1 . Looking for something entertaining to do? Check out some awesome festivals around the world.
Koninginnedag — The Netherlands
Koninginnedag or Queen’s Day is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Although the birthday of the current Queen, Beatrix, is actually during the winter, she has celebrated it on April 30th, the country’s official “Queen’s Day” since 1949. Orange is the national color, and the streets become a sea of feather boas(围巾) and body paint as crowds gather in the plazas and on boats in the rivers. Amsterdam is the center of this outdoor party, with many live music events, but nearly every town is alive with orange on this day.
Thai Elephant Day — Thailand
Thai Elephant Day is a national holiday in Thailand. Thai Elephant Day has been celebrated on March 13th of every year since 1998. Because the elephant is the national animal of Thailand, they are highly respected and treasured. During the festivals elephants are honored during a ceremony in which they are fed bananas, other fruit, and sugarcane.
The Fire Festival — Shetland
On the last Tuesday in January the entire town of Lerwick, Shetland goes up in flames. At the festival, you’ll find yourself sitting, dancing, or stumbling around the largest bonfire you’ve ever seen in your life. The festival lasts only one day but takes the entire year to plan. Be prepared for an evening of singing, dancing, and fast-paced activity, and don’t worry about making it to work the next day — it’s a national holiday!
Holi — India
Holi, he Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India’s most important holidays. On the day of the last full moon of the lunar month, usually late February or early March, the air is full of bright colored powder. The festival is celebrated differently throughout the country, with bonfires and music, but the cheerful spirit is common throughout Hindu communities around the world.
1. What do we know about Koninginnedag?| A．It is celebrated on the day of the current Queen’s birthday. |
| B．It is not celebrated outside the city of Amsterdam. |
| C．Everyone must wear orange clothes to celebrate it. |
| D．It has a history of more than seventy years. |
| A．show people’s respect for their Queen |
| B．show Thai people’s respect for elephants |
| C．ask people to protect endangered animals |
| D．help people relax by singing and dancing |
| A．Because people are allowed to sleep at work the next day. |
| B．Because the activities are too simple to get people tired. |
| C．Because people don’t have to go to work the next day. |
| D．Because the festival ends very early at night. |
2 . Luis was born in Lima, Peru. He lived there with his parents. But one day his life changed completely. His parents got divorced(离婚). And his mother moved to the United States. So Luis went with her.
This move was a big change for Luis. He tried to fit into his new life. He had to go to a new school, learn a new language and make new friends. But Luis felt different from the other children. He felt that he did not belong. He wanted to return to South America. Some years later he had his chance. He was so happy to return to his original culture! But to his surprise, he did not feel at home.
Luis felt troubled. He did not know which country he was from. Luis is not the only young person to have these feelings. More and more young people are moving around the world with their parents. Their parents' work may cause the move. Families may choose to move. They hope for a better life. Such families have new experiences.They learn about other cultures. They have interesting lives. But there can also be a big problem. A lot of people do not understand how moving will affect their children. Parents may not understand their children's struggles. And they often think it will be easy for their children to return to their home country. They may expect their children to be the same as them, to have the same ideas, and to have the same beliefs.
There is a name for these children who grow up in more than one country-"third culture kids". Third culture kids are not completely part of their parents' culture. They are not completely part of the other culture they live in. Instead, they are a mix of cultures. This mixed culture is their own culture-a third culture.
1. What happened to Luis when he moved to America?| A．He couldn't fit in. | B．He liked American culture at once. |
| C．He had problem with the new language. | D．He couldn't make friends. |
| A．To look for his father. | B．To learn about the culture of Peru. |
| C．To seek a sense of belonging. | D．To compare different cultures. |
| A．Cultural Shock | B．Children's Problems |
| C．Third Culture Kids | D．Missing Home |
