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.

2. The festival celebrated on March 13th in Thailand is held to ________.

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

3. Why don’t people have to worry about working the day after the Fire Festival?

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.