Relaxation and fun in the middle of the year. |
| D．Parents having more time with their children. |
| A．children like listening to them in the evening |
| B．they want to show their love for their children |
| C．they want to encourage their children to work hard |
| D．they want to make up for lost time |
【推荐3】In America, the first Halloween celebrations were a way to mark the end-of-year harvest season, and the food that was served mainly consisted of homemade seasonal treats like caramel apples and mixed nuts. There were no soul cakes — or candies, for that matter — to be found.
It wasn't until the 1950s that trick-or-treating gained popularity in the US. Following the Great Depression and World War II, the suburbs were booming, and people were looking for excuses to have fun and get to know their neighbors. The old practice of souling came back to life again and was made into an excuse for kids to dress up in costumes and roam (漫游) their neighborhoods. Common trick-or-treat offerings included nuts, coins, and homemade baked goods.
That changed when the candy companies got their hands on the holiday. They had already convinced consumers that they needed candy on Christmas and Easter, and they were looking for an equally lucrative opportunity to market candy in the fall. The new practice of trick-or-treating was almost too good to be true. Manufacturers downsized candies into smaller, bite-sized packages and began marketing them as treats for Halloween. Adults were grateful to have a convenient alternative to baking, kids loved the sweet treats, and the candy companies made billions.
Today, it's hard to imagine Halloween without Skittles, chocolate bars, and the perennial candy corn debates. But when you're digging through a bag or bowl of Halloween candy this October, remember that you could have been eating soul cakes instead.
1. What did people enjoy on earlier Halloween?| A．Caramel apples. | B．Soul cakes. | C．Candies. | D．Peanuts. |
| A．The Great Depression. | B．World War II. |
| C．The kids’ practice. | D．Christmas and Easter. |
| A．Confident. | B．Beneficial. | C．Unforgettable. | D．Changeable. |
| A．Candies in America. | B．Halloween Celebrations. |
| C．Candies and Halloween. | D．Americans and Festivals. |
【推荐1】Theater Upcoming Events
Dear Evan Hansen
EISENHOWER THEATER
Aug. 30-Sep. 25, 2022
Dear Evan Hansen is a deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. The New York Times calls it “a breathtaking knockout of a musical.”
Recommended for age 12 and up
Bluey’s Big Play
EISENHOWER THEATER
Nov. 22-27, 2022
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer Joff Bush.
Suitable and enjoyable for all ages.
Shear Madness
THEATERLAB
Oct. 4, 2022-Oct.1, 2023
Set in present-day Georgetown, Shear Madness is an interactive comedy that engages audiences as armchair detectives to help solve the murder of a famous concert pianist who lives above the Shear Madness hairstyling salon (沙龙).
Performance Timing: 2 hours, with one short break.
No Excuses, No Limits
FAMILY THEATER
Jan. 13-15, 2023
Inspired by this international all-star breakdance crew of seven of the world’s best differently-abled dancers, No Excuses, No Limits takes audiences on a journey of each dancer’s story through dance, music, audience interaction, and a gained understanding of the limitless possibilities that any person can hold.
Most enjoyed by ages 7+.
1. Which of the following is adapted from a children’s television series?| A．Shear Madness. | B．Dear Evan Hansen. |
| C．Bluey’s Big Play. | D．No Excuses, No Limits. |
| A．It presents the impact of hairstyling salons. | B．It is aimed at remembering a concert pianist. |
| C．It runs for 2 hours without a pause. | D．It lets audiences solve the crime. |
| A．On Sep. 22, 2022. | B．On Nov. 25, 2022 | C．On Jan. 14, 2023. | D．On Oct. 1, 2023. |
【推荐2】Some Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts
Mother’s Day is right around the corner and it’s a special day for showing some gratitude and appreciation to mothers worldwide for raising and caring for their children. Naturally there are a lot of potential gifts out there for the occasion to choose from, so we’ve put together some thoughtful gifts you can send.
Mother’s Day scrabble printThis scrabble frame offers a more personal and alternative touch for Mother’s Day, with a simple but thoughtful message. You can also customise the names on the pieces to your own family names.
Katie Loxton slim pouchSometimes a small and simple gift can do just the trick, so if you wanted to go that route, this Katie Loxton pouch would be a great choice. It’s made from vegan leather and carved with “Wonderful Mum” on its front. It’s pocket-sized and can also handily fit in a handbag as an option for carrying small items.
Jimmy Choo Blossom special edition-Eau de ParfumSpring is in the air and so are the fragrances that are commonly associated with it. Presented in a lovely, brightly-coloured bottle and also diamond-shaped cap, this Jimmy Choo fragrance is a great gift for Mother’s Day and the blossoming of a new season, with its sweet and warm floral scents.
Floral punch needle kitIf your mum is into crafts, needling or is a plant lover, then this is the perfect gift for her. Made from cotton, beech wood and recycled plastic, it’s a punch needle kit ideal for hanging on a wall or help decorate a table stand with its nature themed fern look. Every gift is wrapped in recyclable packaging as well. Included inside is: the needle fabric, a model design, and detailed needling instructions for beginners.
1. How can you show some gratitude to mothers on Mother’s Day?| A．By celebrating a special day. | B．By sending thoughtful gifts. |
| C．By appreciating gifts worldwide. | D．By raising and caring for children. |
| A．It’s personal and identical. | B．It’s expensive and thoughtful. |
| C．It includes our names on the pieces. | D．It can cover our own family names. |
| A．Floral punch needle kit | B．Katie Loxton slim pouch |
| C．Mother’s Day scrabble print | D．Jimmy Choo Blossom special edition-Eau de Parfum |
【推荐3】This is the time when we start thinking of travel plans for the coming holiday. Will we go back to our old favorites? Try somewhere new? The following list will give you fresh ideas of where to stay.
Matca, Transylvania (Romania)
Matca, which means “queen bee” in Romanian, is a nickname for the hotel. Transylvania’s rural landscapes have long been a favorite of those in the know — the UK’s royal family has a house two hours north — and hilltop Matca renews its 16 rooms with the spirit of Romanian traditions, from hand carved beds to traditional carpets over the floorboard. Expected to be open in March.
Maria, Helsinki (Finland)
The Maria has been the first choice for Helsinki travelers since it met the public last month, with its “spa suites” plus private saunas (桑拿) or steam rooms. The hotel sits across four protected buildings dating back to 1885, and as such the look is modern classic, with plenty of copper and iron gray and big windows to let as much of that light as possible into the supersized rooms.
Casa Lucia, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Though Argentina looks set to be entering a period of financial uncertainty in 2024, this new Buenos Aires hotel is looking for new ideas by turning to the city’s golden age a century ago. Featuring “royal suites” and opening soon in April in the Edificio Mihanovich, a skyscraper in the Retiro district, the Casa Lucia is an upgraded version of the former Sofitel.
The Leinster, Dublin (Ireland)
For all too long, there’s only been room for one famous hotel on Dublin’s Merrion Square. The Leinster is about to change that. Opening next month, it’s bringing an almost Kit Kemp style of boutique chic (精品时尚) to the historic square, with lively patterned headboards brightening the modern rooms. The other hotel on the square — The Merrion — had better look to its laurels.
1. Which hotel is already receiving guests?| A．Matca. | B．Maria. | C．Casa Lucia. | D．The Leinster. |
| A．They face financial uncertainties. |
| B．They draw inspiration from the past. |
| C．They are famous among royal families. |
| D．They are single buildings in rural areas. |
| A．Stay calm and optimistic. |
| B．Stick to the original look. |
| C．Try not to lose its advantage. |
| D．Look up to the newcomer. |
