Thanksgiving around the World

Reading II

A. The meanings of some of the words from the text are given below. Find the words and write against the correct meanings.

a. in a way occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady intermittently

b. to remind people of an important event or person from the past commemorate

c. in a way that shows the usual qualities or features of a particular type of person or thing typically

d. a curved shape that is wide in the middle and pointed at each end crescent-shaped

e. full of life and energy vibrant

f. a person who is having fun in a noisy way, usually with a group of other people reveller

g. from or in another country; seeming exciting and unusual exotic

h. to spread through and be easy to notice pervade

i. brightly coloured and likely to attract attention flamboyant

j. done quickly and with a lot of activity, but not very well organized haphazardly

B. The following events represent different activities observed during Thanksgiving around the world. Study them carefully and write the names of countries where they are celebrated.

a. Families gather for a feast in the evening accompanied by dancing and singing. → Libaria

b. People wear new clothes and get community blessings. → Iran

c. Palm nut soup, fish and traditional Kpokoi are served. → Ghana

d. People return to their hometowns to celebrate the festival.→ South Korea

e. Celebrants go to the beach in a noisy way. → Brazil

f. Parades are taken out in the streets. → USA

g. Food and wine are offered to the forefathers. → South Korea

C. Answer the following questions.

a. What is the main feature of American Thanksgiving?

The main feature of American Thanksgiving is a Thanksgiving dinner with family, where Americans consume a significant amount of food, including roast turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, and assorted fall vegetables.

b. What do parades include in Thanksgiving in America?

Parades in Thanksgiving in America include parade floats and huge balloons, often based on cartoon characters, current Broadway shows, and other topical themes. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is particularly famous and is considered the world's largest parade.

c. When and why is Chuseok celebrated in Korea?

Chuseok is celebrated in Korea on the 15th day of August according to the lunar calendar. It is celebrated to commemorate the fall harvest and to honor one's ancestors.

d. How did Thanksgiving begin in Brazil?

Thanksgiving in Brazil began when the former Brazilian President, Gaspar Dutra, visited the USA and was fascinated with the holiday. He established the festival in his home country in 1949.

e. Who started Thanksgiving in Liberia? Why was it started?

Thanksgiving in Liberia was started by liberated American slaves in the 19th century. It is celebrated to give thanks for freedom and also to celebrate the good things in life while acknowledging their troubled past.

f. What is Thanksgiving celebrated in Barbados for?

Thanksgiving in Barbados, known as Crop Over, is celebrated as a thanksgiving for the sugar cane harvest. It is the biggest party in Barbados and spreads over a period of 12 weeks, culminating in the Grand Kadooment, which is a grand parade.

g. What is Homowo marked in Ghana?

Homowo in Ghana is marked to celebrate the end of a long famine that was suffered by the Ghanaians. It is a festival that includes a feast to jeer or hoot at hunger, and it involves the serving of palm nut soup with fish and traditional Kpokoi made from corn dough and palm oil.

D. How do people extend their gratitude for food and harvest in your community? Share with your friends.

In the Nepalese community, we express gratitude for food and harvest through traditions like the festival of Dashain. During this 15-day festival, we offer prayers to the goddess Durga, symbolizing our appreciation for the bountiful harvest. We perform puja, offer flowers and fruits, and receive tika and blessings from our elders. Additionally, we indulge in feasting on traditional dishes. In rural areas, we organize harvest festivals called "Paddy Festivals," celebrating successful rice harvests. These events involve activities like rice planting and harvesting rituals, fostering community unity and appreciation for agricultural traditions. Overall, we deeply value and express our gratitude for food through religious ceremonies, family gatherings, and community celebrations.

Grammar II

A. Rewrite the following sentences choosing the correct alternative from brackets.

a. Sujita asked her mother ....... (when her father would come home, when will her father come home, when might her father come home).
Sujita asked her mother when her father would come home.

b. She replied that she had never had caviar when I said to her, "...... caviar?” (Have you ever had, Will you have, Would you have)
She replied that she had never had caviar when I said to her, "Have you ever had caviar?"

c. The salesperson said to him, “What ........... for you?” (I can do, can I do, I could do)
The salesperson said to him, "What can I do for you?"

d. The tourist inquired from me ........ to Banepa. (whether I belonged, whether I would belong, whether am belonging)
The tourist inquired from me whether I belonged to Banepa.

e. The little girl asked us what time ...... to come back. (were we supposed, we were supposed, we had been supposed)
The little girl asked us what time we were supposed to come back.

f. The head teacher asked her ........ the exam form the week before. (whether she had filled out, whether she fills out, whether had she filled out)
The head teacher asked her whether she had filled out the exam form the week before.

g. Renuka asked me ....... her. (if I have called, if I had called, if had I called)
Renuka asked me if I had called her.

B. Nihar Chaudhary interviewed her Social Studies teacher last week. Here is the report prepared by her after the interview. Read it carefully and list out direct questions asked by Nihar.

Direct questions asked by Nihar Chaudhary:

1. Why is the Ihi ceremony performed?
2. What is the purpose of marrying pre-adolescent girls to Suvarna Kumar?
3. How does the Ihi tradition relate to the Sati tradition?
4. At what age are the girls typically married in the Ihi ceremony?
5. Why is the Ihi ceremony also known as Bel Bibaha (Ihi)?
6. Why is the wood apple fruit (bel) used as a witness in the ceremony?
7. How long does the Thi ceremony usually last?
8. What are the restrictions on food and drinks during the ceremony?

Writing II

A. Write a news story using the following clues.

Vitamin A Capsules Given to Children
health assistants give Vitamin A Capsules, October 19-20
children from six months to five years
deworming tablets to children between 1-5 years
announced by the Department of Health Services
Vitamin A programme continues since 2050 BS and deworming capsules since 2056 BS

Health Assistants Distribute Vitamin A Capsules and Deworming Tablets to Children

July 12, 2023, Kathmandu:

Health assistants from the Department of Health Services recently carried out a campaign to distribute Vitamin A capsules and deworming tablets to children between six months to five years of age. The program, which has been ongoing since 2050 BS for Vitamin A capsules and 2056 BS for deworming tablets, aims to address nutritional deficiencies and prevent parasitic infections.

During the two-day campaign held on October 19-20, health assistants worked diligently to ensure that eligible children received their allotted Vitamin A capsules and deworming tablets. Vitamin A capsules are essential in preventing Vitamin A deficiency, which can lead to vision impairment and weakened immune systems. Deworming tablets, on the other hand, help eliminate intestinal worms that can negatively affect a child's growth and development.

The Department of Health Services remains committed to prioritizing child health and plans to continue this significant program in the future. By providing these crucial supplements, the government aims to promote the well-being and brighter prospects for the nation's youngest generation.